Chapter 63: A Momentous Event

Old Madam Han had intended to coax some answers out and deal with the First Madam, but the old shrewd servant was simply too troublesome, and Jin Ling was outside requesting an audience. She decided it was better to handle the matter swiftly: “Someone, take Madam Ye to the magistrate, and have the magistrate investigate her family. Her hands are not clean; I fear her daughter is no better for it.”

Madam Ye had come from the Hong family as a dowry nurse. Though the Hong family had fallen on hard times, she was ultimately not of the Han household—Old Madam could not decide her fate. Madam Ye had prepared herself to be expelled, thinking that as the First Madam would soon be in charge, she might return one day. But unexpectedly, Old Madam Han resolved to hand her over to the magistrate. A thorough investigation would dredge up old deeds, and she would be punished for all her crimes. For a person like her, the outcome could only be death. Her daughter, too, who served as a concubine maid in the Li household and often brought things home, would surely be implicated. If Madam Ye went to the prefecture, her daughter would be drawn into the affair—at the very least, the masters of the Li family would investigate her.

In that case, her daughter would also face death to atone for their guilt.

Old Madam Han was indeed ruthless, determined to drive her to a dead end.

Seeing Madam Ye’s intention to commit suicide and evade punishment, Old Madam Han raised her voice: “Someone, bind her and gag her—do not let her die! Let everyone in this household see the fate of those whose conduct is improper. Even if I leave the Marquis of Wukang’s manor, should anything disgraceful happen here, I will return to deal with it!”

“Yes.” Some responded with glee, some meekly, some dutifully, and some with guilty trembling; the gathered servants replied unevenly.

Madam Ye had indeed intended to end her life, but Old Madam Han was shrewder than expected—she was left unable to live or die, wishing to curse her in retaliation, but her mouth was blocked and her limbs bound. She could only glare fiercely at the First Madam before she was dragged away.

So much had happened that day—the First Madam’s most trusted nurse had been dealt with and would never return, and Old Madam Han was preparing to leave. The Marquis of Wukang’s household had truly changed. Though she was mistress, she no longer felt like one. How had it come to this?

Lady Hong could not understand, her head aching as darkness overtook her and she collapsed to the floor. Images flashed rapidly through her mind.

Her family fell from grace, selling daughters for status. To bring fortune to Old Madam Han, she was torn from her childhood sweetheart and forced into Han Ruoyu’s bed. Resentment and hatred filled her heart; she vented it on Han Zhen, corrupting him as best she could. Han Yi was timid, yet every time she looked at him, she thought of Han Ruoyu’s disgusting face. Her family’s decline forced her to curry favor with him, warping her psyche and turning her revenge onto Han Yi, making him the withdrawn person he was today.

Even Han Ruoyu—she deliberately damaged his reputation in front of others. Han Ruoyu was merely slow-witted and a touch frivolous, but otherwise decent. Yet her intentional guidance led many to view him poorly; everyone believed him to be an incompetent coward.

She herself, outwardly meek, was far more ruthless and dark-hearted than anyone knew. She purposely sowed discord between Lady Rong and Liu Chu Yan, prompting Lady Rong to frame Liu Chu Yan simply because Liu Chu Yan was Old Madam’s beloved niece. She bribed Lady Rong’s physician, spreading rumors that Lady Rong could never bear children, all because she looked down on her yet had the duty of continuing the Han family line.

The Marquis of Wukang’s household had ruined her; she would not let them live well, either.

Unfortunately, Old Madam Han seemed to have realized something and, without hesitation, decided to split the family. How could she then poison her meals, worsen her headaches, and hasten the old woman’s demise?

Madam Ye was doomed, and she could not save her. She had no idea how many “good” ideas Madam Ye had provided her. But her death would mean her secrets remained safe.

Yet, with Old Madam leaving, only a few useless men remained in the household. None of them could serve as outlets for her anger.

Old Madam Han merely wanted to leave, letting the First Madam reveal her true colors. But under the current circumstances, it seemed unwise.

Well, what better day than today?

She handed Liu Chu Yan to Song Ling and the others and called out: “Yun Ling, Qing Mian, go search the First Madam’s chambers. Hand the evidence to the eldest master—he’ll know what to do.”

“Yes.” Yun Ling had long known that Old Madam had set the stage, waiting for the right day to act. She had not expected it to be today, but after a moment’s pause, she left with Qing Mian.

The First Madam had collapsed earlier from anger, but upon hearing that Old Madam Han intended to search her rooms, she was startled and wide-eyed: “Mother, what are you doing?”

“What do you think?” Old Madam Han squinted.

“You!” The First Madam guessed it—Old Madam meant to strike while the iron was hot and deal with her as well.

