At the doorway, Xiao Mei stood anxiously peeking inside, too afraid to enter.
She had heard everything. The prince still suspected her mistress. The words he had General Liu convey were both a reminder and a warning.
If her mistress had truly lied, she needed to go confess immediately.
Her mistress was in turmoil now and needed peace.
But hadn’t her mistress said the prince wouldn’t suspect her?
Why was he suspicious again?
What should they do this time?
Shen Qingyao remained slumped over the table for a full cup of tea’s worth of time before finally sitting up, propping her chin as she analyzed the situation.
First, there was no need to think about it—her teahouse was likely surrounded.
Since he was so certain she had lied, why would he let her escape?
So what was his purpose?
Was it simply to punish her for daring to challenge his authority?
Or was he using his authority to force her into becoming a weakling who could only survive by clinging to his mercy?
If it was the first, neither she nor her uncle would ever recover.
The prince might spare her from exile or flogging if she confessed voluntarily, but he would never show leniency toward her uncle.
To a ruler, a minister who could be manipulated through their vulnerabilities and deceive the throne held no value for mercy.
In that case, with her family property confiscated and her uncle no longer able to support her, even if she kept her life, she would live worse than a dog.
Better to die now than face that.
If it was the second option…
Shen Qingyao furrowed her brows tightly, her eyes filled with frustration and resistance she couldn’t comprehend.
How on earth had that sly man come to suspect her?
“Sigh!”
She let out a deep sigh and picked up a banknote from the table to examine.
If it was the second option, the wisest choice would be to agree to all his conditions and become his secret little lover.
And she would have to cry, beg, and plead for him to take her, because he would never ask her himself.
Only then could he fully reclaim the dignity he had lost.
And he could avoid the stigma of forcibly taking a commoner woman.
Fine.
Things had come to this point. There was no holding onto her principles anymore—she would bow her head when she had to.
But even if she cried and begged to become his little lover, would that necessarily save her uncle’s official position?
Then what was the point of crying and begging?
Better to die now.
So, which one was his true purpose?
Would confessing even have any value?
Could it save her family’s livelihood? Could it preserve her uncle’s official position?
At this thought, Shen Qingyao let go of the banknote in her hand and slowly stood up.
She needed to sleep. She was tired.
Seeing her move at the doorway, Xiao Mei was about to rush in when she heard:
“I want to sleep. Don’t disturb me. Don’t call me for dinner either.”
“…” Oh!
As evening approached, Mo Niang finished entertaining her guests and returned to her room. She poured herself a cup of tea, drank it, and sat thoughtfully at the table.
What on earth had gotten into that girl?
Could it be that I misjudged her? Maybe she’s actually kind-hearted beneath that sharp exterior?
After a moment of silence, “Tsk!”
Mo Niang clicked her tongue in frustration, narrowing her eyes as she glanced toward the desk.
Half an hour later, Qing He came to tell her that the little beggar had arrived. She took ten copper coins from a drawer and went downstairs to the backyard.
A servant opened the back door, where a girl of about ten stood waiting.
She wore tattered clothes, but her two little buns were neatly tied. Her youthful face was flushed and adorable.
“Greetings, Madam,” she said, clasping her small fists and bowing respectfully.
Mo Niang smiled faintly, pulling her inside and crouching down in front of her. “Here you go.”
Little Duck Pear took the money, smiling at Mo Niang with pure admiration. “Thank you, Madam. May you enjoy great wealth and fortune, and live a long, healthy life.”
“Hehe!” Mo Niang affectionately pinched the child’s little cheek.
She had met this child two years ago while out checking accounts. At the time, a group of young beggars were beating the child, demanding they crawl between their legs, but even bruised and battered, the child refused.
Impressed by what she saw, Mo Niang brought the child back to the teahouse for medical treatment and a change of clothes. After washing up, she discovered it was an extremely adorable little girl.
She had wanted to keep the child, but the girl refused. When asked for a reason, she wouldn’t say, only telling Mo Niang her name was Little Duck Pear.
