Qin Shi then said softly to Lin Jinlou, "She serves your grandmother, makes excellent soup, and knows how to amuse others. Playing cards with the elderly to make up numbers is also a pleasure..."
Qin Shi had originally intended to persuade Lin Jinlou to let the matter pass out of consideration for Lin Old Madam. Unexpectedly, supported by two maids, Changfa's wife groaned as she stood up and said, "Taitai need not speak for me. It seems Master is angry with me... Ah, what a pointless effort, wasting my sincere devotion in thinking for Master..."
Mama Han immediately scolded, "You old wretch! Shut your mouth at once!"
Lin Jinlou said indifferently, "I am indeed angry with you. Tonight, have her pack her belongings—her duties are revoked, and she is to be dismissed. Tomorrow I will personally report this to the Old Madam."
Changfa's wife was instantly dumbfounded. Fearing she might spout more nonsense and further annoy Lin Jinlou, Mama Han quickly ordered the two maids to escort Changfa's wife away. Qin Shi, who had always doted on her eldest son, comforted Lin Jinlou with a few gentle words before peace was restored.
During the earlier commotion caused by Changfa's wife, everyone had been watching her and Lin Jinlou, failing to notice Hua Mei glancing at Rushuang kneeling beside the curio cabinet. Their eyes met, and Hua Mei gave an almost imperceptible nod. Rushuang nodded slightly in return before quickly lowering her head.
As Lin Jinlou took his seat in the lower left position and was about to speak, he saw Rushuang shuffle forward on her knees and kowtow twice with a thud, saying, "Reporting to Taitai and Master, I... I have something to say."
Lin Jinlou said, "Speak."
Rushuang's face flushed crimson. She glanced at Nuanyue, bit her lip, and said, "Taitai, Master, this talisman... was placed by Nuanyue."
Nuanyue trembled all over, stunned and speechless. Cold sweat trickled down her back as she pointed at Rushuang and said, "You're lying! I've been in the residence the whole time. When Daoist Gu Cui came last time, I was with the Third Young Miss. I haven't gone home recently—where would I get a talisman?"
Ignoring Nuanyue, Rushuang took a deep breath and continued, "After Nuanyue was taken in by Master, she always wanted to climb higher and gain his favor. But since Master paid her no attention and favored Xianglan instead, Nuanyue felt resentful. She would cry and often shut herself in to curse Miss Xianglan, telling me, 'I must teach that little slut a lesson someday!' I tried to dissuade her several times, but she wouldn’t listen. Later, I saw her whispering with Miss Luan'er. Afterward, Miss Luan'er took off her gold hairpin, removed a bracelet and a ring, and pushed them all to Nuanyue. Finally, she pulled something from her sleeve. Nuanyue turned it over in her hands for a while before quietly tucking it into her own sleeve... I was hiding behind the room that day and saw it clearly."
At this, Nuanyue cried out frantically, "I didn’t! I didn’t! Luan'er never gave me anything!" Her eyes red with rage, she stood up and rushed at Rushuang, shouting, "You vile woman, why are you slandering me?" She was forcibly restrained by the old women on either side and pressed back to the ground.
Lin Jinlou asked, "What happened next?"
Rushuang, pale-faced, replied, "After that, Nuanyue always acted furtively. Since we shared a room, I couldn’t help but notice. I saw her secretly take some characters written by Miss Xianglan and practice writing them with brush and paper. When I asked, she said she was copying scriptures, so I thought nothing of it... Later, when the pillowcases in our room were changed, it was Nuanyue who took them to be mended..."Nuanyue let out a piercing scream, crying, "It wasn't me! It wasn't me! It was Hua Mei—she gave me the talisman and taught me what to say! Rushuang, Rushuang, I've never wronged you, I've always treated you like my own sister! Why! Would! You! Do! This! To! Me!" Her voice echoed through the night air, chillingly eerie.
