Chapter 64: Shanhe gains control of the steward's finances.
He Niang stared at him, her face beaming with a charming smile, but her hand reached out towards that spot.
Liang Ye, who had been frowning, smiled slightly upon seeing her reaction. The next moment, he suddenly raised his foot and kicked He Niang straight in the heart!
Caught off guard, He Niang was kicked to the ground, clutching her chest and unable to get up for a moment. Instantly, her eyes welled up with tears.
Liang Ye smiled gently, "You do have some cleverness, knowing why I kept you around. You imitate Madam Xue in every way, thinking you can win my favor, is that it?" He suddenly stood up, dusting off his robes, "Who taught you that?"
He Niang was startled, then shook her head repeatedly, crying, "It was my own wishful thinking that led me to have such thoughts! It's all my fault, I'll never dare to do it again! Please, sir, spare my life!" She forced herself to kneel down despite the pain and kept kowtowing.
Liang Ye then began to list the people in Cangfeng Courtyard: "Qingyue and Miao'er are clearly distinct from you, so it's not them. Caixiang's personality probably wouldn't have led you to use such methods. Then it must be Caiping or Granny Wei?"
He Niang rolled her eyes and quickly replied, "Yes—"
Liang Ye interrupted her, saying, "Caiping was angry with you back then, which caused your sister to die in the Fei River. You hate her too much to listen to her instigation."
"Master, spare me! Master, spare me! It's all my fault, please spare me!" He Niang panicked completely and could only kowtow and beg for mercy.
Liang Ye glanced at her coldly, his eyes lowered: "You're young, someone must have bewitched you. I won't be too harsh on you today. Tomorrow morning, go kneel in the corridor and think it through to find out who's been instructing you. If you say something wrong tomorrow morning, I'll send you back to Pingkang Lane." With that, he went straight back to his study.
The next morning, Shanhe woke up groggily, feeling a strong arm across her neck and a large hand gripping her waist. Shanhe sighed inwardly. She had tried to deal with him all night, hoping to take the opportunity to sleep separately and gain some autonomy, but she had failed.
The surroundings were completely unfamiliar. Shanhe frowned as she examined the furnishings, slowly recognizing that this was the inner room of Liang Ye's study. Shanhe's heart suddenly stirred with excitement, feeling as if she had stumbled upon a wonderful unexpected opportunity. She quickly and quietly surveyed the layout, searching for any boxes or cages that seemed suitable for storing slave documents, and secretly memorized them.
The hand on her waist tightened, and the person behind her pressed against her, their warm breath brushing against her ear. Their voice was hoarse: "Shanshan, what are you looking at?"
Shanhe was startled and quickly came up with a plan. He gestured towards an inkstone on the antique shelf and forced a smile, saying, "Look at that inkstone, it has a unique design. I took a second look at it."
“That’s called a celadon Biyong inkstone, made by a master inkstone maker from the previous dynasty. If Shanshan likes it, she can take it and play with it,” he said casually.
"And what about the master?"
Liang Ye had already gotten out of bed and was slipping on his shoes when he heard this. He smiled faintly and said, "There are still several in the storeroom."
Upon hearing this, Shanhe was about to get down when she sat on the edge of the bed. However, she couldn't find her embroidered shoes, and her feet dangled in the air. She couldn't help but let out a soft "Eh." Liang Ye laughed even harder: "I carried you here last night, where would you find shoes?" With that, he naturally scooped up her legs and carried her horizontally.
After retrieving the Biyong inkstone, the two headed towards their bedroom. The maids and servants in the courtyard were already busy at work, and seeing Liang Ye carrying the disheveled Xue Shanhe, they couldn't help but peek. Shanhe's gaze met Caiping's, who was carrying a basin of water, and her face instantly flushed red. Embarrassed, she buried her face in Liang Ye's arms and whispered, urging him to hurry up.
Liang Ye stopped in his tracks and said coldly, "Come inside with us."
Shanhe was confused. He looked up and saw He Niang with a pale face, supporting herself on her knees as she stood up.
Liang Ye gently placed Shanhe on the edge of the canopy bed, and He Niang knelt down again. Liang Ye sat in the armchair, glanced at He Niang with a cold smile, then at Shanhe, before raising his voice and saying, "Caixiang, call in all the servants who are close to me."
Before long, Caixiang, Caiping, and Miao'er all entered the room quietly and stood at attention. Even Chengmin, Cheng'an, Huaisong, and Huaifeng waited with their hands at their sides under the eaves. Liang Ye looked around and said coldly, "One more is still missing."
Miao'er lowered her head and said, "Qingyue is still not very good at walking."
