Chapter 7: Going to Invite Zhao Han Over

“My lady, yesterday the young mistress couldn’t bear to eat all the cakes herself and even shared half with your humble servant.”

Xiao Tao’s eyes were red from crying as she followed behind Minglan, quietly sobbing.

Her narrow shoulders trembled incessantly, evoking pity from anyone who saw her.

A flicker of barely perceptible coldness passed through Lin Qingshuang’s eyes, yet her face still wore a gentle smile.

In recent days, she had instructed Zhou Xueniang to order the kitchen maids to withhold coal and food from Wei Xiaoniang’s room.

Her plan was to push Wei Xiaoniang to the brink of despair, hoping she would complain to Sheng Hong, thereby allowing Lin Qingshuang to conveniently frame Liu Xiaodie.

Unexpectedly, Wei Xiaoniang endured everything, even pawning her own jewelry to buy food and coal, refusing to utter a single word to Sheng Hong.

With over a month left before her delivery, Lin Qingshuang grew anxious.

In desperation, she handed a sum of silver to Madam Guan, ordering her to slander Liu Xiaodie as a thief, then bring the matter before Sheng Hong.

Once the accusation was confirmed at this critical juncture, Sheng Hong would surely show no mercy.

Liu Xiaodie would either be expelled from the Sheng residence or, in the worst case, beaten to death!

Unexpectedly, a young master from the Zhao family appeared. No wonder Liu Xiaodie had been remarkably compliant lately; she evidently had no shortage of silver.

Wang Ruofu’s lips twitched as she barely suppressed a smile, casting a cold glance at Lin Qingshuang.

“Well, well! Our concubine doesn’t even have food to eat.”

“You vile woman, you’re trying to starve her and the baby in her belly to death!”

Lin Qingshuang’s eyes rolled as she recalled how meticulously she had handled the kitchen accounts. She steadied herself and said, “Madam cannot make baseless accusations.”

“Every month’s allocations are recorded in detail. Madam can send someone to verify.”

“Wei妹妹 is soft-hearted; perhaps the servants took advantage of her kindness and secretly pilfered.”

Wang Ruofu, hot-tempered and unable to counter Lin Qingshuang’s argument, angrily pointed a finger at her.

“You cunning woman! How can you evade responsibility for everything that happens under your management?”

Wang Ruofu’s personal attendant, Madam Liu, frowned, knowing that her mistress rarely lost verbal battles.

She quickly tugged at Wang Ruofu’s sleeve, and once Wang Ruofu obediently returned to her seat and silenced herself, she spoke.

“My lady, shall we send someone to invite the young master of the Zhao family to verify whether Liu Xiaodie’s claims are true or false?”

Family scandals should not be spread, and Sheng Hong preferred to keep the matter quiet.

But since Zhao Han had given silver to Liu Xiaodie, it meant he already knew something.

If this issue was not properly handled, it would be difficult to explain to Zhao Han if he asked later.

Sheng Hong took a deep breath. “Send for him.”

Madam Liu received the order and sent a trusted young servant to summon Zhao Han.

At the Zhao residence, night gradually fell.

After dinner, Zhao Han went to his study. Just as he lit the lamp and before he could reach for a book on the shelf, Changqing lifted the heavy curtain and stepped before him.

“The Sheng family sent someone to invite you. They say it’s urgent and you need to testify.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Han briefly pondered and surmised that the matter likely concerned Liu Xiaodie.

Without delay, he quickly prepared and took a carriage straight to the Sheng residence.

Sheng Hong sat upright in his yellow rosewood chair, quietly awaiting Zhao Han’s arrival.

“Young mistress...”

Minglan frowned, full of worry, and Xiao Tao was the same.

Wei Xiaoniang pressed her lips together, speaking gently but firmly, “It’s alright. Your father will surely uncover the truth and clear Xiaodie’s name.”

Minglan nodded, occasionally standing on tiptoe to peek outside.

Originally playing cricket indoors, Fifth Miss Rulan, upon hearing the commotion, also quietly came over to watch.

About half an incense stick’s time later, the young servant arrived first at the backyard.

“My lady, madam, Young Master Zhao has arrived!”

No sooner were the words spoken than Zhao Han appeared, clad in a dark blue brocade robe with a black patterned cloak draped over it. His expression was calm and composed as he slowly entered everyone’s view.

Lin Qingshuang glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, then quickly stepped aside, silently praying that today would be the day she clipped Wei Xiaoniang’s wings.

“Greetings, Uncle Sheng, madam.”

Zhao Han followed etiquette, cupping his hands in salute.

After Sheng Hong straightforwardly explained the situation, Zhao Han smiled lightly.

“I did give silver to Miss Xiaodie, that is true.”

“That day, I saw her looking truly pitiful. Such a loyal servant—I cannot believe she would steal. There must be some misunderstanding.”

Lin Qingshuang’s heart tightened as she heard this. Clutching her handkerchief, she forced herself to remain calm.

Zhou Xueniang, protective of her mistress, quickly calculated her words before speaking.

“There is an old saying: ‘You can know a person’s face but not their heart.’ Young Master Zhao is unfamiliar with the affairs inside our household.”

“It is well known that Liu Xiaodie has always been difficult; it wouldn’t be surprising if she resorted to theft.”

Zhao Han’s expression grew slightly cold, though he maintained his courtesy.

“This lady’s words are mistaken. If Miss Xiaodie risked offending others to protect Wei Xiaoniang, that is an act of loyalty and righteousness.”

“To falsely accuse her of theft would chill the heart.”

Lin Qingshuang saw Zhou Xueniang’s argument was refuted and secretly resented it but dared not show a trace of it.

Wang Ruofu looked at Zhao Han with admiration, thinking to herself how she wished she had such a silver tongue.

“Uncle Sheng, as a deputy judge of the prefecture, you surely know that mere physical evidence cannot determine guilt.”

“This concerns a servant’s innocence and her livelihood within the household. I hope Uncle Sheng will judge wisely.”

With those words spoken, Zhao Han composed himself, standing tall and waiting nearby.

Sheng Hong had risen to the position of deputy judge, having handled countless cases in Yangzhou over the years.

He had long suspected this matter was full of flaws and likely orchestrated by Lin Qingshuang.

Yet between an insignificant servant and a concubine favored for many years, he naturally chose the latter without hesitation.

But now Zhao Han was involved. If they openly protected Lin Qingshuang by convicting Liu Xiaodie unjustly and beating her to death, Zhao Han might well be displeased.

Moreover, they would be colleagues in the official court in the future.

Weighing his options, Sheng Hong coldly looked toward the robust and well-fed Madam Guan.

Upon sensing his gaze, Madam Guan knelt on the ground like a wooden barrel.

“When did you notice the pouch was missing? When was the last time you saw it?”

Madam Guan’s eyes flickered nervously as she stammered, “Your servant discovered it last night while tidying the room. I thought I had misplaced it elsewhere, but after searching thoroughly, I could not find it. I panicked and woke Miss Wei.”

Perspiration beaded on her forehead involuntarily; her voice grew softer as she continued, “The last time I saw it was three days ago.”

Wang Ruofu fixed her gaze on the maids living in the same courtyard as Madam Guan.

“Has anyone seen Liu Xiaodie come to your courtyard in the past three days? You must tell the truth!”

The maids understood the gravity of the situation and dared not lie. One after another, they shook their heads in denial.