Chapter 30: Betrayal

"Rushi, who is Rushi?" Liu Chuyan asked in astonishment, turning her head to glance at Han Shuwei, who shook her head, indicating that she had never heard the name. Qinghe had assumed the woman was one of her mistress's acquaintances, but upon hearing this, she realized the visitor was a stranger—likely here to stir up trouble at this early hour—so she stepped forward to chase her away.

"Miss, I have come to tell you something. The child Xia Luzhi carries is not Lord Wukang's," Rushi announced, still putting on airs as though her name ought to be recognized, only to find that Liu Chuyan had never heard of her. Now that Qinghe was trying to send her off, she hurriedly blurted out her news.

At the mention of Xia Luzhi, Liu Chuyan's body tensed. She lifted the curtain of the carriage and asked, "Are you the other woman my uncle brought back?"

"Yes, my name is Rushi," Rushi replied, giving a small curtsey and forcing a smile.

It was clear that even if Madam Han would never allow Xia Luzhi into the household now or in the future, if Lord Wukang learned the child was not his, he would never again be so foolish. In this way, the matter of Xia Luzhi could be resolved thoroughly, freeing Madam Han from further distress.

Liu Chuyan smiled slowly. "Then come into the carriage and tell me, Miss Rushi."

"Thank you, Miss," Rushi replied, her face displaying a hint of triumph as she climbed up.

Liu Chuyan noted her plain attire—the clothes of inferior satin, a single poorly made bracelet on her wrist, and a simple jade hairpin holding her coiffure. She was nothing like the dazzlingly adorned Xia Luzhi. Clearly, Xia Luzhi had suppressed her ruthlessly, leaving her without favor. Still, Rushi possessed a striking beauty, enhanced with only the lightest touch of powder, her features luminous and alluring. It was not surprising she had once been a courtesan of some renown, likely blessed with both talent and appearance. Yet her methods and cunning fell short of Xia Luzhi’s, who had quickly conceived and thus captured all the attention.

A man like Lord Wukang would only be drawn to the likes of Xia Luzhi—stunning and imposing, with a presence strong enough to subdue his weak-willed nature. Some men, after all, prefer unruly women.

Han Shuwei shot Rushi a look of open distaste, moving close to Liu Chuyan and, with Qingya's help, placed herself between Rushi and them. "Miss Rushi, you claim the child is not my uncle’s. Do you have any proof?"

"You must be the fourth young lady?" Rushi did not answer immediately but instead gave Han Shuwei a proper bow before continuing, "Naturally, there is evidence. And there is a witness whom Xia Luzhi cannot deny."

"Is that so?" Han Shuwei sounded skeptical.

Liu Chuyan remained silent, studying Rushi’s expression. The woman seemed confident of victory. No doubt the two rivals had clashed fiercely in private, and now, having secured leverage over Xia Luzhi, Rushi aimed to deliver a decisive blow. Yet their struggle was not Liu Chuyan’s concern; she cared only for ridding herself of Xia Luzhi.

Rushi, sensing Liu Chuyan’s scrutiny, shifted awkwardly. "Miss, Fourth Young Lady, I wish to speak to the mistress in person."

Liu Chuyan considered that Madam Han, wise and thorough as she was, would see through any schemes Rushi might attempt and handle the matter better than anyone. "Very well. I’ll take you to her. But you must not let the master or madam know, nor breathe a word of this outside. Do you understand?"

"I understand. I know such matters must be kept secret. Rest assured, Miss."

"Good."

Han Shuwei tugged anxiously at Liu Chuyan’s sleeve, but Liu Chuyan reassured her with a glance and said nothing more.

Liu Chuyan brought Rushi to see Madam Han. At first, the mistress refused to receive her, but changed her mind when she heard it concerned Xia Luzhi. After only a few words from Rushi, Madam Han dismissed everyone from the room, leaving only herself and Liu Chuyan.

"You claim to have a witness. Who is it?" Madam Han narrowed her eyes, her face grave.

"It’s Xia Luzhi’s paramour. She’s a widow, with no family left to her name. She has no children, no one to restrain her, and no prospects, so she consorted with all sorts of lowlifes in the area—a butcher, a cosmetics seller, and a widower named Wu Dazhuang. Whoever gave her money or clothes, she would be with. The child in her belly belongs to that widower. But she would never settle for Wu Dazhuang; he has neither ability nor fortune. At first, she got some money from him, but to really be with him would be to live in utter poverty. So she set her sights on Lord Wukang, newly arrived in Shanxi to suppress bandits, and used every wile to ensnare him. Her tricks are superior—I could never compete. In just three days, Lord Wukang was utterly bewitched."

Her words were crude and shameless. How had Lord Wukang ever been taken with such a woman? Liu Chuyan covered her mouth and nose in embarrassment, glancing at Madam Han, who only frowned slightly and gave no other sign.

