Chapter Twenty-Five: Xue Yang Has Quieted Down

Madame Xue looked at Lady Jin with disdain and said, "A proper wife living like you is better off dead."

Lady Jin felt even more aggrieved. She had borne four children, yet the master of the house still paid her no mind; what could she do? She couldn't possibly fall out with the master over a mere concubine—she couldn’t afford to be cast aside.

"It’s clearly that wretched Huiniang who’s out of control. Why do you always scold me?"

Madame Xue had no patience for Lady Jin's inability to distinguish inside from outside. She called out toward the door, "Has she been brought in?"

Nanny Jiang immediately pushed someone into the room.

The newcomer wore a shawl of Shu brocade and a long robe embroidered in Suzhou style. The jewelry she wore was even more exquisite than Lady Jin’s. She was a few years younger than Lady Jin, with an oval face, high cheekbones, and phoenix eyes, giving her a more mature and somewhat sharp appearance, far less beautiful than Lady Jin’s large eyes and bold brows.

Yet, she was favored over Lady Jin.

This was none other than Huiniang, who had recently snatched Lady Jin’s fabric.

Huiniang had a habit of eavesdropping on Lady Jin. When Madame Xue arrived, she was already tiptoeing outside, listening in, and heard her own misfortune being discussed.

She had just wanted to return the fabric and deny taking it, claiming Lady Jin had falsely accused her. But Nanny Jiang, as if she knew exactly where Huiniang was hiding, dragged her out and brought her in.

Madame Xue was not Lady Jin. Lady Jin would let Huiniang abuse her, but would only retaliate inside the courtyard; things never left the premises.

Madame Xue was different. As matriarch, even Xue Yang had to respect her.

And Huiniang had indeed taken what Madame Xue had gifted to Eighth Miss Xue.

Huiniang was now beside herself with regret. When Lady Jin said the fabric was a reward for Eighth Miss, Huiniang thought if Lady Jin could take it, so could she. Who would have guessed that the quiet Eighth Miss would go straight to Madame Xue with her complaint?

Such a thing had never happened before.

As soon as Huiniang was pushed in, she saw Madame Xue seated by the window. The stern, contemptuous gaze made her shiver. She hurried forward and knelt with a thud, saying, "Your concubine Huiniang greets Madame!"

Her greeting was trembling, and she dared not utter any plea for herself.

Madame Xue detested concubines, couldn’t even be bothered to speak to Huiniang. She addressed Nanny Jiang, "Why bring her before me? Go to her room and retrieve the things. As for her, drag her out and give her twenty strokes of the family rod!"

Madame Xue had wanted thirty, but worried she might kill her, making it hard to explain to Xue Yang.

Ten would be too light; twenty was just right—not only a lesson for Huiniang, but once her backside was battered, Xue Yang would hardly lavish her with affection.

---

Nanny Jiang, following orders, brought in strong maids to seize Huiniang.

Huiniang knew Xue Yang cherished her smooth, delicate skin. If her backside was ruined, she’d surely lose favor. She struggled, pleading, "I must see the master, please let me see the master!"

Madame Xue waved a hand. Nanny Jiang’s team dragged Huiniang away, some stuffing her mouth with cloth, others stripping her outer garments, all with practiced ease. Not a sound escaped Huiniang during the process.

After she was gone, everyone could hear the crack of the rod and Huiniang’s cries from the courtyard.

Lady Jin realized that if she weren’t Xue Yang’s wife, she’d be suffering the same fate. A chill ran through her, her face pale, legs trembling.

Xue Fanzhi had once been Empress, weathered storms, and witnessed life and death, but in her past life, even when she ordered executions or punishments, her heart sometimes wavered—most often, Xiao Yi handled such matters for her.

She stole a glance at Madame Xue’s expression. The matriarch’s gaze was unwavering, her demeanor stern, unmoved by the miserable sounds outside. Xue Fanzhi couldn’t help but admire her. If only she had such ruthlessness, she wouldn’t have borne the infamous title of "witch-empress." She resolved to learn from this.

The twenty strokes were soon finished.

Nanny Jiang returned to report, "She cannot stand. She wishes to see the master."

With her back battered, only a miracle could let her stand. Madame Xue dismissed the plea with a cold laugh, "Let her look for her master! I refuse to believe that even if her master comes, he can do anything to his own mother!"

Before Nanny Jiang could go, Xue Yang’s servant came seeking Madame Xue, with urgent news: "The master has fallen into the water—his life hangs by a thread!"

Lady Jin, still kneeling, panicked and dazed, asking, "How did the master fall into the water? Which pond? Has the doctor been called?"

She burst into tears.

Xue Fanzhi pondered silently—how had Xue Yang fallen into the water? That never happened in her previous life. "His life hangs by a thread!"

If Xue Yang died, would her days become easier?

With the master in crisis, everyone was anxious. Madame Xue left Xue Fanzhi’s room early, unable to impart advice or suppress Lady Jin as she intended.

There was no time to reprimand Xue Jiaoyue for her scheming, either.

Still, the fabric Lady Jin had taken was returned, and she even gained two extra bolts.

As for Lady Jin’s humiliation and Huiniang’s punishment, Xue Fanzhi felt little sympathy—they had brought it upon themselves.

Everyone rushed to see Xue Yang. Xue Fanzhi did not go; injured, she had plenty of excuses. Ordinarily, she would have been expected to personally greet Madame Xue, but fortunately, Madame Xue didn’t press her.

---

Once the crowd dispersed, Xue Fanzhi and Honglian tidied the room; Lady Jin was of no use—she went to check on her beloved master.

Xue Fanzhi then sent Hongxiao to investigate Xue Yang’s situation outside.

Honglian, however, had more sources of information, so after discussing with Hongxiao, they switched duties.

By the time they finished straightening the room after Lady Jin’s havoc, Honglian returned.

Honglian, brimming with gossip, reported, "The master was accompanying the Ninth Prince at a banquet. He had instructed the servants to trouble you after the meal, but unexpectedly drank too much. On his way back, passing by the courtyard pond, he fell in. If not for a page who could swim and rescued him in time, we’d be arranging his funeral now.

But this way, the old general can rest easy. The master will need to recuperate for a while and won’t be able to bother you."

Xue Yang was alive!

But Xue Yang drunk? Xue Fanzhi recalled his excellent tolerance—how had Xiao Yi managed to get him drunk?

Drunk and in danger—was it just coincidence?

Was Xiao Yi avenging her, deliberately getting Xue Yang drunk and then pushing him into the water?

At this thought, Xue Fanzhi’s lips curled in a mocking smile—she chided herself for wishful thinking.

In her past life, Xiao Yi might indeed have done such a thing for her, but in this life, they hadn’t even begun a relationship.

And judging by her prior fate, even if Xiao Yi stood up for her, it was merely a dagger wrapped in sugar. In the end, she would be ensnared, and Xiao Yi would reveal his blade.

If not Xiao Yi, perhaps Xue Yang orchestrated it himself.

With so many outsiders present, he couldn’t lose his temper at her, but as master, his pride couldn’t bear the humiliation—this might have been his only option.

Or perhaps she was overthinking, and it was simply an accident.

Regardless, Xue Yang was subdued for now, and she could finally enjoy a few peaceful days.