Chapter 42 FCADW? IRTBTMOTMM

FlamingoBees

Translating Chinese Historical Dramas for your enjoyment... and mine! :)

Favoring Concubines and Destroying Wives? I Refuse to be the Mistress of this Marquis' Mansion

Chapter 42:

Copy and Check

"Yunwan, what exactly happened?" Old Madam Lu asked with a furrowed brow. Despite the seriousness of the matter, her heart finally settled a bit.

Lin Yunwan explained, "Considering the gravity of the situation, this daughter-in-law didn't dare to make it widely known. So, outwardly, I announced that someone had stolen precious items from your dowry, using this as an opportunity to conduct a thorough inspection of the household."

"Now, everyone in the mansion believes that you've lost something valuable, and no one suspects anything else."

"If we can uncover the truth and quietly handle it, that would be the best outcome. If not, this incident will serve as a reminder to that person. In the future, they should be more careful not to cause trouble in front of our relatives," Yunwan explained, presenting her reasoning convincingly. The Old Madam couldn't refute her.

However, Madam Wei became even more bewildered and pressed Yunwan for clarification, "What kind of matter? What are you talking about? I'm getting more confused as I listen."

Old Madam Lu impatiently responded, "Stop asking! Just listen!"

Madam Wei held her handkerchief tightly, pursed her lips, and nodded. Old Madam Lu then turned her gaze to Yunwan, asking, "So, did you find anything?"

Yunwan shook her head. "After the thorough search, everything in each household appeared clean. No 'indecent items' were discovered."

Madam Wei murmured, "It's really strange. Who could have stolen it? Perhaps the stolen items have already been sold?" Old Madam Lu's expression stiffened, and she said, "If we couldn't find anything, let it go. Maybe we've alerted them, and we won't find anything now."

"That's not the case, Old Madam Lu. There's still one place we haven't searched," Madam Wei added absentmindedly.

Old Madam Lu frowned and said, "Didn't you say you searched everywhere?"

Sure enough, Madam Wei replied, "Miss is, after all, a guest. It's not appropriate to search her private chambers. My daughter-in-law was just about to consult Old Madam Lu on whether or not to search Miss' room."

Old Madam Lu tightened her grip on the prayer beads in her hand. Without hesitation, Madam Wei continued, "Everyone has been searched, so of course, her room should be searched too."

Yan Mama gave Madam Wei a meaningful glance, winking at her to be quiet, but Madam Wei didn't quite understand.

Madam Wei kindly asked Yan Mama, "What's wrong with your eyes? The left one signifies wealth, while the right one signifies disaster... Yan Mama, your right eyelid has been twitching, which is not a good sign. You must be careful in the future."

Yan Mama chuckled awkwardly and replied, "I'll keep that in mind."

Old Madam Lu couldn't believe Madam Wei's lack of sense!

"According to reason, since everyone has been searched, to avoid suspicion, Bao'er's room should also be searched..." Old Madam Lu stopped mid-sentence, and Lin Yunwan stood up, saying, "Old Madam Lu is enlightened." She was about to leave to gather people for the search.

"You stay right there!"

Old Madam Lu hurriedly called her back, a hint of nervousness in her voice. "She's an unmarried girl in her boudoir, and she's a guest in the Lu family. If we really search her room, how can she stay here with any dignity?"

"Yunwan, I gave you the authority as the steward, but not to mistreat relatives."

Lin Yunwan seemed puzzled. "How can searching her room be considered mistreating a relative? It's precisely because I treat everyone equally that I want to search her."

"If Old Madam Lu insists, then I must search her room. Miss Bao'er is currently residing in your courtyard. If I don't clear her name today, I'm afraid everyone will suspect her of stealing your belongings in the future," Lin Yunwan insisted.

Madam Wei agreed, "Exactly the reason."

More than just stealing, it's not such a simple matter!

Old Madam Lu quickly changed her tone and said, "Since she's a guest of the Marquis's residence, let it be. Let's give her some face."

Lin Yunwan lowered her head and responded calmly, "Yes."

"That's the end of this matter. No one should mention it again. Everyone, go back."

Old Madam Lu dismissed them, almost collapsing into her chair.

Yan Mama was extremely anxious, rushing over to support Old Madam Lu. Feeling her back, she noticed it was covered in cold sweat.

"That was close..."

Old Madam Lu shivered as she spoke.

