The four men immediately snapped out of their daze and hurriedly turned around to flee.
Xie Linghui breathed a sigh of relief. He looked down and saw that Chu Tong's eyes were tightly closed, her thick, long eyelashes trembling slightly like fragrant fans. She had a delicate nose, cherry lips, and slightly furrowed brows. Her face was like white jade, her complexion as radiant as the morning sun—truly charming and captivating. Chu Tong was already fourteen years old, her figure already shapely and full. Her jade-like body lay sprawled, exuding a seductive allure. Xie Linghui's gaze lingered, his eyes growing increasingly intense. Just then, Chu Tong suddenly opened her eyes, her bright eyes filled with anger and grievance. Xie Linghui was startled, then a smile played on his thin lips as he softly said, "That's not enough." He then lowered his head and sucked a red dot on Chu Tong's snow-white neck.
From the moment Chu Tong emerged from Xie Linghui's room, everyone's gaze towards her became ambiguous. She couldn't explain herself; Xie Linghui clearly intended for everyone to misunderstand! There was the blood of a virgin on the bed, and hickeys on Chu Tong's neck. Someone had even caught them in the act, providing irrefutable evidence. Thus, on a quiet afternoon, news shook the entire Xie household: the Second Master had slept with his personal maid, Chu Tong! The news spread like wildfire among the maids, servants, and other servants. Some believed Xie Linghui's affection for Chu Tong was obvious to everyone, and this outcome was perfectly normal; others envied Chu Tong's romantic encounter; still others were jealous that Chu Tong had risen to prominence, at least securing her position as a concubine in the Xie family. Chu Tong herself, however, was extremely upset because she had been framed by Lü Qiao. Lü Qiao, on the other hand, was forcibly sent out of the Xie household that afternoon under the pretext of having "smallpox."
An arched bridge, a flower-lined pond, a gentle autumn rain washes away the scorching heat.
Another month passed in the blink of an eye, and Mid-Autumn Festival arrived, with the weather cooling down. After Lü Qiao was expelled from the Xie residence, Tanwu Garden lost its head maid. Chu Tong and the others felt burdened and invited Yu Ping, who was on good terms with them, to stay temporarily and help out. One morning, Chu Tong was playing chess with Yu Ping when Xie Linghui walked in from outside, glanced at Chu Tong, and said, "Come here." Then he walked towards the bedroom.
Yu Ping smiled and said, "Go ahead, we can play chess later."
Chu Tong slowly stood up and walked over. Ever since she was framed, her relationship with Xie Linghui had become complicated. Xie Linghui's attitude towards her was no different from before, but he had a skilled craftsman make her a set of gold jewelry, and commissioned the famous Jinluozhai in the capital to make seven or eight sets of clothes for her. He also doubled her monthly allowance and even personally selected two clever and sensible maids to serve her—treating her like a concubine. But Chu Tong felt awkward whenever she saw Xie Linghui, especially when she thought about him sleeping naked with Lü Qiao. She couldn't shake the feeling of resentment and a bitter, sour taste rose in her heart. She became cold and distant towards Xie Linghui out of spite.
Chu Tong entered the bedroom and saw Xie Linghui reclining on a chaise lounge, his right hand supporting his forehead, eyes closed in rest. He wore a brocade robe with a blue-gold floral pattern, a gold-threaded jade belt around his waist, and his long, black hair was tied up with a jade hairpin, making him appear even more distinguished. Although Xie Linghui lay with his eyes closed, an aura of majesty and dominance subtly emanated from him, causing everyone to unconsciously hold their breath.
Chu Tong slowly shuffled over, bowed her head, and stood to the side, saying, "Second Master."
Xie Linghui opened his eyes slightly and smiled at Chu Tong, saying, "I've been busy all morning and I must be tired. Give me a leg massage."
Chu Tong sat down on the chaise lounge to massage Xie Linghui's legs. The room fell silent, save for the incense slowly rising from the golden lion statue on the rosewood table. Suddenly, Chu Tong felt a warmth in her hand. Xie Linghui had taken her hand in his, and with his eyes closed, asked, "Why have you been avoiding me lately?"
Chu Tong chuckled dryly, "No." But inwardly she thought sourly, "Go find a vixen to sleep with, why are you bothering me?"
