Chapter 54: Sweet Naive Idiot, Malicious Demon

Jing Wan sometimes still quite admired these people, who could put on an act anytime anywhere. Screaming that viciously, then immediately stopping, yet not at all appearing like a sorry figure, instead looking like a tear-stained beauty. Substitute in someone who didn’t know the situation, even if it’s a woman, would all mostly soften up towards her. It’s just, facing grandmother, this kind of inner manor old lady, who has experiences through decades of wind and rain, that bit of trick really was entirely not enough.

Luo Old Madam walked to the side and sat down, “Eldest family’s, what’s the situation?”

Wang-shi knew that Luo Old Madam didn’t censor anything from Jing Wan, thus directly spoke, “Mother, the situation is like this, Bai-shi’s daily meals all come from Falling Plum Residence’s little kitchen……”

Just as she finished say this, Luo Old madam tilted her head to glance at Jing Wan. And Jing Wan, sensing it, looked back in response. In that instant, Jing Wan immediately understood the meaning in Luo Old Madam’s eyes, ‘See, your mother is exactly this idiotic.’

Jing Wan was helpless. Her mother’s purpose was actually very simple, she just wanted the pregnant Yiniang to be able to eat well. After all, without their own master’s support, brazenly favoring them, then concubines were just concubines. Even if pregnant, their food couldn’t possibly be better than the main wife’s.

Zhang-shi had done this in the past as well, just nothing had ever happened, so she still went on as usual. It’s not that the people by her side didn’t warn her before, but Zhang-shi was just that sweet naive idiot, thinking that everyone in the world all had thoughts like hers. Not only promising that nothing will happen, she even said that it isn’t good for the people by her own side to view others badly.

Jing Wan had been too busy in the past few days, so it wasn’t good for the people of Falling Plum Residence to use this small matter to disturb her either, letting her go urge Zhang-shi. They thought, since it was only just a few days, nothing should happen. Yet, as a result, heh heh, every single one all regretted endlessly.

“…….Today, Bai-shi wanted some desserts, and not long after eating them, her stomach started hurting. Very soon blood was seen, and the matter was reported to younger sister-in-law’s place. Younger sister-in-law invited a familiar doctor from outside, just by the time the doctor arrived, the child was already gone. The dessert, this daughter-in-law had someone check them, and inside indeed had something unclean. The one responsible for making the dessert is second sister-in-law’s first rank servant girl, La Mei, and the one who sent it over was a second rank servant girl by second sister-in-law’s side, Liu’er. Liu’er personally handed the dessert over to Bai-shi’s servant girl, Cai Ling. All three servant girls indicate that during the time the thing was in their hands, no one else had touched it. The ingredients La Mei used were all readily available in Falling Plum Residence. The ingredients, this daughter-in-law had already sent someone to inspect, there weren’t any problems….”

In this case, the problem basically lies in these three people.

Cai Ling was a clever one, vowing that she absolutely didn’t do anything. She was the only one that had followed Bai-shi into the Luo family, and was very loyal to Bai-shi. She hoped more than anyone for her own Yiniang to give birth to a child.

Liu’er usually was a bit lively, but on the things she needed to do, she wasn’t the least bit careless. And after she took the desserts from La Mei and sent them to Cai Ling’s hands, for the most part, she didn’t see anyone along the way. After she finished saying her own part, she didn’t say anything more.

La Mei wasn’t a house-born servant. When she was only a few years old, she was sold into the Luo family and has been following by Zhang-shi’s side ever since, starting from a small girl, to being promoted to Zhang-shi’s first rank servant girl a year ago. Her personality was somewhat dull, and she was also clumsy with her words, but because she was very skilled at making desserts, so even though she wasn’t in charge of matters in the kitchen, she would still frequently make desserts for Zhang-shi. After learning that something had happened to Bai-shi, she directly cried from the pressure, repeatedly saying it wasn’t her that did it. And when Bai-shi was slandering Zhang-shi, she also expressed that madam wasn’t that kind of person. Other than that, she was unable to say anything else.

“……regarding the doctor, it’s Bai-shi’s second rank servant girl Zhu’er that went to report to younger sister-in-law. Younger sister-in-law said she only heard that Bai-shi was somewhat uncomfortable, so she invited a doctor from outside as per usual practice, and didn’t go trouble the manor’s doctor. But Zhu’er instead said that she’d explained Bai-shi’s situation very clearly, stating that it was very serious and wanted to make an exception in inviting the manor’s doctor. Yet, second sister-in-law said that it wasn’t reasonable for a yiniang to trouble the manor’s doctor, and thus obstructed. Who’s right and who’s wrong, everyone all had their own saying.”

The origins of the entire matter, for the most part, all became clear. And it was just that pattern.

