Yun Chu Ling

Chapter 31: An Intruder in the Bedroom

The gossip from the streets and alleys made its way back to the Xie residence, infuriating Old Madam so much that she smashed two teacups.

For a family like the Xies, even if the mistress of the household were to die of illness, it shouldn't become common knowledge. The main reason was Yun Chu's identity being too special.

As the legitimate eldest daughter of a first-rank general's household and once the pearl renowned throughout the capital, the number of people who had nearly worn out the Yun family's threshold seeking her hand in marriage back then was matched now by those closely watching the Xie family's inner courtyard.

"She's clearly recovered from her illness. Who spread the rumor that she's on the verge of death?" Old Madam said sternly. "The servants in this household are becoming increasingly unable to hold their tongues."

Last time, no one knew who leaked the news about He Shi poisoning Concubine Tao.

These two incidents combined and widely spread made it seem as though the Xie family's inner quarters were particularly chaotic.

As the ancient saying goes, "If one cannot sweep one's own house, how can one sweep the world?" Would the imperial court promote a man who couldn't even manage the women in his own household?

After hesitating briefly, Mama Zhou said, "Since the mistress fell ill, the young mistress has been making decisions on all matters, big and small, in the household. It has indeed become somewhat chaotic."

"Are you saying our Xie family cannot function without the mistress?" Old Madam said coldly. "Mama Zhou, summon Ping Jie'er. I must personally oversee all matters regarding the birthday banquet to avoid giving people any reason to gossip."

Mama Zhou accepted the order and went to carry it out.

The weather had cleared up these past few days, and the flowers in Sheng Residence were in full bloom. Yun Chu sat in the flower hall reading.

Ting Shuang came to report: "When the young mistress first began managing the household with the mistress, she punished some of the older female servants and young male servants. Those women were quite resentful of the young mistress—whenever she assigned tasks, they would only complete seventy percent of what was required. The household has been in disarray, but I've heard that Old Madam plans to personally oversee matters related to the birthday banquet."

Yun Chu smiled.

With only three days left until the birthday banquet, all necessary preparations were already in place. Even if Old Madam intervened now, she couldn't change much.

"Chen Bo has handed four or five of the Xie family's shops to He Xu to manage," Ting Shuang continued. "All the items needed for the young mistress's birthday banquet were procured by He Xu. That He Xu is truly bold—I did a quick calculation and found he has embezzled at least four hundred taels of silver."

Even Yun Chu couldn't help but click her tongue in surprise. Old Madam had only allocated three thousand taels for the banquet, and He Xu had already taken four hundred. Other servants must have skimmed off their share too—some taking thirty or forty taels, others seventeen or eighteen. All calculated, they'd be lucky if two thousand taels were actually spent on the banquet.

"He Xu gave a significant portion of the embezzled silver to the one in the small temple," Ting Shuang said quietly. "He Shi is injured and has been relatively well-behaved lately."

Yun Chu's smile deepened. "Let her rest peacefully for a few more days."

In a few days, He Shi wouldn't have such peaceful times anymore.

Ting Shuang already knew what Yun Chu planned to do. Worry clouded her brow. "Mistress, must we really go through with this?"

Yun Chu took Ting Shuang's hand. "In the five years since I married into the Xie family, do you think I've ever been truly happy?"

Ting Shuang shook her head.

In the first month after marriage, the mistress had been full of hope. Later, she was neglected by the master, then her child died young, and since then, the mistress had never genuinely smiled from the heart.

Over the years, the mistress's life had been the same day after day—seemingly calm, but devoid of any hope.

Recently, Ting Shuang had finally seen a different spark in the mistress's eyes.

She felt deeply concerned for her mistress.She feared something might happen that would make the lady's life even more difficult.

"Ting Shuang, you're about the same age as me—it's time for you to marry." Yun Chu looked at her gently. "If you have someone in mind, just tell me. If not, I'll find you an honest and reliable man..."

