That evening, she waited until dusk before her mother returned from her eldest uncle’s residence.

She hurried forward to help her mother change clothes. “What did Uncle say?” Her brow revealed a trace of hope.

“We are family, after all.” Mother removed her padded jacket and changed into a silk robe. “Your uncle has already sent someone to summon Zuo Junjie. As for the maids, daughters-in-law, and old servants in the household, your aunt will help keep them in check so they won’t spread wild rumors. You should feel at ease going to stay at Biyun Temple for a few days to clear your mind.”

Rumors were like the wind—how could anyone stop them?

But with the family elders willing to intervene, this matter should blow over quickly!

She returned to her chambers.

Her senior maid Yi Tong and Yu Wei were sitting in the main room doing needlework, while the younger maids Zhe Liu and Jian Cao gathered around them, some helping to separate threads, others winding yarn, all chattering merrily, creating quite a lively atmosphere.

Seeing her enter, they all smiled and came forward to bow in greeting.

Looking at the familiar faces before her, she thought of the undergarment her mother had tossed to her, and felt a chill in her heart.

Mother had taught her before that a husband would grow distant from her for the sake of his family or concubines, but these people serving her were dependent on her for their livelihood—their fates intertwined, their honors and disgraces shared. If used properly, no one could be more loyal or attentive.

She believed she had treated them well and couldn’t imagine why they would betray her.

That night, she tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

Yi Tong was on night duty and came over with a lamp, wearing an outer robe. “Miss, what’s troubling you?”

In the lamplight, Yi Tong’s eyes were filled with concern.

She remembered asking Yi Tong some days ago whether she would be willing to follow her to Nanjing.

Yi Tong had lowered her head shyly and said, “I wish to stay in Huayin!”

She had smiled and asked, “Who is he? Before I leave, I’ll certainly help arrange things for you so you won’t be disappointed.”

Yi Tong had replied with embarrassment, “Miss doesn’t know him; he’s someone from outside. My parents have already agreed. We’re just waiting to report to the Fifth Madam!”

Could it be Yi Tong?

Betraying her for a man!

She quickly dismissed the thought.

It couldn’t be Yi Tong.

Yi Tong had served in her quarters since she was seven years old. They had grown up together, both servant and friend. She even entrusted Yi Tong with the keys to her storeroom—she was her most trusted person. If she couldn’t trust Yi Tong, whom could she trust?

Or was it Yu Wei?

Yu Wei had a father who was fond of drinking and gambling. Even Yu Wei’s mother had been sold to pay for wine. After Yu Wei was promoted to second-class maid and received a monthly allowance, her father often came looking for money. Once when Yu Wei refused, he had threatened to sell her younger brother.

Could she have betrayed her for money?

She quickly dismissed this thought too.

It couldn’t be Yu Wei.

Yu Wei would be going with her to Nanjing.

With good fortune, Yu Wei might be taken into the master’s household, perhaps even elevated to the status of a concubine. At worst, she would become a housekeeper’s wife.

How much money would it take for Yu Wei to abandon her intention of going to Nanjing?

Or could it be Zhe Liu? Jian Cao?

As these thoughts arose, she shook her head vigorously.

What was wrong with her?

Seeing problems with everyone.

She feared that before finding the person who was colluding with outsiders, she would drive herself mad with suspicion.

Her unusual behavior worried Yi Tong. “Miss, shall I read a few pages from ‘The Garden Shepherd’ to you?”

“The Garden Shepherd” was a book about designing gardens.

She was to be married to Jiangnan, so she had specifically retrieved it from her father’s study, fearing she might embarrass herself by not understanding the layout of Jiangnan’s gardens.

But tonight, in the dim lamplight, what had filled her with anticipation yesterday now turned bitter.

“No need,” she turned her back to Yi Tong. “Go to sleep quickly. We need to go to Biyun Temple early tomorrow.”

Yi Tong had never disobeyed her and responded softly in acknowledgment, carefully lowering the bed curtains for her.

She lay with her eyes open, watching as the sky gradually brightened, then rose to change her clothes and accompanied her mother to Biyun Temple.

Biyun Temple was fifty li from the city, built at the foot of Qixia Mountain. Ancient trees provided shade, distant hills surrounded it, and the scenery was elegant and beautiful—an excellent place for a summer retreat. The abbess, Master Guo Hui, was over fifty years old, with kind eyes and a gentle manner. Hearing that she had suffered from summer heat, the abbess sent her self-made Six Flower Soup. Learning that she would be staying at the temple for a while, the abbess assigned two young nuns to help them clean and tidy up, and occasionally came to check on her, discussing Buddhist scriptures and teachings. As for the two little maids, Lu’E and Han Yan, they were honored to have been chosen from among many to serve at Biyun Temple, attending to her with careful diligence, fearing any slight negligence.

Such days should have passed leisurely and comfortably, most pleasantly.

But she constantly thought about that matter, restless and unable to sleep at night. When she occasionally dozed off, she was plagued by nightmares of standing alone among crowds of men, women, old, and young, being cursed, accused, and even having stones thrown at her.

After enduring such days for only five or six days, she had lost a great deal of weight.

Mama Bibo watched anxiously and tried to counsel her.

At first, she listened patiently, but later became irritated. “Mama, rather than spending time on this, why not help me return and inquire about matters at home?”

To her surprise, after some thought, Mama Bibo agreed: “Then I’ll quietly go back and see!”