Xie Linghui opened his eyes and saw Chu Tong with her head down, but there was a sense of grievance in her eyes. His heart softened, and he sat up and said softly to Chu Tong, "I know that matter made you feel wronged. Calm down."
Chu Tong remained silent. Xie Linghui took a jade ruyi from his person and placed it in Chu Tong's palm, saying, "This jade ruyi is a pair, one yin and one yang. The Emperor bestowed it upon me when I entered the palace yesterday, and we each have one."
Chu Tong stared intently, and saw that the ruyi was warm and pure, white as jade, clearly extremely precious. She was usually greedy for money, but this time she felt indifferent, thinking to herself, "Back in Yixiang Courtyard, I only saw those exchanges of tokens, like male and female qilin, male and female mandarin ducks. Now, Second Master is doing it so skillfully, his expressions and movements so fluid and seamless. Based on my experience of over a decade in the world of pleasure, this Second Master must be very experienced, enjoying a life of pleasure with countless young lovers and old flames!"
Thinking of this, Chu Tong was so angry she was practically fuming. She took a deep breath, threw Ruyi back into Xie Linghui's arms, and gritted her teeth, saying, "I don't want it!"
Xie Linghui naturally hadn't expected Chu Tong to be a "master of romance." He assumed Chu Tong was still feeling wronged, so he coaxed her softly, "Okay, then tell me what you want, and I'll give it to you." Xie Linghui was always aloof and had an air of authority. Even the famous courtesan Zhaoxia, who had been his mistress for three years, only smiled slightly in front of him and dared not overstep her bounds in the slightest. Now, his subservience to Chu Tong was out of genuine affection. He felt an indescribable comfort and joy in being with this young girl.
Chu Tong saw Xie Linghui's lips curl into a smile, his beautiful phoenix eyes tilting upwards, his gaze as captivating as a painting. She was momentarily stunned, thinking, "Oh my, Second Master, this pretty boy is truly a beauty! Even I feel a little itchy just looking at him, no wonder young ladies and wives are throwing themselves at him!" Then she thought sullenly, "Pah! When I'm rich, I'll open a huge male brothel, recruiting all the handsome young men in the world to do business with! Every single one of them must be dashing and debonair, and I'll have them on my left and right every day. Hmph! What did the old madam of the brothel say again... Right! Men are philanderers, women are flirtatious, it's only natural!"
Xie Linghui, of course, never expected Chu Tong's thoughts to be so unrestrained. He slowly tied the Ruyi around Chu Tong's waist and said gently, "Don't be angry. I think this is good. You'll be mine sooner or later. This is just letting everyone know in advance. If you're still not satisfied, then hit me a few times or bite me a few times."
Chu Tong was stunned: "You, you, you, your person?"
Xie Linghui glanced at her with his phoenix eyes, his expression a half-smile. His long fingers caressed Chu Tong's face as if stroking a docile cat. He said lazily, "Of course you're mine. I'll take you as my concubine once you come of age." He then frowned and said softly, "I won't mistreat you. You come from a humble background, so I need to find a way to make sure you marry into this family in style."
Chu Tong pursed her lips and remained silent. Xie Linghui raised an eyebrow, his expression displeased, and said, "What? You don't want to be with me?"
Chu Tong glared at him: "I don't want to! Go find your lovers outside!"
Xie Linghui was stunned for a moment, his phoenix eyes widening, before he burst into laughter. After laughing for a long time, he suppressed his laughter, leaned down and whispered in Chu Tong's ear, "If you don't want me to go, I won't go in the future." Chu Tong looked up and saw Xie Linghui smiling, his phoenix eyes even showing a few strands of tenderness.
Chu Tong's heart was stirred violently, then pounded wildly as if it were about to burst out of her chest. She thought to herself, "My God! If Second Master could keep smiling at me like this, I would be willing to live a few years less!" Thinking of this, her face flushed, and she shyly flinched, which made her cheeks appear even more radiant and beautiful.
Xie Linghui's eyes darkened slightly. He lifted her chin and leaned down to kiss her cherry lips. Chu Tong's body trembled, her mind going blank. Xie Linghui kissed her deeply, then wrapped his arms around her chest. When the kiss ended, Chu Tong felt weak all over, lying on Xie Linghui's chest, her head still a little fuzzy. Seeing Chu Tong's face flushed and her starry eyes misty, Xie Linghui smiled slightly. He held Chu Tong and sat there for a while, then said softly, "Young Master Mei invited me to lunch at Zuixianju. I have to leave now. I'll bring you something fun when I come back tonight." With that, he kissed Chu Tong's cheek, got up, and left.