"It wasn't her."
Cai Xiang realized what was happening and quickly said, "Granny Wei just went to pay her respects to Madam."
Liang Ye smiled and said to Shanhe, "The old lady pays her respects to her maternal uncle's wife every day without fail; she is fulfilling her filial duty on our behalf." He deliberately emphasized the word "we".
Cai Xiang carefully considered her words. Seeing Liang Ye's smiling face, Cai Ping didn't think much of it and muttered, "Who doesn't know she's the old nanny of the Shi family? She's always hanging around Madam's side, even more diligent than she is in our courtyard. I wonder how many things she's reported..."
Upon hearing this, Liang Ye remained calm and said, "In that case, go to Madam's room and invite Granny Wei back."
Caiping responded with a "yes." A short while later, Caiping returned side-by-side with Granny Wei. Granny Wei noticed that the servants were all holding their breath, while Xue Shanhe, with her hair disheveled and wearing only her nightgown, sat on the edge of the bed. A subtle dissatisfaction arose in her heart. Liang Ye, seeing that everyone was present, slowly spoke, his voice revealing neither joy nor anger: "Granny Wei, He Niang's manners… she still hasn't learned them well."
Granny Wei changed her mind and asked with a forced smile, "Has Little He Niang done something wrong?"
"He Niang, you tell me yourself." Liang Ye leaned back in his chair, waiting patiently.
He Niang stammered, "This servant...this servant didn't serve the master and mistress well last night..."
"Hmm." Liang Ye pondered, "That's not a complete explanation."
He Niang almost pressed her face to the ground, her voice even softer: "This servant...this servant imitated Lady Xue, attempting...attempting to seduce you, sir..."
Shanhe's pupils contracted sharply, and everyone else was startled. They then realized why He Niang had been kneeling on the porch since getting up this morning and had been clutching her chest.
Liang Ye glanced at her coldly: "You're young, I don't think you can think of so much. Who taught you all this?"
He Niang's voice was broken and intermittent: "This servant..."
Liang Ye's face immediately darkened: "Who!"
He Niang burst into tears, her whole body trembling: "It's Granny Wei! It's Granny Wei!"
Upon hearing this, Granny Wei immediately stepped forward, pointed at He Niang, and cursed, "You shameless little whore! You did something shameless yourself, yet you dare to falsely accuse me!"
Liang Ye sneered at Wei Mama's behavior: "Mama is my wet nurse, and I have always respected her. I didn't believe what He Niang said at first, but these past few days, Cangfeng Courtyard has been in turmoil. On the first day, Wei Mama smashed that sandalwood pen," he turned to Shan He, "and then Madam Xue was late without reason, delaying the two ladies' business, and was severely reprimanded at the Second Gate, and then spent most of the day copying scriptures at Chengen Temple, is that right?"
Shanhe was stunned, wondering how he knew so much. She hadn't even told Miao'er and Qingyue about being harassed by the two ladies that day, only mentioning it briefly.
Shanhe nodded hesitantly.
Liang Ye smiled: "The next day, which was yesterday, Madam Xue and Granny Wei had a quarrel this morning. Granny Wei hurt her back, Madam Xue was injured, and the small pine and boxwood bonsai in this room was broken, right?" He stood up, his eyes sweeping over everyone, finally landing on Granny Wei: "I originally thought all these things were just coincidences. With Granny Wei in Cangfeng Courtyard to keep things in order, I didn't need to worry. But what happened with He Niang last night reminded me that if I continue to turn a blind eye, I'm afraid some people in this room will forget who the master is, and their hands will become more and more overreaching, even meddling in the master's bed!"
The room fell silent. Everyone knelt down in unison. Shanhe tried to kneel as well, but Liang Ye grabbed her arm, saying, "Why are you kneeling? You're the one who's been wronged these past few days. Why are you kneeling?"
Upon hearing this, Granny Wei looked up to argue that Xue Shanhe was not entirely innocent, but she saw Liang Ye's gentle face as he helped Shanhe sit back on the edge of the bed. A chill ran through her as she suddenly realized that Liang Ye actually knew everything, but today he chose to erase all of Xue Shanhe's mistakes and pin it all on her!
Liang Ye's outburst today is not for any other reason than to deal with her!
“Granny Wei, tell me, what should be the punishment for seducing the master? What about scheming against the master and overstepping one's bounds?” Liang Ye’s voice was not loud, and his tone was gentle, but every word he spoke pierced Granny Wei’s heart. She opened her mouth, but could not utter a single word.
