Chapter 246

Chapter 246

Old Madam Shen said nothing and went behind the curtain with Madam Bai. Ji Hanyi followed them inside.

Once seated in an armchair, Old Madam Shen looked at her and said flatly, “Go back. Leave this matter to your eldest sister-in-law.”

Ji Hanyi pressed her lips together. “I feel the punishment of Concubine Luo is somewhat inappropriate. Perhaps we should wait for First Master to return and decide with him. She is the Second Master’s birth mother, after all. Whatever the truth, family harmony matters most.”

Although Shen Changying was born to a concubine, he was one of the most capable of the younger generation. He had become a Palace Graduate at a young age and now served in the Hanlin Academy; his official career promised a bright future. Even if Concubine Luo was to be punished, he had to be fully convinced of her guilt, lest unnecessary resentment arise.

Punishing Concubine Luo was easy. If she had truly done it, Ji Hanyi agreed that she deserved punishment. But if she had not, then Ji Hanyi herself had also been manipulated for nothing.

Old Madam Shen frowned and considered her words. “You have a point, but I am still entitled to discipline a concubine.”

“When Su returns, I will summon him. You need not concern yourself with this.”

Ji Hanyi had spoken only to keep the matter from circling back to her, so she nodded. Seeing that Old Madam Shen had already convicted Concubine Luo in her heart, she said no more and withdrew.

Madam Bai’s heart lurched when Ji Hanyi left first. She coaxed Old Madam Shen into resting, said she would deal with the disorder outside, then hurried after Ji Hanyi.

Seeing Ji Hanyi summon a steward for questioning, she linked arms with her and led her away, advising earnestly, “Why trouble yourself over this, Sister-in-law? Madam Luo slandered you so viciously. She merely received what she deserved.”

Ji Hanyi paid little attention. Looking around, she saw no trace of Concubine Luo. Even the two key maids, Lianxin and Baihe, had been dragged away.

Bright sunlight poured down outside. Ji Hanyi had eaten only a bowl of bird’s nest that morning and never expected a routine visit to become such an ordeal. It was nearly noon now. Hunger made her slightly dizzy.

After steadying herself, she said softly to Madam Bai, “You are right, Sister-in-law. I feel unwell and will return now. Please tend to your affairs and do not trouble yourself over me.”

Madam Bai studied her. Ji Hanyi was so young and did not look forceful, yet somehow she made Madam Bai’s heart tighten.

Madam Bai had believed Ji Hanyi would be easy to control. Suddenly, she was no longer so certain.

Unable to read anything from Ji Hanyi’s face, she smiled and nodded.

After Ji Hanyi left, Madam Bai gathered her sleeves and watched that slender, graceful figure recede. Perhaps Ji Hanyi’s thoughts were far less innocent and transparent than her appearance suggested.

Anyone else, upon learning what Concubine Luo had done, would have flown into a rage and demanded harsh punishment.

Ji Hanyi, however, had remained calm throughout. She had not even shown hatred toward Concubine Luo.

That was highly unusual, and it meant her thoughts would not be led wherever others wished.

Ji Hanyi departed with Rongchun, but after only a few steps, she stopped and doubled back toward a courtyard beside the servants’ quarters-the place she had asked the steward about earlier.

One coincidence troubled her. On the very day she returned, Madam Bai had fallen ill and sent Concubine Luo to deliver tea.

Ji Hanyi had a faint suspicion. Had Madam Bai learned of her return before Concubine Luo did? Or had she heard something else?

Her pace quickened. Before she reached the servants’ quarters, she heard the crack of punishment boards and walked faster.

Then a servant said, “Baihe is dead.”

Ji Hanyi instantly felt that she had come too late.

She had deliberately shaken off Madam Bai to come here, yet Baihe was already dead.

Had Baihe survived, the matter might still have been explained. Her death eliminated the witness and only strengthened Ji Hanyi’s suspicions.

Another voice said, “If she is dead, roll her in a mat, throw her out, and find somewhere to bury her.”

When Ji Hanyi approached, she saw Baihe lying with her eyes open, her body drenched in blood as servants roughly rolled her into a straw mat.

Ji Hanyi ordered them to stop and checked beneath Baihe’s nose. There was no breath at all.

Her fingertips paused as she met the dead maid’s staring eyes. Then she looked at the nanny overseeing the punishment. “She died from only twenty strokes?”

The nanny had not expected Ji Hanyi to appear. Seeing her displeasure, she hurried over and bowed. “You misunderstand, Second Madam. Baihe was not beaten to death. It seems she bit through her tongue to kill herself.”

“She said that although she had exposed Concubine Luo, she had also betrayed her mistress and had no face to go on living. I learned of it only after she bit her tongue.”

Ji Hanyi looked down and finally noticed the long trail of blood spilling from Baihe’s lips.

The faint metallic smell was the scent she least wished to encounter these days.

She said nothing and turned away.

Baihe was dead. The most important witness was gone.

Even if Concubine Luo was innocent, clearing her name would now be difficult-and Ji Hanyi only suspected her innocence.

