Chapter 9: A Desperate Counterattack

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Zhuang Momo and Cuifeng were startled. They never expected that with just a few words, this girl had pushed them straight onto the fire pit!

What could they say now?

Tell the truth? Say that the Third Madam sold Wanru to Yuan Zhao, and that they were ordered to guard the gate to make sure Yuan Zhao had his way with her?

If they said that, wouldn’t they be beaten to death on the spot?

The Madam of the House fixed her gaze on Zhuang Momo.
“You are the Third Madam’s close servant. Why are you here, instead of attending at her side?”

Zhuang Momo’s eyes flickered. She stammered, “I… I was not feeling well today, so I didn’t go to serve…”

Not even a ghost would believe that. The old crone looked strong enough to wrestle a cow, how could she be “unwell”?

Yuan Zhao was a male guest, yet he appeared near Wutong Courtyard, and even tried to sneak into the Third Madam’s private quarters. Now, the Third Madam’s trusted servants just so happened to be guarding nearby. Could this not be a rendezvous with her secret lover?

Yuan Zhao finally realized what was happening. He jumped up in rage from the bed.
“You little whore! How dare you spout nonsense! When did I ever try to sneak into the Third Madam’s courtyard? How could I possibly fancy an old woman like Zhang?”

But before he could finish, a scented sachet fell from his robes onto the floor.

Wanru’s eyes widened in shock.
“This sachet—isn’t this the Third Madam’s?”

Yuan Zhao froze. He had no idea how such a thing ended up on him.

The Madam of the House’s face turned darker. She asked sharply:
“And how can you be so sure it is the Third Madam’s?”

Wanru quickly explained:
“Because I always make her sachets. The Third Madam often complains she cannot sleep well, so I put medicinal herbs and dried flowers inside. The embroidery is also my work. Of course, I would recognize it.”

Wanru’s father had once traded in medicinal herbs, and she had grown up surrounded by them. Since arriving at the Xie household, she had prepared medicinal meals and sachets for the Old Madam daily.

Everyone in the Xie family knew that the cousin from the Wan family was clever with her hands. Her sachets helped with sleep, repelled insects, and calmed the mind. She was also mild-tempered—anyone who asked could have one.

The Third Madam, however, always treated her like a servant, often ordering her to do such things.

And this sachet—Wanru had just finished it, intending to deliver it to the Third Madam later.

Wanru added softly, “The Third Madam loves peonies most of all. She insists that I embroider peonies on her sachets.”

And sure enough, the sachet lying on the ground was covered with blooming, vibrant peonies.

The evidence was undeniable!

The Madam of the House’s expression grew grim. She never imagined that the Third Madam would dare commit such disgraceful acts!

If today’s matter leaked out, the Xie family’s reputation would be utterly ruined.

“You… you lying wretch! I’ll kill you!” Yuan Zhao roared, trying to leap from the bed to tear Wanru apart.

But before he could rise, he staggered and fell flat to the ground, looking utterly pathetic.

Wanru shrank back in feigned fear.

The Madam of the House’s face was ice-cold.
“Take Yuan Zhao away at once. Quietly. Do not let him shout and alarm the guests. Zhuqing, go summon the Third Madam immediately. And—send someone to the front courtyard to inform the Third Master.”

This was, after all, the Third Branch’s disgrace. If the Third Madam had sullied herself so shamelessly, her husband, the Third Master, would have to deal with her.

Wanru lowered her lashes, hiding her expression.

Yuan Zhao was gagged and carried off. The Madam of the House cast one last look at this filthy place, her brows furrowed with disgust, then turned to leave.

Before going, she looked at Wanru.
“You—come with me.”

Wanru nodded obediently and followed.

Outside Ting Shui Pavilion, the Madam warned in a cold voice:
“Today’s matter—if even a single word spreads, I will not spare you or your younger brother.”

Wanru lowered her head.
“Rest assured, Madam. I saw nothing.”

The Madam studied her meek appearance and felt slightly reassured.
“Don’t follow your aunt’s path, involving yourself in disgraceful things that cannot see the light of day.”

Wanru’s eyelashes trembled. She lowered her eyes.
“Yes.”

The Madam left in haste, unwilling to linger.

Wanru, however, stayed outside Wutong Courtyard. Before long, she saw the Third Master storm back in a rage and charge into the courtyard.

Not long after, the Third Madam returned as well.

Clearly still unaware of what had happened, she asked impatiently:
“What’s so urgent that I must come back now? I was keeping Lady Yongchang company—”

But she stopped mid-sentence when her eyes fell on Wanru, standing perfectly unharmed nearby.

The Third Madam’s face stiffened.
“You—you, why are you here?”

Her gaze swept to Ting Shui Pavilion, its doors wide open, and Yuan Zhao nowhere in sight. A surge of panic rose within her.

