Taohua was taken aback by the gratitude. “I didn’t even help much. What is she thanking me for?”
Qingtai paused, slapping her forehead. “Did this servant forget to report to you earlier, mistress?”
“Report what?” Taohua shook her head. “Weren’t you just running around the courtyard earlier?”
Qingtai stomped her foot and hurriedly explained, “Forgive this servant. I was busy informing Nanny Xu and forgot you didn’t know. The master has already submitted a divorce letter along with Madam Xu’s list of crimes to the capital’s magistrate. Now Madam Qin is wailing and demanding to see the mistress, but Linghan Courtyard’s gates are tightly shut, and the mistress refuses to see her.”
“What?” Taohua sat up abruptly. “How did this happen?”
Didn’t Shen Zaiye say he wouldn’t reopen Yuyue’s case? He even said earlier that Steward Xu’s death wouldn’t change anything. How did he suddenly deal with Madam Qin so quickly? He changed his mind faster than turning a page!
“This servant doesn’t know what happened either. The news just came in, and now the master is busy preparing for tonight’s ceremony,” Qingtai said with a smile. “You’ve helped fulfill Steward Xu’s wish.”
After a moment of stunned silence, Taohua put on her shoes and went to check on Steward Xu.
“Why have you come?” Steward Xu was still lying in bed, her face relaxed, looking much younger. “This old servant was planning to pay respects to you once I felt better.”
Waving her hand, Taohua forced a laugh. “This doesn’t seem to have anything to do with me. When the master left, he was still upset with me. It doesn’t make sense that he’d suddenly change his mind.”
“My lady, you haven’t been in the household long, so you’re not yet familiar with some of the master’s temperaments,” Steward Xu said with a light chuckle. “He often speaks harshly, but if there’s truly a reasonable matter, he will listen and act on it.”
Is that so? Taohua blinked, suddenly feeling a bit embarrassed. “So I scolded him wrongly?”
“You weren’t wrong, my lady. If you hadn’t spoken up, the master might not have reconsidered,” Steward Xu said, supporting herself to sit up on the bed. She kowtowed to Taohua from the bed. “This old servant thanks you, my lady!”
“Oh, please, there’s no need for that.” Taohua said awkwardly, “I’m still a bit confused about this whole situation, but I’m glad it worked out. Madam Qin has been divorced and is no longer part of the household. You, being the master’s benefactor and the household steward, will have an easier time seeking justice now compared to before.”
“Yes,” Steward Xu finally smiled. “If Yuyue’s revenge can truly be achieved, this old servant will protect you wholeheartedly in the future, my lady.”
That wasn’t important now. Taohua pursed her lips and looked at her. “This is the first time I’ve seen someone as fearless as you, Nanny.”
Her master used to say that life was the most important thing, so no matter what, she would always prioritize survival before pursuing other goals. Steward Xu’s actions today truly exceeded her understanding.
“A mother would do anything for her daughter,” Steward Xu smiled gently. “Isn’t your mother the same, my lady?”
Taohua paused, tilting her head in thought for a while before saying, “My birth mother passed away very early. I don’t know what she was like. As for my stepmother… it’s best not to mention her.”
“This old servant deserves death,” Steward Xu quickly lowered her head. “I spoke out of turn. Please don’t take it to heart, my lady.”
“It’s alright,” Taohua smiled. “You should rest well. It seems you won’t be able to attend tonight’s banquet. I’ll have Qingtai bring you some good food later.”
“Thank you, my lady.”
Now that the matter was resolved, Taohua’s mood naturally improved. She returned to her quarters to get ready. When the time was right, she headed towards the front hall with Qingtai.
“Jiang Taohua!”
Halfway there, they encountered Qin Jieyu, who was being escorted by servants. She glared at Taohua furiously, almost breaking free from the servants’ grasp to lunge at her!
Taohua was startled and exclaimed in amazement, “My, what a loud voice she has!”
Qingtai frowned, instinctively shielding her mistress and watching Madam Qin warily.
Qin Jieyu had changed into new clothes, but her hair was disheveled, and she looked almost deranged. Her eyes glared fiercely at Taohua as she spat, “You vicious woman! You won’t come to a good end!”
Taohua’s eyebrows twitched slightly as she stepped forward. Seeing Qin Jieyu forced to kneel by the servants, she crouched down to look at her. “Your words are strange. You’re the one who killed, you’re the one who repeatedly tried to harm me, and you’re the one who poisoned my courtyard. How have I become the vicious one?”
“You did it on purpose!” Qin Jieyu said hatefully. “You’re so clever, you knew many things from the beginning, yet you deliberately waited for me to harm you, waited to catch me in the act, waited to ruin me like this!”
Finding it increasingly amusing, Taohua asked her, “So, if you hadn’t tried to harm me, would you have ended up like this?”
Qin Jieyu was stunned, then cursed loudly, “You cunning woman!”
“If standing still and letting you harm me is considered pure and kind,” Taohua smiled, “then I think being cunning is quite good.”
“You!” Qin Jieyu was so angry she couldn’t find words to curse anymore. She gathered saliva in her mouth and spat at Taohua.
Qingtai, quick-witted, pulled her mistress aside. The foul-smelling spittle flew far.
“You reap what you sow,” Taohua stood up, patting her skirt, and said calmly, “Rather than hating me, you should hate those who used you as a pawn. After all, you did everything alone and bore all the crimes alone, while they are still living well.”
