Chapter 63: Return to the Manor

The door opened slow—no one stepped forward to look.
Guest rooms at Wolong were plain—not like home—and this one chosen special was wide. The great bed lay open—no screen—so the scene lay bare to all.
Shen Yue screamed first.
Clothes torn to scraps on the floor—blanket tossed—books swept—teapot shattered—like a storm had passed.
That was not the worst.
On the bed a woman's body sprawled—half over the edge—barely covered—back spotted red, blood, bruises—shocking. A bloodied whip split in two on the floor—the marks showed it had been broken in use.
"Heaven!" Yue covered her mouth, backing step by step. "That—that is who— not Eldest Sister?" She whirled to Ren Wanyun.
Shen Miao said she swapped with Qing—so the victim should have been Ren's plan's target—yet everything screamed: Shen Qing was ruined. Even an unmarried girl knew what this picture meant.
Gui had not expected anyone inside—thought Shen Miao and Ren had settled things—only to enter and speak. Woman in bed—surprise—maybe another victim last night—her job failed—Yue's words nearly took her soul—Shen Qing? The woman was Shen Qing?
Yanmei and Shuibi—hearts dead. Their miss destroyed—they had no road. They kowtowed to Ren without stop.
Ren stood frozen.
"Second Aunt won't go look?" Quiet—Shen Miao spoke soft—calm as if she had not seen horror. Ren turned—the girl watched her still.
Waves in her chest—pressed down fast—face white—she rushed in to the sprawled form.
Hair wild—clumps on the floor—torn out. Trembling hand—she rolled the girl over.
Thunder cracked—rain that had stopped returned—clouds piled—lightning in every ear.
Ren closed her eyes in pain. The girl in her arms—Shen Qing!
Closer—worse. Face swollen high—tormented cruel. Body—no whole patch of flesh. One arm hung soft at a wrong angle—as if—broken!
Prince Yu too vicious!
Yet she hated most—Shen Miao!
All this should have been Shen Miao's—now her Qing suffered. Ruined for life—she wanted to bite Shen Miao's neck—drink her blood—eat her flesh!
Ren ran the Shen house— even now she did not go mad. Voice shaking she ordered Xianglan: "Find the carriage—down the mountain now."
"But—" Xianglan feared a glance—"Madam—heavy rain—we cannot travel."
Yangjing Peak—deep valley—road cruel—rain turned mud—slide and accident—such weather forbade departure.
"Then what of Qing?" Ren screamed at last—slapped Xianglan—"What of my Qing?"
Outside the eaves Shen Miao watched still.
Rain veiled mountain and water—and some filthy scheme.
The humiliation meant for her—Shen Qing bore it—by her hand too.
Hearing her daughter violated all night—could have saved—stood aside—would Ren ache like knowing Wanyu died? Trapped here—cannot advance or retreat—would the proud Ren taste despair?
"Find a doctor! Any price—find a doctor! Fail—and die here!" Ren shrieked at Xianglan.
Years with Ren—never such scolding—wronged and afraid—Xianglan covered her face and ran—glanced at Shen Miao leaving.
All planned—Shen Miao should have slept here—how so neat? Qing never kind—grudge against Fifth—would never swap. Something wrong. The plain girl standing—pretty features—yet killing air from her bones.
"Caiju—call men—shut the door." Ren ground teeth.
Door closed—two worlds.
Yue had not recovered. She looked at Shen Miao unbelieving: "Fifth Sister—was Eldest Sister violated by villains?"
Shen Miao neither confirmed nor denied. Yu meant only to play—left before dawn. Anonymous ruin was worse for great-house girls—Yu was not fool—would discover the swap soon. The trick was crude simple.
She sank in thought—unaware Yue saw her and shivered—jolt: "Fifth Sister—you did this to Eldest Sister—"
Last night Qing south, Shen Miao north—then swapped—then this. Without swap the bed would hold Shen Miao. Qing would never yield a room—must be Shen Miao's work. Yue looked at her like something terrible.
Shen Miao laughed light: "Second Sister—food may be eaten at random—words may not. I have not such skill to harm Eldest Sister—you overrate me."
