Listening to Granny Lu's words, Hong Xiu furiously scolded Lu Xiu, "You are a born servant, your deed of sale is in Madam's hands. If you had only begged Madam, Madam's benevolence would surely not have married you off to Butcher Hu!"
But because Lu Xiu had accepted money from others and betrayed her mistress, implicating herself to be sold off as well, Hong Xiu's sorrow welled up from the depths of her heart. She angrily beat Lu Xiu's back, then collapsed on the ground and sobbed.
Lu Xiu, having been beaten and scolded, had a numb expression on her face. She stared blankly at Lord Chang and Madam Chang, who were seated in the main position. After a long while, she seemed to finally understand, and tears streamed down her face.
"Madam, I was wrong, I was truly wrong!" Precisely because she was a born servant, Lu Xiu had heard many stories of the inner courtyards since childhood. The Chang family had strict rules, and Madam was a noble official's wife. She herself was of lowly status, which was why Lu Xiu did not believe Madam would make an exception for a mere third-rank maid.
Madam Chang's expression remained unchanged. "Enough, you don't need to cry anymore. Tell us everything you know. As for Zhong Jin, Granny Lu, you will go to the medical clinic tomorrow. The clinic fees and medication costs will be covered by the manor. Once Zhong Jin has recovered, have him work as a shop assistant at the wine shop."
Lu Xiu was stunned, then kowtowed gratefully to Madam Chang. "Thank you, Madam, for your leniency. The day before yesterday, when I was off duty, I went to the medical clinic to get medicine for Zhong Jin and met an old woman..."
This old woman claimed to be an old servant of Madam Chang's maternal family. She had been driven out of the Li manor for a minor mistake, and her family's monthly income had decreased by a tael of silver, leaving them in financial straits.
When it rains, it pours. The old woman's youngest daughter had also caught a cold and fallen ill. All the family's money had been spent on doctors. Helpless, the old woman had no choice but to return to the Li manor again, begging her masters for mercy to allow her to serve them once more.
Lu Xiu wiped away her tears, finally realizing she had been deceived. How could such a coincidence occur? Zhong Jin had broken his arm and was in the medical clinic, she had no money, and this old woman was also unable to afford medicine for her sick youngest daughter back then.
"Old Madam Liu knelt at the back gate of the Li family for a day, and finally had to return home. Unexpectedly, her youngest daughter, left at home unattended, fell to the ground. Coupled with the lingering cold, she eventually died of illness. Years later, Old Madam Liu still harbored resentment. Previously, she accidentally saw Madam Li and the young lady cousin on the street, so she thought of taking revenge."
Old Madam Liu did not dare to truly harm anyone. Even if she dared, Lu Xiu would not have agreed. Furthermore, if the matter were truly investigated, Old Madam Liu's youngest daughter's death had nothing to do with the Li family. It was Old Madam Liu who had left her sick daughter unattended, causing her to fall from the bed and lie on the cold ground for a day, which worsened her condition and led to her premature death.
"Old Madam Liu's financial situation has improved over the years, so she gave me fifty taels of silver and asked me to scare the young lady cousin. That wild cat was also sent by Old Madam Liu." Lu Xiu dared not hide anything further.
Fifty taels of silver could not repay her elder brother's gambling debts, but it could allow Zhong Jin to continue his treatment. The remaining money might even allow Lu Xiu to redeem herself, and then the two could flee to a distant land.
Hong Xiu and Lu Xiu were taken away, along with the young maid who had spilled fish soup on Tao Tao earlier. She had accepted five taels of silver from Lu Xiu, thinking that Tao Tao had previously come to the manor to scold Lu Xiu, and Lu Xiu wanted to make Tao Tao lose face at the birthday banquet for five taels.
This was not a major matter. The young maid was greedy for money, and she also knew that Tao Tao was gentle and would not yell or curse at her for such a small mistake. Therefore, she accepted the five taels of silver and deliberately spilled fish soup on Tao Tao while serving dishes.
Lord Chang looked at his young daughter, who was deep in thought below, and asked gently, "Do you have any reflections?"
