Chapter 47: The dust settles
Proofread By: Mim
Prince Qin Yi, having managed to arrive in Taiyuan without anyone noticing, had no intention of alerting anyone. He only informed Lin Xiyuan because he needed a place to stay at the residence of the Prince Huailing—he couldn’t avoid it.
The main purpose of his visit had been mostly accomplished, and it was time to prepare for his return. There were many people stationed at the border, and he couldn’t afford to be away for too long.
After sending Lin Xiyuan off, Xiao Linzi asked, “Your Highness, shall we prepare to return?”
“Yes,” Qin Yi replied. “This time was just to meet someone. I’ll have plenty of opportunities to return later. As for Datong, it’s hard to say whether the Tatars have truly been cowed or if they’re just pretending. I can’t be away for too long—I have to keep an eye on things.”
Xiao Linzi acknowledged the order and quickly began preparing for their departure. He had been busy for a while when suddenly Qin Yi called him back.
“Your Highness, do you have more instructions?”
“Nothing in particular,” Qin Yi paused and casually asked, “When you took people out today, what did she say to you?”
What? Xiao Linzi thought hard for a moment before realizing that the prince was referring to the young lady they had encountered earlier at the Huailing Prince’s residence. Xiao Linzi became wary, thinking about how meticulous and strategic his master was, ensuring even the smallest of events were examined for potential threats. His admiration for the prince grew as he explained, “That Miss Chu didn’t seem to have any ulterior motives. She looked like a typical sheltered girl, not even clear on which way was which.”
Suddenly recalling something amusing, Xiao Linzi couldn’t help but laugh, “Actually, Your Highness, something funny happened. When that Miss Chu saw you leaving today, she actually asked,”
Xiao Linzi abruptly stopped himself, realizing he might be courting disaster by continuing. Qin Yi looked up. “Why did you stop?”
Xiao Linzi stammered, realizing he had no way to talk his way out of it, but before he could think of an excuse, he heard the prince coolly say one word: “Speak.”
Having no choice, Xiao Linzi honestly replied, “Miss Chu saw Your Highness and asked me, ‘Do you think that’s a real person?’”
He braced himself for punishment, lowering his head, but to his surprise, no reprimand came. When he finally dared to glance up, he found his master pressing his fingers to his brow, silently laughing.
Laughing? Xiao Linzi was entirely confused.
Qin Yi took a moment to stifle his laughter, but his eyes remained bright, filled with amusement. Xiao Linzi, still bewildered, continued to stare until Qin Yi cast a cold glance in his direction: “What are you standing around for? Get ready to leave.”
Xiao Linzi snapped back to reality, quickly responding, “Yes, Your Highness!”
At the back gate of Prince Huailing’s residence, a group of people arrived quietly and departed just as silently. At the same time, the carriage outside the main gate had just come to a stop, the lead horse snorting in boredom.
Madam Zhao boarded the carriage with several young ladies, her face dark with anger, but she remained silent throughout the ride.
Madam Yan waited outside, intending to ask what the old princess had said, but when she saw the expression on Madam Zhao’s face, she wisely held her tongue.
After all, once they returned home, everything would be revealed.
It was winter, and the day darkened early. By the time they returned to the Marquis of Changxing’s residence, it was already dusk.
However, Madam Zhao didn’t allow the girls to return to their rooms to rest. Instead, she took them directly to see Old Madam Chu.
Old Madam Chu was reclining on her couch, resting with her eyes closed. Hearing the commotion, she barely lifted her eyelids and saw Madam Zhao storming in with the five girls.
Old Madam Chu raised an eyebrow slightly. “What’s the matter?”
Madam Yan stood with Seventh Young Lady off to the side, clearly separate from the others. Today, her seventh daughter had stayed out of the trouble the other girls had caused, and Madam Yan couldn’t help but watch with a hint of satisfaction.
Madam Zhao had been fuming the entire journey back. Even though she hadn’t heard all the details, it wasn’t hard to deduce that Chu Jinyao had mysteriously disappeared for a long time, while Chu Jinmiao and the Third Young Lady had somehow ended up in a secluded courtyard, caught by the heir apparent. Of the five girls who had gone out, all the troublemakers were from the eldest branch! Madam Zhao felt utterly humiliated.
