The 왕府 (Wang Manor) dungeon.
Screams of agony filled the air, the crack of whips, the clatter of chains, and the sizzle of hot irons searing flesh. All these sounds mingled, painting a horrific picture of a living hell even without witnessing the blood-soaked scene.
Deep within the dungeon, the figure tied to a stake was so mangled that its original form was indistinguishable. Jia Huan tossed aside the razor in his hand and turned to Xuan Thirteen, "That's about it. After enduring my torture, everything that should be said and shouldn't be said has been confessed."
Xuan Thirteen nodded at Jia Huan and turned to leave the cell.
The study.
Xuan Thirteen reported the interrogation results to Ji Jinmo, "Master, it's been confirmed. Of the six of them, five, including Wang Er, were habitual thieves with a history of cross-jurisdictional crimes. The man Xuan Yi beheaded was their employer, who hired the five of them to steal a treasure from the Wang Manor."
As Xuan Thirteen spoke, he glanced up at his prince. If he hadn't trusted Jia Huan's methods, he wouldn't have believed that anyone would dare to steal from the Wang Manor, rushing so eagerly to meet their demise.
Ji Jinmo remained silent. Xuan Thirteen continued, "According to Wang Er's confession, the reasons they agreed to this employment were first, the exorbitant price offered by the other party, and second, the promise from that party that there was an insider within the Wang Manor."
"It was originally agreed that the screams from within the manor would be the signal, but there was no movement from inside, so they dared not act."
Ji Jinmo ran his prayer beads through his fingers, his brows subtly furrowed.
The theft was a ruse; causing a disturbance was the true objective.
He surmised that those thieves, even in death, never imagined their employer had no intention of letting them live when they were hired.
If Nan Shiying were to hang herself in the Wang Manor, it would indeed require someone to break into the manor and create a commotion. If the matter wasn't escalated, how could the news of him forcing the death of a high-ranking official's daughter be spread?
"I understand. Once Xuan Yi returns, have him come see me!"
"Yes!"
As Xuan Thirteen left the study, silence descended upon the room, broken only by the crisp sound of his fingers flicking the prayer beads against each other.
...
The next morning, Nan Shiying was awakened by voices outside her door.
"Wang Fei, are you awake?" Lü Wan asked softly from outside the door, holding a basin of water.
Nan Shiying stared blankly at the beams overhead. After a long moment, her soul fully returned. She rolled over and sat up in bed, her languid voice still tinged with a nasal tone, "I'm awake!"
The maids entered. Lü Wan placed the basin on a nearby shelf and knelt before Nan Shiying, offering her greetings, "Your humble servant, Lü Wan, pays respects to Wang Fei Niang Niang."
"Your humble servants, Xiao Huan (Bai Zhi, Lan Er), pay respects to Wang Fei Niang Niang."
These four maids, led by Lü Wan, were top-ranking attendants bestowed upon Nan Shiying by Ji Jinmo.
Nan Shiying surveyed them, her gaze lingering on Lü Wan for a moment before she emitted a soft "Mm" from her nose, "You may all rise!"
"Thank you, Niang Niang!"
The maids rose. Lü Wan stepped forward to help Nan Shiying with her clothes and wash her face.
As the Regent's mother had died early, Nan Shiying was spared the daily ritual of morning and evening greetings. In this vast manor, apart from the Regent, Ji Jinmo, Nan Shiying was the most esteemed.
After serving Nan Shiying her breakfast, Lü Wan inquired, "Niang Niang, should preparations be made? In a little while, the Side Concubine Niang Niang and the two favored concubines will come to pay their respects."
Nan Shiying, sipping her tea, asked nonchalantly, "Tell me, what are their temperaments and dispositions?"
Lü Wan replied, "The Side Concubine Niang Niang has always managed the household affairs, and the servants have always followed her lead."
"As for the two favored concubines, Madam Lan Ruo has a gentle disposition and dislikes going out. Her favorite pastimes are gardening and reading. Madam Xin Yang, however, is the opposite; she enjoys liveliness and is domineering and assertive."
Nan Shiying raised her eyes and glanced at Lü Wan.
Her few words had clearly outlined each person's character.
The Side Concubine was a formidable and difficult person to deal with; Madam Lan Ruo was a shrewd schemer; and Madam Xin Yang was an impetuous hothead.
Ji Jinmo certainly knew how to choose his people.
It could be considered as adding good helpers for her.
Nan Shiying gave a light "Mm." Lü Wan said no more, standing respectfully to the side.
...
At the first quarter of the Chen hour.
Madam Lan Ruo, Wei Ru Lan, and Madam Xin Yang, Bai Xin Xin, arrived at the Xin Yuan Pavilion. Some time later, the Side Concubine Qin Yurou finally arrived, fashionably late.
"Niang Niang?"
Lü Wan stood beside Nan Shiying, serving tea, and feeling puzzled as she saw no intention for her to summon them.
Nan Shiying calmly sipped her tea, ignoring Lü Wan's bewilderment.
After about fifteen minutes, having finished an entire cup of tea, Nan Shiying finally sent Lü Wan to speak with those outside: "Side Concubine Niang Niang, Madam, Wang Fei is feeling a bit fatigued. Please forgo today's greetings. You may all return!"
Fatigued? I think it's a power play!
Qin Yurou abruptly flicked her sleeve and said indifferently, "Oh, Wang Fei Niang Niang's health is so poor. It's best to serve His Highness less, lest you tire out Niang Niang's delicate body for no reason. Also, it would be better if the management of household affairs were left to this concubine to continue. This concubine cannot bear the guilt of tiring Wang Fei."
"Wang Fei, please rest well. This concubine will take her leave!"
Qin Yurou, leading her maids, turned and walked out of the Xin Yuan Pavilion.
Wei Ru Lan merely glanced into the room from outside the door and said with concern, "I hope Niang Niang takes care of her health. This concubine takes her leave."
Bai Xin Xin snorted at Wei Ru Lan, quietly muttering "hypocritical," and then glared at Lü Wan with displeasure. Without a word, she turned and stormed out with her maids.
Lü Wan turned back into the room and asked, somewhat confused, "What is the meaning of this, Niang Niang?"
Was it simply a show of dominance?
Nan Shiying glanced at Lü Wan. She was Ji Jinmo's maid, so there was reason for her to ask. She didn't hide anything, "Pretending to be ill."
Lü Wan was even more perplexed.
Nan Shiying, too lazy to explain further, simply instructed, "It will be like this for the next few days."
"Yes!"
"Your humble servant understands!"