Madam Zhu lay on her side on the couch, facing away from the room. Old Woman Jiang was massaging her lower back, while another maid knelt nearby, kneading her legs and feet.

“Does Madam feel any better?” Old Woman Jiang asked in a soft voice.

Madam Zhu kept her eyes closed as she complained, “If she wants to make offerings to Buddha, she can take that precious daughter-in-law of hers. Why must I go along? When they went to the State of Zhongshan last time, she didn’t ask me to join. I’m sure that Qiao girl has been speaking ill of me in front of her.”

Old Woman Jiang glanced at the maid beside her, signaling for her to leave. Once only she and Madam Zhu remained in the room, she leaned close to Madam Zhu’s ear and whispered a few words.

Madam Zhu sat up abruptly. “Really?”

Old Woman Jiang nodded. “Just as Miss Zheng Shu instructed before. I had someone take advantage of this rare opportunity today and tamper with it a bit. As soon as the Master sees it, he will surely question it. Let’s see how that Qiao girl explains herself then!”

Madam Zhu let out a sigh. “I remember the Second Young Master has kept that rosewood box for many years and values it greatly. Usually, the servants in the west wing aren’t even allowed to move it when dusting. Even I don’t know what’s inside. I recall a few years ago when I went to his room and happened to ask about it, he wouldn’t tell me. He treats it like some priceless treasure.”

Old Woman Jiang said, “What else could it be? It must be a keepsake from Lady Su! Come to think of it, the Master is truly devoted. After all these years, he still keeps it so carefully.”

At the mention of Lady Su, Madam Zhu frowned. “Is it her belongings?”

Old Woman Jiang replied, “What else could it be that the Master would cherish for so many years?”

A look of disgust crossed Madam Zhu’s face. After a moment lost in thought, she asked, “Are you sure you’ve done everything properly?”

Old Woman Jiang said, “Among the menial servants in the east courtyard, there’s one surnamed Sun who has received many favors from me in secret. She said the box is now kept in the Master’s study. In the past, no one except the cleaning staff was allowed to enter the Master’s study without permission, but recently that Qiao girl has been going in and out frequently on her own.

Today, when the east wing was empty, I had Old Woman Sun sneak into the study while no one was around and deliberately leave traces of tampering on the lock of the box. Once the Master discovers it, he will surely blame the Qiao girl. Even if she denies it, the Master won’t believe her. The Master is a noble lord, yet for ten years he hasn’t taken another wife or even a concubine.

If not for Lady Su, then for whom? Although he has married the Qiao girl now, even if he’s temporarily captivated by her beauty, he surely hasn’t put her on the same level as Lady Su in his heart. Now that the Qiao girl has attempted to break the lock and pry, given the Master’s temperament, how could he let her off easily? Let that Qiao girl slander you in front of the Old Madam!”

Madam Zhu hesitated. “What if the Second Young Master is bewitched by that Qiao girl and believes her explanations?”

Old Woman Jiang replied, “Don’t worry, Madam. According to Old Woman Sun, she saw the Qiao girl move that box a few days ago and then put it back. The Qiao girl has been married into the Wei family for over half a year now, so she must know about Lady Su’s past relationship with the Master and has guessed what’s in the box. That’s why she’s feeling insecure and trying to pry into the Master’s private belongings. Attempting to open the lock is only natural. What’s there to explain?”

Madam Zhu nodded, her face brightening. “Heaven is on our side! So that Qiao girl touched it first. We can’t be blamed then! Is that Old Woman Sun completely reliable?”

Old Woman Jiang said, “Old Woman Sun once stole valuables from the east wing, and I still have evidence of that in my possession. If questioned about this matter, she will testify that she saw the Qiao girl enter the study alone and touch that box. With an eyewitness and the Master’s old wound being reopened, how could he not believe it?”

Madam Zhu said, “Very good. Thank you for your efforts. Since Chu Yu left, you’re the only confidant I have left who’s willing to look out for me. Last time, you suffered greatly on my behalf and were bedridden for a long time before you could walk again.”

Old Woman Jiang was extremely grateful and spoke humbly, “If not for Madam’s kindness in taking me in when I was in trouble before, I would have long since become a lonely ghost in an unmarked grave. How could I still be alive today? As long as Madam is content, I am willing to die for you!”

Madam Zhu was quite moved by her words and told her to stop massaging her back and go rest early. Just then, a maid came to report that the Marquis had arrived.

Old Woman Jiang immediately looked alarmed. Madam Zhu knew that after her previous ordeal, she was now frightened at the mere sight of her son and wanted to avoid him. Fearing that her presence might anger her son again, she quickly told her to leave.

Old Woman Jiang hurriedly got up, but as she reached the door, she saw Wei Shao’s figure striding towards them. In the blink of an eye, amidst the sound of his footsteps, he was already at the doorway. Unable to avoid him, she hastily took several steps back, bowed slightly to Wei Shao, and then tried to leave quickly. However, hearing Wei Shao’s command “You stay,” she shuddered and had no choice but to stop, slowly moving to stand against the wall.

