Chapter 6, The Madman

Everyone knows she is referring to Fang Niang - since last night, Fang Niang has inexplicably disappeared from the inner courtyard, and everyone's speculation immediately found its answer

After a long while, she knelt on the ground, nearly collapsing, when she finally heard the sound of an old cough, along with a disdainful snort from someone nearby, "Get out!"

Although Granny Lai is elderly, her voice is quite loud, immediately stunning everyone. She looked around and slowly asked: "Which two are in charge of the firewood and charcoal in the big kitchen?"

A clever maid whispered, her voice slightly raised, immediately receiving disapproving glances and coughs of warning from the mothers

She slightly wrinkled her nose, her small face, no larger than a palm, was filled with seriousness, yet inexplicably made Qin Yao laugh, "You are simply clashing like sharp teeth against a sharp tongue; Sun Eryang encountering Yi Zhangqing, it is inevitable that a quarrel will ensue sooner or later."

Old Lady Lai's cold smile froze at the corners of her mouth, transforming into a sinister grin. "This will make you understand—drag it out!"

Upon entering, I was struck by the sight of many young maidens waiting. Some had glossy black hair, adorned with gold and jade, wearing pink long gowns embroidered with peach blossoms, clearly serving in the main chambers of the various courtyards; others were dressed in neat and clean blue jackets and green skirts... Although they were third-class maids, they still appeared composed and at ease

Speaking of this matter, I was just about to borrow a few people from you, Seventh Brother... As for Third Sister, she also needs to contribute her efforts—this is something you need to discuss with her properly.

As Chulan pushed her, Xiaogu opened her bewildered eyes and realized that the firewood in front of her had already been chopped nearly enough. With a dazed expression, she slowly walked to the other end of the house, intending to fetch another bundle.

Little Gu, come here quickly! Don't chop anymore!

Beginning with a feigned cough, the plump figure of Old Lady Lai loomed like a mountain over the hearts of those present. "Recently, some individuals have disregarded the rules of the inner courtyard, running about and speaking recklessly, even dressing like seductresses to entice both young and old men. The old lady, being kind-hearted, did not reprimand these little wretches, yet someone had the audacity to take advantage of her goodwill and stole the jade Buddha from her room to sell it.

I just said that this matter will be handled by me—I have a way to ensure that he dies peacefully and properly, so that he can no longer harm others

Before she could see clearly, Xiao Gu quickly rolled up his clothes and agilely got up, completely unlike someone who had been injured

Where to

Oh, so many beauties have been beaten

Her voice trembled in fear as she staggered over to help the person up. Lifting the clothing, she saw that on the back with yellowish skin, a heavy blow from a wooden stick had caused the flesh to swell up significantly, with dark bruises forming on the white protrusion.

Chulan was momentarily at a loss for words, when a low voice beside her said: "Xiaofanger has come to my house to play before"

Mother Qin arrived early in the morning, saying that the authorities had instructions to convey

When Chulan returned to the outer hall, her hair was disheveled, her eyes were swollen, and her clothes were in disarray. She paid no attention to tidying herself up and immediately spotted the small antique that had been thrown on the ground.

Old Lady Lai was momentarily taken aback, and a familiar woman at the very end quickly approached to whisper to her

Suddenly, everyone took a step back, making the two people who stood stiffly appear particularly out of place

Old Lady Lai listened quietly, coughed for a moment, and her pair of triangular eyes swept over her. Chulan was so frightened that her back was soaked with cold sweat

Xiao Gu still had a wooden expression, "I don't understand either"

Xiao Gu's eyes shimmer with brilliance, framed by a pair of gracefully arched moon-like eyebrows. She is enchanting yet possesses an extraordinary clarity and beauty—only when one draws very close can the sharpness hidden in her gaze be discerned

Chulan was so frightened that her soul seemed to leave her body. In a hurry, she crawled a few steps and hugged Grandma Lai's leg, pleading, "Don't hit her, she is a fool and knows nothing—this I know!"

I thought this was the Yihong Courtyard, where the mothers are instructing the young ladies on how to entertain guests

Suddenly, a tall and strong woman seized Xiao Gu and dragged him to the corridor, taking a rust-red wooden stick from the side to administer punishment.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Gu became so angry that her cheeks puffed up, turning her head away and ignoring him. Qin Yao laughed for a while but then realized the situation was not good, quickly begging for forgiveness, yet this girl simply refused to pay him any attention.

This is Granny Lai, who has always lived in the Xuanyun Hall for her old age and rarely comes out

The matters these maidservants have committed are trivial and insignificant; at this moment, encountering them has turned into a spectacle for the monkeys to witness.

Chulan quickly recounted the situation at that time, crying as she said: "That girl Fang is clearly not a good person; she is obviously here to show off and mock Xiaogu, saying that she is useless, 'lying in the mud for a lifetime'! Xiaogu is not very bright and really doesn't understand this matter!"

Little Gu ... ... Little Gu !