Rushi, seeing this, continued, her tone mocking, "But her lover knew she was pregnant. When she climbed the social ladder, he refused to let her go. To keep him quiet, Xia Luzhi stole treasures and money and gave them to him. Later, when she came to the capital, she thought she was rid of Wu Dazhuang, but he followed her. He dallied on the way, only arriving in Jinling a few days ago. He searched for a long time before finding our secondary residence and went to see Xia Luzhi last night. She was furious to see him, but, afraid he’d expose her secret, treated him civilly and let him in. I happened to be passing by and overheard everything."

Madam Han remained silent, neither agreeing nor interrupting, so Rushi paused before continuing. "This is a serious matter, but since Lord Wukang is still in the house, I dared not report it for fear someone with ill intentions would hear. I also knew Madam would not easily grant me an audience. If I could not enter the house, I had nowhere to turn. I heard Miss was at the Duke’s residence and favored by Madam, so I waited outside and stopped the carriage, hoping Miss would deliver my message and spare us all from being deceived by Xia Luzhi."

"Those are your words. Why should I believe you? If you and Xia Luzhi are deceiving me and this matter gets out, is it not our family’s reputation that will suffer?" Madam Han asked coldly.

Rushi expected this, and smiled slyly. "Madam, would I dare come to you unprepared? Xia Luzhi, fearing Wu Dazhuang might spill her secret and that he would always demand more, tried to harm him. Fortunately, he was cautious and escaped her scheme. As it happens, we had met before, so he asked me to come to you. He’s willing to testify against her."

"And his terms?" Madam Han’s voice was icy as she closed her eyes.

"He wants nothing—he’s not greedy. Ten thousand taels of silver will suffice."

"You!" That was not greed? An ordinary farmer could not spend a hundred taels in a lifetime, and here he demanded ten thousand! Liu Chuyan had barely spoken when Rushi shot back,

"Miss, is Lord Wukang’s reputation worth less than a mere ten thousand taels? The family is wealthy; ten thousand taels is nothing."

Liu Chuyan found she could not out-argue such shamelessness and looked to Madam Han.

Madam Han raised no objection, only asked, "And you?"

Rushi, seeing Madam Han’s lack of resistance, suddenly knelt down and replied earnestly, "Madam, I was sold into the brothel by traffickers; I have no family, truly alone in the world. Though my origins are humble, I was chaste when I met Lord Wukang. It was fate that brought us together. Even in the brothel, I saw few men. I beg you, Madam, after this matter is resolved, let me enter the household. I would gladly serve as a maid by Lord Wukang’s side and never bring shame to your family."

A courtesan who had seen few men? Liu Chuyan sneered inwardly, but left it to Madam Han to handle.

Madam Han’s expression did not change. She rose slowly. "You have it all planned out."

"I have no skills but to serve. I have no other wish but to have a meal in Lord Wukang’s household. I beg your favor," Rushi replied, knocking her head to the ground three times, her tone making it clear she believed Madam Han had no choice.

Madam Han let out a dry laugh. "You wish to be a maid at his side? But he is rarely at home. You’d do better in his wife's service. Otherwise, there’s nothing more to discuss."

Rushi had not expected even a maid’s place by Lord Wukang’s side to be denied her, but then she realized Madam Han now knew how to resolve the matter. Even without her, Madam Han could seek out Wu Dazhuang directly. A man like Wu Dazhuang would not help her and would certainly not share any profit with her, but go around her. Even if she were sent to serve the madam, at least she would remain in the household.

"I will do as Madam says. Thank you, Madam." Rushi was stunned for a moment, then replied obediently.

"Since you agree, I have more to say. In the household, you will be known only as a maid assigned by me to the madam. No one is to know your true origin. You will say only that your family sold you, and that I bought you. Do you understand?"

"Yes, this servant remembers. I will serve the madam well and obey Madam's instructions," Rushi replied at once, changing her form of address. She had heard that the madam was weak, looked down upon by husband and children alike, never mind her mother-in-law. With her abilities, handling the madam would be easy. Then, she could try to win over Han Ruoyu, and if she bore him a son, her place in the family would be secure for life.

"Good." Madam Han seemed satisfied, then paused. "You must also change your name. You will no longer be called Rushi."

"I beg Madam to bestow a name."

"You will be a second-rank maid, like Qingmian, Qinghe, and Qingya. You will be called Qingying."

"Thank you for naming me, Madam." Rushi, long wishing to shed her identity as a courtesan, was delighted for this chance to start anew and did not care whether she was a first or second-rank maid.

"Go to Yunling and sign a contract of servitude; then you will formally join the household. As for Xia Luzhi, this matter brooks no delay. Chuyan, send some matrons to invite Xia Luzhi here."

But just as Madam Han finished speaking, Qingxi, the maid who served the madam, came running in such haste she did not wait to be announced and fell to her knees at the door. "Madam, please come quickly—save the madam!"

"What has happened?" Liu Chuyan opened the door to admit her, Yunling and the others following to assist.

Qingxi scrambled to Madam Han’s side, trembling. "Madam ordered that Miss Luzhi be handled by the madam. She went to carry out your instructions this morning, but that Luzhi is cunning and secretly summoned the master. The master, still angry from the scolding he received here, saw the madam at the secondary residence and immediately struck her twice, declaring he would divorce her!"

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