Chapter 6: Killing with a Borrowed Knife

As soon as the words fell, Luoxia heard a sharp voice from outside the door: "If you can't break down the door, go find a ladder. I don't believe this group of little hooves can turn the world upside down!"

The setting sun drew in a breath of cool air, yet she could not afford to be startled; with a swift step, she darted to the door, peering through the narrow crack to look outside, her gaze immediately landing on the middle-aged woman at the forefront.

Before Luoxia could finish speaking, the sounds of banging on the door, footsteps, and commotion from outside suddenly came to an abrupt halt, leaving an eerie silence in their wake

The woman was not dressed extravagantly; there was no gold or jade adorning her head, only a silver hairpin. She wore an amber-colored wide-sleeved blouse and a yellowish-red pleated skirt, covered by an autumn fragrance-colored coat, her dignified face devoid of any expression. However, several beautiful young maidens clustered around her, starkly contrasting with her like green leaves, was she not indeed the matriarch?

She took a deep breath and said fiercely, "If they have the ability, let them break down the door of this Qingfen Pavilion and come in."

She did not know what kind of trouble Yuan Qianqiu had gotten into, to the extent that she was so frantic towards her mother, but after last night, she had already regarded that Ninth Young Master as her only lifeline

She has temporarily freed herself from her mother, but has the Ninth Young Master gotten involved with the eldest madam? Is this worth it?

There is no need to say more. The lady's casual glance turned towards my mother's bulging bosom, and she then said lightly, "I am not much involved in affairs now, but I cannot tolerate anyone using my name to act tyrannically in this household. Bring her here, and bind her up.

Too ... ... too.

"Go find a stick and break down the door! Closing the door in broad daylight can only mean one of two things: either they are up to no good or they are thieves. This group of little rascals must be doing something unspeakable inside the house, and I must catch them in the act!"

Realizing that she was in a dilemma at this moment, she nearly bit her teeth to pieces. She cursed the illegitimate child a thousand times and the worthless person ten thousand times in her mind, and finally rolled up her sleeves.

Uncertain of what had transpired, they exchanged glances with one another. In the end, it was the older one, Luoxia, who remained the most composed. Taking a deep breath, she said: "Stay put in the room, I will go outside to take a look"

She vaguely heard that the old master arranged a marriage for the eldest master, and that match was a significant elevation in status. When the first lady entered the household, she not only brought a substantial dowry and several maids, but also the support of her family for the old master

In front of the Qingfen Pavilion, I gathered seven or eight maids to confront my mother, but upon arriving at the door, they were taken aback.

However, on ordinary days, whenever she exerts her authority, the humble and submissive Luoxia immediately appears, yet at this moment, she has not shown herself at all. Not only does she not make an appearance, but there is also no response whatsoever in the vast Qingfen Pavilion.

Ninth Young Master, tomorrow the whole family will be sent to the estate of the First Madam to work in the fields, and the books that are missing from Crane Ming Pavilion...

Only then did Yue Qianqiu raise his head, saying nonchalantly, "Grandfather mentioned to Uncle Ying a few days ago that it was time to replace some books in the study; if some are missing, so be it."

"The setting sun, what does closing the door during the day matter? Are you perhaps doing something shameful inside? Hurry up and come out to open the door for me"

At that moment, another little girl suddenly interjected, saying: "Sister, even if the door cannot be broken down, they can still climb over the wall"

The fiery atmosphere seemed to be completely doused by a bucket of cold water. At that moment, under the sharp gaze of the lady, she involuntarily shrank her head and found herself utterly unable to speak.

Only two large black doors stood tightly closed, and there was not a sound from within the walls, as if no one were home

What is all this about

The implication is that if no one speaks of it, how would grandfather know... but you must make it up to me

The front of her mother's garment was bulging, concealing several books that had just been searched out from home, which the son had not yet had the chance to sell. She only hoped that amidst the impending chaos, she could carelessly leave them anywhere in the Qingfen Pavilion, in order to resolve the trouble caused by her daughter and son.

Along with her unruly children, each to receive twenty lashes, after which they are to be sent to the village in the west of the city.

Turning to her mother, she quickly became the most trusted confidante of the grand lady by her side. But who could have imagined that this was all caused by the incident involving the Ninth Young Master

She cast a glance at Yue Qianqiu with an unprecedented look of awe, completely changing from her previous attitude of avoiding him like a venomous snake or scorpion. She approached Yue Qianqiu and cautiously bent her knee.

Faced with this scene, upon noticing the piercing gazes of the several maids directed at her like needles, she placed her hands on her hips and shouted angrily

A little girl shrank back and burrowed into the arms of the always gentle Luoxia, her voice trembling as she said, "Sister, I am scared... How about we open the door?"

When Qingcao hurriedly returned to Heming Pavilion, it was already a little over half an hour later. She was drenched in sweat, her hair slightly disheveled, and appeared to be panting heavily.

Just moments ago, he was imposing and formidable in front of his mother, but now he seems like a defeated chicken, unable to even utter a sound of pleading. Luoxia originally thought she would feel a sense of relief, yet her heart was in turmoil.

On the verge of collapse and despair, she took a deep breath and forced a smile at the two little girls: "If they really break in, you will push everything onto me..."

Especially when she saw the madam glance over at Qingfen Pavilion as she was leaving, she clearly knew that the two large doors obstructed their line of sight, making it impossible for her to be seen, yet she still could not help but shudder

In the main room of Qingfen Pavilion, Luoxia and two young girls were hiding behind the door, unaware that Mama Xiang outside was already in a difficult position.

Upon hearing these last four words, behind a few girls dressed in red and green, two strong women suddenly emerged. They swiftly grabbed Xiang Mama's arms, one on the left and one on the right, and not only bound her down but also stuffed a piece of rag into her mouth.

"Not opening." On the pale face of Luoxia, however, there was an added touch of unyielding ferocity, though it was unclear whether it was bestowed by Yue Qianqiu or a result of the weak being pushed to the brink of despair.

On her right side, supporting her hand, was Luoxia, whom she recognized as her mother's biological younger sister, often referred to in the household as the stewardess, Second Madam Xiang.

However, at her command, several maidservants scattered and when they returned shortly after, they could only find two sticks. A few individuals took turns swinging the sticks to strike the door, each blow resounding loudly against it, yet not even a few pieces of the paint chipped off, let alone breaking the door open.

Qingcao forced a smile, yet felt a sense of relief in her heart

Finally unable to stand any longer, I hurriedly knelt and paid my respects, swallowed hard, and then feigned calmness as I said: "Madam, I noticed that the Qingfen Pavilion is closed during the day..."

If she is already like this, what more can be said about the other maids she called? It is unknown who weakened at the knees and could not stand, causing seven or eight people to kneel down at once.

As she stealthily stepped out of the house, before the sunset reached the gate, she heard a voice that was both familiar and unfamiliar, yet commanding in its tone

Even though the matriarch's family no longer holds any significance for the now prominent Elder Madam Yue, just witnessing the imposing presence of the matriarch moments ago left her feeling breathless

Among them, the oldest, Luoxia, is not yet seventeen years old, and the youngest is no more than twelve. Who has ever witnessed such a scene

Faced with the enormous commotion from outside, the three young girls were momentarily at a loss, and Luoxia's fingernails nearly dug into her palm.