Chapter 10 Madam Zhang’s Decision

Master Luo, also known as Commander Luo, held the official rank of Embroidered Uniform Guard Commander of the third grade. Note: This was a nominal title, a sinecure—he neither took up the post nor handled any duties.  

In plain terms, he collected a salary without doing any work and wielded none of the actual authority associated with this fearsome position.  

By this point in the dynasty’s bureaucratic evolution, many official posts had changed in function. For instance, Master Luo’s hereditary position as Embroidered Uniform Guard Commander was essentially an honorary title—he held no official seal and couldn’t even command a single Embroidered Uniform Guard Commandant. When his son was seized by the Duke of Ying’s Mansion, he had no choice but to seek help from his old connections at the Marquis of Ji’an Manor.  

In the reception hall, Xu Rong stood behind Madam Xu and, after listening for a while, grasped the situation: Zhang Weiling had beaten and abducted someone in broad daylight. The teahouse couldn’t stop him, nor did it dare take responsibility. Among the various idlers drinking tea, one happened to recognize Second Master Luo and informed the proprietor, who hastily sent word to his family.  

None of these were ordinary people—let the immortals fight among themselves. The little shop had no power to intervene.  

Madam Xu sat, feeling both bewildered and disheartened. “Master Luo, it’s not that I refuse to help, but my Zhang’er is still locked up in prison. What can I do?”  

Master Luo, a portly man, had arrived in a fluster, his forehead already beaded with sweat. At these words, a few more drops trickled down. “Madam, you mustn’t say that. My second son has never had any dealings with the Duke of Ying’s Mansion. For him to be suddenly seized by that Fiend Star, Young Master Zhang—it can only be related to the incident he was involved in with your nephew. If I don’t come to you for help, who else can I turn to?”  

Madam Xu, hearing this, grew resentful. “Master Luo, is this Zhang’er’s fault? If your second son hadn’t dragged him to that filthy place, he wouldn’t be suffering like this. I’ve been too busy with household matters these past days to argue with you, and now you come to my door to lay blame?”  

Master Luo hurriedly replied, “No, no, that’s not what I meant. It’s just that the messenger described such a terrifying scene—he was beaten half to death on the spot, his face swollen twice its size. Ah, as parents, you understand how my heart aches. His mother fainted on the spot, so I, clumsy as I am with words, had to come myself.”  

His humble apology was somewhat effective, and Madam Xu’s expression softened slightly. “I don’t know how this happened either. Could your second son have offended Young Master Zhang elsewhere?”  

“Impossible! After your nephew’s misfortune, my second son was terrified. He’s barely left the house lately, keeping as far from that Young Master Zhang as possible. Why would he provoke him? Today, he only went to meet a friend for tea—who could have imagined—ah!”  

Master Luo sighed heavily and pleaded again, “Madam, at least accompany me to the Duke of Ying’s Mansion. If my son truly did something to offend, I’ll accept it. But if it’s still about the previous matter, going alone won’t do any good. We must join forces to clarify the root of this trouble—wouldn’t that also help your nephew escape his predicament sooner?”  

Gradually, Madam Xu was swayed. She didn’t particularly care about Second Master Luo’s fate, but it had been five or six days since Madam Xiao returned. She had sent someone to inquire once, but Madam Xiao only replied that it required patience—no rush. She had no idea how things were progressing. Now, with this opportunity, a visit to the Duke of Ying’s Mansion might be worthwhile.  

Xu Rong spoke up at the right moment, “Mother, I’ll go with you.”

Madam Xu was taken aback. “What are you going there for?” she asked softly, trying to dissuade her. “This isn’t a trip for fun. There might be many unpleasant words, so don’t go and suffer needlessly.”

Xu Rong couldn’t be bothered to come up with an excuse and insisted, “I want to go.”

Having just exchanged her daughter for her son, Madam Xu couldn’t muster much authority. Pressured by Xu Rong’s persistence, she reluctantly agreed, “Very well. Stay by my side and don’t wander off.”

**

By the time they arrived at the Duke of Ying’s Mansion, it was already past noon.