Liang Ye reached out and helped Granny Wei to her feet: "Granny, you have been my wet nurse since I was a child. After my mother passed away, besides my grandfather and Ah Shao, you were the closest person to me. Why did you have to do this? Why make things difficult for Shan He at every turn and cause so much trouble in Cangfeng Courtyard?"
Granny Wei trembled slightly, raised her face, and looked at Xue Shanhe with a look of utter disappointment. She gritted her teeth and pointed at Xue Shanhe, saying hatefully, "Young master! Wake up! She is your brother's wife, personally chosen by the old master for your brother! Even if they are divorced, she was still your brother's wife and slept with him! Not to mention what happened with her father. Young master, your future is bright, how can you allow a woman of unknown origin to stay by your side? The ladies may not know the details, but I do! This old servant values you more than my own flesh and blood, how can I stand by and watch you be bewitched by this vixen and disregard your career and reputation!"
Liang Ye looked at her silently for a moment, then finally sighed, "What Shanhe was like before is still the past." He gradually raised his voice, addressing everyone in the room and on the corridor, "From this day forward, from the day Shanhe boarded the ship, she is simply a person in my household. Anyone who deliberately makes things difficult for her is making things difficult for me. Anyone who disgusts her is disgusting me."
“I heard everything. Seducing the master is punishable by ten strokes of the cane according to the rules set by the nanny. But He Niang is young, and such a punishment would be too harsh, so we've spared her.” Liang Ye pondered for a moment. “Madam Xue, what do you think should be done?”
Shanhe had been listening intently with his eyes lowered when he was suddenly called upon. He hurriedly looked up, met his gaze, and carefully asked, "Then... how about fining me two months' salary?"
“Approved. He Niang will be fined two months’ salary.” He continued, “Granny Wei deliberately schemed against the master and Madam Xue, overstepping her bounds, but her hard work and contributions are great. Madam Xue, how should she be punished?”
Shanhe bit her lip: "I'll leave it to you to decide, sir."
Liang Ye said, "I need you to make the decision."
"Then let's punish him with his monthly allowance as well."
Liang Ye smiled, "Granny has her own means; the monthly allowance you've imposed is nothing." He changed the subject, "Last time Madam asked you to copy scriptures, your hands were so sore when you came back that you couldn't even hold the bowls and chopsticks. Miao'er had to feed you, right?" He paused, "Then so be it. Among the scriptures Madam obtained last time was the 'Western Paradise Rebirth Sutra.' From now on, if anyone in the courtyard makes a mistake, in addition to being fined their monthly allowance, they must copy this sutra to pray for the Old Master's well-being. If they don't finish copying it, they won't be allowed to eat."
The maids and servants below responded in unison. Liang Ye said to Cai Xiang, "Go and fetch that copy of the 'Rebirth Sutra,' and have Granny Wei copy it once." He added, "After much consideration, I've decided that while Granny Wei's rules are comprehensive, the punishments are too harsh. Moreover, given Granny Wei's mistake this time, she is no longer fit to hold sole power. From now on, Granny Wei will continue to be responsible for the training of the servants in the courtyard. Cai Xiang will be in charge of managing all the utensils. All money accounts and expenses will be managed by Lady Xue. Servants are not allowed to interfere in the affairs of the inner quarters. If Granny Wei and Cai Xiang have any difficult decisions, they should report to Lady Xue for a decision, and there is no need to ask me again."
Shanhe and Caixiang both bowed in response. Upon hearing this, Granny Wei staggered half a step, her face ashen. She never expected Liang Ye to strip her of her authority so easily, and then simultaneously help Xue Shanhe and Caixiang up, further elevating Xue Shanhe to a position of power over everyone else. Seeing that Granny Wei had something to say, Liang Ye chuckled softly, "Granny, matters in Cangfeng Courtyard should be resolved within the courtyard itself. You won't be reporting every little detail to the two mistresses anymore, will you?" Granny Wei was struck dumb, deeply shaken. She abruptly looked up and met Liang Ye's smiling eyes. At this point, she finally understood that Liang Ye's outburst today, ostensibly to establish Xue Shanhe's authority, was actually a punishment for her close association with the Shi family.
After everyone had left, Shanhe sat on the edge of the bed and quietly looked at him: "Master, you punished Granny Wei today, I suppose... it wasn't just for me?"
Liang Ye was putting on his black boots when he heard this. He stopped what he was doing, looked up, and said, "If not for you, then for whom?"
