Chapter 81: Chaos

Ninth Mistress wakes neither early nor late, and her "daughters" can't afford to sleep in either. Aside from the patrons who stay over, most visitors leave in the morning to attend to "proper business," and the girls must serve and see them out.

After rising, everyone has their duties, with maids and servants bustling about cleaning. Ninth Mistress must manage the household affairs and strategize the business, calculating earnings and ways to increase profit. Apart from the profession's uniqueness, Ninth Mistress as the manager seems no different from any shopkeeper outside.

After her morning routine, she takes inventory of the home's stock of wines, dishes, and vegetables, planning purchases. With the Dragon Boat Festival approaching, she also buys seasonal items. The girls need to be dressed well, with quality colored threads prepared, and gifts ready for their patrons. Zongzi (rice dumplings) are also on the list, some of which are sent to acquaintances to remind them they're not forgotten.

The most popular "daughter" needs new dresses as fashion trends change - this year's skirts are larger than last's, though the colors remain the same. Last year's dresses will be handed down to the maids.

Additionally, with fewer girls under her care, including a niece named Pearl who has a slight disability but skilled hands, she must also ensure they are well-dressed...

Ninth Mistress works the abacus meticulously, calculating each expense. She then retrieves money from her chest – some transactions can be billed and paid later, monthly or bi-annually, but others demand cash payment.

As she finishes counting, officers from the prefecture arrive!

The entire household is alarmed! Ninth Mistress hurriedly grabs more money for potential bribes before locking her chest.

Ninth Mistress wonders, "Why have they come? Could one of the patrons have committed a crime leading to our doorstep?"

Her eldest daughter commented, "That can’t be right, can it? Of all our regulars, who seems that daring? These days, the capital is far too peaceful for such antics."

The youngest daughter speculated, "Could they be here for a bribe?"

Ninth Mistress scoffed, "Nonsense! With Lord Wang around, who would dare resort to the shenanigans of past years? Let me handle this. If something seems off, make a beeline for the prefecture’s office and cry injustice!"

They were not particularly afraid of these officials; in the capital, if anything was abundant, it was government officials. Among their clientele were not just the sons of chancellors but also members from all six ministries, and sometimes they were even summoned to perform at the mansions of high-ranking families. The petty officers were the least of their concerns.

However, since Wang Yunhe’s arrival, even the lives of courtesans had improved somewhat, with extortionists and ruffians severely punished, and the officers themselves had become more disciplined. The only downside was the household’s reduced ability to maintain a large retinue of toughs for protection, as any trouble could lead to severe punishments like beatings, exile, or military conscription by the prefecture’s office. Consequently, the officers had become harder to fool.

Ninth Mistress approached with a mild smile, inquiring softly to the officer, "May I help you…?"

“Are you Ji Jiu’niang (Ninth Mistress Ji)?”

“Indeed, it is I.”

“Come along! We need you to visit the prefecture’s office!”

The smile on Ji Jiu’niang’s face froze, “Could there be some mistake? What business could I possibly have with the prefecture’s office?”

“Enough chatter!” Although the officers were less prone to extorting now, their demeanor hadn’t improved much. They detained Ji Jiu’niang and left, causing her daughters to become frantic, “Mother, what have you done? Was there an issue with the payment for that maid we purchased recently?”

Ji Jiu’niang, furious, turned back to curse: "Nonsense! Would her father have left without being paid?"

The youngest daughter, being the least experienced, started crying. Ji Jiu’niang scolded her, "Don’t use the sleeve of your new dress to wipe your tears! It’ll lose its sheen once it gets wet!"

The officer, annoyed, barked, "Are you done yet? The prefecture has questions for you, we’re not here to kill you! If you had committed a crime, would we still be this polite?"

The Ji family calmed down, watching the officers take her away. The eldest daughter said, "What do we do now? Pearl, you know many officials, please plead with them on our behalf."

