Chapter 265

Chapter 265 "The Eldest Young Master in the front courtyard can't be left without someone to care for him. Why not have Nanny An come over?" Now that Jiang Baobao was lying in bed recovering from her miscarriage, there was no need for two nannies to watch over her. Now that the Eldest Young Master had become simple-minded, it would be difficult to extract any information from him. The only lead Xie Run could pursue now was Nanny Mu. Yesterday, Xie Run had discovered that she had tampered with the rockery, but since she still wanted to extract information from Nanny Mu, she hadn't made a move against her yet, only having people investigate in secret. Now that something had happened to the Eldest Young Master, Xie Run had to place her under watch. She had even specially requested guards from the front courtyard to interrogate Nanny Mu. But after a round of interrogation, Guard Jin had failed to pry any useful information from Nanny Mu's mouth. Nanny Mu adamantly refused to admit that she had made the gaps in the rockery, and wouldn't even acknowledge the small saw found in her own courtyard. She only claimed that someone was framing her. This infuriated Guard Jin. "Master Xie, leave this nanny to me!" "I'll pry her mouth open!" It made no sense that when Jing Wu was around, he could pry open anyone's mouth. But when it came to him, he couldn't even handle a nanny. Xie Run glanced at the nanny, with little pity in her eyes. "Then I'll leave it to Guard Jin's capable hands." Xie Run first went to the Pine Courtyard to inform the Princess Consort of what had happened to the Eldest Young Master, and also to ask how to handle Nanny Mu. After hearing everything, the Princess Consort asked, "Does Side Consort Xie have any thoughts on this?" Xie Run spoke frankly: "I've discovered that she's connected to the cracks in the rockery, but her family background is clean... I'm very puzzled—how exactly did Wan Linlang get a hold over her?" "She has sons and daughters, yet she refuses to speak even under pressure. Does she not worry about her children at all?" "The Princess Consort has managed the household for years and has more experience than I do, so I've come specifically to seek your guidance." The Princess Consort smiled faintly. "If she has children and still remains tight-lipped, it means her weakness is more important to her than her family's lives." "So tell me—what could be more important than human life?" Xie Run thought in silence for a long while, then shook her head. The Princess Consort said calmly, "Reputation." Xie Run was slightly startled. "It's likely that if the nanny's secret were exposed, it would ruin her family's reputation so completely that they couldn't survive. That's why she refuses to reveal even a hint." Xie Run couldn't fully empathize, but with the Princess Consort's guidance, she could understand. In any era, there were people who valued reputation more than life itself. It was just that such people were always few. Xie Run said, "I'll have people investigate right away." "No need." The Princess Consort spoke with some effort. "You don't have many people outside the manor, so I doubt you'd find much." "I'll have my people investigate—it will certainly be faster than yours." Xie Run quickly bowed. "I thank the Princess Consort for her kindness." Seeing that Xie Run still maintained a respectful attitude toward her even at a time like this, the Princess Consort smiled. She wondered whether it was genuine respect or just good acting. But either way, the Princess Consort appreciated it. Xie Run then brought up the matter of Xing'er. "Xing'er is from Consort Jiang's family—her entire family's contracts are held by the Jiang family. By all logic, she should be the least likely to betray Consort Jiang." "I simply can't figure out what method Concubine Wan used to buy her off." The Princess Consort half-reclined on the couch. Though her face was pale without much color, her expression remained composed. "The best way to buy someone in this world is to give them what they want." "It doesn't have to be money—perhaps fame, perhaps profit." "Consort Jiang has a violent temper and acts arbitrarily. She offended many people as soon as she entered the manor, was demoted from Side Consort to Concubine Consort, and after this incident, she'll likely be demoted again." "Tell me—what do you think the maidservant following her wants most?" Xie Run said slowly, "To be transferred away from Consort Jiang's side. And if she could seize the opportunity to climb a higher branch, that would be even better." The Princess Consort nodded