A woman in a silk dress embroidered with gold thread swept into the Main Hall. Her gaze, sharp as a blade as she looked at Mammy Xia, was piercing. "How dare you investigate a mistress of this house based on a few baseless suspicions?"
Fu Yingzhi looked up abruptly at the sound of the voice. She froze, a jolt of electricity running through her as she remained rooted to the spot.
The woman before her had an oval face, willow-leaf eyebrows, and clear, limpid phoenix eyes. Seeing Fu Yingzhi looking at her, she nodded slightly.
Fu Yingzhi’s body trembled, a lump forming in her throat. Her eyes welled up with tears as she stared blankly at that face.
This face… it was identical to her older sister, Fu Yingyue, who had died in a car accident in her previous life!
Noticing her emotional upheaval, Fu Mingyue stepped forward, her eyes filled with concern. She took Fu Yingzhi’s hand and said softly, "Third Sister, are you alright? Are you hurt?"
Fu Yingzhi felt as if she had been struck by lightning. The warmth of Fu Mingyue’s hand brought a rush of mixed emotions. The departed had returned, as if they were reunited in the prime of their youth.
The mysteries of this world were uncountable, yet at this moment, she felt nothing but profound gratitude for this predestined reunion.
She suppressed the tears in her eyes and shook her head gently. "Sister, I am fine."
Fu Mingyue let out a sigh of relief and patted her hand comfortingly. The familiar warmth and touch sent a wave of bittersweet ache through Fu Yingzhi, mingled with an indescribable joy.
It was as if all her doubts and anxieties had been dispelled by that tangible touch. Now she could finally be certain that her sister truly existed in this world.
She was not a phantom of a dream, nor a shadow from her memories.
Memories of the past surged like a flood. A sharp sting pricked her nose as a tear traced a line down her cheek, which she quickly wiped away with a handkerchief. She gripped Fu Mingyue’s hand back and called out again, her voice choked, "Sister..."
Fu Mingyue was stunned for a moment, then her eyes softened. She reached up and tucked a stray lock of hair behind Fu Yingzhi’s ear.
Seeing this, Fu Jing'an sighed with feigned grievance. "If Third Sister would just submit to an examination to prove her innocence, wouldn't that be much better than this ambiguity? Why would outsiders dare to gossip about the Count's Estate? This way, it would clear Third Sister’s name and save the reputation of the estate. Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?" With that, she looked tearfully at Count Jingwen.
Just as Fu Mingyue was about to respond, Mammy Xia reported, "The women for the examination have arrived and are waiting for the Third Miss in the back hall." She reached out to pull Fu Yingzhi.
Fu Mingyue stepped forward to intervene, but Fu Yingzhi gave her a gentle shake of the head, her eyes reassuring. She walked forward with calm, steady steps and bowed deeply to Count Jingwen. "Father, I went out with Second Sister, and because she asked me to wait for her, I returned two hours later than she did. It is I who should be asking Second Sister for an explanation." She turned her gaze to Fu Jing'an.
Fu Jing'an was taken aback and shook her head repeatedly. "No... that's not true. Father, do not listen to Third Sister’s nonsense. She is framing me!"
"Then, Sister, you said you had urgent business earlier. What was it? Why did you leave me waiting alone in Lin'an Alley for two hours?" Seeing the panic on Fu Jing'an’s face, a flicker of coldness crossed Fu Yingzhi’s eyes as she pressed on, step by step.
"I... I was feeling unwell and went home to get medicine."
"Oh? Unwell?" Fu Yingzhi sneered. "Sister is usually in excellent health. When did you fall ill? Did you see a physician? What medicine did you take? Where is the prescription?"
This barrage of questions turned Fu Jing'an’s face bright red, and she stammered, unable to find a response.
Fu Yingzhi turned to Count Jingwen and bowed, speaking neither humbly nor arrogantly. "Father, this matter is suspicious. Could you have the gatekeeper brought here to verify when Second Sister returned and when she left the estate? If she had truly returned for medicine as she claimed, the trip from Lin'an Alley to the estate and back would take at most half an hour. Why, then, did I wait for two hours without seeing a trace of her? There must be more to this."
Count Jingwen narrowed his eyes, looking at Fu Jing'an with a flash of suspicion.
Feeling her father’s gaze, Fu Jing'an felt her back stiffen and her legs go weak. Panicked, she instinctively looked to Madam Wen.
