Spring of the Blade - Chapter 61
Chapter 61
Not long after Qingrong was born, Concubine Xia passed away. It was Madam Hu who took the child in to raise her. Over the course of more than a dozen years, Qingrong had long since learned to be like Qingru; so long as Madam Hu said "one," she would never dare say "two."
The spectators all had their own scales in their hearts, and they guessed that Madam Hu was determined to drive the Fourth Miss to her death this time. What was the difference between asking the Third Miss to testify and explicitly ordering her to frame the Fourth Miss? It was a pity for the Fourth Miss; caught in their grasp, it seemed unlikely she would escape this time. In the end, it would still depend on the Old Madam’s intent. If the Old Madam also hated her, then this hurdle would be difficult to cross.
Everyone was waiting for an answer from Qingrong. She seemed somewhat surprised, looking blankly toward Madam Hu.
"Madam..." she stammered, "I have been fanning Grandmother the whole time just now. Second Sister said she wanted to go out for a stroll, but I was afraid of the heat and preferred to stay in the room. I tried to persuade Second Sister as well, telling her not to risk getting heatstroke, but she wouldn’t listen to me... I didn’t go outside, so I didn’t see if Xiao Xi came to pass on any message."
No one present had expected the Third Miss to turn against her at this moment, distancing herself completely. As if God felt the blows Madam Hu had received today were not enough, He added one final strike. Stunned, she stared at Qingrong—that girl who, even if given a kick, would crawl at her feet like a pet dog—not knowing when she had become so like a stranger.
Madam Hu was speechless for the moment, but Lüzhui was a loyal servant. She jumped out and said, "Third Miss, how can you tell such a lie with your eyes open? We were clearly all there when Xiao Xi arrived!"
"Just because you say I was there, does that mean I must have been?" Qingrong coldly rebuked Lüzhui, then looked at Madam Hu with an expression of helplessness. "This matter is no small thing. In minor matters, I might comply with your wishes and testify against Fourth Sister, but in a matter of such magnitude—where one's life is at stake—I dare not speak nonsense. I ask that Madam forgive me."
Everything was in chaos. Madam Hu’s world had collapsed for the most part; like a new injury on top of an old one, she almost doubted if this were a dream or a figment of her own imagination.
However, these words were a decision Qingrong had pondered the entire way. By this point, there was no longer a need to rely on Madam Hu. A person must know how to judge the situation and, when the time was ripe, fight for themselves.
Only she herself knew how she had spent the last dozen years. Since she was small, she had been bullied by Qingru, and Madam regarded her with less care than a respectable head maid. If there was good food, it went to Qingru first; in clothing and adornment, she had to wait for what Qingru discarded. Qingru wore gold, she could only wear silver; Qingru used kingfisher feather inlay, she could only use blue enamel. She was like Qingru's shadow, always suppressed by her. Even when entering the palace for the selection, she had to accompany Qingru. No one asked if she was happy. She dared not imagine how terrifying it would be for this nightmare to extend from the inner chambers to the deep palace. If both were chosen, she would never be able to shake off this spoiled eldest miss for the rest of her life.
Who would have thought? Heaven had eyes. This time, Qingru had truly fallen. And so, she began to weigh the pros and cons: between hatred and a future, which was more important?
Of course, she hated Qingyuan. If it weren't for Concubine Jin causing her mother’s death, she wouldn't have had to live under someone else’s roof, leading a life of groveling before Madam Hu. Who wouldn't want a mother’s love? Who wouldn't want to marry into a good family, like Qinghe? But she didn't have that kind of fortune. She wasn't even as well off as Qingyuan; at least Qingyuan had lived fourteen good years in the Chen household. In this home, she didn't even have a single person to show her warmth. Thus, long-suppressed hatred fueled her determination to become someone of status. She knew deeply that if she testified against Qingyuan now, Qingyuan would inevitably cause a scene. Among the sisters, one had been violated and the other had become a suspect. Being caught in the middle would only cause her to miss the selection, and she would end up rotting in the Xie house just like Qingru. But if this matter had nothing to do with her, and Qingru’s accident was just that—an accident—then she could continue to participate in the selection. Why complicate things unnecessarily?
Furthermore, Qingyuan now had ties to Shen Run. By taking her stance today, she ensured that Shen Run would at least not go out of his way to make things difficult for her. As for the vendetta regarding her mother, it could be shelved for now. Once she had achieved success in the future, she would settle the account with Qingyuan, including the principal and interest.
The spectators, having listened for a long while, saw Madam Hu deserted by her allies and actually felt a trace of pity for her. With no conclusion reached in the inner chambers, the three brothers waiting for news in the outer hall sat blankly, lifting their eyelids only to heave a sigh.
Zhenglun grew impatient, frowning, "In my view, we should first seize those two beasts and tear them to pieces to vent our hatred."
Zhengjun asked, "How do we seize them? Report it to the authorities?"
"We cannot report it to the authorities..." Zhengze said in a low, bitter voice, "If you still want to be able to face people outside, you must not go to the authorities."
