Chapter 165 Subtle Ripples in a Secluded Mansion
"Second brother..."
Shang Ruyi's voice was very soft, almost like a mosquito's murmur amidst the noise of the water and land ritual, and could be easily overlooked if one were to lose focus for even a moment.
But she knew that Yuwen Ye must have heard it.
Even though he heard it, he had no mental capacity to respond. He remained kneeling there blankly, as if his mind had left his body, with only a lingering resentment holding him together, allowing him to consciously bear all the grief.
At this moment, someone lifted the curtain, and Shang Ruyi turned around to see Jin Yun.
Her face was unusually pale and haggard. After looking at Yuwen Ye for a while, she said softly to Shang Ruyi, "Young Madam, you should go and persuade the Second Young Master. He's in this state, and the depression in his heart will cause him to fall seriously ill."
"..."
Shang Ruyi was silent for a while, then said, "He won't listen to advice now."
"Can--"
Let's leave it at that for now.
As she spoke, Shang Ruyi lowered the curtain and stepped out. She then instructed the maids who were offering sacrifices before the spirit tablet, "Go and change the tea for the Second Young Master; it's gone cold. Also, take a small brazier to his side."
The little girl immediately replied, "Yes."
After doing all this, she turned to look at Jin Yun and said softly, "Aunt Yun, why did you get up?"
Jin Yun had carried the coffin all the way back from western Liaoning. The long journey and excessive grief caused her to faint as soon as the coffin was settled. Shang Ruyi had someone take her back to her room to rest, but only one night later, she came out fully dressed.
Shang Ruyi said, "You're not feeling well, you should rest some more."
Jin Yun gently shook her head: "No matter what, I must see Madam off on her final journey. How can I hide in my room and enjoy comfort?"
"Aunt Yun..."
"Young Madam, this time, you've really had a hard time."
Shang Ruyi hurriedly said, "This is Mother's business, how can it be considered tiring for me?"
Jin Yun coughed lightly twice, looked around, and frowned, saying, "Everything's so busy outside, where's Han Yu Hui? What's she doing?"
Upon hearing this, Tushe'er immediately came up and said, "I heard that something happened at the tea room, and Aunt Hui went there to take care of it."
Jin Yun frowned: "What big deal could the tea room be? She doesn't care about all the other things that are going on?"
Shang Ruyi thought for a moment and said, "Let's go take a look."
After saying that, she led Jinyun and Tusheer out of the side door and headed towards the tea room. They had only gone halfway when they heard a crying sound coming from ahead, as if someone was shouting "injustice" and other similar words.
And that voice sounded somewhat familiar.
The entrance to the tea room was already crowded with people. As soon as Shang Ruyi and her group arrived, the servants who had been watching the commotion immediately stepped aside. Jin Yun said coldly, "With everyone so busy up front, you have time to watch the show here? Have you finished everything?"
The servants were so frightened that they begged for mercy and immediately dispersed.
They then entered the tea room, where they saw Aunt Hui standing in the center. A tall, pretty maid stood by the window with her hands behind her back, her face streaked with tears, but more so with stubborn anger. Several older female servants and young men surrounded her, seemingly talking about something.
Upon seeing Shang Ruyi enter, everyone hurriedly bowed to her, saying, "Young Madam."
Shang Ruyi walked in, glanced around, and said, "Aunt Hui, what happened here?"
Aunt Hui immediately stepped forward and said, "Young Madam, it's nothing serious. When the tea room staff were collecting things, they found that one of the tribute Yue kiln celadon cups was missing. Changwan had taken it out before, so they are now trying to get her to hand it over."
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi frowned slightly and turned to look at the maid standing by the window, who was Chang Wan.
She gritted her teeth and said, "I can't hand it over, the item isn't with me!"
Those around immediately said, "You led them out, and there's no record of this transaction in the tea house's receipts. It's not with you, it's in someone else's hands!"
Chang Wan said, "I took the items, but I've returned them!"
"It wasn't written on the form, so why do you say you handed it in?"
Chang Wan stared at a middle-aged man in his forties standing on the other side of the tea room and said, "I handed it to Uncle Gui. At that time, guests came and called me in a hurry. I couldn't wait for the form to be filled out before I went out. Uncle Gui promised to make up the form, but he—"
Before she could finish speaking, Uncle Gui immediately said, "Changwan girl, don't make false accusations. According to the rules of our Duke's Mansion, no matter how urgent the matter is, the list must be written down clearly. You clearly didn't return the items, so where am I supposed to write this list for you? Don't try to frame me for keeping the items."
"you--"
Chang Wan's eyes reddened with anger.
At this moment, Aunt Hui turned to Shang Ruyi and said, "It's not a big deal. As long as the matter is resolved, whoever lost or damaged it will have to pay for it in its original condition. It's just that this girl is stubborn and will never admit it or pay for it."
Chang Wan was also fierce, sticking her neck out and saying, "I didn't take it, I didn't take it. I won't pay back the money. If you really want to frame me, then pay with your life. I'm innocent!"
Everyone around her criticized her for being inconsiderate.
Someone whispered, "And yet, she's the lady's person, doing something so disgraceful and disrespectful at her master's funeral—it's truly—"
Jin Yun's face turned ashen, and she glared fiercely at the man, who immediately shut his mouth.
At this moment, Shang Ruyi looked at Chang Wan, whose eyes were red, then at Uncle Gui and Aunt Hui, and after thinking for a moment, said, "Aunt Hui, I'm afraid this matter can't just be settled with compensation."
Everyone was taken aback.
Even Aunt Hui was taken aback: "Young Madam, this—"
Shang Ruyi said, "That cup was part of Mother's dowry when she got married. It was Father's favorite set. I heard that my third brother broke one before, and this is the only one left. Even if we buy it back with a hundred taels of silver, it won't be the original. Besides, it was stolen from Mother's funeral. How can we just pay for it and let it go?"
"..."
"We have to get that stuff back!"
"..."
"How about I handle this?"
Aunt Hui looked at her with some surprise, but immediately smiled and said, "Young Madam is joking. Of course, we will listen to Young Madam when it comes to matters of the household."
Shang Ruyi nodded and pointed at Chang Wan: "Guards, take this girl to the woodshed and lock her up. If she doesn't talk for a day, lock her up for a day; if she doesn't talk for ten days, lock her up for ten days!"
As soon as he finished speaking, two servants came forward and dragged Chang Wan away.
Chang Wan didn't struggle. She walked out with her head held high and her chest out, but when she passed by Shang Ruyi, she glared at them resentfully.
Shang Ruyi then said to Aunt Hui, "There are many things to do up ahead, let's go to the front."
Aunt Hui nodded and followed her out of the tea room. But as she left, Shang Ruyi turned back to the people inside and said, "The things are always in this mansion. Even if they're completely broken into pieces, I'll dig them out no matter what. You just need to do your jobs."
The atmosphere froze for a moment.
Everyone replied, "Yes..."
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