Chapter 469
The commotion had long since woken the other guests at the inn, especially the sight of the constables in their official attire, prompting many to throw on outer garments and stand by their doors, eavesdropping.
"Is she a kidnapper?" the young woman, also staying on the second floor, asked her attendant with a look of disbelief. "Granny Zhou, didn't you say she was a maid specially trained by a prominent family?"
Having endured a day of travel, the young woman, Madam Min, found the inn's oily and heavily salted dishes unpalatable. She had thus sent Granny Zhou to the kitchen to procure some lighter fare.
Coincidentally, He Nuan had just finished simmering a soup, its rich aroma making Madam Min's stomach rumble. She had initially assumed it was prepared by the inn's cook, but upon inquiring with a waiter, she learned it belonged to a guest's maid.
The scent of the soup made Madam Min feel ravenously hungry. She instructed Granny Zhou to offer an ounce of silver to purchase it, but Granny Zhou stopped her, and in doing so, enlightened the less affluent Madam Min about the customs and etiquette of wealthy households.
Madam Min remained somewhat reluctant, but Granny Zhou explained clearly that a maid like He Nuan, skilled in culinary arts, must have been specially trained by a large family to serve their young master. Offering an ounce of silver to buy the soup would be an insult, not a favor. Madam Min's husband's family, the Fengs, were mere minor merchants and could not afford to offend such a distinguished family.
"Be quiet, don't spout nonsense and bring trouble upon us!" Duke Feng the Second reprimanded, his face grim. He frowned at his wife, who, despite being scolded, still looked defiant, and for the first time, he realized the unsuitability of this marriage.
Madam Min, relying on her youth and beauty, was not favored by her in-laws. However, her husband consistently protected her. This time, concerned that she might be bullied if left behind at the Feng residence, he had brought her along on the journey.
Madam Min had initially felt quite pleased with herself, but being reprimanded by Feng Qing in front of several servants caused her face to flush instantly. She lowered her head in embarrassment, but her eyes were filled with indignation and anger.
Granny Zhou observed the scene impassively, sighing inwardly. Her madam had objected to this marriage initially, favoring the third daughter of the Bai family, who was a more suitable match. However, the second son had been infatuated and insisted on marrying Madam Min.
The master and madam had reprimanded and lectured him extensively, but the second son remained obstinate. In the end, the madam reluctantly agreed, turning a blind eye. After all, he was merely a concubine's son. Since he refused to be grateful, why should the madam go out of her way to be the villain?
Whether it was Granny Zhou, the steward accompanying Feng Qing, or the servants, though they were all subordinates, they were not foolish. The young girl clearly appeared to have been raised with great care; her skin was so fair and tender it seemed as though one could squeeze water from it. How could she possibly be a simple village girl?
As for the constables, their obvious bias indicated that the situation was far more complex. It was only because the authorities were involved that Feng Qing was so cautious. Yet, Madam Min failed to grasp any of this, truly believing the young girl was the "Er Niu" the woman had spoken of.
Inside the room, Zhan Feiyu glanced at the road permit that had been burned. Once identification documents were destroyed, one could no longer prove their identity. Coupled with the biased stance of these constables...