After a moment's thought, Pearl suggested, "Perhaps we should first send someone to wait outside the prefecture to listen in on what’s happening before we decide whom to approach for help."

The eldest daughter, slightly irritated by the response, still sent someone out, instructing, "Stay low and listen in from outside the court. Don’t draw attention." She then gave Pearl a sidelong glance.

Pearl sighed softly. With no appetite for food, everyone sat in the hall waiting for news.

…………

Ji Jiu’niang attempted to probe for information on the way, slipping the officers some money. They took the money but were uncooperative and impatiently remarked, "You’ll find out when we get there! Why are you so bothersome? Haven’t you nagged your family to death yet?"

Although Ji Jiu’niang was not afraid to stand out, entering the prefecture unnerved her. Approaching the gate, her legs gave out, and she had to be dragged in by two officers.

Stumbling into the prefecture, Ji Jiu’niang comforted herself with the thought that Lord Wang wouldn’t wrongly accuse someone. She resolved to seek justice upon seeing him.

However, to her dismay, she was not taken to see Wang Yunhe but elsewhere within the precinct, sparking her panic, "What are you doing? Help! Lord Wang! Someone is trying to harm me in your court!" Completely losing her usual poise.

The officers, both amused and exasperated, smacked her on the back of her head, retorting, "Quiet! Who’s harming you now?"

"As soon as the constable's voice faded, Ji Jiuniang reverted to her demure self. The constable thought: These bondmaids are too good at playing roles, just like actresses. You can never trust them! I wonder what little Justice Zhu wants to ask her, hopefully, she won't be deceived."

Justice Zhu had been waiting for a while. When Ji Jiuniang was brought to her, she showed no signs of surprise or discomfort.

Upon arriving, Ji Jiuniang realized she was in a small hall and thought: This isn’t the main courtroom. What are they examining here? Am I not here as a witness?

Looking up, she saw a young man in green official robes seated above. This piqued her curiosity, prompting a closer look until Zhang, the head of the guards, scolded, “What are you peering at with those thieving eyes?!”

Jiuniang quickly lowered her gaze, saying, “I meant no disrespect. I was merely confused about being brought here without cause, which led to my rudeness.”

Zhuying called out, “Jiuniang?”

Jiuniang recognized Zhuying, although it had been a long time since last year, and she struggled to recall at first, replying, “It is indeed me.”

When Zhuying inquired, “What's the background of the young ladies in your house?”

Jiuniang hurriedly responded, “To the official, all my daughters have clear and documented backgrounds, all officially registered! There’s no concealment of people.”

Zhuying asked, “What about your nieces?”

“Are you asking about Zhenzhu? She came to us from elsewhere two years ago, also officially registered. What’s the matter? Did she commit any offense? She might be cunning, but surely not to the extent of committing a crime?”

As she spoke, Jiuniang's memory slowly returned, and she dared to glance at Zhuying again, “Eh? Aren’t you…?”

Zhuying calmly encouraged her, “Continue.”

Jiuniang faltered, “Uh…”

When Zhuying further inquired about Zhenzhu’s background, Jiuniang, still suspicious, replied, “She was the adopted daughter of a sister of mine from my youth, named Qiao, with whom I later lost touch. I stayed in the capital, and she remained in our hometown. After my sister passed away, leaving Gui Xiang orphaned and after some hardships, she came to seek refuge with me. Considering her excellent pipa skills could earn her a living in the capital, I took her in. Since the name Gui Xiang sounded indelicate, I changed it to Zhenzhu.”

Zhuying asked, "Anything else?"

"No, no, that's all..."

"It's that easy for an official courtesan to move around?"

Jiuniang replied, "If there's a will, there's a way. Some appeal to higher officials, some move with their patrons to new places. As long as they're registered and haven't fled, changing locations isn't illegal."

Zhuying queried, "How old is Zhenzhu? When is her birthday?"

Jiuniang said, "Oh dear, who can remember that? She's about twenty or so."

