Madam Zhao’s complexion had turned considerably worse, but there was a marked clarity in her eyes as the unfolding events matched her predictions; there was indeed something amiss.
Grandpa Sun glared furiously at Sun Yaowen, "Where did you get these girls from?"
Stripped of his earlier bravado, Sun Yaowen kneeled listlessly on one side, his distressed voice barely audible. "I, I, I got these people from Wang Ya Po. It was Yi Ling who told me that these ten girls were being groomed by Hua Man Lou, and that I should snatch them before Hua Man Lou could further cultivate them. Then...."
Grandpa Sun cursed, "Stupid fool!"
He then ordered, "Bring Yi Ling here and find Wang Ya Po again!"
"Yes." The servant ran off on receiving the order.
Yi Ling was the first to be brought in. She was not fit to be out of bed yet, having been beaten severely by Madam Chen. Being of delicate nature, she could not bear the hardship and was stumbling as she walked. But now, the Sun family had no heed for her wellbeing and dragged her out of bed.
Yi Ling had no idea what was happening, but looking at the grim faces of the Sun family’s servants, she had a premonition of impending trouble. True enough, they took her right before Grandpa Sun. The chilling atmosphere in the room made her shiver in fear. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎
She was forced to kneel down. Sun Yaowen suddenly lunged at her, grabbed her collar and demanded fiercely, "What exactly happened? Did you deceive me? You dared to deceive me!"
Shocked, Yi Ling quickly pleaded, "I, I, when did I deceive you?"
Grandpa Sun coldly watched her, "Were you the one who asked Yaowen to buy the ten girls?"
"Yes..." Yi Ling cautiously answered, her back breaking into a cold sweat. Was something amiss?
"Those girls fled last night, and the authorities have informed us that their servitude contracts were fake," As Grandpa Sun spoke, he kept a watchful eye on her facial reaction.
Yi Ling, in shock, widened her horrified eyes, shaking her head in panic. "No, no, it can’t be! How can this be? These girls... how can it be possible?"
Observing the situation, Madam Zhao was almost certain that Yi Ling was clueless, and had likely just been used as a chess piece unwittingly.
"You dare to lie to me again?! You mean person, I can’t believe I trusted you! I’ll beat you to death!" Sun Yaowen slapped her across the face.
Yi Ling fell to the ground, sobbing pleas of innocence, "I really don’t know anything! I didn’t know anything, Grandpa Sun, please spare me! I don’t know anything!"
It was clear to Grandpa Sun what was happening. He found Madam Zhao’s gaze hard and serious, a silent, slight shake of her head telling him everything.
Yi Ling was of no help. Any further interrogation would be fruitless.
Grandpa Sun shouted sternly, "Enough!"
Sun Yaowen resigned himself to stop, scrambled toward Grandpa Sun, and wept pitifully, "Grandpa, it was this mean person who set me up. I had nothing to do with it. Really, it has nothing to do with me!"
Grandpa Sun ground his teeth, unable to believe how wrong he had been about his dull and useless grandson. How could he ever consider this worthless creature capable of great things?
Without a thought, Grandpa Sun landed a kick, "If you keep going on like this, get out of here!"
He was a stupid, worthless creature with no use at all!
Right now, he felt as if he could kill him himself.
A servant rushed in, his face a picture of panic, "Grandpa Sun, I went to Wang Ya Po’s place only to find it deserted. The neighbours said that Wang Ya Po moved out a few days ago. We don’t know where to find her."
The last thread of hope was cut, and Grandpa Sun felt a sharp pain in his head, like a string snapping. His elderly body was no longer capable of withstanding any shock. His eyes rolled back, and he fainted abruptly.
The Sun mansion was thrown into chaos, a tumult that persisted throughout the night.
Only Madam Zhao remained collected, her eyes cold. Everything was crystal clear now. Such a meticulous plan with thorough arrangements and deployment had likely been in play from the moment Yi Ling, in her ignorant pride, began gathering news from Hua Man Lou. Yihong Courtyard had been played.
The person behind all this could only be one: Hua Man Lou.
---
Word of the disgraceful incident spread across Yihong Courtyard. Early the next morning, the whole city was abuzz with chatter.
"I truly thought there was going to be a good show. I had gone there cheerfully, only to find this! Tsk tsk, indeed Yihong Courtyard cannot compare with Hua Man Lou."
"Phooey! What is Yihong Courtyard in comparison to Hua Man Lou? Does it dare to compare itself with Hua Man Lou? Look at the standard of Hua Man Lou’s Oiran competition!"
"Exactly! I learnt my lesson this time. There is no way I’m stepping foot in that place again! I don’t have an illness! Last night was a total waste. I could have spent that time watching Ah Lian play the zither in Hua Man Lou."
Going out early in the morning, Xin He heard the rumors and felt rather pleased. "What happened to the Sun family yesterday?" Xin He casually asked.
Xiaoyu whispered, "Not sure what exactly happened, but there are rumors that Grandpa Sun suddenly fell seriously ill last night. He is still in a coma."
Xin He raised an eyebrow, "With his old age, Grandpa Sun can’t withstand shocks any longer. Seems like he doesn’t have much time left."
"With a disturbing grandson like Sun Yaowen around, he won’t live for long. His grandson will trouble him to death." Xiaoyu paused, showing signs of uncertainty, "Yesterday was a big deal. It cannot be handled by Sun Yaowen alone. Likely, someone might suspect Hua Man Lou behind these."
Sun Yaowen was a fool, but that didn’t mean everyone in the Sun family was a fool.
Xin He scoffed, "So what if they suspect it? The situation is already set and nothing can change the outcome. Yihong Courtyard will collapse nonetheless."
"Servant is worried that the Sun family might harbor ill intentions and be detrimental to Hua Man Lou."
Even a cornered dog would jump over the wall.
Thinking about this, Xiaoyu felt relieved that their young master had never appeared publicly. The Sun family was unaware of who Hua Man Lou’s backstage owner was, otherwise wouldn’t Xin He become a target?
"If we’re so afraid of a little storm, we might as well not do this business." Xin He smirked, stepped into the horse carriage and ordered, "Go to Hua Man Lou."
"Yes."
In her heart, Xin He had a clear assessment of the situation too. She guessed that if the Sun family realized the situation, they might indeed become mad dogs biting crazily. Whether other members of the Sun family would do it, she didn’t know. But Sun Yaowen definitely would.
However, given that Grandpa Sun was seriously ill, it provided her a brief period of respite. At this moment, probably nobody in the Sun family was in the mood to think about seeking revenge on her.
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