If they continue to carefully investigate, they’ll definitely be able to discover some clues. Just, whether or not they’ll be able to dig to the mastermind behind the scenes in the end, will have to depend on how good that person’s skills were. Also, Jing Wan was rather curious, that old servant woman locked up in her courtyard’s woodshed, what kind of role did she play in this matter? There was one thing she was certain of, having that old servant woman run into her courtyard was a plan devised in the last minute. Gong mama has already gone to investigate who all she’d met with, before going to Elegant Haitang Residence. However, from Jing Wan’s perspective, if this matter really was the handiwork of that third aunt of hers, there probably won’t be any results in the end.

Jing Wan’s gaze lightly landed on her third aunt. Her brows were lowered and her eyes restrained, with neither sorrow nor happiness on her face. And the expression in her eyes couldn’t be seen clearly either. Her entire person was just calm and quiet. Have to say, Liu-shi, on normal days, was usually very sensible in her words and actions. She knew that grandmother didn’t like her that much, so she never tried to be a pain in the neck. And in front of others, she wasn’t stubborn, yet was by no means weak either.

The other female masters of the Luo family rear court at first weren’t sure either, whether their third branch’s conflicts were due to Liu-shi controlling the whole situation, or the schemes between the other Yiniangs amongst themselves. Just as time went on, even if they still haven’t found any evidence on her, they more or less understood in their hearts.

Liu-shi’s skin was thick, so naturally Luo Jing Ying was far inferior to her. On the surface, you’ll never be able to catch her fault, and never be able to see any mistakes, aside from the ones she purposefully puts out. However, if her appearance and inner thoughts really coincided, then she wouldn’t have raised a daughter with a temper like Luo Jing Ying. In this antiquated era, a mother’s influence towards her children, especially a daughter, was simply too big. If it weren’t for the fact that Jing Wan possessed her past life’s memories, then perhaps she might have became a sweet naive idiot like Zhang-shi.

Because when she was at Qi’an Fu, Jing Wan was already suspicious of this bit, and also because she was really bored with too much time on her hand, she relied on the fact that a child wouldn’t be easily noticed by others and secretly spied on Liu-shi for a full six months, discovering a side of Liu-shi’s not known to anyone.

At that time, Jing Wan was very shocked. If this person lived in a certain circle in her past life, she’d definitely be like a fish in water, getting little oscars till her hands went limp.

Liu-shi always regarded herself as a descendant of a founding duke, unable to see clearly, or rather unwilling to see clearly, the reality. Just, she was also especially rational as well, never revealing her inner thoughts to anyone. In short, it can be summarized by just a single phrase, ‘a servant girl’s body, yet stubbornly harbors a princess’s dream.’

After becoming aware of Liu-shi’s thoughts, Jing Wan sometimes felt it was very ridiculous. Her third uncle was only a shu son, even if her grandparents both passed away, when the family divided, he wouldn’t be able to get much either. And third uncle was someone whose sight was high, yet his abilities were average. And Liu-shi saw through him too thoroughly, that’s why she entrusted all her hope onto her daughter. If she really had put all her thoughts into raising her two children, in the future, she may not necessarily be unable to fulfill her wish. But unfortunately, her thoughts have long gone astray. She always messed around with schemes, especially towards her, the person that pressed down on her daughter’s head, hating that she can’t hack her into piece.

Moreover, the vanity and jealousy in her bones were especially strong. If others lived well, she’ll feel unhappy. This bit, Luo Jing Ying unexpectedly learned perfectly well from her. But, of the entire Luo family rear court, only her(Jing Wan’s) mother was an easy target to scheme against. However, her mother had her father behind her backing her, so even if she splashed dirty water on her mother, her father would still believe her to be pure and flawless. That’s why, the times where Liu-shi actually made a move weren’t many.

The matter this time, how others thought, Jing Wan didn’t know, but she felt that nine times out of ten, it was this third aunt’s handiwork. She really was just as malicious as always. These spies hidden in the Falling Plum Residence, she didn’t know how long they’ve been hiding here, but to dare expose themselves, they at least had to be certain they’ll be able to frame her mother. If it was a normal matter, it’d still be okay, but this matter related to children. Even if it was her father, he would undoubtedly also feel unhappy inside. And more importantly, Zhang-shi’s image inside the servants’ hearts will completely be gone. Regardless how good she was in the past, they’ll all feel she was just pretending, having words of a Buddha, but heart of a snake. If it was someone who had skills and means, this kind of situation wouldn’t be anything, because they would be able to suppress it, and be able to make a comeback. But if it was Zhang-shi, the days will probably become difficult.

Her purpose wasn’t to have Zhang-shi beaten to death either. Because she was very clear, just this wasn’t enough to kill off Zhang-shi. She just didn’t want Zhang-shi to be that carefree and cheerful all day, plus she also wanted to make Jing Wan unhappy.

Carefully thinking like this, if this goal was accomplished, it really would be like hitting seven-tenths of a snake!

Luo Old Madam finished listening, “Just this? Still haven’t found out anything else?”