Chapter Thirty-Five: Suspicion

At this moment, Xu Ruojin and Lianqiao stood at the doorway, glaring at each other in tense silence.

Lianqiao had entertained the thought of shoving the Second Miss aside and fleeing. But Xu Ruojin’s words quashed that notion completely. “You can push me aside and run if you like,” she had said, “but consider for a moment how far you could actually get. And if you truly run, do you suppose Madam Huang would let you off so easily?”

A shiver ran through Lianqiao’s heart.

In all her life, it was not her own parents she feared most, but her aunt. Their entire family depended on her aunt’s position in the Xu household for their food and silver; even if she ran home, her parents would only beat her and then hand her back to her aunt for punishment.

She might as well stay here and await her aunt’s arrival; after all, she was her aunt’s own niece—surely forgiveness would be granted in the end.

But what Lianqiao never expected was that this time, she had touched her mistress’s most sensitive nerve. Not only she, but even Madam Huang was implicated by her actions.

When she saw Mistress Yang arrive, her face thunderous, Xu Ruojin was at first surprised, then secretly delighted. She had sent Chuncao to fetch Madam Huang precisely to escalate matters as much as possible.

Lianqiao had come knocking and immediately declared that Liucui had left from Ruojin’s courtyard, so it was inevitable that the incident would be linked to her. She doubted she was the only one in the household with such suspicions. If Mistress Yang also suspected her, it was only a matter of time before she came to confront her.

Regardless of whether the truth was uncovered, she would become the scapegoat. It was better, then, to make as much of a scene as possible—the bigger, the better.

Though it had been her idea regarding Liucui, Xu Ruojin felt no guilt or shame. If Mistress Yang hadn’t driven Liucui to desperation, even marrying her off would have been a hundred times better than subjecting her to insults and humiliation.

If she was dragged into trouble over Liucui, it was Mistress Yang’s own fault. Did she think she could take out her anger on her? Not a chance. Let Madam Huang and her family bear the consequences instead...

Seeing Mistress Yang’s face twisted with rage, Xu Ruojin put on an aggrieved look, squeezing out a few tears and choking out, “Mother, I never meant to alarm you so. After this, I have no face to keep—I will not become a wraith shamed to death. Once I have explained myself, I’ll throw myself against the wall and end it all!”

It was the first time anyone had seen Xu Ruojin behave in such a dramatic fashion.

Mistress Yang, her rebuke just at the tip of her tongue, swallowed it back, casting a cold glance at Lianqiao.

Lianqiao, shocked that the Second Miss, who had been so cold and forceful just moments before, could suddenly change her demeanor, was struck dumb with surprise. When Mistress Yang glared at her, she dropped to her knees with a thud, trembling, “Mistress, I—I did nothing, I swear, nothing at all…”

Crack! Mistress Yang slapped her hard across the face. “Nothing? Then what are you doing in this courtyard? Are you trying to fool me with your words right to my face? Do you take me for a fool? If anyone dares lie to me again, I’ll tear out her tongue!”

Lianqiao clutched her face, sobbing more from fear than pain. She hadn’t expected Mistress Yang to silence her so swiftly, nor the murderous look from Madam Huang; terror robbed her even of the strength to wail.

Xu Ruojin watched as Mistress Yang seated herself in the place of honor, her cold, appraising eyes fixed on her. Though she’d struck Lianqiao, her words were meant for Ruojin. Indeed, Mistress Yang was already beginning to suspect her.

No one spoke. Mistress Yang swept her gaze over everyone present, then fixed her eyes on Xu Ruojin and demanded coldly, “Enough with the theatrics—what exactly happened? Speak.”

“I cannot bring myself to say it, Mother. Better to let Lianqiao explain,” Xu Ruojin replied, refusing to be the focal point.

Mistress Yang, simmering with anger, had no choice but to turn her furious gaze on Lianqiao, “You speak!”

Lianqiao, now thoroughly cowed, had lost all the defiance she’d had when she’d first come to confront Xu Ruojin. Mistress Yang’s intimidation left her with no courage to conceal anything. Kneeling and weeping, she poured out the whole story: “...I only heard that Liucui left from the Second Miss’s rooms and went to Master’s study. I was worried, so I came to ask. Before, the Second Miss said she wanted me to serve at her side, so I was tempted, but I swear I never did anything to insult the Second Miss, nor harbored any base intentions. Please see the truth, Madam!”

When Lianqiao finished her tearful tale, Mistress Yang’s gaze turned to Xu Ruojin. “Is that true? You certainly have a mind of your own, recruiting confidantes behind my back. I underestimated you.”

“I did think well of Lianqiao and mentioned it to Madam Huang, but she said that Lianqiao was already betrothed to Chen Cai, who serves my father, so I let the matter drop and did not trouble Mother with it. Is that wrong?” Xu Ruojin bit her lip. “But I don’t know why she’s come looking for me after so long. As for Liucui, I have no idea what happened. Lianqiao barged in accusing me of giving orders, even threatening me with the matter…”

“Mother, what exactly happened to Liucui? I still know nothing—I cannot bear the blame for something I did not do. What did Liucui do?” As Xu Ruojin spoke, tears streamed down her cheeks. “I have attended my lessons with Madam Fang these past days and stayed in my courtyard. Why am I suddenly accused of such a crime? There must be a limit to what one can endure. In the past, I’ve overlooked much, but if my reputation is soiled, I would rather die than submit!”

Mistress Yang scoffed at her words. “‘Overlooked much’? As if I mistreat you. Always threatening death—try saying ‘die’ one more time.”

“I’ll do it right now!” Xu Ruojin, refusing to be cowed, made to dash forward.

Madam Huang, not expecting the Second Miss to act in earnest, hurried to restrain her. “Second Miss, please calm yourself. It’s all Lianqiao’s fault; don’t misunderstand Madam, she’s just anxious. There’s nothing between mother and daughter that can’t be resolved.”

Xu Ruojin allowed herself to be stopped, then sat down in silence. After all this commotion, even though Mistress Yang was left speechless, her suspicion of Xu Ruojin was somewhat eased.

Having raised Xu Ruojin for fifteen years, she’d never seen her make such a scene before. Perhaps she already knew what Liucui had done, but as for instigating it herself—unlikely. Liucui had always served at her side; she knew the girl was capable of her own schemes…

But for Lianqiao to dare threaten the Second Miss with such a matter, and for Madam Huang never to have mentioned Xu Ruojin’s request for a maid, it became clear that she herself had been kept in the dark, blindfolded by none other than Madam Huang—her most trusted confidante.

Mistress Yang’s face darkened like ink, but the fury simmered in her chest, unable to find release—a feeling more torturous than any hysterical outburst.

Madam Huang, meanwhile, was racking her brains as to how to resolve the situation, her gaze settling on Lianqiao. This troublesome girl—perhaps now was the moment to have her punished and swiftly married off, lest the trouble rebound on herself.

Yet before Madam Huang could speak, Lianqiao, coming to her senses after her fright, suddenly pointed at Xu Ruojin and cried, “You’re lying! You know perfectly well that Liucui went to Master’s bed, and now you claim ignorance. Madam, the Second Miss is lying to you on purpose, deceiving you!”