Head Guard Zhang remarked, "To outsiders, you're all eternally sixteen. Celebrating twelve birthdays a year, every month a lonely elder's birthday gift."

Jiuniang pursed her lips, "Sir, she claims she's twenty. I said that's too old, can't pretend to be thirteen or fourteen, told her to claim sixteen or seventeen. What's the issue now? Did some parents come looking? She wasn't registered under my care, she was already on the books when I took over!"

Zhuying asked, "What about her foot? What happened there?"

"Oh, that, shortly after arriving, she got confused in her sleep, forgot she wasn't in her old room, and stepped into a charcoal brazier. Oh dear, a perfectly healthy person ended up crippled!"

Zhuying inquired, "Do you remember if there was any mark on the foot she injured?"

Jiuniang responded, "How could I possibly remember that?"

Zhuying sighed, "When did this happen? I need to know the date."

"The twenty-third of the twelfth lunar month! The Kitchen God offering was soon!"

Zhuying didn't allow her to go home immediately but ordered the bailiffs to bring Zhenzhu over and also requested two matrons from the prefectural magistrate's office. Shortly, the matrons arrived first, followed by Zhenzhu.

Zhenzhu appeared petite, and while her pretense of being sixteen or seventeen was a stretch, her unique air of melancholy meant few would quibble over her age. Zhenzhu bowed first, then looked towards Jiuniang, who instructed, "Answer whatever you're asked."

Zhuying inquired about her origin, family, and what brought her to the capital; she shook her head, claiming not to remember: "Drawn by the capital's prosperity, I came."

When asked about her name, Zhenzhu said, "Our names, changed or unchanged, remain just that."

"What made you think of changing it to 'Chanjuan'?"

Zhenzhu choked up, murmuring, "It sounded nice in my foolishness."

Zhuying prompted, "Jiuniang, speak up if you have something to say."

Jiuniang confessed, "I was unaware you were also called 'Chanjuan'."

Zhenzhu responded, "It makes no difference."

"Better than 'Zhenzhu'," Jiuniang muttered under her breath.

When Zhuying further inquired about her foot, Zhenzhu explained, "I was disoriented in sleep; the charcoal brazier wasn't placed there in my previous room."

Suspicion arose in Jiuniang's heart. She stopped scrutinizing Zhuying, as his expression revealed nothing. Her gaze sharpened on Zhenzhu, who kept her head down, concealing her facial expression.

Zhuying concluded, "Let's have it examined."

Zhenzhu, somewhat shy but compliant, sat down and removed her shoes and socks to reveal a deformed foot. The side of the foot was scarred and misshapen, missing its original appearance entirely, resembling uneven pink silicone pasted onto delicate skin. However, Zhuying knew that if prodded, this "pink silicone" would feel rough and lack the elasticity of healthy skin.

All traces were gone.

The matrons inhaled sharply, casting sympathetic glances at Zhenzhu. Her foot lay still, yet trembled upon closer inspection. Zhuying said, "You already know, don't you?"

Zhenzhu remained silent, looking innocent. When Zhuying placed the emancipation document signed by Wang Yunhe in front of her, she looked up in shock, recognizing Zhuying but not expecting this. After showing the document to Jiuniang, Zhuying advised, "Since you acknowledge her as your niece, part on good terms. Ask no questions, speak of this to no one. Pack her belongings."

Jiuniang complied with a simple "Yes."

However, Zhenzhu suddenly protested, "I won't leave!"

Zhuying responded, "You must meet your birth mother at least once."

Zhenzhu insisted, "My mother died long ago. Sir, don't be misled by rumors, wasting your kindness!"

"It seems you truly understand," Zhuying noted.

Despite Zhenzhu's fervent denials, even Zhang, the squad leader, began to doubt, quietly calling, "Lord Zhuying."

"I have my plans. You're not a slave or a born servant. After meeting your mother, decide together how you'll live," Zhuying commanded, ordering the bailiffs to summon Wang, the matron.

