Four Seasons Brocade – CH 059

Chapter 59 ☆、

“Ah Xuan, Ah Xuan, can you still hold on?” Tang Yin asked anxiously.

Ah Wu nodded, forcing herself to stand up.

Chu Mao’s voice came from outside the curtain, “No one else will know about today’s events. Your families have already been notified.”

Only Tang Xiujin from the Tang family and Third Master Rong from the Rong family came. Both, for the sake of their young ladies’ reputations, dared not make a sound after receiving the message from the Fourth Prince and came alone.

Tang Yin rushed into Tang Xiujin’s arms upon seeing him, while Third Master Rong tenderly picked up the frail Ah Wu.

“Your Highness,” Third Master Rong and Tang Xiujin spoke one after the other.

“You have not seen me today, and I have not seen you either. This matter will not be leaked by me,” Chu Mao said calmly, turning and leaving with his guards.

Chu Mao, with his composed demeanor and unassuming attitude, did not attempt to cultivate a relationship, so no one doubted his words.

Tang Xiujin and Third Master Rong were extremely grateful. If this matter were to leak out, it would only enhance the Fourth Prince’s reputation while ruining the lives of two young girls. Hearing the Fourth Prince’s words, they were naturally grateful.

Tang Xiujin had initially feared that the Fourth Prince would use this opportunity to blackmail them, using Tang Yin’s situation to bind the Tang family to his side.

Third Master Rong, on the other hand, was deeply grateful to Chu Mao. If it were not for him last year, Ah Wu would likely be gone long ago; this time, they were also very fortunate to have him.

Both girls were somewhat suspicious; how could it be such a coincidence that he was the one who saved Tang Yin and her companion? The identity of Cabinet Minister Tang was something Chu Mao was eager to win over, which made Tang Xiujin wonder.

However, the Tang family later discovered that the Fourth Prince had absolutely no connection with the kidnappers. The innocent were innocent, and Chu Mao’s lack of defense only demonstrated his uprightness.

After recovering from her illness, Ah Wu overheard Third Master Rong and Lady Cui discussing the matter in Lady Cui’s room. He, of course, praised the Fourth Prince’s character highly. Only Ah Wu truly understood why Chu Mao had acted this way.

She also guessed why he had saved her.

She only regretted her arrogance and overconfidence, having risked her life again. She thought herself mature enough and considered herself clever enough that no one could touch her, like how she had skillfully resolved the crisis at the Lantern Festival. Therefore, Ah Wu did not believe she was truly in danger. This time, again clinging to a sliver of hope, she did not dissuade Tang Yin. If something truly happened, Ah Wu would likely be unable to rest in peace, her guilt so profound she would not even want to be reincarnated.

This showed that one should not be arrogant or complacent, much less harbor wishful thinking.

Going back to Chu Mao, Ah Wu thought that Chu Mao probably became suspicious outside Mei Changsheng’s house and sent people to follow Tang Yin and her. It was truly a case of mistaken identity, and Ah Wu was incredibly lucky. Of course, it was because of Tang Yin’s help; otherwise, she doubted Chu Mao would have intervened if she had been kidnapped alone. The Rong family and the Duke of Anguo’s Mansion were not even worth Chu Mao’s attention.

As for Chu Mao’s quiet and discreet handling of the matter, it was because he never intended to win over the Tang or Rong families. Both would ultimately fall victim to his machinations. Chu Mao ultimately usurped the throne through force.

If he truly had any connection with Cabinet Minister Tang, it would only attract more attention and be detrimental to his plans.

Of course, saving someone was a simple matter for him. Although he disdained cultivating relationships, it was better to do someone a favor than to become an enemy.

Third Master Rong praised the Fourth Prince again, describing him as handsome and refined, with a detached and otherworldly air. Even Ah Wu found Chu Mao’s appearance incredibly deceptive; his ethereal demeanor was deeply admired by scholars and gentlemen. No wonder it was not until Chu Mao’s army was at the city gates that those refined scholars believed the elegant Fourth Prince was actually a bloodthirsty monster.

Ah Wu still harbored deep resentment towards Chu Mao, but she had to admit that deep down, she was extremely grateful to him. Heaven knew how terrified Ah Wu was of the water. She had jumped off the boat with the determination to die, but even ants clung to life. Ah Wu had many attachments to the human world, and as she sank to the bottom, her heart was filled with fear, reluctance, and resentment.

Fortunately, she was rescued.

Including last year’s incident, she already owed Chu Mao two enormous favors.

While ill, Ah Wu felt torn. She felt grateful to Chu Mao one moment and worried about the future fate of the Imperial Princess the next. To be honest, Ah Wu did not oppose Chu Mao’s ascension to the throne. If Consort Xiang’s son, Emperor Ai, had remained on the throne, the Imperial Princess might not have fared well either. And the current Empress’s eldest son was incompetent; if he became Emperor, the people would inevitably suffer.

Although Chu Mao’s ascension was marked by bloodshed, he was a good emperor for the people. He promoted beneficial policies, eliminated abuses, and was diligent and caring towards his people.

However, the Imperial Princess was the person Ah Wu worried about most. Ah Wu did not know how to prevent the future tragedy. Persuading the Imperial Princess to switch her support to Chu Mao was absolutely impossible. Not only was it impossible for the Imperial Princess to listen to Ah Wu, but she herself had always disliked Chu Mao. Ah Wu did not know why; the Imperial Princess only said that Chu Mao was cold-hearted and indifferent to the royal family. But Ah Wu felt these reasons were not sufficient.

