C17 She Was so Good at It

Snowball nestled comfortably in Lan Qingjia's arms, its glassy eyes half-closed, clearly enjoying her touch. Lan Qingjia's ambiguous response only deepened Chunniang's unease, leaving her feeling increasingly anxious.

Lan Qingjia calmly added more wood to the fire. "Without its owner's approval, do you think I could have taken it away?"

This hint carried a deeper meaning. To those who knew, it suggested a close relationship between her and Snowball's owner. For anyone unfamiliar with Snowball's owner, the hint would be meaningless, but clearly, Chunniang knew him and was quite wary.

Sweat began to bead on Chunniang's forehead, and her heavily powdered face took on a strange hue. She kept dabbing her face with a handkerchief, looking as if she were overheated.

"What is your relationship with him?" she stammered.

Lan Qingjia's expression remained indifferent. "Is that something you think you can inquire about?"

Her tone suddenly sharpened. "You dared to conspire with that rogue against me, huh..."

Chunniang's face fell, her expression more pitiful than if she were crying.

"I-I didn't know! If I had known... no amount of money would have tempted me!"

Lan Qingjia felt a slight relief internally, but her stern demeanor didn't change. "But you've already done it. How do you plan to make it up to me?"

"Well..." Chunniang wanted to say that she hadn't done anything yet, but she didn't dare to voice it.

"Whatever compensation you want, I'll make it happen!"

Lan Qingjia's eyes shifted suddenly to Zhang Da. She pointed at him, "Alright! Then tie him up, come with me to the authorities, and testify against him. Tell them everything he made you do!"

Daring to plot against her, this time, she was determined to make Mrs. Lau pay dearly!

Chunniang hesitated for a moment, but quickly weighed the pros and cons and nodded in agreement, "Alright!"

With a wave of her hand, she commanded, "Hurry up and tie him up!"

A few strong men immediately turned on Zhang Da and bound him.

Zhang Da was utterly confused about how things had taken such a turn. His face turned pale as he struggled desperately, "Chunniang, what do you mean? She can't possibly know anyone important. Don't be fooled by her!"

Chunniang had her doubts initially, but Snowball's demeanor had mostly dispelled them. Moreover, Lan Qingjia's own presence was convincing enough. Someone like her being friends with someone influential seemed entirely plausible.

The group, with Zhang Da in tow, marched confidently toward the county office.

The man standing on the neighboring tea house took in the entire scene, with Qiao Yuan behind him, unconsciously wiping sweat from his brow.

"That young lady sure knows how to play her cards," Qiao Yuan thought. "Using the master's name to completely bamboozle Chunniang, and then turning the tables on those who tried to scheme against her."

Qiao Yuan glanced cautiously at his master. "Sir, should I do something about this?" he asked, suggesting perhaps retrieving Snowball or exposing the young lady's ruse.

The man's expression remained cool and detached, his tone calm. "Go ask Chunniang if she’s forgotten my warning. If she has, remind her properly."

Qiao Yuan was momentarily stunned but quickly gathered himself and nodded in agreement. Their master might appear aloof, but he wasn’t without a sense of justice.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Lau was in high spirits at home, eagerly awaiting news. She was ready to head to the Flower Pavilion as soon as she heard, confident that Lan Qingjia’s reputation would be ruined.

Just then, Mummy Jiang rushed in, her steps hurried. Mrs. Lau immediately stood up, smiling as she asked, "How did it go?"

To her surprise, Mummy Jiang's face was grim. "Something went wrong! Not only did the plan fail, but Chunniang and Zhang Da were taken to the county office by the young lady. She’s accusing them before the magistrate, demanding justice and a thorough investigation! The officers are outside now, asking for you to come..."

"What??"

Mrs. Lau felt a wave of dizziness, nearly collapsing.

How could this happen?!