Chu Jinmiao, knowing she was in trouble, had been crying to Madam Zhao the whole way. She wept piteously, pleading her case, and eventually, Madam Zhao’s heart softened. Chu Jinmiao took the opportunity to concoct an explanation for herself.
Now standing before Old Madam Chu, Madam Zhao said, “Miao’er, tell your grandmother what happened today.”
Chu Jinmiao felt her scalp tingle. She knew Old Madam Chu wouldn’t be easily fooled, especially with the other girls present. The story she’d spun for Madam Zhao might not hold up here. But at this point, Chu Jinmiao had no other choice. Slowly, she stepped forward, curtsied, and said, “Greetings, Grandmother. Today’s events unfolded like this…”
She sneaked a glance at the Third Young Lady, who was deliberately avoiding her gaze. Chu Jinmiao silently cursed the girl’s disloyalty, realizing she couldn’t count on her. Gritting her teeth, she continued, “In the flower hall, I noticed that Fifth Sister had been gone for a long time. Worried that something might happen to her, which could tarnish the family’s reputation, I went to look for her. I heard from a maid that Fifth Sister was in a courtyard changing clothes, so I hurried there with Third Sister. When we arrived, we saw a servant leaving the courtyard. Sensing something was amiss, we stopped him. That’s when Shizi arrived.”
Without consulting her, Chu Jinmiao had dragged the Third Young Lady into her story. The Third Young Lady, though resentful, had no choice but to go along with the tale in front of so many people. “Yes, that’s right,” she chimed in.
Chu Jinmiao continued, “Actually, it was the Sixth Young Lady who came running to us first, saying strange things. Later, the heir apparent followed her in. For some reason, the Sixth Young Lady was convinced that Fifth Sister was in that room. Even the heir apparent seemed to have been summoned by her. We were all confused, and when we finally opened the door, the room was empty. We were even more baffled. Then, before we knew it, the Princess Consort and the Old Princess Consort called us in. That’s all I know. As for whatever game Sixth Young Lady and Fifth Sister were playing, I have no idea.”
Chu Jinyao cast a cold glance at Chu Jinmiao. What a smooth talker—Chu Jinmiao had managed to absolve herself of all blame, appearing as pure as a lotus untouched by mud. Clearly, she knew she was in the wrong and had failed to trap Chu Jinyao. Now, she was too scared to implicate her directly and was instead shifting the blame onto Sixth Young Lady. Since Old Madam Chu despised Sixth Young Lady’s maternal grandmother, it was a clever move for Chu Jinmiao to subtly incite Old Madam Chu’s anger toward Sixth Young Lady.
Sure enough, Old Madam Chu’s gaze darkened as it settled on Sixth Young Lady. However, the Sixth Young Lady remained calm, lowering her head and speaking softly, “Fourth Sister, I have no grudge against you. Why would you push me into the fire? Today, Fifth Sister was inexplicably doused with water and taken away by a maid to change clothes. After Fifth Sister left, you and Third Sister kept exchanging glances and whispering. I found it suspicious, so I followed to warn Fifth Sister to come back quickly. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find her in time, but I did run into the heir apparent. Following someone’s directions, we finally found out that Fifth Sister had been taken to another courtyard.”
Sixth Young Lady’s quiet voice had a sharp undertone that made Chu Jinmiao’s heart race. “Fourth Sister,” she continued, “that courtyard wasn’t even designated for changing clothes. We only found it after being guided there. How did you and Third Sister find it so easily?”
Chu Jinmiao immediately fired back, “How would I know? Couldn’t someone have directed us too? Besides, that’s the Prince Huailing’s residence, where the servants are highly trained. Do you think I have the power to bribe them and set a trap there?”
Sixth Young Lady smiled subtly, saying nothing further, but Chu Jinmiao suddenly realized she had been led into a trap.
Indeed, Chu Jinmiao couldn’t easily manipulate the servants of a prince’s household. But someone else could.
