“Such things are common among esteemed families!” Yao Zi glanced at the astonished Ting Wan before speaking as if casually, “But I wonder how your young lady came to know about this place!”
“My young lady knows many things!” Ting Wan raised her head with a hint of pride. “Our young lady’s private assets span various industries—there’s no trade without her people. As for the sordid affairs of noble households, if my young lady wishes to know, there’s nothing she cannot uncover!”
Yao Zi looked at the proud Ting Wan and raised an eyebrow. “Is that so?”
The two had been crouching outside for nearly two hours when the tightly shut door was gently pushed open.
Ting Wan had expected a young woman in bright, elegant attire to emerge, but instead, it was a woman in old clothes who came out.
The woman carried a vegetable basket, as if heading to the market to buy groceries, and was walking toward their direction.
Yao Zi carefully scanned the surroundings, ensuring no one was following, before quickly stepping forward and pulling the woman into a corner by the wall.
Startled, the woman instinctively tried to scream but was silenced by Yao Zi covering her mouth. “Quiet, or I’ll kill you!”
Seeing the woman’s pale face and Yao Zi’s thuggish demeanor, Ting Wan hurriedly interjected, “No, no, we won’t harm you. We were entrusted by someone to ask for your help with a matter. As long as you don’t scream, we’ll let you go!”
The woman stared into Ting Wan’s eyes, sensing her sincerity, and finally nodded.
After repeatedly confirming the woman wouldn’t scream, Yao Zi slowly released her hand.
Seeing the woman indeed remained silent, Ting Wan whispered, “My young lady sent me to find you. She has a way to help you and your daughter leave this place, but we need your assistance with something.”
The woman was stunned for a moment, her eyes lighting up briefly before turning wary again. “Who is your young lady?”
“You’ll know who she is if you go to Lanxiang Pavilion at noon!” Ting Wan said no more.
Just then, the thugs returned, and Yao Zi urged her to leave. Ting Wan quickly followed, leaving only the words, “Noon, Lanxiang Pavilion!”
Yao Zi and Ting Wan had appeared abruptly and vanished just as hastily.
The woman stood in place for a long time before bending down to pick up the vegetable basket from the ground, only to bump into the returning thugs.
A thug quickly approached the woman. “Madam Fang, are you going to buy groceries?”
Madam Fang paused, then forced a smile. “I heard there’s a new Lanxiang Pavilion, and their roast duck is said to be delicious. The Marquis is coming tonight, so I thought I’d buy one.”
The thug didn’t think much of it and replied, “Their roast duck is hard to get. You’d better go early!”
“Alright!” Madam Fang smiled, gripping her slightly trembling right hand to steady it. “If I’m lucky, I’ll bring two for you as well!”
“Great!”
Only after the thugs left did Madam Fang let out a heavy sigh of relief, forcing herself to remain calm as she walked toward Lanxiang Pavilion.
Xia Jianxi had been waiting there early, almost certain that Madam Fang would come. After all, she was now Madam Fang’s only hope.
Sure enough, a quarter before noon, Madam Fang stood before Xia Jianxi.
Xia Jianxi looked at the wary Madam Fang and poured her a cup of tea. “Please have a seat, Madam Fang!”
After hesitating for a long moment, Madam Fang finally sat down opposite Xia Jianxi. “Who are you? How do you know my surname is Fang?”
Setting down the teapot, Xia Jianxi lifted her gaze to meet Madam Fang’s. “Not only do I know you’re Madam Fang, but I also know you’re the mistress Marquis Yongchang keeps outside his household. What’s more, I know you and your daughter serve the same man as husband!”
As soon as Xia Jianxi finished speaking, even Ting Wan and Yao Zi couldn’t help but look up, their eyes filled with astonishment.
“How… how do you know this?” Madam Fang’s face instantly turned pale as she stared fearfully at Xia Jianxi. “Just who are you? What do you want?”
“There’s no need to be nervous, Madam Fang. I’m not here to harm you. I just need your help with something. Once it’s accomplished, I’ll personally arrange for you and your daughter to leave Bianjing!” Xia Jianxi said softly.
Madam Fang remained silent.
Unhurried, Xia Jianxi continued quietly, “Madam Fang, think back to when Marquis Yongchang forcibly took you, and your husband sold you to become his mistress. Now he’s violated your sixteen-year-old daughter too. While men in this world might consider a mother and daughter serving the same husband some romantic affair, only you, Madam Fang, truly understand the suffering within. Do you really want your daughter to live like this for the rest of her life?”
Madam Fang pressed her lips tightly together, saying nothing.
“I know what worries you, but I can assure you—I have the means to get you out of Bianjing, to make sure they can never find you, and to ensure you can live decent lives.” Xia Jianxi pushed the teacup toward Madam Fang.
“What do you want?” Madam Fang’s heartbeat quickened involuntarily.
Xia Jianxi looked directly at her. “Madam Fang, you should know that Marquis Yongchang owns a gambling den where large amounts of illicit money and account books are kept.”
“I can’t get those things. He’s very cautious—he won’t let us near them,” Madam Fang immediately replied.
Xia Jianxi nodded. “Of course. So I don’t need you to help me find those things. I only need you to detain him on a certain day.”
“Is that all?” Madam Fang seemed skeptical.
“That’s all,” Xia Jianxi said, lowering her voice. “Just do as I say.”
Madam Fang studied Xia Jianxi for a long time before finally agreeing.
And Xia Jianxi knew she would agree.
Madam Fang wanted to survive, but more than that, she wanted to live like a human being—if not for herself, then for her daughter.
When Madam Fang left, she carried two roast ducks that were notoriously hard to obtain.
Ting Wan stood by the window, watching Madam Fang gradually disappear into the distance, and couldn’t help asking, “Miss, Madam Fang, she…”
“I believe she’s the person in this world who most wishes for Marquis Yongchang’s death, so she will definitely help us.” Xia Jianxi cast a deep glance toward the departed Madam Fang and murmured.
The reason she knew of Madam Fang’s existence was because in her previous life, she had witnessed with her own eyes how Marquis Yongchang had abused her until she was barely clinging to life.
But back then, she was Marquis Yongchang’s daughter-in-law. Though she knew Madam Fang was innocent, she had chosen to turn a blind eye.
Reflecting now on the bullying she later endured, perhaps it was the deserved retribution for her cold indifference and inaction. This time, she needed her help, and in turn, she would rescue her from the abyss.
Xia Jianxi turned to Yao Zi and said, “Inform the Prince Regent that we can begin casting the net!”