Chapter 8 — Turning the Tables

The young masters of the Xie family usually studied at the clan school and only returned home once every half month. Even so, each of them had their own study rooms at the estate.

This Ting Shui Pavilion was a study that Third Madam had prepared for her son Rui-ge’er. A’Jin was said to study with him at the clan school, but in truth, he also acted as Rui-ge’er’s study servant—if Rui-ge’er was reading at Ting Shui Pavilion, A’Jin would remain there to grind ink and attend him.

When Wanru reached the pavilion, she hesitated slightly at the doorway. It was far too quiet.

Even if she and A’Jin were only fostered dependents in the Xie household and not valued, still—if someone had fallen into the water and people had run to find her, there should at least have been shouts for help.

But since this involved A’Jin, she dared not take chances. What if he truly had been abandoned here?

She rushed inside without thinking further.

The Ting Shui Pavilion wasn’t large, just a small courtyard beside a pond, normally unused—occasionally tidied up when a guest stayed.

“A’Jin!”

She ran to the pond, only to see the water empty. No one.

She froze for a second, and suddenly—Bang! The courtyard gate slammed shut.

“Well now, so the Xie estate hides such a beauty among its maids?”

A pot-bellied middle-aged man came out from the house, stroking his chin as he ogled her. His beady eyes lit up as they swept her figure up and down, practically glued to her.

Wanru’s expression shifted—she instantly realized she had been trapped.

“I am not a maidservant of this household.”

Her tone was cold. She turned to leave, but when she tugged the gate, it wouldn’t budge. From outside came the rattle of a lock.

“Don’t go, beauty. I’m a man who knows how to cherish women. You’ve lucked out today. Follow me, Yuan Zhao, and you’ll live in wealth and comfort. I’ll make you my eleventh concubine, and I promise I’ll pamper you.”

The man licked his lips and advanced toward her.

Wanru’s blood ran cold. Yuan Zhao?! Wasn’t this the “good marriage” Third Madam had wanted to arrange for her?

So they had grown impatient already—and stooped to such vile tricks.

“I have no interest.” Her face hardened to ice. “This is the Xie estate. Do you dare commit outrage here? Are you not afraid the Xie family will punish you? Let me remind you—Third Madam has no authority in this house.”

The Xie family was a clan of upright reputation. If an outsider assaulted a female member in their own back courtyard, it would be a disgrace beyond measure—they would never let it pass.

For a brief moment, Yuan Zhao’s eyes flickered with unease. But then he bared his teeth, shouting, “Little slut, you dare threaten me?! What are you, that the Xie family would defend you?!”

He sneered. “Besides, weren’t you the one who came to me? If this gets out, they’ll say you crept here to meet me in secret. Who would the Xies blame then?”

Wanru’s face paled. She clenched her palm hard, then let fear slowly seep across her features.

Stumbling back, she pleaded in a trembling voice: “Please… spare me.”

Yuan Zhao grew even more excited, coaxing as he advanced: “Be good, serve me well, and I won’t cast you aside. I’ll take you home as a concubine and keep you pampered day and night.”

Wanru’s back pressed against the locked gate. She had nowhere left to retreat.

Yuan Zhao relaxed, certain he had broken her will. So much for what Madam Xu had said—that this girl was fiery and would need to be forced. Clearly, Xu had been useless. This delicate little thing had surrendered in just a few words.

“My sweet one, don’t cry. Let me make you feel good—”

Grinning lecherously, he lunged.

But just as he drew close, Wanru suddenly raised her hand and flung a handful of powder into his face.

“Ahhh!”

Yuan Zhao screamed, clutching at his eyes as agony seared them like burning knives. He writhed and staggered blindly, shrieking in pain.

Without hesitation, Wanru grabbed a heavy stone from the ground, stepped behind him, and smashed it down onto his head.

“Ahhh!”

Yuan Zhao collapsed with another cry, blood spilling down his face, soaking the grass by the pond.

Wanru dropped the stone, took out an embroidered sachet from her sleeve, and stuffed it into his chest.

