Ji Meiniang let out a long sigh, and the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes seemed even more pronounced at that moment.
Xiang Wan stood behind her, put her arm around her shoulder, and whispered in her ear, "Mother, I know what you're worried about. Everything I've done is just so that you can live happily and freely. If you live, everything will pass. I'm not afraid, and you shouldn't hesitate any longer."
After a long silence, Ji Meiniang reached out and patted Xiang Wan's hand, saying, "It's alright."
In the days that followed, Cao Xinqian was very busy. After returning from the Hanlin Academy, he would leave without even exchanging pleasantries. During his days off, he was nowhere to be seen.
Ji Meiniang was also very busy. She left all the household chores to Wang Ma, while Xiang Wan was in charge of the accounts.
Everything in the Cao family mansion seemed to be proceeding in perfect order, but those hiding in the shadows were already itching to make a move.
The incident came to a head a week before Xiang Wan's coming-of-age ceremony. She was sorting through the things she wanted to return to Ah San when she suddenly realized that one item was missing.
It was a young girl's hairpin, with flower stamens inlaid with glass stones, exquisitely beautiful in the sunlight. Xiang Wan had specifically wanted to take it out and wear it that day, but after searching for a long time, she couldn't find it. Wu Ma, who was in charge of the storeroom, was largely to blame.
Like Wang Ma, Wu Ma was an old servant brought to the Cao household by Ji Meiniang. Wu Ma managed the storeroom, while Wang Ma assisted Ji Meiniang in managing the Cao household. In truth, the servants respected Wang Ma more, because her position was closely linked to their jobs. A word from her was far more effective than the servants pleading for favors.
Losing something is a big deal in the manor. Before Xiang Wan could speak, Wang Ma led the servants to escort Wu Ma to the front hall to await Ji Meiniang's judgment.
Cao Xinqian was not in the mansion, so Xiang Wan had Zijuan summon all the servants in the mansion, as well as Yuan Xiqing and Cao Ruwan, to the front yard.
"Madam, Miss, the person has been brought here. This was found in her room. Please take a look, Madam."
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