Chapter 48
Chapter 48
The moment Rongchun finished speaking, everyone in the room turned to look at Shuangxi.
Shuangxi had already been trying to slip away unnoticed, and she had a guilty conscience to begin with. Now that Rongchun had called her out in front of everyone, her expression changed drastically.
She pointed furiously at Rongchun. “Don’t make baseless accusations!”
Li Mingrou also frowned at Rongchun, narrowing her eyes in warning. “You’re worried about your mistress, and so are the rest of us, but that doesn’t give you the right to make false accusations.”
“If you claim there’s something wrong with my maid, aren’t you implying there’s something wrong with me as well?”
“Watch yourself, or I’ll have you punished for slandering a master.”
As she spoke, Li Mingrou’s eyes swiftly reddened again. Leaning against Madam Lin’s shoulder, she choked out, “All I did was send my maid to fetch me another hand warmer, yet a servant from my cousin-in-law’s quarters is casting suspicion on me like this. How am I supposed to face anyone after this?”
Seeing Li Mingrou resort to the same old act again, Rongchun regretted losing her composure.
Madam Lin stared coldly at Rongchun. “How can a maid be so unruly? Is this what your mistress taught you?”
No matter how angry Rongchun was, she had to endure it for now. What mattered most was keeping Shuangxi from leaving.
That morning, the Young Madam had told her that they had discovered Shuangxi was the one who went to the shop to buy the Red Poison Bug. She had instructed Rongchun to make sure Shuangxi went to the front courtyard.
Rongchun kept a tight grip on Shuangxi’s sleeve and began to cry, looking aggrieved. “This servant would never dare suggest that any of the masters here is involved. I only want to know who harmed my mistress.”
“Our Young Madam’s life is hanging in the balance. If anything happens to her, I won’t want to live either. If I’ve offended a master, then so be it. I don’t care if I die, as long as my Young Madam can be saved.”
Her words plunged the hall into silence.
Old Madam Xie glanced at the panic on Shuangxi’s face before saying, “All the servants are to report to the front hall. You will go as well.”
With Old Madam Xie herself giving the order, Shuangxi did not dare disobey. She hurriedly looked to Li Mingrou.
Li Mingrou’s expression stiffened slightly before she signaled for Shuangxi to go along for now.
Even if the Shen Family really had found the shopkeeper, so what? She had already disposed of all the evidence. Only she, Shuangxi, and the shopkeeper from the Western Regions knew the truth.
Besides, she had already paid the shopkeeper to keep quiet. As long as he denied recognizing them, no one would be able to prove anything.
What infuriated her was that Ji Hanyi had not only escaped being publicly humiliated and utterly disgraced, but had even turned the situation around like this. The thought filled Li Mingrou with resentment.
Old Madam Xie then told Madam Lin to accompany her to the front hall.
Rongchun hurried after them.
Before long, they arrived at the front hall. Old Madam Xie saw a distinguished-looking man standing inside. When the man saw her, he came forward, greeted her with a courteous bow, and explained why he was there.
He was one of the stewards of the Shen Residence, and his surname was Zhang.
After finishing his explanation, Steward Zhang stepped aside and had the shopkeeper from the Western Regions, who had been brought there under guard, escorted forward. He then explained the full story.
The shopkeeper was a native of the Western Regions who specialized in selling furs from the Western Regions. He also sold scorpion wine and aphrodisiac wine unique to the Western Regions, and even raised Red Poison Bugs.
The abdomen of the Red Poison Bug was a crucial ingredient in certain virility medicines, so his business was booming.
His was the only shop of its kind in the capital.
Old Madam Xie immediately understood. Very few people knew of the Red Poison Bug’s venom. Anyone who had deliberately sought out this particular shopkeeper to purchase such a venomous insect had clearly done so with malicious intent.
Madam Lin, who had been listening beside her, suffered a slight change in expression.
Li Mingrou’s wet nurse had been a woman from the Western Regions.
