Shen Xinyan’s expression remained unchanged: “Go on, tell me how this matter is so sordid.”
Granny Li glanced at her old sisters around her, noticing they were all avoiding her gaze. She inwardly cursed before answering in a low voice: “It’s the second daughter of Vice Minister Zhao’s household in Yingtian Prefecture who got into trouble.”
Seeing that Shen Xinyan showed no reaction, Granny Li could only steel herself and continue: “After last night’s banquet at Chang Gongzhu’s residence ended, the second Miss Zhao was discovered disheveled, embracing a stable hand in the rockery of Gongzhufu. Chang Gongzhu flew into a rage, and the second Miss Zhao… passed away from a sudden illness…”
Though they called it a sudden illness, everyone knew it must have been Vice Minister Zhao’s own doing—to give Chang Gongzhu an explanation.
This was precisely what they had been gossiping about earlier.
Granny Li’s voice grew softer and softer. When she saw Shen Xinyan’s darkening expression, she quickly began slapping her own face: “This old servant spoke out of turn, this old servant spoke out of turn…”
She must have lost her mind, gossiping about such vulgar matters in broad daylight while on duty.
Shen Xinyan’s face grew increasingly grim. Seeing Granny Li’s terrified look, she immediately rebuked: “From now on, spread less of this idle talk within the household. If I hear anyone wagging their tongue again, I’ll hold you accountable.”
Gossip about Gongzhufu was not something they should be spreading.
Alongside her anger, a wave of lingering fear surged within her. If she had drunk that wine yesterday, would she too have become fodder for everyone’s gossip today?
Thinking again of A-Man’s mention of the Sichangliaozi, Shen Xinyan clenched her fists hidden beneath her sleeves, wishing she could rush over and beat Yao Jinning to death.
Granny Li wanted to kowtow again but was interrupted by Shen Xinyan: “To serve as a warning to all of you, go to the steward and receive ten strokes of the rod yourselves. Let there be no next time.”
Hearing “ten strokes,” the grannies immediately felt a pang of physical dread, yet they also knew the matter was now considered settled.
The only comfort was that Er Furen had not docked their monthly allowances. A bit of physical pain—they could endure it.
Seeing that Granny Li and the others remained silent, humbly kneeling on the ground, Shen Xinyan said no more: “Is the horse ready?”
Granny Li scrambled up from the ground: “Yes, yes. Today it’s Xiao Si from the stables on duty—he drives the carriage most steadily.”
Xiao Si was clever and capable, usually only accompanying Tai Furen and the old madam on their outings. Today, she had specifically arranged him for Er Furen.
Shen Xinyan had no desire to engage with the fawning Granny Li. If not for what she had said last night, she likely wouldn’t be receiving such treatment today.
As if oblivious to Shen Xinyan’s displeasure, Granny Li carefully escorted Shen Xinyan outward, just as they happened to encounter another carriage that had just entered the gate.
The carriage came to a stop, the coachman brought out the mounting stool, and a maid helped out a cold, elegant woman dressed in plain clothes with a lovely face.
Recognizing the woman, Shen Xinyan walked slowly over and gave a slight nod: “Eldest sister-in-law has returned.”
This was Madam Yao Zheng, the widow of the Yao family’s eldest son, Yao Jinzhao, who had passed away early. However, Madam Yao Zheng was aloof and indifferent by nature, usually paying little attention to anything, so the two had never been close.
She had heard a couple of days ago that Madam Yao Zheng had returned to her maiden home. She hadn’t expected to run into her just as she was coming back today.
Seeing Shen Xinyan bow to Madam Yao Zheng, A-Man’s voice carried a hint of amusement: “Your eldest sister-in-law is quite an interesting one—the very picture of filial piety.”
Her words were drawn out, as if Madam Yao Zheng had some unspeakable amusing secret.
At this moment, Shen Xinyan finally believed what A-Man had said about her having once fallen into the world of pleasure.
Because A-Man’s voice carried an indescribable allure, something no respectable woman could possess.
