C15 A Big Play 3

"So, that little wretch is planning to leave the estate?" Mu Yunliang's delicate fingers, painted with rouge, casually fiddled with a golden hairpin above her head. To her, a tramp like Mu Yunhua was no different from any stray cat or dog on the street.

She was clearly not worth fretting over.

"It appears so. I expect the gatekeeper's guard will report to us any moment now," the maidservant remarked. "Madam, that fool is truly ignorant, not even knowing to use the back door to escape. Such an imbecile." The maidservant couldn't resist adding a few more jabs at Mu Yunhua. She wasn't from the Yu Hua Institution, but today, she was the quickest to come and inform Aunt Wan.

Usually, there were plenty eager for such a task, but today, for some reason, all those quick-witted servants and maids were as silent as mutes, not saying a word! Yet, she had unexpectedly managed to seize the opportunity.

"Mm, smart girl, take this as a reward," Aunt Wan said, barely acknowledging the maidservant, her focus on the golden hairpin she had just placed in her hair.

The mama beside her promptly pulled out a silver coin and tossed it to the maidservant, who was ecstatic and thanked her repeatedly.

After the maidservant left, the mama closed the door and turned to say, "Madam, I'll gather some people and bring that little strumpet and that old wretch back to the courtyard. We'll tie them up securely with rope, and first thing tomorrow morning, we'll send them off to the Temple of Peace. Let's see them try to cause trouble then."

"Momo, there's no need to go to such lengths for two mongrels," Aunt Wan finally finished adjusting her hairpin and took a sip from the teacup in front of her. "I had planned to offer them a modicum of dignity before they left. Since they're unappreciative, let's just forget it."

She placed her teacup down and went on, "The entire capital knows about the ghost marriage by now; everyone's pointing at that little harlot, cursing her. She's completely ruined Mu's Mansion's reputation. If I hadn't done everything in my power to quell the matter, by the time the master returned from the Great Leng Empire, he'd have found nothing but our corpses. If that little bitch is so desperate to leave the manor, then let her. Let them both see for themselves the villains outside, clamoring for their demise. Maybe then they'll realize I'm not the worst person in the world."

"Madam, your words are always filled with such kindness; your compassion towards us servants is famous throughout the capital. If you were a villain, then truly, there would be no good people left in this city," the mama effused, her flattery as natural as breathing. Concubine Wan reveled in the adulation, her smile subtly gracing her lips.

"You really do understand me, Mama. Once those two are expelled from the mansion, they'll barely endure the onslaught of scorn before they consider drowning themselves in the river. I won't even need to dirty my hands – she'll be dead. And should the Lord return, it will be of no consequence to me. Only in death are all debts settled. Even if someone is sent to the Temple of Peace, there's no guarantee they won't be retrieved someday," Concubine Wan reflected, her eyes taking on a shadowy depth.

Though Mu Honghai has seemed to disregard Mu Yunhua for so many years, if that despicable girl were to truly perish, it's unlikely he would be so easily fooled.

"Madam, your prudence is unmatched. I will arrange for their release from the estate at once," the mama praised, clapping her hands in approval. She began to execute the command but then stopped and returned. "Madam, the Crown Prince is personally escorting the Eldest Miss back to the mansion later. I worry that the little wretch might disrespect his Highness. Should we detain her until after he has left?"