Chapter 8 Yaoer 8 Rumors

Zheng had long guessed that He Xuan was looking for her because of this matter. When she heard this question from him, she did not keep him in suspense and told him everything she knew.

"I heard half of this from people around me, and half of it I saw and heard with my own eyes. Whether it's true or not, you can judge for yourselves." Zheng paused for a moment, then said, "Sumei has a daughter named Wang Fuwan, who is about fourteen or fifteen years old this year and is quite pretty. Four years ago, when I first married into the Zhao family, I often saw Wang Fuwan following Sumei in and out of the gate of the Zhao residence and the lady's yard. Occasionally, I would see the eldest young master playing with Wang Fuwan. At the beginning, the two were just half-grown children. Chaozhou is a small place after all, and the etiquette and laws are not as strict as in the capital, so the lady did not stop them from going in and out together. Gradually, the two grew older, and things could no longer be hidden in this yard. Rumors spread, and the lady became alert.

"The eldest son of the county magistrate's family is entangled with the daughter of a maid. If the news gets out of this mansion, it will be a shame for the master and the mistress. The mistress kept the matter a secret. Although I live in this big courtyard, I don't know much. But one time, I went to look for the master and accidentally overheard the conversation between the master and the mistress. The two quarreled fiercely. The master said that he had endured enough and could not tolerate this matter. He also said that if the eldest son still wanted to stay in the Zhao Mansion, he must not be entangled with Wang Fuwan again. The master asked the mistress to think it over carefully. The mistress was also very angry. She asked the master why he didn't believe her and why he suspected that she and the master were not of the same mind. She also said that she would definitely handle the matter properly.

"I suspect that Master and Madam don't want the Young Master to be with Wang Fuwan. After all, there's a world of difference between their social statuses. But the Young Master has a very strong personality, and I don't know what kind of bewitching potion Wang Fuwan has cast on him that makes him so unwilling to part with her. When I saw Madam those few days ago, she always looked so worried. She must be upset about this matter."

He Xuan asked: "When did this happen?"

"It should have happened last autumn... Yes, last autumn. Crabs were plump then. Madam always loved crabs, but she didn't eat many last year. But the matter should have been resolved before the New Year. Madam smiled again during the New Year, no longer sighing. I guess Madam must have used some method to separate Wang Fuwan and the eldest young master. Now, after a few months, Sumei must have realized that her daughter had no hope of marrying into the Zhao family, so she brutally killed Madam." Zheng snorted coldly, very disdainful. "Sumei's ambition is too high. She really thinks that the eldest young master likes Wang Fuwan. Without Madam's obstruction, he can make the daughter of a maid his wife. What a daydream!"

He Xuan made no comment and continued, "Have you ever heard Madam Zhao and the Young Master arguing about this?"

Zheng frowned, thinking for a moment, a look of disbelief crossing her face. "Now that you mention it, I don't think I've ever seen them argue, let alone over something like this. Madam dotes on the young master, a truly loving mother. I heard that when the young master was young, he had a serious illness and nearly died. After he recovered, Madam spoke softly, fearing that a loud voice would frighten him. Even over Wang Fuwan, I've never seen Madam argue with the young master. Most of the time, she'd just sulk alone."

Xun Shu sat aside and listened quietly, feeling that this matter seemed a little strange.

She had met Madam Zhao before; she was an extremely kind person, without a trace of anger on her face. How could a mother who had never even scolded her children be so cruel as to separate her only son from the woman he loved? Even if, as the picture book said, these wealthy families wanted to find wives of equal status for their children and grandchildren, given Madam Zhao's temperament, she would probably compensate Wang Fuwan and Sumei, rather than treating them so harshly and causing them to resent her.

It's really strange.

He Xuan seemed to be possessed by Fang Yan, and he asked Zheng questions in an orderly manner, as if he had done it countless times. "Then tell me about you. What were you doing last night? Did you notice anything unusual?"

"My master has been busy with official business these past few days and has been staying in the study. After dark last night, I had the maid lock the courtyard gate and retire early. As for the unusual thing—" Zheng shook her head, "You can see, the courtyard I live in is the most remote one. Even if something big happened in the master and mistress's courtyard, I'm afraid it wouldn't reach my small courtyard. Although the back garden is close to my courtyard, it's separated by a forest and is quite far from the pond. Even if there wasn't this courtyard wall blocking it, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to see what happened there."

He Xuan mentally calculated the courtyard's location, then glanced at the towering wall beside him. He mentally acknowledged Zheng's words. He pondered for a moment, a smile on his lips, but a sharp glint in his eyes. He gazed directly into Zheng's eyes and asked a final, blunt question: "After Madam Zhao's death, what were you thinking? Were you happy?"

This question was blunt and offensive, and anger flashed across Zheng's face. "What do you mean? Are you like Su Mei, suspecting that I killed the lady?"

He Xuan smiled, and did not give in because of Zheng's anger: "You have reasons, don't you?"

Zheng was about to open her mouth to refute when she suddenly thought of something and sighed deeply. Although her body remained straight, she exuded a decadent air. "I wonder if you have heard others mention my identity... Since it is for the sake of my wife's case, I will not hide it, but I hope you will keep it a secret for me. I am the descendant of a criminal. After my family fell into poverty, I fell into prostitution in brothels. I thought this was the end of my life, but unexpectedly I met my master. My master and I have known each other since childhood. He took pity on me and found a way to redeem me, but this was against the law. I was lucky to be able to get out of there, and naturally I cannot cause trouble for my master again.

