Chapter Fourteen: The Consequence

The Fallen Blossom Pavilion was the place within the Duke’s residence where newly arrived maids and servants received their training. A modest, two-story wooden building sat with an open courtyard behind it, flanked by a row of small adjoining rooms.

At this moment, the interior was dimly lit, save for a single ray of sunlight filtering through the lofty wooden window, illuminating only a patch of floor. Dust motes drifted through the air, swirling before the nose and prompting an involuntary sneeze.

Qin Muchuan had been carried here by others. He frowned, about to speak, when he heard Qianqian’s voice from the adjoining room. He realized now that this chamber was actually a partitioned space, much like the interrogation rooms in an official’s office.

“I know nothing! Aren’t you afraid the young master will hear of this?” Qianqian screamed herself hoarse, “Why frame me? What do you gain from this?”

Someone on the other side questioned her, “On the night of the wedding, were you the last to attend to the lady and the young master?”

“It wasn’t just me! Yue’er and Linglong were there too!” Qianqian protested, but the questioner cut her off.

“You alone guarded the door?”

Silence fell immediately. Qin Muchuan listened intently. Though Qianqian’s voice was low, he could guess she was compelled to answer affirmatively, for it was the truth.

“I’ll ask one more question. When I count to three, the four of you will answer together. If anyone responds late, I will cut out all your tongues! If anyone lies, I will cut out all your tongues!”

So there were others present? Qin Muchuan pondered this, when suddenly the interrogator demanded, “Was it she who told you about the young master? One, two, three—”

“It was her!”

“It was her!”

“It was her!”

Three voices cried out in terror, while Qianqian, struck dumb with fear, could not speak. Qin Muchuan discerned the interrogator was a seasoned hand—first intimidating, then pressuring them to answer quickly, leaving them no time for fabrication, so only the truth emerged. The one who remained silent was either terrified beyond words or hiding something.

Qin Muchuan felt a dryness in his heart. He had wrongly accused Gu Qiulan. With the presence of Gu’s second brother and the incident at the Duke’s residence, the coincidence fueled his resentment toward Gu Zhongyun, and he had vented it upon Gu Qiulan. He felt as if all the dignity he’d ever possessed had been swept away. His wife was wise and considerate, yet he had—he had... Ah!

Every rumor has its end. Besides, from yesterday afternoon when Qin Muchuan returned and was beaten until this morning, only a few hours had passed, and word had not spread far. The elders of the Duke’s residence were all veterans who had followed Duke Qin from the battlefield. Though not highly educated, they were ever vigilant. Steward Zhao, once a scout, had heard from Madam Chen last night that the young mistress was unfamiliar with those in the front courtyard. They quickly convened and held an inquiry. The two young servants and the gatekeeper woman gave differing accounts, but all evidence converged upon Qianqian.

In the Duke’s residence, there was no custom of selling off maids. For one, it was a matter of family dignity and tradition. Secondly, a maid sold away might gossip outside, which would not reflect well. Thirdly, Duke Qin was a military man, and the residence housed many secrets; even a mere gatekeeper could, if manipulated, cause grave disaster. Thus, Qianqian was soundly beaten and sent that very night to the Duke’s country estate. There, the matrons who guarded the place were accustomed to dealing with village women; none were easy to fool, and their methods of discipline were endlessly varied.

Yue’er and Linglong saw the people from Ninghui Hall come to collect Qianqian’s belongings. The room was ransacked; valuables taken, worthless items swept up and burned on the spot.

The stewardess in charge eyed the two cowering girls in the corner, both delicate and lovely, and sneered, “One should know their place! Otherwise... heh.” She tossed Qianqian’s clothes into the fire, where they were reduced to ashes.

Yue’er and Linglong clung to each other, trembling in fear.

When Gu Qiulan returned, she found Qin Muchuan sunk in thought upon the bed, and Yue’er and Linglong standing in the corner as if their souls had fled.

“Husband, are you feeling better?” Gu Qiulan asked softly, sitting by the bed.

“Ah... erm... much better.” Qin Muchuan was thoroughly embarrassed. He thought it best not to see Gu Qiulan for a while. When his wounds healed, he would take her out for a stroll, ease her mind, and make amends with a fine piece of jewelry. Perhaps the matter would then pass lightly. His little wife had always been virtuous and magnanimous, gentle and agreeable. After this incident, Qin Muchuan had no doubts about her forbearance.

As Qin Muchuan agonized over whether to apologize or speak kindly, Gu Qiulan took the initiative for self-reflection. “Husband.”

“Eh!”

“This morning, I went to greet Mother and mentioned Qianqian’s matter. Mother did not consent. I thought Aunt is a person of status, so if Mother disagrees, we must let it rest for now. But if Qianqian is not fit, it doesn’t matter—there’s still Yue’er and Linglong...”

Before she finished, Yue’er suddenly prostrated herself, crawling swiftly over to clutch Gu Qiulan’s leg, sobbing, “Young Madam, Young Madam, I’ve never liked men since I was little! If a man touches me, I get dizzy and nauseous, break out in sores and ulcers!”

Cunning! Yue’er, ever sly, had seized the chance to pledge loyalty. Linglong, seeing this—fortunately, Gu Qiulan still had another leg—leapt forward and embraced it as well. “Young Madam! The fortune teller said I’m destined to be a nun—men must never touch me! If I break the vow, my fate will be ruined, and in the next life I’ll be reborn as a beast. Please show mercy, Young Madam!”

Bah! Just last month, this little vixen claimed to have the fate of a phoenix, and now suddenly it’s a nun’s destiny! Yue’er was quick not to be outdone: “The moment I first saw Young Madam, I knew I belonged to you! I wish to serve you for my entire life!”

Gu Qiulan looked troubled, glancing to the left; all the maids in the room knelt, swearing like soldiers before their commander: “We are willing to serve Young Madam for our whole lives!”

Gu Qiulan, exasperated, glanced right; even the elderly matrons, close to forty, were considering kneeling.

With a single sentence and two glances, Gu Qiulan had unified the entire household. Qin Muchuan felt his emotions were beyond description.

“Husband, look—”

Qin Muchuan waved his hand weakly. “Let them all go out.”

Before Gu Qiulan could reply, Yue’er and Linglong quickly wiped their tears and snot, scrambled to their feet, and shouted, “As you command!”

Qin Muchuan: ...

Throughout, Gu Qiulan had said little, always acting in accordance with Qin Muchuan’s instructions, never once disobeying. Only last night, when a sudden storm broke, Miaomiao had gone to borrow an umbrella from Madam Chen and happened to mention, “Young Madam doesn’t know anyone around Old Master Qin; she hasn’t spoken a word to them.”

“Using another’s blade to kill?” Gu Qiulan smiled inwardly. “Husband, this is true mastery of using another’s blade—learn well.”