Even Madam Zhao, Chu Jinmiao’s mother, realized who that someone might be: Chu Zhu or even Lin Xining.
Old Madam Chu had pieced it all together. She let out a derisive laugh, the sound so chilling that it caused the maids in the room to drop to their knees, trembling. Even Chu Jinmiao flinched.
“You’ve all really outdone yourselves,” Old Madam Chu said coldly. “Each one of you is truly the pride of the Chu family.”
Her words dripped with sarcasm. Sixth Young Lady kept her head down, murmuring, “I wouldn’t dare.”
Old Madam Chu’s sharp gaze swept over the group, finally resting on Chu Jinyao. “Fifth Girl, you were involved. What’s your version of events?”
Without rushing, Chu Jinyao replied, “The beginning matches what Sixth Young Lady said. I was resting in the flower hall when a maid spilled tea on me and insisted on helping me change. I couldn’t refuse, so I followed her. But along the way, I realized she was leading me the wrong way and questioned her. She became furious and tried to drag me along, so I broke free and went back on my own. Unfortunately, I took a wrong turn and wandered for a while before running into a young servant named Lin. He led me back. When I returned, I found out that Fourth, Third, and Sixth Young Ladies had all disappeared. Later, the Princess Consort and the Old Princess Consort called us in, and that’s when I learned they had gathered in a secluded courtyard.”
As for the matter of the missing pouch, Chu Jinyao wisely chose to omit it. Though she knew she was innocent, she didn’t want anyone to use the incident against her in the future. Since she had already recovered the pouch, there was no need to bring it up now.
Old Madam Chu relaxed slightly upon hearing that Chu Jinyao hadn’t been caught up in any scheme. Her granddaughter’s reputation was safe, and that was what mattered most.
Since Chu Jinyao hadn’t fallen into the trap, the rest of the matter became much simpler. Old Madam Chu’s gaze turned cold as she looked at the others. Did they really think she was old and senile? Did they think they could fool her with vague words? Old Madam Chu had already deduced that Chu Jinmiao was the mastermind behind this, with Third Young Lady as an accomplice, and that Sixth Young Lady was the one lurking behind the scenes, playing her own game.
If it were an ordinary day, Old Madam Chu could have made sure these three girls suffered greatly. Evidence wasn’t necessary for her to discipline them. However, with the selection of the imperial companion for the County Princess approaching, she didn’t want to create too much of a scene. If word got out that the girls of the Chu family were unruly and misbehaved, it could damage their prospects. More importantly, Old Madam Chu knew that the companion selection was only a cover. The real event behind it was the Crown Prince’s selection of a consort.
At such a crucial time, having any of the girls bring shame to the family would be disastrous.
Seeing Old Madam Chu deep in thought, Chu Jinyao knew something wasn’t right. She quickly spoke up, “Fourth Sister, there’s still something I don’t understand. When we were questioned by Princess Consort and Old Princess Consort, why did you insist on knowing my whereabouts in the garden? And how did you know that Shizi was also passing through the garden at that time?”
Old Madam Chu’s eyes snapped open. “Is that true?”
“Yes,” Chu Jinyao replied. “The Princess Consort asked me several questions because of that. Thankfully, I managed to explain myself.”
Old Madam Chu’s expression toward Chu Jinmiao darkened further.
So that’s what happened. Old Madam Chu had been wondering how Chu Jinmiao had dared to orchestrate such a scheme within someone else’s residence. Now it was clear: Chu Jinmiao hadn’t intended to trap Chu Jinyao at all. Her true goal was to ruin Chu Jinyao’s reputation in the eyes of the two princesses.
Old Madam Chu sneered inwardly. How foolish of Chu Jinmiao to dare act so boldly, attempting to undermine the family’s honour in front of the royal family. Now, Chu Jinmiao had crossed a line—threatening the family’s interests.
If this had been an ordinary family conflict, Old Madam Chu could have dealt with it quietly. But when it came to matters that impacted the family’s standing with the royal family, Chu Jinmiao’s actions could not be forgiven so easily.
