“Have you investigated clearly?” Fourth Master sat in the armchair of his study, with Su Peisheng kneeling at his feet.
These past few days, despite his body still aching from the beating, he had diligently carried out the task Fourth Master had assigned him to thoroughly investigate.
Now, he reported everything in detail.
When he mentioned that Princess Consort and Concubine Song were unaffected this time, still enjoying good food and drink.
Even Lady Zhang’s meals were not much different from when she first entered the mansion.
Although she originally only had four dishes, at least they were edible.
Only Lin Mingyan here had been deliberately mistreated, with meals that were inedible.
“Lin Gege’s maid took money to the kitchen, but they still wouldn’t give her any decent dishes,” Su Peisheng said, breaking into a cold sweat.
He truly hadn’t expected Lin Gege to be bullied to this extent without making a sound, not even sending anyone to inform him.
Although he had his own small schemes, if Lin Gege had sent someone to say a word, he would have reported it.
Who could have imagined this mistress would keep her mouth so tightly shut?
Not only did she suffer greatly herself, but she also caused him to face reprimand.
This beating was truly unjust~
“Who did it?” The cold aura emanating from Fourth Master was somewhat frightening.
Su Peisheng dared not conceal anything and told the whole story: “We interrogated the chief eunuch, three senior eunuchs, and all related eunuchs and maids. It appears Eunuch Ma accepted silver from Granny Yun beside Concubine Li…”
The rest didn’t need to be said; Fourth Master could already guess what had happened.
It was Madam Li taking advantage of his neglect of Princess Consort’s side to mistreat Lin Shi.
“Hmph, does Madam Li know about this?”
Su Peisheng lowered his head: “Lin Gege’s meals were also mixed with appetite-suppressing drugs. Over time…”
Eating poorly every day, with a ruined appetite—how could her health possibly improve?
Coupled with Fourth Master’s prolonged absence, her worries and anxieties would best lead to a lingering illness.
Fourth Master slammed the table: “How dare she!”
Now there was no need to ask whether Madam Li knew or not. Poisoning someone was a grave offense.
Whether Madam Li knew or not, Fourth Master could not tolerate it!
When Su Peisheng arrived at Shaoguang Courtyard with his men, Madam Li happily had all the servants in the room bustling about.
Shiliu tried to stuff the largest purse into his hand, but he avoided it and spoke: “This servant is here to deliver a message. Concubine Li, listen carefully~”
His usually slightly hunched back suddenly straightened.
Madam Li’s expression turned somewhat unpleasant. “Listen” implied she had to kneel to hear, as he was delivering Fourth Master’s words.
Although the matrons had taught her this rule, Fourth Master, despite his seemingly stern temper, had never actually done such a thing.
And now, the first time it was used—on her?
Madam Li’s heart skipped a beat, not daring to say more, and knelt down with Shiliu’s support.
“Your concubine is here,” she heard her own charming voice say.
Although Su Peisheng’s message did not directly insult her, its meaning was clear: one month of confinement.
Moreover, during this month, she had to copy enough Buddhist scriptures to cultivate her mind and nature.
“And also, Granny Yun, is it? Come with us!”
Su Peisheng signaled to two strong eunuchs, who stepped forward and dragged Granny Yun away.
The incident happened so suddenly that Granny Yun, caught off guard, was dragged away.
Madam Li crawled forward on her knees, grabbing Su Peisheng: “Grandfather Su, why are you taking Granny Yun away?!”
“She is my wet nurse! What are you doing?!”
She was truly panicked. From childhood to adulthood, Granny Yun had been her pillar of support, a presence even closer than her own mother.
Now, with Granny Yun being taken away without any clear reason, she was frantic.
Su Peisheng snatched the clothes from her hands, forcing a fake smile. “This is the master’s order. Please don’t make things difficult for a mere servant like me.”
With that, he waved his hand. “Take her away~”
The burly eunuchs gagged Granny Yun, and the group soon disappeared from Shaoguang Courtyard.
After Su Peisheng left, Madam Li collapsed to the ground, weeping. “Wuwuwu~ How could Ye treat me like this?”
“Shiliu, take some money and… go save Granny!”
Shiliu quickly instructed others to help Madam Li up, comforting her. “It’s alright, Gege, don’t worry.”
“If you want to save Granny Yun, you still have to start with the master.”
Those taken away by Su Peisheng couldn’t be rescued with money alone.
Madam Li was burning with anxiety, feeling utterly helpless. “I can’t leave for a whole month. How can I possibly see the master?”
By now, she had already realized that her scheme against Lin Shi must have been exposed.
But she hadn’t gone too far. How could Fourth Master be so ruthless?!
“You must take care of yourself,” Shiliu said, helping her onto the Baibu Bed. “Granny Yun will return one day.”
Madam Li also knew that making a fuss now would be useless, but Granny Yun’s departure had still left her severely weakened.
In the main courtyard, the Princess Consort was listening to Nanny Gui’s report.
She vaguely felt something was off, thinking Fourth Master might have a few screws loose.
First, he showered Madam Li with favor for a month, then turned around to seek out Lin Shi.
He even crushed Madam Li into the mud.
“Nanny, what do you think he’s trying to achieve?” the Princess Consort wondered, unable to make sense of it. “After this, will Lin Shi and Madam Li still have any regard for him?”
She thought that if she were treated like that, she wouldn’t want to see him again at all.
Otherwise, she might not be able to resist scratching his face.
Nanny Gui quickly covered her mouth. “Oh dear, my dear Princess Consort!”
“What is your status, and what are those little vixens’ status?”
“They rely on the master’s favor to survive. Whether it’s thunder or rain, it’s all the master’s grace!”
Actually, she wanted to say that the Princess Consort was in a similar position and should also flatter Fourth Master.
But her mistress had been proud since childhood. Telling her she was no different from Madam Li or Lin Shi would be the death of her.
Forget it, forget it. With the Princess Consort’s Nalashi background, she would never fall into such a situation in her lifetime.
“Anyway, I can’t stand it. It’s better if he just comes on the first and fifteenth of the month,” the Princess Consort said, putting down the ornament in her hand.
She then asked, “What did Madam Li do to make Fourth Master confine her?”
Before Su Peisheng went to apprehend her, he had already reported to the Princess Consort.
He informed her that Madam Li had been confined and wouldn’t be allowed out even for the morning greetings on the first and fifteenth.
Nanny Gui had inquired but didn’t know the specifics. “It’s said to be related to the kitchen.”
“Madam Li has shallow vision. She probably just meddled with some petty gains in the kitchen.”
After all, the main courtyard used its own small kitchen. No matter how chaotic things got outside, it wouldn’t affect them.
In fact, Nanny Gui rather hoped the Gege would fight among themselves. The fiercer the fights, the more secure the Princess Consort’s position would be.
Thinking of this, she brought up Lady Zhang again. “Princess Consort, Lady Zhang has come looking for you several times.”
“She has been in the mansion for over three months and has yet to be close to Ye. She’s getting a bit impatient.”
The Princess Consort thought for a moment and casually dismissed it: “Let her wait. This matter isn’t easy to handle. She’ll be fine once she endures through it.”