CXD - 9

Before Jiang Zhiyi could grasp the meaning of his words, Yuan Ce’s figure had already disappeared among the dense rows of military tents.

The northern wind howled, and snowflakes swirled in the air, chilling her heart to the core.

Jiang Zhiyi tightly furrowed her delicate brows, sighed in frustration, and slowly trudged forward.

When she reached the entrance of Yuan Ce’s main tent, she immediately noticed that the tent flap was tightly closed, with soldiers densely stationed all around it, encircling the entire area.

…She wasn’t some wild beast capable of tearing through the defenses. Wasn’t guarding the entrance enough?

Jiang Zhiyi kicked the snow on the ground in irritation.

The tent flap opened, and Mu Xinhong, facing her, quickly bowed his head and hurriedly presented a scroll of official documents: “My Lady, this is what Young General instructed me to hand over to you.”

Jiang Zhiyi frowned as she glanced at it: “What is this?”

“His Majesty, upon learning about the incident where you were attacked by bandits in the suburbs, became furious. Considering your reputation, he decided not to publicize the case and handed it over to Young General for private investigation. The person just interrogated in the torture chamber was one of the detained bandits. This is the confession of that prisoner, freshly copied by Young General.”

Jiang Zhiyi’s brows relaxed, and she blinked: “…So his harsh actions in the torture chamber earlier were actually avenging me?”

“Uh…” Mu Xinhong’s eyes darted toward the large tent. Through the thick tent fabric, he sensed a cold glare, prompting him to hastily continue, “According to the prisoner’s confession, they weren’t originally bandits but a group of hired thugs. Someone paid them heavily to pretend to be bandits and kidnap you alive onto the mountain…”

Jiang Zhiyi paused, then looked toward the large tent with sudden enlightenment, a smile gradually spreading across her face.

No wonder he was so enraged—fighting for the beauty’s honor, lashing out with every whip as if risking his life…

“So the Young General’s intention is,” Mu Xinhong cautiously raised an eyelid, “the mastermind behind this hasn’t been identified yet. My Lady should stay in the manor for now to avoid further misfortune…”

“All right, all right, I understand,” Jiang Zhiyi waved her hand dismissively and smiled toward the tent. “Even while angry, he’s still worrying about me. Go back and tell him not to worry; I’ll return to the manor now. Being this angry isn’t good for his health.”

“Yes, yes.” Mu Xinhong hesitated, nodded, and retreated.

Jiang Zhiyi lowered her head, unfolded the confession, glanced at the bold, angry strokes on the paper, and tucked it away into her sleeve like a cherished love letter. Satisfied, she left the camp.

As the sun climbed higher, the coldness after the snow melted under the golden rays. By noon, Jiang Zhiyi, holding the confession she had read countless times along the way, joyfully returned to Yaoguang Pavilion.

Just as she stepped lightly into the courtyard, she suddenly heard a trembling female voice from within the walls: “Madam, please calm your anger. This servant truly doesn’t know where the young mistress went…”

Jiang Zhiyi’s smile faltered. She stood outside the gate, slowly folding the confession and slipping it into her sleeve.

Inside the courtyard, the commotion was loud, crowded with men and women.

Amidst the cacophony of voices, Lady Zhong’s sharp, oppressive voice rang out: “You newcomers are quite loyal to your mistress… Take them all away and slap their mouths. Let’s see how long these wretched maids can keep their lips sealed!”

“Aunt, who do you intend to slap in my courtyard?” Jiang Zhiyi stepped through the gate.

The maids kneeling on the ground suddenly raised their heads.

Lady Zhong turned in surprise, her gaze flickering as she nervously clutched her chest and hurried forward: “Zhiyi, where have you been? Your injuries haven’t fully healed, and it’s unsafe outside. You nearly gave your uncle a heart attack…”

Jiang Zhiyi calmly raised her palm: “Aunt, choose your words carefully. My eldest cousin is still ill. Speaking of ‘death’ is highly inauspicious.”

Lady Zhong’s lips stiffened.

“And besides, I’ve returned safely. The outside seems peaceful to me, but my courtyard…” Jiang Zhiyi shifted her gaze, slowly scanning the crowd of guards and servants behind Lady Zhong, “…is utterly chaotic.”

Lady Zhong forced a smile: “I was just disciplining your servants for you. I suggested assigning a head maid to your quarters, but you refused. Now these servants have become utterly useless, not even knowing where their mistress has gone. They’re completely incompetent!”

“They indeed need proper discipline—” Jiang Zhiyi lowered her gaze to the kneeling maids, “Who taught you such manners? In my Yaoguang Pavilion, how dare you kneel before an outsider giving orders?”