Xu Rong had been out twice in a row and hadn’t even had time for lunch. However, she had eaten plenty of pastries at the teahouse earlier, so she wasn’t hungry. She even had the leisure to admire the scenery of the Duke of Ying’s Mansion.

At first glance from the outside, the architecture wasn’t much different from the Marquis of Ji’an Manor. But after the gatekeeper announced their arrival and they were led inside, the differences gradually became apparent.

The difference lay in the people.

The Duke of Ying’s Mansion was far more bustling, with many more servants on duty. Along the way, all sorts of attendants bustled about, carrying various utensils, yet everything was orderly and quiet, showcasing the heritage and discipline of a great family.

Xu Rong thought back to her own household—well, it was truly free and undisciplined. The only reason it seemed presentable on the surface was because Xu Huazhang had caused the biggest scandal, making the servants’ misbehavior pale in comparison.

“Excuse me, young man, the person Young Master Zhang brought in is my son. How is he now?” Master Luo asked anxiously, addressing the servant leading the way.

The servant glanced at him and shook his head. “I don’t know. The Hall of Auspicious Splendor is just ahead. You can ask our Old Madam Zhang yourself.”

The Duke of Ying was stationed outside with his eldest and second sons, leaving the affairs of the mansion to the Madam of the Duke of England’s Mansion year-round. Old Madam Zhang, as the original wife, had borne the Duke one daughter and three sons—the youngest being Zhang Weiling, born when she was forty. Not only did she wield immense authority within the mansion, but she was also highly respected among the noble circles of the capital, with no one daring to slight her.

Master Luo had no choice but to fall silent.

They arrived at the Hall of Auspicious Splendor, but the seat of honor was empty—Old Madam Zhang had yet to arrive.

A maid served tea and explained softly, “The timing is unfortunate. Old Madam has just woken from her nap and needs a moment to compose herself before she can come.”

What could Madam Xu say? They could only wait.

**

In the inner courtyard of the Duke of Ying’s Mansion.

The maid hadn’t lied—Old Madam Zhang had indeed just woken from her nap. Upon hearing of Madam Xu’s request for an audience, she had her attendants help her up.

“You could have refused to see them. One after another, they’re nothing but trouble, disturbing your rest,” a senior maid grumbled as she knelt to help Old Madam Zhang into her shoes.

Old Madam Zhang rubbed her temples. “What rest? I was just lying there with my eyes closed.” She sighed deeply and added meaningfully, “You’re right—one after another, they’re nothing but trouble. How can I close my eyes in peace?”

Another senior maid brought tea. Old Madam Zhang initially refused, but after some gentle coaxing, she took a sip before handing it back. “How is that rascal Ling’er behaving? Has he caused any more trouble?” she asked.

The maid replied, “Mama Chu is keeping an eye on him personally. You needn’t worry, Old Madam.”

Old Madam Zhang’s voice turned cold. “What about that Luo fellow? Is he dead yet?”

“No, the physician prepared the medicine and just forced it down his throat. The young lord’s arm is still broken, so he couldn’t have hurt him too badly. All that blood just looks frightening, that’s all.”

Old Madam Zhang snorted coldly. “That’s letting him off easy.”

The senior maid set down the teacup, fetched a forehead band, and carefully tied it for her, saying softly, “Your health is what matters most, Madam. Please don’t get angry. If you want to vent your anger, why not have that Luo fellow keep Marquis Xu company?”

Another senior maid chimed in playfully, “You forget—the eldest young mistress came back the other day to plead for mercy. Madam, out of love for her grandson, has already agreed to release Marquis Xu. That cell is now free, perfect for that Luo fellow to occupy alone.”

The two maids, being in the inner quarters, weren’t fully aware of the details. They merely wanted to ease Old Madam Zhang’s mind, taking turns to speak. Yet, not a trace of a smile appeared on Old Madam Zhang’s face—instead, the lines on her forehead deepened further.

Clearly, her worries had only grown.

The two maids: “…”

Gradually, they dared not say another word.