"But—" Yue still doubted—something wrong in Fifth—last night bound to her.
"Worry less about others—worry yourself."
"Me?" Yue tense. "What of me?"
"You think—after seeing Eldest Sister's shame—your two maids still live?"
"What?"
"Second Sister truly knows no world's bite." Soft smile: "Servants who know master's ugly secret—especially shame—how long do they live?"
Huangying and Qingluan went white. Great houses hid filth—witnesses die—only dead keep silence. Qing violated—they saw—no path.
Yue panicked—shock had erased it—not mercy—raising personal maids cost effort—lose her best two—how bear?
"Not only them." Smile—eyes swept Yanmei, Shuibi, Nanny Gui—meaning thick. "Not one escapes."
Gui and the maids near fainted.
What fear? When master falls, servants fall. Last life when the Shen house was seized—these bullying slaves ate both sides—follow your master—eat your end.
Strike one person only—too small a use?
She turned to go. Yue cried: "Where are you going?"
"Did we not come to incense?" Flat. "I have confusions—must ask Buddha—else the trip was wasted."
Plain robes walked away—cold back—no pause—as if no earthquake had happened. Sleep, incense, pray for peace—as planned.
"Wrong!" Yue sudden. "Her maids—where?"
Gui blank too.
This morning Fifth said Jingzhe and Guyu fetched porridge—never returned—never saw Qing's fall. Too neat—witness maids doomed—Fifth's maids all absent—sent away on purpose.
She knew today would come—knew Qing would fall—Qing's fate—her arrangement!
Yue looked back—under the eaves—no purple back—yet those clear sharp eyes seemed before her—cold up the spine.
……
Rain stopped near noon.
Xianglan ran the peak—no doctor. Few pilgrims—monks brewed rough herbs when ill. She brought calming draught and salve for wounds.
Medicine and strange smell lingered though cleaned. Qing eyes shut. Ren sat by the window—hours aged her ten years.
Maids breathed light—disaster—wrath might fall anywhere.
Ren stared at the curtain—Qing moved. "Qing'er?"
Eyes open—saw Ren—terror—clawed at her face: "Let go—away—save me!"
"Qing'er—Mother—Mother—fear not—Mother here!" Heart cut—Qing knew her not—struggled mad—eyes on ceiling—screaming.
Xianglan and Caiju held her down—Qing insane—recognized no one—struggle smeared salve—wounds raw again—Ren cried out in pain.
"Madam—" maids shocked—Ren always had plan for storms—now broken—years with her—never seen this.
"Where is Shen Miao?" Ren fierce.
"Fifth Miss—in the hall." Caiju careful.
"Guard Qing—another slip—you two need not live." Ren stormed out.
……
In the Buddha hall the great gilded figure loomed—kind eyes on all believers.
Before the cushion Shen Miao knelt with incense—mind elsewhere.
From morning—hours on her knees.
"Miss—rest—knees are not worth ruin. Buddha saw sincerity—prayers will be answered."
Answered? Bitter smile—what she prayed could not return. This life had second chance—yet the wrong life could not bring back the dead. Wanyu—Fu Ming—could they live again?
Dust in ten thousand worlds of red dust—nothing left.
Besides—she was no believer.
She looked at the cold statue—no salvation for all beings. If heaven had eyes—why good ends bitter—villains free?
She knelt stick after stick—not for Buddha—for the dead of her last life. Those who died because of her.
Since rebirth no rite for them—not even children who never were—here at least—incense for the gone.
"Shen Miao!" A furious voice broke in.
Smile—people always hurry.
She rubbed sore knees—stood—turned—smiled at Ren: "Second Aunt."
That smile stung worse. Ren rushed—hand raised to strike.
Guyu and Jingzhe too late—the expected crack never came—Shen Miao seized Ren's arm—palm stopped before her face.
"Second Aunt so rash—for what? You may discipline for my parents—but strike without cause—even common houses forbid."
Ren had not thought Fifth would block—slender girl—grip hurt—no longer the nodding child—height matched—one lapse and the little wretch might strike back.
