CHAPTER 108: CHAPTER 108: FATE (2)

Who knew she hadn’t finished speaking before Tong Xiyan interrupted her: "You know that Third Master Ren is no good, a wastrel; how could Madam Wang be unaware? But she doesn’t care about that. What she wants is for Third Sister to marry into a noble family, become a high-ranking Young Madam. As for how the husband is, isn’t it all about skill?"

Xiqiu was stunned, thinking Tong Xiyan’s words, though crudely put, were quite true. What she could hear, how could Madam Wang be ignorant of it? Yet she didn’t care in the slightest; all she wanted was wealth and luxury, believing that a man’s virtues were simply a test of a woman’s ability to keep his heart.

She must have imparted all her lifelong knowledge to Tong Xiyang.

Xiqiu sat in the chair, her heart weighed down like a stone. Thinking of Sixing and Siliu, she asked Xinzhu: "Did you check the outer court, are Sixing and Siliu okay?"

Xinzhu replied: "Checked. Manager Lai merely instructed Nanny Duan and the two girls to stay in separate rooms, saying they’ll wait for instructions from the Master and Lady before making a decision."

Xiqiu nodded; not yet decided, she still had a chance!

Tong Xiyan also slumped down apologetically to Xiqiu: "It’s all my fault, implicating you!" He then patted his chest and promised: "Don’t worry, once the guests in front leave, I’ll plead with Mother to release them."

Fortunately, amidst the calamity stirred by Tong Xiyang, the slip-up involving her and Tong Xiyan went unnoticed, perhaps intentionally or because Lady was too busy to care about it, and so it was easily buried. During the day, the mansion remained tranquil. Lady and First Master saw off the guests, but at night, all the courtyards were locked, and the main courtyard was filled with chaos all night.

First Master, in a towering rage, questioned Tong Xiyang: "I just ask you, why did you go to the outer court, and why did you jump into the river?"

Tong Xiyang knelt on the ground, face as white as paper, and surreptitiously glanced at Madam Wang, but First Master slammed the table and shouted: "What’s the point of looking at her, speak!"

This time even Madam Wang was shocked. In all her years in the mansion, she had never seen First Master so angry.

Tong Xiyang whimpered and cried, kneeling on the ground: "Father’s emotions, I only wanted to find Third Brother in the outer yard. I fell into the river accidentally while crossing it, not like the servant said, I didn’t jump in!"

Lady coldly glanced at her, First Master snorted but didn’t bother to ask further and pointed at the servant: "Drag her up and beat her until she tells the truth!"

Tong Xiyang, terrified beyond measure, crawled over to First Master: "Father, spare me, I truly went to find Third Brother."

Madam Wang cried out, rushing over: "Master, she’s your own flesh and blood, how can you let these lowly ones humiliate her!"

First Master flicked his sleeve, his gaze fixed only on the servant. The servant hesitated before acting but was galvanized by First Master’s piercing gaze, swiftly coming up to restrain Tong Xiyang, pinning her down on the long bench. Another servant raised the paddle and heartlessly laid it on Tong Xiyang’s body!

"Ah... Father, spare your daughter!" Tong Xiyang screamed, feeling as if her organs had shifted with that paddle strike.

Madam Wang fell onto Tong Xiyang, the servant couldn’t retract the paddle in time, which then solidly struck her back. Madam Wang groaned, wailing to First Master: "Master, punish me, it was I who instructed Third Miss to do so."

First Master didn’t speak, and more servants stepped up to drag Madam Wang away. The sound of muffled blows filled the room again.

At first, Tong Xiyang shrieked and cried, but eventually, she lacked even the strength to speak and fainted with her head tilting to one side!

Madam Wang, terrified, frantically knelt, kowtowing to First Master and Lady: "Master, Lady, I’ll speak, I’ll say everything... It was me who asked Third Miss to go to the outer court to wait for Third Master Ren; this was all my scheme. Please spare Third Miss!"

Lady smiled coldly.

"I only wanted them to meet from a distance, never expected Third Miss would fall into the river, and Third Master Ren would save her!" She crawled to First Master: "Master, you have to believe me!"

After the fury subsided, First Master seemed to cool down and didn’t even glance at Madam Wang, instead instructing the servant: "Send Third Miss back!" The servant immediately stopped beating, carrying Tong Xiyang out of the courtyard using a bench.

For the first time, First Master looked at Madam Wang, his gaze calm and devoid of anger. He coldly said: "You’ve been at Tong Mansion for so many years, have I ever treated you poorly? Since you’ve done it, you must dare to face the consequences. Tomorrow, go to the estate; I’ll have Manager Lai make arrangements. Your living conditions will remain unchanged; just don’t let me see you again!"

Madam Wang’s face turned ashen, clutching onto First Master’s leg desperately: "I’ve been with you for twenty years, never with any ulterior motives. I had no choice this time; what sort of family is the Hong Mansion that the Third Miss is marrying into? So, I devised this plan. Master, please consider the years of affection and forgive me this once. Our son is gone, I just need to ensure Third Miss marries safely to find some peace!"

First Master sneered at her: "What sort of family is the Hong Mansion? So you’ve set your sights on the riches of the Wujin Bo Mansion, forgetting all dignity and honor? By arranging her marriage, where have you placed the Tong Mansion’s dignity, where is my dignity?!"

Madam Wang cried miserably, face covered in tears and snot: "Just this once, as long as the two family marriages are settled, outsiders won’t say anything. Besides, the Uncle Mansion belongs to Duke’s House, and Count can sway the Emperor. If the families become in-laws, he will certainly speak for Master in front of the Emperor, much better than Xuanning Marquis Mansion, Master!"

First Master was so angry that he couldn’t speak, while Lady graciously handed him a cup of tea. He swung it away, shards scattered, tea splashed onto his hand, but he felt nothing and said with a cold face: "Did you think I, Tong Zheng’an, have served as an official for ten years to win favor with my daughter’s marriage, to trade it for rank? What do you take me for?" He angrily pointed at Manager Lai: "Not tomorrow, send her to the estate tonight!"

Manager Lai was momentarily startled but quickly proceeded with the two servants to bind Madam Wang, who shrieked crazily. First Master ordered them to gag her, and she was dragged away and sent to the estate that very night.

Throughout, Lady didn’t utter a single word.

Once they left, Lady had tea brought back, sending maids and servants to close the door, personally comforting First Master, saying: "Master, calm your anger, lest it harms your health!" She spoke gently, probing: "Master has sent Madam Wang away, how will you handle Third Miss?"