Chapter 166: Chapter 165: Subtle Ripples in the Deep Mansion
"Second Brother..."
Shang Ruyi’s voice was very soft, amidst the din of the Water and Land Dojo, it was as thin as a mosquito whisper, easily overlooked in a moment of distraction.
But she knew, Yu Wenye must have heard it.
Yet even if he heard, he had no spirit to respond, still kneeling there woodenly, as if his whole being’s spirit had departed, leaving only a bit of lingering sentiment tethered to his body, allowing him to persist in soberly enduring all the grief.
At this moment, someone lifted the curtain, Shang Ruyi turned to look, it was Jinyun.
Her complexion was also exceptionally pale and haggard; she looked at Yu Wenye for a while, then softly said to Shang Ruyi, "Young Madam, you should go and persuade Second Young Master. In this state, with grief in his heart, he’ll drive himself into a serious illness."
"..."
Shang Ruyi was silent for a while, then said, "Persuading him at this time, he wouldn’t listen."
"But—"
"Let’s leave it as it is for now."
Shang Ruyi said and then let down the curtain and stepped out, and also instructed the little maid serving at the altar in front, "Go and change the tea beside Second Young Master; it has gone cold. Also, bring a small brazier to his side."
The little maid immediately replied, "Yes."
After doing all this, she then turned to Jinyun and said softly, "Aunt Yun, why have you gotten up?"
Jinyun had returned from Liaoxi escorting the coffin, a long journey coupled with excessive grief, fainted just after settling the coffin. Shang Ruyi had her sent back to rest, but barely a night had passed and she was already dressed and came out.
Shang Ruyi said, "You’re not well, you should rest a bit more."
Jinyun gently shook her head, "No matter what, I must send the Madam on her last journey, how can I hide in the room and enjoy comfort?"
"Aunt Yun..."
"Young Madam, this time, it’s made you tired."
Shang Ruyi hurriedly said, "This is mother’s matter, how can it be tiresome for me?"
Jinyun coughed lightly twice and looked around, frowned and said, "Busy as it is outside, how come Han Yuhui is nowhere to be seen? What is she doing?"
Tushere heard this, and immediately came forward and said, "I heard something happened in the tea room, Aunt Hui went to handle it."
Jinyun furrowed her brow, "What matter can there be in the tea room, and yet such a lot in front that she’s not handling?"
Shang Ruyi thought for a moment, and said, "Let’s go take a look."
After she said this, she led Jinyun and Tushere through the side door towards the tea room, just halfway there they heard cries from ahead, seeming like someone was shouting "Injustice" and such.
And the voice was quite familiar.
The entrance of the tea room was already crowded with people; as Shang Ruyi and the others arrived, the servants watching the commotion immediately moved to either side, Jinyun said coldly, "So busy in front, yet you have leisure to watch here? Is your work all done?"
The servants were scared and repeatedly begged for mercy, immediately dispersing.
Only then did they enter the tea room, where Aunt Hui stood in the center, a tall and elegant maid was standing by the window with hands behind her back, her face stained with tears but more with stubborn fury, while several older maids and servants clustered around her, all seemingly talking about something.
At the sight of Shang Ruyi entering, everyone quickly saluted her, "Young Madam."
Shang Ruyi walked in, glanced around, and said, "Aunt Hui, what happened here?"
Aunt Hui immediately stepped forward and said, "Young Madam, it’s not a big deal, when the tea room people were collecting items, they found one of the tribute Yue Kiln Five Lotus Green Porcelain Cups missing, it was taken out by Chang Wan earlier, so now we’re sorting out having her return it."
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi slightly furrowed her brow and turned to look at the maid standing by the window, who was Chang Wan.
She grit her teeth and said, "I can’t return it; it’s not with me!"
The surrounding people immediately said, "It’s you who took it out, and now there’s no record in the tea room inventory, if it’s not with you, is it with ghosts?"
Chang Wan said, "I took it out, but I’ve returned it!"
"It’s not written on the receipt, how can you say you returned it?"
Chang Wan stared at a middle-aged man in his forties standing on the other side of the tea room and said, "I handed it to Uncle Gui, there were guests calling urgently outside at the time, I couldn’t wait for the receipt to be finished and left first, Uncle Gui also promised to add the entry, but he—"
Her words were unfinished when Uncle Gui immediately said, "Chang Wan girl, don’t speak nonsense, the rules of Duke Mansion, however urgent, the receipt must be completed clearly, you clearly didn’t return the item, how can I write this receipt for you, don’t hold back the item and falsely accuse me."
"You—"
Chang Wan was so angered that her eyes turned red.
At this moment, Aunt Hui turned and said to Shang Ruyi, "It’s not a big deal, once the source of the matter is clarified, whoever lost or damaged it will compensate as is. However, this girl is tight-lipped, won’t admit, and refuses to compensate."
That Chang Wan was also fiery, sticking out her neck and saying, "I didn’t take it means I didn’t take it, money will not be compensated, if wrongly accused, then compensate a life, I am innocent!"
The people around all pointed out her lack of sense.
Someone already softly said, "Still one of Madam’s people, doing such disgraceful things at the mistress’s funeral, truly—"
Jinyun’s face turned stern, glaring fiercely at that person, who immediately shut their mouth.
By now, Shang Ruyi looked at the red-eyed Chang Wan, then at Uncle Gui and Aunt Hui, thought for a while, and said, "Aunt Hui, this matter perhaps can’t be settled by compensation alone."
Everyone was startled.
Aunt Hui also paused for a moment, "Young Madam, this—"
Shang Ruyi said, "That cup was part of mother’s dowry when she got married, father’s favorite in the set, I heard Third Brother broke one earlier, there’s only this one left now; even if a hundred taels of silver were spent to buy one, it wouldn’t be the original thing; moreover, it’s a stolen item during mother’s funeral, such a matter, how can it end with just compensation?"
"..."
"The item must be found!"
"..."
"Shall I handle this matter?"
Aunt Hui looked at her somewhat surprised but immediately smiled and said, "Young Madam is joking, naturally the matters at home are at Young Madam’s discretion."
Shang Ruyi nodded, pointed a finger at Chang Wan, "Take this girl and lock her in the wood shed. If she doesn’t speak for a day, lock her for a day; if she doesn’t speak for ten days, lock her for ten days!"
With these words, immediately two servants came forward and dragged Chang Wan away.
Chang Wan didn’t struggle, holding her head high and walked out; only as she passed by Shang Ruyi, she unwillingly glared at them.
Shang Ruyi again said to Aunt Hui, "There’s much to do in front, let’s head there."
Aunt Hui nodded, followed her out of the tea room, only as they left did Shang Ruyi turn back to the people inside and said, "The item is in this house, whether whole or shattered to pieces, I will dig it out by turning this place upside down. You just focus on doing your jobs."
For a moment, the atmosphere became stagnant.
Everyone said repeatedly, "Yes..."