Yunchu’s Vengeance - Chapter 23
Chapter 23: Nothing in the World Is Difficult
While Yun Chu was speaking in the Hall of Longevity, Xie Ping was dragged by He Shi into a small grove behind the hall.
"What are you doing?" Xie Ping jumped in fright, looking left and right. Seeing no one around, she demanded, "Didn't Father order you to be confined in the small temple? Why did you come out?"
He Shi said nervously, "Why would the Madam suddenly take you to the Grand Princess's estate? Did something happen?"
Xie Ping looked utterly impatient. "Mother brought me out to broaden my horizons. What could possibly happen?"
He Shi simply did not believe it.
Lately, the Madam had repeatedly moved against her children, and she refused to believe the Madam would be so kind-hearted as to take Ping-jie'er out to broaden her horizons.
"I saw the Fourth Prince, the Prince of Anjing." Xie Ping voiced what she dared not say to Yun Chu. "Do you think I could become the Princess of Anjing?"
He Shi's eyes widened in shock. "Y-You, what kind of nonsense are you spouting?"
What kind of status did the Fourth Prince possess? How could the daughter of a mere fifth-rank official dare to harbor such wild ambitions?
Furthermore, although Ping-jie'er currently held the status of the Xie family's eldest legitimate daughter, anyone who bothered to inquire would quickly discover that Ping-jie'er was actually a concubine-born daughter by an outside mistress.
The imperial family valued lineage above all else; with a background like Ping-jie'er's, it was utterly impossible for her to be entered into the imperial family genealogy.
Xie Ping bit her lip. "Nothing in the world is difficult for one who sets their mind to it."
"My dear Ping-jie'er, you must not act recklessly." He Shi was scared out of her wits. "Your marriage will be decided by the Old Madam and the First Madam. Do not harbor thoughts you shouldn't have."
Just as the two of them were speaking, a voice suddenly rang out: "Isn't this Mama He? Didn't the Master punish you by confining you to the small temple for self-reflection? Why have you come out? You certainly have a lot of nerve!"
The person speaking was none other than Aunt Tao. Hearing that the Madam had returned from the Grand Princess's estate, she had purposely come over to watch the excitement. Who could have imagined she would run into He Shi, who ought to have been confined in the small temple?
The moment she saw He Shi, flames of fury began to ignite in her eyes.
The child in her belly had almost lost its life, yet this vile creature who coveted the Master remained completely unharmed.
She raised her hand and delivered a vicious slap.
With quick reflexes, Xie Ping stepped forward and blocked it just in time.
Aunt Tao narrowed her eyes. "What does the Eldest Miss mean by this?"
"I was the one who asked Mama He to send me some items." Xie Ping stated, "Since Aunt Tao is carrying a child, it is best not to fly into a rage. Be careful not to disturb your pregnancy."
"It is truly astonishing to see the Eldest Miss protect a woman who covets your father and framed your mother to such an extent." Aunt Tao glanced at He Shi, then back at Xie Ping. Her brow suddenly furrowed; upon closer inspection, the facial features of these two women actually bore a striking resemblance...
Xie Ping's heart pounded furiously.
She glared at He Shi with intense annoyance.
She had told her not to come looking for her again, yet this He Shi had insisted on seeking her out during her period of confinement.
If anyone suspected her relationship with He Shi, her entire life would be completely ruined...
She said coldly, "Why are you still standing there like a fool? Hurry back to the small temple!"
He Shi lowered her head and shuffled away.
A thoughtful expression appeared on Aunt Tao's face.
It rained heavily in the middle of the night, the pattering sound of the rain continuing unabated. Accompanied by the sound of rain, Yun Chu slept soundly.
When she woke up in the morning, the rain had still not stopped, and the air was laced with fine drizzle, bringing a touch of early winter chill.
Ting Shuang wore a worried expression. As far as she knew, Uncle Chen had stored up close to forty thousand taels worth of ice. The Madam's private accounts were essentially cleared down to the very last coin; if the weather remained this cold, the summer would certainly not be hot, and this massive inventory of ice would very likely end up completely worthless in their hands...
Preoccupied with worry, she dressed Yun Chu's hair, and when she walked outside, the people coming to pay their respects had already arrived.
