Chapter 95: See How Foolish Some People Are

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Seeing Xiao Yi’s gaze fixed intently on her, filled with a mix of doubt and a hint of scrutiny, Xue Fanzhi felt a pang of guilt; this was certainly unlike her usual self. Sixth Sister had lived a safe and uneventful life, and although the Fourth Matriarch was somewhat unpleasant, she was more of a joke. What Xue Wuniang had done was a deeply immoral act, yet it could be concealed, appearing to cause only minor harm.

But no matter what, Xue Fanzhi could never forget the tragic state in which Sixth Sister had died in her previous life. Clad in rags, stripped of all dignity, and after death subjected to endless rumors and ridicule, with the murderer still at large. Most infuriating was when she went to mourn Sixth Sister and cried bitterly, only for Wuniang to say, “How could a good girl be wandering out in the middle of the night? Though Sixth Sister’s death was indeed tragic, it was not unrelated to her reckless lifestyle. You see, such misfortunes never befall us because our upbringing tells us never to go out at night!”

Those words lingered sharply in Xue Fanzhi’s memory, and so in this life, she was determined to find out exactly how Xue Wuniang had tricked Sixth Sister out—using her name, no less, and then sneering cruelly in her ear. Though Sixth Sister had no trouble this time, it did not lessen Xue Wuniang’s guilt; her survival was owed to Wuniang’s warnings and Sixth Sister’s own caution.

There was yet another reason she could not let Xue Wuniang go unpunished: a wounded dog, if left unscathed, would become a wolf. If freed, Xue Wuniang’s nature would surely lead her to repeat her misdeeds.

Unwilling to relent, Xue Fanzhi said, “I know Xue Wuniang didn’t commit murder, and she doesn’t deserve death, but can’t we at least imprison her for life?”

A woman locked in prison wouldn’t last a lifetime; six months would be enough to break her.

Xiao Yi readily agreed, “Fine.”

“Fine…” Xue Fanzhi had prepared a stream of persuasive words, but none were needed; she swallowed them all back.

After discussing Xue Wuniang, Xiao Yi was about to leave. Though reluctant inside, his expression remained cool and detached as he said, “Don’t forget our agreement. I’m waiting for your help. I’ll be at the main gate tomorrow!”

Xiao Yi intended to intercept the medicine meant for the crown prince’s treatment by seizing a particular herb from the Qinhuai River.

Xue Fanzhi remembered well; she had not ventured out for a long time, especially not to the Qinhuai River. Her eyes brightened as she placed a hand over her heart and said, “Understood. Who would dare neglect the lord’s affairs? If the lord is safe, I shall take my leave first!”

Xiao Yi nodded, thinking to himself, once I finish this, I’ll have plenty of time to spend with you.

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After parting ways with Xiao Yi, Xue Fanzhi walked back and encountered Xue Jiaoyue and Madam Jin emerging from the old matriarch’s chamber. Judging by their direction, they were likely going to find Xue Yang.

Xue Fanzhi ignored them completely.

Naturally, Madam Jin could not tolerate such disregard. From a distance, she scolded Xue Fanzhi for being an unfilial daughter who neglected Xue Yang.

Though outsiders might find this shocking, the Xue family, including Xue Fanzhi herself, had grown accustomed to Madam Jin’s insults, taking them lightly. She paid no mind and returned straight to her room to continue sewing.

Sixth Sister was unharmed, Wuniang was imprisoned, so what else was there for her to do? Could she go bother the Fourth Matriarch? No, their relationship wasn’t close enough. So she sewed.

Lost in designing patterns, Xue Fanzhi was unaware that due to the events of the previous night, she had become the center of attention in a guest room in the outer courtyard.

That person was none other than Wang Yunzhi.

The young servant Yuanbao had been prying about and heard vague rumors: women in the Xue household turning against each other, one frightened by a nighttime visitor, another harming her sister and caught by the Ninth Prince. But he didn’t know who was frightened or who was arrested.

Wang Yunzhi’s heart clenched upon hearing this. He felt certain that the girl he knew wouldn’t harm anyone—and if she did, she wouldn’t be caught… Well, he wasn’t that confident. Being caught for wrongdoing was possible, but it was far more likely she simply hadn’t done anything wrong.

If she had done nothing wrong, then perhaps it was the first woman who had been frightened at night.

At the thought of that always-innocent, slightly dazed smile, Wang Yunzhi grew restless and called out, “Bring me the Qingxin Bodhi Powder.”

Yuanbao was taken aback. “There’s only half a bottle left. Do you want to use it? Young master, if it’s just for sobering up, I can brew some hangover soup instead. No need to waste the medicine.”

Qingxin Bodhi Powder was a medicinal tribute from the southern border, renowned for its remarkable ability to sober drinkers. Of course, this effect was a discovery made later by Wang Yunzhi himself. Its true purpose was to calm and induce sleep—a vital remedy in crises involving manic episodes, sudden rage, or extreme sorrow, capable of saving lives.

Originally a scarce tribute, if the royal family received ten boxes, ten more would be held by the Wang family, nine by the Xie family, making it rare and precious.

Yet despite its value, Wang Yunzhi often used it as a hangover cure, treating it with careless extravagance.

Irritated by Yuanbao’s nagging, Wang Yunzhi snapped, “I don’t drink, you know that. I’m giving a gift!”

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“A gift?” Yuanbao inwardly sneered. When had his master ever willingly given gifts? Receiving gifts, yes. As for the formalities with relatives and elders, Madam handled those, so the master never had to bother. So what on earth was he giving now?

“Are you joking, young master? Let me guess—who’s the gift for?”

Wang Yunzhi, clearly in a good mood, surprisingly spoke so much to a servant and even answered his question, “Guess. There’s a reward if you get it right!”

Good—no mention of punishment for wrong guesses.

Yuanbao was pleased he asked, but the next moment, he learned what it meant to be slapped in the face, to be at someone’s mercy, and to have his secret thoughts guessed.

“For madam and the old matriarch!” Yuanbao answered.

Wang Yunzhi’s brows shot up in disbelief. “You’re my servant, and yet you’re so foolish to follow me. Is it because I pay you too little? Did mother really pick such a stupid servant for me?”

Yuanbao was speechless.

Indeed, the medicine was a palace gift. If the master casually used it as hangover soup, it was no wonder there was plenty at home. Since it belonged mostly to the Wang family, how could madam and the old matriarch want it? They had all they needed and wouldn’t require gifts from the master.

Scratching his head, Yuanbao asked, “Then who’s it for? Your close brothers? They’re all drunkards; no amount of sobering medicine would suffice.”

For a moment, Wang Yunzhi was tempted to immediately kick the servant away—too stupid.

“Forget it, you probably can’t guess!” Wang Yunzhi’s tone turned dismissive. “Keep guessing, and I’ll just replace you.”

“...” Yuanbao pleaded, “Young master, don’t! I really can’t guess, but I’m not that dumb. Please don’t kick me out—I know a lot of your secrets!”

Wang Yunzhi felt Yuanbao was not only useless but suicidal. “Calm down. Do you want me to hit you?”

Not interested in chasing the matter, Wang Yunzhi smiled faintly. “I’ll tell you then. Go see Xue Ba and Lady Xue.”