Chapter 48: The Fault

 Chapter 48: The Fault

"Come in!"

With a sharp command, the two women standing outside immediately burst in.

These were the servants that Shen Shi had brought with her. 

Since Shen Shi married into the Marquis family, she had been in charge of the household's provisions and had accumulated significant influence over time. At this moment, the servants of Rongfu Hall exchanged uncertain glances, and no one dared to step forward to stop her.

Thus, the two burly women roughly pulled Concubine Jiang out of Chu Lingxiao's arms.

"Shen Zhi!"

Chu Lingxiao's face turned bright red with anger. He couldn't bring himself to quarrel with lowly women like them, so he could only shout at Shen Shi.

Although Shen Zhi often acted high and mighty, she had always been respectful toward him in the past.

He had never known that a woman could be so arrogant, showing no trace of the gentleness that a woman should have!

Anger surged in Chu Lingxiao’s eyes.

When the two of them had just married, he had already felt that Shen Shi looked down on him.

Indeed, had it not been for the Shen family, the Yongding Marquis family might have lost their title.

Because of this, ever since Shen Shi entered the Marquis family, the entire household had practically worshipped her, and she had become very self-important, acting high and mighty without any awareness of her role as a wife.

Being with her, Chu Lingxiao felt nothing but disgust and exhaustion.

"Lord... Lord..."

Concubine Jiang cried, her face a picture of sorrow.

Chu Lingxiao felt a sharp pain in his heart and could not help but blurt out, "Shen Zhi, do you believe that I..."

Seeing that Chu Lingxiao was about to say the word "divorce" in his fury, the Old Madam interrupted him with a dark expression, "Enough!"

The Old Madam slammed the tea table, making a loud sound, and coldly said, "Concubine Jiang has failed to manage her servants properly."

She shot Chu Lingxiao a warning glance, signaling him to restrain himself.

Although Concubine Jiang was her niece, she was only a fallen orphan, whereas Shen Shi was the legitimate daughter of the Mu Guo Gong family.

It was acceptable for a son to pamper his concubine, but he must never humiliate his lawful wife.

In the Da Qi dynasty, there were many noble families where the husband and wife were not on good terms, as long as they could maintain appearances.

But a wife was a wife, and a concubine was a concubine!

Cui Mama’s crime was proven beyond a doubt, and Shen Shi had the right to punish Concubine Jiang. Chu Lingxiao could not let a concubine make him lose face in front of his main wife!

The Old Madam softened her voice and advised, "Ah Xiao, this is a matter for the inner courtyard. As a man, you should not interfere."

She feared that Chu Lingxiao might say something inappropriate that would worsen the situation.

At this point, Chu Lingxiao had already calmed down. His throat moved as he swallowed, his gaze toward Shen Shi filled with coldness, as if warning her: "You dare!"

Chu Qianhuang was at a loss, watching her parents. She tightly twisted a handkerchief in her hands, hesitating to speak.

Shen Shi returned Chu Lingxiao a faint smile and commanded, "Strike."

With her command, the sound of bamboo boards hitting flesh soon echoed throughout Rongfu Hall.

One strike, two strikes, three strikes...

Amidst the sounds, a woman’s soft, sorrowful cries of pain could be heard.

Then came the loud sound of things being thrown, and Chu Lingxiao stormed out, his face ashen with rage.

The maids and servants outside the hall exchanged glances, silently observing the unfolding scene.

Although the servants did not know exactly what had happened inside, they had all clearly heard the Madam's order to strike Concubine Jiang.

So, Concubine Jiang really was beaten?!

The madam, with such a kind nature, had never demeaned concubines or secondary wives. How grave must Concubine Jiang’s mistake have been for this to happen?

The servants either listened carefully or whispered among themselves.

Taking advantage of the moment when no one was paying attention, Biya quietly slipped out. She thought: Concubine Jiang is the legitimate mother of the second young miss, I should hurry and inform her.

Biya asked a trusted maid to cover for her and rushed to Wanyan Courtyard to pass on the news.

Hu Po delivered the information to Chu Qianchen. 

Chu Qianchen, who had changed into a green robe, was now wearing a veil. Upon hearing the news, she paused for a moment.

"Miss," Hu Po said cautiously, "Biya doesn't know how badly the concubine was hurt, would you like me to find out?"

The young miss had always been filial. Although she had been somewhat distant from Concubine Jiang recently, in the past, whenever Concubine Jiang was even slightly unwell, the young miss had been more anxious and worried than anyone else.

Moreover, it was because the young miss had cured Mei’er that Mei’er had revealed Cui Mama’s plot, and now Concubine Jiang had been punished. The young miss might be upset by this.

"No need." Chu Qianchen tied her veil in place and asked calmly, "What else did Biya say?"

Hu Po observed her carefully and, seeing no sign of anxiety or self-blame on her face, felt a little relieved.

She had feared that the young miss might be swayed by Concubine Jiang and grow overly sympathetic toward her.

Hu Po continued, "Biya said that Cui Mama crashed into the corner of a table, and it’s uncertain whether she’ll live or die."

"The Lord and Madam had a big argument. In the end, the Lord threw down his sleeve and stormed off with a dark expression. A little maid was too slow to avoid, and the Lord kicked her so hard that she couldn’t get up for a long time."

"After Concubine Jiang was beaten, she was sent back to her own courtyard."

Pausing, Hu Po hesitated before adding, "The Madam has confined her to her quarters for a month, and every noon, she has to kneel for an hour."

Since Biya was only a second-class maid and hadn’t been in the main hall, she didn’t know everything in detail, and her information wasn’t completely accurate.

Chu Qianchen nodded slightly, not confirming or denying, and then she tucked the needle pouch into her clothes.

"Miss, are we going out?" Hu Po recalled that the young miss had said she needed to visit the young master Yun, who had his throat slit, for a follow-up examination.

"We’re going to Jishi Hall," Chu Qianchen said as she walked toward the door, thinking: I wonder if I will see the prince today.

Hu Po had long grown accustomed to her mistress often going out. The two of them walked out of the Marquis residence through the east side gate.

The streets of the capital were as bustling as usual, and Hu Po felt somewhat uneasy, frequently glancing at Chu Qianchen.

Finally, she couldn’t help but ask, "Miss, did you already know that things would escalate like this today?"

Remembering how the young miss had said yesterday that she wouldn’t be able to visit the manor, Hu Po felt that her mistress might be some kind of fortune-teller.

Looking up at Hu Po’s admiring gaze, Chu Qianchen smiled slightly, her lips curling up beneath the veil. Her phoenix eyes sparkled with intelligence.

She tapped Hu Po’s forehead and smiled, "This matter involves too many people. We’ll leave the elder sister out of it, but especially Cui Mama…"

Cui Mama was Concubine Jiang's most trusted confidante and left hand, someone Concubine Jiang depended on entirely.

If this issue had involved others, Concubine Jiang might have been willing to cut ties with them to clear herself. However, with Cui Mama involved, Concubine Jiang would do everything she could to protect her.

"Concubine Jiang has always been favored, and she will certainly turn to Father to protect Cui Mama."

Chu Qianchen smiled faintly. With the veil obscuring her expression, she appeared enigmatic, making it impossible for Hu Po to guess what she was thinking.

Chu Qianchen shrugged and said, "See, it’s really that simple."

What’s simple?! Hu Po was still confused and didn’t quite understand.

"The Lord and Madam quarreled because of Concubine Jiang. No matter what happens, if the Madam leaves now, it will only hurt her position," Chu Qianchen patiently explained, giving a brief answer.

Hu Po pursed her lips, deep in thought, her understanding beginning to form.

(End of this chapter)