At the mention of "Madam Wang from Feng Mansion," Zhenzhu panicked, "Lord Zhuying, find your wife if you must, but why involve me? I'm neither Zhenzhu nor Chanjuan! Stop calling for people!"

Zhuying pocketed the emancipation document with a simple "Oh?"

"I am Qiao Lianxiang," declared Zhenzhu.

Scratching his head in confusion, Zhang maintained order, "Girl, put your shoes and socks back on, and answer properly. What is this behavior?!"

Pearl hurriedly put on her shoes and stockings, exclaiming, "It's true! After Gui Xiang's mother died, my mother took her in. I was named Lian Xiang, and she was named Gui Xiang. That's how we got our names! After my mother died and Gui Xiang fell severely ill, I told her, 'If you die, I'll be all alone, uncertain of where I might end up.'"

"Before she passed away, she told me 'If you find nowhere to go, seek my mother. I vaguely remember my birth mother’s surname is Shen, a lady of the Feng household in the capital, disgraced and confiscated for crimes. If you can't find your way, or hear of a vindication, head to the capital! Bury me and claim you are me, serve my mother in my stead. She has a temper due to her disfigurement and is very strict, but endure it. It can't be worse than living in servitude, and it’s a place to belong at least.'"

"Later, I heard a Feng family was exonerated. I wasn't sure if it was the one she mentioned, but having a glimmer of hope was better than none, so I came to see if it was Gui Xiang’s home. Not long after my arrival, I heard that the lady of the house…"

Pearl caught her breath, "That lady, her beauty ruined... before I could even attempt to recognize her, then I heard about something, something... righteous servitude? What’s the point of getting any closer?! What’s the point?!”

Upon her arrival, Madam Wang was also uncertain of the matter, wondering if it was the young lady who had been found, or if it should have been communicated to the household directly, yet unsure of what could have summoned her.

Seeing Justice Zhu, hope ignited in Madam Wang’s heart, "My lord?! Has the young lady been found?" Her gaze swept the room, spotting only constables, three elderly women, and a young woman - none of whom resembled the young lady from the Feng household.

As Pearl turned sharply towards her, took a step forward, then retreated, regaining her composure, Justice Zhu announced, "It's your daughter who has been found."

Surprised, Madam Wang looked around, counting to ten before her eyes finally settled on Pearl, seemingly bewildered and timid. Pearl declared, "My lord, I've told you, I am Lian Xiang, not Gui Xiang or Chan Juan. Now, I go by the name Pearl."

Justice Zhu instructed, "Tell her yourself."

Pearl took a step forward, and Madam Wang stepped back, turning her head away, she said, "My lord, there might be a mistake. Blood is thicker than water, and she is not my daughter."

Zhu Yi called out, "Ji Jiu'niang!"

Having turned countless thoughts in her mind, Ji Jiu'niang was startled upon hearing her name, sweating on her back and quickly lowering her head after glancing at Zhu Yi, cursing internally: I knew it, Chen Da Gongzi and that Feng surname are fooling around! Such a fierce character, and they thought her 'naive'! Thinking they could manipulate others!

Zhu Yi repeated, "Ji Jiu'niang."

Ji Jiu'niang addressed Pearl, "Dear child, call me auntie and listen to my advice. Who in our house doesn't wish to start anew? You have this chance, even if it's living for Gui Xiang, isn't it better? Even being a servant is better than being an official courtesan!"

Pearl stepped back. Zhu Yi handed her the emancipation document, "Anyway, I've already obtained the document for you, there's no reason to take it back. You can think it over. Old Madam Wang, she is emancipated. I did it while handling the case, effortlessly. I'm not your Feng household’s servant, I had no reason to report to Feng's household. Whether your family or your husband knows, it’s none of my business."

Zhang Ban Tou glanced at her, "Young Official Zhu."

