Chapter 102: The Master Performs a Ritual
The next day remained bright and sunny.
Early in the morning, a servant from outside brought a master into the Xie residence.
The Old Madam led many household members to the spacious front courtyard to watch the master perform the ritual.
He Shi's eyelids twitched incessantly as she whispered: "Old Madam, where was this master invited from? This humble woman feels his ritual techniques seem somewhat unusual."
In her childhood, when her family encountered troubles and returned to their hometown, the elders often invited masters to perform rituals, but they were never like this.
Ting Yu's heart skipped a beat.
She had deceived the Old Madam into thinking this master came from Qing'an Temple, but that wasn't true at all... Those masters at Qing'an Temple were falsely noble and unwilling to accept her money to handle matters—or perhaps they found the sum insufficient. While leaving Qing'an Temple, she encountered this master on the road who was not only cheaper but also followed instructions...
"Concubine He, every master has their own habits when performing rituals," Ting Yu spoke up. "We don't understand these matters, so let's just wait and see."
Yun Chu stood beside the Old Madam and said: "This is merely for praying for blessings for the Xie family. It shouldn't matter which master performs the ritual."
The Old Madam remained silent with a stern expression.
Her eyes fixed intently on the center where the master threw talisman papers into the air, shouting loudly as the papers suddenly burst into flames.
Then the master's eyes shifted, his sharp gaze falling upon the womenfolk.
The more timid Jiang Yiniang was startled and instinctively tightened her grip on Xie Xian's hand.
"Evil spirits haunt this residence!"
The master proclaimed loudly as a ball of fire suddenly ignited above his head, drifting toward the rear courtyard.
Without needing further instruction, everyone in the courtyard unanimously followed the master to the rear courtyard. The fire flickered uncertainly, moving east then west, before finally hovering above a central courtyard.
In the midst of summer, this courtyard bloomed with lotuses, their leaves stretching continuously—it was He Shi's residence, the Bihe Garden.
He Shi frowned, feeling vaguely uneasy.
She couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to happen...
The ghostly fire halted above the lotus pond, extinguishing with a puff as ashes drifted down from the sky.
"It's right there!"
The master strode over, standing by the lakeside as he addressed the Xie family: "Old Madam Xie, please have someone search here to discover the truth."
The Old Madam looked over. The summer lotuses were in full bloom—could there be something inappropriate in the pond?
Considering certain possibilities, the old woman's expression grew even darker.
Mama Zhou had already led two servants over. In a few quick moves, they retrieved a rope and pulled up a small crimson-lacquered box.
He Shi's eyes widened in shock.
How could there be a box in her courtyard's pond? Who placed it there?
What were they trying to accomplish?
Before she could ponder further, the box was presented to the Old Madam.
Feeling somewhat apprehensive, the Old Madam commanded: "Open it."
When Mama Zhou lifted the lid and revealed the contents, everyone present paled.
Inside the box were three doll figures. Judging by their attire, one represented an old woman, another a woman in her forties, and the third a young woman around twenty.
The elderly doll had its chest filled with silver needles, the second had needles piercing its eyes, hands, and feet, while the third young madam's entire body was covered in needles...
The scene was utterly terrifying."Inside this..." Ting Shuang gasped, "It's Old Madam, Madam, and the Mistress! Heavens, someone is cursing the women of the Xie family to die horrible deaths!"
Yuan Shi also recognized them - the attire of these three figures represented three generations of Xie family matriarchs. Who could be so vicious!
Yun Chu displayed just the right amount of shock: "Who would dare be so bold? Cursing me is one thing, but how could they curse Madam and Old Madam! Old Madam hasn't been well lately - could this be related to the curse?"
She turned to look at Old Madam and saw the elderly woman clutching Mama Zhou's arm for support, clearly shaken to the point her legs had gone weak.
The older one gets, the more one clings to life. No elderly person could withstand such a shock. Old Madam's chest heaved violently, her labored breathing audible to all.
"Cough! Cough! Cough!"
Old Madam broke into violent coughing.
Mama Zhou quickly produced a handkerchief to catch the cough, and upon seeing it stained with blood, was thoroughly frightened.
Old Madam's clouded eyes shifted toward He Shi: "It was you!"
He Shi had been utterly stunned when she saw the dolls in the box, and only now realized this box had been discovered in her own courtyard!
With a start, she hurriedly pleaded: "Old Madam, this concubine has been wronged! I would never do such a thing! I beg Old Madam to investigate clearly!"
"If not you, then who!" Old Madam raised her hand and slapped He Shi across the face. "You vile woman! The Xie family should never have tolerated you!"
Years ago, this wretched woman had seduced Jingyu. When Jingyu became infatuated and wanted to marry her, she had refused. All these years, this vile woman must have harbored resentment.
And with Yun Chu occupying the position of principal wife, this wretched woman surely wished for Yun Chu's sudden death!
Did she truly think that if all the Xie family matriarchs died out, an unworthy wretch like her could become the mistress?
Dream on!
"Old Madam, Concubine He has no reason to do this!" Xie Ping couldn't help stepping forward. "Besides, even if she had such intentions, she wouldn't keep this thing in her own courtyard. Someone must be deliberately framing her. Today's events were all pushed forward by Concubine Yu - it's hard not to suspect she's behind this!"
"You overestimate this concubine, Young Miss." Ting Yu lowered her eyes. "We're both concubines. Just because Young Miss resembles Concubine He doesn't mean you should help her by slandering me!"
These words immediately changed Xie Ping's expression.
Though she wanted to speak for He Shi, she didn't want to implicate herself.
Pursing her lips, she fell silent.
"Concubine He, I've treated you fairly, as has the entire Xie family. How could you commit such an unforgivable act!" Yun Chu's face was icy. "Guards, lock Concubine He in the woodshed! Ting Shuang, send someone to fetch the Master home!"
"This concubine is truly innocent!" He Shi repeatedly defended herself. "Concubine Yu resents me for taking Yun Ge'er away, so she conspired with that master to stage this whole scene! Old Madam, Madam, Mistress - I'm truly innocent! Send people to search Concubine Yu's courtyard - she made so many dolls, there must be traces left in her rooms!"
Ting Yu smiled secretly to herself.
These dolls had all been made by Concubine Tao, who had dragged her postpartum body out in the middle of the night to place them in the pond.
Her own role had been to provide the silver, find the master, and pin everything on He Shi.From beginning to end, everything was handled personally by her and Concubine Tao. Even if the servants in their courtyard were tortured for information, nothing could be extracted, let alone any incriminating evidence found!
"This matter will be thoroughly investigated when the master returns!" Yun Chu said sternly. "If you didn't do it, it naturally won't be blamed on you! Why are you all still standing there? Hurry up and drag Concubine He away!"
Several sturdy maids stepped forward, flanking He Shi on both sides, and dragged her toward the backyard.
The Old Madam closed her eyes.
If He Shi hadn't borne three children for the Xie family, she would have really wanted to have her drowned in the lake.
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