Chu Jinyao had only needed to lightly hint at the matter, and Old Madam Chu’s attitude toward Chu Jinmiao shifted dramatically. Chu Jinmiao, oblivious to the danger she was in, continued kneeling before Old Madam Chu, unable to fathom the severity of her offense.
But Old Madam Chu was no fool. The family’s reputation and interests always came first. She favoured Chu Jinyao because Chu Jinyao had the best chance of becoming the heir apparent’s wife. If not for that, Chu Jinyao would be treated like any other granddaughter. Yet Chu Jinmiao, in her foolishness, had tried to destroy this prospect.
Chu Jinmiao realized something was very wrong when Old Madam Chu coldly asked, “Do you admit your guilt in attempting to ruin your sister’s reputation?”
Chu Jinmiao’s mind went blank. Ruining her sister’s reputation? This was an accusation serious enough to get her banished to the family’s ancestral temple. Old Madam Chu was really punishing her for this?
Madam Zhao leaped to her feet, panicking. “Mother!”
“Silence!” Old Madam Chu slammed her hand down on the table, her voice thick with anger. “When I discipline my grandchildren, there is no room for your interference. Chu Jinmiao, I warned you before, and you promised me that you wouldn’t make such mistakes again. Now, not only have you repeated your offense, but you’ve dared to escalate things even further.”
Chu Jinmiao was terrified, trembling on the floor. Forget about maintaining dignity in front of her sisters—she had to crawl on her knees toward Old Madam Chu, pleading, “Grandmother, I’m innocent! You can’t believe what they’re saying without evidence. I didn’t do anything! Please investigate. If anyone can prove that I caused this, then I’ll accept the punishment.”
Madam Zhao chimed in, “Mother, this seems too hasty.”
“Enough!” Old Madam Chu snapped, her voice echoing through the room. The air seemed to freeze as everyone fell silent. “I need no evidence to discipline my own grandchildren. Chu Jinmiao, after the new year, I’ll send you to a quiet temple to reflect and temper your nature.”
At these words, all colour drained from Chu Jinmiao’s face. Sent to a temple for reflection? That was practically a sentence to isolation. Madam Zhao, too, nearly fainted from shock. “Mother, how can you be so harsh?”
Meanwhile, Chu Jinyao hadn’t expected the punishment to be so severe. She had assumed Old Madam Chu would discipline Chu Jinmiao with something less drastic, perhaps house arrest or a stern talking-to. But banishment to a temple was another level of punishment altogether. It wasn’t hard to guess what might come next if Chu Jinmiao caused more trouble—Old Madam Chu would likely have her permanently sent away.
The Third Young Lady, who had been involved in the scheme but wasn’t the mastermind, dropped to her knees, trembling and begged for mercy. “Grandmother, please forgive me! I have my concubine mother and brother to think of. I can’t bear to be separated from them. Please, have mercy!”
Old Madam Chu looked down at her, then said, “You aided in the wrongdoing, and though you weren’t the mastermind, you can’t escape blame entirely. Out of consideration for your concubine mother, I won’t send you away. But you’ll spend the next few months under house arrest, eating vegetarian meals and praying every day. You will not attend any social gatherings.”
The Third Young Lady was immensely relieved. Being confined to the house was a light punishment compared to Chu Jinmiao’s fate. She immediately kowtowed in thanks. Old Madam Chu then turned her gaze to the Sixth Young Lady, who had played a more devious role. “You will also face the same punishment.”
Sixth Young Lady furrowed her brow, unable to understand why she was being punished. “But grandmother, what did I do wrong?”
Old Madam Chu gave her a withering look. “Are you questioning my authority?”
Realizing she had no choice, Sixth Young Lady lowered her head and grudgingly replied, “No, grandmother.”
Old Madam Chu lectured the group, reminding them that the family’s reputation was paramount and that any internal strife would only harm them all. Then she announced that Chu Jinyao and Seventh Young Lady would also be punished, though lightly, with a task to copy the text of *Lessons for Women* ten times each.
Though Chu Jinyao had no objections, the Seventh Young Lady was visibly displeased. But she knew better than to argue, understanding that it was better to accept a minor punishment than risk angering Old Madam Chu further.
