CHAPTER 567: CHAPTER 567 THREAT

Qihao Hall, inner chamber.

The Old Madam had just finished reciting scriptures, and Lanzhi helped her sit on the Arhat Couch.

Outside, a young maid walked in and said, "Old Madam, Aunt Ding has arrived."

A flash of coldness flickered and disappeared in the Old Madam’s eyes.

Mrs. Wang stood by the Old Madam’s side and didn’t miss the expression on her face.

Aunt Ding rarely came to Qihao Hall.

She also seldom attended family banquets.

She didn’t come to the last family banquet, so why is she visiting Qihao Hall now?

Mrs. Wang was puzzled.

"Let her in," the Old Madam’s voice betrayed no emotion.

The young maid exited, and soon Aunt Ding entered.

She greeted the Old Madam with respect and propriety.

The Old Madam glanced at her sideways and put down the tea cup in her hand, saying, "Weren’t you supposed to be resting because of your health, why have you come to my place?"

"The days are quite dull, so I’ve come to speak some confidences with you," Aunt Ding laughed.

She glanced at Mrs. Wang.

The Old Madam waved her hand, "You all may leave."

Mrs. Wang curtsied and left.

As she reached the beaded curtain, Mrs. Wang turned back for a glance.

Aunt Ding rarely sought out the Old Madam, but each time, the Old Madam would dismiss others and speak to her alone.

Previously, although Mrs. Wang had her doubts, she never delved into them.

Now, however, it was different.

After leaving, she signaled to Hongxiu with her eyes.

Hongxiu became flustered.

Mrs. Wang wanted her to sneak around the backyard to eavesdrop on the conversation between the Old Madam and Aunt Ding.

She didn’t dare.

Mrs. Wang furrowed her brow; Hongxiu had no choice but to dare.

The Old Madam no longer trusted her; if Mrs. Wang also disfavored her, she feared she wouldn’t even be able to keep her position as the head maid.

The Old Madam trusted Lanzhi and used her heavily, and the maids in Qihao Hall had become close with Lanzhi, even the second-class maids had started showing her attitude. Fortunately, she had never bullied others before, or she might be pushed down even further.

Hongxiu stepped toward the backyard.

Inside, after Mrs. Wang and Hongxiu left, Lanzhi remained by the Old Madam’s side.

She felt a subtle pride, but the Old Madam turned that around with a single sentence, "You may leave as well."

Lanzhi’s face instantly showed a trace of embarrassment.

With a red face, she left, unable to imagine how Hongxiu would look at her.

After stepping outside, not seeing Hongxiu, she asked, "Where is Hongxiu?"

The young maid was about to point to the backyard when Mrs. Wang said, "I asked her to fetch something; come with me to the storeroom."

"I am getting old and am less capable in doing things. I see you as clever and valued by the Old Madam, so you should get familiar with the storeroom."

Lanzhi felt uneasy dealing with Mrs. Wang.

After all, she had just poisoned Mrs. Wang, acting on instructions.

Most of the maids in Qihao Hall were personally selected by Mrs. Wang, holding authority for a long time.

She struggled to suppress Hongxiu alone, and no matter how much she incited, the maids dared not oppose Hongxiu, all because Mrs. Wang protected her.

However, not just anyone could enter the storeroom.

If Mrs. Wang lost the Old Madam’s trust, the storeroom key would eventually be handed over.

Though she was young, as long as the Old Madam trusted her, she could also manage the storeroom.

Besides, Mrs. Wang was the steward of Qihao Hall, and if she asked Lanzhi to accompany her, Lanzhi really dared not refuse.

Inside the room.

Once the maids left, the Old Madam’s face showed impatience.

Aunt Ding’s look of respect also faded.

"If you have something to say, just say it," the Old Madam said displeased.

Aunt Ding looked at her and said, "The Old Madam of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue Mansion is gravely ill, and Assistant Minister Sun is about to enter a three-year mourning period. I hope you can help Second Master strive for that position."

Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue?

The ambition is truly not small!

"If Second Master wants that position, why not directly speak to the Old Prince," the Old Madam said coldly.

