Chapter 71: Setting the Net (Second Update)

 Chapter 71: Setting the Net (Second Update)

"..." Shen Shi was startled and her expression changed slightly.

Chu Qianhuang looked at Chu Qianchen, but saw that she remained calm and unaffected, seemingly unconcerned about the situation.

Chu Qianhuang nonchalantly lifted her tea cup.

Shen Shi turned to the old maid and asked, "What exactly happened? Why did Third Miss destroy Jishi Hall?"

Shen Shi’s expression grew serious. If the Chu family’s Third Miss had caused trouble at someone else’s medical clinic, it wouldn’t just be about Chu Qianling. If this wasn’t handled properly, it could tarnish the family’s reputation.

Chu Yunmu was also listening curiously from the side, thinking, Isn’t destroying a medical clinic and causing a scene in the street something only a dissolute noble son would do? Turns out Third Sister has an even worse temper than I do! He was the kind of child who would only cause trouble inside the house.

The old maid caught her breath and continued, "Madam, the little maid who rushed back with the news said that Third Miss went to Jishi Hall seeking treatment, but the famous physician wasn’t there. Third Miss felt that Jishi Hall was deliberately neglecting her, and in a fit of anger, she had the clinic smashed."

Chu Qianhuang furrowed her brow slightly and explained, "Mother, I parted ways with Third Sister and the others half an hour ago. I saw that it was getting late, and the younger sisters are still small, so I brought them back. Third Sister said she still wanted to go shopping, but since the Second Prince and Second Brother were accompanying her, I let her go. I didn’t expect..."

The Second Brother she referred to was Chu Yunchen, the eldest son of the second house, and also Chu Qianling's real brother.

Shen Shi’s expression became more serious. She asked, "What about His Royal Highness the Second Prince? Is Third Miss still at Jishi Hall?"

The old maid quickly replied, "I heard that His Royal Highness the Second Prince was accompanying Third Miss to Jishi Hall, but since the famous physician wasn’t there, His Royal Highness, seeing that the time was late, returned to the palace, saying he would accompany Third Miss to Jishi Hall again next time."

"After His Royal Highness left, Third Miss suddenly became angry and had the clinic smashed."

"The physicians at Jishi Hall said they would report the matter to the authorities and have Third Miss taken to the local magistrate..."

"Second Madam wants you to visit Jishi Hall"

The old maid spoke in a roundabout way, but her meaning was clear. Liu Shi had sent her to find Shen Shi because she feared that Jishi Hall might escalate the issue to the authorities. If that happened, Chu Qianling’s reputation would be ruined. Liu Shi hoped Shen Shi would use her title as a noblewoman to pressure Jishi Hall and settle the matter.

Shen Shi sneered slightly and instructed Chen Mama, "Chen Mama, go to the accounting room and get the money to compensate them for the damages. Pay the full price, and then add double the compensation."

"Yes, Madam." Chen Mama quickly left to handle the matter, and the old maid withdrew to report to Liu Shi.

Shen Shi frowned, her face showing clear displeasure. She thought about everything that had happened over the past month and felt that Chu Qianling was truly troublesome.

As for Chu Qianling’s little infatuations with the Second Prince, both Shen Shi and the Old Madam were experienced enough to have noticed, though they hadn’t pointed it out. Besides, the rumors of rivalry among the daughters of the Marquis family couldn’t possibly spread; otherwise, what would happen to the marriage prospects of the Marquis family’s girls?

If it weren’t for the fact that Chu Qianling’s trouble with the authorities would reflect poorly on the Marquis family and affect her own children and Chu Qianchen, Shen Shi wouldn’t have cared about Chu Qianling. In the end, Liu Shi had come to find her just to hold this leverage over her.

Now that things were settled on Chu Yunmu’s side, Chu Qianchen had originally planned to return, but now she decided not to.

At five years old, Chu Yunmu was carefree and lighthearted. After marveling at his Third Sister’s bad temper, he quickly dismissed the matter from his mind and dragged Chu Qianchen into a game of "cat's cradle."

Chu Yunmu’s fingers were short but very nimble. Whether it was "throwing the pot" or "cat’s cradle," he played it with skill.

The siblings worked their way from simple to complex, "fields," "noodles," "cow’s eyes," "twists," "darts"… one design after another, until Chu Yunmu became too tired to continue and started to play tricks.

Chu Qianchen relented for once, her slender fingers skillfully flipping the red string to form a golden fish.

Amazing!! Chu Yunmu watched in awe, not even daring to blink. He tugged at Chu Qianchen’s sleeve and asked, "Second Sister, how did you do that?"

