Chapter 549

Chapter 555: The Winner (Part 2)

Returning from the bustling Medicine King Temple, it was just dusk.

Eleventh Miss couldn't help sighing deeply. The Fifth Madam also looked utterly exhausted, while the Elder Madam and Second Madam were still enthusiastically discussing the rituals at the temple. Seeing Eleventh Miss and the Fifth Madam struggling to stay attentive while serving tea, the Elder Madam chuckled and pointed at them, saying to Second Madam, "See? Both pampered since childhood. They can’t handle even a little hardship."

Eleventh Miss smiled faintly.

The Fifth Madam, however, protested, "As if you came from some rural village!"

Second Madam laughed. "You were there for the essence of the ceremony, while they were just there for the spectacle. Naturally, they wouldn’t realize how grand today’s rituals were."

The Elder Madam nodded in agreement. "These two would be better off visiting Ciyuan Temple!"

Everyone in the room burst into laughter.

The Elder Madam, also beaming, waved at them. "Go on back! Yizhen can keep me company here."

Eleventh Miss and the Fifth Madam both felt a bit embarrassed.

The Fifth Madam sidled up to the Elder Madam and sat on the edge of the heated brick bed, pouting playfully as if about to whine when a young maid entered and announced, "Elder Madam, Third Young Master has returned. He’s waiting outside."

The smile on the Elder Madam’s face slowly faded.

A chill fell over the room instantly.

The Fifth Madam immediately promptly stood up. "Mother, I will take my leave now. I’ll bring Xin Jieer and Shen Geer to greet you first thing tomorrow."

The Elder Madam gave a soft "Hmm."

Eleventh Miss also hurriedly stood, curtsied to the Elder Madam, and followed the Fifth Madam out the door.

The older women were just lighting the lamps.

Third Young Master stood under the eaves.

The gold-embroidered floral patterns on his sapphire-blue robe gleamed in the lamplight.

Eleventh Miss and the Fifth Madam both curtsied in unison, addressing him respectfully as "Third Uncle" as the children did.

Though Third Young Master’s smile remained as kind as ever, it carried a hint of loneliness. He greeted them warmly, "Did you accompany Mother to the Medicine King Temple?"

"Yes," the Fifth Madam replied cheerfully before Eleventh Miss could speak. "Mother said she was tired and told us to rest early."

Third Young Master’s smile grew slightly awkward. "After a whole day out, it’s best to rest early..." Before he could finish, a young maid on the steps announced, "Third Young Master, Elder Madam requests your presence!" Hearing this, he nodded hastily at the two women, gathered his robe's hem, and strode into the hall.

The Fifth Madam pulled at Eleventh Miss’s sleeve. "Why has Third Young Master suddenly returned to Yanjing at this time? You must know!"

There was no hiding this matter—it would come to light sooner or later.

Eleventh Miss briefly explained what happened.

The Fifth Madam’s eyes lit up with curiosity as she noticed Yu Ban and the other maids emerging from the room.

Suddenly, she exclaimed, "Oh!" clutching her waist with one hand and gripping Eleventh Miss’s hand with the other. "My back—I must have strained it getting off the carriage earlier..." She called to a maid under the eaves, "Quick, tell Hexiang to bring a small bamboo sedan chair." Then, as if just pretending to notice Yu Ban, she feigned surprise. "Huh? Why are you all out here?" Without waiting for an answer, she turned back to Eleventh Miss. "Fourth Sister, help me inside to sit for a bit! I really can’t stand anymore—my back feels like it’s broken."

Eleventh Miss fought back a smile.

It was obvious the Fifth Madam wanted to hear the Elder Madam’s conversation with Third Young Master. Eleventh Miss was also a little curious, so after a moment’s thought, she decided to humor her. "If you strained your back, you should’ve said so earlier! How could you endure it?" She instructed Yu Ban, "Miss, send a maid to tell Zhuxiang to bring the medicated oil the Marquis gave me the other day. I’ll rub the Fifth Madam’s back."

Yu Ban quickly answered, "Yes," and sent a young maid to relay the message before stepping forward to support Fifth Madam.

Quick-witted maids rushed to lift the curtains and offer greetings.

Fifth Madam said hastily, "Don’t disturb elder madam, so she doesn't worry needlessly."

Only then did everyone relax, allowing Yu Ban to assist Fifth Madam into the hall.

The hall was dark, shadowy and indistinct.

Madam Du, standing guard inside, couldn’t help but find it odd.

Yu Ban murmured an explanation before promptly withdrawing.

Fifth Madam knew the unspoken rule of concealing matters from superiors but not subordinates.

She winked at Madam Du with a smile and swiftly headed toward the western annex.

"I want to see what elder madam is saying," Fifth Madam murmured, pulling aside the inner chamber's curtain to peek in.

Madam Du did not stop her—after all, as daughters-in-law, since elder madam had not asked Second Madam to leave, she likely wouldn’t mind the other two knowing.

With affectionate exasperation, she shook her head at Fifth Madam’s retreating figure and sighed helplessly to Eleven Miss, "Fifth Madam is already a mother, yet she’s still so childish..."

Before Madam Du could finish, a loud *clang* of something being thrown echoed from the inner chamber, followed by elder madam’s sharp rebuke: "How dare you spout such nonsense here! Xu Lingning, I may be old, but I’m not senile! Even if I were, your petty tricks wouldn’t escape my notice!"

Her voice was thunderous.

Eleven Miss and Madam Du exchanged glances before both hurried into the western annex, joining Fifth Madam to peer inside.