"I will certainly ask the Old Prince, but you have a connection with Princess Nanzhang. As long as the people of Duke Chong don’t compete, that position is almost secured," Aunt Ding said.

Hongxiu pressed against the bed, holding her breath as much as possible.

In her intense nervousness, she still noticed the Old Madam’s impatience and Aunt Ding’s disrespect.

In front of people, Aunt Ding used "you," but privately she switched to "you" casually.

The conversation inside continued:

"I can’t help with this."

"I’m not asking for much. Can’t you help with such a small favor?"

"Are you threatening me now?" the Old Madam asked coldly.

Hongxiu pricked up her ears.

She wanted to take a look inside to see the Old Madam’s expression.

However, with a glance, she saw a colorful spider crawling across the wall.

In an instant.

Hongxiu’s face turned pale with fright.

She covered her mouth tightly, preventing herself from crying out.

Not daring to eavesdrop anymore, she turned and ran.

She ran to the front yard in one breath, with the spider still looming in her vision.

The young maid, seeing her pale face, asked, "Is Sister Hongxiu feeling unwell?"

"I’m fine," Hongxiu waved her hand.

"Where is Mrs. Wang?" she asked.

The young maid looked toward the storeroom, "Mrs. Wang went to the storeroom with Sister Lanzhi."

Hongxiu headed towards the storeroom.

Just as she arrived at the storeroom, Lanzhi came out as Mrs. Wang locked the door.

Lanzhi rushed to the doorway to stand by, in case the Old Madam summoned her.

Mrs. Wang noticed Hongxiu’s uneven breathing and asked, "What happened?"

Hongxiu recounted what she had overheard to Mrs. Wang.

She didn’t catch the crucial part.

Mrs. Wang was exasperated.

"It wasn’t that I didn’t listen, it’s just that the spider was too terrifying," Hongxiu said, aggrieved.

Mrs. Wang also knew Hongxiu wasn’t very brave, and having her do this was already difficult for her.

"I have some calming medicine; go make a bowl to drink," Mrs. Wang said.

Hongxiu glanced around, curious, "Mrs. Wang, what hold does Aunt Ding have over the Old Madam?"

She wanted to know what hold it was.

Didn’t overhear, yet still dared to ask.

Mrs. Wang knocked Hongxiu’s head lightly, "I suppose you don’t need calming medicine, your courage is fat."

Hongxiu rubbed her head and followed Mrs. Wang forward.

Inside, the Old Madam called people in to attend her.

Hongxiu saw Aunt Ding once again showing deference to the Old Madam, complying fully.

Hongxiu pursed her lips.

Such an act.

The Old Madam drank half a cup of tea and instructed Lanzhi, "When the Old Prince comes back later, tell him I wish to see him."

Lanzhi agreed.

Mrs. Wang glanced at the Old Madam.

Was the Old Madam really planning to help Second Master obtain the Vice Minister position?

Thinking of that hold—

Mrs. Wang felt like her heart was being scratched by a cat.

Taking the opportunity to return to her room for medicine, Mrs. Wang took Hongxiu out and gave her some instructions.

Hongxiu looked at Mrs. Wang in confusion.

Since Mrs. Wang knew that Mrs. Li from Qingqiu Garden fell into the well because the second household told the Heir’s wife, why didn’t she directly tell the Old Madam?

Now she wanted Hongxiu to secretly let Lanzhi know.

"Find two reliable maids to handle this," Mrs. Wang said.

Hongxiu’s heart trembled as she agreed.

When Lanzhi went to the front yard to pass a message to the Old Prince, on her way back, she happened to overhear two maids talking:

"Today Aunt Ding went to Qihao Hall to see the Old Madam," one maid said.

"It’s lucky for her to have the courage to go, after she caused such trouble for the Old Madam last time," the other maid said.

"Why do you say that?" the young maid asked.

"Don’t you know? Mrs. Li was found by the Heir’s wife, retrieved from the well because Aunt Ding sent a message to the Heir’s wife."

"Otherwise, how could the Heir’s wife have found Mrs. Li so promptly, causing the Old Madam to lose face?"

The two maids chatted and laughed as they walked away.