Chu Qianchen smiled and repeated the movements, the corner of her lips curling.

"Teach me quickly!" Chu Yunmu’s eyes sparkled as he eagerly asked Chu Qianchen to teach him, thinking to himself, Once I learn this, I’ll definitely show off to my brothers and sisters next time.

As they played happily, Shen Shi smiled faintly.

Chu Qianhuang also looked on at Chu Qianchen and Chu Yunmu, her dark, willow-leaf eyes gleaming with a quiet, distant light, deep like an ancient well.

Chu Yunmu tirelessly pestered Chu Qianchen, playing round after round. The more he lost, the more spirited he became, frequently playing tricks. However, he also learned several new patterns, feeling proud that soon he would be able to dominate his peers.

By the time Chu Yunmu had lost track of how many rounds he had played, Chen Mama finally returned, and the evening sun had already begun to set, darkening the sky.

"Madam, I just returned from Jishi Hall with the second madam, and everything has been taken care of. Third Miss has also been brought back," reported Chen Mama.

Shen merely responded with a faint "Oh," and Chen Mama continued, "Third Miss broke quite a few medicinal ingredients, so I paid Jishi Hall 500 taels of silver as compensation."

"Third Miss was still making a fuss, but fortunately, the second madam managed to persuade her, and she was finally brought back."

Chen Mama recalled how Chu Qianling had been shouting things like "They look down on people" and "Deliberately trying to show off" at Jishi Hall, which gave her a headache. Fortunately, the second madam, though protective, knew when to hold back, likely to avoid offending the renowned physician. She had endured the situation to avoid making things worse.

Chu Yunmu, appearing indifferent, moved his small fingers, making a pattern with a red string that resembled a "field" shape. It was his silent way of saying, "Chu Qianchen, let's play another round!"

Chu Qianhuang patted his left shoulder and smiled, saying, "Stop bothering your second sister. I'll play with you." She gracefully moved her long fingers, skillfully making a new pattern with the red string.

Chu Yunmu, now playing with Chu Qianhuang, felt it was a good opportunity to practice with his eldest sister.

Chu Qianchen smiled but said nothing, contentedly sipping his tea.

After a pause, Chen Mama remembered something and added, "When Third Miss returned to the mansion, she was supposed to go to the Old Madam's place, but the second madam stopped her."

Today was the Old Madam's birthday, and though Chu Qianling lacked discretion, Liu Shi knew better than to let her cause trouble today. If she angered the Old Madam, a month's confinement would be a light punishment.

Shen smiled knowingly, "It seems they are coming here soon."

After years of being sisters-in-law, Shen understood Liu Shi well. Within a moment, Liu Shi arrived with Chu Qianling in tow.

Chu Qianling's face was still covered by a veil, but even the veil couldn't hide her dark, gloomy complexion. A cold and ominous aura emanated from her.

Chu Qianling had a lot to complain about, but when she saw Chu Qianchen there, she fell silent, feeling the humiliation of being laughed at.

Liu Shi, oblivious to her daughter's feelings, started complaining, "Big sister-in-law, you didn't see it, but Jishi Hall has been relying on Prince Chen's visit there and now they're using it to bully us! They don’t respect the Marquis's mansion at all!"

"Ling'er spoke to them nicely, but they acted so arrogantly, with their tails practically up in the air, acting indifferent!"

The more Liu Shi spoke, the angrier she became, clenching her teeth in frustration. If the divine physician only saw patients at Jishi Hall, she would make sure it couldn't continue operating in the capital.

Chu Qianling, standing to the side, nervously fiddled with her handkerchief, her eyes glaring at Chu Qianchen.

Chu Qianchen didn't even glance at her but watched as Chu Yunmu carefully formed a "goldfish" pattern with the red string and proudly showed it to her, a smug expression on his face, as if to say, "Aren’t I impressive?"

"Impressive," Chu Qianchen said with a slight curve of her lips.

Chu Yunmu’s eyes lit up, delighted with his achievement.

Calm and composed, Chu Qianhuang used her pinky to twist the red string, gracefully manipulating it with her agile fingers, creating another intricate design.

Liu Shi was still ranting, her voice growing sharper, "Big sister-in-law, Jishi Hall is at fault here. We've already compensated them, so they should at least show some acknowledgment."

"Big sister-in-law, our Ling'er has suffered so much; you have to stand up for her! If Jishi Hall refuses to send the divine physician, then they shouldn’t be allowed to operate in the capital!"

Liu Shi lifted her chin, assuming her demand was justified.

