Four Seasons Brocade – CH 060

Chapter 60 ☆、

The First Madam, with lightning speed, ordered the search of all the courtyards. She personally led a group to Lady Cui’s room and then had Lady Cui send Nanny Li with her to search the other rooms. This was also to avoid suspicion, lest Lady Cui accuse her of framing someone later.

Upon hearing this, Concubine Wang’s heart sank. But it was too late to do anything at this moment; she could only pray that they would not find anything.

Nanny Ning entered the room and sat down on a chair without saying a word. Nanny Li, who had served in Lady Cui’s room, stood beside her and softly comforted Concubine Wang, “Concubine Wang, do not panic. The Old Madam and the Second Madam are possessed. The Taoist priest they invited said there’s witchcraft at work in the mansion. The heir’s wife ordered a search. Do not be nervous.”

How could Concubine Wang not be nervous? The chests, bedding, wooden boxes, and bed boards inside the room were all ripped open. Several old women rudely threw the items they had taken on the ground, showing no respect to anyone from the third branch of the family. “Found it!” one of the old women shouted joyfully, holding a small cloth doll. It appeared to be a man in a robe, with three characters written on a red paper pasted on his back: “Rong Jichang.”

Concubine Wang’s face paled. “No, this is not…” How could she have turned to witchcraft to kill Third Master Rong? This was what Taoist Feng called “nurturing a person”—once she developed feelings for the doll, Third Master Rong’s heart would turn to her. Because Concubine Wang did not know Third Master Rong’s birth date and time, Taoist Feng had her write down his name.

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But at this point, it could also be said that it was witchcraft, and Concubine Wang could not explain herself even if she had a thousand mouths.

Nanny Li’s eyes widened in shock. “Heavens!” she exclaimed.

Nanny Ning had not expected to find such a thing in Concubine Wang’s room. With Nanny Li present, she could not help Concubine Wang even if she wanted to cover it up.

“Take her away. Tie her up and take her to Third Madam’s room,” Nanny Ning immediately ordered. Even if it was just for show, she had to maintain an iron fist.

Meanwhile, there was a commotion in Lady Cui’s room. The First Madam personally knocked on Lady Cui’s door, and both Third Master Rong and Lady Cui rose to their feet.

“It’s for the sake of the Old Madam; please forgive us, Third Brother-in-law,” the First Madam said, bowing slightly.

Third Master Rong and Lady Cui were unaware of the situation beforehand, and Ah Wu, for some reason, had not informed them either. She had specifically instructed Si-Hua and Si-Shui not to leak the news, keeping it a secret even from Lady Cui and Nanny Li. If it were not for the need to use Si-Hua and Si-Shui to search the room, Ah Wu intended to keep it from them as well. Zi-Yan, following Ah Wu’s instructions, struggled to persuade the two maids.

Upon hearing the First Madam’s words, Third Master Rong inwardly shuddered, fearing he had been secretly tricked. A thorough search of the entire mansion was no good; if the other party was not certain, and if nothing was found, it would be a huge embarrassment.

Lady Cui was even more terrified, her face turning pale.

The four old women brought by the First Madam thoroughly searched Lady Cui’s room, inside and out, nook and cranny, even using ladders to search the roof beams. Of course, they found nothing and shook their heads at the First Madam.

The First Madam’s expression remained unchanged. She apologized to Third Master Rong and Lady Cui, “I am sorry to have disturbed you, Third Brother-in-law and Third Sister-in-law. This was all for the Old Madam’s sake. Please forgive my intrusion. You should rest.”

Just as the First Madam finished speaking, Nanny Ning arrived with Concubine Wang.

“What’s going on?” The First Madam’s eyes brightened, but when she saw Nanny Ning shake her head slightly, her gaze dimmed.

“Reporting to Madam, this servant found this in Concubine Wang’s room.” Nanny Ning gestured to the old woman beside her to hand the doll to the First Madam.

The First Madam glanced at it and said to Third Master Rong, “Third Brother-in-law and Third Sister-in-law, take a look. This is a matter for your courtyard. Fortunately, it was found today. As your sister-in-law, I’ve done a good deed. You can decide what to do with it yourselves.”

The First Madam did not want to be used as a pawn by Third Master Rong in the end. After speaking, she strode away from the Third Branch’s courtyard.

“My Lord!” Upon seeing the doll, Lady Cui’s mind went blank. She could not believe that Concubine Wang had committed such evil deeds. What had they done to wrong her that she would curse Third Master Rong like this?

“You, you shameless woman, how dare you, how dare you…” Lady Cui was so angry that she could not utter a word. Concubine Wang’s curses against Third Master Rong were more infuriating to Lady Cui than curses against herself.

Concubine Wang was bound, constantly crying out her innocence, “I did not, I did not, Third Master, Third Master, I am innocent!”

No matter how pitifully Concubine Wang cried out, Third Master Rong felt no pity. He was filled with rage. How dare she curse him, just because he had neglected her? What a vicious woman! Then, remembering that she was a gift from the Old Madam, his anger intensified. He kicked Concubine Wang, who was leaning against his leg, away.

Concubine Wang fell to the ground with a thud, knowing that everything was over.

