Chapter Two: Please Enter the Jar (Part One)

Xiliang Mo bit her lip tightly, struggling to catch her breath. Her vision darkened, and she nearly collapsed, but she bit down hard on her lower lip and gazed at the dim, snow-laden sky.

In May, the pomegranates began to blush, and in the residence of the Duke, the pomegranate flowers bloomed vibrantly. The ladies of the household all loved to stroll in the garden, but today, the garden was somewhat noisy

"Lü Qiao, how dare you say that you haven't taken my Green Snow Fragrant Balm? You stole my things and yet you still have the audacity to insult me!" Zi Lan's delicate, snow-white face flushed bright red, her slightly upturned big eyes filled with fury, which only made her look more charming. Everyone knew she belonged to the Fourth Young Master, and her status as a concubine maid was higher than that of ordinary maids. However, Lü Qiao never showed her any respect and always went against her.

Never before had she felt such despair, her knees were already numb from kneeling, and she did not know how long it had been when she heard the coarse curses of the man inside the door: "Why haven't you dragged this dead little whore out yet? She's already been sent to the brothel, still pretending to be a virtuous woman!"

"Second Mother... Second Mother... I beg you!" Xiliang Mo was immediately seized by several coarse servant women, dragged out like a chick, leaving behind her desperate pleas and the trail of bloodstains on the floor.

Bai Mei, who has been protected since childhood by Bai Mei and Liu Mama, is destined to meet such an unfortunate end! Xi Liangmo fell to her knees with a thud, her head knocking against the ground, tears streaming down her face: "Second Mistress, I beg you, considering that Liu Mama has served the old lady by her side for so many years, even if there are no merits, there are still hardships endured, please retract your order! I implore you!"

The maids and wives coming and going in the courtyard all turned their heads at the sound, only to see two women standing beneath a cluster of pomegranate flowers, their swords drawn and tensions high, yet no one dared to intervene. This was because the one hurling insults was Green Qiao, the most capable maid of the Fourth Miss, known for her fierce temperament, while the one being insulted was Zi Lan, the favored concubine of the Fourth Young Master, who appeared delicate like an orchid but was also not to be trifled with.

Yasukuni Public and her biological mother, the Lan family, both came from a military background. Outside the residence of the Public, there is a training ground for the personal soldiers of the Public and for the officers on duty to practice, similar to the brothels found in military camps, where women of low status who have committed offenses serve as military prostitutes. The training ground also has similar establishments for this purpose.

White plum ... ... ! ''

Wuwu... Xiliang Mo's eyes were blurred with tears streaming down like rain. She could only tightly clench her small fist and stuff it into her mouth, filled with a metallic taste. In her mind, the moment Bai Mei pushed her away, the look of despair in her eyes, and the weathered face of Liu Momo kept flashing before her.

Everyone responded in unison, and then they dispersed with a sense of disinterest. The position of the Xiliang Mo was both special and awkward. The Han family had a strong temperament, yet they managed the household in a proper manner. On the surface, there were established rules for punishing anyone, and this incident was merely a formality. With no entertainment to be had and the weather turning cold, each household returned to catch up on their sleep.

Xiliang Mo stared blankly at the rolled-up straw mat as it drifted away, the cold wind whistling past. A corner of the mat flipped up, revealing the face of a young girl, swollen and stained with blood and tears. Her hollow eyes gazed into the pitch-black sky, unblinking.

In the middle of the night, sporadic snowflakes began to fall. Xiliang Mo could not remember how she had arrived at this open space. The old women, perhaps out of consideration for her status as a young lady, merely forced her to kneel beside the small house at the edge of the clearing

Three months later

In the dead of night, the sound of kowtowing could be heard, resembling the rhythmic beating of drums. Han's eyelids did not lift; she elegantly savored her tea. It was only when blood was already visible on Xiliang Mo's forehead that she lightly flicked her delicate fingers to splash some tea, and said softly: "Rules are rules. The noble lord, leading troops and managing the household, is the one who values rules the most. Moreover, mistakes warrant punishment, and orders must be followed. This is the rule established by the late Madam. Are you, Mo girl, disregarding your parents' commands?"