Outside, the servants heard his screams.

“Is… is something wrong with Master Yuan?” a maid stammered.

“Idiot! Open the door quickly!” the old nurse scolded. “If anything happens to him, Third Madam won’t escape blame!”

They fumbled with the key, rushed inside—only to find Yuan Zhao rolling in the grass, bloodied and half-blind, while Wanru stood cold and expressionless nearby.

The maids blanched, one of them screaming.

The old nurse, more seasoned, immediately pointed and shouted: “How dare you! You struck Master Yuan like this?!”

Wanru curved her lips into a strange smile.

The two women shivered at that smile—then Wanru suddenly bolted out, shouting at the top of her lungs:

“Help! Thief! There’s a thief!”

The nurse and maid couldn’t stop her. Her cries drew people within moments.

Houseboys rushed in with cudgels.

“Where’s the thief?!”

Wanru pointed at Yuan Zhao. The servants charged forward, raining blows and finally shoving him into a sack.

The old nurse, shoved aside, panicked when she saw Yuan Zhao being beaten. “Stop! He’s a guest of the house!”

The boys froze mid-swing, stunned.

---

Meanwhile, in the peach grove, the banquet had already begun. Music floated through the air. Third Madam was still fawning over the Marchioness of Yongchang, Second Madam busied herself with guests, and the First Madam sat happily speaking with Jiang Xuejun. The atmosphere was harmonious.

Then a maid hurried over to whisper in the First Madam’s ear.

Her expression darkened instantly. “It’s truly Yuan Zhao?”

“Yes, madam. He’s at Ting Shui Pavilion right now—”

“I’ll see to it myself.” The First Madam rose quickly.

On such a grand day, a scandal like this could be disastrous.

“Madam, has something happened?” Jiang Xuejun asked softly.

Forcing a smile, the First Madam replied, “Nothing serious. Just some mischief among the children. I’ll go take a look. Stay here and enjoy yourself.”

Family disgrace must never be spread outside.

Though unconvinced, Jiang Xuejun nodded. “Then madam, please go.”

The First Madam hastened to the pavilion.

Inside, Yuan Zhao had already been carried into the house. A maid bound his bleeding head with cloth, his eyes still swollen shut and crimson.

“Argh, the pain! That wretch! I’ll kill her! Someone drag her out and beat her to death! Where’s the physician?! Useless dogs! None of you will get away with this!”

His curses filled the room.

The First Madam entered with a deep frown. “What on earth is happening?!”

The servants instantly dropped to their knees.

Spotting her, Yuan Zhao raged louder. “So this is how the Xies treat their guests?! You allow some low-born slut to cripple me? If you don’t execute her this instant, I won’t forgive you!”

He jabbed his finger toward Wanru, standing quietly nearby.

Only then did the First Madam notice her neglected niece.

Her face hardened. “How dare you!”

Wanru froze, then quickly shook her head. “I… I didn’t know he was a guest. I thought he was a thief! I saw him sneaking into Ting Shui Pavilion, trying to slip through the side gate toward Third Madam’s quarters—”

Now, Ting Shui Pavilion was Rui-ge’er’s study. Because Rui-ge’er often shirked his studies, Third Madam had built a small side gate connecting it to her Wutong Pavilion, so she could check on him at any time.

Wanru knelt, her face full of grievance. “With so many guests today, it wasn’t impossible for intruders to sneak in. I saw him creeping toward Wutong Pavilion. He even claimed Third Madam permitted it! In my panic, I thought him a thief and shouted for help.”

At this, everyone’s expressions shifted.

The First Madam’s gaze flickered, her eyes narrowing at Yuan Zhao with new suspicion.

Yuan Zhao, sneaking into Third Madam’s private quarters? He hardly needed money. Then the only possibility was… illicit relations.

Wanru blinked innocently and added, “Fortunately, Nanny Zhuang and Cui Feng, both from Third Madam’s household, were nearby. They were the first to rush in when I shouted. If Madam doubts me, you can ask them yourself.”