Jiang Taohua reflected on the day’s events as she entered Zhengchun Pavilion. She had anticipated the beginning and the end but hadn’t expected Qin Jieyu to be so foolish. Qin must have relied heavily on Mei Zhaoxue’s protection over the years; otherwise, with her limited intelligence, she would have been ruined long ago.
Taohua wasn’t sure if the western tower was where the information had been reported to Haitang Pavilion, but she had correctly guessed the subsequent events. Knowing about her appointment with Xu Yangui and that she had left the manor without the madam’s permission, the person behind the scenes couldn’t resist causing trouble. Taohua had provided the opportunity, placing the love token and booking the restaurant’s private room. Anyone who wanted to make a move would inevitably fall into the trap.
However, Qin Jieyu had fallen for it without hesitation, acting exactly as Taohua had predicted, even taking the jade pendant. How could she not suffer the consequences?
Sighing and shaking her head, Taohua entered Zhengchun Pavilion. Soon after, she heard that Shen Zaiye had left with Xu Yangui.
Even for a trusted confidant, causing such trouble would likely not end well. Taohua smiled, thinking, ‘Serves that lecherous man right!’
Thrown into the carriage by Shen Zaiye, Xu Yangui still looked bewildered. “What exactly happened?”
“Shouldn’t I be asking you that?” Shen Zaiye sneered. “Was that cut last time not painful enough?”
Xu Yangui’s mouth twitched as he sat up straight, looking at Shen Zaiye innocently. “I was just having a meal with Madam Jiang. I didn’t do anything improper. Can’t you be more magnanimous?”
Realizing it was indeed with Jiang Taohua, Shen Zaiye shook his head. “You were trying to scheme against her, weren’t you? Trying to frame her for infidelity to get her expelled from the manor?”
Xu Yangui’s eyes widened as he frowned. “How did you know?”
“With that inadequate brain of yours, you might be able to harm others, but you’ll only end up at a disadvantage with Jiang Taohua,” Shen Zaiye rolled his eyes, irritated. “I’m warning you one last time: don’t do these useless things. Only I can decide her fate; you do not influence it.”
“Oh?” Xu Yangui crossed his arms defiantly. “What if she falls in love with me and is willing to elope?”
Unaware of what had transpired earlier, Shen Zaiye was both angry and amused. He glanced at Xu Yangui and said, “If she were capable of falling in love with you, you wouldn’t be locked in the woodshed today.”
Confused by this statement, Xu Yangui didn’t understand. Shen Zaiye looked at him with disdain for a while before explaining what had happened earlier.
“Qin has always harbored ill intentions towards Jiang. Coincidentally, you also wanted to harm Jiang. Being as clever as she is, Jiang took a step back and let you two collide head-on. How does it feel, Master Xu, to be taught a lesson by a woman again? Are you happy?”
Xu Yangui was dumbfounded. It took him a while to understand the intricacies of the situation. He couldn’t help but exclaim, “How can she have so many schemes? It was just a jade pendant and a meal together…”
“You’re a fool, but don’t assume others are too,” Shen Zaiye chuckled. “These actions could violate the seven grounds for divorce. You might be willing to be drowned in a pig cage, but she won’t play along.”
It was only because of their familiarity and Shen Zaiye’s understanding of Xu Yangui’s nature that the two of them weren’t tied up and thrown into the river today.
Leaning against the carriage wall, Xu Yangui sighed in frustration. “What does it mean for a dragon to be teased by shrimp in shallow waters? I’ve been in the jianghu for nearly ten years, yet I can’t outmaneuver a woman!”
In the past, Shen Zaiye would have agreed with this sentiment, given Xu Yangui’s considerable skills. However, having witnessed Jiang Taohua’s abilities, he could only shake his head and say, “There’s always someone better out there. Don’t underestimate women.”
“Huh?” Xu Yangui was shocked, looking at him in surprise. “I never expected to hear such words from you, Lord Shen!”
Wasn’t he the one who looked down on women the most? He had always treated women as mere pawns to be moved around without any regard for their feelings. What Buddha had enlightened him to say such things?
Shen Zaiye ignored him, looking at the receding road outside. After a while, he said, “In any case, don’t provoke her again. If there’s a next time, I’ll handle it officially. Whatever mistake you make, you’ll bear the consequences.”
“What if I make a mistake like today’s again?” Xu Yangui asked curiously.
“You can choose between being sent to the palace for castration or being drowned in the river,” Shen Zaiye replied coldly.
Xu Yangui was speechless. What a ruthless heart!
But Jiang Taohua was indeed formidable. This chess game she played was brilliant. Was it possible that she hadn’t left any loopholes for others to exploit?