Old Madam Han paid her no mind; she could not stir up trouble now. Previously, her excellent disguise made it impossible to find evidence, so she had been allowed to act wantonly. Now, even if she had to fabricate evidence, she would. Not to mention, her room already showed traces of wrongdoing.

Meanwhile, Jin Ling was still waiting, and she could not delay further.

Jin Ling had heard of the impending division of the Marquis of Wukang’s household, and the second branch had not yet found suitable quarters. He thought of his own family’s many vacant mansions and considered helping them, hoping also to see Liu Chu Yan. However, he overestimated his own status—though his request was delivered, Old Madam Han delayed before meeting him.

Still, she eventually returned to Qingxin Residence, though her expression was grim and she was exhausted.

After the formalities, Jin Ling stated his purpose, only to find that Xue Ao had already won favor with the beauty, infuriating him. Xue Ao was utterly detestable, scheming and always ahead of him.

Old Madam Han regarded him silently, observing the young man. Though he lacked Xue Ao’s imposing presence and high rank, he possessed a clean and noble aura, completely distinct from Xue Ao’s outward ferocity. Her gaze lingered on the jade pendant at his collar—it looked remarkably similar to Yan Yan’s.

At the General’s Mansion, she had only heard Madam Jin fuss about the ancestral jade, and Jin Ling had explained before putting it away; she had never seen it. Now, she finally had a chance to examine it closely.

“Master Jin, about your jade—”

“Old Madam, please call me Jin Ling or Jun Cheng,” Jin Ling quickly replied, seeing Old Madam Han speak at last.

“Very well, Jin Ling. That jade you wear—my Yan Yan has a piece just like it. Compared closely, they are identical, not a hint of difference.”

“Really?” Jin Ling looked down in surprise; somehow, the jade pendant had slipped out from his collar. He smiled, “Old Madam, my jade has a unique origin. My grandfather brought it from distant lands and personally polished and carved it—there shouldn’t be another identical piece. Though my cousin does have one that’s the same. Miss Liu couldn’t possibly have an identical one—you must be mistaken.”

“No, they are truly identical,” Old Madam Han insisted, disregarding his slight, “It’s a shame hers was just broken, or we could compare them.”

“I saw it too—it was nearly identical,” a servant girl could not repress her words, “Miss Yan treated it as a treasure and wore it daily; we all remember.”

“Could it be that my cousin gifted it to Miss Liu?” Jin Ling was startled.

“That’s impossible. Yan Yan has worn hers since childhood—it’s been over ten years.”

“That can’t be. Mine has unique markings.” Jin Ling unfastened the jade pendant and handed it to Old Madam Han, “Look, the color spreads from the center to the sides, shifting from dark green to jade green, and this special swastika pattern is naturally formed, not carved by my grandfather. Apart from my cousin’s, there’s no third piece like it.”

Old Madam Han examined it closely and indeed saw the unique pattern and coloring—impossible to replicate, even by imitation. Yan Yan’s jade, too, appeared precious, surely not a fake. Yet they were identical; though her eyes were aged, she could still discern details up close.

She had heard Xue Ao had given away a jade—could it be to Yan Yan? Could the two have already pledged themselves in secret? But the timing was wrong; they had only known each other for a month. It was a puzzle. Still, she could not mention it in front of Jin Ling and simply exchanged polite words, bidding him farewell.

Unable to resolve the second branch’s troubles, Jin Ling could think of no other solution, nor could he see the beauty, so he departed in disappointment.

Liu Chu Yan, supported by Song Ling and the others, returned to Hua Xiao Pavilion. After crying for a while, she recalled hearing that Jin Ling had come earlier. Now would be a good time to reveal her identity; if she missed the opportunity, it would be difficult later. Yet, unexpectedly, she overheard such a conversation and, linking it to Xue Ao’s unusual behavior, felt as though a web had clouded her mind, obscuring the truth. She dared not step forward, fearing she might be mistaken. When he left the room, she quickly hid behind a tree, waiting until he exited the courtyard before moving, watching his back and clutching the fragments of jade in her palm, lost in thought.

Old Madam Han sat in the room for a while before seeing Liu Chu Yan enter, head bowed. “Yan Yan, don’t cry. Your aunt will find you an even better piece. Since this broken jade is a keepsake left by your parents, keep it as a memento.”

Liu Chu Yan paused for a moment, and the story of Jun Cheng brother never made it past her lips. She replied softly, “Yes, thank you, Aunt.”

Old Madam Han was merely probing her. Seeing her unusual expression and hesitance, she guessed it involved Xue Ao. But since she would not speak, Old Madam would not press her. She responded, “Yan Yan, how are things with your eldest uncle?”

Liu Chu Yan was still downcast, lips pressed together, shaking her head.

