Chapter 32: Into the Water

“Ah!” Wu Da Zhuang felt a sudden, piercing pain at his neck and cried out in alarm. Then he sensed a warm rush of blood surging from within him, unstoppable in its force. He looked up, meeting Xia Luzhi’s frenzied eyes, reached for his neck, and found it sticky and hot. When he drew his hand before his eyes, it was stained with dark red blood.

“Luzhi, you…”

Seeing his incredulous expression, Xia Luzhi collapsed softly to the ground. She laughed wildly, pushing him aside, and, ignoring her own pain, slowly stood up.

Han Ruogu stepped forward to check Wu Da Zhuang’s breath, but he was already dead. He shook his head regretfully at Madam Han.

None had anticipated Xia Luzhi would be so ruthless—not only courting death herself but dragging Wu Da Zhuang along with her. The crowd was stunned into silence.

Madam Han had intended to resolve Xia Luzhi’s matter, but never wished for anyone to die. Life is precious, after all. She squeezed Liu Chuyan’s hand tightly.

Liu Chuyan, her wrist aching from the grip, let out a muffled groan, snapping everyone out of their daze.

“You… you all, none of you will die well!” Xia Luzhi, still forcing herself upright, pointed at each person present, finally fixing her gaze on Han Ruoyu and Madam Han. “You two—retribution will surely come for you!”

Just then, Madam Han’s eldest daughter-in-law arrived, took in the scene, and shouted angrily, rushing forward, “Wretch! How dare you curse my elders!”

“You’re the eldest madam, aren’t you? Ha! Even you are detestable. Your fate might be worse than mine!” Xia Luzhi spared no effort to provoke her, her will to live already gone.

“Today, I must teach you a lesson!” Rongshi, furious, slapped Xia Luzhi hard, knocking her to the ground, determined to defend the Han family’s honor. One slap wasn’t enough; she kicked Xia Luzhi in the stomach as well.

Madam Han shouted angrily, “Mingxiu, stand down!”

“Grandmother, this wretch—”

“Stand down!”

Han Zhen saw that Madam Han was truly enraged and quickly pulled her back, whispering, “Can’t you see? Grandmother and our parents are all here. It’s not your place to make a scene.”

As a member of the eldest household, Madam Han’s daughter-in-law felt ignored and was especially resentful. Now she realized her behavior was reckless and would only further alienate the elders, but she didn’t care. She glared disdainfully at Liu Chuyan, who stood beside Madam Han.

Liu Chuyan was truly wronged—she had done nothing yet received a scornful look. Wordlessly, she turned away. “Aunt, I see Miss Luzhi still has some breath left. Perhaps we should call a doctor. If she recovers, she can be nursed for a time. If not, she should be handed over to the authorities. Murder demands a life in return.”

Madam Han nodded, “Second son, handle this matter well. Make sure nothing goes awry.”

“Yes, Mother. I will obey.”

“Eldest son, return to the manor and reflect in isolation for a month. Pray and meditate daily. If you truly repent, you may come out. If not, stay confined.”

Han Ruoyu saw Xia Luzhi lying on the ground, her venomous gaze fixed on him, eyes unblinking. He shivered and replied, “Yes.”

“Eldest daughter-in-law, come with me.” Madam Han knew her daughter-in-law had suffered and personally took her hand.

The second daughter-in-law helped from the other side. “Sister-in-law, you must have been terribly frightened today. Let’s return home. I’ve asked them to prepare nourishing soup for you—it will help you recover.” She glanced sideways at Han Shuwei, who, failing to understand the meaning, stood dazed, clearly still shaken.

Liu Chuyan understood the second daughter-in-law’s intentions, so she approached the eldest daughter-in-law, offered comforting words, took the divorce papers, glanced at them, then tore them to shreds and tossed them into the pond.

With Madam Han personally consoling her and the second daughter-in-law’s gentle encouragement, Hongshi dared not refuse. She silently wiped her tears and left with Madam Han, supported onto the carriage by the eldest daughter-in-law.

Once they left the villa, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, their hearts finally settling.

Liu Chuyan observed Madam Han’s demeanor—gone was her earlier vigor and authority, replaced by weariness and empty eyes.

Liu Chuyan feared Madam Han’s health might suffer from such exhaustion, but the troubles of the manor seemed endless. She gently advised, “Aunt, you’ve been through much lately. Now that autumn is crisp and clear, the manor’s fields are ready for harvest. Don’t you love gazing at golden rice paddies and drinking mountain spring water? Now that this matter is settled, why not stay at the villa outside the capital for a while, relax and recover?”

Madam Han considered for a moment and nodded, “Indeed, I want to eat loaches from the field—this is their fattest season.”

“There are lantern fruits, hawthorn, kiwifruit, and chestnuts as well,” Liu Chuyan chimed in with a smile.

“Yes, hearing you say so makes my mouth water,” Madam Han laughed heartily. “Alright, have the second daughter-in-law make arrangements. In a few days, we’ll go to the villa.”

“Good, we’ll do as you wish, Aunt.”

“It’s clearly me doing as you wish,” Madam Han chuckled, tapping her nose, making Yunling giggle beside them.

“Miss Chuyan, you truly have a knack. Madam Han’s face has been gloomy for days, but only you can cheer her up. You're her true joy—no one else compares.”

“You little rascal, are you teasing me too?” Liu Chuyan feigned annoyance and playfully hit Yunling.

Madam Han smiled softly, closed her eyes, and leaned against the carriage wall. Even if Xia Luzhi survived, it would cost her half her life, while Wu Da Zhuang was dead. Though their fate was self-inflicted, it was Han Ruoyu’s foolishness that set it in motion. A month of isolation was but a small punishment; the hardest trial was within her own heart. No matter how much she despised that scheming woman, she still felt deeply troubled, a heavy breath trapped in her chest, ready to burst.

