Lianyi widened her eyes in horror. She straightened her body and asked, “Why? No one else died. It was only you……” 

  “Little Five” helplessly said, “It’s because I helped someone commit an evil act. It’s the cycle of karma. The King of Hell said that if the truth isn’t revealed, then he has to sentence me with being unable reincarnate. This way, the mortal world will see that there’s a price for doing something nefarious.” 

  Lianyi could only blankly stare at him as tears kept falling from her eyes. 

  Ji Man tugged on Marquis Moyu’s sleeve, and the two of them quietly went back inside. 

  Ning Yuxuan asked, “You want Lianyi to act as a witness against Qian Lainxue?” 

  Ji Man pursed her lips. “Why not?” 

  “Then, what do you want her punishment to be?” 

  Ji Man seriously thought over his question before saying, “At minimum, didn’t she try to kill me? According to the law, isn’t the punishment death?” 

  Ning Yuxuan slightly furrowed his brow. 

  Lianxue was someone that had been with him for several years and helped him with many tasks. For her to die like this…… 

  Clearly understanding his feelings, Ji Man patted his shoulder and said, “This servant knows that the marquis will definitely feel heartache if Lianxue dies. This servant isn’t an unreasonably demanding person either. How about you just write a divorce letter?” 

  Was she really someone that would kind-heartedly let off Qian Lianxue like this? She just wanted him to divorce her? Marquis Moyu looked at her in disbelief. 

  Ji Man seriously said, “This servant won’t go back on my word.” 

  Ning Yuxuan mulled over her words. For the time being, he would just wait and see. Perhaps, with Qian Lianxue’s skillful rhetoric, Nie Sangyu wouldn’t be able to defeat her. 

  — 

  The next day, as expected, Lianyi followed Nie Sangyu to meet with Old Madame and tell her the truth about the poisonous snakes incident in Feiwan Courtyard. She exposed Qian Lianxue as the hidden mastermind. Little Five had just been following her order. 

  Qian Lianxue felt furious as she knelt down in front of Old Madame. In tears, she said, “This servant has always whole-heartedly served the marquis and Old Madame. This servant didn’t expect that even after all these years, Madam still can’t tolerate this servant. This servant hasn’t treated Lianyi unwell either. This servant is shocked that she would turn around and bite me.” 

  Old Madame was frowning as she looked at Nie Sangyu. She wasn’t quite sure what was going on. 

  However, Ji Man said, “This household has always been in disharmony. A lot of servants have said that it’s because Sangyu has been inciting trouble. But, Old Madame, did you know? It’s the meekest person that’s the scariest.” 

  “Lianyi is Xuesong Courtyard’s loyal servant. If she hadn’t seen Little Five’s ghost last night, she would have never exposed the truth.” Ji Man glanced at Marquis Moyu, who sitting on the side, and said, “The marquis was also there last night.” 

  Old Madame froze in surprise, then she looked at her son. 

  Ning Yuxuan quietly looked at the kneeling Qian Lianxue. He wasn’t a cold and ruthless person. Even if Lianxue had a lot of hidden secrets, and it would be better to deal with her sooner rather than later, he couldn’t stay an indifferent bystander. After all, they had been married for so long. 

  If he allowed her to stay here, she and Sangyu wouldn’t stop fighting until one of them died. Perhaps, even more secrets would be dragged out into the light. Since it was like that, then he should just release her and give her freedom. 

  Ning Yuxuan finally spoke, “I’ll write a divorce letter. Lianxue can return to her maiden home.” 

  Qian Lianxue incredulously looked at him. She probably didn’t know that she had already lost her usefulness. “My lord, you want to divorce Lianxue?” 

  Ning Yuxuan looked at her and lightly said, “You conspired to murder Madam. Normally, the punishment would be a death sentence. But, because of our past years of mutual affection, I’ll allow you to leave this estate.” 

  Old Madame looked at her son and didn’t say another word. She didn’t especially like Qian Lianxue. It was just that Qian Lianxue had helped her with so many things. Although she didn’t understand why Qian Lianxue had wanted to drive Jinse out of the estate, Qian Lianxue hadn’t made any other mistakes. 

  Ji Man smiled. Looking at the shocked expression on Qian Lianxue’s face, she lightly said, “My lord, thank you for fairly settling this matter for Sangyu.” 

  Qian Lianxue had already thought that Nie Sangyu had acted outrageously by demoting her from an honored concubine to an ordinary concubine. She couldn’t believe that the marquis was now divorcing her because of this woman. 

  What was the result of being divorced? The important thing wasn’t her reputation, it was the fact that she had completely lost her usefulness. For now, let’s not even discuss the third prince. That was related to Nie Sangyu. But, what about her other master? She had always hidden herself well. She absolutely shouldn’t have been exposed at this point! 