Years ago, Li Mingrou’s mother had rescued the woman and kept her by her side. The woman later married a stable hand from the household and became Li Mingrou’s mother’s personal maidservant. She and Li Mingrou’s mother had become pregnant around the same time.
The child of the woman from the Western Regions died at birth, so the woman became Li Mingrou’s wet nurse instead.
Upon hearing “the Western Regions,” Madam Lin could not help growing suspicious.
But then she remembered that Li Mingrou had always been sensible and obedient since coming to the Xie Residence. How could she possibly do such a thing? Madam Lin suppressed her doubts once more.
Old Madam Xie remained courteous. Born into a noble military family, she possessed a gentle, compassionate air without sacrificing her natural gravity and dignity. She said, “We owe the Shen Family our gratitude in this matter. Without your help, my granddaughter-in-law might have suffered terribly.”
“Please convey my thanks to Old Madam Shen when you return. I will be sure to call upon her personally another day to express my gratitude.”
Steward Zhang smiled. “Our Old Madam cannot stand such vicious schemes within the inner quarters. If we can uncover the true culprit, then her concern will not have been in vain.”
Old Madam Xie nodded and asked whether all the servants had arrived. She then ordered someone to take the shopkeeper from the Western Regions to identify the person who had made the purchase.
As they waited in the front hall, Madam Lin grew visibly nervous and repeatedly asked the servants what was happening.
Old Madam Xie remained silent, her eyes grave and her expression growing increasingly stern.
She sent a senior maidservant by her side to check on Ji Hanyi, then instructed the household steward to summon another physician. After that, she silently waited for the result.
Her aged fingers ceaselessly rolled the prayer beads in her hand. By now, she understood the situation perfectly and let out another sigh.
Before long, the household steward returned and haltingly reported the result.
The shopkeeper from the Western Regions had identified Shuangxi.
The household steward continued, “The steward from the Shen Residence also said that if the girl refuses to confess, the Shen Residence can arrange to have her sent to the Censorate for a thorough interrogation.”
“He also said the Shen Residence will ask the Eldest Young Madam about the outcome later. If the matter isn’t handled properly, the Shen Residence will step in and handle it themselves.”
Her meaning could not have been clearer. This was no longer merely a private matter that could be handled behind the closed doors of the inner household.
Panic seized Madam Lin. She shot to her feet and blurted out, “How could it be Shuangxi?”
Old Madam Xie glanced at her with a frown, then turned to the steward. “Escort the steward from the Shen Residence back first. Be sure to treat him with the utmost courtesy and respect.”
“Tell him as well that since a maid of the Xie Residence has committed such an offense, she will be severely punished. We will show no leniency. Ask Old Madam Shen to rest assured that the matter will be handled properly.”
The steward understood Old Madam’s intentions. He hurriedly acknowledged her order and withdrew.
Old Madam Xie then ordered Shuangxi to be dragged inside.
Deathly pale, Shuangxi was forced to the floor. She couldn’t understand it. She had clearly followed her mistress’s instructions and paid the shopkeeper from the Western Regions five hundred taels in hush money. Why had he suddenly betrayed her and identified her as the culprit?
But her mistress was not here, and Shuangxi had completely lost her head. She hastily begged Madam Lin for mercy, all the while refusing to admit that she had done anything.
By this point, Madam Lin had also put the pieces together.
This poison was not something an ordinary person would know about. Li Mingrou’s wet nurse, Nanny Zhang, was still serving at Li Mingrou’s side. Even if Madam Lin wanted to absolve Li Mingrou, it would be difficult to explain that away.
But Li Mingrou was still her niece. Although she had made a mistake, she had merely been led astray in a moment of folly.
Besides, Madam Lin had once promised Li Mingrou that she could marry Yuheng. Yet Ji Hanyi had unexpectedly come to their door of her own accord, and that marriage had fallen through. Madam Lin already felt guilty toward Li Mingrou, so her first instinct was to plead for Shuangxi.
She lowered her voice and said to Old Madam Xie, “Old Madam, it won’t do anyone any good to make a spectacle of this. We can simply sell the girl off. The New Year is almost upon us, and the less trouble, the better. Blowing this matter up won’t be good for anyone.”
