Qin Shi's gaze was icy. "Miss Huan, what more do you have to say? Are you going to claim you didn't put the peach juice there, and that this maid deliberately framed you?"
Cao Lihuan sobbed, her shoulders trembling. "She did frame me, because... because..." Because she had instructed Si Shunr to ruin Xianglan's virtue. But how could she say such a thing aloud?
Xianglan gave Cao Lihuan an "incredulous" look, overwhelmed with grievance, and wailed, "Old Madam, please see the truth! I would never falsely accuse Miss Huan. If you don't believe me, search Miss Huan's pouch. The small porcelain bottle that held the peach juice should still be there. It's an enamel-glazed bottle, one of Miss Huan's favorites. She originally used it to store medicinal pills and always kept it with her. Even if she used it for peach juice today, she probably couldn't bear to throw it away."
Qin Shi, quick and sharp-eyed, stepped forward and snatched the pouch from Cao Lihuan's waist. Opening it, she indeed found a slender-shouldered enamel-glazed bottle. Unscrewing the cap, she detected a sweet peach fragrance.
Old Madam Lin sniffed it, her face turning cold.
Cao Lihuan collapsed, slumping to the ground.
Qin Shi felt a surge of satisfaction, as if half the injustice her daughter had suffered had been avenged. She looked toward Old Madam Lin, who exchanged a glance with her and waved a weary hand.
Qin Shi nodded slightly and was about to speak when Cao Lihuan suddenly cried out sharply, "Old Madam, why don't you ask for the reason?" She pointed at Qin Shi. "It was because my elder aunt treated me unfairly first!"
Qin Shi frowned. Cao Lihuan wept, "When I attended the banquet, all the other sisters—even Song Zancha—were introduced to the distinguished guests by my elder aunt. Only I was left out. I know my family has fallen on hard times, and I know my elder aunt dislikes me. It's not that I wanted to fight for attention, but in front of everyone, how could I save face? That's why I harbored resentment... I... I..."
Qin Shi remained cold and silent, but Wang Shi was furious and retorted sarcastically, "Oh, what a clever plan! So, since you couldn't cling to our Ting Ge'er, you're scheming to find another wealthy family to be a concubine?"
Hearing this, Cao Lihuan cried even harder, casting a pitiful, pleading look at Old Madam Lin. Qin Shi shook her head silently, thinking that it was no wonder Wang Shi failed to win her husband's favor—after all these years, her muddled mind showed no sign of sharpness. Stepping forward, she said, "So, according to you, just because no one introduced you to a few distinguished guests, you were justified in secretly harming Second Miss? Does that mean you're in the right for harming someone?"
Before Cao Lihuan could respond, Qin Shi cut her off: "Not only did you use despicable means to harm others, but you also tried every way to deny it. When you couldn't deny it any longer, you shifted the blame onto others. Is that also excusable?"
She took another step forward. "You have a marriage engagement and are waiting to be wed, yet you covet wealth and status, disregarding reputations to scheme in secret. Is that also excusable? All this time, you've eaten the Lin family's food, drunk their tea, lived in their home. If you had even an ounce of gratitude, how could you have done such a thing?" Qin Shi looked down at Cao Lihuan. "You arrived late to the banquet, which already displeased several distinguished guests. That's why you weren't introduced at the time—the plan was to introduce you all after the banquet ended."
Cao Lihuan wept mournfully. "I was wrong, it's all my fault. Old Madam, Aunt, please forgive me!"Old Madam Lin's mind was crystal clear as she said slowly, "How is the west side courtyard prepared? Are Sister Huan's belongings packed? If everything is ready, send her out before sunset."
Cao Lihuan wept bitterly, clutching Old Madam Lin's legs and wailing, "Old Madam, spare me! Spare me! I won't dare do it again, I'll behave from now on..."
Old Madam Lin shook her head: "If you leave quietly, perhaps the Lin family might still add to your dowry when you marry."
Cao Lihuan burst into heartbroken sobs, glaring viciously at Xianglan as if she wanted to tear the maid limb from limb.
She never imagined that all her meticulous scheming and careful planning would ultimately be destroyed by a timid maid who wouldn't say boo to a goose!
How she hated this! How could she have ever thought that wretched girl was a fool who understood nothing and could be manipulated at will!
Cao Lihuan wept until her whole body convulsed, howling, "Old Madam, don't drive me out... I, I, I'd rather die!" With that, she stood up and rushed headfirst toward the wall.