After Xie Linghui left, Chu Tong remained stunned for a while before she came to her senses. At this moment, the little maid Chunyan poked her head in and said, "Sister Chu Tong, Sister Hanxiang is here. She wants you to come out and check the account books together."
Chu Tong nodded and went out. Juan Cui, Zi Yuan, Han Xiang, and Yu Ping were already seated and waiting for her. Chu Tong went over the accounts with them one by one, and then Han Xiang returned to the Second Madam's place. The rest of them chatted and laughed for a while before having lunch. Chu Tong didn't have much of an appetite and only ate a bowl of Hui Ren rice porridge, not touching the rest of the food. After lunch, Yu Ping, Zi Yuan, and Juan Cui went to take a nap. Chu Tong took a book, half-reclined on the chaise lounge, and started reading. As she read, she felt drowsy and drifted off to sleep.
Suddenly, Chu Tong felt someone moving her body, stuffing her into a sack, and carrying her away. She jolted awake, her mind instantly clearing. The person quickened their pace, running all the way. Chu Tong was extremely anxious, but her body seemed to be out of her control; she wanted to scream but couldn't, her limbs were numb and devoid of feeling.
After jogging for a while, the person carrying her stopped, pushed open a door, put her on the ground, and then went to untie the sack. A trembling voice came from the side: "Mother... I've thought about this a lot, but I still feel it's inappropriate..." Chu Tong was startled upon hearing this voice; the speaker was none other than Yu Ping, who was usually quite close to her!
At this moment, an old woman's voice came from above Chu Tong's head: "Didn't we, mother and daughter, agree on this? It's too late to change our minds now. You mentioned her yesterday and she was still gritting her teeth. If we don't teach her a lesson now, how will you have a place in Tanwu Garden in the future?"
Yu Ping remained silent. Granny Yu sighed and said earnestly, "My dear child, you're not a child anymore. You need to think about your own future. Now that Lü Qiao has been kicked out, and you're by the Second Master's side, we must seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Once we get rid of that little harlot, you'll be able to secure your position as a concubine!"
Chu Tong secretly gathered her strength, cursing inwardly, "Damn it! So it was Yu Ping and her mother, Granny Yu, who were plotting against me. After that vixen went mad, Granny Yu took care of her. That old hag loves to gossip, and now she's scheming against me!" Then a chill ran through her: "I treated Yu Ping like a good sister, but I never imagined she'd be so friendly to me on the surface while stabbing me in the back! Damn it! I regret not knowing better!"
As he spoke, he opened the bag, lifted Chu Tong up, and placed her on a bed.
Granny Yu said, "Quickly take off her clothes, I'll go see the First Madam right now. The First Madam comes to visit the Second Madam at this time every day. I'll find a way to lure her here. As long as she sees this little harlot sleeping naked with a man, no matter how much the Second Master feels sorry for her, the First Madam will definitely kick this little slut out of the mansion!"
Chu Tong was furious, but since she couldn't move, she had no choice but to let others do as they pleased.
Yu Ping stammered, "Mother, aren't we doing something that's incredibly immoral...?"
Granny Yu sneered, "What a disgrace! Ever since you arrived at Tanwu Garden, has the Second Master even given you a second glance? You good-for-nothing! Your father and I are getting old, and your brothers are useless. We were hoping you would become a concubine and bring honor to our family, but you're just a pushover." With that, she kicked Chu Tong's thigh and said, "Hurry up and take off her clothes, then hurry back to Tanwu Garden. Go through the side gate and take a roundabout route back. Don't let anyone see you on the way." Then she opened the door and went out.
Yu Ping was stunned for a moment. She deeply admired Xie Linghui and harbored jealousy towards Chu Tong, but she had always concealed it. Although she had been frequently by Xie Linghui's side these past two days, he had remained cold and indifferent to her. Thinking of this, Yu Ping bit her lip hard; she was so unwilling! In terms of looks and talent, in what way was she inferior to Chu Tong? She had originally thought that given time, the Second Master would naturally notice her, but this morning when she peeked into the bedroom, she saw Xie Linghui holding Chu Tong's hand and speaking softly to her, his gentle expression one she had never seen before! Yu Ping was filled with resentment and could only run to her mother to complain. The old woman, Yu, then devised a vicious plan, putting a sleeping potion in Chu Tong's food to frame her. Fortunately, Chu Tong had eaten little for lunch, so she woke up early.