Zhu Yi responded, "What? Should I eagerly flatter the Feng household? Their affairs are none of my concern! There are endless cases to handle at the Dali Temple! You have endless tasks at the Jingzhao Prefecture! The Gong case was just something I handled along the way, a matter of setting things right."

Zhang Ban Tou looked at Pearl, then at Old Madam Wang, and then at Ji Jiu'niang, "Indeed, she can go wherever she likes, it's not like she must continue to serve any household as a servant."

Old Madam Wang bowed to Zhu Yi, "Son-in-law, your kindness in emancipating this young lady, where she goes next, is not for me, an old woman, to decide."

Zhu Yi stated, "Alright, plan your own affairs. Ji Jiu'niang, I don’t care about the others, but Pearl is emancipated now. If she wants to leave, you cannot stop her. Ensure her belongings and valuables are returned to her. You may leave now. Do you understand what to say when you return?"

Ji Jiu'niang swallowed, "Rest assured."

"Alright, disperse. Don't meddle in other matters!"

With that, she sent the three women away and then went to bid farewell to Wang Yunhe.

…………

Wang Yunhe, who hadn’t supervised her case handling, simply asked, "Is it handled?"

Zhu Yeng replied, "So it seems."

"Oh?"

Zhu Ying recounted the recent events, and Wang Yunhe furrowed his brow, saying, "Strange! Why didn't you press further?!"

Zhu Ying said, "What result would pressing further bring? You wouldn't be begrudging a deregistration document and a crippled courtesan, would you?"

Wang Yunhe sternly said, "That's not right!"

Zhu Ying said, "You always tell me to study, so let me test you—what does it mean 'with all senses open, chaos dies'? I emphasized the word 'dies' heavily." [1]

Wang Yunhe fell silent and then said, "Human life is more significant than heaven."

Zhu Ying said, "I shall take my leave now. I'm going back to write the case closure."

Wang Yunhe chuckled as if grasping at straws for conversation, "You know how to write official documents?"

Zhu Ying said, "Isn't there a template for every kind of official document in the world? It's all based on the wisdom of those before us; I dare not presume I'm better than them."

Wang Yunhe's mood lightened slightly, and his smile became a bit more spirited, "Nonsense."

Zhu Ying bid farewell and left the Jingzhao Prefecture, feeling neither good nor bad, and returned to the Dali Temple to close the case. There were others from the Dali Temple who went out on assignments; her coming and going did not arouse suspicion. After completing the case report, she presented it to Zheng Xi, who asked, "Is it done?"

Zhu Yeng added, "Everyone has their own destiny. As I see it, that young lady is not without her own plans. What happens to her from now on has nothing to do with me."

Zheng Xi said, "That's the right way to think about it! Now, go back to your studies."

Zhu Yeng planned to visit the herbal shop after leaving the office but was met by Zhang Ban Tou outside the palace gates, who exclaimed, "Disaster!"

Zhu Yeng asked, "What disaster?"

Zhang Ban Tou explained, "I knew something was off! Just now, Madam Wang came forward with a statement at the courthouse, causing quite a stir among the crowd! She claimed that she never swapped her daughter for the Feng household’s young lady! The one exiled with Madame Feng was always her biological child! The one found and later died was never the Feng household's young lady. All that talk about being a 'righteous servant' was a lie!"

Zhu Yeng exclaimed, "What?! She said that? What does she mean by this?!"

Zhang Ban Tou speculated, "Well, think about it, even being a noble household's maid is better than being an official courtesan! And as a 'righteous servant' family, serving the master's household, wouldn't you expect to be properly compensated? She outright refused to claim her back! What kind of mother does that?"

"Has she gone mad?"

Zhang Ban Tou suggested, "Her own daughter is dead, without hope? Is she displacing her anger onto the master's family? Hence the nonsense? You clearly gave her a daughter! Could it be she despises Pearl's background?"

