Volume One, Chapter 15: Schemes

Wanxiang placed her hands on her hips, sneering coldly, “So you still remember you’re a servant. I thought you had started thinking you were the mistress.”

“You! I’ll tear your mouth apart.”

“Come on then, let’s see if I’ll let you get away with it.”

“Maybe it was Wanxiang, that little bitch, who stole it!”

“Enough,” Song Ci scolded sharply. “To be fair, I’m going to search the rooms of all three of you. That should settle any arguments.”

Wanxiang shrugged. “A servant who has a clear conscience fears no ghosts at the door. Miss, search to your heart’s content.”

Wanxia suddenly grew anxious, casting pleading glances at Qiao Xianglan. It was rare to see such desperation in Wanxia’s eyes. Qiao Xianglan pursed her lips and said, “Xiao Ci, what you’re doing…”

“Mother!” Song Ci spoke with righteous severity. “Such a serious matter—a hundred taels of silver stolen from the third household—if we don’t get to the bottom of it, what happens if more things go missing? Or if other households lose things? Won’t people suspect the servants of the third household? As masters, we shouldn’t cover for them.”

Hearing this, Qiao Xianglan felt her daughter’s words had merit. Hesitant, she watched as Song Ci strode directly toward the rooms.

Wanxia’s room was the largest among the three and a little farther away.

The first to be searched was Song Pozi’s room. She did rough work and spoke crudely, but her room was spotless and bare. Song Ci glanced around briefly and moved on.

Wanxia looked guilty, biting her lip hard as she stared toward her own room, trying to slip away unnoticed.

“Hey! Sister Wanxia, where are you going? My room’s up next. You have to watch.”

Wanxia replied, “Having a master watch over it is enough.”

Wanxiang gave her a sly once-over. “You’d better stay in your room. Leaving now wouldn’t be proper.”

“I... my room’s a bit messy. I’m afraid it might offend the master’s eyes... better to tidy up first.”

As Wanxia tried to leave, Wanxiang stepped forward to block her path. “No. You suspect me, and I suspect you. If you go back now, who knows if you’re planning to move the stolen silver somewhere else.”

“You little bitch, you’re slandering me! Third Madam, don’t you care if Wanxiang’s like this?” Wanxia reached out to scratch Wanxiang.

Wanxiang was no fool. She dodged with agility, her face full of provocation.

“You started this. Don’t blame me.”

She rolled up her sleeves and advanced toward Wanxia.

---

Wanxia retreated in fright.

What had gotten into these people lately? It felt like things were spiraling out of control. Before, the third household’s servants were easy to manage—Third Madam was soft-tempered and could be coaxed, Third Miss was silent and obedient, and Wanxiang had no one to stand up for her, so Wanxia could boss her around at will.

What had changed?

Qiao Xianglan found herself torn, caught between trusting her chief maid and her daughter’s maid, pressing her hand to her forehead in frustration.

The two were about to come to blows when Song Ci moved to pull them apart, gripping Wanxia’s arm and pleading, “Stop fighting! Stop it, what would this look like?”

She winked at Wanxiang, who instantly understood and gleamed with anticipation, rolling her sleeves up a few more inches.

They were ready to scrap.

They grappled fiercely. Wanxia, weaker than the stronger, experienced Wanxiang’s frequent hard work, was quickly overpowered. Held by one arm, she endured several slaps from Wanxiang.

Wanxiang delivered slaps from both sides of Wanxia’s face, left multiple scratch marks on her neck, and left her hair disheveled, utterly humiliated.

Once satisfied, Song Ci released Wanxia’s arm and grabbed Wanxiang, effectively shielding her behind herself.

Wanxia’s chest heaved with anger, wishing she could tear Wanxiang apart on the spot.

That little wretch dared to hit her!

Third Miss had been holding her back all along; Wanxia suspected they were conspiring against her.

Song Ci cleared her throat. “Enough. Let’s focus on what matters. Search Wanxiang’s room.”

As expected, the search yielded nothing.

Finally, they arrived at Wanxia’s room. Wanxia stepped forward, clutching the doorknob tightly, her face stiff. “My room is truly messy…”

“No matter. As long as we find no silver, that clears your name, doesn’t it? If you block us like this, people might think you’re the thief.”

Qiao Xianglan nodded. “Wanxia, a thorough search will clear your name.”

Wanxia ground her teeth in frustration. Third Madam was useless—she was her mistress’s maid, yet she didn’t defend her. Worse, she sided with Third Miss.

The third household was full of useless fools, but lately, they seemed to have grown a spine. They were truly troublesome.

Seeing Wanxia refuse to move, Wanxiang strode forward and grabbed her arm, pulling her roughly.

---

Wanxia nearly lost her footing and fell to the ground.

Once steady, she opened her mouth to curse but saw the door open as Song Ci walked straight in.

Her vision darkened, almost fainting. Gritting her teeth, she hurried after her, heart pounding wildly, silently praying that the hiding spot for her belongings was well concealed and wouldn’t be discovered.

Since entering the room, Song Ci’s eyes subtly followed Wanxia’s every expression and small gestures. She noticed Wanxia always seemed to stand casually in front of a painting on the wall. After a moment’s thought, understanding flashed in her eyes.

“How come nothing’s been found?” Wanxiang grumbled, having searched thoroughly but failed to discover anything. She was frustrated.

Clearly, the thief had to be Wanxia, but where could she have hidden the silver?

A hundred taels!

Wanxia crossed her arms, grinning triumphantly with a mocking tone. “I told you, I didn’t steal anything. If you keep falsely accusing me, I’ll make a scene in front of the matriarch.”

“You!” Wanxiang fumed.

Qiao Xianglan looked around anxiously. “Wanxia, maybe it’s best to let this go. Taking it to the matriarch won’t do any good.”

If this escalated, the mother-in-law—who already disapproved of her—would only hurl harsh words. It wouldn’t matter if she bore the brunt, but Song Ci was fragile. No matter what, she couldn’t let her daughter suffer.

Seeing Qiao Xianglan’s pleading face, Wanxia’s lips curled into a cruel smile. “They falsely accuse me first. How can I just let it go? I may be a servant, but I have my dignity—unless…”

“Unless what?” Qiao Xianglan’s expression brightened.

“Madam, you know we servants only earn a few copper coins each month, barely enough to make a single piece of clothing.”

Wanxia spoke with innuendo.

Qiao Xianglan pursed her lips, thinking. “Later, I will…”

“Slash!” A sudden sound.