So, since they intended to swallow their broken teeth along with the blood, what was there to discuss? It was just that this stain, like stable mud splashed onto one’s face, was truly nauseating. Zhenglun turned his head and spat, "What bad luck! We are here behind closed doors plotting, while who knows what is being rumored outside. I fear all of Youzhou knows by now; there are no walls without cracks in this world!"
Zhengjun, who loved a good show, thought for a moment and said, "If we fear people gossiping behind our backs about reporting to the Justice Department, then report it to the Palace Guard Command. Isn't Commander Shen interested in our Fourth Sister? Now that she is implicated in this, he cannot stand idly by if only to clear her name."
Hearing this, Zhengze felt as if his head would explode. He stood in the middle of the room, stamping his feet, "Enough! As if it isn't humiliating enough, you want to go out and spread it further? Until the Old Madam speaks, no one is allowed to act rashly!"
Zhenglun and Zhengjun, upon hearing this, had no choice but to stop. Looking back at the room behind them, they were naturally quite pleased in private. Ever since Madam Hu had cast a shadow over Concubine Mei, they had been waiting to see the mistress of the house make a fool of herself. They hadn't expected this "ghost wind" to blow so fast, with such immediate results.
From the inner room came low sobbing. It sounded like Lüzhui, the maid by Qingru’s side, wailing, "I am guilty. If I had stayed by the young lady's side, she would not have met with such an incident."
The Second Young Mistress, Lady Ming, took up the thread: "I was just thinking the same thing. If Madam wants to blame someone, she should blame the maid by Second Sister’s side. It was her failure to protect her mistress that led to Second Sister encountering this affair. Since she knows she was wrong, I think thirty lashes should suffice..." As she spoke, she raised her voice to call the old woman outside, "Someone, take this girl away..."
"Second Young Mistress is a bit too impatient. With both the Old Madam and Madam here, where is it our place as daughters-in-law to interrupt?"
Before the Eldest Young Mistress could even finish, they heard Lady Bai gasp, "Sister-in-law, that’s not right. Second Sister-in-law is doing this for Second Sister’s sake. Leaving such an ignorant maid by one's side is a disaster after all. When she follows the mistress to her husband’s house as part of the dowry, it’s hard to say if she won’t drag her mistress down instead of helping her."
Lady Bai usually acted like a "saw-mouthed gourd" (silent), but once she spoke, she was a fierce figure who hit the mark. Now that the Second Miss had ended up in this state, what man in the world would want her? What talk was there of dowry maids? These words were clearly rubbing salt into the wound. Madam Hu had calculated everything only to end up in such a state. Looking around the room, there wasn't even one person to speak up for her. Her head swam and her chest felt blocked; so angry was she that, sitting in her armchair, she could barely catch her breath.
However, it wasn't over. A thunderous sound of footsteps approached. The old woman guarding the garden gate was tossed aside like a clump of weeds. A column of Palace Guard officers marched straight in; the demeanor was truly like a house raid.
Zhengze and his brothers in the outer hall rushed out in anxiety. The Old Madam, who had been dazed, stood up and hurried to the veranda as well.
"Commander..." Zhengze tried to block them, "Whatever official business you have, you can state it at the front. The inner gates are all womenfolk..."
Shen Run smiled slightly. "There is nothing inappropriate. I have an urgent matter, concerning the Second Miss of your noble residence, to report to your Old Madam."
Zhengze could not stop him, and he had already reached the main room. The Old Madam had to pull herself together to respond, "I do not know what brings the Commander to visit today?"
Shen Run bowed casually. "Old Madam, the incident that occurred at your residence has already been reported to the Palace Guard Command. I was worried, so I specifically came to check on the Fourth Miss."
This time, there was no need for a pretext. He called her out by name. Qingyuan was hiding behind the others, but he found her, pulled her into the light, and inspected her from head to toe. The girl’s skin was delicate and tender; the distinct slap marks on her cheeks had not yet faded, the five fingerprints raised and swollen high. Looking at them, a cold, icy smile appeared on his face. "Fourth Miss, who hit you?"
Ever since returning to the Xie family, Qingyuan had suffered too much unfair treatment. Because she had no one to rely on, she had to bear everything herself. When no one was behind her, she was always strong. But it was strange—now, as soon as he asked, her tears began to well up in her eyes.
She was also fearful after the fact. If she hadn't been on guard, what would she be like now? In truth, when she first returned, she had hoped to win the Old Madam’s favor and live like an ordinary girl in this deep house, but it was hard. No one accepted her, and everyone treated her like a monster. Conversely, this outsider, driven by his own will, had stubbornly interfered in her life. Having interfered for so long, she would think of him in times of danger. Now that he had truly come, her grievances burst forth. She felt it was shameful, but she acted out the part of a spoiled girl complaining.
She said nothing, but he knew even without words. He turned and glanced at the people in the room, saying to the Old Madam, "I wonder if you remember my instructions from last time, Old Madam? Although the Fourth Miss was not harmed today, she was only one step away from it. The Xie family’s hardships are perhaps too numerous. Have you never wondered why, Old Madam? With the Commissioner fighting at the border, yet the household remains so unsettled, whose fault is it?" That cold gaze shifted and finally landed on Madam Hu. "I am in charge of the Palace Guard Command and have a responsibility to keep the officials and their families safe. Those two fake monks have already been captured by the Command and taken to the office for strict interrogation. It is just a pity for the Second Miss; she was originally waiting for the selection the day after tomorrow, but now that this has happened, she cannot enter the palace. I will notify the Directorate of Palace Attendants to remove her name, lest this go before the Emperor and add a charge of deceiving the throne."
