TPGA - 67

Chapter 67: Lady Wan

Lady Wan rose gracefully and walked over to the glass tank. Taking a branch of wintersweet from the basket handed to her by a maid, she tossed it into the tank. The butterflies fluttering around immediately flocked to the flower, greedily sipping its nectar.

“Don’t rush—there’s plenty more,” she said, tossing the remaining branches into the tank. After dusting off her immaculate hands, she turned to Ji Rong, who was still kneeling, and spoke in a melodious tone, “You certainly have some nerve, managing to get the Eldest Master to plead on your behalf.”

Though Lady Wan’s voice was soft and gentle, her words weighed heavily on Ji Rong. Suppressing the ache in her legs, Ji Rong lowered her head and replied, “Chunxiu and I are like sisters. When I heard she was to be expelled, I was overcome with anxiety. Remembering my brief acquaintance with the Eldest Master, I took the risk to approach him. Fortunately, he is compassionate and merciful, and he agreed to help me.”

“Compassionate and merciful?” Lady Wan chuckled softly. No one knew better than her how cold-hearted and aloof Li Jiancheng truly was. Aside from his close brothers, he showed little warmth even toward his own wife.

“Are you implying that I am cruel and capricious?” Lady Wan’s question startled Ji Rong, who hastily knelt down and pleaded, “Though I haven’t been in the mansion for long, I know that Lady is always fair and just. I would never dare think otherwise. Please, Lady, see through my sincerity.”

Lady Wan slowly approached her, her lips curling into an enigmatic smile. “You claim I am fair, yet you secretly sought the Eldest Master’s intervention. Isn’t that contradictory?”

“Please allow me to explain, Lady,” Ji Rong said, struggling to calm her racing heart. “While Lady is indeed impartial, not everyone beneath you shares the same integrity. Some accept bribes and deliberately distort the truth to mislead you into making erroneous judgments.”

Lady Wan’s brows furrowed slightly. “Are you referring to Nanny Yang?”

Ji Rong clenched her teeth and looked up. “Though Chunxiu may have made mistakes, they were not severe enough to warrant expulsion. On the other hand… I personally witnessed Meixue gifting Nanny Yang a pair of jade ruyi given to her by the Eldest Master.”

Lady Wan arched her finely shaped brows and coolly remarked, “Are you suggesting that Wu Meixue bribed Nanny Yang to drive Chunxiu out?”

“I don’t know the exact details, but it is undeniable that Nanny Yang has shown favoritism toward Meixue,” Ji Rong replied. Before she could say more, Lady Wan interjected, “And what about Chunxiu? Isn’t it true that she, as the lead dancer, constantly tormented Wu Meixue and Jiang Caiping? Moreover, isn’t it common for dancers to curry favor with the overseers of the music hall? Can you honestly say that neither you nor Chunxiu has ever attempted to please Nanny Yang since entering the mansion?”

“Your servant…” Despite Ji Rong’s careful preparation, Lady Wan’s sharp questioning left her flustered, unsure how to respond.

Lady Wan extended her delicately manicured fingers, tilting Ji Rong’s chin upward. Casually, she remarked, “It’s quite unexpected that a mere country girl possesses such cunning.” Turning to Zhāixīng, she added, “You’re older than her, yet your wits pale in comparison.”

Zhāixīng flattered her mistress, saying, “Since coming to Yuxiu Pavilion, my sole focus has been serving you. I’ve had no time for idle thoughts.”

Cold sweat drenched Ji Rong’s undergarments. Lady Wan’s mind was far sharper than she had anticipated. In less than ten exchanges, she had already seen through Ji Rong’s intentions—far more perceptive than Li Jiancheng. Ji Rong cursed herself for acting impulsively, driven by resentment, and attempting to accuse Nanny Yang before Lady Wan. Now, she had only dug her own grave. She could only hope Lady Wan wouldn’t punish her too severely.

Lady Wan applied slight pressure with her fingers, forcing Ji Rong to tilt her head higher. “Nanny Yang came from my side, and I know exactly what kind of person she is. If I hear you spreading such slander again, I’ll cut out your tongue and ensure you never speak another word in your life!”

“Your servant wouldn’t dare!” Ji Rong trembled as she spoke. By now, her undergarments were soaked with cold sweat. Judging by Lady Wan’s demeanor, it seemed she had no intention of honoring the Eldest Master’s request. Before nightfall, Chunxiu would likely be expelled. Knowing Chunxiu’s temperament, there would undoubtedly be another scene. But Ji Rong had done all she could. Even if Chunxiu was unwilling, there was nothing more to be done. She hoped the Feng family wouldn’t blame her or her family for this outcome.

As Ji Rong’s mind raced, Lady Wan returned to her seat, supported by Zhāixīng. After taking a sip of tea offered by a palace maid, she spoke leisurely, “I can allow Chunxiu to remain in the mansion—but only if you answer one question truthfully.”

Ji Rong stared at her blankly, snapping out of her daze only when Zhāixīng reprimanded her. Hurriedly, she said, “Lady, please ask whatever you wish. Your servant will answer without reservation.”

Lady Wan’s crimson lips curved into a faint smile. “You must know. How did you manage to persuade the Eldest Master?”

Ji Rong’s mind raced as she lowered her head and replied, “The Eldest Master is compassionate. Seeing how distraught I was, he relented and agreed to help.”

Lady Wan gazed at the glass tank, watching the butterflies dance gracefully. In a detached tone, she said, “It seems you’re unwilling to tell the truth. Very well, I won’t force you. However…” Her eyes gleamed with cold amusement, “The governor’s mansion has no need for a deceitful dancer. You and Chunxiu may leave together. I’ll ensure Chief Lin distributes your monthly allowances in full.”

“No!” Ji Rong scrambled to Lady Wan’s feet, kowtowing repeatedly. “Lady, please show mercy! I don’t want to leave!”

Lady Wan stared at her coldly and said, “Don’t think the Eldest Master can save you. The one in charge of this governor’s mansion is me!” With that, she disdainfully flicked her sleeve and ordered, “Take her away!”

Ji Rong refused to leave, pleading desperately. But no matter what she said, Lady Wan showed no sign of relenting. Seeing that she was about to be dragged off, Ji Rong steeled herself and blurted out, “I’ll tell you everything! If the Eldest Master agrees to save Chunxiu, I… I’m willing to serve him for the rest of my life.”

Lady Wan glanced at her and snapped, “You really don’t shed tears until you see the coffin, do you? Yes, you’re not unattractive, but as the eldest son of the governor of Honghua Commandery, he can have any woman he desires. Do you really think he’d plead with me just for a mere dancer like you?”

Seeing her lie exposed, Ji Rong abandoned all hope of deception and quickly said, “I’m willing to tell you everything, Lady. Just please give me one chance.”

This was exactly what Lady Wan had been waiting for. She signaled for Zhāixīng and the others to release Ji Rong and coldly commanded, “Speak!”

This time, Ji Rong dared not conceal anything. She truthfully recounted the details of the Xujin Shengji San (Sinew-Repairing Muscle-Regenerating Powder), explaining, “I used the promise of the Xujin Shengji San as an excuse to persuade the Eldest Master to send someone to plead with you on my behalf.”