The splendor of the Red Chamber, the power that reigns supreme.

Chapter 208: Schemes and Intrigues Everywhere
Everyone naturally agreed. This order of "song requests" thus became a subtle ranking of deference in officialdom.

Commander Zhou first declined the offer to the two old men:
"Old Man Liu and Old Man Xue are highly respected and should be served first!"

Old Eunuch Liu squinted his old eyes, feigned a few words of refusal, then, without further ado, with his delicate fingers twirling, he said in a shrill voice:
"In that case, let's pick a song... Hmm, let's sing 'Floating Life Like a Dream'!"

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere at the table suddenly froze.

The military officers present, including Commander Zhou, Supervisor Jing, and Judge Xia, were in their prime, full of vigor and fighting for their future. They were most averse to such dejected and world-weary words.

When they heard Liu Gonggong's words, "My life is like a dream," they didn't think he was lamenting his old age at all.
It was clearly pretentious, pointing at the monk and cursing him, and at Ximen Qing's banquet, he was subtly mocking these martial artists for their fame and fortune, saying that in the end it was all just an empty dream!
Although the men still wore smiles, a cold glint appeared in their eyes, and undisguised sneers played on their lips as they exchanged tacit contempt—this old eunuch, relying on his status from the palace, is trying to intimidate people again!

Commander Zhou was shrewd, and he laughed heartily: "Eunuch Liu! It is good that you have a detached mind and have seen through the world. But today is the day of Lord Ximen's promotion, and the hall is filled with an atmosphere of wealth and honor. It would be appropriate to sing some lively and auspicious songs such as 'Celebrating the Holy Dynasty' and 'The Golden Palace is Full of Joy'."

"As for the poem 'Floating Life is Like a Dream'... although its artistic conception is lofty, it is ultimately a poem about world-weariness and seclusion. Using it at today's promotion banquet is probably not very appropriate."

Liu Gonggong's cloudy old eyes glanced at Ximen Qing, who still wore a polite smile in the main seat and seemed completely unconcerned, and then swept his gaze over the several military officers with menacing expressions. He knew that he had gone too far today by taking advantage of the situation.

His original intention was to assert his status at the banquet and take the opportunity to smack these "coarse soldiers" he had always looked down upon. However, remembering that he actually got along with this Lord Ximen, he decided not to engage in the conversation and cause any trouble. He simply snorted and said with a forced smile:
"Enough, enough! Lord Zhou is right. I'm getting senile, so preoccupied with my own melancholy that I've forgotten today is Ximen Xianmo's big day! What bad luck! You order, you order!"

Commander Zhou hurriedly turned to Eunuch Xue: "Eunuch Xue, please come in!"

Eunuch Xue, who had been observing coldly, was also seething with anger as his old partner suffered a setback. He sneered, deliberately drawing out the high-pitched tone, and said in a sarcastic tone:

"Shall we order? Great! Then let's order one... 'The Bitterest Thing in Life is Parting'! How about that?"

Even Xia, the magistrate, couldn't hold back any longer and deliberately burst into laughter, his tone laced with undisguised mockery.
"Oh dear, Elder Xue! What's wrong with you today? Elder Liu just selected 'Retirement from the World', and you, of all people, have selected 'Sorrowful Farewell'! It's precisely at this time of great ambition for Lord Ximen, and when we colleagues are gathered together in celebration, you select this 'Most Bitter Farewell,' aren't you cursing our Lord Ximen to suffer setbacks in his official career and for us colleagues to be scattered? This is absolutely unacceptable! Absolutely unacceptable!"

Eunuch Xue smiled slightly and said, "We've been in the palace for so long, only knowing how to serve the Emperor and be careful with our words and actions. How would we know that there are so many twists and turns, good and bad omens in these songs you play! Choosing a song is too complicated! Never mind, I won't choose any more! I don't want to annoy people and spoil everyone's fun!"

The high-ranking official sat upright in the host's seat, his gentle smile remaining unchanged, as if the heated and increasingly tense argument before him had nothing to do with him.

He knew perfectly well: This wasn't a song request; it was clearly a power struggle between the eunuchs and the military officers, using his promotion banquet as an excuse!

These two eunuchs, relying on their status as palace officials, always tried to outdo the military officers and spoke harshly.

These military officers, who held military power, had long harbored deep resentment towards the eunuchs' interference in politics, especially the emperor's recent practice of heavily relying on eunuchs to lead the army and marginalizing them, who came from legitimate military backgrounds.

