Chapter Ninety-Nine: No Questions Asked

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Hong Xing escorted Bai Mei to Lady Yang’s quarters and returned shortly thereafter. Little Ke followed behind, shrinking her neck nervously. Upon seeing Xu Ruo Jin, she brushed her chest and muttered, “So terrifying. It’s better to have Second Miss’s temper. I was nearly scared to death in Madam’s courtyard!”

“Hmph, you all bully Second Miss every day and fool her, huh? If she really gets angry, she’ll be sent to Madam to get the cane!” Hong Xing warned her just in time, though she herself was quite frightened inside.

Unexpectedly, Bai Mei’s matter had struck a nerve with Madam.

Before the full story could be told, Madam had already instructed the maids to pick up the cane.

It wasn’t merely a beating—they were to be stripped down for the punishment.

Even if Bai Mei survived, her days ahead would be miserable.

Yet Hong Xing felt no pity for her.

Who told her to obey the First Young Mistress and plot against Second Miss?

If it weren’t for Second Miss’s deliberate arrangement to discover that the wine was tampered with—mixed with croton oil—and served to the ladies visiting the county magistrate’s mansion, as well as the young masters, the situation would have exploded!

Not to mention Second Miss alone; even the master’s official position might have been lost.

Serves her right!

Deservedly so, even death would be fitting!

Upon seeing Xu Ruo Jin, Hong Xing recounted everything. “I told Madam roughly what happened. Madam was very angry after hearing it, summoned me to ask questions alone, and then began to administer the cane.”

“When I left, Madam instructed someone to summon Bai Mei’s entire family to the mansion. They’re all likely to be punished.”

“What about the First Young Mistress?”

Xu Ruo Jin was more concerned about Li Qiuping.

Now that she was with child, Lady Yang would not act against her for the time being.

Precisely for this reason, Li Qiuping dared to carry out such schemes in secret. After all, she was carrying a child of the Xu family; what could they do to her?

Hong Xing shook her head. “Madam refused to let me know and sent me away first.”

“Should I go inquire?” Chun Cao suggested.

Xu Ruo Jin shook her head. “No need. I’ll ask Madam directly when I pay my respects in the afternoon.”

“Ah? Madam is still angry. Is it appropriate for you to go today?” Hong Xing thought of Lady Yang’s fierce, nightmarish expression. “I think it’s better if you avoid her for a couple of days.”

“No, I won’t avoid her.” Xu Ruo Jin answered decisively. “In the end, it’s not my fault. Why should I hide? I am the victim in this matter.”

Hong Xing was still apprehensive but saw how insistent Second Miss was and didn’t argue further.

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Little Ke watched silently for a while before suddenly asking, “Second Miss, what should we do now?”

“Do what needs to be done! Bai Mei won’t be coming back. Her tasks will have to be divided between you and me. Yang Tao is still ill; never mind that for now, just get to work.”

Hong Xing was about to leave with Little Ke when Xu Ruo Jin stopped her. “Let Little Ke take care of Yang Tao. Leave the courtyard tasks for now.”

“Second Miss?”

Xu Ruo Jin gave a direct order: “Little Ke, go. Chun Cao, go to the main kitchen and tell them to prepare an extra bowl of minced meat porridge tonight and send it to Yang Tao.”

“Yes, I’ll go right away.”

Chun Cao looked at Little Ke. “Let’s go.”

“I’ll go take care of Yang Tao now. Second Miss, just say the word if you need anything.”

After speaking, Little Ke was pulled away by Chun Cao.

Hong Xing understood that Second Miss was intentionally keeping her around. “Second Miss, any instructions?”

“When you report back to Madam, did you mention Third Young Master?” Xu Ruo Jin did not want Xu Zimo involved in this matter.

Hong Xing shook her head immediately. “No, I only said you discovered the wine had been tampered with and, in a moment of urgency, took away the wine prepared for Master and Madam. I didn’t mention Third Young Master.”

“Smart of you.”

Xu Ruo Jin praised her, and Hong Xing smiled. “How could I mention Third Young Master? No matter how Madam punishes the First Young Mistress, the First Young Master is still there.”

“Right. It’s fine if all the blame falls on me, but we can’t let it affect the brothers’ relationship. Otherwise, Madam would also suspect more, and that wouldn’t be good.”

Having settled her mind, Xu Ruo Jin asked about Little Ke. “...What do you think of her?”

“She always pretends to be foolish,” Hong Xing said disapprovingly. “Why don’t you take this opportunity to replace her as well?”

“Bai Mei is already gone. Even if Madam resents the First Sister-in-law, she wouldn’t have a good attitude toward me either. If I ask to replace Little Ke now, the anger will fall on me. Besides, the rumors outside are so chaotic…”

Xu Ruo Jin rubbed her brow. “Keep an eye on her first. See what she’s investigating and which maids she’s associating with in the mansion.”

“I’ll handle it. I’ll do a good job!”

Hong Xing promised, and Xu Ruo Jin finally relaxed and returned to her desk to continue reading.

Her calm demeanor left Hong Xing dumbfounded.

Looking closely, Second Miss was indeed studying attentively.

But how could she ignore the rumors swirling around her?

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Though she knew the general situation from the morning, she hadn’t asked for details. If it were another young lady from a different mansion, she would have been a weeping mess by now.

But their Second Miss seemed not to care at all and refused even to mention it.

Was she not afraid the matter would affect her marriage prospects?

The rumors outside were fierce, and not only was Second Miss involved, but even Master and Madam had become the laughingstock of everyone.

Was she trying to shut her ears to the outside world to avoid anger and agitation?

Hong Xing couldn’t discern what Second Miss was thinking and just stood foolishly by her side as she read.

After a while, Chun Cao returned from outside. Seeing Xu Ruo Jin reading, she didn’t interrupt and instead picked up the wedding dress to continue embroidering as if nothing had happened.

Hong Xing followed and quietly asked Chun Cao, “Why are you still embroidering the wedding dress now? Have you heard the rumors outside?”

Chun Cao nodded seriously. “Yes, I heard them. When I went to the main kitchen just now, I overheard Granny Chen talking. When I arrived, she finally shut up.”

“Then how can you still have the heart to embroider the wedding dress? Second Miss—” Hong Xing looked at Xu Ruo Jin. “She doesn’t even ask about it.”

“If Second Miss doesn’t ask, why should I?” Chun Cao smiled at Hong Xing’s anxious face. “Don’t panic. Second Miss is smarter than us. We just follow orders.”

“But... what if the marriage to the Zhang family really falls through? Won’t all this embroidery be for nothing?” Hong Xing looked at the glaring red fabric.

Chun Cao shrugged. “Second Miss hasn’t said to stop. I’ll keep embroidering.”

Hong Xing rolled her eyes to the sky.

It seemed Second Miss and Chun Cao really were a perfect match, making Hong Xing feel superfluous.

After reading for a while longer and having lunch, Xu Ruo Jin looked refreshed and even smiled faintly.

She called Hong Xing over and left Chun Cao behind. “Let’s go. We’ll pay our respects to Madam now.”

“Pay respects?” Hong Xing followed behind, silently sticking out her tongue. “More like go to get scolded.”