Chapter 4: A Subtle Breakthrough in the Dilemma, Affection Quietly Takes Root
The sudden knock shattered the ambiguous atmosphere in the study.
Jiang Yu quickly withdrew his hand, his gaze returning to its usual calmness.
Qu Wanqing also composed herself, straightening her clothes.
“Come in.”
Cui’er cautiously pushed the door open and stepped inside. Seeing the subtle tension between the two, she hesitated for a moment before lowering her head. “Madam, Master requests your presence in the front hall.”
A summons from the master usually meant fresh trouble.
Qu Wanqing sneered inwardly but maintained an impassive expression. “Understood.”
In the front hall, Steward Zhao and Madam Su stood on either side of the master, their faces painted with insincere smiles.
When Qu Wanqing entered, Madam Su gave a delicate, feeble bow, a hint of provocation flickering in her eyes and the corners of her mouth.
The master feigned concern as he spoke to Qu Wanqing a few words before abruptly shifting the topic to the need to organize the storeroom, hoping she could “kindly” handle the task.
Qu Wanqing nearly lost her composure at the mention of the storeroom.
The storeroom?
That was the filthiest, most chaotic place in the entire estate!
This wasn’t an assignment—it was a deliberate attempt to make things difficult for her!
“Wanqing, I know your health is delicate, but the storeroom affairs are crucial and only you can manage them,” the master said with a solemn expression, as if entrusting her with a monumental responsibility.
Qu Wanqing suppressed her anger, forcing a hollow smile in response.
Upon leaving the front hall, Mistress Lin immediately approached, her tone laced with sarcasm. “Madam, the storeroom is terribly filthy. Be careful not to stain your clothes.”
Qu Wanqing took a deep breath, cast a cold glance at Mistress Lin, then turned and left.
Back in her room, the more Qu Wanqing thought about it, the angrier she became.
She could not swallow this bitter pill!
Why should she endure such humiliation?
She was a modern woman who had traversed time—she would never submit meekly!
“Cui’er, help me change,” Qu Wanqing said coldly, a ruthless glint flashing in her eyes.
“Madam, are you going to...” Cui’er asked anxiously.
“To see Steward Zhao,” Qu Wanqing replied with a cold smile curling her lips.
---
Qu Wanqing stormed into Steward Zhao’s courtyard, followed closely by Cui’er.
Steward Zhao was leisurely sipping tea. Upon seeing Qu Wanqing, a trace of contempt flashed in his eyes. “Oh, Madam, what a surprise. How’s the storeroom coming along?”
Qu Wanqing sneered, walking straight to Zhao’s side and slapping the table, making the teacup tremble. “Steward Zhao, spare me your sarcasm! You want me to go to that filthy place? What are you plotting? Do you think I’m still the pushover I used to be? Last time, you deliberately withheld my monthly allowance, leaving me unable to afford decent clothes in this estate. And that time you slandered me to the master, accusing me of mistreating the servants, causing me to be scolded. Listen carefully: many servants now stand with me. If you dare treat me like this again, I will expose all your dirty deeds!”
Zhao was startled by her sudden outburst, and the surrounding servants stopped their work, watching the scene in disbelief.
Was this the timid second madam they knew?
She seemed like a completely different person!
“Madam, what do you mean? The master’s orders are just being followed,” Zhao said, feigning composure though his eyes flickered nervously.
“Following orders? I think you’re fabricating them to make things difficult for me!” Qu Wanqing cut through his lies without mercy.
Zhao’s face darkened. He had indeed done some unsavory things, and if exposed, the consequences would be dire.
He hadn’t expected Qu Wanqing to confront him so boldly and was momentarily flustered.
“Madam, you misunderstand. I had no intention of causing you trouble...” he stammered.
“No? Then how do you explain the storeroom task?” Qu Wanqing pressed on relentlessly.
Cold sweat beaded Zhao’s forehead as he darted his eyes, calculating his next move.
He knew he couldn’t go head-to-head, so he softened his tone. “Madam, please calm down. It was my oversight. How about this: the storeroom will be assigned to someone else, and you...,” he paused, searching for a lighter task, “...you can go enjoy the garden.”
Only then did Qu Wanqing nod in satisfaction. “That’s better.”
The servants around were dumbfounded. They had never imagined the once meek second madam could so thoroughly put Steward Zhao in his place. Their admiration for her grew instantly.
Mistress Lin stood to the side, her face ashen but unwilling to say more, and slunk away.
Qu Wanqing left Zhao’s courtyard with Cui’er, a cold smile playing on her lips.
This was only the beginning—she would make those who had bullied her pay dearly.
Back in her room, her mood lifted, humming softly as she began examining the estate’s accounts.
Suddenly, she noticed an unusual expense entry.
“Cui’er, fetch Mr. Jiang.”
When Jiang Yu arrived, he saw Qu Wanqing frowning thoughtfully over the ledgers and asked with curiosity, “Madam, have you found something?”
Qu Wanqing pointed at a suspicious expense. “Look, this payment is huge and its purpose unclear. I suspect foul play.”
Jiang Yu studied the accounts carefully and agreed it looked fishy. He proposed they investigate together.
---
Jiang Yu came from a scholarly family but had been forced by misfortune to serve as an advisor here. He was determined to uncover the truth about his family’s affairs and hoped to make a mark in this household, displaying his talents and ambitions.
The two worked efficiently, dividing tasks—he checked the ledgers while she examined the storeroom records.
During their investigation, Jiang Yu flipped rapidly through the accounts, muttering to himself. Soon he found several suspicious clues among the complex entries. Explaining his reasoning to Qu Wanqing, he marked the ledger carefully. His focused eyes and keen mind earned her growing admiration.
From time to time, Jiang Yu glanced at Qu Wanqing with a subtle tenderness in his gaze.
He realized this woman was not only clever and resourceful but also brave—a stark contrast to the timid persona she had once shown.
This contrast captivated him even more.
Qu Wanqing, too, felt warmed by Jiang Yu’s concern.
Their cooperation was seamless, perfectly synchronized.
In the garden, the sunset bathed them in golden light, the surrounding flowers seeming to shimmer with a gilded veil.
Jiang Yu reached out to steady Qu Wanqing. Their eyes met, and time seemed to freeze in that instant.
His gaze overflowed with warmth and deep affection. Qu Wanqing’s cheeks flushed faintly, and the air around them grew charged with heat.
A gentle breeze stirred a strand of her hair, and Jiang Yu instinctively tucked it behind her ear—a gesture full of intimacy and subtle passion, causing her heart to leap.
They stood quietly like that, as if the world had shrunk to only the two of them.
This beautiful scene was unfortunately witnessed by Madam Su, who passed by just then.
Jealousy flared in her heart like a raging fire.
She clenched her fists so tightly her nails dug into her flesh.
That very night, a new rumor spread throughout the estate, claiming the second madam was unchaste, secretly meeting with the advisor and behaving intimately.
The scandal grew rampant and soon reached the master’s ears.
“Preposterous!” the master roared in fury, slamming the table with a thunderous crash.
Qu Wanqing trembled with rage upon hearing the slander.
She knew it was Madam Su’s scheme, but she had no proof.
She had to quickly identify the source of the rumors, or she would fall into trouble once more.
During her covert investigation, Qu Wanqing discovered a mysterious figure manipulating events behind the scenes.
Who was this shadowy person?
Why target her?
Late at night, a dark silhouette slipped silently into Qu Wanqing’s room.
The shadow approached the bedside, a dagger gleaming coldly in hand...
“Who are you?” Qu Wanqing suddenly opened her eyes, her voice icy cold.