Tong Guan's power is now second only to Grand Tutor Cai. Despite being a eunuch, he has risen to the position of Privy Councilor, and much military power is controlled by eunuchs he has dispatched.

Many military generals with outstanding military achievements were framed by these eunuchs and demoted to minor officials. There were already few channels for military generals to rise, half of which were occupied by civil officials and many more by eunuchs. How could they possibly have a way to get ahead?
They saw their promotion banquet turn into a gladiatorial arena for their power struggles.

The official, however, became even more humble and amiable. He didn't care what these scoundrels wanted to hear. Even if they wanted to hear mournful tunes like "Crying to Heaven" or "The Grand Funeral," he would simply close the gates of his Ximen mansion and let them fight like dogs, spewing all sorts of nonsense!

I'll just watch the show and I won't get involved in this mess!
Sure enough, seeing that the time was right, Commander Zhou once again smiled and smoothed things over:
"Oh dear, Lord Xue, please calm down! Lord Xia was just joking, don't take it seriously! You two have been living in the palace for so long, you've heard so many refined and elegant tunes, so these vulgar folk songs of ours are naturally beneath your notice. In that case, I'll take the liberty of requesting a song, 'Thirty Tunes,' to congratulate Lord Ximen on his meteoric rise to power, and also to wish all of you gentlemen and eunuchs good health and longevity, what do you say?"

This 30-song medley is a medley of congratulatory songs for the New Year, reciting all the congratulatory phrases.

Everyone was eager to turn the page on this embarrassing situation, and naturally cheered.

Eunuch Xue snorted, which was taken as tacit agreement.

Liu Gonggong also lowered his eyelids and remained silent.

The front hall seemed peaceful and harmonious, but the invisible undercurrents of swordplay and hidden sarcasm had not truly dissipated. They were merely temporarily suppressed by the deafening gongs, drums, and stringed instruments, making the atmosphere even more oppressive and somber.

Behind the carved screen wall, Yue Niang, along with Li Guijie, Pan Jinlian, Xiangling, and several others, were listening intently to the sounds coming from ahead.

Although the conversation was muffled by the screen, the sudden stagnation, the rising tone, and the suppressed snorts during the song request incident could not have escaped the notice of these shrewd individuals.
Li Guijie had learned various skills in the brothel since childhood, was well-versed in music, and possessed a keen and insightful mind. She listened intently and clearly explained to Yue Niang in a low voice the names of the songs chosen by Eunuchs Liu and Xue, as well as the key lines spoken by Commander Zhou and Magistrate Xia:

“Auntie, did you understand? The poem that Old Liu the eunuch ordered, ‘Floating Life is Like a Dream,’ sounds like he’s lamenting his old age, but it’s actually a veiled curse on military officers like Supervisor Jing and Judge Xia, saying that the future they worked so hard for was nothing but an empty dream! That’s why Commander Zhou quickly stepped in to smooth things over, saying that ‘being weary of the world and going into seclusion’ is inappropriate.”

"Old eunuch Xue is even worse. He ordered 'The bitterest thing in life is parting,' which is obviously a curse to make people lose their official positions and be separated from their wives and children. No wonder Lord Xia laughed and cursed, saying that it was a song of sorrowful parting and should not be sung! These two old filthy bastards are causing such a commotion at our master's promotion banquet. They are obviously taking advantage of their status as people from the palace to deliberately embarrass those military officials and also to cause trouble for our mansion!"

The little maid Xiangling seemed to understand but not quite, blinking her big eyes and timidly tugging at Yue Niang's sleeve:

"Auntie... Sister Gui means... that those two old men... are bad people?"

Before Yue Niang could speak, Pan Jinlian, standing to the side, had already raised her eyebrows, widened her almond eyes, and gritted her teeth, unleashing a torrent of curses in a low voice:
"Bah! What kind of old man are you! You two rootless old scoundrels! Dead eunuchs! Heartless, rotten old murderers! Just because you emptied the emperor's chamber pots in the palace for decades, you come to our mansion to act like ancestors and show off your power! You deliberately choose this joyous day to cause trouble, playing those depressing tunes to disgust people!"

“Listen to what they’re saying, what ‘living in the palace all they know how to do is serve the Emperor’? Bah! They’re clearly just being unreasonable and turning the tables on us! The Master is sitting in the main seat, smiling on the outside, but who knows how frustrated and resentful he is inside!”