With that, she left with Qingtai.
Qin Jieyu was stunned, unable to understand the meaning behind Taohua’s words for a long time.
The Shen household was celebrating, and although it was just taking in a concubine, many people came to offer congratulations. The guests were feasting in the outer courtyard, while the master and the new Madam Qin would come to the inner courtyard later.
Mei Zhaoxue wore a gentle smile as she looked at those seated on both sides, saying, “Our household has gained a new sister. You should all get along well in the future.”
“Yes,” everyone responded, drinking and eating.
Liu Xiangkun glanced at Jiang Taohua several times before finally speaking up, “This new lady is Madam Qin’s younger sister. Who would have thought that as soon as she entered the household, before even meeting her, Madam Qin would be sent away by Madam Jiang.”
Taohua didn’t even raise her eyelids as she replied calmly, “The master sent her away.”
“But wasn’t it you who reported her crimes?” Liu Xiangkun smiled kindly, but her words were unforgiving. “On such a joyous day, you couldn’t have shown some restraint and endured a bit longer?”
The surroundings grew quiet. Taohua focused intently on the delicacies before her, showing neither embarrassment nor guilt, but rather a hint of disdain.
Liu Xiangkun had intended to stir up trouble, but she hadn’t expected Jiang Taohua to not only remain silent but also display such an attitude. She became angry, “Your silence implies agreement?”
Everyone looked over. Taohua raised her eyes but still didn’t say a word. She merely gave a contemptuous smile, her expression so rich that anyone could see she simply didn’t want to bother with someone like Liu Xiangkun.
Such baseless accusations would only become more deeply ingrained the more they were argued. It was enough to just show her attitude here. Qin Jieyu got what she deserved, and Taohua had only found a way to ensure she received proper punishment. She hadn’t done anything inappropriate. Since she hadn’t done anything wrong, why should she argue red-faced with a mere servant girl?
Liu Xiangkun was furious and was about to continue her mockery when she felt Madam Duan tug at her sleeve.
She paused briefly, then quickly came to her senses and lowered her head without saying anything more. She had almost been provoked by Jiang Taohua into overstepping her bounds. If she had become emotional and disrespected her superiors, that would have been a grave offense.
“Not arguing anymore?” Taohua finally spoke with a smile when Liu Xiangkun fell silent. “Seeing how eloquent you are, Liu Yiyi, why don’t you keep talking? The master and the new Madam Qin haven’t arrived yet, so you might as well entertain everyone.”
“This servant was out of line,” Liu Xiangkun said, cold sweat breaking out on her back. She instinctively glanced at Mei Zhaoxue in the center.
Mei Zhaoxue chose to ignore everything that had just happened and didn’t reprimand her for her transgression. Seeing this, Liu Xiangkun finally breathed a sigh of relief and lowered her head to continue eating.
Half an hour later, Shen Zaiye finally arrived with Qin Huaiyu.
As she was only a concubine, Qin Huaiyu wore a peach-colored wedding dress, and her headdress wasn’t very elaborate. However, when her veil was lifted, her face was quite adorable, with rosy cheeks like crisp apples and small but bright eyes.
“This concubine Qin Huaiyu pays respects to the mistress and greets all the elder sisters,” she said in a sweet, clear voice as she bowed properly. “I hope you will all take care of me in the future.”
“You may rise,” Mei Zhaoxue smiled, placing a red envelope on the tray offered by a maid. The others followed suit, each giving her a red envelope.
Taohua watched enviously and couldn’t help but mutter, “Qingtai, why didn’t I get red envelopes when I married?”
Qingtai whispered back, “Your marriage was quite unexpected, my lady. We didn’t even complete all the proper rituals.”
“Can we make up for it now? Would I still get red envelopes?” Taohua asked.
Qingtai: “…”
As if hearing her voice, Qin Huaiyu turned to look at Taohua, giving her a sweet smile before taking her seat next to Shen Zaiye at the main table.
Everyone offered their congratulations in unison and took turns saying polite words. Shen Zaiye seemed to be in a good mood, treating the new Madam Qin with tenderness and care throughout the meal, which made Jiang Taohua roll her eyes.
“Look at this,” she said, putting her hand on Gu Huairou’s shoulder. “Does the master look like he’s married a new concubine? It’s more like he’s acquired a new chess piece, a smooth, shiny cannon.”
“My lady, you’re drunk,” Gu Huairou said with a light laugh. “Shall I take you back to your quarters?”
Taohua glared at her, “How can I be drunk when I haven’t had any alcohol? Wasn’t I just drinking tea earlier?”
Qingtai shook the wine pot with a dark expression, “You couldn’t taste the difference?”
Jiang Taohua: “…”
She hadn’t paid attention to the taste, being too focused on observing the new couple. Now that they mentioned it, the effects of the alcohol hit her all at once.
“Let’s go, let’s go quickly,” she said, standing up hurriedly. “Back to my courtyard right away!”
“Don’t panic,” Gu Huairou quickly supported her, accompanying her with Qingtai as they walked out. “Don’t you want to pay respects to the master?”
“I’m afraid I’ll say something wrong if I’m drunk!” Taohua said in a low voice. “It would be terrible if I said something inappropriate.”
Especially in front of Shen Zaiye, she was afraid she might blurt out her true feelings.
(End of Chapter)