Fortunately, Yun Ling and Qing Mian returned to report: The First Madam’s scheming was far deeper than it appeared. Beneath her bed, a hidden compartment had been set up, filled with treasures Old Madam Han had left for her to “borrow.” But the greatest surprise was her handwritten journals, chronicling her thoughts from childhood to now. Yun Ling delivered everything to Han Ruoyu, who promptly beat her half to death, notified the Hong family, and sent her to the prefecture, allowing the old shrewd servant and her wicked mistress to be reunited. The maids in her service, whether good or bad, were all dismissed; the ones unfit to stay were sold off. Even Ru Shi, hoping to rely on past favor to serve Han Ruoyu, was sent back to Jiangxi. Where she came from, she would return.

Thus, the true cancer was excised from the Han household.

Old Madam Han’s heart was eased, yet Han Zhen and Han Yi had been ruined, and she blamed herself for not seeing through Lady Hong’s deep scheming sooner, letting her poison the family for so long. With the main branch in such a state, what would become of them in the future?

“Mother!” Han Ruoyu entered as she was pondering, bowing deeply three times with sincere remorse, presenting the evidence Yun Ling had found and his written letter of divorce.

“Mother, I am the one who ruined the Marquis of Wukang’s household. If I hadn’t been so hasty, I wouldn’t have chosen her to bring fortune to you. But I was deceived by that fortune-teller and made a grave mistake. Instead of bringing peace and harmony, I have plunged our family into chaos—even my two sons have become useless.”

“It’s not entirely your fault. If I hadn’t fallen ill, you wouldn’t have acted recklessly. You are a filial son—I have always known. Now, I understand things clearly. But as for Zhen and Yi, you must find a way.”

“Mother, that is why I have come.” Han Ruoyu bowed again.

“What do you propose?”

“As their father, I failed to set an example and allowed Lady Hong to harm them—it is my fault. Now I regret it, but I wonder if it is too late. I can only try to guide them back to the right path. Zhen takes after me but has some ability, so I wish to send him to the army. Currently, General Liu’s command is the best—strict and disciplined—so I hope Chu Yan will speak kindly to General Liu and help Zhen enlist, even as a cook, just so he can find his way. As for Yi, he is interested only in spiritual arts because Lady Hong left a shadow in his heart, seeking solace in his room. In truth, he understands more than anyone; but out of respect for his mother, he says nothing. Earlier, I asked his plans for the future. He wants to travel and study, and I agreed. Now I seek your approval.”

Old Madam Han let out a long breath. “If that is your wish, so be it. Though you have been foolish, you are clear-headed in critical moments. I still have some influence with General Liu and will speak to him.”

“Thank you, Mother.” Han Ruoyu bowed three times, his forehead red—he truly regretted his actions.

Thank goodness it was not too late, Liu Chu Yan thought. Han Zhen was not a good person, but perhaps the army would reform him. As for Han Yi, she always felt he was sensible, merely burdened by Lady Hong’s troubles.

Liu Chu Yan had been shocked listening to Yun Ling’s account, and was even more horrified seeing the journals and filth. She had thought herself a simple person from a humble background, lacking ability, but never imagined Lady Hong was the household’s most wicked soul. Nevertheless, through this ordeal, Han Ruoyu had awakened, which was a great relief. She hoped Han Zhen would not continue down a destructive path.

Seeing Old Madam Han’s approving look, Han Ruoyu was moved to tears, bowing deeply again, “Now that only your son remains in the household, do you still wish to leave with Second Brother?”

“I do, of course. I have already explained your second brother’s situation to you. He may face capital punishment in the future, and as his mother, I cannot escape blame. I must separate you from him; otherwise, I could not face our ancestors in the afterlife. Now you have awakened, and Zhen and Yi have found their path—I am content. Yet my original decision stands. Take good care of the Marquis of Wukang’s household, strive to preserve our ancestors’ legacy, and if you restore our reputation, I can rest easy when I pass on.”

Thinking of Han Ruogu’s plans, Han Ruoyu felt a chill—he dared not undertake those deeds. If his brother failed, at least he, the elder, would remain. Old Madam would leave with Han Ruogu, and with the iron contract in hand, even if disaster struck, he could escape and continue the family line. But the Marquis of Wukang’s household was already on a downward path; if he could revive it, it would be a great achievement. Han Ruogu’s character was well known—once decided, he never changed his mind. With Old Madam’s support, he could not oppose her, even if it meant being alone.

Liu Chu Yan, hearing talk of “capital punishment,” felt chills—could it be that Han Ruogu and Xue Ao had joined forces for some grand scheme?

And Xue Ao—could he also…

Author’s note: Yes, Yan Yan, your husband is destined for great things~

Thank you, kiki, for the thunderbolt kiss~ So many words updated today~

Kikiathena threw a thunderbolt at 2014-02-22 14:10:52