Chapter 36: To Leave or Not to Leave?

They traveled all the way to Sijin Courtyard. The entire Vice Minister’s mansion, which had been so festive and bustling earlier that morning, now felt devoid of life. Despite the red silk streamers still hanging everywhere, for some reason, they now appeared as stained with blood, sending a chill down everyone’s spine.

Once inside the inner chambers, the maids Xianchun and Fudong immediately served tea. Afterward, both stood guard at the door, forbidding any other servants in the courtyard from approaching.

Inside the room, Chi Guiwan still felt a lingering sense of dread as she sat down. Although she detested everything Lady Guo and her second younger sister, Chi Guiying, had done to her, seeing them face such clear retribution left her with an indescribable sense of powerlessness. After all, they were family, and seeing them in such a state brought her no comfort.

He Lingyi noticed the melancholy in her eyes. While she felt heartache for her mother, she knew those people deserved their fate. If not for this, who knew when such schemes might be turned against her mother again, leading her into an abyss from which there would be no return? Thinking of this, she felt not a shred of guilt for her own machinations today, yet she spoke words of comfort to her mother.

"Eldest Sister, do not worry. This matter happened so suddenly that the mansion must be in chaos. But Vice Minister Chi has navigated the political currents of the court for so many years and held his ground; handling a few domestic matters will be no trouble for him. Let us wait for the outcome."

"Lingyi is right. However, I am more worried about the safety of you two right now. If Chi Yunjing weighs the pros and cons and still intends to keep the Lu family as his in-laws, it will be difficult for you to stay in the Vice Minister’s mansion. Why not come back with us? The Marquis’s mansion has plenty of courtyards. How about staying in the Jingxin Garden, where your mother lived before she was married?"

Lady Qin, the Marchioness of Haibo, understood better than anyone what reputation meant for a woman. The second Miss Chi was effectively ruined; even if she did not marry into the Lu family, it would be difficult to find a good match in the future. Therefore, regardless of whether she married or not, it was no longer safe for either young lady to remain in this house. It was best to take them away.

Upon hearing this, the Marquis of Haibo also felt his wife’s suggestion was very reasonable.

"Yes, listen to your aunt. We will pack your things today and leave. I will speak to your father; I expect he will not dare to refuse. Hmph, he was blind to choose such a son-in-law for himself. I want to see how he will hold his head up in the future!"

He Lingyi suppressed her disdain for Chi Yunjing. How would he hold his head up? Her grandfather was a master of appearances. When her mother had refused to marry, he had drugged her and sent her to the Lu family to protect the family’s reputation. Even after her mother suffered endless humiliation and hardship at the hands of the Lu family, he had never uttered a single word in her defense.

A married daughter is like spilled water—this saying was truly accurate! He was hypocritical and self-serving; even if today’s events were to escalate, he would likely feign ignorance and continue his scheming in the imperial court as usual.

"This... would it be appropriate? If outsiders ask, what should we say?" Chi Guiwan was at a loss, looking at He Lingyi for help. Although she had lost her trust in her family, she was still a Chi by name and would eventually marry out of the Chi house. Moving openly to her uncle’s home would surely invite gossip.

He Lingyi soothed her agitation and replied, "What of it? Since the late Lady Hai passed away years ago, we shall say that the Marquis of Haibo dreamed of his sister weeping and missed his niece, so he wishes to take her for a short stay before her wedding. Outsiders will naturally have nothing to say. However, leaving today is unwise. The Qiao family has only just sent their betrothal gifts; if you leave with the Marquis and his wife today, it will surely stir up controversy."

Chi Guiwan’s reputation was already fragile, having been tarnished by Lady Guo and Chi Guiying for years. Even if they couldn't immediately reverse the damage, there was no need to add fuel to the fire.

"With four months until Eldest Sister marries into the Qiao family, it is best to handle everything discreetly."

Her words left the Marquis of Haibo and Lady Qin in deep thought. They had to admit that He Lingyi made sense, but after what had just transpired, how could they rest easy leaving their niece and He Lingyi in this den of wolves?

Just then, the second young master, Hai Yu, spoke up.

"How about this? In the name of the cousin preparing for her wedding, Mother can send two martial maids. Miss He should not stay in that tainted courtyard either; she might as well move in with our cousin. The courtyard is spacious enough that it won't feel crowded. When the time is right, we can bring them away. What do you think?"

"Yu'er’s suggestion is excellent, but I fear martial maids are not easily found on short notice."

"What of that? The Eastern Palace trains a batch every year. I will ask the Crown Prince for a favor and have him send me two capable ones; that will be no problem at all!" Hai Yu was in the Crown Prince’s favor and could naturally afford to be bold.

"And if the Crown Prince asks why you need these martial maids, how will you answer?" Lady Qin asked.

"Qiao Er is the son of a military family; there will inevitably be some trouble when she marries into his house. My cousin is not skilled in martial arts, and as her family, we are concerned, so sending two capable maids to accompany her is only natural!"

The excuse sounded plausible. Chi Guiwan and He Lingyi exchanged glances, both feeling this was the best arrangement for now, and they nodded in agreement.

***

Inside Lesheng Courtyard, Chi Yunjing looked at the Lu mother and son, who were bundled together on the floor, wishing he could bury them immediately to vent the bile in his chest. However, having been an official for many years, he knew that the greatest taboo was to let one’s emotions show or to act rashly. After drinking two cups of tea, he calmed down significantly and spoke to the butler.

"Have someone guard the door; allow no one to approach. Remove the cloth from their mouths; I have questions to ask."

"Yes, Master!"

The butler, who had served Chi Yunjing for many years and was his most trusted confidant, returned to his master’s side after making the arrangements, looking down at the Lu mother and son with visible disdain.

With their mouths stuffed full, the sudden removal of the gags caused Lady Lu to wince and adjust her jaw in pain. She immediately looked at her son and asked anxiously, "Shaotong, are you alright?"

Lu Yi was in pain all over—his calves had been kicked, his arms bruised, and his neck bitten. What shamed him most, however, was the burning, swollen ache in his lower body. He did not know why this had happened to him, but one thing was certain: it was not his intention! In a panic, he began to defend himself earnestly to Chi Yunjing.

"Uncle Chi, I know I have committed a grave error today, but this was not my intent! Not to mention that I am betrothed to the second young lady, and she will be the mistress of the Lu family sooner or later—why would I ruin her chastity before the wedding and cause such a scene? This is clearly a malicious frame-up!"

"A frame-up? Hmph, you speak lightly. Now that the second daughter’s chambers, from the mistress to the maids and even the old women, have all been compromised, tell me: can a single sentence of 'malicious frame-up' restore their reputations and erase what happened today?"

Chi Yunjing slammed the table in anger, his expression full of loathing for Lu Yi.

Looking at his future father-in-law, Lu Yi felt a surge of fear. He racked his brain to recall everything that had happened that day. Everything had seemed fine; when exactly had things gone wrong?

That was it! It started the moment he felt dizzy while in the latrine!