Chapter 192

When Madam Zhang stepped into the Tang family home, she was led to the flower hall. After drinking two pots of tea, her stomach was uncomfortably full, yet none of the Tang family’s masters appeared.

As time passed, Madam Zhang’s heart sank. Could it be that Wang Yuan’er, that girl, was right? Was the Tang family deliberately avoiding her?

Madam Zhang glanced toward the doorway, where a maid stood, her eyes fixed downward, silent and unresponsive.

Feeling a sharp pain in her stomach, Madam Zhang couldn’t hold back any longer and stood up. The maid finally looked over.

“Take me to the restroom,” Madam Zhang demanded as she approached.

The maid’s eyes flashed with disdain, but she still led Madam Zhang to the restroom used by the Tang family’s servants.

Sitting on the toilet, Madam Zhang was pondering how to request an audience with Old Madam Tang. Just as she finished fastening her pants, she overheard a conversation outside.

“It’s hilarious. Who does she think she is, daring to request an audience with the old madam and the lady of the house? She even claims to be the third young master’s mother-in-law. What a joke!”

“People from small households just don’t understand proper etiquette. Even a concubine’s maid isn’t as lowly as her, yet she dares to call herself a mother-in-law.”

“Exactly. She’s just a nobody, thinking she’s some kind of phoenix.”

Madam Zhang trembled with rage. She flung open the restroom door and stormed out. “You little brats, who are you talking about?!”

The two maids exchanged glances, and the one dressed in pink said mockingly, “Oh, clearly someone doesn’t know proper manners, eavesdropping from behind like that.”

Madam Zhang laughed angrily and retorted, “Eavesdropping? You’re the ones gossiping behind people’s backs! Is this what passes for manners in the Tang family? Fine, I’ll go and talk to the old madam about this!”

“Bah!” scoffed the maid in blue. “Do you think someone of your kind can see the old matriarch just because you want to? The fact that you were let in the door is already a great favor.”

“You—you! I am the mother of your Tang family’s concubine! Don’t you fear punishment for your disrespectful words?” Madam Zhang pointed at her, her eyes wide and fury.

“Concubine?” The maid in blue smirked and turned to the maid in pink. “Do we have a concubine surnamed Wang in the Tang family? Why haven’t I heard of her?”

“I haven’t heard of her either. She must be here by mistake,” the maid in pink replied.

Already frustrated from waiting, Madam Zhang’s anger boiled over as she listened to their sarcastic remarks. Her vision went red, and she stepped forward, raising her hand to slap one of them. “You little brats! How dare you spout nonsense. You’ve got some nerve!”

With a loud slap, the maid was caught off guard and struck squarely across the face. She screamed, “She hit me! Some crazy old woman just hit me!”

This remark only added fuel to Madam Zhang’s fury, and she raised her hand to strike again.

“Stop!” A stern voice cut through the commotion.

A stern voice rang out, and Madam Zhang turned to see a well-dressed but unfamiliar older woman approaching.

“Nanny Rong, you must stand up for us!” The two maids immediately rushed forward, eagerly complaining about Madam Zhang.

Madam Zhang was furious. “You’re twisting the truth! It was you two little brats spreading malicious gossip and slandering Concubine Wang!”

“Madam Wang, whether or not these maids were speaking out of turn, this is the Tang family’s household. Disciplining the maids is not something an outsider like you has the right to do,” Nanny Rong said with a cold smile, looking at Madam Zhang as if she were a clown.

“Outsider? I am—” Madam Zhang began but then paused, glaring at the older woman. “Who are you?”

“Who I am doesn’t matter. What matters is that you, Madam Wang, are causing a scene in the Tang family’s home. And as for this so-called Concubine Wang, there’s no such person in the Tang household. Guards, escort Madam Wang out. If she disturbs the masters, you’ll all be held accountable,” Nanny Rong commanded, waving her hand. Two sturdy older women immediately stepped forward, grabbing Madam Zhang by the arms.

