Chapter 56: This Damnable Scoundrel Deserved to Die a Thousand Deaths

Madam Tang gently stroked Tang Mi’s dark hair with a heart full of pain. “It’s all right now. Everything is over.”

Her eyes red with emotion, Madam Tang softly comforted Tang Mi. Beside her, Nanny Gui’s eyes also turned red with sympathy.

That damnable Steward Cao, she had suspected he wasn’t a decent man from the start. Relying on the backing of the Second Madam, he often harassed the young maids of the household. Nanny Gui had overheard more than one complaint about him.

But now, he even dared lay his hands on the eldest young lady? He must’ve truly lost his mind!

After holding Tang Mi for a long while, Madam Tang finally released her. “Good girl, go back now. I’ll take care of everything here.”

She then turned to Ban Xia. “Take the young lady back. This matter must never be spoken of outside.”

“Yes, madam,” Ban Xia immediately replied and helped Tang Mi to her feet.

When Nanny Gui noticed the bloodied hairpin in Tang Mi’s hand, she quickly coaxed her in a gentle voice, “Miss, let this old servant take care of the hairpin for you.”

Tang Mi looked up at Nanny Gui and placed the pin in her hand. “Thank you for your trouble.”

Nanny Gui’s gaze softened at Tang Mi’s sweet and gentle voice.

Such a good girl, this Steward Cao truly deserved to be sliced into a thousand pieces!

After paying her respects again to Madam Tang, Tang Mi left with Ban Xia.

As soon as she left, Madam Tang furiously raised her dragon-headed cane and struck Steward Cao’s corpse on the head several times.

Nanny Gui, filled with hatred, looked at the bloody mess of a corpse. “Please calm your anger, madam. It seems he didn’t succeed. But Miss Tang must’ve been terrified.”

Madam Tang took a deep breath and finally lowered her cane. “He deserved to die. But this matter must not be allowed to implicate Mi’er.”

Nanny Gui thought for a moment and said, “We’re right by the edge of a cliff. Why don’t I throw the body down? We can say he accidentally fell.”

Madam Tang glanced at her. “You take care of it.”

“Yes, madam.” Nanny Gui picked up the corpse and jumped out the window.

Nanny Gui had been Madam Tang’s maid since her dowry days and had trained in martial arts from a young age, her skills weren’t inferior to Madam Tang’s.

Before throwing the body over the cliff, Nanny Gui removed one of Steward Cao’s shoes. She tossed the corpse down, then threw the shoe near the cliff edge to complete the illusion. Only then did she return to the house to clean up the bloodstains.

Meanwhile, in the north wing, Tang Mi had returned to her room and immediately changed her clothes.

Ban Xia did the same.

Soon after, Nanny Gui knocked on the door.

“Nanny Gui,” Ban Xia said as she hurried to let her in.

“Have you both changed?” Nanny Gui confirmed, noting their fresh clothes. “Then leave the rest to me.”

She gathered all the garments they’d taken off. “Nothing happened tonight. Miss, you just rest well.”

Then she turned to Ban Xia. “Stay with the young lady and look after her.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Ban Xia replied at once.

Nanny Gui took all the clothes back to her own quarters and burned them, including her own bloodstained garments.

She then carefully wiped the blood from the golden hairpin and buried it deep in the ground to avoid detection.

Only after finishing all this did Nanny Gui return.

But as soon as she left, someone came and unearthed the buried hairpin.

In the North Wing.

When Madam Tang saw Nanny Gui return, she asked, “Is everything taken care of?”

Nanny Gui quietly reported, “Don’t worry, madam. The clothes have been burned, and the hairpin has been handled properly. There will be no problems.”

Madam Tang finally let out a long sigh of relief. “How is Mi’er?”

“She seemed fine, just frightened. She didn’t lose her composure.”

From what happened, Miss Tang had remained calm. She’d gone straight to Madam Tang for help, changed her clothes immediately afterward, clear signs of a sound mind.

Madam Tang nodded. “Good. I was afraid this would leave a lasting shadow on her.”

Nanny Gui said, “It shouldn’t. I’ll talk to Ban Xia tomorrow and have her keep a close eye on Miss Tang.”

“Have Ban Xia come see me in the morning. I want to know exactly what happened,” Madam Tang said with a frown. She didn’t understand why Mi’er went to Steward Cao’s room so late at night, or when that beast started harboring such vile thoughts.

“Yes, madam,” Nanny Gui replied.

Some things would indeed need to be thoroughly explained to Ban Xia.

In the adjacent room

Tang Mi was teaching Ban Xia what to say. Ban Xia listened intently and memorized everything.

The next morning, as expected, Nanny Gui came for Ban Xia.

Ban Xia followed her to see Madam Tang. “Madam.”

“How did Mi’er sleep last night?” Madam Tang asked worriedly.

Ban Xia’s eyes wavered as she lowered her head. “Miss was startled and woke up several times during the night. She only managed to sleep a little by dawn.”

Madam Tang’s heart ached. Her face twisted with fury. “That damnable wretch truly deserved to die a thousand deaths!”

After venting her rage, she looked sharply at Ban Xia. “Why did you go to the north wing last night?”

Ban Xia appeared terrified. “Last night, Steward Cao said he had something about the master’s death anniversary to discuss with Miss. He asked her to meet him in the north wing. Miss didn’t think much of it and took me along. But we never expected that he would…”

Her eyes reddened as she choked up, then said with lingering fear, “Miss was so scared, she grabbed a hairpin and stabbed him. When I came to my senses, Steward Cao was already…”

Ban Xia then knelt down, guilt-ridden. “It’s all my fault. I failed to protect Miss. Please punish me, madam.”

Madam Tang’s heart ached again after hearing this.

It had been her failure in judgment, allowing such a vile man to serve as steward. Fortunately, nothing serious had happened to Mi’er. Otherwise, she’d never forgive herself.

And that Qin woman, if she hadn’t insisted on recommending him, he never would’ve been appointed.

Thinking of Lady Qin filled Madam Tang with anger.

She glanced down at the kneeling Ban Xia and narrowed her eyes. “Nothing happened last night. You and Mi’er stayed in your room. If anyone asks, that’s the story. Do you understand?”

Ban Xia quickly bowed. “Yes, madam. Last night Miss stayed in the room the whole time, and I was with her. We didn’t go anywhere.”

Madam Tang nodded in satisfaction. “Go back and take good care of Miss. Be gentle with her and let her rest more.”

“Yes.” Ban Xia bowed and left.

After she was gone, Madam Tang turned to Nanny Gui. “I’ll leave the rest to you.”

“I understand,” Nanny Gui said, and set off to handle the next steps.