Or perhaps Ah Wu could prevent Chu Mao from ascending the throne and expose his true colors. Ah Wu knew that with her current resources, she was absolutely unqualified to challenge Chu Mao. The more she interacted with him, the more unfathomable and terrifying he seemed. Ah Wu was not arrogant enough to think that just because she was reborn, she could defeat the young but cunning Chu Mao.

Besides, in her previous life, Ah Wu had not had much exposure to politics. At least, she had not personally experienced the intrigue and thrilling power struggles involved. The Imperial Princess did not want her to be exposed to these things. But in the end, Ah Wu helplessly experienced the cruelty of politics.

After falling into the water, Ah Wu remained ill until spring arrived.

Zi-Shan had just returned from outside, excitedly announcing, “Miss, have you heard? That old hag Feng, who often comes to our mansion, has been arrested by the authorities. They say she used witchcraft and killed the Princess Consort of Anjun.”

Old hag Feng, always one to get her hands dirty, was bound to get her hands dirty eventually. Ah Wu could not remember exactly when her affair was exposed in her past life, but she had always asked Zi-Yan to keep an eye on it.

Later, Ah Wu kept Zi-Yan behind, and Zi-Yan nodded to her.

“Miss was absolutely right. This morning I saw Xiang-Qin sneaking into Madam’s room, and Sister Si-Hua found this under Madam’s bed.” Zi-Yan secretly took out a rag doll from her bosom. A red paper was pasted on it, with eight characters written on it. Ah Wu calculated it; it looked like the Old Madam’s eight characters.

“Hmm,” Ah Wu nodded. It was truly a multi-pronged approach, even pulling out a deeply hidden spy among Lady Cui’s people.

“How did you know someone would place a cursed object under Madam’s bed, young lady?” Zi-Yan was quite surprised. A long time ago, Ah Wu had instructed Zi-Yan to keep an eye out, even anticipating that such a cursed object would be placed in Lady Cui’s room. How could Zi-Yan not be astonished?

Actually, Ah Wu was only considering it from the perspective of the Old Madam or the Second Madam. She knew that the matter of Taoist Feng was about to be exposed, but this incident would not only stir up trouble in the Prince of Anjun’s Mansion. Ah Wu thought that if she were the Old Madam or the Second Madam, she would also seize the opportunity to destroy the Third Branch of the family. This was a golden opportunity to manipulate the Third Branch; if successful, they would likely never escape the Old Madam’s grasp again.

Moreover, Ah Wu had specifically given them an excuse. It was Lady Cui who had openly invited Taoist Feng to the Third Branch—though actually Ah Wu had invited her, it appeared to be Lady Cui who had done it.

Ah Wu’s warning to Zi-Yan was not without reason; she was certain the Old Madam would fall for it.

Of course, Ah Wu could not reveal these thoughts to Zi-Yan directly. She only said, “It’s always good to be cautious. I am just telling you to be careful. Go check the courtyard again; make sure you do not miss anything. This is no small matter.”

Zi-Yan was a clever woman. Seeing Ah Wu’s reluctance to speak, she did not press further. She thought to herself that the Sixth Young Lady was not acting without reason and that she allowed Concubine Wang and Taoist Feng to freely associate. Remembering the news Zi-Shan had mentioned, Zi-Yan felt a chill and dared not think further.

Ah Wu gestured for Zi-Yan to lower her head and whispered a few words in her ear. Zi-Yan hesitated but nodded anyway.

That night, in their dreams, the Old Madam of the main house and the Second Madam of the second house simultaneously screamed in nightmares, acting like madwomen. They shouted and screamed at anyone they encountered, finally collapsing on the bed, foaming at the mouth, and nearly dying. That night, the Duke of Anguo’s Mansion, which had already fallen silent, was lit up again throughout the entire residence. The First Madam sat solemnly in the main room. Any experienced elder could tell that the Old Madam and the Second Madam were possessed.

“Investigate! Investigate immediately! Search every courtyard!” the First Madam ordered fiercely.

The imperial physician, physicians, and the First Madam herself had all been summoned, but to no avail. They had played their part perfectly.

Concubine Wang sat up, putting on her clothes, and frowned. “Qing-Ming, go see what’s going on outside. What’s all the commotion?”

Before Qing-Ming could even slip on her shoes, there was a loud banging on Concubine Wang’s door, the door being pushed open like a drum. “Open the door! Open the door!”

“Coming! Coming!” Qing-Ming was startled by the commotion.

The door was being pushed open, nearly falling apart. Qing-Ming, not even bothering to put on her clothes, flung it open and said, “What’s all this commotion in the middle of the night?” Qing-Ming was a spoiled little maid, but she held some sway in the third household’s courtyard, and Lady Cui was known for her gentle nature.

“You little harlot, why did it take you so long to open the door?” A rough-looking old woman pushed Qing-Ming aside, and behind her entered a woman in her forties, her face cold and her hands clasped behind her back. She looked very respectable, and standing beside her was Nanny Li from Lady Cui’s room.

Qing-Ming did not recognize them. Seeing them about to barge into the house, she quickly called out to Nanny Li, “Nanny Li, what are you doing? What do you want?”

“This is Nanny Ning, who serves the Duke’s heir’s wife. She was ordered by the heir’s wife to search all the rooms.” The rough-looking old woman tied Qing-Ming up and pulled her aside.