Unexpectedly, Xing’er, who had been kneeling silently on the ground, suddenly cried out, “Master, this has nothing to do with Concubine Wan! I couldn’t stand seeing Madam Zhou monopolizing your favor, so I obtained poison myself. I stole the hairpin just to distract the cook!”
Madam Zhou was startled: “You’re lying!”
Her response was too hasty, drawing meaningful looks from others. Panicked and annoyed at the maid’s interference, she slapped Xing’er to the ground: “You vicious creature, how dare you commit such a treasonous act! Someone come here – give her twenty strokes and sell her to a brothel!”
Han Yan was shocked. Xing’er was truly loyal, but being sold to a brothel would ruin her entire life. Madam Zhou’s methods were ruthless, and anger rose in Han Yan’s heart.
Before Concubine Wan could speak, the small figure in the hall suddenly rushed toward a bronze pillar. She moved so quickly that no one could react in time. When they thought to stop her, only a figure lying in a pool of blood remained.
“Xing’er!” Concubine Wan screamed, stumbling past others to reach her. Xing’er had been her fellow maid serving the Old Madam, and they were like sisters. Later, when Old Madam gave her to the Master, Xing’er became her maid, never showing a hint of jealousy or resentment. Following Concubine Wan, Xing’er had never known a good day, and now, her dear sister Xing’er had been driven to death by these people!
“Mistress.” Xing’er opened her eyes, blood from her forehead covering her face, making her look grotesque and terrifying, but she smiled slightly: “In this household, only you have been good to Xing’er. I have nothing to repay you with except my life.” Her voice gradually weakened: “I have one request – please take care of my elderly parents…”
Concubine Wan gripped her hand, weeping uncontrollably: “I promise you.”
Finally, a peaceful smile appeared on Xing’er’s face. Looking at Concubine Wan, she whispered, “Wan’er… let’s be sisters again in our next life. But never be born into a noble family.”
She called her by the name from when Concubine Wan was still Old Madam’s maid. Through tear-blurred eyes, Concubine Wan seemed to see that spring day when flowers bloomed everywhere, two innocent girls laughing and joking in the courtyard. They had thought they would have wonderful lives, but fate had other plans. One would die tragically, while the other would forever remain in this man-eating mansion, never seeing the light of day.
As the person in her arms took her last breath, Concubine Wan laid Xing’er’s body gently on the ground and gave those seated a bitter smile.
No one in the hall had expected Xing’er to suddenly commit suicide by hitting the pillar. Han Yan, who had initially been merely watching the drama unfold, now felt truly angry. Xing’er’s blood covered the floor, Concubine Mei’s lips were trembling, and only Madam Zhou maintained an unsatisfied expression as if she still had more to say.
Zhuang Qin walked two steps toward her mother before suddenly fainting. Another commotion erupted, and Mother Chen quickly said, “Master, we shouldn’t let the blood frighten the young ladies.”
Only then did Zhuang Shiyang remember his two daughters in the hall, and he waved for servants to take them back to their rooms.
Before leaving, Han Yan looked at Concubine Wan, seeing her tragic expression and disheveled appearance, and couldn’t help but feel sympathy.
Mother Chen escorted Han Yan back to her courtyard, ordered the kitchen to prepare ginger sugar water to calm her nerves, and led her inside, closing the doors and windows.
Han Yan’s mind was racing, finding many inconsistencies in today’s events. Madam Zhou clearly knew about Concubine Mei’s plan, with Zhuang Yushan pretending to be poisoned and the doctor likely being in on it. But unexpectedly, Concubine Mei had another trick up her sleeve, somehow obtaining Concubine Wan’s hairpin to frame others, causing Xing’er to sacrifice her life protecting her mistress.
Thinking of Xing’er reminded her of Ji Lan and Shu Hong’s fate at Zhuang Yushan’s hands in her previous life. Han Yan unconsciously clenched her fists, her whole body beginning to tremble.
Shu Hong, who had noticed Han Yan’s silence and blank stare, grew worried. Seeing her now showing such fear, she quickly stepped forward to hold Han Yan’s hands: “Young Lady, are you feeling unwell somewhere?”
Han Yan finally snapped out of her nightmare, looking at Shu Hong’s concerned eyes, suddenly feeling as if she were in a different world.
Mother Chen had gone to supervise in the kitchen, more convinced than ever after today’s events that the Young Lady’s food couldn’t be entrusted to others. Ji Lan had just lit the brazier, and seeing Han Yan’s state, also hurried to comfort her: “You must have been frightened by what happened earlier. Don’t be afraid, Young Lady, we’re all here with you.”
Surrounded by her two maids, Han Yan gradually calmed down and said, “Later, go find out how things were handled outside.”
Ji Lan nodded: “I understand.”
Han Yan leaned back, letting out a long sigh: “Poor Xing’er, she was so fierce-spirited.”
Ji Lan and Shu Hong exchanged glances and both consoled her: “Young Lady, don’t worry too much. Everyone has their fate. Perhaps the King of Hell will give Xing’er a better life next time, born into a wealthy family.”
Han Yan could only smile bitterly at their words. Next life? She was reborn and knew how precious life was. One couldn’t pin hopes on the next life. Carrying the wisdom gained from a previous life, she was determined to reclaim everything she should have had before.
Her expression softening, Han Yan said quietly, “If it had been me in that hall today…”
“Young Lady, please don’t say such things.” Shu Hong was startled, her usually composed face showing rare panic: “We would never let such things happen to you. Please don’t worry.”
Han Yan shook her head: “If it were me in that hall today, you must trust that I can protect myself. Don’t ever follow Xing’er’s example. Though it shows loyalty to one’s master, exchanging a life would only make me uneasy for the rest of my life.”
Ji Lan anxiously said: “Tut-tut, Young Lady will be fine. We’ll stay with you. The Madam used to say we would even accompany Young Lady when she marries.”
Han Yan burst out laughing and gave her a sidelong glance: “How shameless, an unmarried lady speaking of marriage – aren’t you afraid of being laughed at?”
Seeing Han Yan smile, Shu Hong finally relaxed. For some reason, Han Yan’s earlier expression had made her uneasy, as if there was a great distance between them and their young mistress.
Meanwhile, Mother Chen had already learned the news: Zhuang Shiyang had followed Xing’er’s confession and placed all blame on the servants. Madam Zhou, acknowledging her failure to properly manage the servants, voluntarily took Zhuang Qin to pray at the mansion’s temple for forty-nine days.
The cook was later revealed to be someone Concubine Mei had brought into the household. Zhuang Shiyang blamed her for poor judgment in hiring and confined her to her quarters. Only the Zhou mother and daughter were well-cared for, with precious tonics and medicines constantly being sent to Gong Tong Court due to the illness. Han Yan was overlooked, but that’s a story for another time.