"Father always taught us not to do evil, however small, and not to neglect good, however small. Today, I truly understand." Chang Ruoan looked at the three maids, Hong Xiu, Lu Xiu, and the other maid, being dragged away. For a little bit of profit, they had committed evil deeds. Perhaps they thought it was just a small evil, harmless, but they never expected it to harm themselves and others in the end!
The affairs of the inner courtyard were cleared up. Madam Chang coldly looked at the two young servants kneeling on the ground. "Who took your money to let Young Master You into the inner courtyard!"
Songtao Lin was adjacent to the guest courtyard, with a hundred-meter-long bluestone path in between. Lotus ponds were on both sides of the path. Madam Chang had arranged for guards at both ends of the path to prevent any external men from entering, intentionally or unintentionally.
If You Ba Wang could sneak into the back courtyard from Songtao Lin, someone must have been there to meet him.
As the young servants were confessing, the butler walked in from outside. After bowing to Lord Chang and Madam Chang, he reported, "Master, Young Master You has woken up and is now clamoring to leave."
He had stormed into the back courtyard of the Chang manor under the influence of alcohol. Now that he had sobered up, he also knew fear, so he was making a fuss and wanted to leave.
Lord Chang's expression was usually gentle, but at this moment, his eyes held a hint of coldness. The reason he did not immediately notify the You family after the incident was that the You family had spoiled You Hao Ran to the point of lawlessness. If the You family found out, regardless of whether they were right or wrong, they would take You Hao Ran away.
However, if You Hao Ran did not return late at night, the You family would not find it strange, as You Hao Ran spent half of his time frequenting brothels and often stayed out all night.
Lord Chang intended to investigate the matter thoroughly before sending You Hao Ran back to the You family. That way, he would not be afraid of the You family protecting him or denying the facts. With an external man appearing in the Chang family's inner courtyard, Lord Chang had to provide an explanation to the ladies of all the families.
"Bring Young Master You here. An'an, you should leave for now." Lord Chang said in a deep voice. He wanted to see whose hand was reaching so far.
A moment later, You Ba Wang, who had drunk hangover soup, entered the room following the butler. He even gave a proper bow to Lord Chang and Madam Chang, shamelessly explaining himself, "It was the old madam's birthday banquet, and this nephew got carried away with drinking. Please forgive me, Uncle."
"Please be seated, worthy nephew." Lord Chang smiled, beckoned him to sit, picked up his teacup, and took two sips of tea leisurely. "Although your intrusion into the back courtyard was a bit absurd, fortunately, it did not cause any major trouble. However, I must ask you, worthy nephew, how did you enter the guest courtyard?"
Seeing Lord Chang's amiable attitude, You Ba Wang immediately relaxed and slumped onto the chair like a puddle of mud. "Uncle also knows that I am a bit of a rake. I heard that Miss Zhan of Yufeng Tower is a peerless beauty, so I wanted to take the opportunity to catch a glimpse of her. Therefore, I bribed the gatekeeper to facilitate my entry."
The noble ladies in the capital were beautiful, but they were all talented. You Ba Wang had no interest in them. Moreover, the You family was a noble family, and the noble ladies in the capital were also from distinguished families. You Ba Wang had been flirtatious before, but he was beaten up severely after being ambushed.
After that, You Ba Wang learned his lesson. With money, he could find pleasure in brothels, where there were plenty of beautiful women to serve him. Besides, there were many beautiful girls on the streets, and as long as he paid money, he could get them.
Occasionally, there were families who doted on their daughters, but You Ba Wang did not care. His group of good brothers had plenty of ways to create an accident and extort money. He was not afraid that their families would not sell their daughters.
When Zhan Feiyu's name spread, You Ba Wang was the first to become interested. He liked such fiery women the most. He had seen too many delicate girls in brothels, so those with temperaments were more appealing.
Unfortunately, You Ba Wang visited Yufeng Tower more than ten times without encountering Zhan Feiyu. Upon inquiring, he learned that Zhan Feiyu lived a reclusive life and spent all day reading in her room.
"Uncle, I had no other choice. My father said that Miss Zhan is followed by bodyguards, so I didn't dare to force my way into Yufeng Tower. Today, I happened to have the chance to catch a glimpse of her beauty, so I..." He chuckled lewdly. Although You Ba Wang often harassed respectable women, he was extremely cowardly.
