Chapter 83: Xue Liuniang Seeks Help from the Matriarch of the Fourth Household

The maid who entered appeared to be about fifteen or sixteen years old, with a round face and small eyes, giving off a very gentle impression. However, Xue Liuniang had never seen her before.

She asked, “Are you from Eighth Lady’s quarters?”

The maid lowered her head and nodded softly. “I was newly assigned to Eighth Lady by the Old Madam.”

Xue Fanzhi had recently gained favor; originally she had only two capable maids, but the Old Madam, caring for her granddaughter, had assigned more. This was hardly surprising.

Besides, she barely knew all her own maids, let alone those from the main branch.

Xue Liuniang had no suspicion and inquired, “What did Eighth Lady send you for? So late at night—is it something urgent?”

The maid whispered, “Our lady fought with Seventh Lady and was injured. She is upset right now and wants Sixth Lady to come and talk to her.”

“Oh dear, another fight? What was it about this time?” Xue Liuniang still did not doubt her. It was understandable—Xue Fanzhi and Xue Jiaoyue had been quarreling frequently lately.

The maid replied, “It seems to be because of Xie Liulang.”

Xue Liuniang frowned, wondering why Eighth Lady, who also disliked Xie Liulang, would quarrel with Seventh Lady over him.

As she pondered, the maid added, “My lady’s face was badly scratched by Seventh Lady. Please come and see her; she trusts you as a sister and sincerely asks for your comfort.”

A facial injury? Xue Liuniang could not neglect this. “Alright, I’ll change clothes and come right away.”

She had already unbound her hair and changed into casual attire.

The maid said she had to return to her duties; Hong Lian had only given her a brief break, implying they could not wait for Xue Liuniang.

Since it was all within her own courtyard, Xue Liuniang could take her own maid along. She waved her off, “Go ahead, I’ll come on my own later.”

The maid took a couple of steps but then seemed to recall something. She returned and bowed deeply, saying, “Sixth Lady, my mistress says this is a family shame and does not want it spread around. Please come alone so no one else finds out. Besides, my mistress is not well-mannered.”

After all, family scandals should not be aired publicly.

Xue Liuniang hastily changed her clothes, but paid little heed to the maid’s words. In fact, she agreed with Xue Fanzhi’s approach—since the injury was on the face, it was better not to spread the news. Confiding in a trusted sister was just for emotional relief, not for gossip.

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“I understand!” Xue Liuniang waved her hand, signaling the maid to leave.

Once the maid was gone, Huang Ying helped Xue Liuniang dress and asked, “Mistress, are you really going alone in the dark like this?”

Before Xue Liuniang could answer, she sensed something was amiss. “What did you say?”

Huang Ying paused, then smiled, “What did I say? What’s wrong?”

Xue Liuniang frowned. “You said I’m going alone in the dark?”

Huang Ying nodded. “Yes. What’s the matter, Mistress? Should I accompany you?”

Xue Liuniang’s gaze sharpened. She nearly forgot Eighth Lady’s warning—not to go out at night, no matter who called.

Could it be that the person Eighth Lady feared was already acting?

But Xie Sixth Lady had returned home. Eighth Lady said everything stemmed from Xie Liulang, yet he was no longer around. His influence should be gone.

Still, if it was true, Eighth Lady was introverted; without comfort and with a facial injury, she might be miserable… And she trusted Xue Liuniang so much.

Thus, whether she went or not, there was worry. What to do—wait until morning or go now?

If they really fought, by morning Eighth Lady might no longer want her help.

It was a difficult choice. What to do?

Xue Liuniang paced inside, and Huang Ying, puzzled, asked, “Mistress, what’s wrong?”

Bringing a maid along? But if it was true, Eighth Lady would not want many maids around. No need to bring anyone.

Suddenly, Xue Liuniang thought of someone who could give her an answer.

She finished dressing and went to see the Madame of the Fourth Branch.

The old lady was still awake, discussing household matters with a trusted nanny, mentioning Xie Liulang’s situation. She lamented that Xie Liulang was now the legitimate daughter of the Xie family, but because of her foster mother’s status, it might take time to find a suitable match. People had yet to adjust to the change.

If something happened now and Xie Liulang was at the Xue residence, perhaps she would take an interest in their granddaughter. Sixth Lady wasn’t suitable—though beautiful, she was rare and precious. Fourth Lady, however, was a good match for Xie Liulang. It was uncertain if he would return, but if he did, they must not miss the opportunity.

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The question was, when would they get involved?

No sooner had she finished speaking than Xue Liuniang arrived.

The Madame of the Fourth Branch did not favor Xue Liuniang, so her tone was indifferent. “Why are you here so late?”

Since Xue Liuniang had come, she had her own plan.

“Grandmother, I’ve come to seek your advice. The main issue is that Eighth Lady seems to have fought with Seventh Lady. Eighth Lady scared Seventh Lady off, but she herself was injured on the face. I want to go see her. The night is late—is that alright?”

The mistress of the Third Branch suddenly straightened up, as though hearing great news. “Eighth and Seventh Lady fought again? Did it really come to blows?”

With communication within Eighth Lady’s courtyard, how could it be false?

Xue Liuniang nodded repeatedly.

The Madame of the Fourth Branch smiled as if it were a festival. “She was scratched on the face? Then we really must go see her. We can’t let Eighth Lady suffer; she has no one to speak for her. This is excellent. The main branch always acts high and mighty; now I can see their household’s commotion in person. We must go!”

Still, she did not want to be the sole elder accompanying them. Xue Liuniang pondered the Old Madam’s expression when she agreed; it seemed the grandmother intended to go.

However, Xue Liuniang could not tell the Third Branch Madame this, or she would not go, and her efforts would be wasted.

Xue Liuniang had decided: whether Eighth Lady truly needed care or someone was playing tricks, as long as she brought her grandmother along, no evil spirit could dare interfere. Yes, that was settled.

So she did not oppose it but worried that bringing too many people would anger Xue Fanzhi. She hurriedly said, “Grandmother, since this isn’t a happy matter, if you’re going, let’s not bring too many people, alright?”

“Alright, anything goes,” the Madame of the Fourth Branch replied. She resented the Main Branch’s Old Madam’s arrogance and certainty, so she was determined to go see how the so-called eldest daughter of a noble family raised two daughters who loved to fight.

She wanted to see the Old Madam’s displeased face. If she had not intervened, it would surely be entertaining.

She was going. She must go!