C5 Coaxing

Gradually, a soft smile appeared on her face as she realized the girl was her. It's true what they say, sometimes truth is stranger than fiction, and she had stumbled upon such a secret. With this thought, Changge smiled gently and took another sip of tea, savoring its fragrance as her dimples deepened.

"Changge, what's making you smile? Share it with me," Mrs. Jin asked, noticing Changge's silence and sudden joy.

Changge waved her hand dismissively. "It's just some girl talk I had with Biying a while ago, nothing suitable for the main hall. I'm a bit embarrassed." As she looked up, she saw the maid entering with tea and stood up, saying, "Let me serve the tea for you."

With that, Changge took the items from the maid who was about to serve. Her skillful technique in preparing the tea—selecting, brewing, and serving—was seamless. Mrs. Jin watched with satisfaction, taking a sip of the tea Changge handed her, a smile spreading across her face.

After setting the cup down, Mrs. Jin asked slowly, "Why does your tea taste different from others, even though it's the same leaves?"

Changge smiled modestly and replied, "I knew my little tricks wouldn't escape your notice. I prepared the tea with mint leaves. Even though it's winter, you've been feeling a bit warm lately, and your lips have been chapped. The mint adds a refreshing sweetness, making it just perfect."

Mrs. Jin laughed heartily, "You're so attentive! Only Nanny would notice something like my chapped lips. Good girl, good girl." She reached out and took Changge's right wrist.

"Ow..." Changge gasped, pulling her wrist back in pain and stepping back.

Mrs. Jin looked concerned, frowning. "What's wrong with your wrist? Let me see!"

She pulled Changge closer and rolled up her sleeve. The white bandage around her wrist was soaked with blood and pus. Mrs. Jin gasped in distress, "How did this happen? What happened?"

Mrs. Jin's words brought a hush over the room. Feng Changge looked aggrieved but remained silent. Mrs. Jin then turned her gaze to Biying, standing nearby, and demanded sternly, "What's the story behind Changge's wrist injury? If there's any deceit, you'll be out of this house immediately!"

Terrified, Biying dropped to her knees, her voice trembling with tears. "It... it was a burn from a charcoal briquette..."

Charcoal briquette?

Hearing this, Feng Chang'an, who had been sitting quietly, expecting to enjoy the spectacle, suddenly felt a pang of anxiety.

"Charcoal? How could a charcoal briquette injure Changge?"

"Ma'am... I..." Biying stammered, clearly afraid to reveal the truth.

"Speak!" Mrs. Jin's tone was unyielding.

"It was... it was the Second Miss..."

Suddenly, Feng Chang'an froze, all eyes turning to her. Flustered by the attention, she shouted, "What nonsense are you spouting? How could her injuries be my doing? You little liar, don't you dare accuse me without reason!"

"Biying, stop talking nonsense. I hurt myself; it has nothing to do with anyone else." Feng Changge's eyes glistened with tears as she looked sorrowfully at Biying. Anyone can act, but the timing, the audience, and the outcome matter.

"What really happened?" the old lady asked in a low, questioning tone.

Kneeling on the floor, Biying timidly explained, "Yesterday, the First Miss wasn't feeling well, so she couldn't greet the Second Miss upon her return. Later, the Second Miss got upset for some reason and argued with the First Miss. As she left, she knocked over the brazier. The charcoal inside was red-hot, and several pieces fell near the bed, with a couple landing on the First Miss's bedding. That's how she got burned. If you don't believe me, I can bring the scorched quilt and the maids who were in the room yesterday to testify."

"Enough, Biying! Are you not listening to me anymore?" Feng Changge feigned a look of distress as she scolded.

"Who isn't listening? Why didn't you tell Grandmother about the unfair treatment you endured?"

"Ma'am! Ma'am!" Biying, who had been kneeling nearby, crawled forward, tears streaming down her face as she sobbed, "The people in the mansion always suppress Miss, but she refuses to fight back. Yet, her silence only leads to more bullying. Yesterday, the kitchen sent only bread rolls and pickles, and the only chicken soup was watered down. I... I am useless, unable to serve my mistress well..."

As Biying spoke with emotion, Feng Changge wiped her own tears. She had indeed suffered these grievances and endured them, but they had only intensified. Now, given a second chance, she intended to address all these wrongs.

Mrs. Jin listened to Biying's account and turned her gaze to Xiao Yan, who was like a cat on hot bricks, unsure of what to do, trying to appear calm.

"Xiao Yan, don't you have an explanation? Isn't the kitchen and everything in the mansion under your management?"

While the mansion's affairs could be directed by Mrs. Jin, the household's matron was still Xiao Yan. In the past, Xiao Yan had often slighted Mrs. Jin in various matters. Although Mrs. Jin never voiced it, she remembered every slight clearly. Now, with a chance to take Xiao Yan down a peg, Mrs. Jin was not about to let it slip by.