Chapter 383

Chapter 388: The Ruckus (Part 1)

A cold smile played at the corners of Yang Shi’s mouth.

Qiao Lianfang seized the opportunity to heap sarcasm and ridicule upon her. Yang Shi knew that the more one spoke, the more likely one was to make mistakes. But she never expected Qiao Lianfang to suggest that the Lady of Jianning Marquis should meet her. This was not an attack on her but a challenge to Nainiang’s authority.

After waiting for so long, today she finally had a chance to catch Qiao Lianfang in a mistake. If she didn’t take this opportunity to speak up to Nainiang, Qiao Lianfang would really think she was a sick cat!

She took a deep breath, about to step forward and speak, when Nainiang’s calm yet stern voice cut through the air: “Lady Qiao, although Lady Yang is from the family of Jianning Marquis, she is still a concubine of the Marquis. According to propriety, a concubine cannot entertain a lady with a rank in the main hall. Lady Qiao, who comes from the Cheng State Duke's estate, surely knows this?”

Nainiang’s expression was serene, but her words were sharp, something the other ladies had never seen since she married into the Xu family. They all froze, especially Qiao Lianfang, who stood there dumbfounded, unable to react for a moment. The maids and servants in the room held their breath, not daring to make a sound.

For a moment, the room was so quiet that a pin could be heard dropping.

“Does Lady Qiao not know this?” Nainiang asked softly, pressing further.

Wen Lian’s heart trembled, and she took two steps back, standing against the black lacquer column, with Qin Lian partially blocking her view. Qin Lian, meanwhile, hunched her shoulders, looking at Nainiang with a mix of awe and fear, as if she were trembling.

Nainiang’s clear and cold voice echoed through the main hall, adding to her authority. Only then did Qiao Lianfang snap out of her daze.

She had never been treated like this before, feeling both ashamed and humiliated. Glancing at Yang Shi, she saw sympathy in her eyes.

Qiao Lianfang’s mind buzzed, her face turning red with embarrassment. She hurriedly defended herself, “My Lady, I did not mean it that way. It’s just that the Lady of Jianning Marquis has ulterior motives, trying to establish a proper familial relationship with our household. I was worried for you, which is why I warned Lady Yang to behave herself…”

With a slap, Nainiang’s hand landed on the black lacquer square table beside her, causing the teacup lids to rattle.

“Lady Qiao!” she raised her voice slightly, interrupting Qiao Lianfang, her gaze now tinged with anger, “The Marquis of Jianning is the Empress Dowager’s brother, and the Marquis is the Empress’s brother. They are relatives by marriage, and frequent visits between them signify close and friendly relations. Where do you see any ulterior motives? Besides, when I was speaking with the Lady of Jianning Marquis in the main hall, was Lady Qiao present?” Without waiting for Qiao Lianfang to answer, she pressed on, “How do you know what the Lady of Jianning Marquis and I discussed? How do you know whether she even mentioned wanting to meet Lady Yang?” As she spoke, she stood up, her piercing gaze sweeping over Wen Lian, Qin Lian, and Yang Shi—each of them obediently lowering their heads.

“To speak without restraint, to utter vile words, to sow discord—this is not the conduct expected of a well-bred lady,” Nainiang said coldly, staring at Qiao Lianfang. “Go back to your room immediately and copy the ‘Admonitions for Women’ one hundred times. When you have finished, you may come to see me again!”

Qiao Lianfang stared at Eleventh Miss with a dazed expression, as if shocked by her words.

Meanwhile, Song Mama, noticing Qiao Lianfang’s delayed response, immediately exchanged a glance with another older woman in the room. The two closed in, seizing Qiao Lianfang from both sides, and dragged her out.

Qiao Lianfang came to her senses.

"Lu Shiyiniang," she struggled, blurting out the familiar name, "how could you—"

"Withhold six months of her allowance," Eleventh Miss interrupted calmly and firmly. "And have her copy *Admonitions for Women* three hundred times."

Her slender figure stood straight as a pine, her slightly raised face cold and imposing, radiating authority that instantly silenced Qiao Lianfang.

Qiao Lianfang had some nerve—daring to address the mistress by name in front of everyone! Yet, given her noble background, could they really send her back to Cheng State Duke's estate?

Song Mama, worried Qiao Lianfang would make a scene, wasted no time in dragging her out of the main hall as soon as she noticed her hesitation.

If Qiao Lianfang couldn’t be subdued, the mistress would lose face.

Amber and Yanrong followed without hesitation—one pulling out a handkerchief to gag Qiao Lianfang, the other helping to restrain her. With the four of them pushing and pulling, they finally managed to manhandle Qiao Lianfang back to her courtyard.

Eleventh Miss watched the gently swaying door curtain before slowly sitting back down.

"The other concubines shall also copy *Admonitions for Women* once," she said evenly. "Relearn what constitutes a woman’s speech, a woman’s work, and a woman’s virtue."

Lady Wen immediately responded with a respectful "Yes," showing full compliance.

Yang Shi’s acknowledgment followed closely, her face betraying a flicker of regret—she hadn’t expected Lady Wen, who had earlier hidden to the side, to be the first to respond, robbing her of an opportunity to impress. No wonder Lady Wen had managed to gain Eleventh Miss’s favor.

Her gaze involuntarily turned toward Qin Yi.

Qin Yi complied meekly, but there was not a trace of surprise or panic in the depths of her eyes.