Zhan Feiyu dared to confront Zhe Jing directly. The Zhe family's guards who trespassed into Yufeng Tower also returned defeated. No matter how lustful You Ba Wang was, he did not have the courage. After drinking a few more cups at the banquet, he heard Ning Chen'an and Bai Zhaohui praising Zhan Feiyu.
This reignited the idea in You Ba Wang's heart, and he thought of sneaking over from Songtao Lin. Who knew his luck was so good that as soon as he reached Songtao Lin, he saw He Nuan going to get clothes. The servant who had accepted money whispered He Nuan's identity to him.
You Ba Wang's eyes immediately lit up with lust. At this moment, the maid with martial arts skills was not present. If he went to the guest courtyard, he might be able to get close to her. Under the influence of alcohol, You Ba Wang directly gave his jade pendant and banknotes to the gatekeeper and headed straight for the guest courtyard.
Madam Chang had not spoken all along, but at this moment, her face turned ashen. You Ba Wang had gone to the flower hall in the guest courtyard. If he had gone into the room where Tao Tao was changing clothes, wouldn't he have ruined the girl's reputation?
Thinking of this, Madam Chang almost lost her temper. Such a shameless scoundrel should be imprisoned in the Shun Tian Fu prison, lest he go out and harm good families' daughters!
"Uncle, aren't you afraid that Miss Zhan is not the talented woman that Ning Chen'an and the others spoke of? She's more terrifying than a tigress!" You Ba Wang rubbed his stomach, gasped in pain, and complained to Lord Chang irritably, "In the dark, when I first entered, I couldn't even see what she looked like before I was kicked to the ground. This lump on the back of my head will probably not disappear for half a month!"
The reason You Ba Wang fainted was not because he was drunk, but because the back of his head hit the stone slab ground heavily, knocking himself unconscious.
Lord Chang put down his teacup and looked at the oblivious You Ba Wang. He estimated that You Ba Wang did not even know that he had narrowly escaped death.
Since he knew that the young lady was protected by bodyguards, why would he naively think that the martial maid named He Nuan had left, and the young lady was alone in the flower hall? Being kicked only once was already...
At this thought, Lord Chang's expression suddenly changed. Since the mastermind had planned this scene, inciting You Ba Wang to break into the guest courtyard in the front courtyard, and directing the maid to spill fish soup in the back courtyard, was all this just to disgust Miss Zhan?
After all, You Ba Wang knew that the young lady was protected by bodyguards, and the mastermind must also know. Then, what was his true objective?
"Uncle, it was these two people who took my money. It's getting late, and I should be going back." You Ba Wang stood up and kicked the kneeling servant angrily. It was because of these two lowly things that he had to take a kick for nothing. How unlucky!
"Young Master, spare my life!" The servant who was kicked over wailed and lunged at You Ba Wang, seemingly wanting him to show mercy.
Lord Chang's expression changed drastically, and he shouted, "Chang Hu!"
The smiling You Ba Wang felt a sharp pain in his abdomen. He looked down and saw a dagger inserted into his abdomen, with blood slowly flowing from the wound.
Kicking the attacking servant away, Chang Hu quickly caught You Ba Wang, who was falling, and covered his wound. Seeing that the blood from the wound had turned black, Chang Hu's expression darkened. The knife was coated with poison!
The servant who was kicked away also let out a pained groan, with black blood slowly flowing from the corners of his mouth. He had also committed suicide by poison.
"Father, Mother?" Chang Ruo'an, who had been listening behind the screen, came out at this moment and was so frightened that her face turned pale.
Madam Chang was also startled by this sudden turn of events. Hearing her daughter's voice, she finally reacted and pulled her behind her. "It's alright, Mother is here. An'an, don't be afraid."
Lord Chang glanced at his wife and daughter, then strode over. Seeing You Ba Wang vomiting black blood profusely, his expression became extremely grim.
"My Lord, it's the Crane's Crested Red that kills on contact," Chang Hu placed You Ba Wang, who still had a breath left, on the ground. Even a divine doctor could not save him.
Chang Hu got up and walked towards the attacking servant. He placed a hand on the servant's neck. There was no pulse. "It's also Crane's Crested Red... My Lord, this person was wearing a human skin mask!"