This surface appearance maintaining skill really wasn’t something that could just be achieved overnight. No matter how much one wants to stay calm, when being stabbed in the weak spot, one still wouldn’t be able to suppress the panic.
Jing Wan’s face carried a bit of coldness, “What kind of personality my mother has, I’m the most clear about. She’s someone who wouldn’t even dare to kill an ant, how could she be malicious enough to take a life? In the Luo family’s rear court, who wants to harm her, there’s only just those two people. Otherwise, it’s just Bai Yiniang that idiot self-directing and self-acting, or else it’s just…..since you’re able to know beforehand, I suppose it being that person’s possibility is even higher. Regardless of who, you best keep your tail nicely tucked, otherwise…..still not leaving? Are you waiting for me to call someone to bring the broom to kick you out?”
Luo Jing Ying dared to be insolent in front of Jing Wan, but she’s never seen her this cold before. For some reason she was somewhat scared, and didn’t dare to try continuing to explain anything. Taking her people, she left, somewhat retreating in defeat. After coming out, she could no longer contain her fear. Previously, when she’d returned from the gardens, her mother had asked her why she was unhappy, and she’d told her in full detail what had happened. Liu-shi instead laughed and told her that very soon she’ll help vent her anger, even saying that it’s even better for a noble guest to be present. Thinking that her mother must be preparing to make a move, she thus eagerly ran to Elegant Haitang Residence, practically without even thinking. But the results? Not only was she unable to see a good play and might even get punished when she goes back, but more importantly, she might have ruined her mother’s great plans.
Jing Wan just quietly sat there, but Sun Yi Jia could distinctly feel that her mood wasn’t right. For the first time, Sun Yi Jia ignored her wet nurse’s ‘suggestion’ and didn’t, because of her indication, just got up and took her leave. The matter had already happened. Leaving just like that would really hurt one’s feelings. Moreover, that old servant woman clearly only came charging in because she was there. Else, who would do this kind of arduous and thankless stupid thing. And as for the purpose, it goes without saying. “Little sister Wan……”
Jing Wan looked to her. She didn’t want to smile, and didn’t force herself to smile either, “Big sister Jia, I’ve made you see something embarrassing.”
“Little sister Wan, it’s actually nothing really. Which family’s rear court can be completely clean? Furthermore, I believe in you, and also believe that madam, who can give birth to someone like you, definitely isn’t someone with malicious intentions. This matter, anyone with eyes can tell that it’s a vile person’s scheme. Don’t take it to heart.”
“Big sister Jia treats me so sincerely. Since this kind of matter has been brought to the surface, I naturally won’t try to cover it up either. As good sisters, we naturally can be frank about all good and bad things. I also believe that big sister Jia won’t because of this, have a negative opinion towards me. I just hope that big sister Jia won’t let this burdensome matter affect your mood.”
“This matter surely won’t affect me, but this sulky little appearance of yours will affect me.” Sun Yi Jia reached out and scraped Jing Wan’s nose with her finger. “Don’t stress over this kind of matter, no matter what you still have your grandmother watching over.”
“To be honest big sister Jia, this matter, regardless what the reason is, I’m indifferent. What I care about is how that little life that hadn’t even formed yet was gone just like that. Truthfully speaking, I don’t like my father’s shu children, but it’s also only because I don’t like this identity of theirs, and not they themselves. I can treat them coldly and ignore them. And as long as they don’t try to provoke me, under the same roof, I can get along with them peacefully. Yet, I don’t want to see them lose their life for no reason. Since the heavens have let them come to this world, other people shouldn’t easily take away their life like this.”
Sun Yi Jia was shocked. She’d never thought that little sister Wan’s heart was this kind, this soft. “This…..way of thinking is not wrong, but sometimes, this will harm the self, and harm those closest and most beloved people to you.”
Jing Wan weakly laughed, “Big sister Jia is thinking too much. I’m just saying that I won’t actively go harm or scheme against others, but if others try to actively act against me, I similarly won’t be polite. Some people if you don’t give them a little profound lesson, they’ll always think our second branch’s people are made from mud. Big sister Jia, how about you go back first today.” Jing Wan said as she leaned in a bit, “With big sister Jia here, it’s not convenient for me to sort someone out even if my hands are itching to do it. To let you know is one thing, but to let you personally witness it is a whole other matter. I still need my image after all.”
Sun Yi Jia amusingly snorted, “It’s impossible even if you wanted to let me see. You may be happy to, but your family won’t be happy about it. Alright, I’ll just head back first then. I’ll come play again another day. If you’re free, you can also come to the Ding Duke Manor to come see me. I’m usually very bored on normal days. Otherwise, I might just come running to your home everyday.”