Yu Ping struggled for a while, but then she remembered the Second Master's calm, dignified, and handsome appearance. Finally, she hardened her heart and gritted her teeth, saying, "Yao Chutong, blame your bad luck for insisting on coming into this Xie family mansion!"
After saying that, she reached out and unbuttoned Chu Tong's dress, stripped her naked, and then covered her with the quilt. Just then, Chu Tong suddenly opened her eyes, exerted force in her waist, and sat up with a loud "Ah!" Before Yu Ping could react, she saw Chu Tong stretch out her left hand and chop hard on Yu Ping's neck. Yu Ping rolled her eyes and fainted.
At this moment, Chu Tong felt dizzy. She bit her tongue hard, and a sharp pain shot through her. Her mouth was filled with a metallic taste, and Chu Tong jolted awake, her mind instantly clearing. She had been trying to gather her strength since earlier. When Yu Ping was undressing her, she could feel her fingers moving slightly. She calmed herself down and mobilized the little strength she had left in her body. That attack had almost exhausted all her strength.
Chu Tong gasped for breath and saw Xie Linghui's servant, Shuangxi, lying naked on one side of the bed, seemingly asleep. This sight fueled Chu Tong's hatred. She looked down and saw her clothes on the chair beside her. Gathering her strength, she reached over and grabbed them, covering herself only with her outer garment. The sleeping potion had slowed her movements considerably. Though she was sweating profusely with anxiety, she kept muttering, "Don't rush, stay calm!" After covering herself, Chu Tong felt a little relieved, and her strength returned, unlike before when she felt weak and listless. She glanced at Yuping lying beside her, knowing it was a temporary unconsciousness. She quickly dragged Yuping onto the bed and, in turn, stripped Yuping naked as well.
Just then, the laughter of old women and maids could be heard from afar, growing louder as their voices drew closer. Chu Tong looked around and spotted a window on the west wall. Overjoyed, she scrambled over, pushed it open, peeked out to make sure no one was watching, grabbed her clothes, and leaped out onto the windowsill. She lost her balance and landed hard on the stone floor. Suppressing her pain, Chu Tong quickly got up, closed the window, and limped to the wall, then followed the small gate out of the courtyard.
Granny Yu took Chu Tong to Xia Han Garden, not far from Tanwu Garden. This was the residence of the Second Madam. Since the Second Madam went mad, half of the servants had been transferred, making Xia Han Garden much quieter. Chu Tong took a shortcut. It was a quiet afternoon, and everyone was taking a nap in their rooms. Chu Tong saw several patrolling old women passing by in the distance. She quickly hid behind a rockery. She saw an artificial stream winding past the rockery. She quickly bent down, scooped up some water, drank a few mouthfuls, and then slapped her face vigorously. Afterward, she slumped to the ground, her mind racing, and she quickly came up with a plan.
Chu Tong rested for a while, then tidied her appearance and slowly walked back, entering Tanwu Garden through the back gate. The courtyard was quiet, except for a young maid named Chunyan who was dozing under the eaves, holding a cat. Chu Tong gently walked over and patted Chunyan's shoulder. Chunyan was startled and quickly stood up upon seeing Chu Tong, saying, "Sister Chu Tong..."
Chu Tong said, "Go to Xia Han Garden and call Granny Yu over. Tell her that Tan Wu Garden is checking the accounts and that she must come back within the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. If she is late or does not come, tell her to go to the mansion to find the old women to receive her punishment."
Seeing the cold glint in Chu Tong's eyes, Chunyan felt a pang of fear and quickly said, "I'll go right now." With that, she turned and ran off.
Chu Tong returned to her room and found Zi Yuan and Juan Cui sleeping soundly on the same bed. She tried to wake them up but couldn't, knowing that Yu Ping had drugged them. She took a cool towel and wiped their faces. After finally getting them up, she said that she had important matters to discuss in the hall.
A moment later, Chunyan ran back and pulled Chutong aside, saying, "Sister Chutong, something happened at Xiahan Garden. The First Madam is in a complete mess there, and Granny Yu said she can't come. I told the First Madam that we have something important to do here, and there's a problem with the accounts. The First Madam said to let Granny Yu come later."
