Chapter 77: Chapter 077: Making a Move (Second update)
Translator: 549690339
“What’s wrong, sister?” asked Zhuang Qingsui worriedly, looking at the serious expression on Zhuang Qingning’s face.
“Nothing, let’s get going,” said Zhuang Qingning. “We should go check out the fabrics, and see if there’s any big flower-patterned ones that you like.”
“Alright,” Zhuang Qingsui nodded excitedly.
Children are always happy when they get new clothes.
Zhuang Qingning was amused as she led Zhuang Qingsui away to find the fabric stall.
At nightfall, the half-moon had already descended halfway into the sky, about to disappear completely. The entire world seemed to have fallen into a deep slumber and was silent.
The door to Qingzhuyuan was quietly opened. A tall, dark horse galloped past. Once it entered the courtyard, the rider tugged at the reins, and dismounted.
A servant quickly came forward to reassure the lively horse, before leading it to the stable.
“Eldest Young Master,” Ning Feng came over to take the cloak. He jogged to keep up with Chu Jinnian, who was striding towards his study room. “Have you eaten your dinner, Young Master? I’ve prepared some of your favorite dishes.” “There’s no need. I ate a bit on the way. How about Jinzhou? Has he gone to bed?”
Under the cold night sky, Chu Jinnian’s warmth was apparent when he asked about his younger brother.
“Yes, Third Young Master has gone to bed,” answered Ning Feng obediently.
“I’ve brought Jinzhou’s favorite lotus cakes from our journey; if he’s already asleep, save them for him to enjoy tomorrow.”
Chu Jinnian took a sip of the hot tea brought by the servant and asked, “How has Jinzhou been these days?”
“In these past days, Third Young Master has been learning about literature with Mr. Zhou during the day, eating and sleeping well at night.”
“In general, he’s doing very well, except…”
Ning Feng chuckled and said, “The only thing is that, he misses Eldest Young Master a lot. He remembered you promised to be back in twenty-odd days, but it’s been over a month now.”
Hearing that Chu Jinzhou was doing well, a smile tugged at the corners of Chu Jinnian’s lips. “I’ve been unavoidably detained unexpectedly, I suppose the lotus cakes could serve as my apology.”
His usually cold and stern face was now showing a touch of warmth, which made him appear even more attractive.
His smile, it seemed, was reserved only for news of his brother’s well-being.
Ning Feng sighed internally. If it hadn’t been for…
Ning Feng didn’t want to think about that. He just laughed and said, “I’m afraid one plate of lotus cakes won’t be enough. Third Young Master has been wanting you to take him hunting in the mountains.”
“Spring is indeed a good time for hunting, but with Jinzhou’s recent recovery from severe illness, he might not be able to stand it. It wouldn’t be late even if we wait till autumn to go. I’ll talk to him about it.”
If it really comes down to it, he could accompany him fishing at the lake for a couple of days.
Hunting in the water is still hunting.
Chu Jinnian blinked as though remembering something. His eyes were unfathomable, and his lips tightened: “Has everything been quiet in the residence lately?”
“It has been calm, except…”
Ning Feng presented a pouch that had been prepared in advance.
The pouch was open, and a strand of hair tied with a red string could be seen inside.
Chu Jinnian’s brow furrowed.
“This was found on a maid called Chunlan. According to the other maids, the hair belonged to her lover. However, she deliberately dropped this pouch at the door of a pastry shop when she went out to buy groceries for the residence, seemingly trying to pass a message to someone else. Therefore, I suspect that this hair… belongs to Third Young Master…”
Ning Feng paused as he saw Chu Jinnian’s expression becoming increasingly gloomy, then continued, “Ordinarily, the residence is impenetrable to gossip. It seems this maid knew it would be impossible to pass a message from within the residence, so she devised this method. If spotted, she could say she’d dropped it accidentally, cleverly deflecting suspicion…”
Was there another plot against Chu Jinzhou brewing?
Chu Jinnian’s face darkened even more.
He had previously received a report that a particular lady of the house had recently taken an interest in Taoism and even built a small Taoist temple within the residence, all for the supposed purpose of praying for blessings for the emperor and the nation’s fortune.
Looking at it now, her actions, however grand and righteous they sounded, were nothing but a front for dealings that were unmentionable.
They knew that he was impregnable, and that his only weak spot was his younger brother Chu Jinzhou, who shared the same mother with him. So, was there an intention to use this as leverage against him?
“It appears that some people have never ceased their former games,” Chu Jinnian said in a chilling tone, as cold as ice.
Ning Feng kept his head down and did not dare utter a word.
“I remember.”
Chu Jinnian’s finger lightly tapped on the desk. “Jinzhou’s well-being has always been looked after by the servants, much of which is thanks to you. She’s just a maid, how did she get close to Jinzhou? And how did she manage to cut his hair?”
As he spoke, he turned to look at Ning Feng.
His gaze was as sharp as a sword.
Ning Feng dropped down to his knees with a “thud”, his back streaming with cold sweat: “I have been negligent in my duties, please punish me, Young Master.”
“Negligence in serving your master should indeed be punished,” Chu Jinnian snorted coldly. “Three months’ worth of your salary, let it serve as a warning. Be more vigilant from now on. Know who can be trusted, who cannot. If you let anything slip through again, losing your salary will be the least of your worries.”
A life was at stake here.
Ning Feng knew very well how important Chu Jinzhou was to his master. He also knew that his negligence had led to this incident, and that Chu Jinnian forfeiting three months of his salary was already a lenient punishment.
He knocked his head several times on the floor and pleaded, “Thank you, Young Master, for your punishment. I admit my mistake. I vow to put all my efforts into ensuring the safety of Third Young Master.”
“Get up.”
Chu Jinnian raised his hand. “You have been cautious in your duties. It’s just that we cannot guard against those with wicked intentions. This time, your people got replaced right under your nose. This just goes to show how determined our adversaries are.”
“‘Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.’ Master, it would be prudent for you to be wary in the future and avoid falling into their traps,” Ning Feng slowly suggested. He then asked, “Chunlan has been locked up. How should she be dealt with? Could you please give your instructions, Master?”
Handling a maid isn’t a big deal – logically Chu Jinnian wouldn’t need to be the one deciding this.
However, considering the gravity of what has transpired, whether to deal with it harshly or leniently would depend on his decision.
“She betrayed us; dispose of her as you see fit. After you have dealt with it…”
Chu Jinnian’s eyebrows lifted slightly, “Inform the lady of the house. Let her know what’s happening. As for how to inform her, use your judgement.”
After all, it was necessary to let her know that Chu Jinnian wasn’t someone she could easily trifle with, and Chu Jinzhou wasn’t someone she could simply meddle with.
“Yes, I understand,” Ning Feng nodded, bowed and prepared to leave, but hesitated for a moment.
“Speak.”
“Yes.” Ning Feng then continued, “Today, I personally followed Chunlan when she went out. The one who intercepted the pouch was not me, it was…”
He recounted how he saw a young girl picking up the pouch, giving it to her sister, and her sister chasing Chunlan to return it, telling Chu Jinnian everything just as it happened..
This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