Chapter Sixty: Suicide

After the commotion that morning, Ruo Jin kept her head down in silence, feigning obedience at the side. Though Lady Yang was seething with anger, she had no choice but to restrain herself. The master was already aware of the matter, and she now had to resolve it cleanly. If that girl dared to make another sudden scene, even if the master wouldn’t indulge her, he would certainly begin to question her own competence. Though Lady Yang was shrewd and calculating, there was nothing she hated more than being mocked for her lack of ability.

Watching Ruo Jin sit quietly, Lady Yang gave a cold snort and sneered, “You were so lively with your shouting this morning—why are you silent now? You’re getting clever, aren’t you? Trying to trap me with your schemes. Today you cause such a stir over a mere maid; one day, when it’s to your greater advantage, will you come at me with a knife for my life?”

“I truly don’t understand what you mean, Mother. I really did dream of Hemiao last night.”

All night, Ruo Jin’s mind had been filled with memories of Hemiao. Though it was not a dream, she could feel Hemiao’s pain and sorrow as if it were her own.

Lady Yang frowned deeply, let out a cold snort, and turned to Madam Huang. At this moment, Madam Huang was visibly unsettled, her attention clearly elsewhere. Realizing Lady Yang was staring at her, she quickly forced a smile and asked, “Madam, what is it?”

Having known each other for over thirty years, Madam Huang was well-acquainted with Lady Yang’s temperament, and Lady Yang herself knew Madam Huang’s ways. Sensing Madam Huang’s unease, Lady Yang lowered her voice and asked, “Do you know something about Hemiao?”

Madam Huang’s expression froze. She leaned in and whispered, “I heard the old women gossip about it—mainly that Dame Du refuses to let things go.”

“Nonsense!” Lady Yang’s face hardened instantly. “Even if I turned her out of the house myself, what right does Dame Du have to accept or refuse her? Who is she performing for now?”

“I understand, Madam. I had the servant women pass on a warning to her, but with so many matters at hand, I forgot to follow up...” Madam Huang admitted her fault awkwardly, trying to mask her guilt with a forced smile.

Lady Yang glared but knew she could say little more with Ruo Jin present. After a moment’s reflection, she called for more people, “Send two more to look—how can it be so difficult to find someone? Isn’t Old Du working in the eldest son’s courtyard? Bring him here as well!”

“Yes, Madam.”

The maid hurried off to deliver the message. Madam Huang, anxious, went to the door to inquire further. After a long wait, the servant sent to search hurried back, reporting anxiously, “Madam, Second Miss, when I arrived at Old Du’s house to fetch his wife, the household was in an uproar. Old Du’s wife tried to hang herself—she was just rescued and a doctor is being sought.”

Old Du’s wife was none other than Hemiao.

Lady Yang’s face changed at once. Ruo Jin asked urgently, “Why did she try to hang herself? Where is her family? Why haven’t they come to report to Mother?”

The servant glanced at Lady Yang before replying, “It was because Old Du’s mother quarreled with her, accusing her of being… unchaste. In anger, Old Du’s wife tried to hang herself to prove her innocence.”

“Nonsense!” Lady Yang’s expression was grim. “The maids I’ve given away have always had high standards and kept the rules—how could she be unchaste? Bring Old Du’s mother to me; I want to question her myself!”

“Madam, perhaps it’s best not to make a scene,” Madam Huang interjected, glancing meaningfully at Ruo Jin to suggest Lady Yang should ask the Second Miss to leave first.

Lady Yang looked to Ruo Jin, but before she could think of a way to send her off, Ruo Jin fixed her eyes on Madam Huang and warned, “I appreciate your concern for my reputation, but Hemiao served at my side first. If her name is tarnished, it will reflect on me as well. If even the maids are accused of impropriety, what of their mistress? I must hear Dame Du’s explanation for myself. If she has no evidence, I’ll tear her mouth apart!”

It was the first time Ruo Jin had spoken so fiercely—both Lady Yang and Madam Huang were taken aback. Madam Huang tried to smooth things over, but no words would come.

Lady Yang waved her away and said sardonically to Ruo Jin, “Let’s see how fierce you can really be. Tear Dame Du’s mouth apart, you say. Hemiao is indeed fortunate to have such a mistress.”

“With Mother here, Dame Du won’t dare act out. Yet with all this uproar, word will travel fast and bring shame on our family. No wonder I dreamed of Hemiao last night—she truly has grievances.”

Thinking of Hemiao’s attempted suicide, Ruo Jin’s eyes grew moist. “Mother knows Hemiao’s temperament better than I do. If I cannot seek justice for her, I am unworthy of being her mistress. Who else would ever serve me sincerely?”

“Enough, enough. Must you say everything, both good and bad? Take a rest.”

Though Lady Yang would not admit it, Ruo Jin’s words had sown doubt in her heart. Hemiao had served Ruo Jin for many years—a girl outwardly gentle, yet inwardly tenacious and proud.

Once, when the eldest son had teased her, Hemiao had taken a knife to her own throat demanding justice. If Lady Yang had not truly feared the girl, she would never have seized on a small fault to send her away from the Xu household.

In her heart, Lady Yang did not believe Hemiao could have committed any disgraceful act. Even if she had erred, Dame Du would never have dared to explode in such a way—why this sudden boldness?

Lady Yang glanced at Madam Huang, whose expression was far from well. She suspected Madam Huang was still hiding something and resolved to find out at a later time.

Just as she was about to summon Madam Huang to rest with her in the inner room, maids’ voices came from outside, “Madam, Second Miss, Dame Du is here.”

Lady Yang, about to rise, sat down again. Ruo Jin turned her gaze to the figure in the courtyard.

A woman in her forties, dressed in gaudy florals, her face thick with powder, and a green velvet flower pinned in her hair, swayed as she walked. Though thin, her face bore a brazen scowl, signaling she was no easy character. Her beaming smile was utterly out of place, as if nothing had happened at home and she was simply visiting a neighbor.

Lady Yang’s face turned cold at once. Ruo Jin clenched her fists so tightly she wished she could walk up and slap the woman without a word. Hemiao had almost died by her own hand, and yet Dame Du put on such airs—it was outrageous.

Where did she find such gall?

Ruo Jin glanced at Lady Yang, seeing the disgust clear on her face, though Madam Huang by her side looked unsettled.

Before Dame Du could approach and pay her respects, Madam Huang strode up and unleashed a torrent of scolding: “You old woman, you’re not a child. After such a disaster at home, with Madam and Second Miss worried sick, how dare you swagger about at your leisure? Do you realize your crime?”