“You dare! I am the mother-in-law of the Tang family’s third young master! How dare you disrespect me? I’ll have the third young master sell you all off!” Madam Zhang shouted.

“How dare you!” Nanny Rong barked. “Slap her!”

Smack! Smack!

Madam Zhang’s face was struck twice, the force so strong that her cheeks immediately swelled.

“Young Master Tang’s mother-in-law is only one person, and that is the mother of our Third Madam, Madam Rong, the mistress of the Rong family. Who do you think you are, daring to call yourself Young Master Tang’s mother-in-law? Utterly ridiculous.” Nanny Rong pointed at her coldly and said, “Not to mention your daughter is currently just a maid. Even if she were elevated to the status of a concubine, she would still be nothing more than a dog under our Third Madam. Who do you think you are, daring to spout such nonsense?”

“You, you…”

“What are you all standing around for? Hurry up and drive this person out. Her nonsense is polluting the ears of the masters.” Nanny Rong gave another order, stepped closer, and looked at Madam Zhang coldly, saying, “For the sake of your daughter, I advise you to be sensible. Otherwise, prepare to collect her corpse!”

Madam Zhang was horrified. Her face changed drastically, and she didn’t dare utter a single word until she was thrown out of the Tang family gate. The cold wind blew, and Madam Zhang shivered, looking at the corner gate as if staring at some terrifying beast.

The Tang family—even the servants are so ruthless. Min’er, could Min’er possibly be safe?

The Tang family.

Madam Rong heard about the incident and sneered a few times, saying, “Make sure this matter reaches that little wench’s ears. I want to see what kind of trouble she stirs up. Hopefully, she’ll get rid of the bastard in her belly.”

“She didn’t believe it. That little wench Wang Min’er could hear about her own father getting into trouble and still remain indifferent. Once she gets agitated, if something happens to the little bastard in her belly, it would have nothing to do with her anymore!

Madam Zhang stumbled back to the Wang family, her face still marked with two clear handprints. The sight shocked everyone, and when Wang Yuan’er saw her desolate state, she immediately knew Madam Zhang had returned empty-handed.

As expected, Madam Zhang recounted her humiliating experience at the Tang household in the main hall, leaving Grandpa and Grandma with grim expressions.

“Father, Mother, what should we do? I’m afraid Min’er will suffer,” Madam Zhang said, trembling, the image of Nanny Rong’s menacing face filling her with dread.

Wang Yuan’er frowned as she listened. Based on Madam Zhang’s account, she had a good idea of the nanny’s background. If this person was indeed from the Rong family, Wang Min’er’s situation was truly dire.

With her son thrown into prison, Grandma Wang had no energy left to worry about Wang Min’er. Hearing Madam Zhang’s concerns, she could only say, “Whether it’s fortune or misfortune depends on her own fate. After all, you all chose this path back then.”

Madam Zhang’s face turned pale, and she sat dejectedly on the bench, not speaking for a long time.

Having returned unsuccessfully from seeking help from the Tang family, Wang Er could not be left unattended. Wang Yuan’er, according to their prior discussions, went to find Cui Yuan. She first approached Shopkeeper Yu of Qingfeng Garden to ask about his whereabouts, but Shopkeeper Yu was unaware. She then went to the yamen and searched for two consecutive days but still could not meet him, leaving her quite anxious.

Finally, on the third day, Cui Yuan came to her.

“I heard you were looking for me?”

Wang Yuan’er was pleasantly surprised to see him in person and began pouring tea and smiling, making Cui Yuan raise an eyebrow.

“Master Cui, we know we’re troubling you, but we truly have no other choice,” Grandpa Wang said eagerly, rushing forward with Grandma Wang when they heard Cui Yuan had arrived.

“If Master Cui can save our second son, I, this old woman, am willing to offer a longevity memorial tablet in your honor,” Grandma Wang said as she knelt before Cui Yuan.

