Chapter 36: The Guests Catching Roosters

Everyone quickly sprang into action, mostly in family groups, allowing them to look after their unmarried daughters while enjoying the hunt for the treasure.

Old Madam Meng had already seated herself next to the eldest matron of the Meng family.

Upon hearing the arrangement, the eldest matron of the Meng family frowned slightly. After scanning the room and not spotting Meng Xiang, she lowered her voice and asked Old Madam Meng:

“Why haven’t we seen Xiang’er? Have someone tell her not to do anything foolish today, or else it will be discovered.”

Old Mrs. Meng comforted her, saying, “Mother, don’t worry. There are so many people here today, they won’t be that careless.”

But Mrs. Meng still wasn’t at ease, so Old Mrs. Meng instructed Nanny Zhang to go find Meng Xiang and remind her.

Nanny Zhang took her orders, lowered her eyes slightly, and stepped out.

Before long, most people had gathered to join the excitement, leaving only some elderly individuals and young children behind, along with Zhou Huajin and Fang Zhenzhen.

The whispered discussions and strange glances from the crowd caused them to lose face, making it hard for them to muster any enthusiasm.

Meanwhile, Mr. Chen had announced the news in the area where most of the male guests were gathered.

Soon, the entire household became lively.

Qin Xuan had already realized the purpose behind the game set by the Chen family.

Madam Meng and the son-in-law of the Chen family probably didn’t know about this.

As Qin Xuan left with a familiar lady, she wondered what else she could do about it.

Fang Yuean, walking quickly, led everyone in one direction.

“Catch the rooster! Catch the rooster! Catch the rooster!”

“Madam Meng and the Chen family’s son-in-law are meeting secretly in the back garden. Someone is likely to catch them. Aunt Chen must have a plan.”

“I’ll go catch the rooster. I’ll get orchids for Mother, calligraphy for Big Brother, and a little dog for Er’er.”

“And embroidery for Sister Xu.”

Er’er looked at Fang Yuean, her eyes sparkling, and smiled slightly.

Huai Ze had told her not to casually insert herself into their conversations or let anyone know she could hear their thoughts, as it wouldn’t be good for Fang Yuean or herself.

Er’er obediently followed this advice.

Suddenly, Er’er said, “Mother, I want to go over there,” pointing toward the back garden.

But Fang Yuean didn’t hear her and was focused on going in the opposite direction.

Mrs. Xu, noticing this, said kindly, “Our group is so large, we might scare even a tiger. It would be better to split up. I’ll follow her with A Yin, and you take Er’er and Miaoyi to the other side.”

Qin Xuan agreed, “Alright.” She turned to the other ladies, “Then please choose your direction.”

In the end, only Mrs. Cao stayed with Qin Xuan, and the other three ladies left with Mrs. Xu.

After the two groups split, Qin Xuan and Mrs. Cao chatted casually.

They weren’t very familiar, so they started by discussing their children with whom they had some connection.

Qin Xuan was happy to hear that Cao Yaxian had fully recovered.

“After some time, Zhiyi will return, and I’ll send an invitation. If Miss Cao is willing, she can meet Zhiyi. As young ladies, they can share their thoughts and talk about things they wouldn’t tell us. It will help them feel better.”

Thinking about what Fang Yuean had mentioned regarding her eldest daughter, Qin Xuan couldn’t help but feel pain in her heart and her eyes welled up.

Everyone in the capital knew about the incident at the poetry gathering involving Fang Zhiyi, and Mrs. Cao was no exception.

She sighed, “These two sisters really have hard lives.” Then, forcing a smile, she added, “But it’s all in the past now. Things will get better in the future.”

Qin Xuan nodded, pursing her lips.

The two of them followed Fang Shuer through the moon gate.

After a brief silence, Mrs. Cao saw that Qin Xuan still looked worried, and she guessed that something might have happened to Fang Zhiyi. Since Qin Xuan didn’t bring it up, she didn’t want to ask directly. Instead, she said,

“Sister Qin, I’m sure Xunlihas already told you the details about Yaxian’s situation, so I won’t say more. In any case, our family is very grateful. If you ever need our Cao family’s help in the future, feel free to ask.”