Rongchun supported her and asked softly, “Madam, will you still see Concubine Luo?”

Ji Hanyi shook her head. “No.”

When she returned to her courtyard, Nanny Fang came forward and quietly asked whether she wished to eat now.
Nanny Fang had been Shen Si’s wet nurse and served in this courtyard for over twenty years. Experienced and mild-tempered, she had cared for Ji Hanyi with particular thoughtfulness these past two days.

It was not yet lunchtime. She asked because Ji Hanyi had eaten little that morning and returned late from the old madam’s courtyard; she was surely afraid Ji Hanyi was hungry.

Ji Hanyi was indeed hungry. Not long ago, she had even planned to ask Rongchun to order her favorite duck stewed with sour bamboo shoots. Now her stomach was empty, yet she had no appetite.

Still, she nodded. Hunger meant she had to eat.

The meal arrived quickly; Nanny Fang had clearly ordered it prepared in advance.

Shen Si alone had a separate kitchen in the entire Shen Residence. Its dishes had once catered almost entirely to his tastes, but in the past two days several of Ji Hanyi’s favorites had appeared: cabbage soup with cured ham, sweet steamed custard, and more.

Osmanthus dew had also been prepared, her favorite drink of late. Every maid and nanny in the courtyard seemed intent on observing and remembering her preferences so they could serve her wholeheartedly.

Ji Hanyi washed her hands, picked up a piece of glutinous-rice pastry from the small plate before her, and took a bite. As she blinked, the image of Baihe’s death returned.

It was not that she felt any particular affection for Baihe, though the maid was pitiable. More than that, Ji Hanyi sensed that she now lived within a vast walled estate roiled by hidden currents, where cruelty and intrigue were gathering beneath the surface.

A chill crept up from beneath her feet.

For the first time, she understood that the great house of the Shen Residence was nothing like the Ji Residence or Xie Residence she had known.

The Ji Residence had always been harmonious. Even servants who committed offenses never suffered such vicious punishment. At worst, they were sold. Finger clamps and severed tongues were cruelties she had never imagined.

Baihe’s death made her realize with a start that she, too, stood within the conspiracy.

The Xie Residence was also a great clan with many family members, but each branch managed its own affairs. Their conflicts amounted to verbal thrusts beneath a polite surface. Nothing there had ever chilled Ji Hanyi as today’s events did.

For the first time, food tasted like wax. She ate less than half a bowl and took only two sips of the pigeon soup specially prepared for her.

As she rinsed her mouth, Nanny Fang asked anxiously, “Were today’s dishes not to your liking, Madam?”

Ji Hanyi shook her head. “No. I simply cannot eat.”

Seeing that she truly lacked appetite, Nanny Fang did not press her.

Ji Hanyi entered the inner room and reclined on the chaise longue. Looking at Nanny Fang, who followed her in, she asked, “What sort of person is Concubine Luo ordinarily?”

Nanny Fang considered. “I seldom have dealings with the First Branch’s concubines. I heard she enjoyed considerable favor with First Master and sometimes helped First Madam manage the household. Her manner is somewhat ostentatious.”

“First Master doted on her, and later the Second Master became successful. It is understandable that she grew rather proud.”

“Concubine Luo’s younger brother once served as a company commander in the army. First Master later helped promote him to chiliarch guarding a city gate. That is a profitable appointment. Merchants passing through must always offer gifts.”

“Though Concubine Luo was born to a concubine herself, First Master’s favor has brought honor even to her birth mother’s family.”

Ji Hanyi seized upon that. Concubine Luo’s brother guarded a city gate. Shen Si would necessarily have passed through one when he led troops out to suppress the bandits. Her brother must have known.

That explained why Concubine Luo might suddenly have made such a remark.

Shen Si did not return until late that night and was immediately summoned to Yide Hall.

First Master was leaving as he arrived. The two met beneath the veranda. At the sight of Shen Si, Shen Su covered his face in shame, bowed, and apologized for failing to govern his inner household, every word laden with remorse.

Shen Si had always respected his fourth brother. When Shen Su taught him to ride as a child, Shen Si had been young, proud, and convinced nothing in the world could defeat him. At eight or nine, he insisted on taming a wild horse and was thrown. Shen Su raced over and shielded him beneath his own body. The horse’s hoof crushed Shen Su’s foot, leaving him with a slight limp more than ten years later. Though it was barely noticeable, Shen Si had always felt guilty.

When Shen Si studied, their father had been busy. It was Shen Su who returned at night to discuss his lessons with him.

Shen Si hurriedly helped his brother upright. Eyes reddened, Shen Su said, “It is my fault for spoiling Rong’er and indulging her temper. I truly have no face to meet you, Fifth Younger Brother.”

“She committed a grave offense, and Mother has punished her severely. I will not shield her. I will discipline her harshly again when I return, but I beg you to forgive this first offense.”

“Mother intends to send her to an estate. Changying is filial and misses his mother. Please persuade Mother to relent.”

“When Changying returns, I will bring him to apologize to our sister-in-law as well.”