  No, this was wrong. Old Madame and the marquis shouldn’t have treated her like this just because of Lianyi’s words. Nie Sangyu must have used some underhanded tricks. It was all her fault. 

  Qian Lianxue was filled with an endless amount of anger and resentment. After gasping for breath for a few seconds, she fainted. 

  Even after she fainted, Qian Lianxue’s teeth were still clenched. She was feeling too resentful. She hadn’t reached her goal yet. She had helped so many people with their tasks. As long as one of them succeeded, she would be able to enjoy untold riches and luxuries. She wouldn’t have to continue being a pitiful concubine. Why? Why did Marquis Moyu choose to give up on her at this juncture? 

  “Master……” Danzhu watched as the other servants carried her master out. She knelt down and kowtowed at the marquis and Old Madame. “Master has always been sickly and now she’s fainted. There aren’t many people left in Qian Clan. Old Madame, Marquis, please just look the other way and spare my master!” 

  Ji Man started walking outside and had Dengxin pull Danzhu up. “Don’t worry. I’ll personally escort your master back home. Qian Clan’s estate, I’ll definitely properly sort it out for your master.” 

  Danzhu wanted to say more, but Dengxin was especially forceful and was already dragging her out of the room. 

  “Nie Sangyu, die a wretched death!”


  Chapter 238 – Leaving behind a net when returning the fish to the pond (1) 

  Enveloped in pure hatred, Danzhu looked at Nie Sangyu with redden eyes and shouted those words. 

  Her master had already been pitiful enough, but this woman had driven her master into becoming a divorced woman. Why couldn’t she let her off? 

  They were still in the main courtyard, but she had dared to shout out those words. She was probably just overwhelmed by protective feelings towards her master, but Danggui didn’t care how pitifully she was crying. Based on just these words, she could slap her silly. Danggui angrily said, “Outrageous! How dare you insult Madam? Do you still want to live?” 

  She slapped Danzhu so hard that her face turned to the side, but Danzhu went right back to hatefully glaring at Nie Sangyu. 

  Old Madame coughed a few times, then she angrily smashed her teacup onto the floor. “Absolutely shameful! Such a dirty mouth. Go and tear out her tongue!” 

  Hearing these words, the nearby servants went over and prepared to carry out Old Madame’s order. 

  Frightened, Danzhu hurriedly controlled her emotions and kowtowed towards Old Madame. “This servant deserves to die. Old Madame, please forgive this servant. This servant didn’t mean those words. It just came out in a moment of desperation……” 

  Ji Man stood to the side and didn’t move. The servants had already immobilized Danzhu. Danggui slapped both sides of Danzhu’s face and looked as if she really was going to tear out Danzhu’s tongue. 

  Ji Man touched her own mouth and shivered. She said, “Danggui, no need for you to do this with your hands. Sangyu will take her away to be disciplined.” 

  She wasn’t being soft-hearted. If Danzhu lost her tongue, then how would she be able to speak? Even if she was going to die, it had to wait until she was done getting her answers. Gancao’s autopsy report was still quietly lying inside her sleeve. 

  Old Madame coughed a few times. She seemed even more tired than before and needed Shouwu’s support as she walked back to her bedroom. 

  — 

  Danzhu’s eyes were filled with hate and resentment, but she could only lower her head as she was brought back to Xuesong Courtyard. 

  In the end, Ning Yuxuan was a person that cared about old affections. He had sent over a doctor to check on Qian Lianxue’s health. 

  Ji Man was sitting by Qian Lianxue’s bedside. She had the servants push Danzhu down into a kneeling position. 

  “This world really has ghosts. Do you think people that have gotten use to having a guilty conscience believes in them?” Ji Man swept her gaze across the bed to look at Qian Lianxue, who had her eyes tightly closed. Then, she looked at the ground, where Danzhu was kneeling. She chuckled and said, “Sleeping in this room, have you seen Gancao in your dreams?” 

  Danzhu slightly trembled. The room fell silent. 

  On the side, Doctor Li, who was checking Qian Lianxue’s pulse, momentarily paused. The next second, he lowered his head and pretended that he hadn’t heard anything. 

  Danzhu moved her lips and resolutely said, “Gancao died from the fire.” 

  “Really?” Ji Man took out the autopsy report from her sleeve and slowly knelt down in front of Danzhu. “There was an injury on her head. The people from the local judicial office inferred that she was knocked unconscious and that was why she didn’t come out of the burning building. Gancao has always been quick-witted. Do you think she knocked herself unconscious for no reason? 

  Danzhu’s eyes slightly widened, and she turned her head away. 

  “This autopsy report only has the cause of death, but it doesn’t name the assailant.” Ji Man slightly smiled. She pulled Danzhu’s chin to face her. Looking directly at her, she said, “Gancao had been so close to marrying the person that she loved the most, but someone killed her and caused her body to be burnt beyond recognition. Even if she waited in the underworld for him for a hundred years, he might not be able to recognize her. So, what do you think? Do you think I’ll be willing to let this go?” 