Startled, Cui Yuan stepped aside quickly, reaching out to assist her, saying, “Please, elder, stand up. I can’t accept this.” At the same time, he glanced at Wang Yuan’er.

Wang Yuan’er quickly said, “Grandmother, please get up. Don’t put him in an awkward position.”

Grandma Wang was helped to her feet by Grandpa Wang. Wang Yuan’er said, “Grandfather, Grandmother, I’m here. You both should go rest for now. You haven’t had proper rest these past days; go sit inside the house.”

Grandma Wang was reluctant, but Grandpa Wang noticed his granddaughter’s subtle cue and persuaded her and Madam Zhang to return to the main room to wait.

Only then did Cui Yuan sit down and say, “You’re looking for me about your Second Uncle’s matter, right?”

Wang Yuan’er was taken aback. “You know?”

“I’ve heard about it.” Cui Yuan had just returned from the capital a few days ago, and upon arrival, he came across this matter. He had even taken a trip to the yamen to sort through it.

“We… we really have no other options,” Wang Yuan’er said with an embarrassed look. “My Second Uncle is guilty, and, fortunately, this issue was exposed early. Otherwise, if that batch of timber had been used, it truly would have been a disaster.”

Cui Yuan nodded. The poor quality of the timber meant it was a critical problem. If it had been used to build the dike and the dike failed, the consequences would have been unthinkable—as evidenced by a similar event in Yuhang a few years ago.

“Everyone has their selfish motives. My family only has my Second Uncle as its main support. My grandparents are old and can’t bear the pain of losing another son. Young Master Cui, I know my Second Uncle is guilty, but… could you help us mediate a little?” Wang Yuan’er bowed to him respectfully.

“Please sit down,” Cui Yuan said, raising his hand and siping tea. “I’ve reviewed the case. Wang Er embezzled a small amount of silver and has confessed to his crimes. As long as we locate Zhang Dapeng and Lin Biao, saving your Second Uncle won’t be difficult.”

Wang Yuan’er was delighted upon hearing this. “Is that true?” she asked.

Since entering, Cui Yuan had noticed her furrowed brows. Now that they were relaxed, her entire expression appeared radiant and pleasant. He couldn’t help but say, “You really don’t look good when you frown.”

Wang Yuan’er was startled by his remark. She blushed, coughed lightly, and replied, “But Zhang Dapeng has gone missing. To be honest, he was just the middleman—is there really a need to run away?”

Cui Yuan’s gaze sharpened, and he began rubbing the knuckles of his right hand with his left—an unconscious habit of his when deep in thought, as those familiar with him would know.

Wang Yuan’er couldn’t discern the underlying significance, but Cui Yuan could tell there was something unusual about the situation. Determining the specifics would require further investigation.

“The yamen officials have already issued a wanted notice,” Cui Yuan said. “He’ll be found eventually. For now, though, your Second Uncle will have to endure some hardship.”

Wang Yuan’er quickly responded, “There’s no real hardship in this. My Second Uncle made mistakes, so he deserves punishment. This opportunity will just teach him a valuable lesson.”

Learning that Wang Er’s life was not in danger, she felt relieved. As long as he stayed alive, what were a few minor injuries? It would serve as a lesson he wouldn’t forget, deterring him from acting recklessly in the future.

“You really are willing to sacrifice family for justice,” Cui Yuan remarked, raising an eyebrow.

Wang Yuan’er blushed slightly and pursed her lips before saying, “It’s just that regarding the punishment, I’d like to trouble Master Cui to handle it delicately.” She pulled out five ingots of silver from her sleeve and placed them in front of him.

Cui Yuan was briefly stunned but suddenly laughed. “Are you bribing me?”

Just as Wang Yuan’er was about to respond, Wang Qing’er entered with someone, saying they were here to see Cui Yuan.

Cui Yuan appeared a little surprised when he saw the person. They leaned in and whispered a few words into his ear, causing Cui Yuan to frown and look over at Wang Yuan’er.