Chapter 8: The Flustered Golden Pheasant

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Minglan furrowed her brows, her eyes fixed intently on Lady Guan. Suddenly, as if recalling something, she swiftly dashed into Wei Xiaoniang’s room and retrieved several pieces of charcoal that had not yet burned out from the stove.

“Father, Lady, this is the charcoal Lady Guan gave us!” she announced.

“It’s been cold these past few days. To save some, Xiaodie mixed a bit of stove coal into the ash-flower charcoal she bought,” Wei Xiaoniang explained.

Sheng Hong’s face darkened as he glared at the charcoal in Minglan’s hand.

Every household has its share of sordid matters, but few treated their concubines as harshly as his family did.

Wei Xiaoniang lowered her eyes and said, “Xiaodie knows that recently my health has been poor, and I have not left the house. I beg my lady to look into this carefully.”

Lady Guan knelt trembling on the ground, repeatedly casting pleading glances at Lin Qingshuang and Zhou Xueniang.

Unexpectedly, she was met only with two sharp, knife-like stares.

Zhou Xueniang even shook her head slightly, sending a cold, warning look.

Madam Liu was experienced and meticulous.

She lightly patted Wang Ruofu’s shoulder and loudly suggested, “In this old servant’s opinion, my lady should send someone to inspect Lady Guan’s room, and better not to overlook her husband’s place either.”

Before Sheng Hong could speak, Wang Ruofu immediately ordered Madam Liu to lead the investigation personally.

Lin Qingshuang narrowed her beautiful eyes slightly, a flash of panic and cruelty crossing her gaze. She acted cleanly, but Lady Guan might not have.

Zhao Han watched the drama unfolding in the Sheng mansion with keen interest.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Minglan nervously clutching Wei Xiaoniang’s garment, her expression anxious and full of sympathy as she glanced repeatedly at Xiaodie.

Sensing someone’s gaze, Minglan quickly turned and unexpectedly met Zhao Han’s eyes.

Caught in a mutual glance, Minglan hurriedly hid behind Wei Xiaoniang like a frightened little rabbit.

Before long, Madam Liu returned with her party.

She loudly proclaimed, “My lady, Lady, the real traitor in our household is Lady Guan!”

“This old servant found over a hundred taels of silver in her husband’s quarters, along with her daughter’s dowry of jewelry and ornaments.”

“Even now, silver-thread charcoal is still burning in her stove—she’s truly more extravagant than our young ladies!”

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Wang Ruofu sneered, fixing Lady Guan with a cold gaze. “Your husband is nothing but a mere coachman. Where did you get all these things?”

“I remember you’re from the Lin family. Could it be that she gave them to you?” he pressed.

Lady Guan trembled violently, her face pale as a sheet, stammering with no adequate explanation.

Zhou Xueniang and Lin Qingshuang exchanged glances. Sensing trouble, their expressions suddenly changed.

After some thought, Zhou Xueniang stepped forward and shifted all blame onto Lady Guan.

“Shameless Lady Guan! Our young mistress trusted you so deeply, yet you pocketed money and secretly mistreated Wei Xiaoniang!”

“I think you’re just a thief crying ‘stop thief,’ trying to frame Liu Xiaodie. And yet our young mistress went to great lengths to help you search!”

Hearing this, Lady Guan felt as if she had fallen into an icy abyss, collapsing to the ground.

She dared not deny the accusations and begged Sheng Hong and Wang Ruofu for mercy repeatedly.

After all, her children’s lives were held tightly in Lin Qingshuang’s hands.

Lin Qingshuang placed her left hand over her heart and her right on her forehead, adopting a pitiful and sorrowful demeanor.

“This servant was so deceived by this treacherous woman, truly betraying your trust, Sheng Lang.”

“I humbly ask Sheng Lang to give this servant a chance to properly make amends to Sister Wei and Sixth Miss.”

Wang Ruofu took a deep breath, frowning and glaring at Lin Qingshuang.

