Chapter 16

The next two days were relatively peaceful for the Yang family.  

Master Yang’s anger seemed to have subsided. He no longer sat at home cursing but often went out, returning each time with boxes and cases in hand. Though no one knew what was inside, they appeared to be quite valuable.  

Yang Wen Xu overheard the servants’ gossip and found it inappropriate. He first sought out Yang Sheng for clarification, then approached his father: “Father, accepting gifts from the Zhao family once is one thing, but how can you keep accepting them? When someone offers gifts, they must want something in return. Right now, I’m in mourning at home, without an official position—there’s nothing I can do to help them.”  

Master Yang cleared his throat. “Who said anything about asking you for favors? You’re overthinking it. Brother Zhao simply shares my interests. To be honest, his conduct is far better than that cunning father-in-law of yours.”  

Yang Wen Xu gave him a skeptical look, unconvinced. Master Yang quickly glared and cut him off: “Don’t meddle in your father’s affairs. What are you planning to do about your household? In my opinion, that disgraceful wife of yours should be dealt with. If you can’t bear to part with her, at least send her to the countryside. That way, she won’t bring shame upon the family here, making us all lose face.”  

Yang Wen Xu fell silent.  

Master Yang’s words weren’t entirely baseless. Though Prince Yi’s Residence had acted swiftly and decisively, it was harder to silence gossip than to dam a river. After a brief period of hushed whispers, a new wave of rumors quietly emerged: Was Prince Yi’s Residence acting so ruthlessly out of urgency—or guilt?  

Those who had stirred up trouble had already been arrested, but the lingering unrest was now fueled by public sentiment.  

This wasn’t something that could be resolved by arrests, and the Yang family had no authority to make them anyway.  

Unlike his son’s gloomy expression, Master Yang wore a triumphant smile. “Xu’er, listen to your father. Would I ever harm you? Your mother is buried in the countryside—it’s only fitting for your wife to guard her grave and fulfill her filial duties. It’ll sound better reputation-wise too. After a year or so, when things have settled down, you can bring her back.”  

Yang Wen Xu was slightly surprised.  

His father’s idea wasn’t bad.  

After a moment of hesitation, he said, “I’ll think about it.”  

“What’s there to think about—”  

As Master Yang’s shouts followed him, Yang Wen Xu walked away. Master Yang’s eyes flickered, and he called out to a passing servant: “Fetch Yang Sheng for me.”  

Yang Sheng arrived promptly, smiling obsequiously. “What do you need, Master?”  

Master Yang motioned for him to lean in and began whispering.  

Yang Sheng’s eyes gradually widened, his face paling.  

**  

That afternoon.  

The moment Consort Jiang saw the expression on Yang Wen Xu’s face as he entered the courtyard, she knew he was in a foul mood.  

Five days had passed since the incident. For the Yang family, the situation had not worsened, but neither had it improved. The uncomfortable speculations and whispers lingered in every corner, impossible to erase.  

“Did the young master meet with Prefect Wu today?” Consort Jiang asked cautiously.  

Yang Wen Xu didn’t answer.  

No.  

Since Prince Yi’s Residence had made arrests, the Qingzhou Prefect had not shown his face. A mere rumor case shouldn’t have warranted this—based on his experience in officialdom, Yang Wen Xu sensed something far greater at play, likely connected to the assassination attempt on Prince Yi.  

Because of the prefect’s unusual behavior, the county magistrate had also grown fearful, avoiding involvement in related matters whenever possible and making himself difficult to meet.  

Yang Wen Xu felt as though his hands and feet were bound. Despite his efforts, he still had no grasp of the truth, with no clear path forward.

There was indeed a shortcut—to directly ask Prince Yi. Prince Yi had already returned to the city, and all of this must have been under his command.  

But Yang Wen Xu couldn’t go.  

He didn’t want to give people new gossip to talk about.  

Nor was he willing to lower himself to pay a visit under such circumstances.  

“Where is the mistress?” Yang Wen Xu’s eyes flickered as he suddenly asked.  

“The mistress is inside,” Consort Jiang replied, somewhat puzzled. Since they were already standing in the courtyard, and Lan Yi hadn’t left the house these days, the question seemed redundant and odd.  

Yang Wen Xu ignored her and strode straight into the house.  

Consort Jiang hesitated for a moment before following him.  

Lan Yi was inside, taking her second dose of medicine for the day.  

Originally, her medication frequency had been reduced to once a day, but the trip to Reverence Heaven Temple had undone all the progress.  

Yang Wen Xu sat down and waited for her to finish the medicine.  

Lan Yi handed the empty bowl to Cui Cui and looked up at him. “Does the master have something to say?”  

