Although Gao Xuejuan was very disappointed that she could not protect herself, she also knew that she was not in charge of her own destiny. She said weakly, "All my hopes are placed on my mother. The next step is up to you."
Third Madam Lou nodded solemnly, and Gao Xuejuan could only follow them away with trepidation.
This time, she had indeed placed her hopes correctly. Third Madam Lou genuinely intended to protect her. After all, without Gao Xuejuan to lead the way, how could Third Madam Lou reap the benefits?
The Old Madam, seeing Third Madam Lou insist on entering her room despite the servants' attempts to stop her, was both angry and somewhat exasperated. Knowing the reason for her visit, she was determined to teach Third Madam Lou a lesson.
As expected, the moment Third Madam Lou entered, she knelt on the ground, weeping profusely, "Our eldest son has been unwilling to marry for so many years. He has finally taken a liking to someone, and I was so excited that I couldn't sleep all night. After she entered the manor, I indulged her greatly. Fortunately, she respects me, her mother, very much. I don't know what offense she committed to warrant such severe punishment."
The Old Madam was amused, thinking that with Third Madam Lou's shrewdness, she couldn't possibly not know the reason. She was likely feigning ignorance, hoping to use the less intelligent Gao Xuejuan as a front while she stayed behind to pick up the scraps. The Old Madam had indeed guessed correctly and saw through Third Madam Lou at a glance.
However, she also knew that her actions had been somewhat biased. Although she knew Third Madam Lou was dissatisfied and happy with the situation, she still had to protect the interests of the first and second branches of the family. A mother could not be completely fair; both hands are flesh. She wanted all her sons to live well, and she knew she had wronged Third Son, but she had to play this unpleasant role.
Composing herself, she decided to speak calmly with Third Son's wife. She said, "She has damaged Eldest Son's reputation outside the manor. We have already obtained conclusive evidence. If you don't believe me, I can show you the evidence. I had her repent before the ancestors to make her face her mistakes and understand that family shame should not be publicized, thereby preserving the Lou family's reputation. Eldest Son will also be an official in the future. As his grandmother, I want to teach her."
Third Madam Lou was greatly surprised that the Old Madam was reasoning with her. She had expected the Old Madam to be unreasonable. Since the Old Madam had gone this far, it would seem ungrateful if she didn't accept it. She quickly offered her thanks.
After thinking for a moment, she continued, "I don't need to see the evidence. I believe in you, Mother. She indeed made a mistake in this matter. However, regardless of anything, she is the eldest daughter-in-law of our third branch. Qin Shu is very satisfied with her. It is partly because our third branch cannot do without her, and partly because if Mother punishes her for too long, how will she establish her authority in the third branch in the future?"
If Third Madam Lou meant that Gao Xuejuan would continue to manage the affairs of the third branch after her release, then the Old Madam would still not benefit. What was the point of going through all this trouble? The Old Madam quickly advised, "You are still young, why would you so easily give up the power of management? I think you manage things quite well. She is ultimately too young."
When this was brought up, Third Madam Lou became a little proud. "Old Madam, you may not know, but the tutor said that Qin Shu has great talent in his studies and will certainly be among the successful candidates this time. I want to let her practice beforehand, so that if Qin Shu is appointed as an official someday, she won't be caught off guard."
"Is this true?" The Old Madam's eyes lit up with joy upon hearing this. Qin Shu's tutor was a renowned scholar of the current era. If he said that Qin Shu would certainly be among the successful candidates, it meant his academic achievements were far beyond what was imagined, perhaps even higher than she thought. This was truly a joyous occasion. If he were to pass the imperial examination, he would be the first among the grandchildren to enter officialdom, and their Lou family could prosper for several more decades.
Third Madam Lou nodded happily. The Old Madam smiled and said, "Since that is the case, I will let her out with a mere gesture. However, you must teach her well to respect her elders. I don't know how my grandson, who is so outstanding, fell for her."
Third Madam Lou immediately put on a look of helplessness.
As soon as Third Madam Lou left, the first and second branches received the news. Instead of being happy, they were now jealous. Why didn't their sons possess the same talent for studies and diligence as Third Branch's son?
On the other hand, they realized they absolutely could not let Gao Xuejuan be released. With her disposition, even if Lou Qin Shu did not fare well, no matter how thorny she was, she was ultimately a paper tiger. But now, with Lou Qin Shu on the verge of becoming successful, if she continued to manage the household, their families would gain no benefit at all.
Gao Xuejuan, upon receiving the news, unconsciously ate an extra bowl of rice for dinner. After the meal, she happily knelt on the prayer mat, and everything seemed as usual. However, the next morning, the servant delivering food could not find her. After searching the ancestral hall from top to bottom, they found her personal maid sleeping soundly in a small corner.
The maid was woken up by the servant's vigorous shaking. When she opened her eyes and saw the servant, she looked bewildered and mumbled, "What is it?"
"Where is your young madam?" the servant asked anxiously.
"Isn't she kneeling on the prayer mat?"
"No, besides you, there is no one else in the entire courtyard."
"What did you say?" The maid immediately woke up and ran out to search, disbelieving. The more she searched, the more her heart sank, and she felt like crying. She was doomed this time. She didn't even know when her young madam had left. After a while, she realized that there were guards at the entrance of the ancestral hall, and they didn't know when the young madam had left. Could she have flown away?
The two dared not conceal it and reported it directly. Gao Xuejuan's disappearance astonished everyone in the manor. The Old Madam and several other madams personally came to the ancestral hall, searched it meticulously, and questioned all the servants in the manor. No one had seen her.
Finally, the Old Madam's gaze fell upon the well in the courtyard. In fact, some people had already thought of it, but they dared not mention it.
The Old Madam's heart sank further and further. Ultimately, things had developed in the direction she least wished. The servants indeed found Gao Xuejuan's body in the well. The Old Madam did not believe for a moment that she had committed suicide. She intuitively felt that if she were to seek justice for her and uncover the truth, the manor would face a bloody storm.
Without a doubt, the people in the manor who least wanted her to get out alive, besides the first branch, were the second branch. No matter who it was, it would definitely lead to a bitter feud between the third branch and them. For the harmony of the Lou family, she could only apologize to Gao Xuejuan and the third branch.
Closing her eyes, she gritted her teeth and said, "Investigate, investigate thoroughly, and make sure to give the third branch a satisfactory explanation."
Third Madam Lou truly did not expect that they would resort to such extreme measures. She had never liked Gao Xuejuan from beginning to end, and naturally, she felt no guilt. She even thought this was an opportunity for the third branch.
She immediately began to wail, "Xue Juan, what happened to you? Just yesterday, I sent someone to tell you that you would be released soon. You even ate an extra bowl of rice because of it and sent word to express your gratitude. I never expected that in just one night, we would be separated by death. I will definitely find the murderer for you and avenge you."