Chapter Sixty-Five: Trust

Madam Yang’s cold sneer made Old Woman Du shrink back in terror, stumbling repeatedly as she retreated. Realizing her situation was dire, she hurriedly crawled on her knees to Yang’s feet, kowtowing for mercy over and over, unable to utter words of plea, only the sound of her head striking the ground echoing through the room.

He Miao, nestled in Xu Ruo Jin’s arms, broke down in helpless sobs—a release after grief, yet also a kind of relief now that the truth had finally come to light. Her tears flowed without end, quickly soaking through Xu Ruo Jin’s collar.

Xu Ruo Jin clung to her tightly, yet her gaze remained fixed on Madam Yang, intent on seeing how she would handle the matter.

Yang had grown weary of discussing it further. She shot a look at Madam Huang, who immediately summoned the rough-handed servant women from the doorway.

With her hands bound and a rag stuffed in her mouth, Old Woman Du was dragged out. The young servants followed Madam Huang out, soon dispatched to find Du Er.

What fate befell the women of the Du family, no one could say for certain, nor did Xu Ruo Jin care. Her sole concern was He Miao.

“Mother,” Xu Ruo Jin finally spoke after a long pause, stepping forward to discuss the matter with Madam Yang.

Yang’s eyes, cold as ice, swept over her. “Your calculations are ruthless—far more than I gave you credit for. Was this the handiwork of Madam Fang’s lessons, or is it simply that you’ve always harbored such depths? Well?”

Xu Ruo Jin was not surprised by Yang’s misgivings; she remained calm and composed. “Mother, I did not plot anything. I only gambled on one thing—my trust in He Miao.” She turned to look at He Miao, then continued, “That was my only card; I knew nothing else. Had she truly disappointed me, I would have locked myself away in shame and submitted to your punishment. For no pain of the rod upon my flesh could be harsher than the pain of disappointment within my heart.”

Yang bit her lower lip, saying nothing more.

She had not expected the second girl’s stubborn persistence to unearth such a result. Her anger toward Madam Huang and Li Qiuping burned hotter than toward Xu Ruo Jin, but she simply could not bear to see Xu Ruo Jin at ease.

“Didn’t your elder brother just say? Every member of the Du family is to be given twenty heavy blows. He Miao is still considered part of the Du family—do you intend to shield her from this?”

Her eyes were full of contempt as she looked at He Miao. “Drag her out—now!”

“Mother, it’s all my fault. I beg you, please let her return to me. Please?” Xu Ruo Jin’s sincere, humble entreaty somewhat softened Yang’s heart. “You’re begging me?”

“I am, Mother.”

“The Du family’s business isn’t settled yet. Even if you beg, it’s not up to me.” Yang’s tone was sharp and mocking, making it clear she meant to keep Xu Ruo Jin in her place.

“Mother!” Xu Ruo Jin fell to her knees with a thud. “If only you’ll allow He Miao to return to my side, I vow not to leave the small courtyard until I’m wed. Please grant this, Mother!”

“It’s not that I refuse to relent,” Yang’s voice wavered ever so slightly, “but she’s still Du Er’s wife. Even if she separates from him, how could such an inauspicious girl become your dowry maid? And even if I agreed, your father would not. Give up this notion.”

“A dowry companion…”

“Du Er and Old Woman Du have been dealt with. She’s alone now—what talk is there of a companion?”

Casting a sidelong glance at Xu Ruo Jin, Yang looked at He Miao. “You’re fortunate, to have a mistress willing to take up your cause. I’m left to play the villain!”

Xu Ruo Jin knew well that Yang spoke the harsh truth. Given He Miao’s current predicament, it would be difficult for her to remain at her side.

“Madam!” He Miao, grateful, looked at Xu Ruo Jin, then crawled on her knees before Yang. “I beg you, please arrange another marriage for me. I’ll accept anyone, young or old, whole or crippled, as long as I can continue to serve Second Miss. I’ll agree to any condition—please, I beg you!”

She kowtowed repeatedly, startling Yang into silence.

Xu Ruo Jin immediately pulled her up and said to Chun Cao, “Take He Miao back to the courtyard to rest.”

He Miao did not understand why Second Miss wanted her to leave, but Chun Cao helped her up and whispered in her ear, “Just trust Second Miss. She’s not the person she once was…”

Half understanding, He Miao left with Chun Cao.

Yang, puzzled by Xu Ruo Jin’s intentions, demanded, “What are you plotting now? Don’t think you can manipulate me—impossible!”

“I ask only one thing, Mother—please find a good family for He Miao to marry into,” Xu Ruo Jin replied quickly, seeing Yang about to lose her temper. “I won’t take He Miao with me. I only wish for her to live a steady, secure life.”

The insult on Yang’s lips was swallowed back; she eyed Xu Ruo Jin with suspicion, clearly unconvinced.

“He Miao has served me faithfully for so many years—through illness, through cold and heat, always diligent and considerate. Without her, I wouldn’t be who I am today. Now she’s married, and because of one word from my brother, she’s been slandered, beaten, and reduced to this state, which you yourself have seen. The Du family has been punished, and the rumors will die naturally. If He Miao is properly settled, it will show the world that our Xu family is a kind and just household. If we simply wash our hands of our maids once they’re married, how could hearts not grow cold?”

“I ask for nothing else, only that she may spend the rest of her days in peace and comfort. Mother, please, grant this wish.”

Yang pondered Xu Ruo Jin’s request in silence for a moment, then looked at her and said, “Without my permission, you are not to step outside the courtyard—not even half a step. Can you obey this?”

“I will do as you say, Mother. If I disobey, may heaven strike me down.”

Yang waved her off impatiently. “Such dire words—who do you think you’re frightening? Just go back to your studies and apply yourself. Madam Fang may not come to teach you every day now, but you mustn’t slacken. Don’t let the Zhang family’s threshold be the one to break your head.”

“I understand, Mother.”

“Go!”

With Yang’s command, Xu Ruo Jin withdrew.

By noon, sunlight poured down in sheets, forcing Xu Ruo Jin to shield her eyes as she stepped out.

She had rushed here early in the morning—was it at last resolved? Though the outcome differed greatly from what she had foreseen, she did not regret it. She had found a way to make amends to He Miao, and her heart could finally be at peace…

Back at the courtyard, Chun Cao hurried to greet her.

Hong Xing had already taken out her own clothes for He Miao to change into and was now applying medicine to her wounds.

He Miao, seeing Xu Ruo Jin enter, quickly tried to cover the scars on her body with her clothing. The red welts from the whip, and the blue and purple bruises on her back, were a painful sight to behold.

Hong Xing, angry, yanked her hand away. “What are you hiding? Who would have thought Du Er, who seemed so honest, could be so vicious? If Second Miss hadn’t intervened, your life would have been forfeit in their hands!”

Chun Cao’s eyes reddened with fright. “It’s simply unforgivable—how could anyone be so cruel!”

“Second Miss…” He Miao’s eyes shimmered with tears, but Xu Ruo Jin came to her and gently stroked her head. “It’s over now. Everything will get better from here…”