Against the Current - Chapter 215

Chapter 215 - Punishment (Part 3)

Zidai looked at Shuran with pleading eyes, but Shuran acted as though she hadn't seen it, lowering her head in compliance as she thought to herself, "These two maids must know something they shouldn't. The Eldest Master is afraid they'll babble outside, so he's having their tongues cut out. It's a blessing that neither of these two can read, otherwise their hands might have to be crippled as well."

Watching Lin Jinlou walk away, Shuran thought for a moment, beckoned Cuncin—who had followed her—over to her side, and said, "Go tell Mother Han that Zidai has committed a grave offense and the Eldest Master is going to punish her severely. If she wants to find the Mistress to plead for mercy, she should go quickly, but don't let on that I was the one who told you." Cuncin acknowledged the order and left.

Shuran reached up to tidy her hair bun. Mother Han was a person of standing after all; if they disposed of someone quietly, it would inevitably make an enemy of her. If Mother Han had the ability to get the Mistress to step in and speak with the Eldest Master, so be it, but if she came begging on her own accord, a simple "The person was convicted and disposed of by the Eldest Master's own decree" would be enough to dismiss her, and Zidai would find it impossible to turn things around.

Things in a great noble household had to be handled without a single flaw. She had enjoyed her privileged position for so long precisely because she never wantonly made enemies. Who could guarantee that they would succeed in every single endeavor and constantly please their masters? Without major faults, others were simply willing to grant you face!

Shuran gestured toward the two figures on the ground and said, "Take them both outside first."

By the time Cuncin arrived at Zhuoshou Garden, Mother Han had just undressed and gone to bed, tossing and turning sleeplessly. Madam Qin had returned from the temple looking startled and disheveled, and had furthermore lost Zidai. Mother Han had been nearly frantic with worry, cautiously probing with a couple of questions, but seeing Madam Qin's icy expression, she hadn't dared to say any more, left only to sigh heavily to herself and suspect that Zidai's fate was likely grim. What frightened her even more, however, was that Madam Qin not only offered her no words of comfort, but even grew somewhat distant. As soon as she returned yesterday, she had ordered Lulan to open the chests and send fine silks, along with various gold and silver jewelry, to Chen Xianglan's family under the guise of New Year gifts—and what extraordinarily lavish gifts they were at that! Mother Han grew increasingly uneasy, unable to even properly eat her dinner. She had intended to wait until Madam Qin returned to question her thoroughly, but unexpected was when Hongjian came back to fetch Madam Qin's clothes, saying, "The Mistress is resting at the Old Master's and Old Mistress's quarters. Someone is staying up on night watch tonight, so everyone else can turn in." Only then had she reluctantly and haphazardly gone to sleep.

At that moment, Cuncin called out at the door outside, and Xiaofang lit a lamp to open the door. Upon hearing the news, Mother Han threw on her clothes, terrified out of her wits. Hastily dressing without even taking time to properly comb her hair, she slipped into her shoes and ran all the way to the main residential courtyard. Lifting the door curtain and stepping inside, she saw that Madam Qin had already washed and groomed, her hair unpinned while Hongjian used a fine-toothed comb to stroke through it strand by strand.

Seeing Mother Han enter the room in the mirror, Madam Qin paid her no mind, prompting Mother Han to silently drop to her knees. When Huawei entered carrying a brass basin and saw the scene, she paused in surprise. Wanting to address Madam Qin, she caught Hongjian signaling to her with a subtle, gentle shake of her head. Huawei promptly shut her mouth and light-footedly retreated.

After Hongjian finished combing Madam Qin's hair a hundred times, twisted those glossy, raven tresses into a neat bun, and presented a cup of fragrant tea, Madam Qin finally turned around, looked at Mother Han, and asked, "What brings you over here at this late hour?"

Mother Han's legs had gone stiff from kneeling, throbbing with a sour ache. Hearing this, she poured out her words in a breathless rush, "It is this old servant's lack of forethought, disturbing the Mistress's rest so late at night, but Zidai has somehow committed an offense that has enraged the Eldest Master, and she is about to be severely punished and driven out. I beseech the Mistress to show mercy and spare her life." As she spoke, she kowtowed unceasingly.