"My poor dear father, how can you drink this wine comfortably? It's infuriating! When you become a high-ranking official, I'll definitely use a chamber pot to slap those two old shrewish men on the head!" She became angrier and angrier as she spoke, her chest heaving, wishing she could rush out and tear the mouths of those two old eunuchs apart.

As Yue Niang listened to the clamor and music that had resumed in the front hall, and heard Jinlian's angry curses, Xiangling's bewilderment, and Guijie's shrewd analysis, she felt a surge of frustration in her chest and her temples throbbed.

She knew all too well the ups and downs of officialdom. This joyous day of promotion should have been a time of pride and celebration for the Ximen family, but it was ruined by the sordid struggles inside and outside the palace!
Moon Lady took a deep breath, suppressing her turbulent emotions, and regained her usual composure. She addressed the people around her:

"Shut up! The front hall is a man's business; if the sky falls, the master will hold it up! We women in the inner quarters should mind our own business; that's the most important thing! Stop asking such childish questions!"

"The more 'lively' the banquet is at the front, the more vigilant we need to be at the back! Everyone do their job and keep a close eye on things! Pay special attention to those two old eunuchs serving them; be extra careful and don't make the slightest mistake!"

The three beautiful women all agreed.

Inside the main hall of the Ximen mansion, the melodious sounds of string and wind instruments continued, and the clinking of glasses created an illusion of wealth and peace, just as the earlier discord over song requests had been concealed.

Little did they know that beyond these vermilion gates and high walls lay a different, shabby scene.

Chang Zhi hunched his neck and tucked his hands into his sleeves. His worn-out cotton robe couldn't keep out the north wind in December, and his nose turned red from the cold. He kept stamping his feet.

He rushed to the gate of the Ximen mansion, hoping to find an opportunity to see the high-ranking official and borrow some money to pay rent and get through the winter.

The gatekeepers, wrapped in thick new cotton-padded coats, were gathered around a charcoal brazier. When they caught sight of Chang Zhijie's timid and peeking shabby appearance, they didn't even bother to lift their eyelids.

The one in the lead, quick-witted and arrogant, lazily shouted in his slick tone:

"Hey Master Chang! Don't you even check the time or the storefront? What kind of scene is this? They're having a celebratory banquet inside to celebrate our master's promotion!"

"The distinguished guests seated here will scare you to death! Every single one of the dignitaries inside is a prominent figure in Qinghe County, whose mere presence can shake the very foundations of the county. They are all extremely important guests! The very most distinguished people in Qinghe County are gathered here!"

The servant glanced sideways at Chang Zhijie, who was shivering from the cold, a hint of undisguised sarcasm playing on his lips:

"Tell me, with this kind of commotion inside, would I dare to barge in and disturb the refined pleasure of you gentlemen and eunuchs for such a 'trivial matter' of yours?"

"If the master blames me later, will I even have any skin left? Besides—" He drawled, looking Chang Zhijie up and down in his shabby attire, and sneered:
"Even if I risk a beating to go in and report it to you, Master Chang, you should consider this carefully. With your status and attire, do you... dare to step across this threshold and stand before these distinguished guests at the banquet? Aren't you afraid of offending their eyes? Tch!"

"If you just say 'dare,' I'll go and report to you right now!"

These barbed and sarcastic remarks, delivered with a mix of threats and counter-attacks, were like ice water poured over Chang Zhijie's head, extinguishing his last shred of hope.

The forced smile on his face froze instantly, quickly replaced by a deeper sense of fear and shame. He instinctively pulled his hands, red from the cold and hidden in his tattered hand warmers, even further inside, managing only a few muffled, pleading laughs.
"Yes, yes, yes... Young man, you're right... I was rash. I'll come again tomorrow, tomorrow..."

He turned and fled from the vermilion gate that symbolized power and wealth.

The cold wind lashed my face like a knife, but it was nothing compared to the bone-chilling cold in my heart.

Thinking of the woman's face at home, and the endless complaints and scoldings he would have to face again, Chang Zhijie felt dizzy and couldn't help but sigh softly when no one was around.
"Oh no! When I get back, that shrew's spittle will probably drown me..."

He stood blankly at the deserted street corner, gazing at the faint sounds of music and laughter coming from the direction of the Ximen residence. Right now, the most important thing was to get past his family first.

He hesitated for a long time, and finally could only drag his heavy steps, hunching his shoulders, toward the landlord's house—hoping to say a few more nice words and beg the landlord to extend the rent for a few more days!
While the Ximen family was rising in rank, the Jia family was becoming increasingly corrupt.

