Chapter 9

Chapter 9: The Demise of Yu Shuanger

The whispers of yesterday's events in the Orchid Bamboo Courtyard had reached the servants, who gossiped discreetly amongst themselves. Yet, the First Lady remained conspicuously inactive.

Regardless of the chatter, Dong Yuting sat serenely in the annex of the Whispering Wind Courtyard, basking in the sun as she meticulously sorted through a bamboo basket filled with an array of colorful threads.

The yellows spanned from vibrant orange-yellow to soft goose-yellow, rich gamboge, and brilliant golden-yellow. The reds included vivid vermilion, delicate carmine, and deep date-red. The sheer variety of hues made Dong Yuting's head spin.

Qiu He and Chun Yue sat beside her, carefully collecting the chosen threads, ready for when she would begin her embroidery.

“Madam, what pattern do you intend to embroider?” Qiu He, more adept at needlework than Dong Yuting, inquired.

“I haven’t quite decided yet,” Dong Yuting replied with a gentle smile. “Are there any simpler designs?”

Qiu He pondered thoughtfully. “Perhaps Chun Yue could fetch a few embroidery patterns from the embroidery room for you to peruse?”

“That sounds good. Chun Yue, please go to the embroidery room and select some simple embroidery patterns,” Dong Yuting instructed.

Chun Yue handed the gathered threads to Qiu He, then rose and, accompanied by Xia Qing, headed towards the embroidery room.

The Li family’s garments were typically custom-made by external tailors who would visit the estate for fittings. However, for minor damages like accidental tears or loose seams, there was no need to send them back to the workshop. Instead, a small embroidery room was maintained within the estate, managed by the Inner Court Steward.

Upon Chun Yue and Xia Qing’s arrival, the steward and seamstresses in the embroidery room were engrossed in conversation about Yu Shuanger.

“I hear Third Master has taken a fancy to a virgin courtesan and intends to buy her freedom. It seems we’ll soon have another mistress,” the steward remarked with a tsk.

A seamstress, busy stitching a pouch—they supplemented their monthly stipends by selling embroidered items through the steward—chimed in, “But didn’t we hear the Old Madam drove her out in a fit of rage? I doubt she’ll ever set foot in here.”

Another seamstress joined the discussion, “Exactly, how could a virgin courtesan be allowed into the estate? Our Old Madam values her reputation above all else.”

They exchanged glances, a shared laugh rippling among them.

Chun Yue entered to this scene. “What’s so amusing?”

The steward started, rising so abruptly that she knocked over a teacup on the table. Ignoring the spill, she rushed to Chun Yue’s side. “Miss, what brings you here? Do you have clothes that need mending?”

While the embroidery room was ostensibly for the family’s use, they rarely availed themselves of its services, as their garments seldom required repair. It was the servants who more frequently needed mending.

In such instances, the servants would offer a small payment to the seamstresses for their work.

For senior maids like Chun Yue, the embroidery room naturally waived any fees.

Chun Yue cast a sidelong glance at her. “Do you imagine we household staff are the only ones who ever visit? We are all servants of this estate, earning our monthly wages, and thus we must serve our masters diligently. Don’t you agree?”

Hearing the veiled criticism in Chun Yue’s words, the steward’s face paled, and she offered a strained smile. “Yes, Miss Chun Yue is absolutely right.”

Chun Yue walked further into the room. “I’m here to select some embroidery patterns for the madam.”

The seamstresses, no longer daring to remain seated, quickly rose to their feet.

The steward hastily led her to a wooden shelf. “All the embroidery patterns are here. What kind is the madam looking for? We have ‘Crane and Pine for Longevity,’ ‘Moonlit Lotus Pond,’ ‘Bamboo Announcing Peace,’ ‘Double Blessings of Fortune and Longevity’...”

The steward rattled off over thirty patterns, her throat growing dry from the effort.

Chun Yue examined each one, finding none entirely satisfactory. “Do you have any simpler ones?”

The steward bent down and retrieved a few patterns from the bottom of the shelf. “These are simpler: ‘Cloud Pattern,’ ‘Key Pattern,’ ‘Double Victory Pattern.’”

