Volume 1, Chapter 17: Well Prepared

She walked over and sat down in the chair beside Old Madam Song, her phoenix-like eyes casting a barely perceptible, contemptuous glance at the members of the Third Branch kneeling below.

“Sister-in-law,” Qiao Xianglan lowered her head and whispered.

“Mother, what exactly is going on?”

Old Madam Song recounted the entire incident. The matron shot a reproachful look at Song Ci. “You—a young lady—making such a fuss every day. And to bring it before your grandmother, disturbing her rest.”

Old Madam Song’s expression softened slightly. True to her status as the eldest lady of the household, she showed some concern, unlike the Third Branch family, who were nothing but ingrates, seemingly wishing for her early death.

“It was Wanxia who said she wanted to confront grandmother and aunt. We did not mean to cause trouble.”

The matron’s sharp gaze flickered warningly at Wanxia.

Wanxia clenched her fists tightly, her heart suddenly on edge. At this moment, Song Ci had betrayed her, and she hated her fiercely.

“Wanxia has served you all these years. Even a dog develops feelings. Why make things so difficult for her? I know Third Sister-in-law, you have no formal education, but surely you understand the principle of mercy where it can be given.”

Song Ci turned her head and saw her mother bowing deeply.

In earlier years, she had heard rumors about the wives of the three Song brothers. The first aunt came from a scholarly family, though fallen on hard times. After her family returned to the village, she was accepted by the eldest uncle and married. The second aunt’s family were butchers, one of the wealthiest in the village. At a time when the Song family was nearly starving, they married the second aunt to the second uncle in hopes of his future success, providing meat and assistance over the years.

Because the two women came from a scholarly lineage and a prosperous butcher family, the hard and dirty work was all left to her mother, whose family background was the most humble.

She remembered that in her previous life, her mother suffered terribly at the hands of the Song family. The Qiao family sent gifts multiple times but received cold receptions. Her mother was too timid to speak for her own family, and the Qiao family gradually stopped coming.

Later, the three uncles on her mother’s side—one a businessman, one a soldier, and the youngest a scholar—brought the Qiao family back to prosperity.

Yet none could rival the extremely fortunate Song family. When they learned that their only sister had been so harshly mistreated and sent to the Prince’s estate, where she caused a scene but was beaten out by the Song family, they sought justice through official channels. The local authorities ignored them, so they beat drums and petitioned the court. The Song family’s power was overwhelming; they were no match. Ultimately, the Qiao family were all exiled and died on the road.

These were things she learned during her aimless wandering after death.

“Aunt, since the eldest and second uncles are scholars aiming for official posts, naturally, our family cannot have servants with questionable character, or outsiders will say our house is corrupt from top to bottom.”

“Then what do you propose? Moreover, if this silver note truly belongs to Wanxia,” Li Yao’s eyes sharpened.

“I have proof! The evidence is on the silver note itself.”

“What proof?” Li Yao sensed trouble but had to ask.

“This silver note—I dried it after washing, but if you get close enough, you can still smell medicine. I accidentally spilled some medicine on it a few days ago.”

Having said that, she handed the note forward.

No close proximity was needed; just leaning in slightly, the scent of herbs filled the air.

Li Yao’s face darkened as she shot Wanxia a fierce glare.

Wanxia knelt on the cold floor, her limbs numb, eyes dazed.

“Indeed... there’s a medicinal scent. But that alone doesn’t prove the note is yours. You take medicine regularly, and Wanxia is from the Third Branch; it’s not strange she might come into contact with it.”

Song Ci twisted the corner of her mouth. “Wanxia doesn’t do the medicine boiling; no one ever sees her. It’s my maid, Wanxiang, who does that.”

Li Yao was left speechless.

“Old Madam, Matron, I... I only did this because someone at home was ill. It was not my choice!” Wanxia wailed, pounding her head on the floor.

Li Yao’s expression softened, and she sighed. “They are all pitiful people. Maybe we should just let it go. She didn’t do it on purpose. Everyone faces hard times. The silver note has been recovered, so no one suffered a loss, right, Third Sister-in-law?”

Li Yao now realized that the Third Branch’s maids had become sharp-tongued and aggressive, perhaps from some wrong medicine. She decided to turn the conversation toward Qiao Xianglan.

Qiao Xianglan bit her lip, about to say yes.

Song Ci interrupted.

“If everyone stole whenever they faced hardship, the Song family would have been robbed bare long ago! Aunt, what if your maid took your jewelry or hairpins because she was ill? Would you let it go?”

Li Yao: “Of course not!”

She blurted out instinctively. Not only would she not let it go, but in her nature, she would beat the culprit half to death and sell them off to the worst places.

Song Ci understood this aunt’s true nature. Behind her gentle and dignified façade lay a ruthless heart.

At first, she hid it, but as her eldest uncle rose in rank, anyone who crossed her met cruel retribution, tortured in creative ways.

“Since Aunt says so, why let Wanxia off? Who knows if she’ll steal again? Having a thief nearby means no peace, even in sleep.”

“That won’t do, this won’t do. What do you suggest then? Throw Wanxia out?” Old Madam Song muttered disapprovingly.

Hearing she might be cast out, Wanxia was filled with hatred. After all, she had served the Third Branch for so long—how could they be so heartless?

“Third Miss, I’ve served you for so long. Please give me one more chance! I won’t do it again!”

Song Ci pondered slightly. “It’s not impossible.”

Wanxia’s eyes brightened. If she stayed, she vowed to settle scores for today’s humiliation.

“Unless you give me Wanxia’s indentured servitude contract.”

Li Yao: “Absolutely not. The contracts of household servants have always been under my custody.”

Song Ci shook her head, feigning regret. “If that’s the case, then she must be sold. I’ve thought about it. Wanxia acts so recklessly and disregards us because the contract isn’t in our hands.”

Li Yao sensed the threat beneath her words and felt displeased.

But if it were anyone else, would they obey and serve her as Wanxia did?

She wasn’t sure. Then again, even without the contract, Wanxia had other weaknesses, so she had no worries about keeping her in line.

“Matron, I beg you, don’t sell me away. Please save me...” Wanxia pleaded pitifully.