Concubine Fang stood as if struck dumb, head bowed, staring blankly at the tips of her shoes. She seemed unable to process what had just happened. In contrast, Madam Lin, who had just slashed Concubine Fang’s face four or five times with a dagger, slowly regained her senses. She stared at Concubine Fang, now drenched in blood, then looked at her own bloodstained hands. Suddenly, her face turned deathly pale. She threw the dagger aside and let out a piercing scream.
Ren Yaoying, still clutched in Concubine Fang’s arms, felt a warm, sticky liquid trickle down her collar. Though it was warm, it sent a chill through her so intense she couldn’t stop trembling. She opened her mouth, wanting to scream as well, but her eyes rolled back, and she fainted.
The garden descended into chaos. Those not yet paralyzed by fear were screaming. Ren Yaoyu glanced at Concubine Fang and her daughter, then at her own mother, who was still shrieking uncontrollably. Gritting her teeth, she scrambled to her feet, rushed over to Madam Lin, and with her uninjured hand, grabbed her mother and fled.
Madam Lin was utterly terrified. When Ren Yaoyu pulled her, she simply ran. The mother and daughter had covered half the courtyard when they suddenly heard a heart-wrenching, agonized scream from Concubine Fang. Both shuddered inwardly and ran even faster.
At that moment, Madam Lin and Ren Yaoyu couldn’t describe the feeling that washed over them upon hearing Concubine Fang’s scream. Later, when they looked back, it felt as if a vengeful ghost were chasing them from behind.
Meanwhile, in Glory and Splendor Courtyard, Old Master Ren and Old Madam Ren were still lecturing their two sons. When a servant rushed in to report that something had happened to Concubine Fang and Fifth Madam, Old Madam Ren remained calm. “That’s just Fifth Daughter-in-law’s temper,” she said. “Once she vents her anger, it’ll be fine.”
Concubine Fang was in the wrong this time, Old Madam Ren thought. Letting her suffer a bit at Madam Lin’s hands wouldn’t be a big deal; otherwise, Madam Lin would surely make endless trouble. She had even considered turning a blind eye.
But Shanhu looked as if she were about to faint. “O-old Madam,” she stammered, “Fifth Madam slashed Concubine Fang’s face several times with a dagger! Concubine Fang has lost so much blood she’s fainted! Ninth Miss was also scared into unconsciousness!”
Old Madam Ren abruptly sat up straight. “What did you say?”
Old Master Ren and his two sons were equally stunned.
Fifth Master Ren stepped forward urgently, asking Shanhu, “Where is Fifth Madam now?”
Shanhu hurriedly replied, “According to the maids, after Fifth Madam injured Concubine Fang, Eighth Miss pulled her away, and they ran off.”
Ren Shimiao, however, seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. He glanced at Ren Shimin, unsure what to feel. Apologizing felt inappropriate, yet not apologizing felt even worse. In the end, he could only sigh heavily, give Ren Shimin’s shoulder a firm pat, and then, without another word, turned and left.
Ren Shimin looked at Old Master Ren, then at Old Madam Ren, bowed, and took his leave.
Seeing the situation had escalated, Old Madam Ren had no time to dwell on her sons. She immediately issued a flurry of orders, instructing maids and servants to summon First Madam. She was to take Concubine Fang and Ren Yaoying back, ensure no damaging rumors spread, and arrange for a physician to be brought into the estate.
Old Master Ren listened to Old Madam Ren’s arrangements, frowning deeply, lost in thought.Ren Yaoqi, who had been keeping a close watch on Concubine Fang's movements, soon learned about the incident in the courtyard and was momentarily stunned. Although she had anticipated that Madam Lin would certainly cause trouble for Concubine Fang—perhaps even slapping her harshly, as Ren Yaohua had done to Ren Yaoyin—she never expected Madam Lin to resort to such a brutal method.
Even Nanny Zhou remarked, "This... this Madam Lin is truly... A woman's appearance is of utmost importance, especially for someone like Concubine Fang!"
Concubine Fang was, in fact, a woman who cherished beauty and excelled at adorning herself. Though her looks might not have surpassed Madam Li's, her style, demeanor, and grace had secretly become the envy of the young maids in the household, who often tried to emulate her.
Ren Yaohua glanced at Ren Yaoqi and Nanny Zhou before saying, "Perhaps I lack compassion or am inherently cold-hearted, but hearing this news brought me a great deal of satisfaction." Ren Yaohua had suffered countless grievances, both overt and covert, at the hands of Concubine Fang, and her hatred for her ran deep, leaving no room for even a shred of sympathy.
Just then, voices could be heard outside the door.
Ren Yihong's voice sounded from beyond the door, "May I speak with Third Sister and Fifth Sister?"
Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua exchanged a glance, after which Ren Yaohua frowned and motioned for Wujing to open the door.
Ren Yihong, being reserved and proper, did not enter even after the door opened. Instead, he bowed respectfully to Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua and asked, "Third Sister, Fifth Sister, has Father mentioned when he might arrive?"
He had been waiting in the study for a long time. Ordinarily, if Father hadn't arrived, he should have continued waiting patiently. Yet, for some reason, he felt uneasy. Just moments ago, he had heard the hurried footsteps of maids and matrons outside, as if something had happened. After careful consideration, he decided to come and inquire.
Ren Yaoqi found herself momentarily at a loss for words as she looked at Ren Yihong. Although Ren Yihong was born to Concubine Fang, he was different from Ren Yaoying. Concubine Fang held high expectations for Ren Yihong and never allowed him to meddle in the affairs of the inner household, insisting instead that he focus solely on his studies. As a result, Ren Yihong was a true bookworm.
