Chapter 38 Please save me
Su Wanyu stood up and said firmly, "Okay, from now on, go back to your room and write a letter in your master's handwriting, then go to the front hall and wait. Remember, you have to say that it was your master who hanged himself in the front hall. Do you understand?"
Chunzhi didn't ask any more questions, but nodded vigorously, her eyes flashing with determination to seek justice for Taoxing: "Yes, Second Young Madam."
Su Wanyu secretly arranged for the agile servants in the courtyard to quietly move Tao Xing's body to under the plaque in the front hall. The white silk was still hanging on the beam, the wound was not touched, the stools and letters, everything was arranged perfectly, just waiting to be discovered by the early-rising maid at dawn.
Only she, Siqi and Chunzhi knew the whole plan, even Yunyi and others were kept in the dark.
Now, the plan has come to a successful conclusion, Tao Xing's reputation has been preserved, Zheng Chengyan has been isolated because of Lord Zheng's dissatisfaction, and Jiang Yingying has been demoted to a humble concubine because of her behavior. This night's planning and hard work finally brought about the desired results.
At this time, the sky outside the window cleared up after the rain. The fresh air was mixed with the smell of earth, and the puddles reflected the rising light of dawn.
However, no matter how heavy the rain is, it can wash away the dirt of the world, but it cannot erase the deep scars in people's hearts.
The ancient wooden beams of the Changping Marquis Mansion appear to be in danger of being eroded by termites. Beneath the gorgeous appearance lies the decay and decline that are difficult to conceal.
The passing of a life is as light as a feather. When the wind blows away, no one mentions it again, as if it had never existed.
After being severely reprimanded by Lord Zheng, Zheng Chengyan never set foot into Yaxuan Courtyard again.
Jiang Yingying moved to the dark and damp west wing with the simple luggage she brought with her when she entered the mansion.
There, the dim light could hardly penetrate the thick musty smell, mice scurried around in the corners, and spider webs were densely packed, like invisible cages.
In just one month, Jiang Yingying experienced great ups and downs in her life, and was exhausted and scarred both physically and mentally.
On the first night she moved into the west wing, she felt the instability of the fetus in her belly. A dark stain of blood quietly dyed the bed sheets red, causing Qingyue, who was standing beside her, to panic.
"Aunt, you...you are bleeding! I will go get you a doctor right away!" Qingyue's voice was full of anxiety.
Jiang Yingying quickly pulled her back, a look of determination flashing across her eyes: "Don't go."
Qingyue looked back in confusion, "Why? Auntie, nothing can happen to your child!"
Jiang Yingying held her arm tightly, her voice low and firm: "Listen to me, we can't call a doctor now. If anything happens to my child today, neither of us will be able to leave here alive."
Qingyue was stunned, her eyes reddened and tears flashed: "But, Auntie, if we don't find a doctor, if anything happens to the child, we won't be able to escape punishment!"
"No, as long as the doctor doesn't come tonight, my child can be saved no matter what happens." Jiang Yingying's words revealed unquestionable determination.
Qingyue seemed to understand something and slowly stepped back, her eyes filled with mixed emotions.
Jiang Yingying loosened her hand and issued an order: "No matter what happens to the baby in my belly tonight, you must pretend to be unaware of it."
Qingyue took a deep breath, lowered her head, and replied heavily: "Yes, Auntie."
Afterwards, Jiang Yingying took out the pregnancy-preserving medicine that her mother had given her in her early years from the cabinet, poured out a dozen pills, held them tightly in her hand, and sat back on the bed.
She decided to take a gamble and bet on her child's life.
Faced with the damp and cold bedding and the pervasive smell of mold, she stopped complaining and just clenched her teeth, swallowing the pills that carried her hope one by one.
At the same time, on the other side of Yaxuan Courtyard, Liu'er, wearing a cloak, hurried out of the room, as if there was a secret that needed to be dealt with urgently.
Su Wanyu was just about to go to bed when Siqi's announcement interrupted her thoughts: "Miss, Aunt Liu is here."
"Why is she here so late?" Su Wanyu felt suspicious.
Siqi reported with a bit of worry in her tone: "Madam Liu looks dazed, with dark circles under her eyes. I'm afraid she was frightened by what happened during the day."
Su Wanyu then remembered that she had not seen her in the front hall during the day, and wondered where she had gone: "Let her in."
Following Siqi's guidance, Liu'er hurried into the room, knelt down in front of Su Wanyu, and burst into tears.
"Second Young Madam!" Liu'er's cry was filled with despair and fear. "You must save me. I don't want to die alone like Tao Xing! I want to live!"
Her voice trembled, she choked several times, and her tears soaked her clothes: "We maids are just trying to make a living. We try our best to live a better life. We have suffered so much. I can't be like Tao Xing, who is left with only a cold body in the end! Second Young Madam, please save me!"
Faced with this sudden request for help, Su Wanyu felt mixed emotions. She signaled Siqi to step aside for the time being and wait for Liu'er to continue talking.
"There are only a few of us left in the Second Master's backyard. Jiang Yingying killed Tao Xing, and I will definitely be the next target! Second Young Madam, she is too cruel. I am afraid that I will die like Tao Xing, without a burial place!"
Liu'er's fear was beyond words, and Taoxing's experience seemed to foreshadow her future.
"Not only Jiang Yingying, but also Madam. If Madam knew that it was me that night, she would never let me go."
Liu'er's words revealed a deeper hidden worry.
Su Wanyu was suspicious when she heard this. She said calmly but with a hint of inquiry in her voice, "Madam? What does this have to do with you?"
Liu Er sobbed and revealed a shocking secret: "Second Young Madam, one night three years ago, I accidentally saw Madam having a secret meeting with a man from another mansion!"
When Su Wanyu heard this, she was shocked. From her childhood till now, whether in her past life or this life, she had never heard of such a secret.
It is unbelievable that Guo would have a secret meeting with a strange man!
Shocked, Su Wanyu's eyes were sharp as she confirmed again: "Madam is having a secret meeting with a man from outside, is this true?"
Liu Er blew her nose and nodded firmly: "It's absolutely true. I hid in the dark and saw with my own eyes that the lady was nestled in the man's snow-white arms, with a smile on her face and full of affection."
Su Wanyu's heart was in turmoil. She asked, "Who is that man? Did you see his face clearly?"
Liu Er shook her head with regret: "I only saw that his skin was fair, but I couldn't see his true appearance."
Su Wanyu stood up suddenly, her sleeves fluttering slightly. She pondered for a moment, her eyes filled with complex emotions as if they could see through people's hearts. She said with emotion: "My mother-in-law is always dignified and serious. I thought her loyalty to the old marquis was as solid as a rock. I never thought that there was such a chilling secret hidden behind it."
After saying this, she sighed softly with a complicated expression.
Liu Er knelt behind her, her voice trembling a little, "When I first learned about it, I was also shocked and couldn't believe it. But it was definitely Madam. When I think back to it, I still remember it vividly, and I am still terrified."