The First Master went to see Tong Xiyan. By then, Tong Xiyan was calm and composed. She straightened her back and said, "It is normal for a concubine not to understand since she doesn’t read." She watched as Madam Wang’s expression gradually cracked, then smiled and said, "Father expressly forbade me from reading Li Zhenqing’s poetry collection, so how could I let Eldest Brother and Seventh Brother know!" She looked at the First Master again: "Father, it is entirely your daughter’s fault; it has nothing to do with Sixth Sister or Big Brother-in-law. Please punish me!"
The First Master placed the poetry collection on the table but didn’t speak. Lady, however, fearing the First Master would punish Tong Xiyan, preemptively said, "In that case, both of you will be punished by copying Women’s Virtue and Women’s Instruction five times each. You are not allowed to step outside the courtyard until you finish!" After saying this, she looked at the First Master: "Husband, what do you think..." She seemed to believe the story of the two young ladies.
Having dealt with it herself, the First Master naturally didn’t say anything, only remarking, "You are the mistress; the children’s affairs should indeed be governed by you."
Since the First Master didn’t pursue the matter further, Lady’s face showed a trace of a smile.
Madam Wang felt discontent and was about to speak when suddenly, Lady turned her face and preemptively addressed Madam Wang: "But where is Third Miss? She wasn’t in the room, nor did she go to the garden to watch the opera. Where could she have gone, Madam Wang, do you know?"
Madam Wang’s expression changed dramatically, and she heard the First Master discontentedly say, "Why is Third Girl missing again?"
Lady gave Madam Wang a deep look and said, "Perhaps she felt stifled in the room and went out for a walk." She seemed to hint at something as she glanced at the First Master.
The First Master frowned, already displeased: "Nonsense! With so many people in the mansion, why aren’t they staying quietly in the inner quarters? What are they running around for?" He pointed at the maidservants and old women: "Go and find her."
The maidservants and old women acknowledged and hurried off to find Tong Xiyang.
The First Master glanced at his two kneeling daughters: "From now on, do not read such books. If there is something needed, let those around you handle it. Even in your own home, you cannot act recklessly like a young lady!" As he spoke, he waved his sleeve and got up to leave: "There is something in the outer court. I’m going back." Lady stood up to see him off: "Husband, go on with your work. If anything arises, I will have someone inform you."
The First Master nodded and had just stepped out the door into the courtyard when a strange old woman hurriedly stumbled in: "Lady, something’s wrong!" She stopped at the First Master’s feet, realizing he was there and was immediately frightened, collapsing to the ground.
The First Master snorted coldly.
Nanny Fang recognized her as Nanny Cai, who guards the second gate. Having a decent relationship with her usually, she angrily pulled at Nanny Cai, fearing her lack of decorum would anger the First Master, and said, "That’s no way to behave! Speak up quickly!" as she gave a hard pinch below.
With Nanny Cai jerked like that, she immediately sobered up, caught her breath, glanced at Nanny Fang, and said, "Master, Lady, something terrible has happened. Third Miss... Third Miss jumped into the river."
Xiqiu paused upon hearing this, immediately looking at Madam Wang, who seemed first startled, then not surprised or worried, but slightly excited. She stepped forward and asked Nanny Cai, "How is Third Miss?"
Nanny Cai’s face became even uglier. She sneakily glanced at the First Master and then at the unpleasant-faced Lady and said, "Third Miss is fine... is... on her way back."
The First Master’s eyes narrowed, revealing a hint of cold danger as he looked at Madam Wang. Third Girl was supposed to be well, yet she not only showed no alarm but was somewhat excited, deflecting the main issue in her questioning, which filled him with suspicion.
Caught in the First Master’s gaze, Madam Wang instantly froze, realizing the inappropriateness of her question. She quickly added, "Speak clearly! Who saved her, and who brought her back?"
Lady also came out from inside.
Nanny Cai was drenched in cold sweat, dripping onto the bluestone slab, and stammered in response, "Third Miss... was rescued by Third Master Ren’s attendant, and Third Master Ren is personally escorting back Third Miss." She dared not make it too explicit—it wasn’t merely an escort; it was practically half-holding, half-carrying.
Madam Wang was both pleased and shocked, pleased that her scheme had succeeded, shocked that Third Master Ren didn’t leave after rescuing as she had expected, but was actually personally returning her to the inner courtyard. Thinking of this, she secretly glanced at the First Master, noticing his face had turned a shade of livid, standing there like a lurking beast, dangerous and cold.
To jump into the river within his own mansion’s grounds, and for an outsider to be the one to rescue her—what hidden motives underpinned this, the First Master could understand even without dwelling too deeply.
Frightened by the First Master’s demeanor, Madam Wang shrank back, yet couldn’t help but lift her foot to step out, intending to intercept Third Master Ren before the First Master did.
Lady, too, was infuriated, and she regarded Madam Wang with a sneer, realizing that this grand performance today was all orchestrated for this outcome.
Such a tactic, executed right under her nose, as she directed a glance at Nanny Fang, who instantly understood, stepping forward to block Madam Wang: "Concubine, don’t worry; hasn’t the person arrived?"
Madam Wang was thus held back, and Lady ordered Xiqiu and Tong Xiyan’s attendants, Xinzhu and Xinmei: "Quickly, escort the young ladies back."
Xinzhu and Xinmei, with a shiver, hurried to lift the two young misses, hastily exiting the courtyard.
As she walked, Xiqiu quickly glanced back and saw by the Hanging Flower Gate that Tong Xiyang, drenched, was being half-held entering by a pale-skinned, beardless man. The man’s brows and eyes gleamed with a light-hearted smile, appearing somewhat frivolous. One hand was positioned on Tong Xiyang’s waist, while the other held her hand, his dark outer garment now draped over Tong Xiyang’s shoulders.
Viewing Tong Xiyang again, her face was ashen and bloodless, yet flushed with two spots of red. Her walking posture seemed stiff, either from tension or from delight, until she saw the First Master standing with arms crossed at the door, and she could no longer move, collapsing directly.
Ren Jun, trying to adjust, completely drew Tong Xiyang into his arms, grinning as he nodded at the First Master: "Lord Tong!"
By then, the First Master’s expression couldn’t simply be described as cold. He turned to the maid beside him: "Help the young miss inside." Casting a deep look at Ren Jun, he brusquely turned and walked in.
Xiqiu pulled at Tong Xiyan: "Don’t watch!" The two hurried into Tong Xiyan’s courtyard.
As soon as she entered, Tong Xiyan displayed a broad smile: "I hadn’t expected that Madam Wang and Third Sister went through such trouble again, trying to harm me while attempting to drag you down too. It turns out it was all for this matter. No wonder Third Sister disappeared; she had gone to have a ’coincidental’ encounter with Third Master Ren!"
Xiqiu said nothing, but judging from Ren Jun’s demeanor, he didn’t seem like a gallant savior type who cherishes beauty, fearing that Madam Wang’s intricate plotting and longing would ultimately end in vain.
Tong Xiyan handed her a cup of tea and said, "Although the means were somewhat disgraceful, Madam Wang’s objective has been achieved, at least! Hehe... the residence should be able to enjoy some peace in the coming days, right?"
Xiqiu smiled: "That Third Master Ren is no paragon. If Third Sister enters the marriage seriously, it might improve things a bit. However, given the methods used, I’m afraid..." Besides, considering Lady’s approach, the most straightforward solution might be sending her to a nunnery!"