“How dare a mere servant mistreat her mistress! I don’t think this is so simple. Most likely, this filthy woman is behind it all!”

Lin Qingshuang’s eyes reddened slightly. Glancing at Sheng Hong, she softly replied, “My lady is right; I am indeed a lowly person.”

“But I don’t know what I’ve done to offend my lady so persistently. I was truly deceived by her.”

As she spoke, Lin Qingshuang pressed a handkerchief to her eyes, subtly letting Sheng Hong see her struggle to hold back tears—like a stubborn white lotus blooming amidst rain.

In contrast, Wang Ruofu’s eyes blazed with fury, resembling a ruffled golden pheasant—utterly lacking the dignity befitting a lady.

Determined to find a chance to crush Lin Qingshuang, Wang Ruofu ignored Madam Liu’s warnings and shouted at Sheng Hong, “If this matter isn’t thoroughly investigated, it will remain a muddled mess. If you won’t act, then I will take matters into my own hands!”

“I want to see who’s behind all this deceit!”

Sheng Hong, already irritated being caught in the middle, turned red in the face and veins bulging on his forehead upon hearing this.

Zhao Han shook his head.

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He felt the gap in skill between Wang Ruofu and Lin Qingshuang was just too great. No wonder, even with Madam Liu’s top-notch support, Wang Ruofu was still hopeless and constantly overshadowed by Lin Qingshuang.

At present, Sheng Hong’s full attention was on Lin Qingshuang. To punish her, he first needed solid evidence and to firmly establish her guilt.

More importantly, Lin Qingshuang’s wrongdoing had to strike at Sheng Hong’s core interests—either endangering his career or damaging the Sheng family’s foundation.

Despite having an outsider present, this was ultimately a matter of the inner household.

Wang Ruofu’s persistent meddling only made Sheng Hong think she lacked grace and failed to uphold the lady’s dignity.

Zhao Han’s gaze darkened as he looked at Wei Xiaoniang, who appeared worried and reluctant to let the matter escalate further.

He stepped forward and spoke gently, “Uncle Sheng, Lady, please hear my words. Since Lady Guan has confessed fully, it would be best to deal with her swiftly by the family rules to preserve harmony within the household.”

Hearing Zhao Han voice what was on his mind, Sheng Hong’s brows relaxed immediately.

“You’re right. The matriarch has just recovered from illness, and Lady Wei is with child. It’s best not to cause a big uproar. A family should value harmony above all.”

Wang Ruofu, displeased, opened her mouth to argue, but just then Hualan walked slowly from the corridor, bowing politely to Sheng Hong.

Wang Ruofu glanced at her sideways. “What are you doing out here?”

“Mother, Father has already investigated this matter thoroughly. There’s no need to stir up trouble,” Hualan replied in a clear, melodious voice like melting snow in early spring, her bright eyes carrying a hint of gentle counsel and helplessness.

Wang Ruofu, deeply attached to her, felt much of her anger dissipate at these soft words. After a cold snort, she turned her head away, saying no more.

Seeing this, Sheng Hong immediately ordered Dongrong to drag Lady Guan away for a severe punishment of thirty lashes and to expel her from the Sheng household.

Dongrong obeyed, signaling two strong female servants to seize Lady Guan despite her cries and pleas as they dragged her out.

Noticing Lin Qingshuang’s still serious expression, Zhou Xueniang lowered her voice and said, “Don’t worry, young mistress. Dongrong knows exactly what to do. After thirty lashes, Lady Guan won’t see the light of day tomorrow.”

Dongrong’s ancestors served in the government, passing down the art of administering beatings.

Though the skin might redden and swell, the pain cut deep into the bones. If there was mercy, even a hundred lashes would only leave superficial wounds.

Lin Qingshuang exhaled a breath of stale air secretly and immediately resumed her gentle, virtuous appearance. She personally helped Xiaodie up, softly saying, “Good girl, it was my fault for believing slander and wronging you. I will make it up to you properly from now on.”