Wanru curved her lips, her words carrying hidden meaning:
“Didn’t Aunt ask me to come?”

The Third Madam wanted to question her further, but the servant leading her back interrupted:
“Madam, best go in quickly. The Master is waiting.”

The Third Madam had no choice. She shot Wanru a vicious glare before hurrying inside.

Moments later, Suyue came rushing over, flustered.
“My lady! What happened here?”

She had searched everywhere for Wanru, only to hear she was at Wutong Courtyard. Afraid the Third Madam was tormenting her again, she rushed over.

“Where is A-Jin?” Wanru asked at once.

“The young master? He stayed home studying, just as you told him.”

Wanru finally breathed a sigh of relief.
“Good.”

She had told her younger brother not to join the day’s festivities, and he had listened.

Suyue asked urgently, “But my lady, what really happened?”

Wanru’s gaze hardened.
“The Third Madam used A-Jin to lure me here. She wanted to sell me to Yuan Zhao.”

Suyue’s face blanched.
“What?! Then, you—”

Wanru pulled a small packet of powder from her sleeve.
“I always carry this. He couldn’t touch me.”

Since childhood, Wanru had grown up among herbs. Making such powder was no difficulty. After her family’s downfall, she had never felt safe again. She carried it with her for protection.

Thrown in a man’s face, it would burn the eyes unbearably, leaving him blind and incapacitated for three to five days.

She had deliberately feigned weakness, lulling Yuan Zhao into letting down his guard. When he came close, she struck.

A desperate counterattack.

Suyue’s voice trembled.
“Then what about the Third Madam?”

Wanru simply shook her head, her eyes fixed on the tightly shut courtyard doors.

Moments later, the sharp sound of a slap rang out, followed by the Third Master’s furious roar:
“Shameless woman!”

Suyue was stunned.
“T-this is…”

Wanru’s lips curved faintly.
“Come on. The banquet has started. We should join them.”

Suyue dazedly followed.
“Yes…”

The feast was held outside Taoyuan, on the cool terrace.

Wanru found the most inconspicuous seat and sat down.

Xie Xiulin immediately tugged her sleeve.
“I heard a thief broke into the back courtyard, and you caught him! Were you hurt?”

Wanru smiled.
“No, I just shouted, and servants came running to seize him.”

“You’re too brave! You should have stayed far away. What if the thief caught you?”

Wanru squeezed her hand.
“But I’m fine, see?”

From the corner of her eye, Wanru spotted Young Master Lanshan—Lin Han—standing worriedly in the distant woods.

She squeezed Xiulin’s hand lightly.
“I’ll go change clothes and come back soon.”

“Alright.”

Wanru slipped away toward the forest.

“Master Lin.” She bowed politely.

Lin Han hurried to ask, “I heard there was a thief in the residence, and you even encountered him. Are you unharmed?”

The chaos had to be explained away somehow. The official story was that a thief had slipped in.

Wanru smiled.
“I’m safe, thank you for your concern.”

“You’re a delicate girl. Next time, don’t get involved. If the thief had been ruthless, he might have taken your life!” His eyes brimmed with worry.

Wanru nodded gently.
“I was too rash. I’ll remember next time.”

Lin Han sighed.
“You’re too kind-hearted.”

Wanru only smiled. Inwardly, she thought: Kind-hearted? No. I repay every grudge, I scheme, I manipulate. I’ve committed countless ruthless deeds.

At that moment, another commotion stirred at the banquet.

“The eldest young master has returned!” a maid announced joyfully.

The Madam of the House beamed. After today’s endless chaos, finally a piece of good news.
“Xian’er is back.”

Xie Xianyu strode in, bowed.
“Mother.”

“You child. However urgent your cases may be, you should have remembered today’s banquet. So many guests came—how could you be absent?”

Xianyu replied calmly,
“It was my oversight.”

But his gaze swept over the twenty banquet tables, men and women seated separately with only a screen between.

The person he sought was not in sight. His brows furrowed slightly.

The Madam of the House cheerfully pulled Jiang Xuejun forward.
“Xian’er, this is Miss Jiang. You met her at last year’s Dragon Boat Festival banquet in the palace.”

Xie Xianyu glanced at the young woman beside her. His tone was indifferent.
“Miss Jiang.”

Jiang Xuejun’s cheeks flushed. She curtsied.
“Lord Xie.”

The Madam of the House laughed.
“In just a year, she’s grown so accomplished. This child is truly outstanding—brilliant in her learning. In her family, they call her the female zhuangyuan.”

Jiang Xuejun lowered her head shyly.
“Aunt, please don’t tease me. How could I be compared to the real top scholar? Lord Xie is the true zhuangyuan.”

Xie Xianyu’s eyes swept past her, toward the distant peach grove—

And there, among the trees, he finally saw a man and woman standing face to face.