She suddenly became nervous. “What if someone discovers you…”

“Ninth Miss, don’t worry,” Mama Bibo smiled. “I won’t enter the mansion. I’ll just change into coarse cotton clothes and walk around the city to see if there’s any gossip, then come back.”

She praised Mama Bibo for her thoughtfulness.

Mama Bibo informed Master Guo Hui, using the excuse of needing to report to her mother about her condition, and early the next morning left the temple for the city.

By evening, she returned with a face full of smiles. “Ninth Miss, the city is calm and peaceful.” Unable to contain her joy, she added in a low voice, “I happened to meet Mama Xiu Zhu and asked her to relay a message to the Fifth Madam. She said she would send someone to see you in a few days. She’ll tell us in detail then.”

Mama Xiu Zhu was another manageress trusted by her mother.

Overjoyed, she finally had a peaceful night’s sleep.

A few days later, Mama Xiu Zhu arrived.

“These medicinal herbs are either for clearing heat and relieving summer ailments or for regulating blood and qi. The instructions for use are written on them.” She smiled as she handed over a blue coarse cloth bundle, then dismissed Lu’E and Han Yan before continuing concisely, “The eldest daughter-in-law has fallen ill, and Master Zuo is anxious, remaining at our residence to inquire after her. Your maid, Zhe Liu, suddenly developed alternating fever and chills. Several doctors were called but couldn’t cure her. Subsequently, Yi Tong, Yu Wei, Jian Cao, and others also began feeling unwell. It’s most likely a serious illness. The Dowager Lady has moved them to the country estate outside the city and invited Daoist priests from the Nine Immortals Temple and monks from Poyun Monastery to perform rituals. Following the advice of the famous physician Ma Boju, they sprinkled saltpeter powder in your quarters. When I left, the Dowager Lady asked me to tell you to stay here comfortably for some time until the saltpeter smell dissipates before returning.”

She was both shocked and pleased.

Shocked that even with her mother personally investigating, they hadn’t discovered the truth, and that her capable maids had all been implicated. Pleased that her uncle had finally restrained Zuo Junjie, and that the Dowager Lady had intervened, seemingly protecting her…

“Have they found out who was behind it?” she asked urgently.

“The Fifth Madam didn’t specify, and I don’t know either.”

As Mama Xiu Zhu spoke, Han Yan entered.

“Everything has been arranged, and the temple’s vegetarian dishes have been delivered.”

The two maids still didn’t know why she had come to Biyun Temple.

Mama Xiu Zhu immediately changed the subject.

She asked Mama Bibo to accompany Mama Xiu Zhu downstairs for a meal, while she sat by the window, staring blankly at the weeping willows outside.

After seeing off Mama Xiu Zhu, Mama Bibo softly comforted her: “Miss, since the Dowager Lady has intervened, we should be able to return soon!”

“Don’t try to console me,” she stared blankly out the window. “I’ve been learning household management from Mother for three or four years, and I understand some things. Moving them to the country estate either means they couldn’t find anything out and had to resort to torture, or they’re covering for each other and the investigation can’t proceed… Whatever the reason, I feel terrible about it.” Tears welled in the corners of her eyes.

Mama Bibo didn’t know what to say.

After a while, she murmured, “We’ll know when Mama Xiu Zhu comes next time!”

But to their surprise, Mama Xiu Zhu never came again.

Not only did Mama Xiu Zhu not return, but Mama Bibo was also replaced by Mama Chen.

“The Fifth Madam has urgent matters requiring Mama Bibo’s assistance, and the Ninth Miss cannot be left unattended.” Mama Chen, who had always been respectfully deferential to her in the past, now gave her a forced smile and curtseyed, with seven or eight sturdy old women following behind. “The Dowager Lady has sent me to serve the Ninth Miss for some time!”

Mama Chen was the most capable servant of her eldest aunt, equivalent to what Mama Bibo was to her mother and Mama Li was to her grandmother.

She sensed something was wrong.

Her stay at Biyun Temple was hardly a matter of honor; the fewer people who knew about it, the better. Why had so many people been sent? If her mother needed Mama Bibo to return, her grandmother could have sent Mama Li instead. Why send Mama Chen? Allowing the eldest branch of the family to interfere in the affairs of the fifth branch. Moreover, the women who came with Mama Chen were all strong and unfamiliar—not ordinary servants, and not those who usually moved about in the inner quarters.

Something had happened at home!

And the situation seemed very unfavorable to her and her mother.

She quickly realized the severity of the situation. Straightening her back and lifting her chin slightly, she fixed Mama Chen with a condescending gaze, hoping to intimidate her: “I have the temple masters here, as well as two little maids. There’s no need to trouble Mama Chen.”

“Ninth Miss, that won’t do!” Although Mama Chen smiled, she showed none of a servant’s deference. “If the Dowager Lady learns of this, she’ll blame me for failing in my duties.” With that, she signaled to a horse-faced old woman beside her.

Immediately, two women seized Mama Bibo.

Her face changed dramatically.

“Ninth Miss!” Mama Bibo signaled with her eyes not to get angry, as Mama Chen had superior numbers, and it would be unwise to suffer immediate disadvantage. “Since the Fifth Madam needs me, I’ll return first.” Then she added with double meaning, “By my calculation, the Fifth Master should have received the Fifth Madam’s letter by now. Just wait patiently for a few days.”

Mama Chen remained silent and stepped back.

She watched helplessly as two old women escorted Mama Bibo away from Biyun Temple.