Lady Zhong’s smile froze, her eyes widening in disbelief as if she couldn’t believe her ears. She raised her eyebrows, doubting whether she had misheard.

The biting wind swept past, shaking loose the remaining snow from the winter plum branches. The entire courtyard fell silent, so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.

The kneeling maids exchanged glances, unsure of what to do.

Gu Yu and Xiaoman, leading the group, exchanged a glance and began to rise—

“Who gave you permission to stand up?!” The Chai matron beside Lady Zhong suddenly barked, subtly patting Lady Zhong’s hand as if reminding her of something. “Know your place! Without the Madam’s word, who dares to move?”

Gu Yu and Xiaoman trembled and knelt back down.

Lady Zhong took a deep breath, straightened her back, and narrowed her eyes at Jiang Zhiyi.

Indeed, this girl currently lacked any useful help. She had to sneak out secretly, yet still dared to act arrogantly in front of her.

She had pampered this girl like an ancestor for so many years, only to raise an ungrateful little wolf…

If this ungrateful girl hadn’t refused to marry her son, how could her son be lying on his deathbed now?

She shouldn’t have believed in that witchcraft nonsense. She should have directly tied this girl to her son’s bed, no matter how proud she was, forcing her to bear children and serve her son!

Today, she would show her exactly where she stood and teach her what it meant to bow one’s head under someone else’s roof!

Lady Zhong put on a stern demeanor and glared at the group of maids: “Look at you lot, motherless creatures, corrupting your mistress into what? Disregarding闺门礼仪 (women’s etiquette), jumping out of windows, climbing walls, running wild outside all day!”

Lady Zhong paced slowly, speaking each word while glancing at Jiang Zhiyi: “I once pitied you as an orphan and treated you leniently, never expecting you to turn out like this. If outsiders find out, they’ll say I, as your aunt, failed in raising you… For the sake of your future reputation, starting today, I must discipline you!”

Jiang Zhiyi raised an eyebrow at Lady Zhong.

Her aunt, after years of effort, had finally earned the reputation of treating her niece like her own daughter. But now, with her son dying, she had abandoned the pretense entirely.

Lady Zhong exhaled deeply, feeling a sense of relief: “Take these wretched servants away, and confine the young mistress to her room for reflection. Without my order, not even the heavens themselves can release her!”

Gu Yu, kneeling on the ground, trembled as she stole a glance at Jiang Zhiyi and tugged at her skirt.

Madam had brought a large group of guards today, and they were outnumbered and powerless. Perhaps it was better to concede for now!

Jiang Zhiyi glanced down at Gu Yu, signaling her to remain calm, sighed, and asked Lady Zhong: “Aunt, are you certain you want to do this?”

Lady Zhong smirked: “Zhiyi, don’t blame me for this. If I don’t discipline you properly, you’ll resent me later.”

“Aunt, have you forgotten? My grandmother was the Grand Princess of Ding’an. If you imprison me privately, aren’t you afraid of being charged with disrespecting the royal family?”

“Precisely because you are the granddaughter of the Grand Princess that I must discipline you strictly. I will teach you about propriety and filial piety—to comfort the Grand Princess’s soul in heaven.”

Gu Yu clenched her fists tightly.

This Lady Zhong—wasn’t she relying on the fact that the Grand Princess had long passed away, leaving only a revered name that couldn’t touch her?

Jiang Zhiyi lightly brushed her sleeve and sat down on a stone bench, looking at Lady Zhong: “Then, Aunt, proceed.”

At a time like this, how could this girl remain so calm? Lady Zhong hesitated, glancing around Jiang Zhiyi’s empty surroundings, and sneered.

…Who couldn’t bluff? A frail girl like her couldn’t possibly cause any trouble.

Lady Zhong composed herself and resumed her stern expression: “Guards!”

Jiang Zhiyi: “Guards!”

Their voices overlapped, one after the other.

Lady Zhong glanced amusedly at Jiang Zhiyi: “Young Mistress, where do you expect to find—”

Before she could finish, the sound of armor clinking echoed, and dozens of imperial guards clad in golden armor stormed into the courtyard like a whirlwind.

Before two of the strong servants could touch Jiang Zhiyi, screams erupted as their arms were twisted and they were pinned to the ground.

Lady Zhong turned in shock, staggering backward as she stared wide-eyed at the encircling guards.

What was going on? Hadn’t this girl been left without anyone?!

These golden armors, these broadswords—they were the Jinyiwei, the emperor’s personal guard…

When did they arrive? When had these symbols of imperial authority stationed themselves outside the courtyard?

And what she had said earlier…

Lady Zhong covered her mouth with her handkerchief.

