“Miss, why are you looking for Madam? She…”
Chunhong was puzzled by Wanqing’s words. She didn’t know what kind of act her mistress was putting on. Seeing her lead herself to Liu Shi’s quarters, ignoring the resistance of the maids at the courtyard gate, and even striking one of them before barging in, Chunhong couldn’t help but worry. Although her mistress had claimed she could protect herself, this reckless behavior made Chunhong uneasy as she looked at her and said,
“Don’t worry, I have my reasons for coming here. Go back to our previous courtyard and fetch Sister Hongyan right away. You’ll see what happens next.”
Watching the maids in Liu Shi’s courtyard scatter like frightened ghosts at her arrival, Wanqing smiled faintly and instructed Chunhong. She had not only struck the maid but had drawn blood before stopping, and now she wondered how Liu Shi would react to her.
“Miss, I’m still worried.”
Despite Wanqing’s confident tone, Chunhong couldn’t shake her concern, especially after seeing her injure the maid so ruthlessly.
“What’s there to worry about? Hurry and fetch Sister Hongyan. If you’re really worried, bring her back quickly, or else your mistress might get torn apart, and then you’ll be the one crying.”
Seeing Chunhong’s hesitation, Wanqing frowned helplessly. Did this girl really underestimate her so much? Thinking of her purpose here, she sighed and deliberately exaggerated the danger to spur Chunhong into action.
“I—I’ll go fetch Sister Hongyan right away. Miss, please don’t act rashly!”
Though Chunhong still didn’t understand her mistress’s plan, the mention of potential danger made her tense. She quickly turned to leave, casting a final warning glance at Wanqing.
“No need to look for me—I’m already here. Weren’t you supposed to move to Bamboo Fragrance Pavilion? Why aren’t you there, and instead causing trouble here? If there’s an issue, you should have informed someone beforehand. What I saw was disgusting.”
Just as Chunhong was about to leave, a cold, androgynous voice rang out. Hongyan, clad in red, strode forward, her expression dark with displeasure as she recalled the revolting scene she had witnessed in Bamboo Fragrance Pavilion.
“Hehe, Sister Hongyan, you came just in time. We did go to Bamboo Fragrance Pavilion, but as soon as we entered, we saw those disgusting servants doing unspeakable things. Tell me, why would my stepmother give me such a place, only to fill it with filth? It’s like she wants to make me sick just by living there! So I came straight here to confront her. Come on, let’s go ask her what she meant by this!”
Though Hongyan’s gaze was sharp enough to kill, Wanqing flashed her a sweet, ingratiating smile, clinging to her arm like a child seeking protection, and urged her forward.
“Was that really Liu Shi’s doing?”
Despite Wanqing’s innocent expression, Hongyan’s eyes remained cold and skeptical as she recalled the depraved scene she had witnessed.
“Of course! That’s how it was when we arrived. If you don’t believe me, ask Chunhong!”
Faced with Hongyan’s obvious suspicion, Wanqing nodded eagerly like an obedient child and gestured for Chunhong to corroborate her story.
“Yes, Sister Hongyan, it really was like that… Miss, why are you lying to her? If we told her the truth, she could report it to the Young Master, and Liu Shi would be in serious trouble!”
Though Chunhong didn’t agree with Wanqing’s deception, she still played along. As Hongyan glanced between them and stepped forward, Chunhong leaned in and whispered urgently to Wanqing.
“Silly girl, have you forgotten what I told you? Xianglan stole my waist token to frame me. Even though Brother Shizi didn’t punish me, he’s already suspicious. If I trouble him again and he confronts Liu Shi directly, she’ll panic and pin everything on us—then our heads won’t stay on our shoulders for long!”
Wanqing sighed inwardly at Chunhong’s naivety but whispered back, explaining the danger. Seeing her maid fall silent, she smiled wryly and tugged her along, following Hongyan.
“How dare you! What use are you fools if you can’t even stop intruders? Qing’er, what is the meaning of this? Didn’t you move into your mother’s Bamboo Fragrance Pavilion? If you’re not used to it—”
In Liu Shi’s courtyard, the woman was fuming over the bloodied maid who had just reported Wanqing’s assault. She was still plotting her revenge when the first person to enter turned out to be the “plague-bringer’s” returned maid. Liu Shi’s expression shifted instantly. She scolded her own maids with feigned anger before turning to Wanqing, who stepped out from behind Hongyan, and adopted a motherly smile.
“Stepmother, I truly appreciate you letting me move into my mother’s old residence. But as soon as I entered, I saw several maids and some unknown servant engaging in indecent acts in the room. Stepmother, are you trying to humiliate me? How could such a thing happen in the quarters you arranged for me? What exactly is the meaning of this?”
Noticing the flicker of fear in Liu Shi’s eyes at the sight of Hongyan, Wanqing smiled sweetly, playing the innocent as she stomped her foot in mock indignation.
“Such a thing happened? Qing’er, our Marquis’s estate is a noble household in the capital. You mustn’t make such jokes, especially in front of the Young Master’s people. If word spreads, what will others think of our family?”
Liu Shi’s mind raced as Wanqing spoke. Her plan had clearly been disrupted, though she wasn’t sure whether Wanqing or the Young Master’s envoy was responsible. The maids she had sent—Xiangmei and the others—hadn’t returned, and she had a sinking feeling something had gone wrong. Though inwardly seething, she maintained a composed facade and glanced at Hongyan, as if warning Wanqing to watch her words.
“I’m not joking—Sister Hongyan saw it too! Ask her if you don’t believe me. The room and bed were in complete disarray. How am I supposed to live there now?”
Liu Shi’s fists clenched at her sides, but she forced a serene expression. Wanqing chuckled lightly, pointing at Hongyan for confirmation and adopting the petulant tone of a spoiled child.
“This…”
Liu Shi hesitated, unsure how to respond. Those maids were hers—could she really abandon them now?
“If a few maids and some outsider were caught engaging in debauchery in the estate, Stepmother, and you don’t punish them severely, what kind of discipline will remain in this household?”
Wanqing’s smile was faint as she pressed the issue, subtly tugging at Hongyan’s sleeve—her way of ensuring backup. She was pragmatic: if she couldn’t handle something herself, she’d use whatever resources were available.
“What do you say, Madam? If this isn’t dealt with strictly, and my master hears of it—especially if the young miss complains—not only will I be punished, but you may not escape unscathed either.”
Though exasperated by Wanqing’s antics, Hongyan had no choice but to intervene. She sighed, straightened her robes, and addressed Liu Shi, invoking her master’s authority.
“It seems I’ve been negligent. Servants, accompany me to the Second Miss’s courtyard. Let’s see who dares to cause such disorder in this estate!”
With a forced smile of apology, Liu Shi called for her attendants, and the group set off for Bamboo Fragrance Pavilion.
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