slowly. "Side Consort Xie actually understands all this—you've just had limited experience and couldn't think of it right away." With the Princess Consort's guidance, Xie Run's thoughts instantly became clear. Xie Run said, "I know which direction to investigate now!" Before leaving, Xie Run also asked about the Princess Consort's health. The Princess Consort brushed it off with pleasantries, mentioning that in the coming days, the manor's gates should be watched closely and the comings and goings of servants controlled. Most people hearing this would think it was because the household was troubled and they feared collusion from within and without to pass messages or goods. But Xie Run thought it was about the turmoil at court—that the gates needed to be secured. The moment she stepped out of the Pine Courtyard, she immediately relayed the Princess Consort's instructions. She also instructed Xiaoshu: "Look into the transfers of maidservants in the manor, especially those in Consort Jiang's courtyard. See if anyone has been trying hard to transfer elsewhere." Xiaoshu said, "Maidservants in each courtyard aren't easily transferred, but some junior maids who want to move to other courtyards will secretly bribe the various stewards or promise them favors." "They first use their methods to smooth things over, then quietly find an excuse to transfer elsewhere." As Xiaoshu spoke, she seemed to understand Xie Run's thinking. "Master, do you think Xing'er betrayed Consort Jiang for this reason?" Xie Run didn't respond, only saying, "Send people to investigate first." This kind of matter wasn't difficult to look into—it was just that most people wouldn't think to investigate in that direction. The managing servants who had received favors would only offer a helping hand when convenient, but when it came to matters involving the masters' major affairs, they dared not conceal a single thing. By the time Xie Run arrived at Jiang Baobao's courtyard, Xiaoshu had already investigated thoroughly and reported back with great enthusiasm. "Mistress, I've found out!" "A year ago, Xing'er had been steadily sending gifts to Mama Zhao, who was in charge of personnel assignments. At first, it was just simple food and drink, but later it turned into rare and precious items." "Mama Zhao asked Xing'er what she wanted, and Xing'er only said she wished to be transferred to another courtyard, and if the opportunity arose, she hoped Mama Zhao would give her a push." "Two months ago, a position for a second-class maid suddenly opened up in Eldest Young Master's courtyard. Xing'er gave Mama Zhao ten taels of silver, and everything has already been arranged." "She only needs to wait one month, and she'll go directly to serve by Eldest Young Master's side." Xie Run: "What a coincidence—the new place Xing'er is being transferred to happens to be Eldest Young Master's courtyard." Xie Run had been investigating two matters before and always felt there was a missing connection between them. Now she had finally found it. Xiaoshu: "How could there be such a coincidence in this world?" "Maids in the young masters' courtyards are rarely replaced; they're all meant to grow up together with them from childhood." "Eldest Young Master never said his maids were negligent in their care, yet suddenly a vacancy appeared... Mistress, I rather think that Nanny Mu is not clean in this matter at all." Eldest Young Master was still young, and all maid assignments in his courtyard were entirely under Nanny Mu's authority. Once Nanny Mu was connected to Xing'er, she couldn't be innocent no matter how she tried. "This matter has been in the works for a whole year?" Xie Run thought for a moment, then raised an eyebrow. "A year ago was exactly when Jiang Baobao provoked me and was demoted to Concubine Consort... So this girl was already paving her own escape route that early." Xiaoshu couldn't help muttering: "Consort Jiang truly isn't a good mistress. Xing'er wanting to find an escape route is understandable, but of all people, why did she have to get involved with Concubine Wan?!" Concubine Wan's reputation in the rear courtyard wasn't much better than Jiang Baobao's. Being a servant herself, Xiaoshu couldn't understand Xing'er's choice at all. Xie Run: "That's a question you'll have to ask Xing'er." Xie Run had always found Jiang Baobao utterly useless—being played as a pawn the entire time, spinning in circles, capable only of impotent raging. She had originally held no hope for Jiang Baobao whatsoever. Who would have thought Jiang Baobao could still bring her a bit of a surprise. Xing'er confessed!