Now, Jia Lian, having been away for more than two months, returned home weary from his travels. As soon as he stepped into the room, he bumped into Wang Xifeng and Ping'er talking.

Jia Lian had always slept in a separate room from Wang Xifeng. Although there was revelry outside every night, the moment he caught a glimpse of Ping'er, he was instantly terrified!

Having already coveted her for quite some time, Ping'er has become even more delicate and beautiful. Her slightly loose hair frames her smooth, rosy oval face.

Her breasts, tightly wrapped in a flower bud shape, were plump and full. The tips of her embroidered shoes perked up prettily. As she walked, her skirt swayed, revealing her round and full hips that swayed gently.

Jia Lian's throat bobbed, his mouth felt dry, and his whole body felt hot. Unable to suppress the fire in his heart, he said to Feng Jie with a fawning smile, "My dear grandmother, Ping'er is becoming more and more beautiful than ever. Since you have so many servants here anyway, why don't you... give her to me?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Xifeng slammed her teacup on the table with a clatter, her eyebrows furrowed, her almond eyes widened, and she sneered:
"Pah! You shameless filthy bastard! You're always out there in brothels, disappearing for two or three months at a time. I wonder how many prostitutes you've seduced. Look at you! Your eyes are sunken in two hollows, your face is sallow, you walk unsteadily, and you reek of filth! You might have caught some kind of disgusting disease!"

"Don't even think about touching a single hair on my head, let alone Ping'er's clean hands! You'd better get rid of this filthy heart of yours and stay away from me!"

Jia Lian was given a thorough scolding by Feng Jie, leaving him speechless and red-faced. Just as he was about to argue back, a maidservant announced from outside, "Master Zhen is here!"

Jia Lian had no choice but to suppress his anger and exchange greetings with Jia Zhen.

Jia Zhen didn't sit for long. As soon as his bottom touched the edge of the chair, he hurriedly said, "Second brother, you must be tired from your journey. But this matter is of great importance. The masters have already made their decision and have specifically asked us to come and discuss the details."

Fengjie, being so clever, quickly signaled to Ping'er to pour hot wine, while she pretended to go get tea and snacks, but secretly slipped behind the green gauze curtain and listened carefully.

Jia Lian asked, "What are your instructions, gentlemen?"

Jia Zhen picked up his wine cup, took a sip, and lowered his voice, saying, "After the matter of the imperial visit came to fruition, both Consort Zhou and Consort Wu's families had already started construction! The scene was quite something, the money was flowing like water, it was truly magnificent!"

"How can our Jia family lag behind others? If we drag our feet and do nothing, or put on a shabby show, wouldn't those snobbish people think we resent the Emperor's favor and that our Jia family has lost power and is about to fall? This matter cannot be delayed! We must do it with all our might!"

Jia Lian frowned and said, "That may be true, but as you know, Brother Zhen, where in our mansion do we still have such a substantial financial foundation? It's just that we're still putting on a show."

Jia Zhen chuckled and leaned closer, saying, "The masters' intention is always to prioritize 'frugality and propriety.' Lai Da, several experienced stewards, and I have already carefully measured and calculated the details, and we have a very ingenious plan:"

"Tear down the wall of Huifang Garden on our Ning Mansion's side and connect it directly to the old garden on the east side of your mansion, merging the two into one! Guess what? It'll be three and a half miles in size!"

"The pavilions, terraces, rocks, flowers, and trees already inside can be transformed into a beautiful landscape with just a little arrangement and embellishment! This would save us the enormous expense of buying land and relocating residents, and the project would be completed quickly. What do you think of this plan, second brother?"

Jia Lian held his cup and pondered for a long while before saying, "Brother Zhen's thoughts are certainly thoughtful. However... this area of ​​three and a half miles requires the repair of pavilions and towers, the addition of mountains, water, flowers, and trees, and all the decorations and furnishings. Every single one of them costs a fortune. Nowadays, you and I both know a little about the accounts outside. Money flows out like water, while income is tight. How can we manage this easily?"

Jia Zhen's eyes darted around, and he smiled, "Second Brother's concerns are quite valid. However, I just thought of a clever idea. Doesn't the Zhen family in Jiangnan still have 50,000 taels of silver stored here? Tomorrow, we can write a draft and withdraw 30,000 taels first! That should be enough for our first major undertaking—the cost of materials and labor, as well as purchasing theatrical troupes and antique furnishings. It should be more than enough. We can figure out the extravagant expenses in the garden later."

