Concubine Qiu must not die, at least not now.
If she died, the matter of her switching Xue Mingfei and herself would become a dead end with no proof.
The severity in Xue Chong’s eyes lessened slightly.
He looked at Concubine Qiu, who was slumped on the ground, and said, “Even though the two children pleaded for you, your actions cannot go unpunished. It will be changed to ten strokes.”
With that, he snorted coldly, flicked his sleeve, and left.
Ten strokes.
Concubine Qiu breathed a sigh of relief.
At least her life was spared; she wouldn’t die.
She looked up at Xue Mingfei, her gaze lingering with affection.
But when her eyes glanced at Xue Wanyi beside her, they were instantly replaced by deep malice.
Xue Mingfei felt uncomfortable under her sticky gaze and frowned slightly.
“Brother, Steward Xue is overseeing things here. Let’s go back.”
Today, Madam Jiang had gone to the palace; otherwise, such a scene would never have allowed Xue Mingfei to speak up and plead for mercy.
Xue Muzhao did not refuse and left with his sister.
**
Xue Wanyi watched Concubine Qiu being beaten and screaming in agony with a “worried expression,” finding the sound particularly pleasing.
After it was over, under Concubine Qiu’s resentful gaze, she “reluctantly” instructed the nanny to take good care of her mother before turning to leave.
As soon as she stepped into Wangshu Hall, Feicui hurried forward.
Seeing the shocking bruises on Xue Wanyi’s snow-white neck, she was horrified.
“Miss, what happened?”
She quickly fetched bruise ointment and carefully prepared to apply it for her.
Xue Wanyi did not refuse.
“Did you find anything?”
Feicui lowered her voice and said, “Just as you guessed, that old woman is in Jingdu. She returned five years ago. As you instructed, I didn’t disturb them.”
“She still works as a midwife. Her son and daughter-in-law run a tea shop in Jingdu, near the South City Gate. They also have a young grandson who studies at a school in the southern part of the city.”
After carefully and gently applying the ointment to Xue Wanyi, she walked to the side to wash her hands.
“Miss, what should we do next?”
Thinking about how Concubine Qiu maliciously switched Xue Wanyi, the legitimate daughter, and how she had scolded and mistreated her all these years, Feicui and Zhenzhu couldn’t help but feel angry.
Especially seeing how well the eldest miss had lived all these years, they felt even more aggrieved for their own miss.
“Wait!”
Xue Wanyi took a sip of water, wincing in pain as she swallowed, her face turning pale.
Putting down the teacup, she looked out the window, where birds flew freely across the sky.
During those years when her limbs were severed and she was stuffed into a jar, she yearned for the freedom of “death” every moment.
Feicui didn’t understand. “Miss, wait for what?”
If they waited any longer, their miss would be married off to the Duke’s Manor.
It seemed honorable and prestigious, but if it were truly good, how could the eldest miss give up such a favorable marriage?
If there were even the slightest benefit, it would never fall to their miss.
Xue Wanyi didn’t speak; her throat hurt too much.
She simply patted Feicui’s wrist gently, signaling her to go about her business.
Wait for what?
Naturally, she was waiting for Madam Jiang’s reaction.
**
Tinglan Courtyard.
Madam Jiang returned from the palace in the afternoon.
As soon as she returned, she habitually inquired about the day’s events.
“Madam, the one in Qinghe Courtyard was reprimanded by the master.”
Nanny Lin was Madam Jiang’s dowry maid and had not accompanied her to the palace, so she was well aware of what had happened in the manor.
Madam Jiang was slightly taken aback, quite surprised.
“Ten strokes,” Nanny Lin said. “She tried to strangle the second miss.”
Madam Jiang understood the words.
But she also seemed not to fully understand.
Strangle?
“What madness has taken her?”
Madam Jiang sneered coldly.
Wangshu Pavilion is dead, and the Xue family is about to face great misfortune.
"The marriage with the Zhenguo Gong Mansion was reported to His Majesty by the master in this morning's court session, and she has been chosen."
If the person were to die shortly after…
"Nanny, don't you find it strange?"
She had been unable to sleep for a long time last night, feeling that something was off, but couldn't quite put her finger on it.
Nanny Lin helped Madam Jiang change into her everyday clothes and assisted her in taking a seat.
Standing beside her, she poured tea.
"What does Madam mean?"
Madam Jiang said, "Nothing, continue."
Nanny Lin then recounted the events at Qinghe Courtyard in detail, leaving nothing out.
Madam Jiang listened carefully, feeling pleased at Concubine Qiu's misfortune.
However, upon hearing that the original thirty strokes had been reduced to only ten after her daughter "pleaded for leniency," she grew dissatisfied.
"…"
She wanted to say something, but the words stuck in her throat.
"Madam, the young lady has been carefully taught by you and is pure-hearted and kind. You should be pleased."
"The young lady is still unmarried and naturally doesn't understand the ways of survival in the inner household. It's inevitable that she might do things that trouble you. Teach her slowly, and don't let it harm the mother-daughter bond."
Having accompanied Madam Jiang for many years, she knew that Concubine Qiu was a thorn in her heart.
Now that the eldest young lady had pleaded for her, it was only natural for Madam to feel displeased.
Madam Jiang sighed, "She is about to be married. If she still doesn't understand the affairs of the inner household, she will suffer greatly."
**
Zhenguo Gong Mansion.
Upon seeing the imperial edict of marriage bestowed by His Majesty, the masked man sitting in a wheelchair remained calm, showing no sign of joy or anger.
He said nothing, and the eunuch before him dared not speak either.
After an unknown length of time, the man spoke indifferently.
"I, your subject, accept the decree and thank His Majesty for his grace."
The eunuch who delivered the decree finally felt relieved and smiled sincerely.
"In that case, this servant will return to the palace to report to His Majesty."
The man remained silent, and a guard beside him stepped forward. "I will escort you, Eunuch."
The eunuch politely declined and left, whispering with the guard as they went.
Zhenguo Gong Mansion was bestowed upon the Ye family by His Majesty at the beginning of the year. Both its architectural scale and geographical location were exceptional.
However, the Ye family now had only this sole heir left, who was disfigured, disabled, and afflicted with a severe poison. Even though many members of the royal family coveted it, none dared to contend with him.
Crippled and without heirs, he was bound to die sooner or later. This was now seen as a gesture of goodwill toward the Ye family.
The vast Duke's Manor had only one master, making it feel particularly empty.
With a slight flick of his wrist, the imperial edict unfolded on his lap.
"Young Master, shall we investigate?"
A middle-aged man approached silently, seeking the man's instructions.
The young master had no intention of marrying, but His Majesty felt deep remorse toward the Ye family and was in high spirits about matchmaking.
After inquiring extensively, the noble daughters of Jingdu, who once admired the young master, now avoided him as much as they once adored him.
Even if they wished to marry him, their parents would never agree.
If he were to die, the Ye family would truly be left without descendants.
Beneath the mask, his eyes fell upon the name. "Leave no detail unexamined."
"Yes!" The middle-aged man accepted the order and left.
Raising his head, he looked up at the somewhat gloomy sky overhead.
It was no surprise that a heavy rain would fall tonight, and he would be able to sleep soundly.
"To the study."
As soon as he spoke, someone appeared behind him and pushed the wheelchair toward the study.
He had no intention of marrying. Whoever married into this household would be left a widow, and he was not that cruel.
Yet, with His Majesty's current favor toward him, refusal was futile.
In that case, as long as the other party does not stir up trouble, the current Zhenguo Gong Mansion would be her most solid backing, ensuring her a lifetime of peace and security.
Conversely, this vast and splendid manor would become her tomb.