Liu Chuyan sensed Madam Han’s distress and empathized, tightly holding her cold hand. “Aunt, I know you’re hurting. But this isn’t your fault…”

“Chuyan…” Madam Han sighed deeply, speaking earnestly, “I’ve seen many things in my life, and my hands are stained with blood. But as one grows old, fear of death and hell takes hold, making one sensitive to such matters. I hope, in my remaining years, to accumulate virtue and atone, so that when I meet the King of the Underworld, I might beg for leniency. Yet fate is never kind, and I’ve still committed sin.”

Liu Chuyan knew she had once been the legitimate daughter of a marquis, married off with pride, intolerant of the slightest imperfection. Her husband’s infidelities led her to punish many maids and house-born children. Her methods were fierce—her husband never took a concubine, and even the original chambermaids were sold off, none raised to the rank of secondary wife. Thus, the household had only two sons and one daughter, all legitimate.

Sadly, both sons lacked ambition, living stably only thanks to their ancestors’ blessings; dreams of honor were mere fantasies. Fortunately, the daughter fared well, marrying into the Prince of Loyalty’s household as a secondary consort, bearing two sons and a daughter, and was much beloved. But the main wife managed affairs strictly, seldom allowing her to return home, so communication was rare.

Perhaps disappointment in her descendants made Madam Han feel her youthful sins were to blame. Since her husband’s death, she had ceased all killing—even an ant, she would not crush. Yet troubles in the marquis household persisted, and now this calamity had occurred. Alas…

This was a heartache Liu Chuyan could not cure, only distracting her from brooding. “Aunt, I heard your daughter is expecting again. Shouldn’t you visit her? It’s wonderful news.”

Madam Han smiled, thinking of her daughter. “Yes, but the prince’s household is busy lately. Perhaps after some time. For now, let’s go to the villa.”

“Alright.” Seeing Madam Han’s rare shift to lighter thoughts, Liu Chuyan kept her company, sharing many jokes.

Upon returning to the manor, the second daughter-in-law executed her tasks efficiently. On the third day, Madam Han took the second daughter-in-law and Liu Chuyan, along with several young ladies, to the villa; none from the eldest household were included. After all, this trip was for relaxation—bringing them along would only bring more trouble, so it was best to leave them behind.

To prevent Madam Han’s eldest daughter-in-law, Rongshi, from complaining, Madam Han instructed her to take good care of Han Zhen, expressing a desire for a great-grandchild. Rongshi had been married half a year with no sign of pregnancy, feeling anxious, so she obediently focused on Han Zhen.

With no one from the eldest household, Liu Chuyan was delighted—now she could truly enjoy herself.

The villa employed nine families for labor, and one as overseer, making ten in total. Thus, on ordinary days, about a hundred people came and went. Now, with the harvest underway, Madam Han’s arrival for leisure prompted the overseer to send seven families farther away, leaving two nearby to manage affairs. Even when they returned at night, they were instructed to take the back path, so as not to disturb Madam Han and the young ladies.

The overseer, surnamed He, was efficient and thorough, personally overseeing every detail. His family held important positions in the main household, earning him much favor, even Madam Han admired his competence. Thus, when the second daughter-in-law arrived, Manager He had everything prepared—the houses tidied, even the muddy paths cleaned spotless.

Madam Han inquired about the villa’s situation as usual, rewarding the staff with silver and cloth. But age and frailty made her tire quickly—half a day in the carriage and another hour of conversation left her exhausted. She let the young ladies go off to play and lay down to rest.

Han Shuwei and Han Shujing, too lazy to move, returned to their rooms instead of wandering outside.

Liu Chuyan, back in her room, smelled the fragrance from the rice fields and felt restless. After some hesitation, she left Qinghe to watch the door, taking Songling with her. She reckoned the quietest spot would be the mountain stream behind the villa. It was October, and the stream teemed with shrimp and small fish; with luck, they might even catch a crab.

“Miss, you’ve asked me to carry a little wooden bucket—are we going shrimp fishing?” Songling knew Liu Chuyan loved shrimp fishing in the stream, and laughed.

Liu Chuyan waved her net and flashed a radiant smile. “You guessed it!”

“Good, since the laborers have been sent away, even if you fall in the water, no one will see. I feel quite at ease.” Songling teased, her spirits lifted by the sparkling stream, where jade-green water plants swayed like dancing girls. “Miss, look—this stream is even more beautiful than before.”

“Yes.” Liu Chuyan stepped onto the stones and crouched by the stream.

Songling, seeing her excitement, set the bucket on the bank and smoothed her hair. But from upstream came faint footsteps—it sounded like a man. “Miss, someone’s coming. Should we hide?”

“Alright.” Liu Chuyan straightened, frowning with disappointment, and stepped back toward the bank. But a slippery green moss grew on a stone ahead, and, careless, she fell into the water.

Xue Ao, who had been harmed and tied up on the mountain, finally escaped. Ragged and hungry after three days without food, his mind was foggy. Suddenly, he saw a familiar figure by the water, her movements light as a fairy. But in the next moment, she stumbled and fell.

He instinctively rushed forward to save her, but his strength failed. He managed a few quick steps, catching her before she fell, though he himself ended up in the water. Through the clear rippling surface, he saw her startled face—eyes wide and innocent, like a startled doe. Yes, those eyes—it was her. He was certain.

Author’s note: ~(≧▽≦)/~ La la la~ Sometimes I just love to drag the male lead out for a walk~ In the coming days, you’ll see the annoying male lead popping up to trouble everyone, haha~

Little Chuyan says: This is the worst!

Little Ao says: I’m thrilled! So hungry for attention!