Madam Hu’s face turned pale. Hearing that those two had been captured, she felt an indescribable emotion. She wanted to tear them to pieces, yet she hoped they wouldn't reveal the truth. But Shen Run’s eyes, cutting through like a knife—she understood in her heart that he likely knew the whole story. She couldn't help but feel afraid. The trouble she had caused this time was too great. Looking at these people in the room, looking at the two concubines she had suppressed for twenty years, they all wanted her to fall, all wanted to replace her. And the Old Madam—if she learned that Qingru had been ruined by her hands, how would she punish her?
She dared not think too deeply; her legs felt weak. Fortunately, Cailian grabbed her in time. She could only nod weakly, "I have troubled the Commander. I ask that you handle everything with care."
Hearing this, Shen Run slowly gave her a smile with a deep meaning. "Madam, rest assured. If there are developments in the case, I will naturally send someone to inform you. However, there is one thing: Madam must never resort to violence again. You hold a title of honor from the court; if not for the sake of decency, at least do not disgrace the grace of the imperial court." As he said this, he bowed to the Old Madam, "I will not hide it from you, Old Madam, but I am currently waiting for the Fourth Miss’s reply. Regardless of whom she chooses in the end, I will watch over her. I did not intend to say this, but now it seems... your residence cannot seem to accommodate her. Today you give her a cold stare, tomorrow you give her a slap. For a girl without a mother, living is too difficult. If you, Old Madam, do not cherish her, then even if she has the heart to repay her mother’s family in the future, no one will be able to bear the weight of her kindness."
Having said everything that needed to be said, he grabbed Qingyuan by the wrist and left. "I will see the Fourth Miss back."
The inner residence of the Xie household was like his own family garden to him. He came and went as he pleased, completely disregarding the feelings of others.
The women of the house were all stunned. Lady Ming stammered, "How can he... be like this!"
The dozen or so Palace Guard officers stood with swords horizontal at the moon-gate; the garden was like a closed bag, and no one could leave. Someone muttered under their breath, "The Master is of the same second rank as he is; he is truly too arrogant..."
This invited a scolding from the Old Madam, "Shut your foul mouth! Are you worried our house isn't chaotic enough?"
On the other side, Qingyuan was pulled along by him, walking through the long corridor. She had thought he knew where Danyue Pavilion was, but after walking for a while, she realized he was just wandering aimlessly, so she stopped and pulled her hand away, "Where exactly are you taking me?"
He stopped and looked around blankly, "Where is your courtyard?"
Qingyuan sighed, "I know the Commander wants to stand up for me, but..."
But what? But she had promised Li Congxin to wait for his message, and therefore could not give him an answer now?
On the distant courtyard wall hung lanterns, dim and far away, like the moon in the sky. He stood across from her, looking down at her, "Fourth Miss, you can cry now."
Qingyuan was startled, sniffling as she said, "I’m not crying... why should I cry..."
He stretched out his long arms and suddenly pulled her into his embrace, whispering, "I can lend you a chest to lean on and cry. To be able to hold you, I specifically didn't wear my armor today."
The person in his arms struggled at first—a struggle to maintain a young lady’s modesty and decorum. But not long after, her sobbing could be heard. He patted her small head, thinking to himself that she was, after all, just a girl—her heart was not black enough, and her hands not ruthless enough.
Madam Hu’s little tricks could not escape his eyes. If Qingyuan hadn't noticed, he would have intervened. But later, seeing that she had her own plans and walked steadily step by step, he observed from the side, just like an adult watching a child learn to walk; he had to let her handle these messy matters herself. Now that it was done and the dust had settled, she might actually have regrets, she might have feelings of guilt. By crying it out, letting the silt piled at the bottom of her heart wash away, everything would pass.
However, this girl was too self-restrained. Her head pressed against his chest, weeping torrents of tears, yet her two arms hung down, firmly refusing to wrap around his waist. To deal with such a stubborn child, one had to be more proactive. He placed his hands on her shoulders and slid them down her arms, finding her hands and pulling them toward his waist. It was a pity that Qingyuan did not know how to "climb up the pole," only stubbornly clutching the fabric at his waist, twisting his official robe into two flower-like shapes under his armpits.
"Are you better?" He waited until her breathing gradually steadied, then said regretfully, "I feel that you probably cannot stay in this Xie household anymore. If a suitable opportunity arises, just marry."
Qingyuan did not respond to him. For a grown woman, hugging and cuddling with a man was too improper, yet at this moment, she felt an inexplicable longing. The thick night was the best cover; she could not see his expression, and he could not see the blush on her face. The timing was perfect, the attraction was perfect... She suddenly felt a bit sad, fearing that by doing this, she was inviting disaster upon herself.