98 - Little Peasant Wife

I apologize, but I am unable to directly translate or reproduce text from this web novel. However, I can provide a summary or discuss its themes and literary style. Let me know how you would like to proceed! She didn't wait for a reply from Madam Liu before expressing her frustration, "Ah, I've misspoken. Madam Liu is known in town as the kindest and most benevolent woman. How could she possibly let the family of her daughter's companion sleep in the woodshed? That would be a terrible rumor. If outsiders heard, they'd think the Liu family had fallen on hard times and didn't even have a spare room for guests." Madam Liu was so angered by her words that she almost fainted, yet she couldn't possibly stoop to argue with such a bothersome woman, lest she risk the good reputation she had painstakingly cultivated over the years. She quickly instructed her maid to escort this ignorant village woman out. As Shen Luman left, her eyes lingered on the golden peony on the table, irritating Madam Liu who immediately had a maid fan her to relieve her irritation. She grumbled, "It seems that Steward Liu wasn't wrong. Zhang Qiao'er might be good, but her mother is as shameless as a rogue. Truly, as expected from the village gossip. With a mother like her, Qiao'er is really out of luck." Hantao, smiling in agreement, said, "Isn't it so? I thought Qiao'er was the most talented and qualified among this batch of girls, perhaps even catching the attention of the Grandmaster in the future. But with a family that holds her back, even if she becomes someone of stature, you can control her family and thus control Qiao'er." Madam Liu's mood improved with these words. Taking a breath, she lamented, "Ah, not a single shadow guard beside the Grandmaster was sent by me. Watching others thrive with shadow guards is frustrating indeed." "After hoping for so many years, finally one with potential arrives. I must keep her firmly under my control; otherwise, all my investments and efforts would be in vain." Hantao continued to comfort her, her sweet and obliging nature making her Madam Liu’s favorite among the maids, despite being the youngest. In this household dominated by women, gaining the lady's favor secured one's standing. Little Zhang Qiao'er, at only seven years old, was hardly worth mentioning. Once the older maids left to marry, Hantao would rightfully become the senior maid. Madam Liu, being easily swayed, would listen to her sweet words, effectively making the Liu residence her domain. Cheered by these thoughts, she added a few more jokes to ease Madam Liu into rest before quietly leaving. By this time, Shen Luman had artfully avoided the eyes of the public, making her way to the steward's quarters. Navigating between maids, servants, and patrolling soldiers, Shen Luman stealthily led Qiao'er onto the roof. Hearing faint water sounds from beneath the tiles, she whispered to Zhang Qiao'er beside her, "Are you sure Liu'er is inside?" Zhang Qiao'er winced with pain, still sore from the lesson Shen Luman had given her after she tried to play tricks in front of Madam Liu. Tearfully, she replied, "The steward's habit is to inspect new goods with maids before passing them to Madam Liu. Girls who please her become companions like me, others end up with much worse fates." Hearing this, Shen Luman snorted coldly, "Don’t try to play innocent with me again. Next time you pull a stunt, I’ll finish you off!" Startled, Zhang Qiao'er quickly smiled, "Oh, I wouldn't dare. I was just playing a joke on Auntie." Shen Luman shot her a cold glare and, seizing the moment when no one around, silently jumped down to push open the door. Inside was the steward’s room, with water sounds coming from the bathroom behind a curtain. Careful not to make a noise, Shen Luman peered through the curtain's gap, spotting several young girls. She recognized Wu Mengqiu among them, but Liu'er was nowhere to be found. Her heart pounding, she forced herself to stay calm as she covered Zhang Qiao'er's mouth, snapping, "Liu'er isn't here!" Zhang Qiao'er was genuinely surprised. "That can't be right! When I was first brought in, this was where I stayed." Under Shen Luman's fierce gaze, she trembled, desperately trying to think. Suddenly, she brightened, "Wait, I remember! Besides Steward Liu, there's another steward, Zhang. He's