Peng Xue stood at the side, her face wearing an expression of alarm, yet her eyes gleamed with satisfaction. Unnoticed by anyone, she slipped a thick stack of banknotes into the hand of the short, stout man.
Having received the money, the man became even more zealous, heaving exaggerated sighs and putting on a dramatic performance for all to see.
The scene dissolved into chaos. No one, except the sharp and observant Cao Lingyun, detected anything suspicious. To spend nearly a thousand taels just to bribe a bird’s nest seller Peng Xue was either willing to pay any price to get what she wanted, or panicking so badly that she had thrown all caution to the wind.
She scoffed inwardly, while wrapping her arms around her mother, who was now sobbing with pure grievance. A cold fire burned in her heart.
In her past life, Peng Xue had used this very same trick spreading lies about genuine versus counterfeit bird’s nest to frame her mother while Cao Lingyun herself was confined to her quarters for falling pregnant out of wedlock. Back then, cut off from all news, she had known something was wrong but never realized just how cruelly her mother had been treated. She had even been deceived by Liu Ruoyan’s tearful smiles and words of “nothing is wrong” and died without ever having secured justice for her mother.
The memory made Cao Lingyun clench her fists. She stepped forward, pushing away the rough servants who were dragging at Liu Ruoyan, and stood firmly before her, her young face set in stern lines.
“You have all said your piece. But since you, Concubine, claim my mother adulterated the bird’s nest, I would like to ask: how did you determine they were fake? Who examined them? And where is the record of that examination?”
Peng Xue’s eyes widened, ready to snap back but Cao Lingyun continued in a rapid, unbroken stream:
“Furthermore, my mother is the lawful wife of this household. Why would she concern herself with purchasing supplies in the first place? And if she truly intended to pass off fake goods, would she really leave such obvious evidence behind? That would be like delivering proof to your own hands!”
Though young, her words were clear, sharp, and carried undeniable weight.
Cao Jianfeng, who had not expected her to speak up so boldly, froze. Aunt Peng and the Old Madam exchanged glances, their smiles stiffening. “Lingyun, you are still too young and inexperienced to understand these matters. Guards! Escort the Third Miss back to her quarters at once!”
“There is no need!” Cao Lingyun waved the servants away, then turned to the stout man, her expression severe. “A question for you, sir. If you truly saw my mother and her nanny that day, tell us what were they wearing? And exactly what words were spoken?”
The man, who had been brimming with confidence, nearly bit his tongue in panic. “Th-that… that was many days ago… how could I possibly remember ?”
“Then let me ask this: how much bird’s nest did my mother buy from you?”
“Ten catties!”
He answered quickly this time but as he lifted his head and met Cao Lingyun’s mocking gaze, he shivered uncontrollably for no reason.
The crowd began to suspect something was amiss, and looked on with growing doubt. Aunt Peng tried to steer the conversation elsewhere, but Cao Lingyun cut her off.
“Concubine, where did you find these so-called fake goods?”
“Why… from my sister’s own courtyard, of course!” Peng Xue replied instinctively.
“Very well.” Cao Lingyun nodded, then turned and called, “Yanzhi have you brought the storehouse manager?”
Yanzhi peered outside, then hurried forward, leading a man into the room.
“I ask you: was the bird’s nest my mother purchased ever placed in the official storehouse?”
The manager bowed deeply. “Reply to the Third Miss: the bird’s nest bought by the Madam has remained in storage all this time. No one has touched it.”
At this, Cao Jianfeng’s brows drew together sharply. He glanced sideways at Aunt Peng, his eyes full of suspicion.
Cao Lingyun gave further instructions: “Good. Yanzhi, take some men to the storehouse and bring back a portion of that bird’s nest. We shall see if it is real or fake.”
Yanzhi hurried off with the servants. Silence fell over the room, broken only by Liu Ruoyan’s soft weeping.
Aunt Peng stood rigid, staring fixedly at the direction they had gone until Yanzhi returned, her face ashen.