Jia Lian nodded and said, “That’s very good. However, this procurement is the most lucrative business, and it’s also the most likely to attract envy and gossip. We must select an extremely suitable and meticulous person to handle it so that we can carefully calculate and come up with a realistic number, so as to avoid people talking behind our backs.”

Jia Zhen patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, Second Brother! I already have a suitable candidate in my household, and we're just about to..."

Outside the curtain, Sister Feng heard everything clearly, and she knew exactly what was going on. She cursed inwardly:
"What a bunch of scheming scoundrels! So that's what they were planning! The Zhen family's silver is nothing but a mirage, not something readily available. It's clearly a pie in the sky, a trick to fool the devil! As for this lucrative procurement position, it's an enormous windfall. They think they can find an opportunity to pocket it all? Dream on!"

Before she knew it, she had lifted the curtain and walked in with a beaming smile, saying:
"Oh dear, these two gentlemen are discussing important matters, and it's not my place to interrupt. But just now, listening outside, I was struck by the sheer scale of this project; I have no idea where to begin. I vaguely heard them talking about procurement? As I watched, someone came to mind—someone incredibly meticulous, shrewd, and utterly reliable..."

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian knew she was trying to plant him in another position, so he quickly stopped her with a sharp look and interrupted Jia Zhen, saying:
“Since the gentlemen have decided on the overall situation, we will proceed accordingly. However, the flow of money is of utmost importance. Every item must be clearly accounted for, and the person in charge must sign it. This will ensure transparency and fairness for everyone.”

Jia Zhen understood and smiled:
“Of course! Tomorrow, have the treasury manager and the accountant come and withdraw five thousand taels of silver in advance. Demolishing the wall and starting construction is the most important thing. As for the other details, you and I can discuss and handle them as needed.” After saying this, he got up and took his leave.

As soon as Jia Zhen left, Feng Jie's face immediately fell, and she pointed at Jia Lian, complaining:

"You spineless coward! You're just sitting there with such a huge piece of meat right under your nose, why don't you grab it? Everyone else is scheming to rake in the money, but you're acting all high and mighty like a saint! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make some easy money, and you're turning it away!"

Jia Lian let out a long sigh, plopped down, and said to Feng Jie:
“My dear grandmother! You think this is an easy job? It’s just a show! It looks glamorous now, but who knows who will bear the heavy burden and endless deficits in the future! You only see the profits?”

Sister Feng raised an eyebrow, put her hands on her hips, and sneered:
"My lord! You're afraid of taking on too much responsibility? Don't you think others will reach out and take advantage? Just look at how enthusiastic they are today, and you'll know there's a lot of 'hidden' going on here! If the water is too clear, there will be no fish! Why don't we take advantage of this opportunity and make some real profits for our own household? Are we just going to watch the money flow into other people's pockets?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian simply shook his head repeatedly, his face full of sorrow.

Seeing his pathetic state, Wang Xifeng's anger flared. She decided to throw away the pretense, leaned closer, lowered her voice, and sneered through gritted teeth:

"My dear Second Master! To tell you the truth, I'm really strapped for cash! I haven't been able to collect payments from several important creditors, and I'm on the verge of running out of money!"

"Are you going to do this purchasing errand or not? If you don't, from now on, don't even think about sharing a bed with me, you can forget about ever stepping into my bed again! If you ever manage to step into my room again, I'll write my name Wang Xifeng backwards! And don't even think about wanting Ping'er? Keep dreaming! Give up on that idea! Also, if you ever try to use my savings to patronize prostitutes again, don't even think about it!"

Jia Lian was cornered by Feng Jie's barbed and ruthless words, his face turning red and white in turns, and he remained silent for a long time.

Ping'er's charming appearance and Feng Jie's shrewish threats churned in his mind. In the end, like a defeated rooster, he could only lower his head and nod helplessly: "I'll go ask. I'll fight for it no matter what."

Just as Fengjie was forcing Jia Lian to back down, the anger in her heart subsided slightly. She was plotting how to make a good profit from this mess when she suddenly heard a maidservant outside hurriedly report: "Second Mistress, Sister Yuchuan from Madam's room has arrived. She says Madam is waiting for you to come over and talk to her!"

Feng Jie's heart skipped a beat, and she thought to herself, "Why is she looking for me at this time? Could it be that she has heard some rumors?"

She glared at Jia Lian again and said in a low voice, "Remember what I just said!" After saying that, she tidied her sideburns, put on a respectful and obedient appearance, and followed Yu Chuan'er to Madam Wang's room.