Qin Xuan waved her hand with a smile, “It was just a coincidence. You don’t need to worry about it. As for that wooden carving… I really feel ashamed.” She seemed a bit embarrassed, “It’s just the words of a child; don’t take it too seriously.”

She had to say this to protect Fang Yuean.

Mrs. Cao smiled in response but didn’t think the same.

She knew exactly how her daughter had been back then.

The miracle of her daughter’s recovery, as well as the cure for the illness left by her postpartum period, couldn’t have been a coincidence.

And her granddaughter’s scar, which had never been able to grow hair, was shrinking at a visible speed every day.

Qin Xuan wouldn’t acknowledge it, but Mrs. Cao understood her reasons and didn’t continue the conversation.

After thinking for a moment, Mrs. Cao couldn’t help but say, “Last time at your family’s recognition banquet, I didn’t see that many people gathered around Mrs. Xu. But now that the Lin family’s matter has broken out and the truth about the harm done to Mr. Xu is out in the open, everyone guesses that the Xu family will soon be highly valued by the emperor. So now, they’re all trying to ingratiate themselves.”

Mrs. Cao was straightforward and usually said whatever came to mind without worrying about it getting back to the main party.

Earlier, she hadn’t wanted to make things difficult for Mrs. Xu, so she didn’t make any mocking comments then.

Speaking of this, Qin Xuan couldn’t help but ask, “Do you know how the Lin family’s case is progressing?”

There had been so many people earlier that she didn’t get the chance to speak privately with Mrs. Xu, and their side hadn’t gone to court, so they weren’t up to date on the latest news.

Mrs. Cao searched her mind for a few words, finding something useful from her husband’s complaints after court.

She leaned closer to Qin Xuan and lowered her voice, “This case has implicated quite a few people. Under the emperor’s supervision, the Ministry of Justice has been working on overturning wrongful convictions lately. With the evidence collected by Lord Xu ahead of time, the case is progressing quite quickly.”

“As more cases are uncovered, the Lin father and son’s crimes are becoming more numerous. It’s hard to keep track of them all. I heard the emperor is furious and plans to bring back the use of torture to punish the two of them.”

“Also, Lin Xu will pay for his crimes with his life, and the rest of the Lin family will be thoroughly investigated. Anyone involved in bribery and corruption will certainly not escape punishment.”

Qin Xuan listened attentively.

At that moment, urgent footsteps sounded from another path.

Several young men followed a maid dressed in clothes with a fortune pattern, walking quickly and passing by in a gust of wind.

Mrs. Cao clapped her hands, “Oh, I almost forgot what I was supposed to do! Too bad, An An went to the other side.”

She immediately urged the maid to take out the rope and tie up her sleeves.

As she spoke, she added, “Qin Xuan, let’s hurry and follow. We might catch a lucky break.”

Qin Xuan smiled in response, thinking to herself that it seemed Cao Yaxian’s personality was just like her mother’s.

As the maid led several young masters, they were nearing the back garden’s rockery when she quietly cautioned:

“Behind the rockery, there’s a wall that leads to the street outside. If the rooster climbs up the rockery, please, gentlemen, be careful. If the rooster escapes, it’s not a big deal, but if any of you fall and get hurt, that would be problematic.”

The young masters murmured in agreement, eager to quicken their pace.

Though they weren’t particularly interested in the game, the prize was simply too tempting.

As they passed through the gate, they collided head-on with a group of ladies who had also just entered from the opposite side.

Beside them was another maid dressed in clothes with the fortune pattern.

After a brief moment of surprise, both groups quickly became urgent, scattering in all directions, chasing and searching for any sign of the rooster.

Inside the rockery, the two people, lost in their own world, suddenly paused as they faintly heard the noise from outside. Their movements slowed, and their thoughts became completely clear, yet they did not separate.

Meng Xiang, with her ears straining, softly asked, “Why do I feel like the noise outside has grown louder?”