Jiang Zhiyi lifted her eyelids slightly: “Aunt, perhaps you should reconsider. Are you truly unafraid of being charged with disrespecting the royal family?”

Lady Zhong’s legs gave way, and she collapsed backward, barely caught by Matron Chai.

Jiang Zhiyi sighed softly.

On her way back from the outskirts, she had encountered this detachment of Jinyiwei. They said the Emperor, upon hearing that her guards had suffered heavy losses, sent reinforcements to assist her. She had brought them back to the estate, unaware that Lady Zhong, after enduring for so many years, would choose this moment to act.

This family scandal would inevitably be exposed.

Jiang Zhiyi: “What are you still standing there for? Not a single person in this courtyard shall be spared.”

In an instant, all the guards and servants in the courtyard were apprehended. Even Matron Chai was dragged away: “Madam, Madam—!”

Lady Zhong’s face turned pale as she staggered backward, staring at her now-empty surroundings, trembling as she stammered: “Zhi… Zhiyi, you misunderstand me… I didn’t mean it earlier. I was only concerned for your well-being and didn’t let you leave the house…”

“Zhiyi understands Aunt’s intentions. However, last night when I was unwell, your people blocked my attendants from calling a doctor. It seems they mistook your authority for orders, driving a wedge between me and Aunt. Today, I will deal with them.”

“How should we handle these people, My Lady?”

Jiang Zhiyi signaled for Gu Yu and Xiaoman to rise: “How long were they kneeling?”

“To My Lady, approximately… two quarters of an hour…”

Jiang Zhiyi lightly waved her hand: “Then give them all two quarters of an hour of beating.”

Lady Zhong felt dizzy and leaned against the wall for support.

Two quarters of an hour… How many would survive after that in this courtyard?

All the guards and servants were strapped onto punishment benches. The entire courtyard fell silent until the first strike of the paddle broke the stillness, followed by a blood-curdling scream.

Lady Zhong trembled and tightly shut her eyes.

Instantly, the courtyard was filled with the heart-stopping sounds of paddles striking flesh, accompanied by piercing cries of agony.

“Mercy, My Lady… Mercy…”

“I… I know my mistake! I’ll never dare again! Mercy, My Lady…”

“Madam, hurry… find Master Zhong. He will surely plead for you before His Majesty…” Amidst the cries for mercy, Matron Chai’s voice stood out sharply.

“I thought it was someone trying to drive a wedge between me and Aunt. So it was you,” Jiang Zhiyi glanced at her, raising a finger and pointing. “This one—gag her mouth, beat her, and throw her out to be sold afterward.”

Lady Zhong’s chest heaved as she panted, finally rolling her eyes upward and fainting.

Jiang Zhiyi blinked, looking at the collapsed figure on the ground.

“All of Aunt’s people are injured and now lack attendants. I am not an ungrateful person. Send a team to take care of Lady Zhong just as she took care of me.”

“Yes!”

The unconscious Lady Zhong was carried out of the courtyard by the guards.

The wind blew, dispersing the smell of blood. Jiang Zhiyi couldn’t bear the stench twice in one day; she had endured it earlier in the camp solely for Ah Ce Ge. Wrinkling her nose, she headed into the house.

A Jinyiwei soldier hurried after her: “My Lady, during the punishment, we checked as you instructed. Among Madam’s guards, there is indeed a man with a black mole on the back of his neck. His appearance and build match your description.”

Jiang Zhiyi unsurprisingly replied: “I see.”

The confession earlier mentioned that the buyer who contacted those thugs wore a mask, concealing their identity. However, this buyer wasn’t hiring them for the first time. Previously, they had also been paid to “deal with” several pregnant women.

Most of these women came from brothels, with a few appearing to be maids from wealthy families.

Because such deeds were highly damaging and risky, the thugs had left themselves a way out by noting distinctive features of the buyer.

“Keep this man secured.” After giving the order indifferently, Jiang Zhiyi lazily yawned and returned to the warm chamber.

Gu Yu and Xiaoman followed her closely, still immersed in the day’s shocking events: “My Lady, did you manage to see General Shen today?”

At the mention of his name, Jiang Zhiyi’s previously cold eyes lit up with renewed brilliance. She pursed her lips and smiled.

From her expression, it was clear that things had gone exceedingly well—exceedingly sweet.

“That’s wonderful! Then our suffering today wasn’t in vain!”

Jiang Zhiyi’s lips curved as she thought of something and gestured with her chin: “Go to the camp now and tell Ah Ce Ge that thanks to his confession today, his clever young mistress has caught the mastermind behind all this. From now on, nothing will ever separate us again!”