Upon entering Madam Wang's room, which was perpetually filled with the scent of sandalwood yet always exuded a chilly atmosphere,

Lady Wang was reclining on the warm kang (heated brick bed), her eyes closed as she twirled a string of smooth, oily Buddhist prayer beads. Several trusted maids stood silently by her side, not daring to even breathe loudly.

Sister Feng hurriedly stepped forward to bow, and said with a smile, "Did Aunt call me?"

Madam Wang didn't even lift her eyelids, but slowly fiddled with her prayer beads. After a long while, she finally spoke softly, her voice low, yet like ice shards falling to the ground:

“Feng’er, I’ve been busy lately and haven’t had time to ask in detail. Several of the concubines came to me yesterday crying, saying that their monthly allowances were short again. Withholding allowances is against the rules. Now that you’re in charge of the household, tell me, what happened?”

Sister Feng's heart tightened, but her face immediately adopted a look of utter grievance and shrewdness, and she hurriedly said:
"Madam! I was just about to report this matter! How could I have embezzled? It's clearly those heartless, despicable bastards in the outside accounting office who are always looking for ways to skim money! The accounts they submitted the other day were unclear, and I'm investigating them closely!"

"Don't worry, Madam. I've personally apologized to the concubines and made it clear that rules have been established and regulations have been set! Those scoundrels are no longer allowed to shortchange their masters! Anyone who dares to reach out again will be skinned alive!"

Madam Wang slowly opened her eyes, her gaze as calm as a deep pool, yet carrying a heavy, oppressive force that landed directly on Feng Jie's face. A slight twitch appeared at the corner of her mouth, revealing a barely perceptible chill:

“Feng girl, you are a clever person, and I have always trusted you to get things done. But…”

She paused, her fingers, which had been twirling the prayer beads, stopped. "With such a large family and business, and so many people watching, the most important thing is to be responsible. What is rightfully ours, we must not take a penny less; what is not ours, we must not touch, not even a hair. Do you understand?"

These words were like a scare tactic, each one sharp as a needle!
Sister Feng felt a chill run from the soles of her feet straight to the top of her head, and the forced smile on her face could barely hold on.

Her mind raced: Had word gotten out about the loan sharking? Or had they been caught skimming profits from one of their procurement deals?

A surge of frustration welled up inside me.

Over the years, how much money has Lady Wang openly and secretly misappropriated from the public funds under her control and her own private funds in order to subsidize her brother Wang Ziteng's official expenses?
They filled that bottomless pit, forcing her to find ways to make ends meet outside! And now they're lecturing her about "doing her duty"?
He even used his personal seal to do that kind of thing a few days ago.

Sister Feng, enraged for no reason, made a desperate decision!
Her eyes reddened, and she knelt down with a thud: "Madam is right! But I have a lot of grievances in my heart, and I dare to tell you today! Over the years, I have worked diligently and conscientiously, wishing I could give my heart and soul to serve your household!"

"I only recently discovered that the private seals I manage... have been stolen without my knowledge! The rumors my wife has heard might very well be the work of these scoundrels! And now, all the blame is being placed on me!"

Her words sounded both aggrieved and anxious, half true and half false, yet they were also a subtle test of Madam Wang's intentions.

After hearing this, Madam Wang showed no anger whatsoever, not even a flicker of her brow.

She simply picked up her prayer beads again and remained silent for a moment, a silence that made Sister Feng's heart leap into her throat.

Finally, Madam Wang spoke: "Oh? Is that so? Even the private seal has been stolen... The one who stole it must be one of those head maids who have access to the inner rooms..."

She raised her eyelids and calmly instructed Yu Chuan'er, who was standing beside her, "Go and summon all the important maids in the manor: Xi Ren, Qing Wen, She Yue, Qiu Wen, Bi Hen... Not one of them can be missing."

Madam Wang then looked at Feng Jie kneeling on the ground, a faint smile even curving her lips, but her tone was as cold as ice: "Feng girl, you've been wronged. Today I'll 'vent your anger' and 'drag out' the thief who stole the seal."

She paused, then her voice suddenly turned stern as she shouted outside, "Tell them that they don't need to come in. They should kneel in the snow right here in the courtyard! This freezing weather is perfect for them to clear their heads and think about what they should and shouldn't do. It's a good way for them to know what a maid's duty is!"

Wang Xifeng was startled: "I was only hinting indirectly, but this Madam is clearly using my situation to make an example of me. I wonder which maid will be the one to suffer!"

(End of this chapter)