Jing Wan nodded in consent and then let her servant girl make a copy of the recipe to give to her. Afterwards, she sent her off.
Jing Wan turned back, and wasn’t in a hurry to go to Falling Plum Residence either, “Where’s that old servant woman?”
“Miss, in the woodshed.”
“Wet nurse come with me then, everyone else doesn’t need to come.”
They knew that their own Miss was just worried that they’ll hear something they shouldn’t hear. But doesn’t she realize that she herself is even younger than them? However, sometimes she was just like this, and as servants, they can’t disobey her either.”
Outside the woodshed, a rough labor old servant woman was standing guard. Gong mama wasn’t present, presumably, having gone to Bai Yiniang’s side to check on the situation.
When the door finally opened, Jing Wan walked in. Towards this place where in other people’s eyes was dirty and messy, Jing Wan was unconcerned.
Compared to her earlier crying and screaming, that old servant woman, at this very moment, appeared very quiet. However, unexpectedly, her body was somewhat uncontrollably trembling. If it was because of the fear towards death, then that was rather understandable, but from her gaze, Jing Was felt it probably wasn’t just this. “Did she say anything?” She asked the rough labor old servant women that were watching the door.
“Replying to Miss, no. After bringing her here, Gong mama had already asked, but she didn’t even say a word.”
Jing Wan nodded, this wasn’t unexpected. “How about now, still don’t want to say anything?”
That old servant woman lifted her head to look at Jing Wan. Her lips trembled, and a hopeful look appeared in her eyes, but she also hesitated. It was apparent that she was very much struggling inside. But in the end, she still remained silent, lowering her head and curling into ball.
Jing Wan left, neither upset nor angry, and neither happy nor sad.
But it was exactly this attitude that made the old servant woman even more afraid. Earlier, Gong mama unexpectedly didn’t berate her, and further didn’t have someone beat her. She just casually asked a few things, and afterwards leaned in and said to her, “You can also be considered a veteran servant of the Luo family. You probably wouldn’t just for the sake of a little bit of wealth betray your master. For you to be able to splash dirty water on Miss in front of an outsider, it’s clear that you don’t care about your own life and death. Then that means, on Bai Yiniang side, you probably must have participated in it as well. To make the best use of everything, right? I suppose you’re not just a lone old woman either. If you really were all alone, you should be thinking about enjoying your later years. Where would you have the time to do something like this that’ll shortened your life? Thus, the only remaining possibility is that someone has captured your loved ones as blackmail, or perhaps you also need money for their sake. So for you to do something like this is also understandable, but understanding is still just understanding, and it’s definitely still just as unforgivable. Regardless of how many loved ones you have, and whether they are in the manor or outside, at the latest, tonight by the zi hour[1], you will meet with all of them one by one.”
The old woman didn’t want to believe, and furthermore unwilling to believe, but Gong mama’s attitude was too calm and too confident. In addition, third miss didn’t have the least bit of panic that a young lady should have when encountering such things. Even though she repeatedly denied it, inside her heart, she instead felt increasingly scared. She was already at an old age, so it didn’t matter if she died, but that one and only grandson of hers, his parents both died early, and he wasn’t even 10 years old yet…..the more the old woman thought, the more her tears despairingly fell. Third miss has always been kind, perhaps perhaps…..the old woman suddenly stood up and charged before the door, beating the door with all her strength, “Miss, this old servant knows now, knows that this one is wrong. This old servant will tell you everything. This old servant isn’t worthy of pity in death, just begging Miss to save that pitiful grandson of mine, Miss, Miss……” Unfortunately, even if she screamed her lungs out, no one paid her any attention.
The Falling Plum Residence was extremely quiet. This place was the second branch’s main courtyard. Only Jing Wan’s parents lived here. The Yiniangs and her two younger shu sisters were all in the little courtyard in the back. Most likely, everyone was there right now.
“Third miss has come? Madam has a small matter to take care of and isn’t here right now. Come in and have a seat first, this servant will make you some tea.” When Zhang-shi’s personal first ranked servant girl Lu Mei saw her, she quickly went forward, yet inside she was somewhat anxious. How come third miss just so happens to come over at this time? Didn’t she have a noble guest at her place?
Jing Wan waved her hand, “How is it over at Bai Yiniang’s side?”
Lu Mei’s expression changed, “Which loud-mouthed servant reported the matter before third miss?”
[1] Zi Hour – 11pm-1am
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