Shen Xinyan dug her nails hard into her palm, forcing herself not to show any abnormality, and repeatedly told herself that nothing had happened yet, and there was still time for everything.
Madam Yao Zheng gave Shen Xinyan a cold glance, offering no response whatsoever, and silently led her maid Cuier toward the inner courtyard.
Yingtao was somewhat displeased: “What kind of person is she, always wearing a stern face as if Madam owes her something.”
This Madam Yao Zheng was the third daughter of Censor Zheng’s family. It was said that Censor Zheng usually prided himself on being upright, honest, and incorruptible, resolutely refusing to associate with other households, putting on an air of aloofness. The daughter he raised indeed took after his temperament.
Could it be that Madam Yao Zheng thought she was the only noble person in the entire household?
Shen Xinyan glanced at Yingtao: “Watch your words.”
Couldn’t this girl control her mouth? In broad daylight, gossiping about the mistress of the household—wasn’t she just asking for trouble?
Yingtao knew she had spoken out of turn and immediately apologized in a low voice, helping Shen Xinyan into the carriage.
Only after the carriage had gone far did Granny Li let out a sigh of relief.
Someone nearby was about to spit and curse, but Granny Li slapped her on the mouth: “If you want to be sold off, don’t drag us down with you.”
Their lives were still in the hands of Er Furen!
Perhaps it was just an illusion, but the person who had always seemed the gentlest now felt like a living demon king.
As soon as Shen Xinyan left, someone ran to inform Madam Yao Li that Shen Xinyan had gone out. Madam Yao Li let out a cold laugh: “I heard that Madam Shen, that jinx, was served extremely attentively by the servants today.
The servants bought by that lowly woman are naturally all lowborn scum. Remind those who are good at flattering the high and trampling the low that those who waver like reeds in the wind won’t end well. Trying to please both sides will only result in drawing water with a bamboo basket—all in vain.
They’ve already offended Madam Shen badly. If they don’t cling tightly to me, they can figure out their own future paths.”
There could only be one mistress in this household, and that person could only be her.
Tai Furen tightened her grip on her walking stick: “Are you sure? Did Shen girl really say she was going to the palace?”
Just yesterday, something happened, and today she wants to go to the palace. Could it be that Madam Shen has discovered something?
But her expression soon relaxed. She must be overthinking it. Madam Shen had been staying quietly in the rear courtyard all these years, only occasionally meeting with the shopkeepers of her stores.
Through her manipulations, all the shopkeepers from Madam Shen’s dowry shops had already sided with her. Now, everyone was tied to the same rope and would not expose her—after all, no one had a grudge against money.
When the shopkeepers from Ning Guo Gong Fu came to report the accounts, she had also sent people to listen in, and there was no possibility of private messages being passed.
But no matter what, the title of Ning Guogong must be obtained as soon as possible.
Having made up her mind, Madam Yao Qian looked at Nanny Zhao beside her: “I wonder how Jinning girl is doing. Poor child, suffering such a great injustice for no reason.”
Nanny Zhao immediately understood Madam Yao Qian’s meaning: “This servant will take Fourth Miss back to rest and comfort her properly.”
She would surely make Fourth Miss hate Madam Shen to the bone.
Madam Yao Qian gently patted Nanny Zhao’s hand, “All these years, I’ve been fortunate to have you by my side.”
She was also the one who knew her secrets best.
After chatting for a while longer, Nanny Zhao quickly went out to handle matters, leaving the old madam sitting quietly in the armchair.
Sunlight streamed over her, casting a large shadow that stretched out bit by bit.
It turned out that those maidservants weren’t incapable before—they simply hadn’t wanted to do it.
After three years of marriage into the Yao family, Shen Xinyan’s carriage was arranged with such care for the first time. Not only were candied fruits and dried nuts placed inside, but a soft cushion had even been specially laid out.
Shen Xinyan found a comfortable position leaning against the cushion. “Could the drugging of Miss Zhao the Second have any connection to that pot of medicine of mine?”
Though relieved that she wasn’t the one in trouble, she still worried whether she might have implicated someone else.
Something as important as reputation could very well cost a life.