Shanhe stared intently at him. Of course, not only for her sake, but also for his own. His final words, which had awakened Granny Wei, had also thoroughly enlightened Shanhe. His true resentment stemmed from Granny Wei's close ties with the Shi family. But in which matter was the Shi family most involved? After much thought, he realized it was only on the day they disembarked, when Madam Zhou and Shi Yuanji rashly came to "take Liang Ye home." He had endured so much; without the recent conflict between her and Granny Wei, he would likely have waited even longer, waiting for Granny Wei to make an even bigger mistake. Today, he used this as an excuse, seemingly supporting her, yet subtly admonishing Granny Wei at the end, revealing that he still harbored a protective intent. This current act of delegating power and demoting her was merely a strategic move to appease Shanhe and temporarily control Granny Wei and the Shi family.
Seeing that Shanhe remained silent, Liang Ye also looked at her indifferently. After a long while, he withdrew his gaze and continued putting on his black boots, his tone casual: "I didn't intend to touch Granny today, Shanshan." After putting on his black boots, he stood on the ground and stomped his feet, letting out a long breath: "Last night you said you were suffering every moment by my side... Shanshan, as long as you stay by my side peacefully, I will help you soothe all these torments."
Shanhe was stunned. She had been carefully analyzing every clue in her mind, wondering if the Shi family and Liang Ye had some hidden grudge, but she never expected him to say such a thing.
Was he really doing this for her?
Last night, she poured out her heart to him, half-truthfully and half-jokingly, and he believed her completely.
Did someone as cautious and deep-thinking as him really believe it completely?
Liang Ye smiled at her, his expression nonchalant: "The results will be released in an hour. Shanshan, will you come with me?"
Shanhe's fingertips curled slightly as she pressed down on her thoughts. She smiled back at him and said, "Then please wait for me, sir. My hair isn't combed yet."
For Granny Wei, being forced to copy scriptures was tantamount to a beating. Granny Wei was illiterate, let alone capable of writing. Each character had to be copied meticulously, taking a considerable amount of time. By the time she finished copying the entire *Western Paradise Rebirth Sutra*, more than half a month had passed. During this time, Granny Wei stayed home to copy scriptures, while Shanhe and Caixiang managed all the affairs of Cangfeng Courtyard. Caixiang was a very proper person, and by the time Granny Wei emerged, Shanhe had practically become a mistress of the house.
Since the results were announced, Liang Ye has been even busier every day, and guests have been coming frequently. Although the east wing of Cangfeng Courtyard is convenient for entertaining guests, it is still a bit cramped for masters and servants to squeeze into a three-courtyard house. Therefore, in addition to necessary social engagements, Liang Ye has been taking Cheng Min and Cheng An to look for a suitable residence.
After the old nanny was punished, Mrs. Zhou rarely sent anyone over anymore. Unlike before, when she would frequently summon Shanhe under the guise of "for the master's good," ostensibly to pray for Liang Ye's well-being, but in reality to teach Shanhe manners. Mingrui, on the other hand, often visited. She was lively, cheerful, and sincere, and she and Shanhe got along very well. Sometimes, even when Liang Ye was present, she wasn't reserved, and the three of them would chat and laugh together harmoniously. If Liang Ye wasn't there, Mingrui wouldn't show her disappointment, but would quietly keep Shanhe company while she did needlework. Upon learning that Shanhe could paint, Mingrui even brought her painting supplies from her own room. Thus, Shanhe painted, and Mingrui wrote poems, their relationship growing increasingly harmonious. Because of this, Shanhe's affection for Mingrui grew daily. Shanhe knew the root of Mingrui's attentiveness to her and Cangfengyuan, and secretly hoped that she could get what she wanted. Therefore, she often created opportunities for Mingrui in secret.
That night, Liang Ye returned from a social engagement, slightly tipsy, and saw that the lights in the east wing were still on. Liang Ye quietly approached, only to hear Shan He's voice: "The other day, while tidying up, I found an ancient inkstone. Master said it perfectly suited the Third Miss's scholarly air, so I kept it. Today, I'm bringing it to the Third Miss."
Liang Ye was suspicious, as he had never said anything to complement Mingrui's words. Just as he was about to listen more closely, someone cleverly came out to splash water, saw him, and immediately smiled and said, "Master is back."
The two people inside abruptly stopped talking. Shanhe was holding the celadon inkstone given to her by Liang Ye, and a sense of foreboding washed over her. Before she could hide the inkstone, Liang Ye had already walked straight into the room, looking travel-worn. His gaze swept over the room and immediately fell on the ancient inkstone, his face darkening instantly. Shanhe hurriedly stepped forward to take off his cloak, but he raised his hand to block her, gently pushing her away.
Liang Ye glanced at Mingrui: "It's getting late. The garden was about to close when I got back. Aren't you going back, Third Sister?" His tone was clearly one of dismissal.
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