  Danzhu kept trying to look away from her, but her voice was stubborn as she said, “This has nothing to do with this servant.” 

  “That’s fine.” Ji Man was smiling as she patted Danzhu’s cheek. “Do you think it’s the end once the marquis writes a divorce letter? It won’t be. Your master had done too many unspeakable things. I’ll drag out each and every one of those things. She won’t be able to escape from the law of the land.” 

  Danzhu froze in shock, then hatred reappeared in her eyes. “Madam, why do you insist on making life difficult for Mistress Xue?” 

  Ji Man laughed. “Wait until she wakes up, then ask her. Why does she insist on making life difficult for me? The path is so wide. I wouldn’t have minded sharing the path with her. But, she insists on shoving me off the path. I’m not a person with a good temper either.” 

  After saying this, Ji Man stood up and looked at Qian Lianxue, who still hadn’t awaken, and said, “A carriage has already been prepared and is waiting outside. Doctor Li, if you don’t mind, you can come with me to Qian Residence and continue examining.” 

  Doctor Li nodded. He stood up and tidied up his things. The stronger servant girls, who had been waiting on the side, stepped forward to carry Qian Lianxue out of the room 

  “Stop!” Danzhu rushed to the bedside to protect her master. She fiercely glared at those servant girls and said, “None of you are allowed to touch my master. Her body is already very weak. Why can’t you just leave her alone and allow her to recuperate?” 

  Ji Man turned her head back and looked at her as she said, “She’s being carried out, not being thrown out. Is there any point in her lolling around here? I’m already personally sending the two of you back. What more do you want?” 

  The other servants pulled Danzhu away and carried Qian Lainxue out of the room. Dengxin supported Ji Man, and everyone got onto the carriage. 

  A servant girl didn’t have the right to sit in the same carriage as her master, but Danzhu insisted on watching over her master. Ji Man thought; it really was rare to have such a loyal servant. 

  And so, she agreed. 

  Danzhu continued to be on her guard as she looked at Nie Sangyu. 

  Ji Man didn’t have any other words that she wanted to say to her. She and Qian Lianxue were probably enemies that couldn’t live under the same sky. If Qian Lianxue really was the person responsible for kidnapping her child, then the chasm between the two of them was even deeper. No matter how deep the emotions were between this pair of master and servant, she still wanted pay back Qian Lianxue the pain of being separated from one’s flesh and blood. 

  As for getting revenge for Gancao’s death, she felt that Ning Mingjie had a higher right than her for demanding repayment. 

  The carriage was driven relatively smoothly. Lying in Danzhu’s arms, Qian Lianxue still hadn’t awakened. With her lips pursed, Danzhu looked at the scenery outside of the window and eventually felt there was something off. “This isn’t the way to Qian Residence.” 

  “En.” Propping her chin in her palm, Ji Man lightly said, “On the way there, we’re going to take a slight detour and pick someone up.”


  Chapter 239 – Leaving behind a net when returning the fish to the pond (2) 

  The carriage was being driven to a more remote area, Changle Street. The sound of music could be heard throughout the street. This was an area where many court-owned entertainers were placed. With her guard up, Danzhu looked at Nie Sangyu and said, “Who are you picking up? Didn’t you say that you were bringing us back home?” 

  Ji Man didn’t respond. The carriage had already stopped. The driver lifted the curtains, and a woman with a beautiful posture and a good figure entered the carriage. She was holding a Chinese lute. 

  Shocked by the sight of this woman that looked worn-down by life, Danzhu exclaimed, “Mistress Jinse?!” 

  Jinse very respectfully saluted Nie Sangyu, then she sat down by her side. She didn’t even bother looking at Danzhu. 

  “Because of his relationship with Sir Qian and also recalling his old affections with Lianxue, the marquis definitely couldn’t treat Lianxue poorly.” Ji Man smiled as she said, “I brought Jinse so that she can take care of Lianxue. Jinse will stay in Qian Residence until Lianxue’s health improves.” 

  Danzhu slightly trembled. In her arms, Qian Lianxue’s brows had also slightly moved. 

  She had been the one that framed Jinse and had the marquis kick her out of the household. This was just one of the many orders that she had carried out. After she carefully carried out this order, she told the third prince that this incident had nothing to do with her. Someone else had been responsible and used her as an excuse. At the time, she had been unconscious and hadn’t been able to stop the marquis. The third prince hadn’t cared much that Jinse was gone. After all, the marquis didn’t favor Jinse. 

  But, why had Nie Sangyu brought Jinse back now to attend to her? 

  Qian Lianxue felt very bewildered, but she didn’t dare to open her eyes. 

