Chapter 12

“Aunt Zhou, what do you mean?” Cui Cui suppressed her panic and demanded sharply, “Your words make no sense at all—no one can understand them!”

Aunt Zhou’s smile remained unchanged: “Don’t be anxious. I mean no harm—otherwise, I wouldn’t have come alone. Isn’t that right, Madam?”

Lan Yi watched her quietly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Aunt Zhou’s smile faded slightly: “Madam truly has remarkable composure.”

Only then did Lan Yi speak: “If you have something to say, say it. Whether you say it here or go outside and tell others is entirely up to you.”

“Madam misunderstands me. I don’t wish to harm you,” Aunt Zhou said earnestly. “I only wish to ask for your help.”

Cui Cui was straightforward but not foolish. Suppressing her anger, she retorted, “You’re trying to blackmail Madam—don’t think you’ll succeed! Madam is perfectly fine. That dress was just accidentally torn outside—nothing happened!”

Aunt Zhou, heavy with child, couldn’t stand for long and slowly sat back down, her posture weary yet languid: “Girl, don’t be stubborn. The dress might have been torn, but can the fingerprints beneath it also be from tearing? What table corner or tree branch could be so discerning?”

Cui Cui’s eyes widened abruptly, her lips trembling. She wanted to refute, even to pin the blame on Yang Wen Xu, but in the end, she couldn’t bring herself to speak.

It would be too easily exposed.

Shaking her head, Aunt Zhou pressed further: “And don’t say it was the master. I’ve inquired—when the master returned yesterday, he wasn’t angry. With such heavy rain, it’s unlikely there’d be any conflict on the road. Besides, those marks don’t look like they came from a proper husband and wife. Though I only glanced—” She laughed, not in triumph but almost self-deprecatingly, “After all, I came from that kind of place. I’ve seen enough not to mistake it.”

Clack.

The sound of Cui Cui’s teeth chattering. She stared fixedly, wishing she could tear Aunt Zhou apart, and hated herself for being so careless—how could she have let her near Lan Yi yesterday?

Lan Yi spoke: “What do you want from me?”

Aunt Zhou’s eyes brightened as she leaned forward: “For Madam, it’s a trifling matter—and one that’s rightfully yours. I only ask that Madam step forward to reclaim the household accounts from Consort Jiang’s hands, and then show me some leniency.”

So, Lan Yi had already relinquished most of the household affairs, but the accounts had dragged on and still hadn’t been fully handed over to Consort Jiang. With incomplete records, Consort Jiang couldn’t properly reconcile or recover the missing sums.

Lan Yi seemed to understand: “You mismanaged the accounts? How much?”

“Three hundred taels—”

“That much?!” Even Cui Cui, who had been grinding her teeth in anger, was startled by the amount. “How long were you even in charge?”

When Madam Yang was still active, she would never have handed over control to a concubine like Aunt Zhou. So Aunt Zhou couldn’t have managed the household for more than half a year. Based on the Yang family’s current expenses, they spent about a hundred and fifty taels a year. Yet in just half a year, Aunt Zhou had managed to lose two years’ worth of funds. Anyone would be shocked to hear it.

After all, three hundred taels was enough to bribe the Taoist priests at Reverence Heaven Temple into revealing Prince Yi’s whereabouts—it was no small sum.

“Madam, let me explain—it wasn’t greed. There’s a reason—”

Aunt Zhou smiled apologetically as she explained, “To be honest with you, madam, I was fortunate enough to be redeemed by Master Yang from the brothel, but I still have a younger sister trapped there with no way out. I secretly went to negotiate with the madam. Since my sister is still young, the madam was reluctant to let her go. Seeing that I’ve married into a good family, she demanded an exorbitant price—five hundred taels of silver. Swallowing my pride, I bargained for several months until the madam finally agreed to lower it to three hundred taels, but not a single coin less. Taking advantage of the large sums of money being spent during the mistress’s funeral, when Master Yang wasn’t paying close attention, I boldly diverted the funds to redeem my sister.”

Hearing this, Cui Cui was half-convinced. “Then why didn’t you just ask Master Yang? Why drag the madam into covering this shortfall?”

Aunt Zhou gave a bitter smile. “My dear girl, Master Yang’s money doesn’t fall from the sky.” She quickly added, “I’m not asking the madam to cover it—just to give me some time. By the end of the year at the latest, I’ll make up the deficit.”

Lan Yi remained silent.

She was thinking—had this happened in her past life? Perhaps, but she hadn’t known about it.