Though Ren Yaoqi could not bring herself to feel any fondness for this younger brother due to Concubine Fang's influence, she also could not bring herself to speak harshly to him. Even Ren Yaohua felt somewhat powerless in Ren Yihong's presence, often choosing to simply ignore him.
Ren Yaohua, who had little patience for hesitation, replied coldly, "Someone just came in to report that Concubine Fang and Madam Lin had a conflict. Concubine Fang was injured by Madam Lin with a dagger. Father likely won't be coming for now. If you wish to leave, you may go."
Ren Yihong was taken aback and quickly asked, "Is my mother's injury serious?"
Nanny Zhou replied, "First Madam has already taken Concubine Fang back to Fangfei Courtyard and sent for a physician. The injury... her life is not in danger."
Ren Yihong failed to detect Nanny Zhou's deliberate downplaying of the severity and breathed a slight sigh of relief. Hesitantly, he said, "Then I... I should..."
Ren Yaohua frowned. "If you're leaving, then leave. What's with all this dithering for a man!"
Ren Yihong flushed red, bowed once more, and departed.Nanny Zhou watched Ren Yihong's retreating figure and shook her head: "What a sin!" Then she said to Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua, "Concubine Fang belongs to our third branch. Since Madam will surely have to go to Fangfei Courtyard, it would be better for this servant to accompany her. I shall take my leave first."
After Nanny Zhou left, Ren Yaohua glared at Ren Yaoqi and sneered, "What? Feeling soft-hearted?"
Ren Yaoqi smiled bitterly and shook her head: "Not at all, so I too am a cold-hearted person." Although Concubine Fang having her face slashed was beyond her expectations, she did not feel any more sympathy for Concubine Fang because of it. Instead, she would be even more wary of her.
This time, Concubine Fang suffered a great loss at Madam Lin's hands. If she managed to survive this, she would surely seek revenge. And their covert actions would undoubtedly draw Concubine Fang's attention, so neither side could afford to spare the other.
Madam Lin was pulled back to Liuli Courtyard by Ren Yaoyu. She had already regained her senses, but despite being the one who committed the violence, she was as frightened as a startled bird. As soon as she returned, she ordered the maids and old servants to close the courtyard gate and not let anyone in.
Then Madam Lin began packing her belongings.
When Fifth Master Ren hurried back and finally managed to get the gate opened, Madam Lin had already packed several large bundles. Ren Shimiao was taken aback: "What are you doing?"
Madam Lin had been in a state of high tension and hadn't even had time to change her clothes. Ren Shimiao could still see two drops of blood splattered on the front of her garment.
Ren Shimiao's appearance finally brought Madam Lin some peace of mind. She cried, "Husband, I've caused a huge disaster this time. I... I want to take Yu'er back to my parents' home for a while."
Ren Shimiao, however, was unconcerned. He held Madam Lin's hand and comforted her: "She's just a concubine. If she's ruined, then she's ruined! Even Third Brother didn't say anything. Moreover, it's clear that she tried to harm our daughter first, and Father's handling of the matter was unfair afterward. If they want to punish you for this, they'll have to get past me first."
Although Madam Lin was still afraid, Ren Shimiao's words warmed and softened her heart: "Fifth Lang... I, I'm so scared. I don't even know why I did that. I just saw her push Yu'er, causing Yu'er to break her hand... Yu'er? Where is Yu'er?" Madam Lin suddenly grew anxious.
Ren Shimiao quickly reassured her: "Yu'er is in her own room. I just went to check on her. Her hand only injured the tendons; the bones are fine. With some massage and three to five days of rest, she'll recover."
Madam Lin breathed a sigh of relief but still said, "Send more people to guard her door. Oh, right! And Jian'er! Where is Jian'er? Where is he?"
Madam Lin didn't even know what she was afraid of, but she felt extremely uneasy, fearing that Concubine Fang would come seeking revenge. She was convinced Concubine Fang would retaliate. If she had to do it all over again, she would never dare to raise a knife to Concubine Fang's face. Even if she wanted to make Concubine Fang suffer, she wouldn't have charged forward to do it herself.
Ren Shimiao couldn't quite understand Madam Lin's fear, perhaps because he didn't know Concubine Fang as well as she did, even though Madam Lin's fear was largely subconscious.
Nevertheless, Ren Shimiao did his best to comfort Madam Lin and assured her that she wouldn't be punished by Old Master Ren. In the end, Madam Lin couldn't bring herself to leave her husband and son behind, so she agreed to stay for the time being.After comforting his wife and daughter, Ren Shimiao returned to the Glory and Splendor Courtyard to apologize on behalf of Madam Lin.
Old Master Ren remained stern-faced, insisting it was necessary to send Madam Lin back to her family home for a while. Ren Shimiao, however, retorted firmly, "Father, it was clearly that venomous woman Madam Fang who harmed Yu'er first, and just now in the garden, she nearly caused Yu'er to break her arm! As Yu'er's mother, Huijun momentarily lost control and made a mistake—that's understandable! Shouldn't elders protect their own children? Should they instead side with some unrelated lowly concubine? If word of this spreads, people will laugh their heads off!"
Dear readers, don't wait for an update tonight! I'll probably only manage to write half a chapter before bedtime.
The author can't stay up too late tonight—my body can't take it anymore... I have to admit, age is catching up...
〒_〒.
Still, the author shamelessly asks... please keep the votes coming... (#￣▽￣#)
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