Meanwhile, in Linghan Court, Qin Jieyu arrived crying, her fine clothes removed and her hair disheveled. She burst into the main room, looking at Mei Zhaoxue and asking, “Why didn’t you save me, Madam?”
Mei Zhaoxue’s brow was still furrowed, and her expression darkened upon seeing Qin Jieyu. “How could I save you? The stones that fell were all piled up by you. I couldn’t even stop it.”
“But!” Qin Jieyu frowned. “Those were all Madam Jiang’s crimes. I don’t understand why they were all pinned on me! It was a trap she had prepared in advance, yet no one saw through it!”
“Are you blaming me?” Mei Zhaoxue’s eyes darkened slightly. “When we received the information, you rushed out impulsively before I could say anything. I could only bring the lord over at the calculated time to support you. Who would have thought…”
She trailed off, clutching her handkerchief tightly, looking quite resentful.
“We can’t be blamed for not anticipating this. Madam Jiang’s act was too convincing,” someone suddenly spoke up. “She had left the manor without permission. Who would have thought it was just to lure Madam Qin into a trap?”
Qin Jieyu was startled, only now realizing another person was sitting nearby.
Duan Yunxin, as gentle as ever, looked at her calmly and said, “Take this setback as a lesson.”
Reminded by these words, Mei Zhaoxue seemed to suddenly remember something. “That’s right. Even if we disregard the other accusations, Jiang still left the manor without permission. If she hadn’t been so secretive, Qin wouldn’t have acted so impulsively.”
“Exactly!” Without pausing to question why Madam Duan was present, Qin Jieyu quickly agreed. “Even if all the other crimes were pushed onto me, she still left the manor without asking for your token, breaking the rules. You don’t even need to inform the lord; you can deal with her directly!”
Mei Zhaoxue nodded, thought for a moment, and then looked at Duan Yunxin with a smile. “With Madam Duan’s assistance, I feel much more at ease.”
Duan Yunxin nodded slightly, her face impassive. Qin Jieyu, kneeling below, was puzzled. “Assistance?”
Had Madam Duan allied with the madam? Weren’t they previously operating independently?
“We’ve all witnessed how formidable Madam Jiang is today,” Duan Yunxin smiled, looking at the confused Qin Jieyu. “If the madam and I don’t help each other, how can we maintain our positions in this courtyard?”
It seemed to make sense, but Qin Jieyu couldn’t help feeling uncomfortable. She used to be the one by the madam’s side, and now, just as she had been demoted, the madam had already found someone to replace her.
Mei Zhaoxue naturally understood her thoughts and personally helped her up. “Now that Jiang and Gu are in cahoots, and you’ve been demoted, if we don’t rely on Madam Duan, our days won’t be easy. Don’t worry, even as a bedwarmer, as long as we’re here, no one in this manor will dare to bully you.”
“Thank you, Madam,” Qin Jieyu responded gloomily, having no other choice but to comply.
Just as Taohua was enjoying some snacks, someone called from outside, “Madam Jiang, the madam requests your presence at Linghan Court.”
“That was quick,” Taohua raised an eyebrow, wiped her mouth, and headed over with some items.
Both Madam Duan and Madam Qin were present, along with the gossipy Liu Xiangjun. Noticing Mei Zhaoxue’s displeased expression, Taohua bowed and said, “This concubine pays her respects to the madam.”
“If you truly respected me as the madam, I’d be happy even without your formal greetings,” Mei Zhaoxue pursed her lips, frowning slightly. “Jiang, do you know your mistake?”
Blinking innocently, Taohua looked up at her. “What mistake has this concubine made?”
“You left the manor today, didn’t you?” Mei Zhaoxue said. “And without asking me for a token.”
Taohua paused, hesitating for a moment before asking, “Does the madam have any evidence that I left the manor?”
Mei Zhaoxue fell silent. She couldn’t say that someone had followed and seen Taohua, especially since Jiang was in the manor when they returned.
“You even need evidence for this? Madam Jiang, you really won’t admit defeat until you see the coffin,” Liu Xiangjun clicked her tongue. “Someone as noticeable as you being seen is quite normal.”
“Then who saw me? Shouldn’t they at least explain it clearly to me?” Taohua pouted. “You senior sisters have been in the manor longer than me. There’s no reason to bully a newcomer like this, is there? Without clear explanations or confrontations, you’re ready to convict me?”
Everyone fell silent, but Duan Yunxin spoke softly, “Since the madam is so insistent on evidence, let’s bring in a witness.”
With that, a nearby maid withdrew and brought someone in.
“My lady!” Xilou immediately knelt behind Taohua, keeping her head low. “This servant has wronged you. I couldn’t help but speak about some things I saw.”
