Chapter Forty-Two: Holding Fourteenth Mistress Accountable

Xue Fanzhi could sense that Xiao Yi seemed to be angry, but she had no time to worry about him now—she needed to hurry and meet with Old Madam Xue. Being taken by Prince Shou was too grave a matter to conceal; and given Prince Shou’s reckless nature, she must discuss it with the old lady.

Old Madam Xue and Madam Xie, the grand matron, had already finished their conversation. Xue Fanzhi had been called away by the Second Madam and hadn’t yet returned. Xue Liuniang had also found her to deliver a message. Now, under the protection of Madam Xie, Old Madam Xue was demanding the girl’s return from the Second Madam.

Naturally, the Second Madam refused to admit she had taken the girl. Seeing that Old Madam Xue’s status was low, she could not help but sneer, “Grandmother, I may be lacking in ability, but many important guests have arrived today, all of whom I must host. I truly have no idea where Xue Baniang has gone. How could I possibly have the time—or need—to keep an eye on her? Perhaps the child was simply curious and, finding our estate delightful, went off to amuse herself?”

How wonderful must their estate be to warrant such curiosity? Wasn’t this just a way of saying Xue Fanzhi was ignorant?

Old Madam Xue’s face darkened. “Aunt, though my granddaughter is not from the illustrious Wang or Xie families, she has studied the Dao with her uncle since childhood. Her nature is detached, and no trivial thing could possibly catch her interest!”

At the time, people greatly admired the Daoist pursuit of tranquility and detachment. A young girl studying Daoism was not only free from scorn, but actually seen as refined.

The Second Madam became even more indignant, replying coldly, “If she is such a fine young lady, I haven’t seen her at all. Old Madam, perhaps you should have your own people look for her. She might be playing behind some flowerbed for all I know!”

Though Old Madam Xue was furious, she knew that without evidence, all she could do was find Xue Fanzhi and deal with matters then.

Just then news arrived: Prince Shou had been attacked, and the estate was in chaos, searching for the assailant.

The Second Madam grew anxious. Today’s banquet was given by their Xie family—if the Emperor’s brother was assaulted here, the Xie family could hardly escape blame. Though her grandfather might shield them, it was her husband who insisted on inviting Prince Shou, and the old man knew nothing of it. Moreover, she was responsible for the household’s inner affairs. She was bound to suffer repercussions.

Then a servant returned to report that Xue Fanzhi requested an audience.

The Second Madam’s tension immediately evaporated, replaced by irritation. She shot a glance at Old Madam Xue and said, “Your precious granddaughter has returned on her own; you can’t pin this on me now, can you?”

“In that case, Second Madam, you should question your own dear daughter!” Xue Fanzhi, having overheard the Second Madam’s remark, entered and declared directly, “Your daughter abducted me. If not for my good fortune, I might not be alive at this moment. Don’t try to shirk responsibility—when it comes to failing as a mother, few can compare to you!”

Old Madam Xue, seeing it was indeed her granddaughter, called out, “Little Eight, come here. Are you alright?” Seeing that Xue Fanzhi was unscathed, she pressed, “What happened, exactly?”

Xue Fanzhi first paid her respects to the grand matron and Old Madam, then recounted how Fourteenth Lady had framed her. In a voice only Old Madam Xue could hear, she added, “Xue Jiaoyue was there as well—I don’t know what has become of her.”

Old Madam Xue was incandescent with rage. Was her Xue family so easily bullied? It was obviously tied to the Second Madam’s daughter—she didn’t believe the woman knew nothing. Lives were at stake, yet not only had the Second Madam concealed the truth, she’d even delivered contemptuous remarks. It was utterly despicable.

Old Madam Xue glared at the Second Madam. “I demand an explanation!”

The Second Madam truly did not know her daughter had delivered Xue Fanzhi to Prince Shou, but she was aware her daughter had dispatched her own trusted maid. Now that it involved Prince Shou, whose fate was uncertain, she dared not admit to anything without knowing the full situation.

“You say Fourteenth tricked you—does just saying so make it true? Can someone be condemned on your word alone? Besides, aren’t you standing here unharmed? Clearly you’re trying to frame my Fourteenth!” The Second Madam cast a sidelong, disdainful glance at Xue Fanzhi.

Recalling the terror she’d just endured, Xue Fanzhi wished she could tear Xie Fourteenth limb from limb.

“There’s no point in your denials, Second Madam. More than just my family saw your maid call me over. If you have the nerve, summon Xie Fourteenth here; let’s confront each other and see what really happened!” Xue Fanzhi straightened her spine, her expression grim—she meant to pursue the matter to the end.

The Second Madam could not fathom where these lesser families found such audacity. Yet it was true: many had seen her maid summon Xue Fanzhi—there was no denying it.

She cursed her daughter’s stupidity. To leave such evidence behind! She considered letting the maid take the blame. At that moment, Madam Xie, the grand matron, spoke with a faint smile, “Meiniang, do you take me for senile?”

The Second Madam was momentarily stunned.

Madam Xie continued in the same gentle tone, “Old Madam Xue is my niece by blood.”

That single sentence left the Second Madam aghast. She’d long known Old Madam Xue was Madam Xie’s honored guest, but Madam Xie was so elderly and had been retired for decades—surely she wouldn’t trouble herself over an outsider. Clearly, she’d miscalculated.

“I wouldn’t dare!” the Second Madam quickly bowed her head in response, though her manner was far from submissive.

Madam Xie sighed, “Too many years of comfort have made us forget how to behave! Bring Fourteenth here; we shall see whether she did it or not.”

The Second Madam still wanted to protest, but Madam Xie’s face darkened as she ordered her servants, “Fetch Fourteenth at once. If she refuses to come, have her grandfather summon her himself!”

With Xie Feng’s name invoked, who dared defy her? The Second Madam’s face went from pale to livid, but she dared not object.

Not long after, Fourteenth Lady arrived, clearly displeased at being dragged away from the merriment with her friends. Spoiled by the Second Madam and unchecked by the elderly Madam Xie for years, she showed no fear even now, merely glancing at Xue Fanzhi in surprise. When Madam Xie asked whether she had abducted Xue Fanzhi and delivered her to Prince Shou, she simply admitted it with a roll of her eyes.

“So what if I did? I did it for her own good. Becoming one of Prince Shou’s would make her kin to the royal family—she wouldn’t have to come groveling at our grandmother’s feet anymore!”

Old Madam Xue and Xue Fanzhi both burned with fury.

Madam Xie’s face showed little anger, only a chilling smile. “I was afraid you’d deny it—admitting it is better. According to the family rules of the Xie clan, anyone who maliciously endangers another’s life shall receive twenty strokes of the rod—death if necessary. Today you nearly cost Little Eight her life. If I beat you to death, it might seem I show no mercy, so let it be thirty strokes, to teach you a lesson!”

Madam Xie had raised Xie Feng, the prime minister—was she the sort to be trifled with? At her command, the servants immediately moved to carry out the punishment.

Thirty strokes could very well be fatal. Only then did the Second Madam truly panic. She knelt in supplication, begging the grand matron for mercy.

Old Madam Xue had considered that, though she was Madam Xie’s own niece, Xie Fourteenth was the grand matron’s direct great-granddaughter—close kin indeed. If the punishment were truly carried out, her own ties to Madam Xie might be forever severed.

But before she could plead for mercy, Fourteenth Lady had already turned on Xue Fanzhi with a stream of curses.