Chapter 19: Plotting Against Her
“At that time, Madam agreed to the two families’ request and sent people to accompany them to collect their daughters’ belongings. At first, they were only filled with grief, but later, after finishing and walking into the courtyard…”
“A woman suddenly rushed toward a tree, intending to crash into it. After being stopped, she turned to the flower bed instead.”
“As she fell, she accidentally knocked over two potted plants.”
“Everyone went to help her up, and after lifting her, they saw the fabric buried beneath the pots. The woman then burst into tears, saying it belonged to her daughter.”
“Nanny Lin was nearby and should have stopped it. But because of what Cuiyu had said earlier, she felt a pang of sympathy and hesitated for a moment.”
Even without Furong continuing, Jiang Jin could guess what happened next.
Grandmother, upon learning of this, would surely detain the two families. Mother, considering the bigger picture, would certainly refuse. Yet, fearing Grandmother might interfere and commit further atrocities, she had been handling the matter all along!
“By the time Father returns from duty, this matter likely won’t be resolved!”
Jiang Jin shook her head and sighed softly. “I just wonder whether Second Brother will find Father first, or if the people from the mansion will get to him sooner?”
Second Brother is currently the eldest among the younger generation in the mansion and the most promising candidate to pass the imperial examinations.
Father would not easily give up on Second Brother.
Moreover, Second Brother’s reputation in the family had always been impeccable. Even if this incident occurred, most would assume Cheng Wan was responsible.
But in reality, Jiang Jin had come to understand: in Tingfeng Pavilion, without Second Brother’s indulgence, how could Cheng Wan have the power to act so recklessly!
For Father, the truth might not matter.
If Second Brother insisted on protecting Cheng Wan, Father would allow it!
But as for the reasoning behind it, that would be a topic for discussion.
As Jiang Jin pondered, her thoughts turned to herself.
“Furong, what do you think… what might Second Brother be plotting by sending Cheng Wan to me?”
Furong carefully recalled Cheng Wan’s every move but couldn’t figure it out even after thinking for a long time.
She shook her head, disheartened. “This servant doesn’t know either. But, Miss, we must not act rashly now. We must keep a close watch on Miss Cheng to prevent her from doing anything harmful to you!”
Jiang Jin hummed in agreement. “Send more people to keep an eye on her.”
After Furong left, Jiang Jin rubbed her temples, trying to recall.
In her previous life, before her parents forced her into marriage, such an incident had never occurred. Why was it different now?
Where did things go wrong?
Or perhaps…
Jiang Jin thought for a long time.
Suddenly, her pupils trembled.
No!
In her previous life…
When she returned home, she unexpectedly didn’t see Cheng Wan.
Mother said Cheng Wan was ill and resting.
A few days later, Cheng Wan was sent away.
But later, Furong mentioned seeing Cheng Wan’s personal maid in a certain neighborhood.
She hadn’t left!
But she couldn’t stay in the Jiang family!
If she hadn’t committed some offense, Second Brother would never have let her suffer such humiliation!
Thinking about it now… perhaps it was because of today’s incident!
After all, burying the remains under the flower bed didn’t guarantee safety forever!
I just wonder… what the outcome will be this time.
————
“Miss, Second Young Master has returned!”
“And Master as well.”
Furong hurried over and added, “I heard Master’s face was extremely dark, but Second Young Master still wore that gentle, innocent expression as if he knew nothing.”
It seemed that the one being manipulated had instead become Minister Jiang.
Jiang Jin said, “Alright, pack up. I’m afraid someone will be coming soon.”
Sure enough, shortly after she spoke, a maid from Xuesong Studio arrived.
“Third Young Miss, Madam requests that you and the cousin young lady come over together.”
When this message was relayed to Cheng Wan, who had been eager to see Jiang Jin, she was unwilling to come out no matter what.
She sat in the side room, her bottom glued to the seat, unwilling to even stand up.
“Why should I go just because she says so? I only want to speak with Third Cousin alone!”
“Cousin Young Miss, Madam has ordered you to go! Old Madam has also agreed! If you refuse, don’t blame this servant for taking action.”
The maid from Xuesong Studio was not afraid of Cheng Wan at all. Moreover, she knew some of the inside story, and looking at Cheng Wan now, she felt even more disgusted.
Such a malicious person, caught red-handed, still had the nerve to put on airs—truly shameless!
Her expression remained unchanged, but the disdain in her eyes was not concealed.
Cheng Wan pointed at her, about to angrily rebuke her, when suddenly something was thrown down from somewhere.
She quickly calmed herself and, without cursing or resisting, simply followed the people from Xuesong Studio away.
Watching her leave, Jiang Jin frowned slightly. After exchanging a glance with Furong, she left Furong in the courtyard and went to Xuesong Studio alone.
Not long after Jiang Jin left, Furong summoned the maid who had been keeping an eye on Cheng Wan earlier.
After the maid reported everything she had seen, she added, “This servant noticed that the cousin young lady kept glancing outside the door, each time looking in the same direction.”
“Yes, after the cousin young lady walked out the door, she glanced at that spot once more.”
“Are you sure?”
The maid nodded firmly. “Absolutely certain, it was right there!”
As she spoke, she pointed toward a corner of the wall.
Furong went over to search and indeed found a bundle in the corner.
She opened the bundle. Inside, there was nothing particularly special—only a pouch, a few hairpins, and some new clothes.
At first glance, it seemed rather shabby, but upon opening the pouch… it was filled with hundred-tael silver notes, a considerable amount.
Yet, the larger the sum, the more puzzled Furong became.
These items, by all appearances, were left as travel funds.
But if they were travel funds for the cousin young lady, why were they thrown in their young miss’s courtyard?
If they were afraid Madam would search and take them, then leaving them in Qinghe Courtyard—weren’t they afraid the maids and servants in the courtyard would take them?
Or perhaps… Furong thought, her gaze sweeping across the courtyard.
There was a traitor in the courtyard!
Her eyes narrowed slightly as she took the bundle back into the room.
She deliberately placed the bundle in a conspicuous spot, ensuring that anyone with ill intentions could see it, before closing the door.
Not long after, using the excuse of going to find her young miss, she left Qinghe Courtyard.
However, after walking a short distance, she quietly turned back.
Finding a small path, she intended to climb over the wall to return.
But just as she reached the wall, she suddenly caught sight of a familiar figure.
Furong was both surprised and delighted. “Sister Muyu, why are you here?”
Muyu turned around and, seeing Furong behind her, wore an expression of being caught red-handed.
She cleared her throat lightly with a fist. “Ahem, by His Highness’s order, to deliver food to Third Young Miss.”
After saying this, she raised her right hand, which indeed held a food box.
Furong nodded in understanding, but remembering that Muyu knew martial arts, an idea formed in her mind. She quickly leaned closer and whispered to her.
Muyu listened and soon agreed.
“Don’t worry, this matter is easily resolved.”
After speaking, she placed her hand on Furong’s waist and effortlessly lifted her onto the wall.
Once Furong was settled, she asked, “Why isn’t the Third Young Lady here?”
Furong replied, “Something happened in the mansion, and the young lady was called over by the madam.”
“By the way, after this is resolved, Sister Muyu, could you come with me to find the young lady? I’m worried something unexpected might happen on her end.”