Silently, they helped Old Madam Zhang dress neatly. She sat on the daybed, motionless for a while.

After a long pause, she sighed deeply. “Children are nothing but debts!”

**

Old Madam Zhang finally arrived.

Madam Xu, Xu Rong, and Second Master Luo all rose to greet her.

Old Madam Zhang’s gaze lingered particularly on Xu Rong before she addressed Madam Xu kindly, “You’ve brought your eldest daughter along? She’s grown even more radiant and lovely. What a pity she and our family have no shared fate.”

Madam Xu, who had made several trips for Xu Huazhang’s sake and had never before seen Old Madam Zhang in such a pleasant mood, was flustered. “Oh, oh, you flatter her.”

She couldn’t muster a proper response, let alone ponder the deeper meaning behind Old Madam Zhang’s words.

Beside her, Xu Rong’s eyes flickered—she had caught it.

According to Madam Xiao’s arrangement, her engagement with Xiao Lun had been called off, only to be replaced by one with Xiao Xin. Whether the grandson was legitimate or not, Old Madam Zhang couldn’t openly say “no shared fate” unless, in her view, the Xu and Xiao families had severed ties entirely.

This was Old Madam Zhang’s decision.

Truly, old ginger is spicier—straight to the point.

Xu Rong suddenly felt relieved. With this, her purpose here was reduced to mere observation. Following Old Madam Zhang’s lead, she smiled and curtsied gracefully.

Her composed demeanor drew another glance from Old Madam Zhang. Meanwhile, Master Luo, who had waited long enough, could hold back no longer. He stepped forward and knelt abruptly. “Madam, my son has behaved improperly and somehow offended the young lord. The young lord had him seized, and by now, he must have suffered enough. I beg you to show mercy and allow this unworthy one to take the wretched boy home for discipline!”

Old Madam Zhang waited for him to finish his plea before nodding. “Very well, take him back.”

Master Luo: “…”

He was so stunned he couldn’t believe it, his plump neck craning comically. “M-Madam?”

Old Madam Zhang replied coolly, “Your son is indeed at fault. Ling’er didn’t seize him without cause. As for what he did, you may inquire at home and discipline him thoroughly. If you still fail to correct him, and I hear of him doing what he shouldn’t or saying what he shouldn’t outside, don’t blame me for overstepping. I’ll write to the Duke and ask him to teach your son for you.”

Upon hearing that the Duke of Yingguo would be involved, Master Luo was utterly terrified. The joy of easily rescuing his son vanished without a trace, and he stammered repeatedly, “Yes, yes! I will discipline him properly when we return. If I can’t manage him, I won’t let him out again!”

Old Madam Zhang immediately ordered someone to lead him to fetch Second Master Luo.

Master Luo, originally the aggrieved party, was dismissed in just a few words. Stumbling and confused, he left in a daze, so worried that he even forgot to bid farewell to Madam Xu.

For a moment, Madam Xu was also at a loss for words. After standing dumbfounded for a while, she finally remembered to speak when Old Madam Zhang took her seat at the head of the room. “Madam, since their family’s son has been released, what about my Zhang’er—?”

Anxious and uneasy, she dared not finish her sentence, fearing she might anger Old Madam Zhang again and be driven out.

Old Madam Zhang nodded. “He will be released too.”

In Madam Xu’s presence, she ordered someone to send word to the Wanping County Office.

Overwhelmed with joy, Madam Xu could neither stand nor sit still. Clutching her handkerchief, she prepared to take her leave, forgetting to ask the many questions still lingering in her mind.

Such confusion.

No wonder she had mismanaged the vast estate of a marquis’s household.

Old Madam Zhang had initially been reluctant to say more to her. But noticing Xu Rong standing quietly nearby—though she remained silent, appearing obedient and gentle beside Madam Xu—a closer look revealed a different demeanor.

Her eyes lacked that same bewilderment; instead, they were clear and composed.

That was the gaze of someone who truly understood.

Thus, the matter could not be left unresolved.

Old Madam Zhang spoke up, “Madam Xu, stay a moment. This old woman has more to say.”