"Madam didn't know about this and wanted to introduce me to the noble ladies of Chaozhou. But she had no idea that I was once the target of those noble ladies' pursuit, and now I have fallen to this state... I have my own pride. How could I attend those banquets held in my honor? If I showed up, I would be the laughing stock of the whole city in half a day. My master would also be implicated by me and held accountable for my affairs..." She paused, then continued, "Madam is kind. Even though I am from that place, she has never looked down on me or treated me harshly. I am grateful to you and have never thought of hurting you."

Xun Shu thought of the clever child he had just seen and couldn't help asking, "What about the Third Young Master? Don't you want to fight for something more for the child?"

Zheng sneered, "What are we fighting over? These shabby houses, or those worthless ornaments? If these young masters want them, just give them to them. I just want my child to be an upright person, live a peaceful and smooth life, and not experience what I've experienced. As for how much money he has, and whether he can live a rich life, it all depends on his own luck. I can give him everything I have, but he has to earn the rest himself. He can't always keep his eyes on what's in other people's bowls, don't you agree?"

When Zheng mentioned her youngest son, her facial features seemed to soften. Although her eyes were as empty as before, one could glimpse a faint spark in the depths of her eyes, emitting a dazzling light.

Xun Shu carefully examined Zheng's face, then changed the subject, asking, "What do you think of the relationship between Magistrate Zhao and Madam Zhao? Could Magistrate Zhao have murdered Madam Zhao?"

Xun Shu's question was quite shocking, and Zheng was startled, her face showing surprise for a long time. She looked at Xun Shu as if he were a strange person. "How is this possible? My master treats my wife very well. We are a young couple, loving each other for many years. How could he hurt my wife?"

Xun Shu didn't say anything, but her eyes were extremely strange, revealing her inner thoughts without any concealment. Zheng looked at her and instantly understood what she was thinking. She couldn't help but sigh, "Sister, you are still young, so it's natural that you don't understand some things. This is normal. You will understand in the future that a man's love for you, admiration for you, and good treatment to you does not mean that you are the only one in his life. The master loves the lady, but no matter how loving a couple is, life is so long that they cannot be alone. Although the master brought me into the family, it does not mean that he no longer loves the lady. Do you understand?"

What kind of perverse logic is this!

Xun Shu had grown up in a simple environment, free from all the absurd family gossip. Hearing Zheng's words now, he was completely baffled. He simply thought men were a truly strange species. Even wild wolves in the mountains knew that once they found a mate, they would stay together for life. Even if one dies, the other will persist in solitude until the end. How could this man not know this? Was he even less intelligent than the wild beasts of the mountains?

He Xuan's peripheral vision had been focused on Xun Shu. Seeing her frown and pursed lips, her eyes grew even brighter, like the false calm before a whirlpool formed on the surface of a lake, he immediately knew she was about to retort and engage in a "discuss" with Zheng. He quickly shoved the teacup in front of Xun Shu into her hands, then picked up the cup in front of him and drank the floral tea in it in one gulp. He smiled and praised, "Good tea! The floral fragrance is rich upon taking a sip, and the aftertaste lingers for a long time. It is indeed a good tea!"

Xun Shu was startled, his thoughts interrupted. He unconsciously imitated his movements and took a few sips. Before he could savor the taste, he heard He Xuan say, "I'm deeply grateful for Madam's hospitality today. If there's anything we can help you with in the future, feel free to come find us at Jiang's Coffin Shop, or go to the government office to find County Magistrate Fang. We'll do our best to help you."

After the words fell, Zheng was stunned, and then she smiled her first heartfelt smile of the day: "Then I thank you both."

-

After bidding farewell to Zheng, He Xuan pulled Xun Shu, who had not yet recovered from his shock, out of the yard. Xun Shu was still immersed in the atmosphere just now, feeling unhappy. He gently shook his arm that was held by He Xuan and avoided his palm.

He Xuan was stunned and stopped unconsciously. Xun Shu also stopped and stood two steps away from him.

The two of them stopped in the center of the Zhao residence's passage, which led to four different directions: east, west, south, and north. White lanterns were hung in each courtyard, and white banners draped the door lintels. In the distance, servants bustled about, a chilling, numb presence. From even further away, an unknown chanting could be heard. It must be the Zhao residence summoning a spirit, observing etiquette and making one final, futile struggle.

Everyone is busy with his own affairs, and everything in the world is moving with the passage of time. There is no moment to stop for anyone.

Xun Shu and He Xuan just stood there without moving for a long time, as if separated from this chaotic world.

He Xuan looked at his empty palms, then at Xun Shu's pouting mouth. How could he not understand what she was thinking? He scratched his head, thought for a moment, and suddenly said seriously, "Ah Shu, I'm different from County Magistrate Zhao. No, I'm different from all the men that Zheng mentioned. If I like someone, I will definitely bring the best things in the world to her. In my eyes, my heart will only belong to her. I will never allow another person to set foot in my residence, in my life. Do you understand?"

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