She then crouched again, picking up a few more patterns from the second-to-last shelf. “And here are slightly more challenging ones, like ‘Plum, Orchid, Bamboo, and Chrysanthemum.’”

Chun Yue glanced at them—the slightly more intricate patterns each featured a single plum blossom, an orchid, and so forth. She smiled. “These will do.”

The steward eagerly inquired, “Does the madam require any threads? We have a vast selection here.”

Chun Yue took the patterns and handed them to Xia Qing. “No need. The madam already has some.”

The steward added, “Won’t you stay for a cup of tea, Miss Chun Yue?”

Chun Yue’s patience wore thin, her expression cooling. “The madam is waiting for me. Perhaps another time.”

The steward’s smile remained fixed, her aged face crinkling further. She personally escorted Chun Yue out of the embroidery room, then straightened up and spat on the ground in a gesture of contempt.

Dong Yuting sat in the sunlight, examining the patterns Chun Yue had brought. She cherished each one, touching them repeatedly before finally settling on the Double Victory Pattern. She decided to begin with the simplest design, understanding that mastery is not achieved overnight.

When Li Nianyao arrived to pay her respects, she found her mother engrossed in embroidering the Double Victory Pattern onto a plain piece of cloth.

“You’re here. Please, sit.”

Qiu He and Chun Yue quickly made way, serving her snacks and pouring hot tea.

“Mother, when did you take up embroidery?” Since her mother’s serious illness, their relationship had blossomed. They now took daily strolls together along the covered corridors of the estate, and her mother would inquire about her daily life—a task previously delegated to Feng Mama.

The slanting rays of sunlight warmed her as they streamed into the annex.

Dong Yuting continued her embroidery as she spoke, “I was bored and sought something to occupy my time.”

Had it been her former self, constantly burdened with responsibilities, such leisure would have been unthinkable. But now, with stewards reporting only once every seven days, Dong Yuting found herself with ample free time.

Li Nianyao remarked, “It’s good that you can relax and embroider now. You overworked yourself before, which led to your illness.”

Dong Yuting agreed, “Yes, besides embroidering, we should exercise more to maintain our health. Look at Rui’er—he’s always active and energetic, so strong. Don’t stay cooped up indoors all day; take more walks in the courtyard.”

Feng Mama, who was the former Chun Yue from the previous mistress’s service, smiled and said, “The young miss would love to take walks with you, Madam.”

A faint blush spread across Li Nianyao’s fair cheeks, her eyes filled with a mixture of anticipation and nervousness.

She’s still just a child, Dong Yuting thought, her heart softening.

She disliked unruly children, but well-behaved ones she adored.

“Alright, let me embroider for a little while longer, and then we’ll go for a walk.”

Li Nianyao offered a faint smile, her dimples so sweet they warmed the heart.

“Mother, the Double Victory Pattern is typically embroidered with vermilion, ochre, and carmine threads. Why did you choose aqua and ivory threads?”

Dong Yuting replied enthusiastically, “Who says it has to be the same? Using all red threads would make it look like blood—I don’t find that appealing. Perhaps when I finish, it will look even better than the original pattern.”

Li Nianyao had never considered this. Her life was meticulously structured by rules, dictating every action. She had always adhered to them strictly. Yet, hearing her mother’s words, she felt their truth. She picked up a basket of threads and began selecting some herself. “Then I’ll embroider a few patterns too.”

Unlike her former self, who lacked skill in needlework, Li Nianyao possessed the calm focus and patience of a true young lady of noble birth. Her needlework far surpassed Dong Yuting’s.

As mother and daughter sat together embroidering, Qian Kun rushed in breathlessly.

Li Nianyao’s heart sank slightly. She set down her needle and thread, watching Qian Kun wipe his brow.

Dong Yuting also paused her work. It wasn't yet time for the seven-day report, and those from the outer courtyard were not permitted to casually enter the inner quarters without cause. Qian Kun’s arrival at the Whispering Wind Courtyard surely signaled something else.

She couldn’t help but recall the last time Qian Kun had rushed in so frantically—it was to report the arrival of a virgin courtesan outside. What could it be this time?

“What’s the matter?” Dong Yuting asked.

Qian Kun glanced at Li Nianyao, swallowed hard, and slowly uttered, “Yu Shuanger is dead.”