“Well?” Cao Jianfeng demanded.
Yanzhi bit her lip nervously and looked helplessly at Cao Lingyun. “Miss… those from the storehouse… they are also fake ”
“What?!” Cao Jianfeng roared, shaking with rage.
Aunt Peng finally allowed herself a triumphant smile, her eyes dancing with malicious delight.
Thank goodness I was careful, she thought. I had people swap out the stock in both places long ago. Cao Lingyun… now you and your useless mother are finished once and for all!
While the others reacted with shock or scorn, Cao Lingyun’s eyes curved into a quiet, knowing smile. Unfazed, she took the packages and, before everyone’s eyes, placed both on the weighing scale.
“Ten catties,” she said slowly.
Aunt Peng let out a mocking laugh. “Third Miss, how kind of you to gather all the evidence for me!”
Cao Jianfeng waved his sleeve in anger and glared at Cao Lingyun. “Enough, Lingyun! Stop this nonsense. As far as I am concerned, the matter is proven beyond doubt. There is no room for argument. I intended to cast this wicked woman out, but for the sake of your elder brother and sister, I shall grant a peaceful separation instead!”
At his words, Liu Ruoyan’s legs gave way. She sank to the floor, eyes closed in despair.
“…A peaceful separation?”
Cao Lingyun paused, her heart turning cold with bitter amusement. In this life and the last, her father truly remained the same utterly heartless and unfeeling.
After a short silence, she lifted her eyes, reached for the account book held by the storekeeper, and flipped through a few pages.
“I still have questions. According to these records, the bird’s nest was delivered to the mansion more than half a month ago. During that time, Grandmother has eaten bird’s nest porridge every single day. A few days ago, when I was unconscious, my mother also stewed several portions for me. Yet after being used like this for fifteen days ten catties of bird’s nest still weighs exactly ten catties?”
“…”
Aunt Peng’s expression froze. She had never expected Cao Lingyun to turn the tables so completely.
Cao Lingyun fixed her gaze on her and continued, speaking each word clearly and deliberately: “I did a simple calculation just now. At the rate it has been consumed, less than half should remain by now. How can there still be a full ten catties, untouched and intact?!”
“But !”
Before Aunt Peng could stammer out an excuse, Cao Lingyun turned sharply and called out: “Guards!”
“Bao Yan, Yanzhi go and summon my elder brother. Tell him there are thieves in this household who must be rooted out at once!”
The message was sent urgently. As soon as Cao Lingtang heard his younger sister was in trouble, he set out immediately with his personal guards. Before he even entered the courtyard, his men had surrounded the entire estate, leaving no way in or out.
“Father, do not be alarmed,” Cao Lingyun said, smiling calmly. “I only wish to find out where the bird’s nest that belongs to my mother has truly gone.”
Cao Jianfeng looked ready to burst into angry shouts, but held his tongue as she continued.
Cao Lingtang’s men were swift and efficient. Within half a day, they dragged the remaining package of bird’s nest and the person hiding it into the courtyard for all to see.
It was weighed immediately. Just as Cao Lingyun had predicted, it was barely over four catties far less than half the original amount.
And the person caught hiding it? One of Peng Xue’s most trusted servants.
“Master !”
Now that the truth was undeniable and the evidence laid bare, Peng Xue’s eyes darted wildly. She let out a wail and collapsed into sobs, resorting to the same old tricks she always used.
Cao Lingyun looked coldly at Cao Jianfeng. “Father how do you intend to decide this matter?”
His face was dark and ugly, but with everyone watching, he could only glare furiously and shove Peng Xue to the ground.
“Look at the shameful things you have done!! You are confined to your quarters until you learn your lesson! I never wish to lay eyes on you again!!”
Peng Xue’s heart relaxed she knew she had gotten off lightly but outwardly she continued to wail and plead dramatically.
Cao Lingyun saw exactly what passed between them. Her face hardened, and she interrupted sharply:
“Father do you believe that is enough?”