Old Madam Xie turned a frosty gaze on Madam Lin and slammed her cup down in fury. “Is this how you manage the household?”
“If you’re incapable of managing it properly, I’ll have someone from the Second Branch take your place!”
Madam Lin’s face went white. Old Madam had rebuked her in front of so many servants, leaving her thoroughly humiliated. Yet she did not dare say another word and could only stand stiffly to one side.
She knew that her Master was the most filial of sons. So long as Old Madam gave the word, he would certainly follow her wishes.
Then she heard Old Madam Xie say coldly, “This girl dared to plot against the Young Madam of the Xie Residence. Why should we spare her life? Take her away and beat her to death at once.”
She cast another cold glance at Madam Lin. “As for that relative you brought here from your maiden family, I will not spare her this time.”
“I used to find her obedient, and her circumstances were indeed pitiful. But the residence has known no peace lately because of her. Our humble Xie Residence is too small to accommodate someone like her!”
Every word Old Madam Xie spoke rang with authority. Born into a military family, she possessed a commanding presence of her own. For a moment, even Madam Lin did not dare speak.
Madam Lin also knew that she had no say before Old Madam Xie. Old Madam Xie came from an illustrious family. Although she had not concerned herself with household affairs in years, all three Masters of the Xie Family respected her. Even if Madam Lin currently managed the household, it was not her place to challenge Old Madam Xie.
Standing nearby, Rongchun witnessed Old Madam Xie’s imposing demeanor. The Old Madam Xie who had always seemed gentle and compassionate now struck Rongchun as the best person in the entire Xie Residence.
No wonder the Young Madam had said that Old Madam Xie was the only person in the Xie Residence who could see justice done for her.
For some reason, Rongchun suddenly felt like crying. She stepped forward, dropped to her knees before Old Madam Xie, and tearfully kowtowed in gratitude.
Old Madam Xie lowered her eyes to Rongchun, her gaze filled with sorrowful sympathy.
As the matriarch of the residence, how could she not know that the greatest problem between Ji Hanyi and Xie Yuheng was Li Mingrou?
Li Mingrou often came to pay her respects, and she had always treated the girl kindly. But Old Madam Xie had lived to a ripe old age and met countless people. She could see clearly enough what kind of thoughts Li Mingrou harbored and what sort of temperament she possessed.
Ji Hanyi was nowhere near as calculating as that girl. At times, she was bound to suffer for it.
By punishing Li Mingrou this time, Old Madam Xie intended, on the one hand, to obtain justice for Ji Hanyi. On the other hand, she also wanted to send Li Mingrou far away.
She could tell that Yuheng still had Ji Hanyi in his heart. It was only Li Mingrou standing between them.
As their grandmother, this was all she could do. She sincerely hoped the two children would live well together from now on.
Since the household had no clearheaded mistress to take charge, Old Madam Xie had no choice but to step in herself.
Old Madam Xie said to Rongchun, “I know what must be done about this. Go back and take good care of your mistress while she recuperates. Justice will be done.”
Hearing Old Madam Xie’s words, Rongchun’s heart settled completely. She tearfully kowtowed once more before turning to leave.
After Rongchun left, the hall fell silent.
Madam Lin stood awkwardly to one side, hesitant and clearly wanting to speak. But when she saw Old Madam Xie’s expression, she did not dare open her mouth.
Shuangxi remained kneeling on the floor. She had been scared senseless when Old Madam said she was to be beaten to death.
The hall was now deathly quiet, and everyone was staring at her with disgust. Shuangxi prostrated herself and pleaded through her tears, “Old Madam, First Madam, please let this servant see my mistress just once.”
“This servant has been falsely accused!”
“This servant truly hasn’t done anything. The Eldest Young Madam must have conspired with the Shen Residence to frame this servant and my mistress!”
At those words, Madam Lin could not help looking toward Old Madam Xie. She ventured cautiously, “Perhaps there may be some truth to what this girl is saying…”