Chapter 17: Even as a Concubine, One Remains a Lowly Concubine

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Chun’er raised her head with a look of defiance and echoed, “Indeed, that maid Su Yue’s every word was laced with venom, as if she was deliberately speaking for us to hear. But what exactly do you suspect we have done wrong? Please, miss, there’s no need to beat around the bush.”

Moyean smiled faintly, her tone gentle. “Very well. It’s not that Su Yue was being unreasonable. Earlier, everyone went to watch the play, except for the Third Miss of the Ling family and Miss Xiao...”

“I don’t understand,” Qingzhu said with a smile.

“I’ve never seen such shamelessness!” Su Yue glared fiercely, utterly arrogant. “The congratulatory gifts sent from each household today are all displayed in the Water Pavilion. Earlier, only you, Miss Xiao, and the Third Miss Ling did not join the others in watching the play. When the gifts were counted afterward, the golden cicada armlet was found missing. Our meaning is very clear—you are the thieves!”

“You!” Chun’er’s face flushed red with anger, just about to argue when Xiao Ming walked over. She quickly bowed respectfully and pointed to the few people behind her. “Miss, they say…”

“I heard it,” Xiao Ming interrupted softly, then explained gently, “Miss Mo, I’m naturally not fond of bustling crowds, so I went to the lakeside to enjoy the flowers. But I did not take the golden cicada armlet.”

Buoyed by her mistress’s support, Su Yue pressed on aggressively. “Miss Xiao, you know your own background well. You only came to this feast riding on the Ling family’s prestige. Now you speak as if you’re entirely innocent. Do you expect us to suspect the Ling family’s young lady of theft?”

Xiao Ming clenched her handkerchief tightly, her eyes fearless. “Whether the bracelet was stolen or not, I don’t know. But though I am humble, I am not base. I understand honor and shame; how could I stoop to such a vile act?”

Huai Xi, always gentle and modest yet radiating the bearing of the household matron, spoke with courteous firmness, allowing no contradiction: “Miss Mo has lost something, and everyone worries for you. But to accuse the Ling family without proof, to pin this baseless accusation on us, is too rash. Those unaware might think you are abusing royal backing to act tyrannically.”

“Exactly! Exactly!” Ling Huai Ning chimed in. “Isn’t it just a newly made golden bracelet? Does the Ling estate really lack such things?”

A flicker of panic flashed in Moyean’s eyes. Years ago, General Ling, commanding only three thousand troops, had fought his way through tens of thousands of enemies to rescue the emperor. Later, Ling Zhao followed his father on campaigns to quell rebellions and purge court traitors. The emperor regarded them almost as family. To offend the Ling family over such a trivial matter would be foolish indeed.

The coveted title of princess was within reach; she could not afford to lose it over this.

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Moyean rose and approached Huai Ning, holding her hand warmly. “Sister, you are right. Let it be, let it be. We shall let this matter drop and consider it a birthday gift to fate.”

Xiao Ming replied, “Miss Mo, that’s mistaken. If the matter is dropped, everyone will assume I took it. Even if you are kind-hearted and wish to give it to someone deserving, you must find the armlet first before giving it away. Otherwise, there’s no need for such a fuss and commotion.”

Moyean’s expression darkened, anger rising within her, though it was hard to express.

She turned to Xiao Ming with a faint smile. “And what do you suggest, then?”

“Losing such a valuable armlet is serious. Naturally, it should be reported to the prefecture office. Let the officers come and search here themselves; that will clear everyone’s suspicion. Besides, since the armlet was personally entrusted to the Ling estate by the old madam Ling, if my reputation is sullied, it would offend her as well.”

At these words, the room fell silent for a moment.

Meng Qingxuan’s face changed in shock. That lowly servant girl dared to invoke the venerable old madam Ling? But if this escalated, it would ultimately harm the Ling family’s reputation. As she was about to become the Ling family’s future lady, she should step forward to protect their honor.

“Is it really that serious that you must report it to the authorities?” Meng Qingxuan smiled sweetly as she stepped forward. “Everyone knows how much old madam Ling cares for you. Miss Mo was only asking out of courtesy, with no other meaning...” She gave Moyean a knowing glance.

Moyean looked troubled. She hadn’t expected the seemingly delicate girl to have such backbone. It wouldn’t matter to wrongly accuse a mere maid, but if it meant offending the Ling family, the loss would be great. With the wedding soon, she did not want to stir trouble and damage her own reputation.

“That’s right, that’s right. It’s a fine day, but you’ve upset Sister Xiao. Sister must apologize to Sister Xiao.” Moyean immediately changed her expression to stern and scolded, “Su Yue, confess now! Who do you think you are to act so recklessly? If Miss Xiao doesn’t forgive you today, I’ll drag you to the sinking pond myself!”

Su Yue was both shocked and frightened. She had clearly conspired with the Third Miss Ling earlier; how had the situation suddenly changed? But she dared not argue, only kowtowed repeatedly. “It’s my fault, I know my guilt. Miss Xiao, please be magnanimous and spare me.”

Before Xiao Ming could respond, Ling Huaishu suddenly stormed out, pointing her finger at Su Yue and scolding furiously, “You lowly wretch, your treacherous schemes are truly something! If you didn’t steal the armlet, do you have any proof? If you hid it, you’ll never find it even if you dig three feet into the ground!”

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“Oh?” Xiao Ming raised her brow. “So the Third Miss means she saw me steal it with her own eyes?”

Ling Huaishu was stunned. “I, I…”

Xiao Ming continued, “Earlier, the Third Miss was not at the gathering. Where did she go? If we’re talking suspicion, yours is even greater. Why not tell everyone where you were and what you were doing? That would put their minds at ease.”

Ling Huai Ning grew flustered in response. “What do you mean? You dare accuse me?”

Xiao Ming looked directly at Moyean. “Miss Mo, to be honest, I was admiring flowers near the peach grove earlier when I saw a sneaky figure lurking nearby. I don’t know if it was the thief. Why not ask the nearby maids and servants? Perhaps someone saw something.”

Ling Huaishu’s face turned pale as she looked to Moyean for help, only to meet a cold, piercing gaze.

Moyean knew well that her brother had specially sent invitations to Xiao Ming. But her brother was not yet married, and the Mo family’s reputation was soaring in the capital. Many noble young ladies eagerly sent birthday invitations to propose marriage. If the lady of the house had not yet entered the household but already taken a concubine, it would be utterly disgraceful.

Moreover, Xiao Ming was the daughter of a merchant; even as a concubine, she would be considered lowly.

Therefore, Moyean was utterly unwilling to let Xiao Ming enter the Mo household. When Ling Huaishu had whispered a few words earlier, Moyean had defied her own inclinations, and now she regretted it.

Ling Huaishu’s mind was in turmoil. If she admitted to going to the peach grove and seeing Xiao Ming meeting secretly with Mo Gongzi, such a shameful matter, once exposed, would offend the Mo family and anger old madam Ling. The consequences for her and her mother would be even worse.

If she did not confess, she would bear the blame for the theft today, yet she truly had not touched the armlet.