Qin Shi was so startled she reached out to grab her, only managing to catch Cao Lihuan's sleeve, which slipped from her grasp when Cao Lihuan struggled free. Xianglan hurriedly stood and spread her arms to block the way. Cao Lihuan stumbled and crashed into her, making Xianglan cry out as her back hit the octagonal flower stand by the wall. The begonia planted in the celadon pot atop it crashed to the floor with a shatter. Xianglan was knocked over backward and fell to the ground.
Hearing the commotion in the room, several maids and matrons instantly rushed in through the doorway. Cao Lihuan struggled to her feet, crying, "I won't go on living now!" and made to charge again. The servants hurried forward and surrounded her, holding her tight while exclaiming, "You mustn't!"
Cao Lihuan's suicide attempt was utterly genuine. She struggled with all her might, crying and making a scene, flailing her arms. One matron wrapped her arms around Cao Lihuan's waist from behind, causing Cao Lihuan's legs to leave the ground as she kicked wildly. Tears and mucus streamed down her face, her hair was disheveled, and the pearls and jade from her hair scattered across the floor. She shrieked hysterically, "If you drive me out, I'd rather find a rope and hang myself—at least that would be clean!" Then she yelled, "I'd rather dash my brains out than leave under such unclear circumstances!" How could she simply walk away from the Lin family's immense wealth!
Old Madam Lin hadn't witnessed such a spectacle in many years. She was utterly dumbfounded, trembling with rage as she slapped the kang table hard and pointed, scolding, "This is... outrageous! Truly outrageous! Cough, cough, cough..."
Wang Shi had been watching with great interest, but when Old Madam Lin's coughing grew severe, she hastily stepped forward to pat her chest and soothe her, a smile still playing on her lips as she said, "Old Madam, why get so angry? Just treat it as watching a play. Huan—" Before she could finish, she saw Old Madam Lin glaring at her and awkwardly fell silent.
In the chaos, Cao Lihuan snatched someone's hairpin and immediately tried to stab her own neck. Everyone cried out in alarm, "She'll kill herself!" Several hands reached to wrest the hairpin away.
Old Madam Lin was so agitated she began gasping for breath. Wang Shi panicked and called out repeatedly, "Someone, quickly fetch the physician! Hurry and get Old Madam's medicine!"
The room instantly descended into complete chaos.
Qin Shi frowned sternly and shouted, "Restrain her immediately! Can't you see Old Madam is unwell!"Xianglan understood perfectly well that Cao Lihuan would never recover from this incident. She stepped forward and grabbed Cao Lihuan's arm, but whispered in her ear in an extremely soft voice, "Miss, save your breath. Do you think that by attempting suicide, breaking your head, or shedding blood, you can feign illness and stay in the Lin family? I'm afraid Old Madam, First Madam, and Second Madam all despise you to the core. Believe it or not, even if you were to faint dead away right now, the Lin family would simply roll you up in a mat, toss you into a carriage, and send you away."
Cao Lihuan's face, already flushed crimson, turned purple upon hearing these words. She turned her head and met Xianglan's half-smiling, half-mocking eyes. Only then did she realize with a shock that this seemingly timid and foolish maid had sharp, penetrating eyes that saw right through her, leaving her with nowhere to hide.
Cao Lihuan was so enraged she wished she could bite a piece of flesh off Xianglan. But the surrounding maids and matrons held her firmly, leaving her no room to struggle. Xianglan continued in a gentle tone, whispering into Cao Lihuan's ear, "Since things have already come to this, you should at least preserve some dignity for yourself... And, Miss, don't think everyone is a fool, and don't disbelieve in the retribution of hell and the underworld... It's not that it hasn't come, but the time hasn't arrived yet!"
At that moment, Qin Shi shouted loudly, "Why haven't you dragged her away yet?"
Xianglan seized the opportunity to release her grip, and the maids and matrons pulled and dragged Cao Lihuan away. Cao Lihuan had only managed to let out a few wails before someone stuffed a cloth into her mouth.
Xianglan turned her head and watched as Cao Lihuan was dragged away, listening to the chaotic voices in the room, her heart filled with bewilderment—
Was Cao Lihuan really gone just like that?
Had she really escaped the fiery pit she had been desperate to leap out of at every moment? How could it feel like a dream?
Then, where would she go from here?
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