Madam Wen gave Fu Jing'an a subtle shake of her head, signaling her not to panic, then stepped forward slowly, her tone soft. "Things have already escalated enough; why must we disturb the gatekeeper? If the gatekeeper has a loose tongue and starts gossiping, wouldn't that drag the reputation of the entire Count's Estate through the mud? Wouldn't outsiders laugh at us for failing to govern our household?" As she spoke, she dabbed the corner of her eyes with a handkerchief, her voice growing even gentler. "Good child, I know you feel wronged, but for the sake of the estate, just go with the mammy."
"Father, please reconsider. Third Sister is the legitimate daughter of this house. If word gets out that a legitimate daughter was subjected to such an examination, it will do us no good," Fu Mingyue interjected.
"The Eldest Miss should worry about herself first," Mammy Xia sneered. "If the Third Miss has truly lost her virtue, the first one to be implicated will be you, as you are about to negotiate a marriage."
"Since when is it the place of a servant to interrupt when masters are speaking?" Fu Mingyue’s gaze turned sharp as she fixed it on Mammy Xia, shouting in anger.
Seeing this, tears welled up in Madam Wen’s eyes. She turned to Count Jingwen and sobbed, "My Lord, look at this. The Eldest Miss doesn't even respect the mammy by my side. Now you can see how difficult my position as a mother is in this household..." She covered her face and wept.
Fu Mingyue’s face flushed red, and she was about to defend herself when she saw Madam Wen sobbing even more piteously.
"Mother, please stop crying," Fu Yingzhi said, her long-suppressed anger flaring up. She sneered, raising her voice. "All the maids and servants in this room are watching. If word gets out that the Side Consort of the Count's Estate cries and wails at every turn to frame others, and does so without a shred of dignity, outsiders will say that our estate lacks judgment and is petty!"
Madam Wen nearly fainted at those words. Though she came from a merchant family, she had only entered the household as a concubine because of the late primary wife—her own cousin. Even after climbing to the position of Side Consort following the first wife's death, she remained a concubine because of her status as an illegitimate daughter. The insult of being "petty" struck at her deepest insecurity.
"Insolent!" Count Jingwen slammed the table and stood up.
Fu Yingzhi did not cower. She curtsied to Count Jingwen and looked straight into Madam Wen’s eyes, asking neither humbly nor arrogantly, "How did Mother conclude that I was kidnapped?"
Madam Wen frowned slightly, her tone laced with disdain. "The Third Miss has been out for so long; if you weren't abducted by evildoers, why did you return alone?" She paused, a glint of cunning in her eyes. "Or is there... someone who can prove your whereabouts during these hours?"
How convenient! This was exactly what Fu Yingzhi was waiting for.
As soon as Madam Wen finished speaking, she answered calmly, "I was not abducted. I was tending to Prince Jing. People from Prince Jing's Estate will come tomorrow to clarify the situation. If you don't believe me, Father, you can ask them yourself."
The entire room fell into shock.
Count Jingwen’s gaze landed on Fu Yingzhi, a ripple of surprise crossing his usually indifferent eyes, as if he were truly seeing this daughter for the first time.
Side Consort Wen sneered, her voice sharp. "What Prince Jing? Since when do you know medicine?"
Fu Jing'an covered her lips with feigned surprise, though a flicker of mockery crossed her eyes. "Sister, surely you haven't been so rattled that you're talking nonsense?"
Undeterred, Fu Yingzhi walked over to Madam Wen, reached out to take her pulse, and said coolly, "Mother’s pulse is rapid. Have you been feeling anxious and irritable lately, unable to sleep? I can prescribe a calming decoction for you later."
Side Consort Wen was about to pull away but froze when she heard this, blurting out, "How do you know?"
Fu Yingzhi smiled faintly. "As I said, I know a little medicine."
Count Jingwen frowned and was about to speak when a commotion arose outside. A young servant ran in, frantic. "My Lord, it's bad! The authorities are here!"
Before he could finish, two officers stepped into the Main Hall. After bowing respectfully to Count Jingwen, one of them stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Count, someone reported hearing cries for help in Lin'an Alley. Upon arriving, we found two suspicious men, one of whom was clutching this object. As it concerns your esteemed household, we have brought it for you to see."
The people in the hall reacted differently to the news. Upon hearing there was physical evidence, the corners of Madam Wen and Fu Jing'an’s mouths could barely be contained. They both stretched their necks to look at what the officer was holding.