Seeing her disheveled clothing, messy hair, and the way her frantic kowtowing exposed her ballying crown, Madam Qin sighed inwardly, but the thought of Zidai's betrayal at Qixia Temple instantly hardened her heart again. Coldly, she said, "Zidai is already a person of Chuntian Lodge. Since the Eldest Master wishes to deal with her, it is not my place to interfere."

Mother Han pleaded tearfully, "The Mistress is the most benevolent and sagacious of all. That child Zidai has been utterly loyal and devoted to the Mistress and the Eldest Master. Even if she has a thousand faults, this single virtue proves she is a good person at heart. Mistress..."

Madam Qin had originally retained a shred of sentimental attachment to the past, but hearing the words "utterly loyal and devoted" only intensified her resentment. Coldly, she remarked, "Since the Eldest Master is punishing her, Zidai must certainly have committed a crime. Do you even know which rule she broke?"

Mother Han froze, instantly rendered speechless. She had no idea what crime Zidai had actually committed, but seeing Madam Qin's icy, darkened expression, her heart sank. For a moment, she couldn't judge whether she ought to continue pleading for Zidai. She could only look toward Hongjian, hoping the maid might put in a good word or offer some guidance.

Hongjian simply kept her eyes fixed on the tips of her shoes, uttering not a single sound. It wasn't that she lacked human sympathy, but Zidai's behavior that day had been utterly vile. Just thinking of that midnight shriek still made her chest feel constricted, let alone how the Mistress—who had always elevated Zidai—must feel. Now that the Mistress's anger was thoroughly aroused, why should she go against her master's will? Besides, Zidai had never been on close terms with her on ordinary days. Before she gained power, she had known enough to curry favor with a smiling face and call her "Elder Sister Hongjian," but later on she practically walked sideways, pushing her way ahead in front of the Mistress until she was squeezed out by a wide margin. Though she hadn't said anything aloud, she had felt deeply displeased inside. Yet this time... Hongjian understood the situation clearly; it wasn't just Zidai—even Mother Han's hard-earned reputation of many years was likely to be swept straight into the dirt.

Anxious and exasperated, Mother Han had assumed that some major crisis had occurred outside during the trip, causing Lin Jinlou to vent his fury on the accompanying servants and maids. She had figured that a few words of entreaty to Madam Qin would be enough to secure Zidai's release, never expecting such an outcome. Madam Qin wasn't leaving her a shred of face. Whether out of shame or vexation, tears rolled down her cheeks.

Madam Qin stared quietly into the candle flame on the table, lost in thought for a moment before letting out a soft sigh. "Among all these girls, Zidai's perception, breadth of mind, eloquence, and cleverness are entirely mediocre. She merely possesses a fine appearance that makes her look fertile and well-suited for childbearing, and because she was related to you, I promoted her and gave her every courtesy she was due. Yet she refused to walk the proper path, engaging in shady, underhanded conduct that makes her master's stomach turn, bringing disgrace upon my face as well." Zidai lacked any grand vision, yet harbored a measure of petty cleverness along with considerable ambition. Pushing this person into Chuntian Lodge had been intended to divide Xianglan's favor. Xianglan was beautiful and possessed some literary talent—such women had broad horizons and were the most restless sort. By backing Zidai, she had meant to make these two lock horns in a tiger fight so that whatever wife Lin Jinlou married in the future could reap the fisherman's profit, sparing the household from being thrown into chaos by a concubine monopolizing all affection.

"I originally thought Zidai at least understood propriety and knew how to serve, and I valued her so-called 'loyalty' above all. But as the saying goes, 'A strong wind tests the sturdy grass, and national turmoil reveals the loyal subject.' I previously thought that someone with a stinking temper and seductive, bewitching ways would turn out to be the most righteous..." Saying this, Madam Qin lapsed into a touch of melancholy. Sighing as she gazed at the flickering candle flame, she continued slowly, "Thinking back now, whenever she was in my presence, she would leave all the ingratiating, pleasing tasks to others while silently taking on all the grueling, thankless work without a single word of complaint or gossip. Back then, I merely thought she was stubborn and gloomy, not a pleasing sort, and thus I disliked her. Looking back now, that child simply didn't care for idle talk; she was actually a person of immense generosity..." As Madam Qin spoke, the thought of Xianglan's uncertain fate caused two tears to slip down her cheeks, and Hongjian quietly wiped the corners of her own eyes as well.