Han slightly raised her eyelids and glanced at Granny Li, who immediately stiffened and lowered her head, saying: "This servant has overstepped her bounds"

Indeed, not long after, just as Zilan was so enraged that she was about to pounce on and tear at Lvqiao, she was stopped by a woman's voice that was both charming and yet stern.

With her hands on her hips, she looked like a teapot and let out a cold laugh: "Who are you putting on this seductive act for? That green snow containing fragrant oil was obtained by me from Sister Mo, what does it have to do with you? Keep talking nonsense, and be careful I might tear your mouth apart!"

The shadows of men rise and fall, cast upon the window by the flickering candlelight, resembling the grotesque figures of malevolent spirits

The onlookers turned their heads and quickly lowered them, all respectfully bowing: "Your Highness."

In the small house, the light is on, and the woman's mournful and twisted cries come from within, piercing like the cold wind of February, mingled with the lewd laughter of men, cutting through the heart of Xiliang Mo like a knife

Watching the quarrel between the two women escalate, a pale figure quietly stood hidden among the branches and leaves, gazing with satisfaction at the results brought about by her small box of rouge. Now, all that remained was for the other most important character to make her entrance, and it was essential not to let her down.

The sounds of execution in the outer courtyard, however, do not reach the inner courtyard

Yes

Women in brothels are considered more lowly than those in licensed houses, and they can never redeem themselves, often living no longer than thirty years

Before long, the wooden door creaked open, and several coarse women were startled enough to take a few steps back. Two burly soldiers emerged from the room, first glancing at the women, then looking at the kneeling Xiliang Mo. They revealed their large yellowed teeth and let out a few lewd chuckles, seemingly aware of the identity of the person kneeling there, thus refraining from any frivolous actions, lazily dragging a roll of straw mat as they walked out.

"You little woman, aren't you just relying on being someone from the Fourth Young Master's household? You haven't even been raised to the status of a concubine, yet you dare to act like half a master and bully me." The woman's voice, though filled with anger, was quite pleasant to hear, but the words she uttered were rather embarrassing.

The young women in the inner courtyard may not know, but Xi Liangmo, who has mingled among the servants since childhood, has also vaguely heard of it

What matter is worthy of such commotion in the garden

Upon hearing this, Xiliang Mo felt as if a bucket of ice water had been poured directly over her head; Bai Mei was to be sent to the registry office

"I... do not... I..." At that moment, Xiliang Mo was so dizzy from bowing that she was at a loss for words. Then she heard Han's voice suddenly turn cold: "Is it not so? Do you really think that a maid who has committed regicide is better than your own second brother? Disregarding your parents' orders is unfilial, and shielding a wicked servant who has harmed the master is unjust. How is it that in our Duke's residence, a daughter like you, who is both unfilial and unjust, has been raised?"

The Jingguo public is from the oldest noble clan of the current dynasty—the Xiliang clan, which has always had a significant reputation. After leading troops into battle, they have been known for their strict military discipline. With such a label attached, even favored young ladies and gentlemen must immediately kneel to receive the family law, let alone someone like Xiliang Mo, who is not favored and holds an awkward position.

When the person one wishes to invite into the circle finally arrives, the maiden in white, hidden among the flowers and leaves, quietly parts the blossoms and brushes the willows, disappearing into the thicket of flowers

"What are you still standing there for? Did you not hear the lady's words? Hurry and take Miss Mo outside!" Li Mama, who was standing beside Mrs. Han, immediately stepped forward and said coldly.

Lady Liu originally served as a personal maid to her biological mother, Lady Lan, but later, due to her exceptional medical skills, she was given to the old lady, serving by her side for many years

Han let out a cold snort, originally intending to make another scene, but decided against it. He simply stood up and coldly said, "Everyone, you may disperse. Please have the imperial physician for the second young master come to my Xuan Pavilion."