When they saw the handkerchief in the officer’s hand, clearly embroidered with the characters "Jing'an," Fu Jing'an turned deathly pale and nearly fainted. Side Consort Wen panicked, shrieking, "How could this be Jing'an’s handkerchief?"
Fu Jing'an forced herself to stay calm and said, trembling, "I lost this handkerchief days ago. It must have been stolen. I only went out for a moment today; how could I be involved with evildoers?"
As she finished, everyone’s eyes turned toward Fu Yingzhi.
She maintained a calm demeanor and spoke slowly. "Today, I was tending to Prince Jing. He can testify for me; this matter has nothing to do with me."
Upon hearing the name "Prince Jing," the officers’ attitudes became even more respectful. Seeing this, Count Jingwen had already come to a conclusion.
He stood up and said to the officers, "This matter involves the reputation of the women in my household, and since nothing else has occurred, I will handle it personally. You may leave."
The officers bowed respectfully and retreated quietly.
Fu Yingzhi looked at Count Jingwen with a complex expression. So, her father would defend his daughter—it was just a pity this defense was not for her.
Perhaps sensing her gaze, Count Jingwen turned to her, his tone softening considerably. "I did not know you understood medicine."
Fu Yingzhi smiled modestly. "I only had an epiphany recently, Father. I did not dare to boast."
Count Jingwen nodded and asked, "You said people from Prince Jing's Estate would come tomorrow?"
Fu Yingzhi replied with a respectful and firm tone, "I would not dare to deceive you, Father."
Count Jingwen pondered for a moment and waved his hand. "Let today's events end here. You may all leave."
As everyone prepared to rise, a voice rang out: "Father, wait!"
It was Fu Yingzhi. Count Jingwen looked at her and frowned, but sat back down. Only then did she speak: "Regarding today’s matter, how does Father intend to deal with Mammy Xia?"
Seeing Count Jingwen remain silent with a furrowed brow, Fu Mingyue stepped forward and stood beside her sister. "In a respectable Count's Estate, how can a servant be allowed to wantonly slander the reputation of a mistress? If she is not strictly punished, I fear the rules of this house will fall into chaos, with no distinction between master and servant!"
Seeing Count Jingwen’s expression waver, Mammy Xia’s face turned ghastly. She scrambled to her knees at Fu Yingzhi’s feet, kowtowing repeatedly. "Third Miss, please be clear! This old servant had no evil intentions; I was just too worried about your safety!" She looked toward Madam Wen for help.
Madam Wen was about to open her mouth, but Fu Yingzhi bowed to her with a respectful tone: "Mammy Xia is an elder of this household and a capable hand by Mother’s side. If she were punished too harshly, the servants would say I am heartless. Instead..." She smiled slightly and turned to Count Jingwen. "Father, I ask your permission to have Mammy Xia temporarily transferred to my courtyard. Not only can she make amends for her mistakes, but since my courtyard is staffed by young maids, Mammy Xia can teach them the experience Mother has taught her in managing the household."
The onlookers reacted with various expressions.
"Granted," Count Jingwen declared with a wave of his hand.
"Father!" Fu Jing'an wanted to protest, but Side Consort Wen pulled her back, forcing her to swallow her words. Her eyes were filled with unwillingness. As she looked up, she saw Fu Yingzhi watching her, and she couldn't help but smile, pretending to casually brush the plum blossom hairpin in her hair.
Seeing this, Fu Yingzhi’s heart skipped a beat. She instantly remembered that the hairpin was identical to the birthday gift Xiao Yu had given her in her past life. And that old hairpin was still lying in the gold-gilded enamel jewelry box on her dresser.
Things were truly becoming more and more interesting, Fu Yingzhi thought to herself.
This vast Count's Estate was like a dead chess game: within, there was an inactive father, a smiling but venomous Side Consort, and a hostile stepsister; without, there was the relentless and shameless Xiao Yu. Though she was the legitimate daughter, she felt trapped, bound by layers of shackles like a caged beast.
Today’s accidental encounter with Prince Jing had allowed her to evade the schemes of Madam Wen and Xiao Yu, but it had also irrevocably altered the trajectory of the original story. Facing a dangerous and uncertain future, she, Fu Yingzhi, would make her moves without regret, unraveling this dead game to carve out a path of survival for herself…