Chu Tong knew that her secret had been exposed, and she couldn't help but sneer inwardly.
Before long, Cui Tongzi's three head maids were seated on the armchairs in the hall. Granny Yu also arrived, her plump body swaying slowly. Her brows were furrowed, and her face was slightly pale. But as expected of a seasoned veteran of decades, she remained calm upon seeing Chu Tong and asked, "What brings you ladies here?"
Because Granny Yu was Yuping's mother, Chunyan brought in a stool. Just as Granny Yu was about to sit down, Chutong's gaze turned cold, and she asked, "Who told you to sit down?" Her icy gaze made Granny Yu involuntarily take a step back.
Everyone was startled. Granny Yu, clearly aware that this trip was fraught with danger, appeared much calmer and awkwardly stood up. Juan Cui and Zi Yuan exchanged a glance, clearly sensing that something was amiss.
Chu Tong sat upright, and the maid Ying'er brought over tea. Chu Tong took a sip, put down the cup, straightened her clothes, and said, "I've gathered everyone here today because there's something to discuss. Those of you here have all served Second Master for many years, and I've gathered you all here today simply to bear witness. Since Second Madam fell ill, all the affairs of the Xie family, big and small, have been entrusted to Second Master. Now that Second Master has gone to serve the court with the Emperor's grace, he has mainly entrusted the affairs of the Xie family to me and Steward Hong. I am responsible for reviewing the monthly accounts, including money deposits and expenditures. Second Master said that if any problems are found, we cannot show favoritism; we can resolve them first and then report them. I'm sure everyone knows this."
After saying that, she glanced at Chunyan, who immediately brought over a thick stack of account books. Chutong flipped through the account books and sneered, "Granny Yu, last month you reported five hundred taels of silver for the Second Madam's medicine and medical treatment. It's really hard on your filial piety."
Granny Yu, being an old hand at the trade, quickly calmed down and said, "Miss Chutong, the Second Master has given instructions that he is willing to spend any amount of money to treat the Second Madam's illness. The medicine the Madam is currently taking costs dozens of taels for a single Korean ginseng from the deep mountains, and dozens of taels for a single Ganoderma lucidum, not to mention cordyceps and snow lotus from Tianshan. Miss Chutong, it's not that I'm being filial, but that the Second Master is being filial."
"Is that so?" Chu Tong said calmly, "Hanxiang personally oversees the Second Madam's monthly medications. After the medicines are dispensed, she immediately comes to report the expenses. She has already reported them once each time. Why are you submitting the reported expenses to the treasury again to withdraw money?"
Granny Yu said, "Madam takes many kinds of medicine. In addition to the daily medication, there are other calming medicines. I didn't have time to report it to you at the time, but I just included it at the end of the month. I swear to God, I haven't embezzled a single penny! Please don't slander an innocent person like this!"
Seeing Granny Yu pointing to the sky and crying out for justice, Chu Tong said coldly, "I've already said that you need a prescription to claim medicine expenses and pay silver. Where is your prescription for five hundred taels of medicine?"
Then she took a deep breath and said, "Alright, I'll pursue the accounts later. I'm asking you, the other nights you were supposed to be on duty taking care of Madam, so why were you secretly gambling with some old maids outside? Hanxiang told me that every time you were on duty, you would give Madam tea, and then she would sleep soundly. But when it was her turn to be on duty, Madam would often stay up until midnight. Tell me! What exactly did you put in Madam's tea?"
Hanxiang was the Second Madam's personal maid, and she and Yuping had always been at odds. When Hanxiang first mentioned this matter to Chutong, Chutong knew that what was put inside was not good, but firstly, she couldn't be bothered with the Second Madam's life or death; secondly, Yu Mama was Yuping's mother, and she didn't want to get involved, so she kept quiet. Now that Yu Mama had tricked her, she naturally knew what Yu Mama had given the Second Madam to drink, and she brought it up to make a fuss.
Granny Yu was stunned for a moment, a hint of panic flashing in her eyes. She had always thought Chu Tong was just a callow young girl who relied on her stunning beauty to gain Xie Linghui's favor. She hadn't expected her to be such a formidable person, with a sharp and imposing aura that rivaled even the former Second Madam. Granny Yu couldn't help but lose her composure. She looked up and saw Chu Tong's icy face, and steeled herself, saying, "Miss Chu Tong, you've been targeting me at every turn today. Is it because you're afraid my daughter's beauty will steal the Second Master's favor? Miss, one should have a conscience! Don't falsely accuse me! You say I poisoned the Madam's tea? Show me the proof!"