The inner chamber was now lit.

Due to the angle, they couldn’t see elder madam sitting on the heated brick bed, but they saw Third Young Master kneeling on the ground, his face and hair drenched, tea leaves stuck to his forehead and shoulders, with elder madam’s customary enameled teacup rolling by his knees.

"Mother, I never meant to deceive you. This matter is my fault. Punish me, beat me—I only beg you not to harm your health in anger!"

As he spoke, he kowtowed.

The dull thuds echoed in the silent room, unsettling everyone’s hearts.

"Yizhen!" After a long pause, elder madam’s voice sounded again. "Fetch your third brother some water to wash his face." Her voice carried exhaustion. "Third, rise. All these years, I’ve treated you as my own son—disciplining you when needed, scolding you when necessary. You’ve endured much hardship..."

Eleven Miss’s heart tightened.

If he were truly treated as a son, then beatings and scoldings would be natural—why mention "hardship"? Elder madam clearly harbored reservations. Third Young Master, hearing this, would surely grow uneasy. As she pondered, his expression shifted dramatically.

"Mother!" He interrupted elder madam urgently. "I’ve never felt wronged. Your kindness is mountain-heavy—your discipline is for my own good..."

Amid his words, Second Madam’s composed voice cut in, "Third Uncle, clean yourself up first. Mother dismissed the servants to spare your dignity. If you leave like this, wouldn’t it waste her consideration?"

Third Young Master, flushing with shame, murmured assent and rose to wash his face.

Elder madam then said, "You must be weary from your journey. Return to Sanjing Lane and rest up. We’ll speak again in a few days."

Her tone made it clear the discussion was over.

Not wanting to be caught, the three hastily retreated from the western chamber. Eleven Miss and Fifth Madam even stepped out of the hall entirely.

"Can you believe it? Even after all this, Third Uncle still shields Third Aunt," Fifth Madam whispered to Eleven Miss. "From mother’s tone, Third Uncle quit his position all because Third Aunt’s loan schemes stole business from those idlers in Shanyang, sparking the incident." She added, "No wonder Third Aunt acts so recklessly—if I had such a doting husband, I’d get carried away too!"

"You say such things, I must speak up for Fifth Uncle," Eleventh Miss teased her. "I wonder what else Fifth Young Master must do for our Fifth Lady to become so playful?"

Fifth Lady blushed. "You seem so proper, yet you can say such things."

As they spoke, they stepped into the courtyard. Xu Lingkuan entered, followed by servants carrying a small bamboo palanquin.

Under the glow of the red lanterns, Fifth Lady looked as glowing as a spring flower.

Eleventh Miss teased. "Look, who is this?"

Fifth Lady remained silent, her eyes and brows brimming with tenderness.

Xu Lingkuan, seeing Fifth Lady standing there unharmed, was stunned. "Didn’t they say your waist was injured?"

Fifth Lady shot Eleventh Miss a glance and laughed. "Fourth Aunt helped massage it, and I feel much better!" Xu Lingkuan bowed in thanks toward Eleventh Miss. "Thank you, Fourth Aunt!"

Eleventh Miss accepted his courtesy gracefully. "Don't mention it, Fifth Uncle," she said, smiling at Fifth Lady.

Fifth Lady widened her eyes in mock indignation.

Third Young Master emerged looking downcast.

"Third Brother!" Xu Lingkuan, none the wiser, was both surprised and delighted. "When did you return? Why didn’t you let us know you were coming? Coming back to the capital now—is there something urgent?"

Third Young Master hadn’t expected to meet Xu Lingkuan here. He paused, then smiled awkwardly.

"I just returned," he said evasively. "How have you been, Fifth Brother?"

"I’ve been well!" Xu Lingkuan replied cheerfully. "Though I almost became a Commander recently." He talked excitedly with Third Young Master.

Madam Du emerged.

"Fifth Young Master is here," she greeted with a smile, bowing to Xu Lingkuan before nodding slightly to Eleventh Miss. "Fourth Madam, the elder madam would like to see you inside."

Eleventh Miss acknowledged and followed Madam Du into the inner room.

The room had been tidied. The elder madam and Second Madam sat calmly on the large heated platform by the window, their expressions unchanged from when Eleventh Miss had left.

"Still no news from Huzhou?" the elder madam asked, not excluding Second Madam.

"Word should arrive in the next couple of days," Eleventh Miss replied respectfully.

The elder madam nodded. "Keep a close watch. Inform me as soon as there’s news." Then she picked up her teacup.

Eleventh Miss quietly agreed and withdrew. Xu Lingkuan and the others were no longer in the courtyard. She returned to her own rooms.

On the way, she encountered Zhuxiang. "Madam, the medicine bottle was in the storeroom, so it took longer..."

Eleventh Miss waved her hand. "No need. Fifth Lady has already recovered."

Zhuxiang breathed a sigh of relief and accompanied Eleventh Miss back to her room.

"Madam," she said quietly, "this morning, Second Madam sent Manager Ma from the affairs office to deliver a lacquered box to the Astrology Bureau."

Manager Ma had been promoted when Second Madam was in charge—reliable and competent, he was Manager Zhao’s most trusted subordinate.

"Do you know what was inside?" Eleventh Miss asked, her expression grave.

"I heard it was a book," Zhuxiang said, "but I don’t know which one."

Eleventh Miss felt a flicker of interest.

Sometimes, what persuades people isn’t necessarily wealth—especially not scholars.