Unable to force the issue, Mo Niang told the child she could come to the teahouse every day to receive ten copper coins.
The child said that once grown and earning money, she would repay Mo Niang, which made Mo Niang cherish her even more.
Everyone has their secrets. Mo Niang respected the child’s choice and had been helping her ever since.
A few days ago, when the child saw Mo Niang had been struck in the eye, she came the next time bringing two eggs to help reduce the swelling. Mo Niang was quite touched.
“Little Duck Pear, can you help me with something?” she asked, stroking the girl’s face.
Little Duck Pear nodded. “Of course. If it’s something Duck Pear can do, Madam, just give the order.”
Mo Niang fished out a small, folded square of paper from her waistband. “Help me deliver this to the owner of the teahouse across the street. You must hand it to her personally. Can you do that?”
Little Duck Pear looked at the folded paper, then looked up and nodded. “I’ll do my best. If I can’t deliver it, I’ll bring it back to you. I promise not to reveal the secret.”
Mo Niang smiled fondly. “Good.”
Little Duck Pear bowed to her and left.
Shen Qingyao was still asleep, having slept more deeply than ever before, not wanting to get up.
But this time, Xiao Mei had to go in and wake her. Approaching the bed, she rolled up the gauze curtain and gently shook Shen Qingyao’s arm.
“Miss? Miss, wake up.”
“Miss?”
“Hmm…”
Still half-asleep, Shen Qingyao responded, slowly turning over, her drowsy eyes barely open.
Xiao Mei immediately produced the folded paper, handing it to her in surprise. “Miss, this was given to me by Little Duck Pear on behalf of Madam Mo from next door.”
Madam Mo… Little Duck Pear…
Shen Qingyao listened hazily, but then her sleepiness cleared significantly.
Mo Niang?
Curious, she sat up, took the folded paper from Xiao Mei’s hand, and opened it. Inside were three neatly written lines of small characters. After reading them, she understood.
But she also felt some confusion.
How had he grown suspicious and begun investigating her secretly?
“Miss, what does it say?”
Xiao Mei asked curiously. She hadn’t opened it to look earlier—that was the rule.
Shen Qingyao didn’t answer. Instead, she looked again at the third line of small characters, a deep, thoughtful glint flashing in her eyes.
After a moment of silence, she got out of bed, walked to the candlestick, and burned the note. She instructed Xiao Mei, “I will go with my uncle to the Prince’s mansion tonight to confess. Your task is to hide ten thousand taels in silver notes. Once the surrounding imperial guards withdraw, take Little Duck Pear, find a place to settle down, and wait for me to come out.”
“What?”
Xiao Mei’s heart skipped a beat, and she hurried closer to ask, “You’re going tonight?”
“Yes! The sooner I confess, the better.”
After burning the note, she began to dress.
Xiao Mei was still flustered and filled with fear as she followed to assist. “Then… then when will you be able to come out? I’ll go to the Prince’s mansion gate to meet you.”
Shen Qingyao thought for a moment. “Perhaps tomorrow. Perhaps three years later. I’m not certain.”
“Ah?”
“Stop fussing, I’ll dress myself. Go out and send someone to fetch my uncle, and have Manager Wang come up as well.”
Several of the major shops under her name were likely beyond saving, so she needed to make some arrangements.
Xiao Mei was so frightened she was on the verge of tears, but there was nothing she could do. She hurried out to relay the orders.
Before long, Manager Wang came upstairs.
Shen Qingyao explained everything that needed to be addressed to him. After hearing it all, he walked out as if his soul had left his body.
He muttered under his breath, “How… how could this happen?”
About half an hour later, Liu Hui arrived near the Drifting Clouds Teahouse by carriage.
He lifted the curtain to look outside.
The long street was brightly lit, and most of the shops had not yet closed for the day. There were quite a few pedestrians on the road, but among those pedestrians…
His pupils contracted sharply, and he quickly let the curtain fall.