"Still, Zidai did serve me for a time." After shedding a few tears, Madam Qin suddenly straightened her torso, pulled out a handkerchief, and dabbed at the corners of her eyes. Zidai had served her with the utmost diligence, applying herself a hundred times more diligently than ordinary maids. She wasn't a cold-hearted person, and she would always remember that shred of devotion.

Upon hearing this, Mother Han immediately tensed. From Madam Qin's previous words, she guessed she was praising Xianglan, but did that imply Zidai was disloyal and unrighteous? A tight knot formed in Mother Han's chest as she stared pleadingly at Madam Qin.

Instead, Madam Qin instructed Hongjian, "The household can no longer keep Zidai. Reward her with a few liang of silver—that will fulfill our bonds as master and servant."

Hongjian bowed and replied, "Yes." She inwardly curled her lip, thinking that their mistress was truly a merciful person after all; otherwise, for someone like Zidai, giving her a beating and selling her off would have been letting her off lightly.

Mother Han felt as though a thunderbolt had struck her crown. With a heavy crash, her entire body went utterly limp. She surely knew Lin Jinlou's methods; since the Mistress refused to intervene and was merely offering some parting silver, it meant she had been thoroughly cast aside and detested. Her niece, who was as lovely as a flower, clever, and obedient—a girl with such qualities deserved a brilliant future, perhaps serving as a half-mistress by a master's side, wearing gold and silver, eating delicacies, and bringing her entire family along to live in comfort and glory—to be driven out like this... I'm afraid she wouldn't even be able to marry a decent steward, estate manager, shopkeeper, or head guard!

Seeing Madam Qin's cold expression, Mother Han knew that saying more would be useless and might even implicate her and draw Madam Qin's disgust. She kowtowed and retreated, floating out in a daze. Outside, the courtyard was brightly lit. Shuran was standing beneath the large red lanterns at the ceremonial moon gate, while several matrons and guards outside the second gate held down two maids bound like festive rice dumplings, with Xixiang supervising from the side. Catching sight of Shuran, Mother Han instinctively wanted to take a wide detour around her, but Shuran had sharp eyes and immediately smiled, "Mother Han is here."

Upon hearing this, Zidai grew instantly agitated, struggling frantically. With a cloth gag stuffed in her mouth, she could only emit muffled "mm-mm" sounds. Under everyone's watchful eyes, Mother Han had no choice but to brace herself and walk over. Stealing a quiet glance outside the gate, she saw that Shutong had just had her tongue cut out and looked nearly dead as two matrons hoisted her onto a wooden plank and carried her away, leaving patches of mottled blood on the ground. Terrified until her limbs turned weak and sour, Mother Han babbled repeatedly, "What is... what is the meaning of this!"

Shuran kept her back to the main gate, lowering her voice as she said, "Mother shouldn't look outside; it's dripping with fresh blood. Even I am terrified out of my wits and dare only stand inside the gate without looking. These two committed an offense of towering proportions, and the Eldest Master is punishing them heavily. He ordered their tongues cut out; Shutong is to be driven off to the country estate, and Zidai is to be dragged out and married off to a servant..."

Noticing Mother Han's face, which had turned the color of beaten gold, Shuran continued, "Shutong was given a dose of stupefying potion and lost consciousness before the punishment was carried out. I kept stalling for time precisely so Mother could fetch a savior from the Mistress to rescue Zidai. Have you managed to secure her mercy?" Her tone was rich with earnest sincerity, as if she genuinely cared about Zidai's safety, though inwardly she thought, "Judging by that look of wanting to steer clear of trouble just now, she obviously failed to win any grace and instead brought trouble upon herself. Zidai is truly done for this time." She felt a twinge of sympathy, though recalling Zidai's usual demeanor diluted that pity considerably.

Mother Han stammered and stuttered, her face shifting between red and white for a long while before she finally managed, "Thank you for your trouble, Young Lady; I accept this kindness... It's just that the Mistress, the Mistress... alas, I suppose my own fate is bad, with nothing going my way. I wanted to elevate my own niece, yet only succeeded in earning the disgust of the Mistress and the Eldest Master. It's simply that I never knew how to discipline properly on ordinary days."

