If they had harbored any ulterior motives before, seeing how miserable Yi Ling’s fate turned out today, where would they dare now?
Madam Chen sneered, "It’s best not to dare! Don’t think that just because the master treats you kindly most of the time, she can be easily provoked. If you really cross the line, not even the emperor’s ancestors can save you! Sign the confidentiality agreement today and don’t hold back. If anyone dares to stall, I’ll sell them off right away!"
These words sent a shiver down everyone’s spines, and they hurriedly agreed.
Within half an hour, nearly every confidentiality agreement that had previously been left unsigned was signed, stamped, and handed to Madam Chen. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺
—
Xin He was leisurely reading a book when she saw Shulan hurry in. She raised her eyes and asked, "How did it go?"
Shulan bowed and replied, "I just received news that Yi Ling was taken in by the Sun Family in the end and given the position of a concubine. Madam Chen thoroughly punished Yi Ling today and then took the opportunity to intimidate the other girls. All the confidentiality agreements have been signed and are here."
Xin He glanced at them and waved her hand, "Put them away."
"Yes."
Xiaoyu served Xin He a cup of tea and laughed, "Yi Ling schemed and finally got herself the position of concubine, she must be furious."
Xin He let out a faint laugh, "Sun Yaowen is a fool, do you think everyone in the Sun family is a fool too? The matter of him accepting Yi Ling as a concubine, as long as Ji Xiulan stirs it up, resulting in public uproar, no one, not even Grandpa Sun, would allow it. What are the chances that he would allow himself to be easily exploited? As for becoming a concubine, the Sun Family has made quite a profit this time, they gained a lot of benefits without any loss."
Xin He chuckled, but a hint of sharpness flashed in her eyes.
"Madam has already planned to deal with them one by one, so there’s no need to rush. Now that the fish are in the net, it’s up to Madam when to catch them," Xiaoyu said.
Xin He laughed, "Speaking of which, it’s been a while since Qiaoqiao was locked up. I think it is about time for her to be sent back tonight. The girl has a temper and her heart isn’t all that kind. It’s a good opportunity to discipline her after Yi Ling’s example. At least, it will teach her some humility."
Ever since Qiao Qiao was "sold," Ji Xinhe had been keeping her locked up in a dark firewood room in the mansion. She was ordered to have a servant bring her meals three times a day, but nothing else. Having been pampered all her life, she finally experienced fear, and her eyes were almost swollen from crying.
"Madam’s actions are a way of showing concern for Qiaoqiao. It’s up to her whether she understands it or not," Xiaoyu remarked.
Qiaoqiao’s nature was too arrogant, and her treatment of others was harsh. When Yi Ling hadn’t prospered, she had pressured her heavily. Later, when she realized she was inferior to Yi Ling, she became jealous and bitter instead of striving to improve. Ji Xinhe had long wanted to temper her nature.
Fortunately, she hadn’t harbored any thoughts of betrayal, so she didn’t cross Ji Xinhe’s bottom line, and Ji Xinhe could still tolerate her.
However, Ji Xinhe just laughed and shook her head, "What’s the point of her understanding this? Just let it go, she’s suffered enough these past few days. Send her back."
"Yes."
—
When Qiaoqiao was sent back to Hua Manlou, everyone there was so shocked that their jaws nearly dropped.
Madam Chen had long vaguely guessed at something, but now she couldn’t suppress her amazement. Not at Qiaoqiao’s return, but at the fact that the master had laid out such an elaborate plan for so long.
So, she had started scheming from the moment she decided to eliminate Qiaoqiao from the game?
The realization caused her heart to tremble with fear, and her respect and awe for Ji Xinhe grew even stronger. This woman was no small character, and Madam Chen silently warned herself that to work for her and live a peaceful life, there must be absolutely no deception or betrayal. Otherwise, she might end up dead and nobody would know why.
Qiaoqiao was led in by Xiaoyu, her eyes red from crying. Xiaoyu, on the other hand, was extremely composed. She took Qiaoqiao back to her previous residence, then addressed the crowd in a soft voice: "The master has specifically asked me to tell you that there have been many events happening at Hua Manlou recently, causing turbulence. Do not let it disturb your minds. Focusing on honing your skills and talents is what’s important. Now that Miss Qiaoqiao has returned, everything will be as it was before."
Everyone forcefully suppressed their shock and hurriedly nodded in agreement.
As a servant, Xiaoyu’s title was appropriate, but who would dare treat her as one? After all, she was the mistress’s personal attendant and often managed Hua Manlou on her behalf.
"In that case, I won’t stay any longer," Xiaoyu bowed and left.
The girls, unable to contain their curious questions, nonetheless swallowed them as they watched her leave.
With Yi Ling punished just prior to Qiaoqiao’s return, how could this be mere coincidence? The only possibility was that Qiaoqiao had never been sold!
As for the hidden truths and facts behind this, no one dared to voice their thoughts, but the more they thought about it, the more frightened they became. Recalling the miserable state of Yi Ling that day, they couldn’t help but shudder with fear. No one dared to have even a hint of disloyalty, let alone betrayal.
—
Life went on calmly and uneventfully.
At least, that’s how it seemed on the surface.
Everything at Hua Manlou continued as usual, only now without Yi Ling. Whenever a guest inquired about where Miss Yi Ling had gone, Madam Chen would reply with a beaming smile: "Oh, her? She went over to the Sun Family to become a concubine and savor a life of luxury!"
With an air of indifference, she easily dismissed Yi Ling’s past.
With Yi Ling gone, Jinghua from Yihong Courtyard had started to attract more attention. However, being just one person, she could barely support the entire situation. Thus, most of the guests still chose Hua Manlou.
The Sun Family, ambitious as ever, did not want to be suppressed, and had already begun training the ten girls secretly.
Since Yi Ling had already entered the Sun Family, it was impossible for her to keep the affairs of Hua Manlou a secret. Or else, as a mere concubine, she would have been dragged down in the Sun Family.
She had originally hoped to be in control, yet after entering the Sun Family, she realized she was wrong. Sun Yaowen might be useless, but the other members of the Sun Family were not.
Yi Ling revealed every card she had, and Sun Yaowen happily trained the ten girls.
He hoped that by training them, they could help Yihong Courtyard rise again and his position within the Sun Family would soar as well. Who would have the time to care about Yi Ling’s feelings then?
What delighted Sun Yaowen even more was that the ten girls were "extraordinarily gifted" and incredibly intelligent. Although the information initially obtained by Yi Ling was thin, giving only a brief description of each girl’s role, the girls easily grasped their roles. Sun Yaowen was spared a great deal of trouble!
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