Li Nianyao, Qiu He, and Chun Yue were all stunned.

Someone who was perfectly fine just yesterday was now… Dong Yuting had experienced the death of a loved one before. Her mother had suddenly suffered a cerebral infarction at home, collapsed, and never regained consciousness. She had believed she would have to rely on her father from then on, but not long after, he remarried, bringing home a new wife and a four-year-old boy.

It turned out he had been cheating all along.

Her mother had poor health and was often bedridden, but that was no excuse for her father’s infidelity.

Perhaps due to her family background, or perhaps she inherited her father’s genes, she was inherently somewhat cold-hearted deep down.

Dong Yuting slightly furrowed her brow. “Have you told the Old Madam yet?”

Qian Kun replied, “Not yet. I heard about it outside and came straight to you.”

Dong Yuting tapped her finger on the small wooden table that had been brought out from the room—a habit of hers when deep in thought.

Li Nianyao held her breath and sat quietly.

“Come with me to the Orchid Bamboo Courtyard. Yao’er, you can amuse yourself for a while.”

Li Nianyao stood up. “Understood, Mother.”

Dong Yuting, Qian Kun, and Qiu He went to the Orchid Bamboo Courtyard and informed the Old Madam, who did not appear particularly surprised. Dong Yuting immediately understood—the Old Madam had her own sources outside and had likely found out earlier.

Wang Mama rushed to pour tea for Dong Yuting before Yuan Xiang could, which surprised her a little. Wang Mama was an old retainer of the Old Madam’s. Though respectful toward Dong Yuting, she had never personally served her tea.

“Old Madam, see how concerned the Madam is? She came as soon as she heard the news,” Wang Mama said. “The Madam arrived just in time—the Old Madam was quite worried by this matter.”

Dong Yuting glanced at the calm Old Madam but saw no sign of distress.

“What is the Old Madam troubled about? This has nothing to do with us,” Dong Yuting said, her eyes fixed on the Old Madam’s expression, ready to catch any hint of unease.

She certainly hadn’t done it, but she couldn’t be sure about the Old Madam.

Fortunately, the Old Madam showed no discomfort, which put Dong Yuting slightly at ease. If the Old Madam had actually done it, she would never dare set foot in the Orchid Bamboo Courtyard again.

“That’s right, Xiu Lian. Yu Shuanger’s death has nothing to do with the Li family. Why are you so anxious?” the Old Madam said leisurely.

Wang Mama laughed awkwardly and stepped back.

The Old Madam continued, “But while we understand, outsiders may not. I’m afraid everyone will say I killed Yu Shuanger.” As she spoke, she sneered coldly and forcefully twisted her prayer beads, the beads clacking together.

Wang Mama said, “How could that be? Everyone knows how benevolent the Old Madam is. I’d like to see who would dare speak ill of her!”

Dong Yuting shared the Old Madam’s sentiment, which was why she had brought Qian Kun to the Orchid Bamboo Courtyard.

She reasoned, “Yu Shuanger died just one day after returning home. It was either suicide or murder. We know she visited a tavern before returning. We need to investigate if there was anything wrong with that tavern. If she was indeed murdered, we might be blamed. We must first find someone who can prove she didn’t die after leaving the Li residence but after returning from the tavern.”

The Old Madam nodded slightly, neither confirming nor denying.

Qian Kun called over the guard who had followed Yu Shuanger with him yesterday and asked if he had any clues.

The guard knelt on the ground, thinking hard about the previous day’s events. After a moment, he cried out, “Yes! Yesterday, someone at the tavern urgently needed to use the outhouse and went to the backyard! He had just gone when Yu Shuanger returned from the backyard. He must have seen her!”

The Old Madam asked, “Do you remember what he looked like?”

The guard nodded. “Yes. He had a square face, was not very tall, and had a pair of prominent ears… I’d definitely recognize him if I saw him again.”

The Old Madam said, relieved, “Steward Qian, I leave this matter to you. You must find that man.”

Unlike in later times, except for young ladies and wives of wealthy families, ordinary people didn't usually stay home every day. So finding someone wouldn’t be too difficult—it was just a matter of time.

Wang Mama clasped her hands together and silently prayed toward the small Buddhist shrine. “May the Buddha protect us.”