Ziyuan and Juancui both thought to themselves: The voucher was given to the Second Madam long ago, how could it possibly be kept? Besides, even if it were kept, she could simply deny it. Thinking of this, they all looked at Chutong.
Upon hearing this, Chu Tong stood up, straightened her clothes, and gracefully walked to Granny Yu. Granny Yu, however, was quite defiant, glaring at Chu Tong with her neck stiff. Chu Tong smiled slightly and said, "A certificate?" Then she reached out to help Granny Yu straighten her clothes and said softly, "This isn't a government office; not everything requires a certificate." After saying this, she grabbed Granny Yu's collar and slammed her to the ground!
To curry favor with Xie Linghui, Chu Tong had specially learned some martial arts from Steward Hong. She knew basic wrestling and pressure point techniques. Later, she often secretly read "The Sword Manual of the Beauties." Although she didn't fully understand it, she had a slight grasp of the wonders of martial arts. So, despite her petite stature, she was extremely skilled in mastering techniques and strength. With this pull, Granny Yu was caught completely off guard. She screamed "Ah!" and with a thud, her plump body fell to the ground, and two streams of blood gushed from her nostrils.
Zi Yuan and Juan Cui both cried out in surprise, stood up, covered their mouths, and looked astonished.
Chu Tong stepped forward and pressed Yu Mama's pressure points, still smiling. She then took a pair of silver needles from her sewing basket, bent down, and stabbed Yu Mama's arm!
Granny Yu let out a terrible scream, but she couldn't move her body.
"I'm asking you, what did you put in the Second Madam's tea?"
Granny Yu simply swayed her large body back and forth without saying a word. Chu Tong's smile widened, and she thrust another silver needle into her!
Granny Yu's screams grew more and more shrill, yet she clenched her teeth and refused to let go.
Chu Tong said softly, "Why do you have to do this? The outcome would be the same whether you said it sooner or later, so why put yourself through this pain?" Then she asked sharply, "I'm asking you, what did you put in the Second Madam's tea?"
Zi Yuan and Juan Cui stood aside, feeling terrified. They wanted to plead for Chu Tong several times, but seeing Chu Tong's murderous aura yet smiling face, they were too afraid to approach.
Chu Tong grew up in a brothel and was used to seeing madams forcing women into prostitution. One of the methods was needle pricks. The needle pricks the skin, leaving small, invisible marks, but they were excruciatingly painful.
Granny Yu was old after all, and after Chu Tong stabbed her several times, she was in so much pain that she couldn't speak. Her face was ashen, sweat poured down her back, and she collapsed, panting heavily, "This old woman...this old woman put a sleeping potion in the Second Madam's tea..."
Chu Tong raised an eyebrow: "Oh? Where is the rest of the sleeping potion?"
Granny Yu gritted her teeth and remained silent.
Chu Tong picked up the silver needle and stabbed it hard into her hand again, her movements ruthless, but she still had a smile on her face, and said, "Hurry up, I don't have the patience!"
Granny Yu wept uncontrollably, tears mingling with blood from her nose, her face streaked with tears. She stammered, "It's in the camphor wood chest by the bedside..."
Chu Tong nodded, stood up, released Yu Mama's acupoints, turned around and smiled warmly at Juan Cui and Zi Yuan: "Everyone heard what she said. She was just pointing to the sky and shouting that she was innocent. I didn't wrong her, did I?"
After saying this, his expression hardened, and he said loudly, "Today I can't say I'm heartless. This audacious servant actually harbors the intention to harm his master! A country has its laws, a family has its rules, and the Xie family has its own rules! Anyone who tries to play any tricks should not only be careful about their own livelihood, but also watch their own skin!" After saying this, he looked down at Granny Yu and said, "Granny Yu, pack your bedding. The Xie family can no longer keep you. Get out of the second gate first, and wait for the Second Master to return so he can make a decision!"
Granny Yu trembled all over, scrambled to her feet, and knelt on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly as if pounding garlic, wailing, "Miss, Miss, I dare not do it again, I will never dare to do it again, please spare me, please spare me!"