  Jinse had been born in a brothel and had belonged to it since she was born. When she left, she thought her life was turning around. But, she ended up being Qian Lianxue’s innocent sacrificial victim as part of balancing act. Who wouldn’t feel angered if they were betrayed by their teammate? 

  It was exactly this anger that Ji Man liked. And so, she had Dengxin redeem her a few days ago, then Jinse was to wait here until they came to pick her up so that she could serve Qian Lianxue. 

  Releasing Qian Lianxue back to Qian Residence was the same as releasing a fish back into a pond. Until her child was found, she had to set a net in this pond. 

  — 

  Qian Lianxue had already been brought inside. Before stepping through Qian Residence’s entrance, Jinse saluted Nie Sangyu. Her smile was lovely as she said, “Jinse thanks Madam for her great benevolence. Jinse had thought she would be doomed to that life forever.” 

  Ji Man smiled back. “Aren’t you afraid that I’m using you?” 

  “So what if you are?” Holding the Chinese lute, Jinse lightly plucked a string. “This servant is already accustomed to being used. Besides, if this servant was put away and forgotten, that would feel more tragic.” 

  She had gotten so used to looking at people’s expressions and accommodating their moods. Actually, as woman that entertained guests, she had been quite lonely. She had wanted to stop at Marquis Moyu’s estate, but she hadn’t known that the water there was too deep. Even after all of her painted rouge had been washed away, it still hadn’t been enough to keep her safe. 

  In the future, she would willingly marry a merchant and live a simple life. 

  Ji Man only smiled in response and went back into the carriage. 

  — 

  Qian Lianxue immediately fell seriously ill after returning to her maiden home. It was rumored that it was an incurable sickness, and she was hanging onto her last breath. 

  Ji Man wasn’t even the slightest bit worried about her. Qian Lianxue was a clever person that knew when to hide. There were a lot of ways for her to die, but she definitely wouldn’t die from being sick. 

  — 

  Other than Danzhu, who had left with Qian Lianxue, the rest of the servants in Xuesong Courtyard had remained. They all felt panic-stricken and uneasy. They were terrified that Nie Sangyu would take her anger out at them and make their lives miserable. 

  Ji Man didn’t unfairly lash out at them. She just reassigned them to the back of the residence and had them do rougher work than they were used to. Their days were dull, and their monthly allowance wasn’t high. From time to time, she would call over a few of them to chat. 

  The people that were called over to talk all said that Madam had only asked about a few unimportant questions. However, a few of the questioned people were sent to serve other honored concubines after coming back, and the other questioned people remained at the back of the residence to do manual labor. 

  As more time passed, some people couldn’t restrain themselves any longer and went to Feiwan Courtyard of their own initiative to tell Nie Sangyu information in exchange for a better future. 

  — 

  Cheerfully smilingly, Dengxin said, “Master, you’re so amazing.” 

  Ji Man meticulously selected a golden longevity charm, placed inside a brocade box, wrapped it up, and said, “This is the effect of praising the hens that lays eggs. Everyone is different. Not everyone will stay loyal to one person. Show a slight amount of benefits, and there will inevitably be someone willing to speak.” 

  And, there would definitely be something useful in some of their words. At the very least, she knew for sure that Qian Lianxue was involved in kidnapping her child now. 

  The two newly born babies would soon be one month old. There would naturally be all sorts of gifts sent over to Wen Wan’s place, so she didn’t need to concern herself with that birthday. Right now, she was about to head over to Liu Hanyun’s place to visit her. 

  Since Liu Hanyun had given birth to a daughter, Linghan Courtyard had become quite a lonely place. Other than when Mu Shuiqing would drop by there when she got tired of reciting Buddhist scriptures, Ji Man was the only other guest. 

  Marquis Moyu had bestowed Liu Hanyun various expensive items, but he still went to Qiangwei Courtyard the most. Watching this happening, Ji Man felt somewhat annoyed. 

  This jerk that’s favoring his son over his daughter, I hope your son becomes gay and breaks your heart! 

  Personally, she would have wanted a daughter herself. Either way, she didn’t know the gender of the baby that she had given birth to. 

  — 

  Ning Yuxuan had left the estate early in the morning today. However, he had left through the back gate and had only taken Guibai with him. He had changed his clothing and sneakily gone into a carriage and left. 

  The carriage traveled circuitously for several streets before stopping at Xiangguo Temple’s entrance. 

  Xiangguo Temple was flourishing; the air was thick with the smell of burning incense. There were many practitioners of Buddhism waiting outside and asking to see the abbot, but a novice monk kept saying, “The abbot is busy.” 

  Marquis Moyu went around the temple and entered through the back entrance. Abbot Xukong really was busy right now. Holding a baby in his arms and feeding it goat milk, he was smiling so widely that he looked liked the incarnation of the future Buddha.