Qin Shi furrowed her brow and signaled with her eyes. Wu Mama immediately grabbed a rag and stuffed it into Nuanyue’s mouth. Nuanyue struggled, whimpering and sobbing, tears streaming down her cheeks in large drops as she glared fiercely at Rushuang.
Rushuang lowered her head, as if unable to meet Nuanyue’s gaze, and said, "Nuanyue once said that Miss Xianglan and Concubine Mei don’t get along. If something were to happen, Miss Xianglan would surely suspect Concubine Mei, thinking she was the mastermind. That way, Nuanyue would have a scapegoat..."
Lin Jinlou suddenly chuckled lazily and said, "You cunning servant, why didn’t you say all this earlier?"
Rushuang’s face paled again, and her entire body trembled. "This female servant sensed something was off earlier but didn’t dare jump to conclusions. It wasn’t until Miss Xianglan began suspecting Concubine Mei that I realized how wrong things were... This female servant deserves death. I beg the masters to punish me." After speaking, she kowtowed repeatedly, her head thumping loudly against the floor.
Lin Jinlou paid her no mind and let her continue.
Rushuang kowtowed with such force that within a few strikes, her forehead was scraped and bleeding.
Qin Shi, after all, was a woman. Though she had a stern disposition, years of peaceful living had softened her heart. Seeing this, she couldn’t help but feel pity.
Hua Mei began sobbing, wiping her tears with her sleeve. "Taitai, Master, you’ve heard it all... I truly knew nothing about this. Earlier, I wrongly accused Sister Xianglan, but it was only out of panic and concern... All the fault lies with me... It’s all my fault, I deserve to die. I nearly implicated my sister and gave petty villains an opportunity... Wuwuwu..." She knelt weakly on the ground, her gaze sincere and filled with tears, her slender shoulders trembling as she wept like a delicate flower drenched in rain. At first, she sobbed softly, but her cries grew louder and more heart-wrenching, as if she genuinely regretted wronging Xianglan and wished she could end her life on the spot.
Qin Shi glanced suspiciously at Nuanyue, then at Rushuang, who was still kowtowing incessantly, and Hua Mei, who was curled up weeping. Just as she was about to speak, she saw Lin Jinlou stand up and walk to the doorway. "Which servant is on duty out in the corridor?" he called.
A voice answered immediately, and before long, Guiyuan came running while fastening his belt. He knelt on the ground and said repeatedly, "Master, it’s me."
Lin Jinlou said, "Go fetch Ji Xiang."
Guiyuan acknowledged the order and left.
Ji Xiang had just gone to bed when Guiyuan rushed into his room, flung off his quilt, and said, "Manager Ji, my dear brother, you’re still sleeping? Get up, quick!"
Ji Xiang sat up drowsily, displeased, and slapped Guiyuan on the back of the head, grumbling, "What’s all this commotion in the middle of the night? Are you trying to raise the dead?"
Guiyuan said, "Something’s happened in the rear courtyard—it’s all lit up. The Master wants you to come right away."Ji Xiang's drowsiness vanished instantly upon hearing this. He immediately groped for his clothes while complaining, "You little monkey, why haven't you lit the candles yet? How can I dress in this pitch darkness?" As he spoke, he didn't dare delay. After putting on his clothes, he hurried to Knowing Spring Pavilion. Upon entering the courtyard and seeing it brightly lit, he knew something had happened and began to feel apprehensive. Hunched over with his head bowed, he cautiously entered the main hall of the Main House, not daring to let his eyes wander. He respectfully knelt down.
My apologies, it's still too late today. I'll express my gratitude for the tips in the next chapter. Year-end work has been crazy with all the overtime, and this scene is quite crucial. I hope to make it full of twists and turns and more enjoyable to read. Good things take time to polish, so updates will be very slow and might pause at any time. Xiao He sincerely apologizes in advance and guarantees this story won't be padded with filler or abandoned. If updates pause, I'll resume as soon as possible. My readers in the group know how late I stay up writing, so please be merciful considering my sincere efforts and don't mind our update speed too much. Thank you ^_^
OpenNovel