Chu Tong snorted coldly and said, "Granny Yu, I have already shown leniency. If the Second Master comes back and finds out that you drugged the Second Madam, your fate will be far more tragic than it is now! Letting you leave the Second Gate now is for your own good. The Xie family has countless ways of dealing with people. Have you thought it through?"
Upon hearing this, Granny Yu was shocked and immediately lowered her head. Chu Tong called two old women to take her away.
Afterwards, Chu Tong and Juan Cui went to Xia Han Garden to retrieve the remaining sleeping potion. When they arrived, they found the garden in complete disarray. The First Madam was seated in the main hall, presiding over a trial, with Yu Ping and the servant Shuang Xi kneeling below. Chu Tong peered through the window and then asked Han Xiang beside her, "Han Xiang, what's going on in there?"
Hanxiang whispered in Chutong's ear, "You don't know, do you? It's terrible! Yuping and Shuangxi were sleeping in the same bed, and the First Madam caught them red-handed!"
Chu Tong feigned surprise and said, "How is that possible?"
Hanxiang said, "Who says otherwise? Originally, after seeing the Second Madam, the First Madam didn't intend to return via that path. But then Granny Yu said there were still a few lotus flowers by the pond that hadn't withered and were blooming beautifully, so she invited the First Madam to go and admire them, and perhaps pick a few to offer to Buddha. The First Madam is a devout Buddhist, so she went when Granny Yu said so. Then Granny Yu said the midday sun was too strong and suggested the First Madam go to the south wing to sit and avoid the sun, which the First Madam naturally agreed to. When she got to the door, Granny Yu pushed it open and saw her daughter and Shuangxi lying naked on the bed." She then chuckled softly, "You didn't see Granny Yu's expression, it was a mix of red and green, that was quite a sight."
Juancui whispered, "Yuping has always been aloof. Apart from the Second Master, no other princes or noblemen can catch her eye. I never thought she would... would actually submit to Shuangxi!"
Hanxiang pursed her lips and said, "No matter who it is, she can't stay in this mansion anymore. She just claimed to be innocent, then slit her throat and banged her head against the wall. Luckily, everyone stopped her."
Chu Tong glanced into the room again, then tugged at Juan Cui's sleeve, and the two went to Granny Yu's room to get the sleeping potion before returning to Tanwu Garden.
A jade box was found by chance in the deep palace.
Xie Linghui returned to the Xie residence in the evening. A servant immediately reported to him about Yuping and Shuangxi. Xie Linghui frowned slightly upon hearing this, sensing that things were not so simple. He caught Chu Tong winking at him out of the corner of his eye, so he beckoned her into the inner room for questioning. Chu Tong then recounted how Yuping and Granny Yu had drugged her, stripped her clothes, and schemed against her, embellishing the story. She concluded with tearful eyes, "Second Master, if I hadn't woken up early, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to stay by your side anymore!" She then wiped her eyes twice with her sleeve. Suddenly, with a loud "smack," Xie Linghui slammed his right hand on the rosewood table beside him, causing the large porcelain vase with its intertwined peach blossom design on it to shake. Chu Tong was startled. She saw Xie Linghui's face was ashen, his usually calm phoenix eyes were filled with raging anger, his lips were tightly pursed, and he reached out and hugged her for a long time before slowly saying, "You've been frightened today, and I must give you an explanation."
Xie Linghui hesitated for a moment, then called out in a cold voice, "Juan Cui!"
Juancui's shadow was immediately reflected on the curtain, and she respectfully said, "Second Master."
Xie Linghui said, "Tell the head maid that this is my order. Yu Ping is shameless and has committed immoral acts. The Xie family will no longer keep her. Since she signed a death contract when she entered the family, she will be sent to Yiyan Pavilion from this day forward, and will have no further connection with the Xie family. As for Granny Yu, she failed to discipline her husband properly and will be given fifty lashes and expelled from the Xie family. All of Yu Ping's family members and relatives who work in the Xie family will be expelled and will not be employed again! Go and do it."
Juan Cui replied, "Yes." But her heart tightened: "I heard that Yiyan Pavilion is one of the three major brothels in the capital, and the Xie family also has shares in it. The Second Master was so angry that he sent Yu Ping to that place. For a woman to enter a brothel is like jumping into a fire pit, with no hope of getting out. Yu Ping... Yu Ping..." She dared not think any further and silently withdrew.