With the punishments handed out, Old Madam Chu dismissed the group. Chu Jinmiao remained kneeling on the floor, crying as her mother, Madam Zhao, pleaded for leniency. But Old Madam Chu, unmoved, ignored their cries.
Chu Jinyao reflected on the situation as she left. She had no sympathy for Chu Jinmiao, knowing that she had brought this upon herself. **You reap what you sow**—those who do evil must face the consequences. Though her relationship with Madam Zhao had likely been damaged beyond repair, Chu Jinyao had no regrets. Justice had been served.
As the new year approached, the tension in the household seemed to dissipate, and the Chu family prepared for their traditional celebrations. Yet, despite the festivities, the aftermath of the recent events lingered in the air.
On the second day of the Lunar New Year, it was customary for married daughters to return to their parental homes. Chu Jinxian, the eldest daughter of the Chu family, arrived with her husband, bringing gifts as part of the tradition.
It was a festive time, and the Chu household was lively with servants bustling about. When they saw Chu Jinxian arriving, they greeted her warmly, calling out, “Eldest Young Lady has returned!”
Chu Jinxian nodded slightly, smiling, and walked in with her husband, Zhao Jiazhi. Zhao Jiazhi was the nephew of Madam Zhao, and now that they were family through marriage, his presence was naturally well-received by the Chu family.
Upon returning home, their first visit was, of course, to Old Madam Chu. As they entered, the sound of laughter and lively conversation filled the air. Chu Jinyao was also present, and when she saw her elder sister, she excitedly waved her over.
Chu Jinxian, noticing her sister’s eager greeting, found an opportunity to excuse herself from the elders and made her way to the outer room where Chu Jinyao was waiting.
As soon as they were together, Chu Jinyao rushed up to her sister; her face lit up with joy. “Elder Sister, you’ve finally come back! How have you been at the Zhao family?”
This was only the second time Chu Jinxian had returned home since her marriage, the first being shortly after the wedding for the customary three-day visit. Seeing her sister again after so long made her heart swell with emotion. However, when she heard Chu Jinyao’s question, her expression subtly froze for a moment.
Chu Jinyao immediately noticed the change in her sister’s demeanor. A feeling of unease crept into her heart as she pressed gently, “Elder Sister, is something wrong?”
“It’s nothing,” Chu Jinxian said, taking hold of Chu Jinyao’s hand and offering a reassuring smile. “This isn’t the place to talk. Come with me.”
The two of them returned to Chu Jinxian’s old quarters. Even after Chu Jinxian had married, the room had been left untouched, with maids regularly cleaning it to keep everything in order. It was as though Chu Jinxian had never left. The furniture was in the same place, and the decorations remained unchanged, preserving the familiarity of her time at home.
They sat down by the window, and a maid brought over hot tea, placing it on the table between them. As the steam from the tea curled into the air, Chu Jinyao looked at her sister seriously and asked, “Elder Sister, how have things been at the Zhao family?”
Chu Jinxian’s face remained calm as she replied, “It’s… tolerable.”
Chu Jinyao frowned, unsatisfied with the vague response. She could sense there was more to the story, but before she could probe further, Chu Jinxian stopped her. “Don’t worry about me. This is just how things are for newly married women. Every day, I wake up before dawn to help my mother-in-law with her morning preparations, and I spend the day standing by her side, learning the rules of the household. It’s the same for every bride. I’m actually considered fortunate. My mother-in-law, who is also my aunt, treats me kindly because of the relationship with our maternal grandmother. My husband, too, is considerate and hasn’t brought home any concubines.”
Hearing this, Chu Jinyao’s eyes widened in disbelief. Even her poised and refined sister had to endure such rigid and exhausting duties. What must life be like for other women in similar positions? She sighed and voiced the question that had been weighing on her mind: “Sister, why must women marry at all?”
Once a woman marries, no matter how kind her mother-in-law may be, she is still considered an outsider, living among strangers with only her dowry to her name. Wouldn’t life be better if a woman could simply stay with her family, caring for her own parents and living in familiar surroundings?