Back then, she had wandered aimlessly around the Yang household, witnessing Aunt Zhou and Consort Jiang bickering over household accounts. Finding it tedious, she had drifted elsewhere.

At that time, the lingering scent of realgar wine still hung in the air around the estate. Preoccupied with her own troubles, she had feared manifesting like the monsters in stories, attracting exorcists or Taoist priests—

Ah, but the timing was different.

In her previous life, when Consort Jiang had wrested control of the household from Aunt Zhou, it had already been after the Dragon Boat Festival.

This time, the conflict between them had erupted much earlier. And because Lan Yi was still alive, Yang Wen Xu had the confidence to fight for control of the household, acting far sooner.

For Aunt Zhou, this had caught her completely off guard. Her usual tactic of delay had limited effect and was nearing its limit. If she couldn’t produce the money soon, the deficit would be discovered, and her position would be in jeopardy.

—As for whether Master Yang’s so-called affection was worth three hundred taels, Aunt Zhou clearly had a sober understanding of its true value.

Aunt Zhou looked at her hopefully.

In her mind, this wasn’t an unreasonable request. If Lan Yi demanded the accounts, Consort Jiang would have no choice but to comply—this was, after all, the outcome Yang Wen Xu wanted. With his backing, it was a done deal. Lan Yi merely had to speak up.

She watched in disbelief as Lan Yi shook her head.

“I can’t agree to this,” Lan Yi said. “Find another way.”

Aunt Zhou froze.

Unwilling to accept it, she pressed, “Madam, are you afraid I’ll take advantage? I swear this is my only request. Now that you hold this over me, if you’re still uneasy, I’ll even swear an oath.”

“Fine,” Lan Yi agreed, testing her casually. “Swear on the child in your womb. If you lie, you’ll never have the chance to be its mother.”

“…” Aunt Zhou’s pupils dilated for a moment, her lips trembling as if in shock. “Madam, you’re such a gentle and refined person—how could you be so cruel?”

Lan Yi nodded. “Very well, no need for the oath then.”

She signaled for Cui Cui to see the guest out.

Aunt Zhou was forced to stand but refused to leave. Gritting her teeth, she said, “Fine, I’ll swear it. After all, my conscience is clear—I’ve never intended to harm you, madam—”

Lan Yi watched her.

Following custom, Aunt Zhou raised two fingers. “If I harbor any ill will toward the madam, may my child—”

“It’s not that,” Lan Yi said slowly. “It’s ‘if you speak even half a lie.'”

Aunt Zhou fell silent.

…

Aunt Zhou left.

In the end, she did not take the oath.

Cui Cui, both panicked and furious, paced around the room. “She sounded so convincing, I almost believed her—and it was all a lie! Mistress, what do we do now?”

Lan Yi replied, “The deficit is real.”

But how the deficit came about was now in question.

She didn’t know if this was part of the chain of karma—her rebirth had altered some events, and those changes linked together like interlocking rings, looping back onto her. It felt inevitable, and she had little desire to resist.

The worst outcome was nothing more than a “death by illness.” That wouldn’t be so bad.

Being a ghost might not be worse than being human.

**

The truth came to light faster than Lan Yi had expected.

That very afternoon, the doors and windows of Lan Yi’s main chamber were sealed shut—on Master Yang’s direct orders.

Lan Yi could hear him raging outside: “Who would’ve thought my Yang family would be disgraced like this! Lu Jiatian raised such a daughter—he owes me an explanation!”

—Lu Jiatian was Lan Yi’s father, Master Lu.

Master Yang continued his tirade. At first, Cui Cui pounded on the door, trying to argue back, but gradually her face turned deathly pale. She could no longer stand straight and collapsed to the floor.

Finally, Aunt Zhou’s voice chimed in, attempting to soothe him: “Master, don’t be so angry. The matter isn’t fully clear yet. Let’s wait until the young master returns before deciding anything. You mustn’t harm your health over this…”

After a while, Master Yang finally stomped away, his heavy footsteps echoing: “I’m going to settle this with Lu Jiatian! That bastard raised a fine daughter—can’t bear children, but sure knows how to sneak around—!”

His words lingered in the air like a curse.

“How dare they slander you like this…!” Cui Cui wailed in fury.

Lan Yi remained seated in her chair, unmoving.

“Madam,” Aunt Zhou’s voice called from outside the door, cautious and hesitant, “Madam, can you hear me? I need to speak with you.”