"Madam!" Ting Shuang knelt down in fright. "This servant doesn't wish to marry. I want to stay by your side and serve you forever."

Yun Chu helped her up.

Regardless of whether Ting Shuang married or not, she couldn't let her remain in the Xie residence.

In this second chance at life, no one knew if the tragedy would repeat itself. She feared Ting Shuang might die again in that devastating fire that would engulf the Xie residence...

The sky gradually darkened, and a maid brought in the evening meal.

Although Yun Chu no longer managed household affairs, she was still the official mistress of the house. Neither Xie Ping nor the servants below dared to withhold her food.

While eating, sudden commotion erupted from the front courtyard. Ting Feng rushed in to report: "Madam, it's terrible! Thieves suddenly appeared at the small southeastern gate. All the male and female servants are going to catch them."

Yun Chu frowned.

During the four or five years she had managed the household, every gate of the Xie residence had been well guarded. Such an absurd incident had never occurred before.

She instructed: "Guard the gate of Sheng Residence tightly. Unless necessary, no one should go out."

The sky had completely darkened by now. The thief incident in the front courtyard had left everyone somewhat panicked.

However, with Qiutong present in Sheng Residence—her martial skills having been witnessed by all the maids in the courtyard—everyone felt considerably more at ease when Qiutong stood guard at the entrance.

After a long wait, news came from the front courtyard that no thieves had been found, and all compounds reported nothing unusual. The incident was dismissed as a false alarm. Nevertheless, Yun Chu didn't let her guard down. She ordered the servants to form groups of three, led by Qiutong, to patrol the courtyard throughout the night.

After bathing, Yun Chu entered the inner chamber and sat down at the dressing table.

Ting Xue carefully removed her hair accessories, combed her hair straight, then bowed and withdrew, gently closing the door behind her.

Yun Chu sat on the edge of the bed, took off her shoes, lay down, and pulled over the quilt beside her. Just as she was about to cover herself, she suddenly sensed something amiss.

Holding her breath, she heard faint breathing that wasn't her own.

In that instant, her heart leaped into her throat.

Carefully sitting up, she reached under her pillow and felt around until she found a short dagger.

It was a gift from her grandfather for her coming-of-age ceremony, engraved with her name and extremely sharp. Gripping the hilt with one hand, she abruptly threw off the quilt with the other.

Just as she was about to swing the blade, her hand froze mid-air.

"How is it you?"

Beneath the quilt was actually a child with jade-like features.

It was none other than the Young Son of Prince of Pacifying the West Manor.

"You dare point a blade at me, woman? If you harm even a single hair on my head, my father won't let you off!"

Yun Chu curled her lips.

She put away the dagger and said, "If your father knew you sneaked into someone else's bedroom late at night, I doubt he'd let you off either."

Chu Hongyu snorted: "If I hadn't heard you were dying of illness, I wouldn't have come. Such ingratitude for my kindness."

The little child crossed his arms and turned his back, showing Yun Chu only his pouting cheek.

Yun Chu's heart instantly melted.

So this child had risked so much to sneak into the Xie family because he heard she was ill.

Thinking back, they didn't share any deep connection. That this child cared so much about her was truly her blessing.Perhaps because in her dream that day, her biological son's face had transformed into the Young Son's face, Yun Chu felt a natural closeness toward this child.

She couldn't resist reaching out her finger to poke the child's cheek.

Chu Hongyu usually detested anyone pinching his cheeks—even his imperial grandfather would make him uncomfortable.

But now, he felt no aversion at all, and even wished this woman would poke him again.

Yun Chu knew when to stop; after one poke, she withdrew her hand and said, "My illness has passed, as you can see I'm perfectly fine. I'll have someone escort you back to the prince's mansion."

The little fellow's eyes widened.

He had just arrived, and this woman was already trying to send him away—how heartless.

Just as he was about to speak, footsteps suddenly sounded outside the door.