In fact, Madam Wang had an argument with her husband upon returning home. Initially, he blamed her for not taking good care of the young lady. After the Feng family's funeral, he agreed with the household's desire to avoid further complications, treating it as if she were dead. However, Madam Wang was not satisfied and insisted on searching. Unable to reason with her, her husband resorted to the universal husband's method—violence.

Yet, this did not deter Madam Wang; she continued her frantic search. Upon seeing Zhu Yeng today, her determination intensified. During their argument, she mentioned Zhu Yeng. Her husband retorted, "They hate the lady for beating their parents and won't help anymore! Dead means dead! Besides, even if she were alive, it would be pointless! Which in-laws would welcome the daughter of their enemy as their daughter-in-law? Useless! Once her parents find out, they'll never allow it! Stop dreaming! The young lady running away was unfilial! Even her biological mother considers her dead. Why bother with such concerns?"

Madam Wang, with no other options left, saw Zhu Yeng as her last lifeline. Desperate for help, she went to the Jingzhao Prefecture's gates to make her case, drawing a large crowd of onlookers.

Wang Yunhe was taken aback by the woman's extreme actions and quickly had her brought inside while sending a message to the Feng residence. Zhang Ban Tou, whose duty period was ending, rushed to inform Zhu Yeng about the situation and asked, "What about the thing we handled during the day? What do we do now?"

Zhu Yeng wondered aloud, "What madness has she spouted now? What else did she say?"

"I don't know. I only heard what she said at the courthouse gates before coming here. Since she's been detained, that's beyond my purview. I hope it doesn't affect what we did today, does it?"

Zhu Yeng muttered, "It's not our turn yet…" then quietly added, "Chen Dage must be going insane."

At this time, officials were leaving the imperial city to go home, including Chen Meng, who greeted Zhu Yeng. After being disciplined by Mrs. Guan and his father, it seemed he had learned his lesson. Zhu Yeng inquired, "Young Master Chen, what exactly is happening at your aunt's house?"

Chen Meng, unaware, asked, "What happened?"

Zhu Yeng hinted, "Some good news."

“？”

"In pursuing the Gong case, I found the supposed righteous servant's daughter. She claims she isn't the person and has assumed her identity all the way to the capital, going by the name Pearl."

Chen Meng, caught off guard, coughed before responding, "That's...good. We'll provide her with a dowry for a proper marriage, to fulfill the deceased's filial duties in her stead."

"There's also some bad news."

"Yes?"

"Just now, Madam Wang confessed at Jingzhao Prefecture, claiming she wasn't a righteous servant and never swapped her daughter for your cousin. Thus, Hua Jie isn't Guan Qun. Madam Wang has become my ex-mother-in-law. I need an explanation from you."

Chen Meng, after a moment of contemplation and a flurry of emotions, hastily said, "Don't panic. I'll find my father! And uncle! Ah, this damned woman!"

Zhu Yeng said to Zhang Ban Tou, "Uncle, shall we go to Jingzhao Prefecture?"

Zhang Ban Tou's legs turned to jelly, "Miss Zhu, please... don't joke about such matters."

Upon their arrival at Jingzhao Prefecture, they saw many people still gathered, discussing the recent events. Zhang Ban Tou inquired and learned, "The Feng residence has been notified, but their representatives haven't arrived yet."

Zhu Yeng declared, "What a scandal!" She was determined not to get involved with any more trouble from that wretched woman.

Yet, she had to feign anger for her meeting with Wang Yunhe.

…………

Wang Yunhe, with his hands behind his back, faced Madam Wang, who knelt before him, with no spectators except for the bailiffs. Hearing of Zhu Yeng's arrival, he asked sternly, "Why is he here again?"

A bailiff came out to send Zhu Yeng away, saying, "Miss Zhu, please leave. Our lord handles cases without outside influence."

Zhu Yeng asserted, "I am a victim here."

Wang Yunhe allowed her in, questioning, "What victim are you exactly?"