Yang Shi felt a pang.

Eleven Miss was already holding her tea.

The three concubines curtsied and filed out in succession.

Weariness flickered on Eleven Miss's face.

"Madam!" Lv Yun cautiously stepped forward to support her. "Why don’t you rest in your room? The young master and young lady will be coming to pay their respects soon!"

Eleven Miss nodded, and hurried, light footsteps could already be heard from outside.

Only Xu Sijie would dare run like that in her courtyard.

Eleven Miss smiled involuntarily.

The curtain was pushed aside, and Xu Sijie ran in.

"Mother, mother, I'm back from school!" He barreled into Eleven Miss’s arms.

His warmth melted Eleven Miss’s heart.

"Where is your brother?"

As soon as she spoke, Xu Sizhun ambled in with his schoolbag on his back.

He clasped his hands and bowed to Eleven Miss. "Mother!"

Seeing this, Xu Sijie quickly straightened up and imitated his brother, bowing to Eleven Miss as well.

Eleven Miss told the maids to bring tea and snacks.

Zhenjie joined them.

In summer, the Beautiful Scenery Pavilion was very cool. When Eleven Miss didn't take her to the main hall to handle household affairs, she would stay there.

Xu Sijie eagerly performed his new tune for everyone.

Xu Mama pushed aside the curtain.

Seeing the cozy, lively scene before her, she paused briefly. Only when Eleven Miss signaled for her to approach did she tiptoe over.

"Madam!" she whispered in Eleven Miss's ear. "All the servants attending Qiao Lianfang have been detained. I've assigned older women to guard the main gate and the inner chamber door, and things like scarves and scissors in the room have been put away." Then she paused before adding, "But Qiao Lianfang keeps insisting on seeing the marquis... and refuses to copy the 'Admonitions for Women.'"

"She can’t leave her courtyard until she has copied the 'Admonitions for Women' three hundred times," Eleven Miss said, applauding Xu Sijie as he finished playing his tune. "And only when she is free to come and go from her courtyard will she naturally be able to see the marquis."

Song Mama smiled and imitated Eleven Miss by applauding Xu Sijie, softly acknowledging the order.

Xu Sijie was beaming with excitement. "Mother, how was it?"

"Very good!" Eleven Miss smiled. "What tune is this?"

"'The Partridge Flies,'" Xu Sijie said brightly. "The teacher said once I master this part, I can move on to the next."

"The teacher said this tune is inspired by Li Bai's 'Viewing Antiquity in Yuezhong,'" Xu Sizhun added with a smile. "'The King of Yue, triumphant over Wu, came home in glorious robes. His palace was filled with maidens fair as flowers—now only partridges take flight.'"

"Oh!" Eleven Miss looked intrigued. "So that’s the story behind it?" She couldn’t help but feel that Xu Sijie was progressing quickly.

"I know, I know," Xu Sijie eagerly interrupted Xu Sizhun. "Our tutor explained the meaning of this poem." He stood there, rocking his head as he began telling the story. "Once there was a king of Yue named Goujian..."

Lady Eleven listened attentively.

Song Mama slipped away quietly without disturbing anyone.

***

That evening, after returning from dinner at the elder madam's quarters, Lady Eleven informed Lord Xu, "Qiao Lianfang has been unbearably loud and troublesome these days, so I ordered her to copy the 'Admonitions for Women' three hundred times. She won’t be allowed out of the courtyard until she finishes."

Lord Xu was taken aback but said nothing further, just nodded to acknowledge the matter.

Late that night, Lady Eleven was abruptly awakened by a sudden knock on the door.

She sat up, and Amber, who was on night duty, hurried in, still fastening her robe.

"Madam, there’s trouble," she said gravely. "Qiao Lianfang tried to hang herself."

Lady Eleven’s heart sank, and she took a deep breath before speaking. "How is she now?"

"The older women on night duty are watching over her," Amber replied. "A maid was sent to report. Xiu Yuan is there screaming and sobbing."

Lady Eleven thought for a moment. "Bring the maid in."

Amber complied and ushered the girl inside.

Lady Eleven asked her, "How was Qiao Lianfang’s suicide attempt discovered?"

The maid was pale but spoke clearly. "The mama was standing outside the bed curtains when she suddenly heard a gurgling noise. She quickly pulled the curtains aside and saw that Qiao Lianfang had somehow found a silk ribbon, hung it from the bed frame, and was trying to put her neck through it."

Lady Eleven grasped the situation. She turned to Amber. "Prepare three feet of white silk, a pair of scissors, and three taels in gold pieces for Qiao Lianfang. Tell her that if she truly wishes to die, she should take these three things with her. Tomorrow morning, I will send her to a temple, where she may die however she pleases—so as not to taint the Yongping Marquis’s household."

Both Amber and the maid were stunned.

"Madam, this..."

"Just do as I say," Lady Eleven said firmly. "Give these items to the older women and have them placed on the incense table in the main hall. Tomorrow, when I send Qiao Lianfang away, she can take them with her. Also, reward the mama with five taels of silver and this maid with one tael." With that, she let the bed curtains fall.

Amber could only reply meekly, "Yes," and led the maid out of the inner chamber.

Lady Eleven felt a pang of frustration.

If Qiao Lianfang doubled down, where should she send her tomorrow?

Then she turned and saw a stunned expression.