So it was her after all. Taohua nodded, “You’re a maid from my courtyard. What you say you’ve seen naturally has some credibility. Since everyone is here today, why don’t you explain everything clearly?”
Xilou pursed her lips, her eyes darting around. As a maid with ambitions to climb higher, she was quite cunning. She wouldn’t openly accuse her mistress of multiple crimes in front of everyone. They would still have to see each other daily, so she needed to leave herself a way out.
So she only said, “This servant saw the mistress leave today, wearing a cloak and exiting through the side door.”
“Now what do you have to say?” Qin Jieyu couldn’t help but interject. “You wanted irrefutable evidence. This is irrefutable evidence!”
Taohua nodded, “Since there’s an eyewitness, I’ll be frank. I did leave the manor today to see the sights of the capital.”
“How dare you!” Mei Zhaoxue rebuked her. “Leaving the manor without the mistress’s permission is against the house rules. Don’t you know that?”
“Of course I know,” Taohua looked up at her with a smile. “That’s why I sought the lord’s permission before leaving. If the lord allowed it, doesn’t that equate to the madam’s permission as well?”
The room fell silent. Taohua reached into her sleeve and produced the jade pendant Shen Zaiye had given her, presenting it to Mei Zhaoxue. “I had intended to sneak out for some fresh air without bothering the madam, so I sought the lord’s favor. I didn’t mention it earlier because I feared the other sisters might think I was boasting. But I didn’t expect…”
She glanced back at Xilou, her lips curving into a smile. “I didn’t expect to have such a loyal maid in my courtyard.”
In the Shen manor, servants with divided loyalties were most frowned upon. Servants expelled from one courtyard would not be accepted by others. After today’s incident, Xilou would no longer be able to stay in the manor.
“My lady!” Xilou panicked. “This servant didn’t know… This servant didn’t know you had…”
“You didn’t know, so you assumed I had broken the house rules and rushed to report it?” Taohua shook her head. “You seem clever, girl, but how could you not understand? Which mistress in the other courtyards would risk offending me for the sake of a mere maid like you? Even if you had helped convict me today, your fate would only be betrayal and expulsion from the manor.”
Xilou’s pupils constricted as she stared at Taohua for a long time, then looked at Duan Yunxin.
Madam Duan kept her eyes lowered, focusing on the embroidery on her handkerchief, completely ignoring Xilou.
Feeling a chill in her heart, Xilou took a deep breath and bowed to Taohua. “This servant has wronged you, my lady!”
Mei Zhaoxue had already examined the jade pendant, her face stiff and silent. Taohua ignored Xilou and smiled at Mei Zhaoxue, asking, “Madam, is the lord’s jade pendant valid?”
“Of course it is,” Mei Zhaoxue handed the pendant back to her, speaking flatly. “It seems Madam Jiang is deeply favored by the lord. We have nothing more to say then. The matter of leaving the manor without permission was a misunderstanding. I apologize to you.”
“How can the madam say such things? You are the mistress of the household. If you feel I’ve done something wrong, it’s only right to point it out,” Taohua nodded, then looked up with an enigmatic expression in her eyes. “However, madam, you weren’t so impulsive before. It’s better to act according to your thoughts rather than being used as someone else’s pawn.”
Mei Zhaoxue was taken aback and pursed her lips. “What are you saying?”
“This concubine spoke out of turn,” Taohua smiled sweetly. “Please consider it nonsense. If there’s nothing else here, I’ll take the maid from Zhengchun Pavilion back for proper discipline.”
Mei Zhaoxue nodded, and Madam Duan didn’t intervene. They watched as Qing Taidragged Xilou away like a chicken.
Linghan Court fell into a deathly silence, the atmosphere extremely awkward. Mei Zhaoxue glanced at Madam Duan several times, while Duan Yunxin chuckled to herself, looking in the direction Taohua had left.
Back, Xilou was extremely anxious. She hadn’t expected Jiang Taohua to make such a move, leading her to commit a grave error. She would likely never be able to redeem herself in this courtyard. Now it depended on whether Madam Jiang would be merciful enough to just expel her from the manor or if she would have to pay an additional price.
As the gates of Zhengchun Pavilion closed, Taohua lounged on a comfortable couch, glancing sideways at the little maid kneeling below. “Do you know why you ended up like this today?”
“This servant knows her mistake. This servant shouldn’t have betrayed her mistress.”
“That’s not it.” Taohua shook her head gently. “It’s natural for people to seek advancement. Your choice wasn’t wrong, and although stepping on me to get ahead wasn’t very ethical, that’s not your biggest mistake.”
(End of chapter)