Zhu Yeng explained, "It's embarrassing to say, but two years ago, I became a son-in-law. Later, my wife's uncle claimed she was actually from the Feng family, being the niece of the Shen family..."

Wang Yunhe exclaimed in surprise.

Zhu Yeng continued with a bitter smile, "As you know, I was later imprisoned, and my parents sought help, only to be beaten by the Feng family as fraudsters. That marriage had to end."

Wang Yunhe looked at her with a hint of sympathy, then at Madam Wang, who assured, "Sir, rest assured, once everyone arrives, I'll confess everything!"

Wang Yunhe angrily questioned, "What more secrets do you hold?!"

Madam Wang remained silent, bowing her head. Wang Yunhe was furious, tempted to order a severe punishment but hesitated, fearing her frail appearance might not withstand it. Eventually, a steward from the Feng residence and Madam Wang's husband were brought in, along with a representative from the Shen family, while Chen Meng arrived in person.

Madam Wang's husband was about to hit her when Wang Yunhe stopped him.

Wang Yunhe ordered Madam Wang, "Speak the truth!"

Madam Wang said, "Without the lady present, I won't speak. No one will know where the true young lady went!"

Wang Yunhe questioned, "What do you mean? You said..."

With a defiant look, Madam Wang's eyes gleamed alarmingly. Wang Yunhe then sent for Madam Feng, who didn't come, but Feng Da Lang came on her behalf. Madam Wang remained silent, insisting, "Without the lady, the truth remains with me, even unto death."

Chen Meng declared, "I'll fetch her!"

By curfew, he had dragged a stumbling Madam Feng to the scene.

Upon seeing Madam Wang, Madam Feng coldly accused, "You ungrateful wretch! My family wasted care on you!"

Madam Wang retorted, "Noble lady, my great benefactor, you've never sown a grain or woven a thread; the food you eat, the clothes you wear are from my brother's farm, my embroidery. And you say you've raised me? With the money from selling myself?"

Madam Feng spat out blood in shock.

Madam Wang's husband slapped her, causing her to bleed. As he was dragged away, she scorned, "You worthless man, good only for beating your wife and selling your flesh and blood for scraps!"

Turning to Wang Yunhe, she said, "With the lady here, I'll speak. That beast willing to trade his own flesh for fame, I am no beast; even animals protect their young. The lady and I are both mothers; doesn't every child come from ten months of pregnancy? Was her suffering unique? She didn't love her child as I did. I was hired as the young lady's wet nurse shortly after giving birth. Didn't you find it odd, Lord Wang, how the lady never recognized her own child? Claiming frailty, she avoided the noise, letting me raise her child.

"They asked me to switch my baby for theirs; I refused. I said I'd mark the child, biting the scar they branded. Then I took back my child, also marked. They took the child I returned."

To Zhu Yeng, she confessed, "I may be vile, but don't mind me; I'm not the young lady's biological mother. They hired me as a wet nurse, fearing their child wouldn't be fed well, forbidding me from nursing my own. My baby, barely a month old and uncared for, died of illness. That beast, always busy with the master, clueless about home affairs, I fooled him with another baby from the orphanage, telling him it was his newborn. Babies change daily; he suspected nothing. Continue your search for the young lady."

Zhu Yeng was stunned, shocked for once by someone's story.

Madam Feng fainted, leaving Feng Da Lang at a loss. Only Chen Meng remained composed, addressing Wang Yunhe, "About this matter..."

Wang Yunhe stated, "I shall judge impartially."

Wang Po's husband, with eyes blazing red, shouted, "I will kill you, you wretch!"

Wang Po laughed skyward, "You might as well slit your own throat! Your master's downfall is all because of you, all you! Where's your loyalty? What kind of dog are you? Even dogs understand human nature, but you don’t! You lack humanity!"

As the crowd turned to her, they saw a pair of scissors plunged into her chest, blood seeping through her clothes.