Xiao Man remained silent, already having a grasp of the situation. This elaborate charade was likely not the work of a single person.
The second young lady, Xiao Xiang, and the third concubine were likely at the forefront. The third concubine, in particular, had displayed disbelief, even disregarding propriety to check her chaste mark. This indicated she definitely knew Xiao Man had been drugged with the Fire Charm poison and was no longer pure. Even if not the mastermind, she was certainly an accomplice.
The second concubine, Lin Wanwan, had been fanning the flames from the sidelines, possibly enjoying the spectacle or actively participating.
As for the fourth concubine, she hadn't uttered a word from beginning to end, appearing as an outsider. However, her involvement could not be ruled out.
Whether the Old Madam was involved remained unknown, but her dislike for Xiao Man was a fact. She might have been looking for an opportunity to punish her, making her a suspect as well.
Regarding the stepmother, Madam Yan, a flicker of an unreadable light crossed Xiao Man's eyes. Apart from her initial plea for Xiao Man, she had adopted an attitude of non-interference. Xiao Man knew that discreetly stirring the pot was far from being genuinely concerned about her. The people in this household were quite interesting.
"Old Madam, although the eldest young lady is still pure, the fact remains that she privately exchanged tokens with someone. This sash is the evidence!"
The third concubine, having been struck, was not about to let it go. She didn't know what Xiao Man had done, but she was certain Xiao Man had been poisoned!
"Grandmother..."
The Old Madam cast a deep glance at the third concubine, then turned to Xiao Man. "You shall explain this sash and your overnight absence to everyone."
"Yes, Grandmother. This sash belongs to Father," Du Gu Man said with a tearful voice. "Yesterday evening, when I was taking a nap, I had a nightmare. I dreamt Father was covered in blood. I was so scared that I took Father's sash and went to Gan Ye Temple to ask for a safety charm for him. I never expected so many misunderstandings to arise, and to be… to be falsely accused of fornication."
"Impossible, how could you have gone to Gan Ye Temple?"
Xiao Man took out a safety charm from her purse and presented it to the Old Madam with both hands. "This is a safety charm that your granddaughter obtained from Master Wu You at Gan Ye Temple for Father. Please examine it, Grandmother. If you don't believe me, you can send someone to check the city's entry and exit records. I left the city before the gates were closed."
The Old Madam took it and examined it. It was indeed a safety charm from Gan Ye Temple, and she felt a little more at ease.
"You saw Master Wu You?"
Xiao Man nodded.
In reality, she hadn't met Master Wu You at all. She had merely obtained a safety charm from Gan Ye Temple, and moreover, she couldn't see Master Wu You at this time.
"Grandmother, Eldest Sister is definitely lying! She couldn't possibly..." the second young lady exclaimed urgently.
"Enough!" the Old Madam reprimanded. "The second young lady is disrespectful to the eldest young lady. She is fined ten recitations of the 'Book of Women's Guidance.' The third concubine has offended the eldest young lady and is fined a month's allowance. As for Xiao Man, as a young lady of the Protectorate General's mansion, her absence overnight, though perhaps understandable, cannot break the rules! Starting tomorrow, you will obediently stay in your courtyard, copying the 'Book of Women's Guidance' and 'Women's Virtues.' Only when you have finished will you be allowed out!" Su Dan Novel Network
"Yes, Grandmother, your granddaughter understands."
The Old Madam glanced at the trembling Hong Yu. "As for this maidservant, drag her away and deal with her! If she cannot even fulfill her duties as a servant, what use is she?"
Then, she sternly lectured Xiao Man. "From childhood, your father doted on you and spoiled you, cultivating your unruly nature. Fortunately, you never caused any major trouble, so I turned a blind eye. But now that you are of age, you should have the demeanor of a lady. If you are not taught proper etiquette, you will only disgrace our General's mansion when you marry into another family! If you feel wronged by my punishment, then go and complain to your father."
"Your granddaughter dares not."
"Dares not? What do you dare not do? In this capital, there are at least eighty or ninety people who have been whipped by you. What do you dare not do?" The Old Madam looked at Xiao Man's slightly lowered face and her tone became even sterner. "What are you waiting for? Drag that ungrateful wretch out and beat her to death with sticks."
"Old Madam, spare my life! Old Madam, spare my life! Miss, Miss, save me, Miss..."
The mansion's matrons covered Hong Yu's mouth and dragged her away. The Old Madam scanned the people in the hall, her gaze finally settling on Madam Yan.
"You, as the mistress of the household, are responsible for properly managing the people in the mansion. If you are incapable, I will find someone else to manage the general's mansion's affairs!"
A hint of surprise flashed in Madam Yan's eyes. She quickly replied, "Your daughter-in-law will strictly follow Mother's teachings!"
The Old Madam snorted coldly and then left with her entourage.
Xiao Man glanced at the second young lady and the third concubine, a strange glint in her eyes, and then also turned to leave.
Upon returning to Shui Yue Xiao Zhu, Xiao Man collapsed into sleep.
From last night until now, she hadn't slept properly and was extremely tired.
The maids at Shui Yue Xiao Zhu exchanged bewildered glances, not understanding what had happened in the mansion.
Xiao Man had two senior maids, Hong Yu and Qiu Tong.
Hong Yu had been taken away by the Old Madam's people last night and had not yet returned.
Qiu Tong, with her delicate willow-leaf brows furrowed, spoke to the others.
"You may all go. Attend to your tasks and do not disturb the young lady's rest."
"Yes."
Qiu Tong stood guard by the door and beckoned a young maid. "Go out and inquire what happened in the front hall, and why the Old Madam kept all of us confined to the courtyard."
Yin Zhu, a third-class maid, stood silently under the eaves, watching Qiu Tong meticulously arrange the affairs of the courtyard. Her brows were knitted into a worried frown. Something incredibly important must have happened last night.
The eldest young lady was in her room before going to bed last night. But in the middle of the night, the steward suddenly led people into the courtyard to search for assassins. Only then did she realize that the young lady was not in her room.
Yin Zhu glanced at Xiao Man's room. The young lady had gone straight to sleep upon her return, indicating she was extremely tired. However, it also meant that there was no major incident, otherwise, the young lady wouldn't be able to sleep.
Looking at the maids outside the door whispering, Yin Zhu sighed inwardly. The people in this courtyard were too lax.
Xiao Man slept until the hour of Shen (3 PM to 5 PM) before waking up. She summoned people to serve her. After Xiao Man had washed and changed, she had Qiu Tong gather everyone in the courtyard.
Xiao Man knew that what happened last night couldn't have been achieved without the cooperation of the people in this courtyard. Hong Yu alone couldn't have managed so many things.
There were a total of fifteen servants in the courtyard: two first-class maids, four second-class maids, four third-class maids, two cooks, and three cleaning women.
Xiao Man looked at the people standing in the courtyard, her gaze chilling slightly.