Chulan was so anxious that she wanted to stamp her feet. She hurriedly pulled Xiaogu out of the ice-cold charcoal room, only to realize that her palms were warm and her forehead was covered in sweat

Chulan embraced her with tears in her eyes

It is merely a matter of incompatible zodiac signs, resulting in mutual disapproval of one another

Assassination

Haha ... you little girl who is inconsistent in your words and actions

When the crowd turned around and saw the two individuals, their faces covered in dirt, it was clear they had been toiling in the kitchen. They immediately averted their gaze, and those who were particularly fastidious even took a couple of steps back, covering their noses as if afraid of the smell of sweat and sourness

You will know in seven days

Upon hearing this, Chulan immediately thought of the enchanting and ostentatious Miss Fang, and then the image of the bloodied corpse wrapped in the mat appeared before her eyes. She was instantly terrified, breaking out in a sweat, her lips trembling. In the next moment, she was gripped tightly by Xiaogu, the intense pain causing her to forget all her fear. "Yes, it is a lady named Miss Fang..."

Oh, they are all the descendants of traitors, lowly slaves of sin... What did she come to you for?

Who is she here to see

Little Ancient

The people around them avoided them with disdainful glances, as if they were evading a plague. At this moment, the matrons and daughters-in-law from the inner hall had also emerged, still surrounding Old Lady Lai like stars surrounding the moon.

Qin Yao smiled helplessly, his eyes holding a semblance of a smile, filled with an elegant and handsome charm, yet gradually the smile faded. "But, what exactly do you intend to do?"

Alright, alright, I will go borrow someone from Third Sister for you. You can borrow anyone from my opera troupe, that should be acceptable

Qin Yao laughed heartily, reaching out his hand without hesitation to mess up her long hair. "Just now at the Wanhua Building, Third Sister was the landlord, yet you didn't speak directly to her, insisting that I beat around the bush. What's the matter, are you having a falling out with her again?"

Old Lady Lai coughed, and someone went out to call for a stop

Mother Yao stood out with a stern face, cursing the ancestors of Old Lady Lai in her heart for eighteen generations—this old lady was truly unreasonable, allowing the second madam to manage the household and offend people, and even this time, she had to play the role of the villain herself

Everyone praised the old lady for her kind and compassionate heart, while cursing Fang Niang for her truly despicable behavior. Lai Mama coughed and said: "There seems to be some unrest in the back courtyard. The Second Madam has always been virtuous and obedient. Upon hearing that the old lady was startled, she promptly instructed Mama Yao to come and remind everyone of the rules."

She suddenly had a flash of inspiration and said anxiously: "Miss Fang also has a little maidservant by her side; asking her will clarify everything. What I said is all true!"

The sound of wheels rolling covered the murmurs of the two, gradually fading away. In the distance, the echoes of the street became more pronounced, as the night deepened, slowly blending everything into one.

For the first time in her life, Chulan felt the intense gathering of numerous gazes, as if she were pricked by thorns on her back, and she even stuttered, "Yes, it is us!"

She tilted her head slightly and cast him a sidelong glance, as if in prayer, yet also resembling a spoiled child—cunning like a little fox

Silence

The heavy wooden stick struck the body forcefully, producing a dull thud.

Bypassing the north-south corridor, walking through a section of the covered walkway, and passing through two moon gates, I finally arrived at the small conference hall

It is good that you are fine

The man's voice, enchanting and tinged with the intoxicating scent of alcohol

Crying incessantly, a loud thud was heard outside the door, and a porcelain jar, exuding the aroma of wine, was hurled inside, instantly splattering wine everywhere and sending shards of porcelain flying.

Is everyone here?

Xiao Gu did not cry out in pain

Madam Yao, in accordance with the report from the steward, had the offending maidservant dragged out, and immediately the sounds of beating echoed continuously, accompanied by cries and wails.

Entering the inner hall with trepidation, Mama Lai sat in the armchair at the lower end on the east side. Initially silent, she scrutinized the two with her dim, aged eyes before suddenly asking: "Did anyone come to look for you yesterday morning?"

Xiao Gu widened her eyes in surprise, then burst into laughter, "Seventh Brother, have you watched too many plays and mistaken me for a wandering heroine like Hong Xian or a female general like Liang Hongyu? Don't you know my capabilities?"

Come in, I have something to ask.

Old Lady Lai's gaze became even more severe and piercing

On a morning like any other, chopping firewood and fetching water as usual

Qin Yao was taken aback and said, "But you just... ?"

A light cough accompanied the inquiry as a plump old matron emerged from the inner hall, followed closely by several matrons and the housekeeper's wife from the inner courtyard, each of them mirroring her movements and looking to her for guidance

Why are you chopping wood with such effort, when no one is urging you on

Chulan took out a handkerchief to wipe for her, and the two of them quickly walked a few steps away from the large kitchen, heading towards the northwest side of the inner ceremonial gate

Do not understand