Chapter 5
That night’s dialog was definitely to question Lady Lin’s guilt but the topic did not know when has become crooked. Lady Lin became the plaintiff from the defendant. Above-mentioned case from investigating Concubine Wei’s cause of death subtly became an investigative follow-up of the case of the legitimate wife persecuting the concubine.
The change in the course of events was faintly discernible, as if an antelope hung in the corner, not a trace to be found and the audience unknowingly got caught into it. In fact, Lady Lin did not accuse w.a.n.g shi of any crime when listening superficially but her every word seems to hint at something. Even Yao Yiyi who was the accustomed expert to the courts, listening and listening, felt like w.a.n.g shi has wronged her and set a false charge on her.
Lady Lin’s play of dying very quickly had its desired effect, Comrade Sheng Hong stopped his punishment. In addition, the next day he went to Concubine Lin’s place to sit for a little while. Concubine Lin dismissed everyone and gave a five coloured kiln cup with a lid to Sheng Hong to steep his strong Tieguanyin1 tea, exactly the way Sheng Hong’s usually likes to fight the heat. Again, Concubine Lin dressed in a frail moon white thin silk jacket, her beautiful hair only has a tiny plain silver flower silk hairpin inserted. Indeed pitiful in all aspects and delicate like the flower. Even when he first came in with extreme anger, it has declined by half.
“Yesterday at Madame’s place, I gave you some face. According to your words, Concubine Wei’s death, you actually do not have the least bit of responsibility?” Sheng Hong coldly said. He is at least considered to be one that has rolled about in officialdom, in any case still remembered what he came to do.
Concubine Lin’s teardrops glistening “Master gave me face, how can I not know. Master came to speak with this concubine alone today, this concubine just simply openly speak out. That Concubine Wei is invited2 by Madame for Master. Before that, Madame one after another came out with Concubine Xiang and Concubine Ping. For what purpose it is, the whole household up and down understands, simply because she sees that Master love me, pity me and Madame is unhappy. By myself, I have little power in this household and usually there is no one to talk that I actually can talk to. If I do not put some capable and reliable people at my side, I do not know others will destroy me. I am not important but I cannot allow Little Boy Feng and Little Girl Mo suffer hardships. That is why the door is closed firmly, clearing3 myself, do not come into contact generally, it is to protect myself, safe and sound. That night when Concubine Wei had an accident, I indeed had selfish motives and was unwilling to care but to say I deliberately want to harm her life, it is really venomous slander. Darling Hong Darling Hong, even though I have thousands kind and ten thousands kind of fault, also look upon the face of Little Boy Feng and Little Girl Mo. The day before teacher still praised Little Boy Feng for studying well.”
Sheng Hong’s heart was moved also did not make any noise. He lifted the teacup to drink a mouthful. Concubine Lin slowly moved to his side, head on his shoulders, lightly complained “Darling Hong, I am fully aware of your conduct. That time when you and I pledged our love, Master made an oath towards me and absolutely would not allow me to be bullied. This is why you had bruised the honour of Madame’s maiden family and bought me lands and shops, allowing me to properly straighten my back and conduct myself within the household. The deep thought Darling Hong has towards me, how can I not know. If I was to do that cruel and unscrupulous thing, let me to be destroyed by heavens and earth so that I may not have a good death.”
Her voice suave and was bewitching and charming. Even if a poisonous oath was vowed, it is also like saying words of love. Sheng Hong cannot help but loosen his countenance and was right about to reach out to affectionately embrace Concubine Lin. Suddenly he remembered the discussion with Old Madame Sheng that day, thus withdrew his hands and pushed Concubine Lin away.
Usually Concubine Lin is able to grasp onto Sheng Hong’s temperament. Never once she thought to be pushed away but not the slightest bit is shown on her face, only eyes filled with tears gazing at Sheng Hong. Sheng Hong looked at Concubine Lin, in a deep voice said “The matter of Concubine Wei at this point will be closed. Madame and myself will order everyone in the household that n.o.body will be allowed to speak of this. However from this day forth, there are several things I want to tell you clearly.”
While speaking, both hands on his back stood before the couch “This current matter, I also have fault. Blindly taking pity on you and deeply loving you and actually forgetting the words of the sage. It is called, respect for seniority, differences between legitimate and concubine. This kind of family such as us cannot learn from the merchant families, what equal wives and to be a disgrace. Even if Madame has ten thousands of wrong, she is after all the primary and you are the concubine, you ought to obey etiquette to the utmost. From today onwards, you remove that small kitchen, I will stop giving you expenses. The maids in your courtyard are treated as the same cla.s.s as the rest of the household and must not be favoured. If you wish to reward people, then use your own money. All matters according to rules of the household, it can be a.s.sumed that all these years you have quite a bit of private savings, that should be enough. In the future, you must abide by the rules, pay respects to Madame daily, if you feel unwell, going on a separate day is okay. However order your courtyard’s people to control themselves and must not be disrespectful towards Madame. Saying some nonsense without rules, if I were to find out, beating to death and selling all without exceptions!”
Concubine Lin’s pretty face lost colour, her heart chilled and simply waiting to defend herself. Sheng Hong continued to speak “I am also not one that does not understand things, you and Madame have been at odds already for a long time. I also would not think that you and her could become sisters and be harmonious within a day but you must first be flexible. I will not retake the properties that I gave you, those things given to you still remains but I cannot allow you to carelessly a.s.sign stewards. That time, those two clan mates of yours drinking with female entertainers, embracing singers in Quan Prefecture their show is more extravagant than mine. In the future, the stewards you a.s.sign must go through me and be approved. Not allowed to recruit those fearless dog ability, if not it will ruin the reputation of my Sheng family! …… Little Boy Feng and Little Girl Mo still be raised at your side, if you really are thinking for the children, then it is unlikely that you are in this current predicament. Now, just think more for those two children.
Concubine Lin originally had a stomach full of words to say but when she listened to the last sentence of Sheng Hong, she had nothing to say. She knows that if Sheng Hong wants to continue to be an official, he must seize a good reputation and cannot allow others to catch any shortcomings regarding his character. Sheng Hong’s words just now is to merely want her to lie low but he did not peel off her properties, also did not separate her children, this already is his bottom line. This time, Concubine Wei’s death she have much responsibility in the end and able to close the case in this manner is already great fortune. She is a smart person who knows when to stop, even though her heart is somewhat unwilling. She could only bite her teeth and endure and instead get ready for things and raise her spirits to be affectionate with Sheng Hong.
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