Yang Wen Xu nodded. After a brief hesitation, he made up his mind. “Pack your things. Tomorrow, I’ll arrange for someone to take you to the countryside for a while.”  

Lan Yi was taken aback.  

Consort Jiang bit her lip, suppressing a gasp that nearly escaped her.  

“The countryside is quieter, better for your health,” Yang Wen Xu softened his tone. “In two or three months, when you’ve recovered, I’ll bring you back.”  

He wanted to say more but couldn’t find the words. Lan Yi, however, smiled and said, “Alright.”  

The two sat in silence for a moment. Seeing that he hadn’t moved, Lan Yi asked, “Is there anything else, master?”  

Her compliance left Yang Wen Xu with no choice but to reply, “No.” Avoiding her gaze, he noticed Consort Jiang and instructed her, “There aren’t enough hands here. You stay and help.”  

Suppressing her thoughts, Consort Jiang quickly responded, “Yes.”  

Once Yang Wen Xu left, the main room became a flurry of activity.  

Cui Cui, who had gone to wash the medicine bowl, returned and was furious upon hearing the news. “How can the mistress go to the countryside in her condition? No, I’ll go argue with the master!”  

Lan Yi stopped her. “No need. The countryside might be better.”  

Life there was simple and peaceful, far better than the endless scheming here, which had grown tiresome.  

“How is it better? There won’t even be a proper doctor—” Cui Cui protested.  

This reminded Consort Jiang. “I’ll send someone to fetch the physician and prepare more medicine. The mistress mustn’t run out.”  

She hurried off, but Cui Cui was incensed by her retreating figure. “She’s up to no good, eager to see the mistress leave. The master said he believed her, yet this is how he acts!”  

Listening, Lan Yi chuckled softly.  

She had already said it—she didn’t trust him.  

**  

Consort Jiang went out to summon Yang Sheng.  

A maid returned with a report: “Steward Yang was hiding in a secluded spot with Aunt Zhou’s maid, Qiu Yue, as if they didn’t want to be seen. I waited a while until Qiu Yue left, then approached him and said you wanted him. He asked what it was about, and when I told him it was to prepare medicine for the mistress, he said he’d come later.”  

Consort Jiang frowned. “What does ‘later’ mean? Why didn’t he come immediately?”  

“I asked him the same, but Steward Yang just said he had matters to attend to and shooed me away. After a few steps, I saw Qiu Yue return, and Steward Yang left with her.”  

Consort Jiang’s expression darkened.  

“He clearly doesn’t respect you,” the maid chimed in. “Even though household affairs have been handed to you, he still sides with Aunt Zhou.”  

Consort Jiang’s face grew even colder.

“They’re sneaking around, who knows what they’re plotting. You should tell the master and have him properly punished to teach him a lesson.”

Consort Jiang didn’t respond, but her steps had already turned toward the courtyard. “Let’s go back first.”

**

Eastern wing of the rear courtyard.

Master Yang was taking his afternoon nap in the bedroom when Aunt Zhou came out to see Yang Sheng.

Qiu Yue stood guard by the door. Yang Sheng knelt on the ground, kowtowing. “Auntie, save me! Please persuade the master—this matter must not be done—”

His voice trembled, sweat beading on his forehead, his entire body radiating fear.

Aunt Zhou frowned deeply. After a long silence, she shook her head. “I can’t save you. We all depend on the master for our livelihood—we’re on his side. You don’t dare ruin his plans, and neither do I.”

Yang Sheng slumped halfway to the ground in defeat. “Then what should I do? If the young master finds out, he won’t dare do anything to the master, but he’ll certainly take it out on me. My life is as good as gone.”

“Have you already bought the things?”

Yang Sheng sighed. “The master pressed me urgently—I truly couldn’t refuse. I took a long detour to a pharmacy in the southern city, but these things are all accounted for. If the authorities get wind of it and investigate, they’ll surely trace it back.”

Qiu Yue, standing guard, couldn’t help but interject softly, “The mistress’s health worsens by the day—why bother?”

“Exactly what I said! I tried to persuade the master too,” Yang Sheng lamented. “But the master said the mistress has been sickly for years, yet that stubborn breath just won’t leave her. Who knows how many more years she’ll linger? What if she gradually recovers? He can’t wait.”

It wasn’t Master Yang who couldn’t wait—it was the Zhao family’s youngest daughter.

They had invested heavily, so Master Yang had to show some “sincerity” in return.

“Auntie, should we tell the mistress?” Qiu Yue’s question snapped Aunt Zhou out of her thoughts.

She shook her head. “We can’t tell her directly.”

They had to keep themselves clean—otherwise, if this failed, she would be the one facing Master Yang’s wrath.

“Find a way to leak it to Consort Jiang,” Aunt Zhou made an unexpected decision.

