Xia Lu was freezing. Her young lady at least had a cloak to keep out the cold, but she was only wearing a simple winter dress, no match for the chill.
She grew anxious and began to instigate Wen Yuwei.
"My lady, the Feng family is definitely doing this on purpose! It's been nearly two hours. Shall I go out and see?"
"Alright, go and come back quickly. If you find out where Miss Feng has gone, we can go and see her directly."
"Yes!" Xia Lu hurried outside.
Not long after she left, she saw two stout, fierce-looking women blocking her path.
Xia Lu was startled but forced herself to remain calm and asked the two women,
"Who… who are you? What do you want?"
"Are you Miss Wen's maid?"
"Yes! Yes!"
"Our madam's condition has worsened, and our young lady cannot leave her side. The maids in the back are also busy. Our madam specifically instructed us two old servants to escort Miss Wen out of the manor. The carriage outside is ready, Miss Wen can depart!"
Xia Lu gritted her teeth, having waited so long for nothing!
Not only could she not see the principal lady, but even her personal maid was nowhere to be found. They were being dismissed by two errand women. Was the Feng family trying to bully the Wen family?
Just as she was about to argue, she saw the women bypass her and head straight for Tanyue Pavilion.
Inside Tanyue Pavilion, Wen Yuwei's expression turned grim upon hearing the women's intentions. However, being mindful of her reputation, she could not afford to lose her temper.
The other lady could not meet her because of her mother's illness. Such filial piety was paramount. But she had not yet presented the jade pendant, so she could not simply return home.
With a softened expression, she said to the two stern women,
"Since I have come to your manor, and Auntie is ill, as a niece, I should naturally visit. Could you two mamas please lead the way?"
After speaking, she gave Xia Lu a look. Xia Lu reluctantly stepped forward, took some loose silver from her sachet, and handed it over, softening her tone, "We hope the mamas can be accommodating."
Unfortunately, these two were known in the Feng family for being unyielding. Such petty gains could not sway them.
Without further ado, they simply gestured for her to proceed, their expressions implying that was all they had to say.
Wen Yuwei, accustomed to a life of privilege in Dongdu, was angered by the women's behavior. With a cold face, she said directly,
"Is this your esteemed manor's way of treating guests?"
The women paid no mind to her words. Each grabbed her by the arm, lifting her like a chick, and strode outside.
"What are you doing? Let go! Let go of me! I am the legitimate daughter of the Wen family!"
"Hmph, this old servant has lived in Dongdu for most of my life, but I've never heard of Lord Wen having a daughter. Miss Wen, do not falsely claim an identity. If the noble person above finds out and laughs, it will not only implicate you."
"You! You dogs relying on your master's power! I will report this to my uncle and have him deal with you properly."
"Hahaha, Miss Wen hasn't even learned proper manners. You should go out less in the future. Our rough skin and flesh cannot withstand the Wen family's punishments. Moreover, our master has not spoken yet, and it's your turn to come here and point fingers? To demand to see someone, or to demand to punish someone?"
The two women emphasized the name "Wen family" with great weight, which momentarily threatened Wen Yuwei.
Her uncle did not dote on her as much as outsiders believed; he merely used her marriage to forge connections with more influential people. But if she truly affected her uncle's future, she would undoubtedly be sacrificed to protect him.
She could only swallow her anger, her previous arrogance gone.
"Let me down, I can walk myself!"
"Oh? Miss Wen, do not deceive us. If you have any other intentions, this old servant will not be polite."
Saying this, they let her down, but their vigilance did not lessen.
Xia Lu hurried forward to tidy her clothes. Wen Yuwei's face was pale. After casting a fierce glance back at the Feng manor, she turned and left.
The two women watched them get into the carriage before returning through the side gate.
In the carriage, Wen Yuwei flew into a rage, knocking over the box beside her, scattering pastries on the floor.
"The Feng family people are truly ungrateful, daring to treat me like this. Just you wait, they will have their comeuppance."
Her once beautiful features were now contorted, and a venomous glint shone in her eyes. Xia Lu chimed in,
"Exactly! Especially those two old women. My lady will surely punish them with dozens of lashes!"
Taking a deep breath, Wen Yuwei committed the humiliation at the Feng manor to memory.
Feng Jinyao, since you are so uncooperative, do not blame me for being unkind.
The sound of hooves echoed as the Wen family's carriage headed east of the city.
In Ning'an Courtyard, Feng Jinyao had someone summon Mama Bai from her mother's side, using the excuse of attending the Bai family banquet tomorrow.
She then instructed Yun Xu to dismiss everyone else, leaving only the two of them in the room.
"Mama Bai, I have not called you here today regarding Grandmother's birthday banquet, but concerning Mother's illness."
"Why has Miss suddenly brought this up?"
"Mother's illness this time is strange. It has not improved for several months. I secretly took some of the dregs of her medicine and found something amiss. It appears someone is deliberately harming Mother, but it is difficult to determine who is behind it at the moment."
Mama Bai was greatly alarmed. She had thought her mistress's old ailment had recurred, and the winter weather had prolonged it. She never expected someone to inflict harm!
"Damn it! How could I have allowed such a loophole! Those wretched maids must be dealt with. I will go and attend to it now!"
"Mama Bai, please wait. It is not difficult to deal with disloyal maids, but if we alert the person behind it, it will be troublesome to investigate again. Therefore…"
"So, Miss wants me to secretly observe the maids around Mother?"
As an old servant of many years, she quickly understood the implication.
"Yes! I have heard too many stories of snakes that are not killed biting back. Since they dare to harm Mother, they must be people who are not afraid of power. You can start by investigating Amber, who is close to Mother. After all, Mother's medicine has always been her responsibility. Even if she is not the mole, she cannot escape the charge of negligence!"
"Yes! Miss, please rest assured. I will go and probe the situation. This old servant wants to see what kind of imp dares to use such a sinister trick behind our backs!"
"Thank you, Mama Bai."
"Miss, you are too kind."
After giving Mama Bai her instructions and having Xiu Qiu escort her out of the courtyard, the two women who had been waiting outside then entered to report.
"When Miss Wen left, she glared fiercely at the manor. Old servants, I worry… will there be trouble?"
One of the women, with a round face and a silver plate-like complexion, spoke first, her tone not without worry.
"It's fine. You did well today. Go to Xiu Qiu and collect your reward."
"Thank you, Miss, thank you, Miss."
The women, having received their reward, naturally cast their worries aside. Meanwhile, Yun Xu, standing nearby, had a solemn expression.