“Speak to your damned ancestors!” Cui Cui, too enraged to cry, scrambled up and slammed her fists against the door, wishing she could tear it down and attack. “You vile woman! What grudge does Mistress have against you? How could you frame her like this? You’ll go to hell—the Hell of Tongue Removal!”

“Oh, you misunderstand, child. It wasn’t me who spread this,” Aunt Zhou insisted urgently. “What good would it do me to harm Madam? I wanted her help, not to make an enemy of her.”

She added, “Tell Madam that the rumors started outside. Someone from Consort Jiang’s household heard it while out shopping and reported it back to her. Then it reached the master’s ears.”

Cui Cui refused to believe it: “Started outside? Impossible!”

“It’s true,” Aunt Zhou said, stamping her foot lightly. “I sent someone to investigate too. They say Madam and Prince Yi were seen at Reverence Heaven Temple—ah, I didn’t even know who the man was at first. Even if I had, how would I dare to drag a noble prince into such gossip? So it truly has nothing to do with me. I’m only telling you now so you can think of a way out while there’s still time. Any later, and it might be too late.”

“…”

Cui Cui felt as though she’d been struck by lightning, her entire body numb. She slumped back to the floor. “Think of a way? When it’s already spread this far? What way is left…?” she sobbed.

Outside the door, Aunt Zhou paused, her voice tinged with shock and curiosity: “Did the mistress really… with Prince Yi—?”

“No, nothing at all! The mistress is innocent!” Cui Cui shouted angrily.

But her denial wasn’t convincing because there was indeed “something.” Aunt Zhou had seen it with her own eyes and had confirmed it from the reactions of Lan Yi and her maid during earlier negotiations.

Aunt Zhou covered her lips with a handkerchief, coughed lightly, and glanced around. Several servants had gathered outside the courtyard gate to watch the commotion, and from the moon gate of Consort Jiang’s side courtyard, people were peeking curiously. Aunt Zhou narrowed her charming eyes and swept her gaze over them, causing the onlookers to retreat slightly.

Then she said, “Mistress, come closer. I have something to say to you.”

She had already said this once before. This time, Lan Yi finally stood up and walked to the door. “Speak,” she said.

“I know someone who’s been spreading rumors outside. He doesn’t have a proper livelihood and occasionally comes to mooch off my maid because they’re distantly related. Earlier, I sent someone out to inquire, and he happened to show up,” Aunt Zhou whispered. “He was bragging, saying someone paid him to spread those scandalous tales. If he worked hard, he could spread them quickly and widely—and earn more money later.”

Lan Yi fell silent for a moment. So, this wasn’t directed at her. She couldn’t have provoked such an enemy. “If he slanders me, fine. But to smear Prince Yi—doesn’t he fear Prince Yi coming after him?”

Aunt Zhou almost laughed. She no longer considered this slander. The frail, perpetually sickly mistress of the household had somehow managed to bewitch Prince Yi into breaking his vows.

She masked her amusement with a sigh. “Mistress, you don’t understand people like him. They’re idle, reckless, and live day by day. Once they get money, they might disappear for years. A noble like Prince Yi wouldn’t bother keeping track of such insignificant ants. So, no, he’s not afraid.”

Lan Yi remained silent.

Hearing no response, Aunt Zhou tightened her grip on the handkerchief and continued in a hushed voice, “I’m telling you about this man for two reasons. First, if you still want to live, you might find a way to use him. Second, since he’s connected to me, I dare not hide it completely. I’m not like those ruffians—I have a home and responsibilities. I just want to give birth safely and live peacefully afterward.”

Cui Cui, pressed against the door, instinctively retorted, “I don’t trust you. Who knows what you’re really planning?”

“I won’t do anything,” Aunt Zhou chuckled. “If you want conditions, my offer remains the same—consider this extra sincerity. Oh, and I’ve only told you about this man. He’s the one ruining the Yang family’s reputation. If the master or the young master questions me, I won’t admit to knowing him.”

Cui Cui wiped her tears and murmured blankly, “Mistress…”

She didn’t think Lan Yi could do anything in this situation but instinctively sought her guidance.

“Mistress, think it over. But you don’t have much time. Earlier, the young master couldn’t refuse the Zhao family’s pleas and went out with them to seek Prince Yi’s Residence’s favor—to get a guarantee of ‘no trouble.’ Once the young master returns—”

Aunt Zhou did not finish her words, leaving behind a long and dreadful aftertaste as she slowly descended the steps, supporting her waist.

Before leaving, she cast a tense glance toward the door secured with a heavy lock.