A trace of scornful amusement curled the corner of Shuran's lips, vanishing in an instant. She joined in with a sympathetic sigh, "Mother needn't blame herself; this is simply Zidai's destiny."

Presently, Mother Han walked out to the second gate. Seeing her, Zidai began struggling desperately anew, her throat emitting wild, muffled wails while large, bean-sized tears tumbled rapidly from her eyes. Her expression was pitiful in the extreme, and the guards and matrons beside her had to exert all their strength to hold her down, lest she bound upward despite her bonds.

Mother Han didn't dare look at the instruments of punishment set to the side, but looking at Zidai's face only made her feel even more terror-stricken. She could only force out, "My child, your plight... alas, your maternal aunt tried pleading with the Mistress for you, but I'm afraid it's of no use. You must set your mind at ease; your aunt will certainly not abandon you and will carefully plot a future for you later." With those words, she turned on her heel and hurried away.

Horrified, Zidai stared with wide, unblinking eyes, shaking her head so violently that her dark hair shook loose into a wild mane. Disheveled like a vengeful female ghost, the veins on her neck bulged taut, and the sounds from her throat grew increasingly horrific—she had reached the brink of madness. Yet she could only watch helplessly as Mother Han's figure receded further and further away, ultimately turning a corner and vanishing entirely.

Shuran sighed silently, exchanged a glance with Xixiang, and nodded slightly. Xixiang then ordered the guards to remove the gag from Zidai's mouth. Before the girl could even scream, Xixiang seized her chin and forced a bowl of drugged broth down her throat. In her stupor, Zidai seemed to hear voices; Shuran sighed, "When all is said and done, she wasn't her own true daughter. Back when Zidai was favored, she rode the coattails of her success, boasting everywhere and putting on the airs of a concubine's relative—she practically proclaimed herself a blood relation of the Mistress. But now? They couldn't wait to cut ties and hide far away, leaving her to face life or death alone, alas!"

Xixiang remarked, "A concubine? The Eldest Master never even took her to his bed, what sort of concubine is she? Tsk, speaking of which, one has to admire that other person. You didn't see it—these past two days while she was missing, the Eldest Master didn't close his eyes once, acting like a madman. We'd better stay far away; whoever gets close runs into bad luck, and might easily end up as a punching bag."

Mother Han walked briskly for a stretch, slowing her pace only when she could no longer spot the two swaying red lanterns on the ceremonial moon gate. She pressed a hand against her chest and leaned against the wall. Plagued by guilt and a troubled conscience, she let out a few tears, covered her mouth, and muttered through her sobs, "My child, do not hate me, do not hate your aunt. Your aunt had no other choice; since I couldn't move the Mistress, what else could I do? I still have to serve in the Mistress's presence after all! Rest assured, your aunt will look after you in the future, and I'll find a way to get your brothers and sisters into the estate to earn a living."

Pardoning herself with these calculations, she had no inkling that before long, she would be assigned by Madam Qin to serve Lin Dong绣, and would eventually follow Lin Dong绣 when she married into the Marquis of Yongchang's household. At first, life was reasonably prosperous and decent, but Lin Dong绣 kept a tight grip on her silver and was not particularly generous on ordinary days. Accustomed to a life of luxury and status, Mother Han resorted to embezzling funds, was eventually thoroughly investigated, and was driven out of the marquisate. Having lost all face to return to the Lin family, she was fortunately aided by Mother Wu, who found her a job guarding an estate. By that time, Zidai had already been married off to a lame cook in the household—a short, stout, and coarse man who cooked for the junior pages and personal attendants outside the second gate, and who loved drinking and gambling. Fortunately, he still knew how to support a family and make a living. Within three years, Zidai had borne two children, her breasts were sagging nearly down to her navel, and her figure had grown as thick and heavy as a woman of forty or fifty, having completely lost her former beauty. Upon seeing Mother Han arrive, her expression abruptly darkened. She retreated into the courtyard, slammed the door shut with a loud crash, and stubbornly refused to ever see her again for the rest of her days.