Yang Sheng was taken aback. “Consort Jiang just sent someone looking for me—will telling her help? She probably hopes the mistress dies too.”

“If she’s smart, she won’t think that way,” Aunt Zhou said. “From what I’ve seen these past few days, she’s not entirely foolish.”

Yang Sheng began to understand. “Alright, I’ll go right away.”

Yang Sheng arrived just in time.

Consort Jiang had prepared matrons and bamboo rods for him. The moment they met, she had him pinned down and given twenty strokes.

“This is the young master’s order. If you disagree, feel free to go lodge a complaint elsewhere,” Consort Jiang declared imperiously.

Yang Sheng began crying out in pain. By the end, he seemed too hurt to even scream, lying motionless on the ground as if unconscious.

Consort Jiang wasn’t experienced in administering such punishments and wasn’t sure if she had injured him badly. After waiting a while, just as she was about to check on him, Yang Sheng finally groaned and stirred. “I dare not complain about your discipline, madam. But I can no longer handle your tasks—I beg for your mercy. Ah—please have someone carry me back.”

Consort Jiang sighed in relief, but her display of authority had been too forceful. Seeing Yang Sheng unable to even crawl, she couldn’t very well order him to fetch a physician now. After a few more reprimands, she had the matrons carry him away.

Yang Sheng lived in the back rooms of the front courtyard.

As he was carried through the compound, news of Head Steward Yang’s beating spread through the estate like birds fluttering their wings.

Master Yang had just woken from his long afternoon nap when he heard the news. Arriving in a huff, he snorted through his nostrils: “How dare she! A mere concubine acting like she owns the place!”

Yang Sheng was deeply moved by Master Yang’s defense. Swallowing his humiliation, he actively persuaded: “Master, let it be. My humble body isn’t worth much—a beating means nothing. Consort Jiang said it was the young master’s orders. It wouldn’t be worth causing conflict between you and him over this.”

Master Yang considered his grand plans and realized this wasn’t the time to provoke his son. Taking the advice, he decided to endure it, though he did curse Consort Jiang vehemently for a while.

Waiting until the tirade ended, Yang Sheng, drenched in cold sweat and barely alive, said weakly: “Master, please calm your anger. That matter you previously instructed me about… I can no longer accomplish it. Perhaps we should just drop it.”

“Drop what?” Master Yang grew irritated again. “Useless! A few lashes and you’re already down!”

He berated Yang Sheng some more, but seeing his condition clearly rendered him incapable of solving problems, Master Yang had no choice but to take the “item” back, tucking it into his sleeve while muttering curses as he left.

After he departed, Aunt Zhou, who had been monitoring the situation, arrived.

“You’re quite lucky.”

Yang Sheng nodded weakly from his pillow, his expression less pained now, with a bit more strength in his voice: “Thanks to your guidance, Aunt.”

“Was the beating severe? I’ll have a physician examine you.”

“Thank you, Aunt, but there’s no rush.” Yang Sheng quietly recounted what had happened earlier. “—Consort Jiang didn’t give me a chance to speak. The master took the item, so this matter likely isn’t over. What should we do next?”

Aunt Zhou fell silent for a moment. “Neither of us can intervene further.”

Yang Sheng agreed: “Fine. At least I’ve extricated myself halfway. If they trace it back to me, I’ll insist it was just for poisoning rats—I had no idea the master intended other uses.”

Worried about Master Yang discovering them, Aunt Zhou dared not linger. Nodding, she said, “Rest and recover,” then left with Qiu Yue.

On their way back, they unexpectedly encountered Ling Zi. The simple-minded girl seemed oblivious to her mistress’s troubles, squatting by the inner gate weaving grass bracelets.

Aunt Zhou paused.

Qiu Yue urged, “Aunt.”

“Auntie, hello!” Ling Zi turned her head, grinning. Having squatted too long, her legs were numb, and she staggered slightly when standing.

“Why aren’t you helping the madam pack? What are you doing here?” Aunt Zhou asked.

“Sister Cui Cui sent me to wait for the madam’s medicine,” Ling Zi replied. “We’re leaving tomorrow. If it doesn’t arrive soon, we might be delayed.”

Aunt Zhou’s eyes flickered. “That might not be such a bad thing.”

Ling Zi tilted her head innocently. “Huh?”

Aunt Zhou offered no explanation and ignored her, quickening her pace.

“Aunt, that silly girl probably didn’t understand your kindness…” Qiu Yue murmured once they were farther away.

Beyond the inner gate lay the Yang family’s main residence. Aunt Zhou glanced toward the main house before withdrawing her gaze. “Then we can only leave it to their luck.”

Author’s Note:

Soon, soon. The thunderbolt to strike down that scoundrel father is on its way.