Chapter 31: Theft

Tang Chuyao had a dream in which a stunningly beautiful woman was looking at her tenderly, softly calling her name, “Yaoyao…”

Tang Chuyao felt a deep familiarity with the woman and wanted to hold her hand, afraid she might disappear in the next moment.

The woman smiled slightly and reached out to grasp her hand.

Yes, just as she imagined, the woman’s hand was warm and soft…

“Yaoyao, live well…”

“Your mother will always love you…”

The woman’s figure gradually became blurry, and Tang Chuyao anxiously tried to hold onto her, shouting, “Mother!”

…

“Aunt Fuling, how is the young lady?” Dujian anxiously looked at Tang Chuyao on the bed.

The young lady had endured too much and fainted from crying, frightening both her and Fuling.

They hurriedly placed Tang Chuyao on the bed and noticed her forehead was a bit hot; it seemed she had a fever.

Fortunately, they were at the pharmacy, where it was easy to get medicine.

Dujian brought over the freshly brewed medicine, just as she heard the young lady mumbling “Mother” in her sleep.

Fuling looked at Tang Chuyao with affection, changed the wet towel on her forehead, and gently called out, “Young mistress?”

Tang Chuyao’s eyelashes fluttered, and soon she opened her eyes.

Fuling and Dujian exchanged a glance, both filled with joy.

Tang Chuyao felt a bit heavy-headed; she had just dreamt of her mother…

She raised her gaze to Fuling, her eyes reddening, and murmured, “Aunt Fuling, it was my fault that mother died!”

Fuling quickly embraced Tang Chuyao, “Young mistress, it wasn’t your fault!”

“The fault lies with those who harmed her!”

A hint of ruthlessness flashed in Fuling’s eyes…

Tang Chuyao became much more alert, stopped crying, withdrew from Fuling’s embrace, her expression fierce, and said, “Aunt Fuling, I want to personally avenge mother!”

Fuling was stunned for a moment before slowly nodding. Although she couldn’t let the young mistress kill her enemies herself, allowing her to gain some experience might not be a bad idea!

“Young mistress, just go ahead and do it!”

Tang Chuyao shared her thoughts with Fuling, including her desire to take part of her mother’s dowry to buy warm clothing and supplies for the soldiers in the northern border. Fuling increasingly admired Tang Chuyao, her eyes filled with comfort; the young mistress truly was the blood of her master!

This sense of righteousness was very much like the master!

Tang Chuyao quickly returned to the Duke of Yong’s residence, instructing the night guards to secretly transport the dowry to the Hidden Grass Hall, while the Returning Spring Hall was now managed by Fuling.

That night, a figure sneaked into the Falling Cherry Pavilion, quietly opening a room door…

At that moment, a voice suddenly came from outside the door, “Help! Catch the thief!”

In the quiet of the deep night, Dujian’s voice echoed throughout the Duke of Yong’s residence, attracting Tang Youze and Aunt Mei.

Aunt Mei’s face was filled with worry, while Tang Youze looked displeased.

When everyone rushed into the room, they saw Tang Chuying standing there in shock.

“Second sister, why are you here?” Tang Chuyao exclaimed in surprise.

Seeing so many people, Tang Chuying quickly reacted, pointing at Tang Chuyao and shouting, “It’s you?”

“Tang Chuyao, how dare you plot against me?”

“I don’t understand what you’re talking about, second sister…” Tang Chuyao appeared frightened and threatened, no different from her usual weak and easily bullied self.

“Stop pretending!” Tang Chuying said, hands on her hips, pointing at Tang Chuyao loudly.

“Shut up!” Tang Youze shouted sternly.

Tang Chuying saw that Tang Youze was angry and immediately fell silent.

Tang Youze looked at Dujian and impatiently said, “You explain!”

Dujian stepped forward with a wronged expression and said, “Replying to the master, there have been some noises in the courtyard these past few nights. At first, I thought it was a mouse.”

“Besides, the room was locked, so I didn’t pay much attention.”

“But tonight, when I got up in the middle of the night, I heard some sounds coming from the room, so I wanted to see what was going on.”

“I discovered that the lock on the room had been opened, and I saw a shadow. Since this room contains the young lady’s dowry, I thought a thief had come in, which is why I shouted for help…”

Tang Youze glanced at Dujian, feeling she wasn’t lying, then turned to Tang Chuying, who was avoiding his gaze.

He casually opened a large box nearby, only to find it completely empty!!

Tang Youze’s face turned ashen, and then he opened several more boxes, discovering they were all empty!

He turned to Aunt Mei, who looked somewhat suspicious, and Tang Youze understood!

“Ying’er, why did you come to your sister’s courtyard in the middle of the night?”

“Father, I couldn’t sleep, so I just wandered around…”

“Second Miss, your wandering around led you into the room where our young lady keeps her dowry!”

“This room was clearly locked; how did you get in?” Dujian pressed aggressively.

Tang Chuying was left speechless by her questioning and, in a fit of anger, retorted, “You lowly maid, when did it become your turn to interrupt when the master is speaking?”

Aunt Mei quickly stepped in to mediate, “Master, this must be a misunderstanding. Ying’er must have heard some noises in the young lady’s room and came to check, right, Ying’er?”

Just as Tang Chuying was about to respond, suddenly, with a clatter, a set of keys fell from her body to the ground.

Everyone exchanged glances, and Aunt Mei was left momentarily speechless.

“Father, we should report this to the authorities!” Tang Chuyao spoke up.

Everyone turned to Tang Chuyao simultaneously, “Tang Chuyao, have you lost your mind?”

“You want to report this? I didn’t take your dowry!” Tang Chuying was anxious and wanted to rush forward to tear at Tang Chuyao.

Tang Chuyao cleverly dodged Tang Chuying’s fingers, just as Tang Chuying grabbed Tang Youze’s face…

“Smack!” Tang Youze slapped Tang Chuying across the face.

Tang Chuying covered her slapped face with her hand, looking at Tang Youze in disbelief.

Since childhood, her father had doted on her greatly, and today he actually hit her in front of so many people!

Aunt Mei immediately stepped in front of Tang Chuying, “Master, the second miss acted impulsively; please don’t hold it against her!”

“Aunt Mei, you best handle this matter properly, or don’t blame the Duke for being ruthless!”

Tang Youze looked at Tang Chuyao, his expression displeased. This daughter had always been submissive and lacked presence; why was she being so assertive today?

Did she really want to report to the authorities?

“Yaoyao, there must be some misunderstanding here. Reporting to the authorities will only make things worse for you!”

“How about letting Aunt Mei handle it? If it can’t be resolved, I will definitely support you, how does that sound?”

Tang Chuyao didn’t want to escalate the situation or immediately confront Tang Youze, so she nodded in agreement.

Tang Youze was very satisfied with Tang Chuyao’s obedience and left with a flick of his sleeve.

Tang Chuyao turned to Aunt Mei and her daughter, “Aunt Mei, my dowry boxes are all empty; I would appreciate your help in looking into this!”

After saying that, Tang Chuyao left with Dujian…

Aunt Mei and Tang Chuying watched Tang Chuyao’s departing figure with fierce expressions.

“Mother, I didn’t steal her dowry!”