Hand dropped—teeth: "Shen Miao—don't play dumb—Qing's matter—you did it?"
Qing mad—truth unknown—Ren knew—if not Shen Miao's work—impossible—whatever method—she would not forgive!
"Eldest Sister harmed by villains—I grieve—but how suspect me?" Smile: "If not the room swap—I would be the victim. Such danger—I could not do."
*I would be the victim*—
Ren's temples hammered. Fist tight—eyes venom snake: "That was yours to bear—you let Qing take it."
Maids shocked and angry—Second Madam's mask torn—vile—without Fifth's wit last night they would be the ones ruined—yet she blamed—shameless accuser!
"Second Aunt must not say so—Buddha watches." Light laugh—strange light in eyes: "All things have their decree—last night not me but Eldest Sister—perhaps fate. You blame not the villain—not heaven—you blame me—what logic?"
Ren nearly overturned—cold laugh: "Sharp tongue— I underestimated you."
"Oh—so Second Aunt saw me thus." Careless smile.
Ren looked at her—plain girl gentle—features opening—old fool Shen Miao gone—no shadow of past in this face. Years playing rear-court games—first fall to a girl—bitter price—the taller Fifth stood—the worse Qing's bed recalled.
"Shen Miao—if you play dumb I'll speak plain." Sudden mock smile—mask gone. "Think it ends? Old Madam won't spare you—Second Uncle won't—*he* won't. Your end worse than Qing's thousandfold—thousands of beds—forever gutter trash!"
"Madam—mind your words!" Maids cried. Second Madam of a court official's house—usually gracious—such vulgar curse—enemy would not—Fifth still young—ears poisoned!
Ren noticed the maids—cold: "You guard two girls so hard—let's see how long!" Odd look at Shen Miao—sleeves swept—gone.
Maids flustered—Guyu worried: "Miss—tear mask so—is it wise?"
"Must tear sometime—soft face wins her no mercy—why play peace?"
Inner palace rule—enemy in light—keep in light; enemy in dark—drag to light. No patience for Ren's sweet game—storm from the start—Ren lost mind—mad revenge next.
"But back home Old Madam favors them—" Jingzhe small. Old Madam loved second branch—Shen Gui her son—Ren bore two sons—Yuanbai—eldest Shen Yuan returning year end—two grandsons—how not favor?
Ren's tongue spins Old Madam—who would believe Fifth?
"Favor them—I never expected justice from these people." Smile.
Guyu sniffed—sudden: "If so—this maid will blackmail—if harm comes to Miss—even at cost of life—the world will hear!"
"Yes." Jingzhe stern. "Self-harm thousand to hurt enemy—foolish—but they won't walk clean!"
Shen Miao startled—proud maids. Then smiled. Guyu once took theft of palace jade for her—Qin crown prince killed her. Jingzhe once seduced a minister for her—wife beat her dead. Loyal—last life she gave them nothing.
This life—protect them. Some mistakes once only.
"No need—I never meant to spread word. Second Aunt won't either."
"Then hidden forever—paper wraps no fire—when Eldest marries—found out." Guyu puzzled.
"They will find a cover. Against me—they will ask *that man* for help."
"That man?"
"The villain who violated Eldest Sister." Light laugh: "You think last night was accident?"
Maids shivered—guessed—unwilling to believe—who would harm Fifth so—drive to dead end—could not believe Second branch—yet this was enemy's method.
"Miss—it was First Madam's order?" Guyu hard.
If accident—they would bless escape—if deliberate—Second branch earned its fall.
"But why say First Madam asks *him*—not random thug—now she would kill him—why help?" Jingzhe dizzy.
"Because that man—is Prince Yu."
Cold breath. All aligned—Yu seemed to want Fifth—who girls avoided—private deal with Ren—possible. Swap enraged—tell Yu—capricious—deceived—will not spare Fifth.
"Miss—write the master?" Panic.
Prince Yu—cannot fight—power—temper—royal shield.
"No matter." Eyes lit strange. "Qing was only the fuse—I always meant—Prince Yu."