Meanwhile, Liu Shi’s shrill voice almost shook the roof, while Chu Qianhuang, Chu Yunmu, and Chu Qianchen remained silent, all focused on the red string.

Chu Yunmu, feeling troubled, stared at the red string in Chu Qianhuang’s hands for a while, then resorted to his usual trick. He leaned closer to Chu Qianchen, secretly extended two fingers, and tugged at her sleeve, asking for help.

"Second sister, please help me!" Chu Yunmu blinked at Chu Qianchen.

With a helpless sigh, Chu Qianchen set her tea cup down.

Chu Qianhuang smiled and, without concern for Chu Yunmu’s appeal, redirected her graceful fingers, showing her calm poise as she faced Chu Qianchen.

Chu Yunmu patted Chu Qianchen’s shoulder, giving her an expression that seemed to say, "It’s all on you now."

He, on the other hand, turned back eagerly to watch Shen Shi scold... no, discipline people.

"Second sister-in-law really has a big mouth!" Shen Shi said sharply, showing no mercy to Liu Shi. "If someone didn't know better, they'd think the Marquis's mansion was a bunch of bullies!"

"Ling'er, this is your fault. Never mind how Jishi Hall treated you today; you're a young miss from a noble family, and yet you caused such a scene in their shop. What happened to your manners?! Who taught you to behave like this?!"

As Shen Shi spoke, she shot a subtle glance at Liu Shi, almost implying that Chu Qianling's impulsive behavior was learned from Liu Shi.

Liu Shi almost choked with rage, unable to stand the insult.

"Big sister-in-law, what do you mean by that?!"

"Ling'er was bullied outside, and as her aunt, not only do you refuse to stand up for her, but you're also helping outsiders bully her?!" Liu Shi's voice grew sharper.

"You're her direct aunt!"

Liu Shi’s grievances from both the past and present surged together.

In the past, Shen Shi had supported Chu Qianchen, and that was understandable—Chu Qianchen was the eldest daughter of the first wife. Even though she was a concubine's child, one had to show respect to the first wife's face.

But this time, the ones who bullied their Ling'er were outsiders, and it was just a small medical clinic!

Shen was practically stabbed in the ears by Liu Shi’s sharp voice. She calmly adjusted her sleeves and said, "Second sister-in-law, Ling'er broke the clinic’s property, and the one who suffers is our Marquis’s mansion's reputation. If she doesn't change her ways and continues to tarnish our name, I will report to the noble consort and ask for a separation of households."

Separation of households?! Liu Shi froze. As the saying goes, "A family doesn't split while the parents are still alive." The Old Madam was still alive, and Shen dared to bring up such a thing?!

Liu Shi nearly blurted out "You dare!" but swallowed the words, feeling a bitter taste in her throat.

Shen Shi was serious, or rather, the noble consort was serious!

The noble consort had a good reputation and feared the Empress finding fault, fearing it would affect the Second Prince's reputation. If Shen Shi really went to speak to the consort, the consort would likely not care about whether Chu Qianling had been wronged but would only see her as spoiled.

Given the consort’s temperament, not only would she likely persuade the Old Madam to split the family, but even if Chu Qianling’s face were healed, she’d never become the Second Prince’s secondary wife.

Liu Shi was frightened.

Chu Qianling was also frightened. She blinked, her eyes behind the veil immediately turning red. She looked at Liu Shi anxiously, feeling uneasy.

"Big sister-in-law, how can you casually talk about separation of households!" Liu Shi said, trying to sound strong, sweeping her sleeve dramatically, "Ling'er, let’s go!"

She grabbed Chu Qianling and stormed off.

Chu Qianchen, with her back to Liu Shi and her daughter, calmly picked up the red string between Chu Qianhuang’s fingers, flicking her delicate fingers like a butterfly. Her slender fingers, contrasted against the bright red string, looked exceptionally fair and smooth, captivating in their beauty.

In a few swift motions, Chu Qianchen formed a new pattern, drawing Chu Yunmu’s attention back to her. He watched with wide eyes, afraid of missing any of her actions.

"Second sister, you're amazing!" Chu Yunmu clapped, thrilled, feeling that his sister was making him proud.

Chu Qianchen smiled lightly, her gaze subtly drifting toward the window.

Outside, the sun had nearly set, casting a golden glow across the sky. Hu Po hurriedly left the main courtyard, and Chu Qianchen smiled with satisfaction, slightly curling her lips.

The net could now be cast.

Hu Po had already received Chu Qianchen’s instructions, calculating the right time, and had arrived at Liu Shi’s courtyard a step ahead.

She was going to find Qingyu and deliver a jar of tonic ointment.

(End of chapter)