+ Add to Library
+ Add to Library

C16 A Drama 1

"It's even better that the crown prince is coming. I'm not worried about that little wretch causing trouble; I'm worried if she doesn't!" Aunt Wan said, her face alight with a mysterious smile as if she were privy to some secret.

The mama, however, was puzzled. "What do you mean, Madame?"

Aunt Wan flicked the lid of her teacup aside, stirring the delicate tea leaves that floated on the surface. "That little harlot may have tarnished her own reputation, but it has inevitably cast a shadow on Xi'er's good name. Xi'er has made efforts to remedy the situation, but only a handful have witnessed it. Gossip spreads differently from what one sees with their own eyes."

"No matter how impeccable Xi'er is, a stain is not easily washed away. The crown prince's arrival is the perfect opportunity for her to clear her name."

"After all, Xi'er is like the celestial maiden of the Ninth Heaven, while that Mu Yunhua is nothing more than a pebble in a dung heap. Even if they share the same father, and live under the same roof, when compared, anyone with eyes can see they're not cut from the same cloth. Even if that little wretch has been indiscreet before her betrothal, it's her scandal, not Xi'er's. A talent like Xi'er from the Da Xi Kingdom, pure and untainted, is incomparable to her."

"As long as the crown prince realizes this, do you think any shadow will linger on Xi'er?"

At Aunt Wan's words, the mama's eyes shone with understanding. "Yes, yes, it's better to channel than to block! I was so focused on plugging the leak that I never considered just opening it up. That way, the hole would be smoothed over, turning into a path!"

"Indeed, Madame always has the solution!"

Aunt Wan's lips curved into a smile. "The Li family runs the largest bookstore around. I've been surrounded by books since childhood, so of course, mama, you can't compare."

"Oh, my lady, how could you even think of comparing me to you! It's like comparing a phoenix to a common chicken! No comparison at all!"

"Momo, watch your words. The phoenix belongs to the palace, and I certainly don't have that kind of destiny."

"My lady, what are you saying? If you ask me, that phoenix doesn't hold a candle to..."

While the mama was lavishing praise on Aunt Wan, a sudden cry erupted from outside.

"Disaster, disaster, Madam! There's been a death in the house!"

"What's all this commotion about?" The mama chastised as she opened the door, only to leave it ajar, clearly not intending to invite anyone inside.

Is the Madam's room a place for just any Tom, Dick, or Harry to enter?

The servant caught his breath, straightened up, and hurriedly said, "Momo, it's terrible, someone's died in the mansion!"

"Who's dead? Speak clearly."

"The gatekeeper, Protector B, is dead!"

The mama's brow furrowed. Wasn't that wretched Mu Yunhua supposed to be at the gate? How did one of the gatekeepers end up dead?

"Explain yourself! How did he die? Who killed him? I want details!"

"Well..." The servant faltered, "I... I don't know how he died."

"If you don't know, then why are you shouting about a dead man?" The mama snapped, slapping the servant on the head.

With a miserable look, the servant took the blow. "It was the guards who shouted 'dead man.' People went to look and found Protector B at the gate, drenched in blood. I only heard about it, and then..."

And then, seizing the moment before anyone else could react, he dashed here to inform the Madam, hoping to earn some reward money.

Report
Share
Comments
|
Setting
Background
Font
18
Nunito
Merriweather
Libre Baskerville
Gentium Book Basic
Roboto
Rubik
Nunito
Page with
1000
Line-Height