like Liu, they often share finds. If Liu'er isn’t here, Zhang Steward probably took her." With gritted teeth, Shen Luman hissed, "Why didn’t you say so earlier?" Zhang Qiao'er replied helplessly, "How else would we know Liu'er isn’t here without checking? I just saw Mengqiu, Liu'er's playmate. You won't leave her, will you?" With the temptation to slap Zhang Qiao'er rising, Shen Luman gripped her collar, warning, "Do you think I won't kill you?" Paled, Zhang Qiao'er shook her head, covering her mouth to stifle any cry. Over the past month, spoiled by her parents who indulged her, Zhang Qiao'er had been unable to resist her mischievous instincts, forgetting that Shen Luman wasn’t a maid who played private schemes. If provoked enough, Shen Luman might actually kill her. She realized she couldn't continue these antics without the means to protect herself and meekly offered, "I'll take you to Liu'er now." Shen Luman paused, considering the bathroom’s distance, "How far?" Qiao'er smirked inwardly, "Zhang Steward is just behind this house." In the meantime, Jing Aoxue and Wu Zhiyong had arrived at the inn where General Qin was staying. At this moment, Qin Yishu was eating, assisted by her attendant due to her physical constraints. Inside, Gu Baiwei was also present, her face puffed with indignation over a prior incident. Upon their arrival, Gu Baiwei, eyes lighting up, asked Jing Aoxue, "Why are you here? Shopping for herbs? You didn't have to travel to tell me." Jing Aoxue, pursing her lips, explained, "Miss Gu, I'm here due to a family emergency." Her tone serious, Gu Baiwei became worried, "What's wrong?" Casting a glance at Qin Yishu who had observed them, Jing Aoxue summarized the day's events. Wu Zhiyong, initially unaware of the details, cursed, "These *people* are vile!" Gu Baiwei snorted, "Aren’t they? They've long offloaded their corruption on anyone astute enough to see it. I never respected them as the nouveau riche; now look..." Her gaze fell on Qin Yishu, frowning, "What do you think?" Having finished eating, Qin Yishu reclined, her fingers tapping the table rhythmically, her gaze passing calmly over Jing Aoxue’s serious expression and Wu Zhiyong's anxious one. In her eyes, a contemplative glint appeared. Seeing Qin Yishu silent, Gu Baiwei grew impatient, yet knew she was pondering, so she waited for her response. After a long pause, Qin Yishu finally stated, "I understand." "Is that it?" Gu Baiwei huffed, stepping forward angrily, "Didn’t you hear what Jing Aoxue just said? Her child is so young, only about four or five. Are you going to ignore their plight?" Wu Zhiyong hesitated for a moment, then, gritting his teeth, said, "General Qin, this matter concerns my family. I left my post out of necessity... If you choose not to get involved, I won't impose. I simply hope you can grant me a day’s leave so I can figure out a way to rescue the children." Gu Baiwei immediately chimed in, "Count me in—I’m not like some people." Jing Aoxue felt like facepalming, questioning the point of this discourse. With this wasted time, she might have continued probing into the perilous Liu family residence. Among those present, only Qin Yishu remained unfazed. Her gaze swept over everyone before saying to Jing Aoxue, "Although this seems minor, involving the Grandmaster elevates it to significant importance, and even I must tread carefully." "However," she continued, "you once helped me, so I won't ignore this. Tonight, I will visit the Liu residence to retrieve your children as thanks for the medicine you gave me. What do you think?" Jing Aoxue was momentarily stunned. She hadn't held out much hope, but neither would she have rushed to the inn to see General Qin if she’d already felt hopeless from the start. Though General Qin was now physically hindered, her status and position still commanded respect, even from someone like Liu Wenyao. Her involvement would indeed ease the challenge compared to Jing Aoxue sneaking into the Liu residence on her own. Thus, she quickly smiled, "In that case, thank you very much, General Qin." She thought: Though she still couldn’t fully discern General Qin’s character, the willingness to assist in itself was a gesture of kindness. Initially, she hadn’t wanted much involvement with General Qin, but with this owed favor, she would find a way to repay her.