Wei Shao walked up to Madam Zhu, looking at his mother who was now sitting up on the couch. His expression was serious, and he remained silent.

Seeing his seemingly displeased expression, Madam Zhu felt a bit uneasy. She forced a smile and said, “My son, you’ve come so suddenly. Is there something you need? It’s getting late, and I was just about to retire.”

Wei Shao slowly knelt before Madam Zhu and said, “Son has come because there is something I wish to ask Mother.”

“What is it?”

“There’s a box in my study that all the servants know not to touch. Today, I discovered scratch marks on the lock, indicating someone tried to open it. I want to ask Mother if you know anything about this?”

Madam Zhu feigned surprise and said angrily, “Who would dare to be so bold! If I find out who it was, I certainly won’t let them off easily!” She paused for a moment, then continued, “You should ask that Qiao girl. The servants in your quarters surely wouldn’t dare to touch it, let alone leave scratch marks. She’s the mistress of the west wing, so she should know best about such an incident.”

Wei Shao stared at Madam Zhu. “Is Mother implying that she forcibly tried to break the lock?”

Madam Zhu coughed dryly and said, “It’s not that I don’t trust her. It’s just hard to say. She’s been spoiled by the favor you’ve shown her recently, so she might have become arrogant and disregarded your words, even attempting to pry into your private matters. Most women in this world are shallow and behave like this.”

Wei Shao smiled slightly. “Mother, there’s something you don’t know. That box originally contained some of my old belongings, but later I removed them, leaving it empty. Some time ago, she saw the nine-square lock on the box and found it interesting, so she asked me for it. As you know, I dote on her quite a bit, so naturally, I gave it to her and even taught her how to unlock it. She played with the lock mechanism for a few days, but once the novelty wore off, she casually put some jewelry and silver inside and left it in my study. Today, I discovered that someone had tried to force the lock open.”

Wei Shao’s smile gradually faded, and his voice grew cold. “I’ve been thinking, either someone has ulterior motives, or one of the servants in my west wing has sticky fingers. Even if the box is empty and contains no valuables, I absolutely cannot tolerate servants overstepping their bounds and daring to pry into their master’s secrets. Mother has managed the household for many years, so you must know how to handle such matters, right? I came here to seek your advice on how to deal with this situation!”

When Wei Shao mentioned earlier that he had given the box to Xiao Qiao and taught her how to unlock it, Madam Zhu’s expression changed slightly, and she kept glancing at Old Woman Jiang standing by the wall, whose face had also changed color. After Wei Shao finished speaking, Madam Zhu was visibly uncomfortable, barely composing herself as she tried to brush it off, “I understand the matter now. You should go back first, and I’ll deal with it tomorrow…”

Wei Shao gazed at his mother, a flicker of indescribable disappointment and complexity passing through his eyes. He slowly said, “In that case, I’ll leave this matter to Mother. I hope you can give me an explanation soon. If Mother has no solution, I’ll turn to Old Woman Zhong and ask her to assist Mother.”

Old Woman Zhong’s methods were well-known and feared by all the servants in the household.

Wei Shao’s sharp gaze swept towards Old Woman Jiang, who had turned pale at the mention of Old Woman Zhong’s name. He then stood up and walked out.

…

After Wei Shao left, Xiao Qiao sat alone in her room, resting her chin on her hand as she stared at the candlelight, lost in thought. After a while, Chun Niang entered and reported that she had questioned the few maids who were usually loyal to the Lady, including Old Woman Lin, but none of them had seen any outsiders enter.

“My Lady, it seems there must be a traitor within the west wing. Someone must have instructed a servant to carry out this scheme to drive a wedge between you and the Marquis. There are thirty-two maids and servants in the west wing, and the cleaning maids who can enter the Marquis’s study are the most suspicious. However, I also heard from Old Woman Lin that earlier today, she vaguely saw someone flitting by in the corridor outside the Marquis’s study.

She didn’t pay much attention at the time, but thinking back carefully now, she says the figure looked like Old Woman Sun, who is on duty in the courtyard. When I questioned Old Woman Sun just now, she flatly denied it. I’ve already had her detained. My Lady, this matter could be either big or small. In my opinion, we should report it to the Old Madam tomorrow and ask her to make a fair judgment.”

Xiao Qiao frowned slightly, pondering for a moment before saying, “You’re right, this matter could be either big or small. There’s no need to alarm the Old Madam yet. Go to the study and bring me that box.”

Chun Niang was taken aback. “My Lady, what do you mean by this?”

Xiao Qiao said, “Just bring it to me.”

Chun Niang hesitated for a moment but finally went out. A moment later, she returned with the box and gently placed it in front of Xiao Qiao.