Chu Jinxian, too, seemed lost for words. After a pause, she answered softly, “This is simply the fate of women. Aside from princesses, no woman in this world can escape it. You’ll understand when it’s your turn. But enough about me. How have things been for you back home?”
At this, Chu Jinyao sighed deeply. “The family has been dealing with a lot of trouble lately.”
Chu Jinxian’s brows furrowed with concern. “What happened?”
Chu Jinyao then recounted the events that had transpired recently, including the debacle at the Prince family’s estate, where Third Young Lady and Chu Jinmiao had conspired with the servants to set a trap, and how Sixth Young Lady had used their scheming for her own purposes. She omitted any mention of the strange servant who had helped her, choosing to focus solely on the family’s internal affairs.
As Chu Jinxian listened, her frown deepened. “I can’t believe they dared to act so recklessly, even involving the Prince’s family. It’s a disgrace that they brought such shame upon our family in front of outsiders.”
Although she was visibly upset, Chu Jinxian’s upbringing prevented her from raising her voice or speaking too harshly. After calming herself down, she asked, “What did Grandmother say?”
“Grandmother was furious, of course. She sent Chu Jinmiao to a temple to reflect and repent. Third Young Lady and Sixth Young Lady were also punished, but their sentences were lighter—they’re confined to the house for a few months to recite scriptures and pray.”
The disparity in the punishments was obvious to Chu Jinxian, who nodded knowingly. Old Madam Chu was, after all, the head of the family. Even though she claimed to treat all the girls equally, it was clear that there were differences in how she handled them. Blood relations, particularly with those outside the direct lineage, had their limits.
The Third Young Lady and the Sixth Young Lady, despite their involvement in the plot, were allowed to stay in the house. But as for Chu Jinmiao, who wasn’t even related by blood, she had been sent away to face real punishment.
Chu Jinxian sighed, fully understanding the situation. She patted Chu Jinyao’s hand and said, “Since Grandmother has dealt with it, you don’t need to worry about Chu Jinmiao anymore. She won’t trouble you again. By the way, how has Mother been reacting to this?”
Chu Jinyao shook her head. “Mother has been depressed lately, especially during the New Year. She barely smiled, even on New Year’s Eve.”
Chu Jinxian’s brows knitted together as she sighed again, this time with sympathy. “It’s natural for Mother to feel sad, given the situation with Chu Jinmiao. Let’s go visit her together. We should try to comfort her.”
The two sisters decided to visit their mother, Madam Zhao, who lived in a nearby courtyard. Madam Zhao had assigned different courtyards to each of her daughters: Chu Jinxian had her own, while Chu Jinmiao stayed in the west wing. When Chu Jinyao returned to the family, she was given a courtyard in the northeast corner, far from her sisters.
As they walked through the corridors to Madam Zhao’s quarters, they encountered Momo Zhang, a senior servant. When she saw the two young ladies approaching, she smiled and said, “Eldest Young Lady and Fifth Young Lady are here! Please, come inside.”
Chu Jinyao’s maid, Linglong, teased gently, “Momo Zhang, it’s time you started calling her Eldest Young Madam.”
Momo Zhang chuckled, lightly patting her mouth. “Oh, how silly of me! Yes, yes, Eldest Young Madam, Fifth Young Lady, please come inside. It’s cold out. Madam will be glad to see you.”
Momo Zhang believed that seeing her two daughters together would surely lift Madam Zhao’s spirits. However, when the sisters entered Madam Zhao’s room, they found it dimly lit, with the windows tightly shut and the air thick with the scent of burning coal. The atmosphere was heavy and stifling, as if the room had absorbed Madam Zhao’s sorrow.
Madam Zhao sat listlessly on a couch, her face pale and swollen from crying. Despite the festive season, the room felt anything but joyful.
Chu Jinxian frowned at the sight. “Why is it so stuffy in here? Open the windows and let some air in. It’s the New Year—there’s no reason for this gloom.”
The maids quickly moved to follow her instructions, but Madam Zhao barely acknowledged her daughters’ arrival. When she finally spoke, her voice was weak. “You’ve come.”
