Chapter 455 — Leaving the Estate

Qixia was badly startled. "Second Master, you must not speak so! A few days ago, before this business of leaving the household came up, it would have been the smoke of my ancestors' graves to serve you. But now the lady wants me out of the house, and if I took up with you instead, there is no escaping the charge of seducing my master—none at all..." She knocked her head on the floor before him, thump, thump, thump, hoping that for the sake of all the years she had served him, he would let her go.

But Song Han was utterly captivated by his own idea.

If Qixia bore such a reputation, there would be only one way out for her—death.

No blade need be drawn to be rid of Qixia.

And all that had happened before would be buried in the grave with her.

From then on, even those suspicions would vanish.

He trembled with excitement. Gently stroking Qixia's cheek, white as jade, he bent low and murmured at her ear, "Good Qixia, rest easy. I won't let you bear such a charge..."

The room erupted with the crash of an overturned table and the shattering of a porcelain cup.

In the next room, Caiyun, bent over her needlework, frowned.

These little maids—now that they knew the senior maids were all to be sent out, they grew more unruly by the day. Here they were, raising a din.

If the Second Master heard of it, they would get a fine beating.

Qixia was on night duty tonight. Could she too have decided she would soon be released and grown slack with the little maids?

With some impatience she lifted the curtain. Before she could utter a rebuke, her face had gone white as snow.

How could this be?

Qixia and the Second Master...

She dropped the curtain with a swish. Her heart pounded like a drum as she turned and fled.

How could Qixia be so foolish!

To do such a thing at a time like this—did she not want to live?

Thank goodness she had not cried out.

Had she drawn the attention of the supervising matrons, they would have said not a word and simply ordered a beating.

At that thought she halted her steps in a fluster.

If she had heard the commotion, others might well hear it too. Should she keep watch outside for Qixia a while...

Caiyun twisted her fingers into knots.

In the end she made her way to the Osmanthus Court.

Caiyun's own name was on the list to leave the household. She truly did not want any further complications.

This matter—she would simply pretend she knew nothing of it.

*****

Qixia lay naked on the bed, her face ashen, staring dully as Song Han unhurriedly dressed. Her hand slowly clenched into a fist.

Song Han looked at her and found it merely amusing.

He sat down on the edge of the bed, drew a quilt over her, and smiled tenderly. "Don't be afraid. I'll go speak to my sister-in-law this very moment. She is the kindest soul alive—she will surely consent to our union." With that he rose and strode off.

A tear slipped from the corner of Qixia's eye.

Slowly she climbed out of bed, walked just as she was behind the screen, and began to wash herself with the cold water in the bucket.

*****

Song Han, emerging from the study, was wreathed in smiles.

He instructed Miao Zhi, "Go tell my sister-in-law that Qixia is mine now, and that she will leave the household with us."

The teacup in Miao Zhi's hand fell to the floor with a clatter, splashing tea all over her.

"What did you say?" Her lips trembled. "Qixia, she..."

"Just now," Song Han said carelessly. "Go look in on her, then reward her with a few bolts of cloth for a new dress. Take her along to pay her respects to my sister-in-law, so she won't misunderstand and marry her off to someone—that would be a fine embarrassment." He took a complacent sip of tea and left the inner chamber.

It was a long while before Miao Zhi came back to her senses.

What on earth was Song Han thinking?

Did she mean to set herself against Song Yan?

Did she not even stop to consider what gave her the right to set herself against Song Yan!

Miao Zhi ground her teeth until they squeaked, then ordered Ji Hong: "Gather a few of the rough-work women and haul Qixia over to the madam's quarters."

Ji Hong was taken aback. "That may not be quite the thing to do."

Miao Zhi gave a cold laugh. "Self-made misfortune admits no escape. Am I to cover for them too? He dares offend the heir apparent—well, I do not."

Ji Hong answered and went off.

Dou Yan was just coaxing Yuan Heng to sleep when she heard the commotion. Before she could even rise, Yuan Heng had rolled over and popped his eyes open, crowing and babbling toward the sound.

Dou Yan could not suppress a smile. She got up and took her son in her arms. "You clever little imp, ears sharp as needles."

Yuan Heng grinned foolishly up at his mother.

Dou Ji asked the maid beside her, "What is going on?"

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Sisters and brothers, here is today's bonus chapter.

o(n_n)o~

ps: Updates are set for around ten in the evening.

First day of December—I beg you for pink votes!