After exchanging a few casual pleasantries, it was time for the concubines to take their leave according to custom.
At that moment, Aunt Tao stood up and said, "Madam, this concubine has a question. Did the Eldest Miss obtain your permission before sending items to the small temple?"
Xie Ping's expression stiffened abruptly.
She had only sent someone to deliver items that one time, and it had been handled with the utmost secrecy. How on earth had Aunt Tao found out about it?
Yun Chu took a sip of tea.
As for this matter, she had purposely arranged for someone to leak the news to Aunt Tao. If she wanted to drive He Shi into a desperate corner, she had to find a sharp blade.
Without a doubt, Aunt Tao made for an excellent blade.
Knowing the truth inside and out, she feigned astonishment on the surface and asked, "Ping-jie'er, is what Aunt Tao says true?"
Xie Ping found it impossible to deny and stammered, "Mother, I-I... Mama He practically watched me grow up, and seeing how truly desolate that small temple is, I simply..."
"Your father punished her because she plotted against his offspring and ordered her to live in the small temple as her punishment. Yet you secretly sent her all manner of provisions—where does that leave your father's majesty?" Yun Chu's voice grew progressively colder. "She almost killed an unborn child, and that child is your very own younger sibling. Your actions make Aunt Tao's heart turn cold, and they make the child's heart turn cold as well. Ping-jie'er, do you know you were wrong?"
Aunt Tao chimed in, "The Eldest Miss truly cannot distinguish between close and distant relations, actually going out of her way to protect a lowly servant of no standing. It is quite baffling."
Throughout the past few days, Yun Chu had always maintained a pleasant expression toward Xie Ping. This was the first time she had ever been so stern and severe.
Xie Ping lowered her head and murmured, "Mother, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have sent things to Mama He behind your back. I was wrong, and I will never do it again."
Yun Chu said indifferently, "He Shi committed a grave offense. Choosing not to hand her over to the official authorities is already an act of mercy from the Xie family. It is impossible to let her enjoy the treatment of a first-class servant as she did in the past. Aunt Tao, if you have time, make a trip to the small temple and confiscate whatever items ought to be taken. There is no need to turn them over to the public treasury; you may keep them for yourself as a token to calm your nerves for the sake of the young master in your womb."
Aunt Tao was overjoyed. "Many thanks, Madam!"
Armed with Yun Chu's permission, Aunt Tao took two sturdy maidservants and went straight to the small temple of the Xie residence.
Because the Old Madam was a devout Buddhist, a small temple had been built when the estate was first established, but as they could not afford to support many people, only a young Buddhist nun lived there. Now, He Shi had been added to its residents.
He Shi was sitting in her room in the western side courtyard, lost in thought.
Suddenly, the door was kicked open with a loud crash.
Aunt Tao walked in, supporting her belly, and looked around with a sneer. "Tsk tsk, a servant who plotted against her master actually gets to live in such a nice room. I am not nearly as charitable as the Master and the Madam. Someone come, clear everything out!"
At her command, the two maidservants outside strode in and hauled out every visible piece of furniture. Not only that, but they also took the clothing, shoes, and other belongings from the wardrobe, followed by rolling up the bedding on the bed and tossing it directly into the courtyard...
"What are you doing..." He Shi's eyes widened in horror. "You are not allowed to touch my things!"
Just as the bedding was rolled up, a money pouch tumbled out.
Aunt Tao bent down, picked it up, and opened it. Inside, alongside the loose silver, were several one-hundred-tael silver banknotes.
"Well, well, well, He Shi, you actually secretly hoarded so much money!" Aunt Tao snapped angrily. "So not only did you plot against your master, but you also stole silver! It's a disgrace to how much the Master trusted you!"
He Shi rushed forward to snatch the silver back.
This was her personal savings accumulated over all these years; it wasn't stolen!
All of her worldly possessions were in that money pouch!
Disregarding everything, she lunged at Aunt Tao.
"Someone come! She's trying to murder me!" Aunt Tao retreated, signaling the two robust maidservants to step forward.
With a swift kick from one of the maids, He Shi let out a miserable scream and crashed to the ground.