Chapter 37

Chapter 37

I didn’t sleep a wink all night.

I had to resolve the matter with Cuinong quickly. At the end of the day, she had become entangled in my karma, and that was why she had met with such misfortune.

Sigh. She had been so terrified in the Dungeon, yet that girl still found the courage to plead for mercy on my behalf.

She was a good girl; she didn’t deserve this end.

I calculated my options. Should I give her a reward and send her back to her hometown?

No, she belonged to the palace, and it was the Empress Dowager who had ordered her to serve by my side. I couldn’t dispose of her at will.

What if I deliberately picked a fight and kicked Cuinong out of the Marquis Manor?

No, if she left the manor with a stain on her reputation, the world would likely have no place for her in the future.

What should I do? What should I do?

As I thought it over, a sudden inspiration struck me. I decided to have Cuinong take a sum of money to my hometown to purchase and furnish an elegant residence for my grandmother.

This act aligned with filial piety and wouldn’t arouse any suspicion.

Furthermore, decorating the interior and purchasing plants and flowers would require a great deal of energy; she would certainly have to stay there for a long time.

If I won this battle, I would call her back.

If I lost, she would have avoided the brunt of the disaster and could keep her life.

…

I only managed to fall asleep near dawn.

When I woke up, it was nearly noon. The maidservants had long been waiting to attend to my washing and dressing.

Cuinong was there too. She seemed to have been crying; her eyes were red and swollen. While pouring tea, she actually spaced out, not even noticing when the water overflowed.

Hongyu saw this and gently tugged on her sleeve.

Cuinong reacted as if she had been pricked by a needle, immediately pulling her hand back. She looked preoccupied with heavy thoughts.

Hongyu asked in a low voice, “Does your stomach still hurt? Why don’t you go back and rest? I’ll attend to Madam here.”

Cuinong shook her head. “No, I’m fine. Let’s set the meal.”

…

Lunch consisted of four dishes and a soup, quite light.

After eating, I suggested going for a walk to aid digestion.

I had to admit, the gardens of the Marquis Manor were elegantly landscaped, with rare trees standing in scattered clusters.

The winding corridors curved over a large, deep pond. The reflections of the pavilions and terraces shimmered on the water’s surface, truly beautiful to behold.

I admired the garden scenery. Accompanying me, besides the two senior maids Cuinong and Hongyu, was a middle-aged servant woman named Mama Lin, who looked shrewd and capable.

It was already time for the afternoon nap. According to the old routine, the inner courtyard would be temporarily locked for an hour, so the garden was quiet everywhere, with no other servants in sight.

My mind was a mess.

Suddenly, I heard the maids whispering behind me.

Hongyu said, “It’s snowing again. The Marquis mentioned yesterday that he wanted to eat roasted mutton.”

Cuinong replied frostily, “It’s really hard on you, keeping everything the Marquis says to heart.”

Hongyu laughed. “What’s wrong with you these past two days? Your words are so sharp.”

Cuinong sighed. “I had a nightmare. You little brat bit me.”

Hongyu scolded with a laugh, “No need for a dream, I’ll bite you for real right now.”

Amidst their banter, Cuinong instructed the middle-aged servant, “Mama Lin, go fetch an umbrella to ensure the wind and snow don’t bother Madam. While you’re at it, notify the kitchen to prepare the mutton.”

Hearing this, the woman immediately went to do as she was told.

I turned around and said, “No need for an umbrella, let’s just head back.”

Unexpectedly, Cuinong stepped forward to support me, smiling. “Madam has been in Qiyun Temple these past few days; you surely haven’t seen how beautiful the snow looks falling on the maple trees. It’s just up ahead.”

At that moment, I felt Cuinong press something into my hand-it seemed to be a folded piece of paper.

Though I was surprised, I didn’t let it show on my face. What did she mean by this?

Just as I was wondering, I saw Cuinong let go of me and walk toward Hongyu.

She naturally took Hongyu’s arm, pointed toward the pond, and asked with a smile, “If this place were filled with lotus flowers, wouldn’t it be beautiful to watch them on a summer afternoon?”

Hongyu shook her head. “That would definitely attract mosquitoes.”

It was the most ordinary of conversations, but in the next heartbeat, I saw Cuinong suddenly grab Hongyu and lunge downward.

*Splash!*

A massive spray of water erupted from the surface.

I saw the two girls struggling in the water, splashing violently. Hongyu screamed for help, while Cuinong gritted her teeth and used all her strength to shove her under.

After all, they were wearing thick winter clothes. Once the cotton-padded garments were soaked, they became heavy. Cuinong’s strength gradually began to fail. Seizing the opportunity, Hongyu pulled out her hairpin and stabbed Cuinong hard.

In pain, Cuinong let go of Hongyu.

Hongyu grabbed a tree branch hanging over the water and paddled over with great effort. “Madam, help! Cuinong has gone mad!”

I quickly scanned the surroundings. No one was there.

I knelt by the edge of the pond and reached out toward Hongyu. “Quick, come here!”

Hongyu grabbed my hand, tears streaming down her face.

The moment I pulled her close, I grabbed her head and shoved it ruthlessly into the water.

Hongyu immediately sensed my murderous intent and tried to escape.

But by then, Cuinong had swum over. She pressed down on Hongyu’s shoulders, completely cutting off her retreat.

Disordered footsteps came from the archway in the distance as several servant women came running over in a hurry.

Startled, I shouted at the top of my lungs, “Someone, help! They’ve fallen into the water!”

At the same time, I locked eyes with Cuinong.

Without needing words, Cuinong grabbed Hongyu and wailed loudly, “Help! Someone save us!”

Soon, the servants and maids arrived, scrambling to pull Cuinong and Hongyu out.

Hongyu’s face was deathly pale as she lay stiffly on the floor of the corridor.

Cuinong knelt beside her, trembling like a frightened bird.

I was also “terrified,” leaning against a servant woman and clutching my chest as I took deep breaths.

I hurriedly took off my cloak and wrapped it around Cuinong myself, comforting her.

Then, I leaned close to the girl’s ear and whispered, “Is she dead?”

Cuinong gave a soft “mm,” threw herself onto Hongyu’s body, and began to howl in grief.