C15 A Drama 3
"So, that little wretch is planning to leave the estate?" Mu Yunliang's delicate fingers, adorned with rouge, idly played with a golden hairpin above her head, her tone casual. After all, what difference was there between a tramp like Mu Yunhua and any stray cat or dog on the street?
Clearly, she wasn't worth a second thought.
"It seems so. I expect the gatekeeper's guard will be here shortly to announce it," the maidservant said. "Madam, that fool is truly clueless, not even knowing to escape through the back door. A complete imbecile." The maidservant couldn't help but throw in a few more insults at Mu Yunhua. She didn't belong to the Yu Hua Institution, but she was the one who had raced over to alert Aunt Wan the fastest today.
In the past, there were plenty who would have jumped at the chance to do such a task, but today, for some reason, all those usually quick-witted servants and maids were as silent as mutes, not uttering a single word! Yet, she had managed to seize the opportunity for the first time.
"Mm, clever girl, here's a reward," Aunt Wan said, barely glancing at the maidservant, her attention fixed on the golden hairpin she had just secured in her hair.
The mama beside her quickly fished out a silver coin and tossed it to the maidservant, who was overjoyed and thanked her profusely.
Once the maidservant had gone, the mama closed the door and turned to say, "Madam, I'll take some people and bring that little strumpet and that decrepit creature back to the courtyard. We'll tie them up tight with rope, and first thing tomorrow morning, we'll send them off to the Temple of Peace. Let's see if they can still cause trouble then."
"Momo, dealing with two mongrels hardly requires such exertion," Aunt Wan finally adjusted the hairpin to her satisfaction and took a sip from the teacup before her. "I had intended to allow them a shred of dignity before they left. Since they're ungrateful, let's forget it."
Setting down her teacup, she continued, "The whole capital is abuzz with talk of the ghost marriage; everyone's pointing fingers at that little harlot, cursing her name. She's single-handedly tarnished the reputation of Mu's Mansion. Had I not pulled every string to suppress the scandal, by the time the master returned from the Great Leng Empire, he would have found nothing but our lifeless bodies. If that little bitch is so eager to leave the manor, then let her. Let them both go out and see for themselves the villains outside, baying for blood, wanting them dead. It might just teach them that I'm not the vilest person in the world after all."
"Madam's words are always so kind; your benevolence to us servants is renowned throughout the capital. If you were a villain, there wouldn't be a single good soul left in this city," the mama said, her flattery flowing effortlessly. Aunt Wan couldn't help but bask in the praise, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth.
"Mama, you truly understand me. Once those two are out of the mansion, they won't withstand the barrage of insults for long before contemplating a leap into the river. I won't have to lift a finger – she'll be gone. And even if the Lord returns, it won't be any concern of mine. Death is the final resolution, after all. Sending someone to the Temple of Peace doesn't guarantee they won't be brought back one day," Aunt Wan mused, her gaze growing distant and contemplative.
Despite Mu Honghai's apparent indifference towards Mu Yunhua over the years, if that wretched girl were to actually die, it's doubtful he'd be so easily deceived.
"Madam's foresight is unparalleled. I'll see to it that they're released from the estate immediately," the mama exclaimed, thoroughly impressed. She set off to carry out the orders but paused and turned back halfway. "Madam, the Crown Prince will be escorting the Eldest Miss back to the mansion later. I'm concerned that the little wretch might offend his Highness. Perhaps we should detain her until after his departure?"
