Chapter 6: Unrest in the Inner Courtyard

Unconsciously, more than half a month had passed in the blink of an eye.

Last night, an unexpected heavy snowfall fluttered down incessantly, only ceasing in the afternoon today.

Outside the window lay a blanket of pure white, with occasional snowflakes drifting from the branches, emitting a soft rustling sound.

Since crossing over to this world, although Zhao Han had yet to awaken any system, he noticed that his physical strength and memory far surpassed that of ordinary people.

Whereas an average person might require over a month to fully memorize a book, he could do so in merely three days.

Now, he could even effortlessly lift weights several times his own body weight.

Even so, Zhao Han dared not slacken his efforts. Today, as he sat upright at his desk, engrossed in his studies, something momentous silently unfolded within the rear quarters of the Sheng family estate.

The kitchen steward, Lady Guan, had reported the loss of nearly a year's worth of monthly wages.

Lin Qingshuang, who held the authority over the household affairs, was dispatching several maids and elder women to search the rear quarters thoroughly.

At this moment, Sheng Hong had just returned from the magistrate's office. Upon hearing the news from his footman, he was furious.

There was a traitor within the household; at worst, it was the handiwork of the servants, at best, a sign of lax discipline, a stain upon the family’s honor.

If not severely punished, the servants might grow even more reckless, and if word spread, it would damage his reputation as an official.

Sheng Hong immediately ordered all gates and doors within the residence to be tightly sealed, swearing to investigate thoroughly, to uphold family rules and restore discipline!

When the search party reached Wei Xiaoniang’s quarters, Lin Qingshuang leaned slightly to the side, a stray lock of hair brushing her forehead, gently swaying in the cold wind.

She stepped forward softly and said, “Hong Lang, Wei’s sister is with child. I think we should not search her courtyard.”

Wei Xiaoniang stood to one side with Minglan and the two young maidservants, Xiaotao and Xiaodie.

Upon hearing this, she furrowed her brows slightly, unable to understand what Lin Qingshuang was plotting today.

Sheng Hong’s expression was solemn. He glanced faintly at Wei Xiaoniang’s courtyard, with no intention of making exceptions due to her pregnancy.

“The traitor has yet to be caught. If we are to investigate, it must be thorough to prevent any rumors from arising.”

Lin Qingshuang’s eyes gleamed with a triumphant smile, yet she feigned concern and sighed.

“You are right, Hong Lang. But Wei sister has always been frail. It would be unfortunate if anything were to happen.”

Wei Xiaoniang clenched her handkerchief, biting her lip, and said, “Sister Lin, there is no need to spare me. Catching the thief is important; it will also clear others’ names.”

Her tone was gentle but carried a hint of stubbornness.

Sheng Hong turned to look at her but said nothing.

Upon receiving the order, the maids immediately surged into the side rooms, rummaging through everything noisily and roughly.

---

Xiaodie, seeing this, stepped forward to intervene but was quietly pulled back by Wei Xiaoniang, who shook her head at her.

Minglan and Xiaotao stood close to Wei Xiaoniang, their clear and bright eyes vigilantly scanning the surroundings.

Minglan was only eight years old this year, and Xiaotao was a year younger.

Though young, they sensed that the atmosphere in the mansion today was unusually tense.

About the time of a tea cup later, a sharp, piercing voice rang out from Xiaodie’s room.

“Master, we’ve caught the traitor!”

A maid hurried to Sheng Hong, holding two pouches filled with broken silver coins.

Lady Guan cast a glance and pointed eagerly at one of the pouches, “Master, this pouch embroidered with the character 'Guan' is exactly the one I lost. It contains a full ten taels of silver!”

“Liu Xiaodie, I only refused to let you take extra firewood, and we had a few disputes,” Sheng Hong said.

“Never expected you to retaliate deliberately by stealing my wages!”

Xiaodie widened her eyes in disbelief, staring at Lady Guan.

“You’re lying! The disputes were because you shortchanged the firewood and substituted inferior ones!”

Lady Guan snorted coldly, straightening her neck, “The kitchen accounts are clear and precise, and yet you spout nonsense!”

All the female servants who went to the kitchen to collect firewood and food had to mark the ledger with their fingerprints.

Wei Xiaoniang, unwilling to stir up trouble, let Xiaodie leave her fingerprint even when the firewood she received was insufficient.

This meant that, even if Xiaodie accused Lady Guan, there was no concrete evidence.

With Lin Qingshuang backing her, Lady Guan felt invincible.

Lin Qingshuang was somewhat surprised to find two heavy pouches during the search.

After a moment of hesitation, she looked up at Sheng Hong, her eyes filled with a mix of guilt and remorse.

“Hong Lang, it’s all my fault. I was negligent and allowed a thief to hide in Wei sister’s quarters, committing such a disgraceful act. I hope Master will punish me.”

She then made a gesture as if to kneel.

Sheng Hong gazed at Lin Qingshuang’s charming and delicate demeanor and couldn’t help but soften. He quickly stepped forward and helped her up.

“This matter has nothing to do with you. When servants intend to steal, they will do everything to conceal it from others.”

“You already work hard managing the rear quarters; it’s impossible to oversee every single detail.”

Lin Qingshuang placed her hand on Sheng Hong’s arm, her eyes glimmering, and spoke softly, “Thank you, Hong Lang, for your understanding.”

---

“Having dealt with the traitor today, I promise to be more cautious in the future, no longer allowing such sordid matters to disturb your peace,” Lin Qingshuang vowed.

Wang Ruofu, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, watched this scene with her chest rising and falling anxiously. She couldn’t help but roll her eyes at Lin Qingshuang, cursing inwardly that she deserved divine punishment for her cunning flirtations.

Now that matters had come to this, Wei Xiaoniang finally realized that Lin Qingshuang was targeting her and Xiaodie.

She lifted her eyes slightly and said firmly, “Master, Xiaodie has served me devotedly all these years. Her loyalty is as clear as the sun and moon.”

“She would never commit theft. I am willing to stake my life on it.”

“Please, Master and Lady, investigate thoroughly and restore Xiaodie’s innocence.”

Wang Ruofu, seeing Wei Xiaoniang speak up despite her condition, felt a touch of sympathy.

Moreover, she had purchased Wei Xiaoniang into the household precisely to counterbalance Lin Qingshuang.

Wei Xiaoniang’s loss of favor would not bode well for her either.

She spoke softly, “Liu Xiaodie has always been well-behaved. I don’t think she is capable of such misdeeds.”

“Master, please don’t jump to conclusions based on one-sided accusations.”

Sheng Hong, unwilling to offend Wang Ruofu, picked up the two pouches found in Xiaodie’s room, weighing them, then ordered a servant to bring a scale.

After weighing the silver inside, his expression darkened.

“One of these pouches contains the ten taels Lady Guan identified, but the other holds a full fifteen taels.”

“You only receive a monthly salary of five hundred coins. Where did the silver in this pouch come from?”

Hearing this, Xiaodie looked up at Wei Xiaoniang, unsure whether to reveal what had happened in their quarters.

Wei Xiaoniang placed a hand on her swollen belly. Knowing that if she didn’t speak now, Xiaodie would find it hard to clear her name, she said firmly, “Hurry and confess to Master and Lady.”

Xiaodie nodded, wiped away her tears, and recounted everything: how the kitchen maids had been skimping on firewood and food, and how she had left the estate to trade firewood, encountering Zhao Han along the way.

Minglan stepped forward, tugging at Sheng Hong’s sleeve, sobbing, “Father, have mercy. Without Master Zhao’s silver, Xiaoniang and I would have long since succumbed to the cold.”