Both Chu Jinxian and Chu Jinyao greeted her respectfully, but the silence that followed was tense and awkward.
Momo Zhang, sensing the discomfort, hurried to bring chairs and serve tea, hoping to stir some life into the room. She encouraged Madam Zhao, “Madam, the Eldest Young Madam has come all this way. Why not take this chance to speak with her?”
Madam Zhao tried to muster some energy to talk, asking about Chu Jinxian’s life at her in-laws’ home. However, the conversation quickly fizzled out, and Madam Zhao soon fell silent again, her mind clearly elsewhere.
After a while, Madam Zhao turned to Chu Jinyao, her tone suddenly sharp.
“I’ve heard that you’ve dismissed Momo Sun.”
“Yes,” Chu Jinyao replied, already expecting this question. “Momo Sun is getting on in years and recently welcomed a new grandchild. I thought it would be kinder to send her back home to enjoy some family time, so I arranged for her return to the countryside.”
Momo Sun had originally been placed in Chu Jinyao’s quarters at Chu Jinmiao’s instigation, with Madam Zhao’s approval. Since her arrival, Momo Sun has taken a high-handed approach, behaving as if she still served Madam Zhao rather than Chu Jinyao. Given her underhanded actions during the recent incident at the prince’s residence—helping Chu Jinmiao’s maid steal Chu Jinyao’s purse—keeping her in the house was out of the question.
Chu Jinyao had already reported Momo Sun’s misdeeds to Old Madam Chu, who, being unconcerned with a mere servant, had left the matter in Chu Jinyao’s hands. After punishing Momo Sun and confiscating the valuables she had hoarded over the years, Chu Jinyao arranged for her son to escort her back to her village.
Momo Sun had begged and cried, but this time her crime was too serious to be overlooked. With no one willing to intervene on her behalf, she was left with no choice but to leave.
Madam Zhao had been feeling frustrated for days, and hearing that her trusted servant had been dismissed without her involvement made her even more upset. “Even if Momo Sun did something wrong, you should have come to me. How could you decide on your own to send her away? Do you not regard me as your mother?”
Chu Jinxian, trying to mediate, interjected, “Mother, she’s just a servant.”
“Servant or not, she was someone I sent to Jinyao. Since when can a child dismiss someone sent by their mother? Have you ever seen a daughter send away someone her mother assigned to her without first asking permission?”
Chu Jinxian was at a loss for words, but Chu Jinyao couldn’t hold back. “Mother, she was plotting against me! She’s unworthy of being a nanny. Why shouldn’t I punish her?”
Linglong chimed in, “Madam, the Fifth Young Lady is right. Momo Sun was older, but she lacked the respect due to her position. Even if we’re to respect our elders, those elders must first respect themselves.”
Madam Zhao glanced at Linglong, then at the other maids and even at Chu Jinxian, her expression hardening. It became clear to her that Chu Jinyao was well supported by Old Madam Chu’s staff. With such strong backing, it was no wonder that Chu Jinyao no longer cared what Madam Zhao thought.
Seeing her daughters like this—one who had been taken away at birth and the other who now had Old Madam Chu’s support—Madam Zhao felt a deep, simmering anger. Years of her children being distanced from her had left her with only Chu Jinmiao, and now Old Madam Chu wanted to take even her away.
Why did she deserve such suffering? Even her own children weren’t loyal to her. She didn’t expect Chu Jinxian or the eldest son to be close to her anymore, but all she wanted was to spend the last few years of Chu Jinmiao’s maidenhood with her. Was that too much to ask?
Madam Zhao’s eyes filled with tears as she turned to Chu Jinyao and said, “I know I made a mistake, leaving you behind all those years, but why are you taking it out on Jinmiao? She’s just a bit spoiled and strong-willed, but you two are both my daughters—why can’t you get along?”
Chu Jinyao was taken aback. This was exactly what she had expected. Of course, Madam Zhao would pin the blame for Chu Jinmiao’s punishment on her.
“This was Grandmother’s decision,” Chu Jinyao calmly replied. “I had no say in it.”
