CHAPTER 62: CHAPTER 62: COUNTERATTACK (8)

Madam Luo was dressed in a crimson silk overcoat adorned with butterflies playing among flowers. Even with a touch of rouge, she exuded charm, yet there was something different from before. As Xiqiu observed her closely, she suddenly realized—it was her gaze! In the past, her eyes were filled with sarcasm and resentment even when she smiled, but now they were unusually calm, like a still lake without the slightest ripple.

She shed her usual arrogance and disdain, kneeling by Lady’s feet as soon as she entered, her expression serene as she said, "Madam, this maid has sinned!" Madam Luo did not beat around the bush and spoke with her head lowered, "Yesterday, I was in a daze and did not come to my senses until Lady said something that reminded me. Upon recalling the events of the night before last, I felt guilty and couldn’t sleep well all night. I thought if I didn’t voice it out, I might never find peace in my heart."

Lady raised an eyebrow, interested, "Oh?"

Madam Luo continued, "The night before last, I slept too deeply. The rain was heavy, and I didn’t hear the commotion from Madam Wang’s side. When Nanny Qiu came knocking, I was still groggy, and Nanny Qiu didn’t clarify, so I impatiently turned her away. Now that I think about it, if I had been patient and listened more, perhaps Madam Wang wouldn’t have ended up like that."

Xiqiu couldn’t help but applaud silently. Madam Luo’s words seemed self-critical, but they held no self-condemnation. First, Nanny Qiu did not clarify, and second, it hinted that Madam Wang often cried wolf, so now that the wolf actually came, no one believed her. Her reaction was only normal under such circumstances.

Sure enough, Lady laughed and had someone help her up, "It isn’t your fault. You are not a doctor, and even if you went, you wouldn’t be able to help. It would just have been futile worry." She smiled faintly and suddenly shifted the conversation while looking at Madam Luo, "However, if you truly feel uneasy, there is something you could help with currently, which could be considered helping Madam Wang."

Madam Luo’s gaze flickered, and Xiqiu saw her hand tighten around the handkerchief she held.

"Please command, Madam. This maid will do her utmost."

Lady’s smile was gentle, "It’s not a major issue, just check who was supposed to be on duty that night, and why they weren’t at their posts, and where they went. If they were shirking their duties, you don’t have to report to me; deal with them directly by selling them off to a human trafficker. If there were justifiable reasons, punish them and send them to the estate. This will ensure that such untrustworthy servants won’t be used in the mansion again."

Xiqiu lowered her eyes and sipped her tea. Lady’s move was indeed clever. That night, none of the maids on duty were present, and no one was found in the courtyard, which was against all logic. If Madam Luo orchestrated this, then Lady’s actions were a public slap to Madam Luo, cutting off her contacts and warning her—a move hitting two birds with one stone.

Madam Luo, having been in the mansion for over a decade, responded instantly, "This maid will handle it immediately!" She paused and looked toward Nanny Fang, "Although this maid has been in the mansion for over a decade, all my expenses have been managed by Madam, and I know nothing about them. Even when disciplining subordinates, it was the maids who handled it. So, while willing, I fear falling short of Madam’s trust. It would be better to have Nanny Fang accompany me. If the maids become difficult, she can provide guidance and uphold law and order."

Such a request was reasonable, and Lady should not have refused it. But she smiled apologetically, "It’s not really a big issue. If Nanny Fang is available, I would let her accompany you to take a look. But with many things at hand, I am uneasy entrusting it to someone else..." She then turned her gaze towards Madam Mei, who had been silent on one side, "You, having some free time, might accompany her."

With just that subtle suggestion, a hint of a smile flitted across Madam Luo’s eyes, while Madam Mei’s face turned pale and she nearly stumbled. Eighth Miss’s hands quivered slightly in her sleeves.

Madam Mei lowered her head and curtsied, "Yes." She then turned to Madam Luo, "Sister, I don’t quite understand these matters and can only watch from the side. I hope Sister won’t mind." Madam Luo hurriedly waved it off, "Not at all. With you here, I feel more assured."

Madam Luo took action swiftly, and by that night, the maids related to or not doing their duties in the East Cross Courtyard were dispatched. For a time, cries echoed throughout the inner courtyard, but fortunately, Lady had someone silence them, binding and selling them off or sending them to the estate.

That is a matter for later. After Madam Luo and Madam Mei excused themselves, Tong Xiyang arrived fashionably late. Her eyes visibly showed the bluish tint of fatigue, and despite her careful grooming, her spirit appeared worn. After greeting Lady, she sat quietly in contrast to her usual behavior.

Seemingly indifferent to her arrival, Lady continued to speak warmly, and after a brief conversation, the crowd dispersed, leaving only Tong Xiyang behind for a private conversation.

Xiqiu did not learn what Lady said to Tong Xiyang, only that afterwards, Tong Xiyang fell gravely ill. It was seven or eight days later when Xiqiu next saw her. As Xiqiu and Siliu were leaving Tong Xi’s courtyard, they heard the sound of porcelain shattering followed by a continuous cracking noise emanating from Tong Xiyang’s courtyard.

Moxiang was guarding the door, and upon seeing Xiqiu standing at the opposite corridor watching her, she was startled, bowed from afar, and hurriedly returned inside.

Immediately the room fell silent, as if trying to hide some evidence, while Tong Xiyang emerged, swaying gracefully, walking towards her.

Xiqiu intended to take a detour, but now there was no avoiding it. She had to kneel and pay respect, "Greetings, Third Sister."

For once, Tong Xiyang returned the courtesy with a faint smile, "Greetings, Sixth Sister." It was unlike her usual provoking demeanor, being warmly unfamiliar, prompting Xiqiu to scrutinize her closely. She wore a crimson overcoat with a phoenix-haired ornament in her peach heart-shaped bun, slightly swaying and dazzlingly brilliant in gold, appearing much more obedient and demure than before. Yet, her gaze still held an air of arrogance, even further intensified by something else.

What it was, Xiqiu could not say, only feeling that Tong Xiyang lacked her former exuberance and authenticity.

"Are you heading back, Sixth Sister?" Tong Xiyang did not wait for Xiqiu to respond and laughed, "I’m on my way to Mother’s, take your time, Sixth Sister!" With that, assisted by Moxiang, she left through the Hanging Flower Gate.

Xiqiu raised her brows, thoughtfully watching her silhouette, while Siliu shook her head, "I used to think Third Miss always so proud, must be someone with backbone. Yet it turns out with her concubine mother losing power, she shamelessly seeks Lady."

No matter how imposing Madam Wang had been, she represented her hope and backing. Now, having lost them, and suffering from miscarriage and shock, she was confined to her courtyard. The maids and old servants, fearing for their fate, undoubtedly would not attend to her sincerely. All these seven or eight days, it was said that she remained in a daze, needing to be fed even water.

Mulling over these matters, Xiqiu frowned, displeased, glancing at Siliu, "That’s not for you to say!"

Siliu nodded solemnly in response.

What’s backbone worth? With Tong Xi’s scheming, these gestures wouldn’t suffice. She was likely more fervently currying Lady’s favor while distancing herself from Madam Wang. From her perspective, this must have been Madam Wang’s tutelage. Although they lost everything, their only hope lay in Tong Xiyang marrying well enough to restore Madam Wang’s standing within Tong Mansion.