Ah Wu was already dressed and standing in a corner of the courtyard, enjoying the moment she had planned. It was Concubine Wang who had sought death. If she had not had such wicked intentions and cooperated with Taoist Feng, how could things have turned out this way? Ah Wu had not forced her; she had merely cleared away the obstacles for her. Of course, Ah Wu was not without a backup plan. After instructing Zi-Yan that day, Zi-Yan returned and said that there was already a doll in Concubine Wang’s room, so Ah Wu did not need to dirty her hands anymore. She only instructed Zi-Yan, “She brought this upon herself. It’s for the best; keep a close eye on her.”

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Why did Ah Wu not expose Concubine Wang herself? Because having an outsider expose her would better eliminate any suspicion and arouse mistrust from Third Master Rong.

Now, Ah Wu had completely cleared herself of suspicion. The First Madam acted swiftly; no one knew about this beforehand. Lady Cui of the Third Branch, Ah Wu, and the maids were naturally innocent. Concubine Wang’s guilt was undeniable.

They could not very well let someone sent by the Old Madam end up shooting themselves in the foot.

“Drag her out and beat her to death!” Lady Cui trembled with rage.

Ah Wu rushed forward and hugged Lady Cui, saying, “Madam, no!”

“What are you doing? Pleading for her! Do you know she’s cursing your father to death?” Lady Cui pushed Ah Wu away.

Concubine Wang, not expecting Ah Wu to plead for her, quickly said, “Third Master, Madam, it’s not that! I was just misled by Taoist Feng. This doll is for nurturing people, not for cursing them. She said if I take good care of this doll, Third Master will change his mind. I, I…”

Third Master Rong could no longer tolerate Concubine Wang’s refutation. Whatever the reason, Concubine Wang had crossed his line.

“Father, it’s still a human life, given by the Old Madam. The Old Madam is still bedridden and unconscious. We cannot let there be any more bloodshed,” Ah Wu said urgently.

Third Master Rong thought for a moment. Yes, Concubine Wang’s existence was the Old Madam’s weakness; keeping her alive was better than killing her. So she nodded. “Take her back. Do not let her embarrass herself again. Sell the maidservant next to her.”

After this ordeal, Third Master Rong would probably never feel pity or tenderness for Concubine Wang again. Ah Wu knew this, and Concubine Wang herself knew it too.

Meanwhile, after the First Madam searched all the courtyards, the Old Madam and Second Madam indeed recovered. The only regret was that they could not find anything in the room of the Third Branch’s Lady Cui.

The Old Madam and Second Madam exchanged a glance, both somewhat surprised. Xiang-Qin had clearly reported that everything was properly stored away; how could the things have suddenly disappeared? If the Third Branch had discovered it, why did they not say anything, and why did they not cause any trouble by searching for anyone? This inexplicable calm was something the Old Madam and Second Madam could not understand.

Therefore, the Old Madam and Second Madam both looked to the First Madam, waiting to see what she would say. The First Madam knew about this; it was the Second Madam’s idea. She noticed that both Lady Cui and Third Master Rong seemed unaware, but when she led people to search the premises, they were both shocked, especially the Third Master, whose face was ashen. He probably guessed someone had set a trap. However, the First Madam did not know why the item had disappeared, nor who had unknowingly saved the Third Branch of the family.

For them, this would remain a permanent mystery.

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Ah Wu had no intention of making a scene. If the Old Madam and her allies succeeded in framing them for witchcraft, they could destroy the Third Branch. However, the Third Branch’s retaliation might not be able to destroy them. Therefore, it was better to keep it hidden, shrouded in mystery, so that their ignorance would instill fear and make them more restrained.

In truth, the First Madam harbored some resentment towards the Second Madam. She had been used as a scapegoat, and this time, the sword had only been drawn, resulting in a chicken being killed, and the enemy alerted. Dealing with the Third Madam’s family would not be so easy in the future. The Third Madam was no simpleton; she would likely have to be even more wary.

A thorough search revealed only a cloth doll with the Second Madam’s name on it, with needles stuck in its stomach, in the possession of the second branch’s Concubine Mei. It seemed the Second Madam was about to miscarry. Concubine Mei was immediately gagged and tied up, and even the Second Master could not show favoritism.

Compared to the First Madam’s anger, the Second Madam, though disappointed at not being able to deal with the Third Madam, had achieved her main goal. Concubine Mei’s attempt to challenge her dignity as the main wife was truly courting death.

The Second Madam had come up with this idea the day Concubine Mei invited Taoist Feng. Taoist Feng, being sensible, did not dare to take money from both sides and confessed everything to the Second Madam. That fool, thinking she could get away with secretly hiring Taoist Feng, and she would not interfere? Did she really think she was afraid to? The Second Madam smiled smugly. Whether Taoist Feng ultimately fell from grace or not, Concubine Mei’s fate was sealed.

Just as the Second Madam was about to act, the First Madam suddenly brought back information about Taoist Feng practicing witchcraft. The Second Madam immediately realized it was like a pillow being delivered to someone who was about to fall asleep.

Then she thought her plan was brilliant. Dealing with only Concubine Mei would be making a mountain out of a molehill, and besides, if she did it herself, she feared the Second Master would hate her later. So she devised a plan to instigate the Old Madam to frame the Third Branch and then had the First Madam investigate and confiscate the property, thus clearing herself of any blame.

It must be said that, in this respect, Ah Wu and the Second Madam were unexpectedly “in sync.”