Chapter 324: Betraying the Entire Family

Chapter 324: Betraying the Entire Family

Upon exiting the bedroom, Tang Shuyi was greeted by the sight of Cui Zhu and Cui Yun standing guard. Cui Yun promptly recounted the incident with Qing Ling, to which Tang Shuyi responded indifferently, "She's a servant born within the household, isn't she?"

"Yes, her parents oversee the kitchen," Cui Yun confirmed.

Taking a seat on the brocaded couch in the small parlor, Tang Shuyi instructed, "Inform her parents to come here, and have everyone in the courtyard assemble."

Cui Zhu and Cui Yun acknowledged and left, while a young maid brought a cup of tea to Tang Shuyi, her demeanor noticeably tenser than usual. Tang Shuyi paid it no mind, understanding that the dynamics between servants and masters in ancient times were different from modern employer-employee relationships, and it was necessary to assert one's authority periodically.

Outside, the biting wind seemed to carry blades, and a group of about twenty people stood huddled in the courtyard, rubbing their hands and shrinking their necks as they gazed upon Qing Ling, kneeling in only her undergarments. The nature of the situation was clear without question.

Aware that the Lady of the Marquis was seated inside the small parlor, no one dared to gossip, yet they all privately marveled at Qing Ling's audacity. While the Lady was not overly harsh on ordinary days, her manner of conduct revealed her to be no softhearted person.

Shivering uncontrollably, Qing Ling knelt, her skin turning a purplish hue from the cold. She could barely articulate a full sentence, "My... lady... I... I realize my mistake... Please... I beg you... spare my life."

Seated at the heart of the small parlor, Tang Shuyi could guess the gist of Qing Ling's pleas without hearing them. She offered no response. History was replete with those who would stop at nothing for personal gain. But those who walk the perilous path must bear the consequences of failure.

Shortly after, a group of people burst into the courtyard, men and women alike, who immediately fell to their knees. Among them, a plump woman in her forties strode up to Qing Ling and began to slap her fiercely, scolding, "You ungrateful wretch! The Lady has been so kind to us, and yet you commit such deeds! I'll beat you to death."

After delivering several slaps, Cui Yun intervened, "That's enough."

The woman ceased, kneeling and loudly proclaiming, "My Lady, it's my failure in upbringing. She has committed an unforgivable act. Her fate is entirely in your hands."

Tang Shuyi remained silent, sipping her tea leisurely amidst the silence, punctuated only by the howling wind.

Xiao Huai, observing from the bedroom window, couldn't help but chuckle. His wife was adept at manipulating psychological pressure. The imposing weight of silence often proved more intimidating than the clamor of violence, as the unknown instills unease and dread.

As time ticked by, Qing Ling, unable to endure any longer, fainted. Tang Shuyi rose and instructed Zhao, the house steward waiting outside, "Sell them all."

"Them all" referred, of course, to Qing Ling and her entire family.

"No, my Lady... Please, have mercy on us."

"My Lady, we realize our faults."

………

As Qing Ling's parents and siblings began to wail, Zhao promptly ordered, "Gag them."

Several servant boys and maids stepped forward, gagged the entire family, and then dragged them outside. Cui Zhu addressed the others in the yard, "We all know in our hearts how the mistress treats us. We have all witnessed the fate of Qing Ling's family. Before you act, weigh the consequences and consider whether you can bear them. Disperse."

Everyone silently returned to their posts; those who needed to rest did so, while others continued their duties. However, tension was palpably high. The mistress's decisiveness in her actions was both fearsome and awe-inspiring.

Meanwhile, Tang Shuyi returned to her chamber to find Xiao Huai sitting on the couch reading a book. Upon seeing her, he set his book aside and asked, "Is everything taken care of?"

Tang Shuyi hummed in affirmation and walked over to sit on the edge of the bed, "The entire family was sold off."

Xiao Huai placed his book on the small table, "The mistress is decisive."

Tang Shuyi glanced at him, took off her shoes, and got into bed, "Let's sleep."

She closed the curtains around the bed and lay down. Xiao Huai looked at the two-meter-wide bed and then at the narrow couch he was sitting on, suddenly feeling that couches should not exist.

Several charcoal braziers were lit in the room, warding off the chill. He removed his outer garment and asked, "Does the mistress want to keep the light on at night?"

Tang Shuyi replied, "No."

Xiao Huai extinguished the light, and the room was plunged into darkness. He lay down on the narrow couch and said towards the spacious bed, "Good night, mistress."

Tang Shuyi wanted to laugh but restrained herself, "Good night."

She imagined that Xiao Huai probably couldn't sleep, and truthfully, neither could she. After decades of solitude, suddenly sharing a room with a man was hardly conducive to sleep. Nevertheless, she had to try. She closed her eyes and began counting stars in her mind, soon drifting off into slumber.

Xiao Huai listened to her prolonged breathing and sighed softly. Trained in martial arts, his hearing was acute, and he couldn't help but be attentive to the person on the bed. He could hear every breath she took, preventing him from falling asleep. Now that she was asleep, he closed his eyes, recited the Qingxin mantra, and eventually drifted off.

The next day, when he awoke, Tang Shuyi was still deep in sleep. He dressed quietly and went out to the courtyard to practice his martial arts. He noticed the servants, both maids and elderly women, already up and about as he headed towards the training ground.

As he stepped out of the courtyard, he saw his two personal attendants waiting at the gate. Taking his crescent-shaped blade from them, he proceeded forward, and they immediately followed.

Yu Yongzhi quickened his pace to catch up with Xiao Huai and asked in a low voice, "Commander, does this mean you will be moving into the mistress's courtyard from now on?"

Xiao Huai glanced at him disapprovingly, annoyed by his lack of tact, but still answered, "Yes."

Yu Yongzhi chuckled, "Then I will move your belongings to Shi'an Garden today."

Xiao Huai gave him a satisfied look, and his lips couldn't help but curl into a smile.

………

Tang Shuyi awoke and brushed aside the bed curtains to find the bed beside her empty. Indeed, serving as an official in the ancient court was no easy feat; whether warrior or scholar, one had to rise before dawn each day.

She slid into her shoes and stepped out of bed. Hearing the rustle, Cui Zhu and Cui Yun parted the curtains to enter, then attended to her morning ablutions. After she finished, Xiao Huai arrived, drenched in sweat. Observing this, Tang Shuyi instructed, "Bring some water."

Cui Yun ordered a young maid to fetch the water. The maid brought in steaming water, set it down, and retreated several steps as if Xiao Huai were some fearsome flood beast. Tang Shuyi couldn't help but chuckle at the sight; her mere intent to intimidate had stirred such anxiety among everyone.

Xiao Huai, oblivious to these subtleties, simply rolled up his sleeves and began to wash his face. In his past as Li Chengying, he was surrounded by attendants. But now, as Xiao Huai, whether infiltrating enemy camps or serving in the northwestern army, he tended to his own needs.

Tang Shuyi leaned against the table, watching him wash, and realized that having him in her life wasn't as dreadful as she had imagined.

PS: The next chapter might have been censored.