"It really was, madam. Your methods are impressive. With this thorough inspection, the only place left unchecked is Miss Bao'er's room. If anything happens later on, suspicions will inevitably fall on her... It's fine for her alone, but if any trouble arises, how will it affect the reputation of the heir!"

Old Madam Lu, with a pale face, said, "Bring her to me."

"She really can't be indulged anymore!"

Yan Mama went to fetch Bao'er. Unaware of what had happened, Bao'er brought a bowl of cooling soup with a sweet smile, saying, "Old Madam, why are you sweating so much?" Recently, the old madam had been treating her better, even allowing Yan Mama to drink the cooling soup she prepared.

The Old Madam swung her hand and delivered a slap to Bao'er's face, glaring at her.

"Ah..."

The soup bowl fell to the ground.

Bao'er exclaimed, covering her face with her hands as tears streamed down. "Madam, what have I done wrong... Why are you treating me like this?"

Yan Mama took out the object.

"Miss, take a look yourself. Look at the mess you've caused! If it weren't for the Old Madam covering for you, today the Young Madam would have caught you red-handed!"

Bao'er glanced at the object in shock and said anxiously, "It's not mine, it's not mine..."

"Not yours?"

Old Madam Lu sneered, "Yunwan has been the steward of this Mansion for seven years, and such incidents have never happened before. It's just that since you came to the Lu family, we now have such things. If it's not you, then who is it?"

How could she possibly bring such an item into the mansion?

Bao'er was unable to explain.

The Old Madam ordered Yan Mama, "Go search her room. Find the rest of these filthy things for me."

Bao'er sat on the ground crying, but she didn't try to stop them.

Until Yan Mama returned, saying, "Old Madam, her room is very clean. Besides a few pieces of clothing and stationery, there is really nothing."

"Very clean?"

Old Madam Lu was taken aback, glanced at Bao'er, and it seemed that it wasn't her after all?

Bao'er bit her lip, crying even more heartbrokenly.

Old Madam Lu softened her expression slightly and said, "During today's search, every room was inspected except yours. If it's not you, it's still considered you."

"From now on, you are not allowed to go out and pray. The Old Madam left in a huff.

Yan Mama helped her up and said, "Miss, go back. Don't cry; you will become a laughingstock."

A laughingstock...

Isn't she already enough to be laughed at?

Bao'er, with a palm print on her face, returned to her chamber. Wu'er walked over, exclaiming in surprise, "Miss, your face."

Wu'er searched the room for medicine and started to apply it to Bao'er's cheek.

"Hiss..."

Bao'er cried out, tightly holding Wu'er's hand.

"Miss, please let go. You're hurting me!"

Ge Bao'er regained her composure, but a bloodstain had already appeared on the back of Wu'er's hand.

"I'm sorry, I didn't pay attention for a moment..."

Wu'er, in pain and shedding silent tears, insisted, "It's nothing, Miss. Let me take care of your face with some medicine."

Bao'er held Wu'er's hand, eyes filled with tears. "Wu'er, you've endured so much for me. I've always treated you like a sister."

Wu'er bit her lip and remained silent.

In Chui Si Tang, two lamps were still lit.

Zhuqing stayed with Lin Yunwan, helping to organize account books. She had been literate as a servant girl, so handling basic stewardship tasks was within her capabilities.

"Madam, do you think the object was truly found by chance by the servant woman?" Zhuqing asked, looking up.

Lin Yunwan raised her eyebrows. "Do you think I orchestrated this?"

Zhuqing shook her head. "No."

After a moment of contemplation, she continued, "If it were Young Madam, this matter wouldn't be resolved so easily. Given Young Madam's intelligence, she would have pinpointed the critical issue in an instant."

Lin Yunwan responded with a faint smile.

"It indeed wasn't orchestrated by me, but this action doesn't necessarily hit the core of Miss Gao's vulnerabilities."

"Lady, do you think that item is really related to Miss Ge?"

Tonight, Zhuqing seemed unusually talkative, cautiously asking.

"What do you think?"

Zhuqing smiled and replied, "This servant cannot say for sure, but since Miss Ge's room is the only one not searched, anything is possible."

"In the hearts of everyone, today's incident is mostly pinned on Miss Ge," she continued.

"As for who threw it, don't you have a clear idea?"

Lin Yunwan smiled slightly.

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