She turned to rising blue smoke.
Wanyu—hard life—flower age gone—princess title—worth less than weed. Mother could do nothing—this life—everyone who shamed you—I will collect—one by one.
Outside Dingjing in a pavilion white-robed man rolled a cup: "So the Shen girl feuds with Prince Yu—use cousin to drag him in—clever—for a girl—too cruel."
He shook head—regretful.
"Prince Yu?" Purple youth smiled—eyes blade-sharp—lazy: "I think she aims—not at Prince Yu."
"Not Yu—then who?" White man paused—"You think—"
"Take Yu as the gate—cut into Ming Qi royalty—how?" Flat.
……
Autumn rain—summer heat gone—sun bleak.
East wing busy—Old Madam's birthday near—extravagance months ahead—Ren held purse—skimmed—display grand. Invitations to Chen Ruoqiu.
Middle-aged Chen still girlish—books added grace—finer than plump Ren. Beauty, verse—Shen Wan besotted—only Yue—no other wives.
Three sons differed—Shen Xin martial rough loyal; Shen Gui smooth greedy many concubines; Shen Wan learned—power hungry—stepped on superiors.
Ren wrote invitations—sun soft—Shen Wan in Chen's study straightened collar—embraced her from behind.
"Ah—" Chen scolded playful—"ruined my stroke—wasted a card."
"I see." Shen Wan picked it up—"Hand graceful as mistress—where wrong?"
Chen blushed—years on—still only her in his eyes—Chen's art—be what he wanted—dress, temper, taste—long years—men like tamed cats see only you.
"Second Sister-in-law returns today." Chen in his arms—"Did Yue eat temple food—road rough—jolted?"
Shen Wan laughed: "Why fret—Second Sister won't let Yue hunger or freeze." Still worried—"You treat Yue child—she grows—marriage soon—then what?"
"Perfect match—rank and character—not like Fifth—" She stopped.
Old Madam's night plan—give Fifth to Yu—boost second and third—Chen told Shen Wan—he agreed—power over Shen Xin—no feeling for Fifth—Yu pleased might lift him—Fifth's fate irrelevant.
"Hope Second Sister succeeded." Shen Wan grave.
Chen heart sank—husband power first—no pity for first branch—yet women—when hares die foxes grieve.
Wolong trip—knowing ones knew hidden game—return might bring Fifth's tragedy.
"Rest easy." Chen soft—"Second Sister is thorough—should be safe."
"Hope so." Shen Wan nodded.
Shiqing ran in panicked: "Madam—Second Madam back with three misses—"
Chen relaxed at face—likely success—smiled at Shen Wan—concern mask—"Three misses well? Tired?"
"N-no—" Shiqing stammered—"First Miss—mad."
Chen's smile died.
……
Dreamlike order—one day—Shen house chaos.
Shen Qing mad.
Ren always smiled—thunder methods—all saw—years no major fault—capable steward.
First time the noble woman showed weary madness before servants—without maids—wild woman—girl in arms true mad—screaming—Old Madam stirred.
Truth unknown—First Miss mad was fact—house sealed lips—witness maids sold—said sold—maybe unmarked graves.
Qing's maids, Yue's maids, Nanny Gui—locked up.
Unscathed—only Shen Miao.
Rongjing Hall—
Old Madam high—face tight—eyes snake on Shen Miao—three went—wrong one ruined—Qing for Fifth—chest stone.
Chen and Shen Wan aside—Yue aggrieved—maids locked—Fifth warned Huangying Qingluan hard to save.
Ren knelt—Shen Gui at court—servant not returned—knows not yet.
"Old Madam—justice for Qing!" Ren wailing—Shen Wan surprised—poised Second Sister-in-law—Chen pleased inside—Ren crawls like dog.
"Fifth Girl—I raised as own—Qing always yielded—same blood—how vicious—you ruined her life—snake heart!"
Yue told Chen and Shen Wan—servants cleared.
Shen Miao opened mouth—roar: "Abomination—poison sister—prison—death too good!"
Cold smile—turn—Second Uncle Shen Gui strode in.