“If it weren’t for you whispering to the Old Madam, would Jinmiao have ended up like this?” Madam Zhao slammed her hand on the table, her voice filled with resentment. She clearly remembered that the Old Madam had been ready to let the matter pass, but Chu Jinyao had said something at the last moment, infuriating the Old Madam into severely punishing Chu Jinmiao. “I know I can’t expect you to speak up for her, but at the very least, couldn’t you have stayed silent? Back when you were punished, Jinmiao never added insult to injury!”
At this point, even Chu Jinxian couldn’t stay silent. She stood up, raising her voice. “Mother! You don’t know the whole story!”
“Oh?” Madam Zhao glared at her daughter. “Then tell me, what’s the real story?”
Chu Jinxian hesitated. “Grandmother forbade us from talking about it outside the family. I don’t want to spread rumors or seem like I’m gossiping about Jinmiao, but I assure you, this isn’t as simple as it seems.”
Madam Zhao sneered. “You claim to be defending Jinmiao, but when I ask for details, you say you’re not allowed to speak. Do you think that sounds convincing?”
Even someone as composed as Chu Jinxian was starting to lose her patience. She wanted to explain, but Chu Jinyao placed a hand on her arm. “Sister, let it go.”
There was no point in continuing this argument. It would only make things worse.
Chu Jinxian glanced at Chu Jinyao’s serene expression, realizing that her sister had already accepted the futility of the situation. Sighing deeply, she said no more.
Chu Jinyao stood up and respectfully bowed to Madam Zhao. “Mother, today is the second day of the New Year. I didn’t come here to make you angry. Please take care of your health.”
With those parting words, Chu Jinyao and Chu Jinxian left Madam Zhao’s room. Madam Zhao’s eyes briefly followed them before she turned away, her face hard with emotion.
As the two sisters walked away from their mother’s quarters, neither spoke for a while. Eventually, Chu Jinxian broke the silence. “Mother just needs time. Don’t hold it against her. She’s upset about Jinmiao, but once some time has passed, things will get better. Don’t let this weigh on your heart.”
“I won’t,” Chu Jinyao said softly. “How could I resent my mother?”
But Chu Jinxian, hearing the cold calmness in her sister’s voice, felt a deep unease. This kind of detachment was rarely a good sign. Still, there was nothing more to be said.
“At least Jinmiao will be leaving soon. After that, things should improve,” Chu Jinxian said, trying to reassure both herself and her sister.
Chu Jinyao only nodded.
Though she was nodding, Chu Jinyao wasn’t particularly hopeful. Perhaps, in the past, she might have had a chance to develop some sort of relationship with Madam Zhao, but now, after what had happened with Chu Jinmiao, that possibility seemed gone. Madam Zhao would likely never forgive her for her role in Chu Jinmiao’s punishment, and that meant any chance of a genuine mother-daughter relationship was now beyond reach.
But even with that realization, Chu Jinyao didn’t regret her actions. Chu Jinmiao had wronged her, and justice had been served. That was all that mattered.
As the sisters continued walking, they suddenly noticed a cheerful little maid approaching them from the opposite direction. The maid was practically bouncing with excitement as she called out, “Eldest Young Madam, Fifth Young Lady! I’ve been looking for you! Madam Chu Zhu is here, and she and her husband are paying respects to Old Madam Chu!”
Both Chu Jinyao and Chu Jinxian were taken aback. Their aunt, Madam Chu Zhu, had arrived unexpectedly.
The two quickly hurried back toward the main hall. As they entered, they heard Madam Chu Zhu’s loud, familiar voice from inside the room: “Mother, the Old Matriarch and the Princess Consort have spoken, and while they love all our girls, the final selection depends on the County Princess’s preferences. In the end, we can only send Jinmiao and Fifth Young Lady as candidates.”
T/N :- Hey guys, sorry about the zero updates till now in this week. I had so many work piled up that I couldn’t update the chapters. So I am updating all the 3 chapters today !! And I think i will try to schedule the chapters of next week i.e on Mon, Wed, Fri.
Please do comment and let me know you thoughts about the chapters or the novel. I like to read all your comments.<3