Xiao Qiao stared at the box and told her to leave.

Chun Niang hesitated, “My Lady, didn’t the Marquis say not to touch this box? You’re…”

Xiao Qiao seemed not to have heard, her gaze fixed on the nine-square lock, motionless.

Chun Niang saw that she appeared to be in a trance.

Over the past two years, Chun Niang had gradually come to know that although her Lady often liked to act coquettish and seek comfort from her when facing minor issues, when it came to major matters, she always had her ideas. Seeing her current state, it didn’t seem like a rash action caused by distress, but rather that she had something else in mind. So, Chun Niang stood by, watching as her Lady raised her hand and gently moved one of the number squares represented by Heavenly Stems on the nine-square lock.

…

As the night deepened, Wei Shao finally returned to the entrance of the west wing. From a distance, he could see that the light in the bedroom window was still burning.

He hesitated for a moment before finally walking in.

Chun Niang and several other maids were still waiting in the adjacent antechamber. Seeing him finally appear, they all came forward to greet him.

“Is the Lady inside?” Wei Shao asked though it was somewhat difficult for him to do so.

Chun Niang replied softly, “The Lady is inside.”

Wei Shao said nothing, stepping directly onto the platform and pushing open the door. As he entered and looked up, he was momentarily stunned.

Xiao Qiao was kneeling on the opposite couch, and on the small table in front of her sat a box.

It was the very box he had forbidden her to touch.

Wei Shao’s gaze lingered on the box for a moment before returning to her face, their eyes meeting.

His expression froze slightly, his eyes filled with confusion.

Although he had tried his best to maintain a calm demeanor, perhaps only he knew that a new, faint dissatisfaction was growing in his heart.

He didn’t understand.

He had repeatedly expressed to her that he didn’t want her to touch this box. Although he somewhat regretted losing his temper with her earlier in the evening, and just before entering, he had been thinking about how he must have frightened her and was considering what to say or do to help her quickly overcome the unpleasant experience from earlier.

But the scene that greeted him upon entering made it hard for him to control himself again.

He couldn’t understand why she insisted on going against him and not listening to his words. Was it really as his mother, Madam Zhu, had said, that women inevitably become arrogant and disrespectful towards their husbands once they are shown too much favor?

“What is the meaning of this?” he asked after a pause, walking towards her.

Xiao Qiao raised her hand, her fingers skillfully moving the nine squares on the lock. Soon, a faint “click” came from inside the box, the sound of the locking mechanism being correctly triggered.

Wei Shao looked surprised as if he couldn’t quite believe it.

However, Xiao Qiao’s hand left the box and returned to her lap, maintaining a standard sitting posture. She raised her eyes to look at Wei Shao and said, “My Lord, the Heavenly Stems on the nine-square lock represent numbers arranged in a magic square. Whether vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, the sum of the three numbers in each direction equals fifteen, with five at the center. It can be transformed into eight different magic squares. This is not difficult; anyone who has studied arithmetic can solve it. I unlocked it in front of you just to let you know that I truly haven’t tampered with the lock. If I really couldn’t control myself and wanted to see what’s inside the box, I would have secretly opened it behind your back long ago. Why would I leave scratch marks for you to suspect me?”

Wei Shao stood motionless in front of her, not saying a word, but his expression gradually darkened.

Xiao Qiao, however, appeared very calm. “Since I can unlock it, my Lord must suspect that I have opened it before and seen what’s inside. I can swear to heaven that just now, in front of you, was the first time I unlocked it. Indeed, I won’t deny that I was curious about what was in the box before. Especially after I met Madam Yu Lou when I accompanied Grandmother to the State of Zhongshan, I became even more curious. That’s why, when I happened to see it the other day, I couldn’t resist taking it out. To be honest, I even shook it a bit and felt that there were papers or letters inside. Then I put it back.”

When Wei Shao heard “Madam Yu Lou” come out of her mouth so naturally, his eyelid twitched, and his expression became even more unpleasant.

“What I said earlier is for you to believe or not; that’s entirely up to you. I don’t insist on it, nor do I care. The reason I clarified that I didn’t attempt to pick the lock isn’t to evade responsibility for my mistake. After you left in anger, I truly reflected on my actions. What I did is essentially no different from picking this box; both disregard your prior warning and involve tampering with your personal belongings without your permission. I acknowledge that I was in the wrong. I apologize once more and swear that I will never make the same mistake again, nor will I have any interest in what is inside it.”

Wei Shao continued to look at her, his expression shifting from the calmness he had upon entering to surprise, then to displeasure, until he slowly began to regain his composure.

“Then what was your intention in unlocking it in front of me?”

“I will admit my mistakes. If it’s not something I did, I don’t want to be falsely accused. That is why I unlocked it in front of my husband just now.”

Xiao Qiao replied, her tone steady.