CHAPTER 135: CHAPTER 135: NIGHT AFFAIRS (5)

The First Master lifted his teacup and took a small sip, his tone relaxed: "In recent years, I’ve become less accustomed to drinking. Do you recall the bitter tea from Yongzhou?" Madam Xia thought for a moment and nodded: "I remember." The First Master continued: "Once, while visiting Ganquan Temple in the suburbs, the abbot offered me a cup of bitter tea. Since then, I’ve often brewed it to drink. Unlike Tieguanyin, bitter tea has a simpler flavor; bitter at first, but sweet as it goes down..." He suddenly paused and said to Madam Xia: "I recall that you and I always differed when it came to matters of tea drinking."

Madam Xia pursed her lips with a faint smile: "I was born in Jiangnan and can only endure sweetness. I cannot understand the bitterness turning into sweetness that you describe, which means I am not blessed."

Her words carried deeper meaning, her light tone was imbued with deep melancholy.

Both deliberately avoided mentioning the events from six years ago.

Yet silence fell over them once again.

"Go visit the concubine and ask Xiuzhi about last night’s matters." Xiqiu enjoyed a solid night’s rest, waking up joyful, but she couldn’t help asking Siliu: "Don’t disturb the concubine." Siliu smiled, dressed Xiqiu, and assisted her with washing, then said: "I’ll fetch breakfast and secretly step over to the East Cross Courtyard."

Who knows how their conversation went last night? Given the concubine’s disposition, regardless of what the First Master says, it’s unlikely to return to how things were, but whatever the outcome, unraveling the knot between them is worthwhile—if it leads to a change in the First Master’s attitude towards the seventh brother, of course, if the concubine can go to serve at the post, that would be the best outcome.

After pondering for a while, Siliu hurriedly came in with the food box and exclaimed: "Miss, something’s wrong!" Xiqiu was startled, fearing something had happened to the concubine, nervously asking: "What is it?"

Siliu whispered closely to Xiqiu: "Caitao died last night!"

"What?" Xiqiu was stunned, unable to accept the news: "Wasn’t everything fine during the day, how could she die?" Caitao had been busy in Madam Xia’s courtyard with Madam Mei that afternoon, while Xiqiu wasn’t familiar with Caitao, it was still a life lost, and couldn’t help but be shocked.

Siliu’s face showed a worried expression, but more than anything, a sense of gossip: "The Lady kept it quiet, but I’ve overheard discussions from the gatekeeping women, saying that Caitao hanged herself in her room last night." She instinctively rubbed her neck and added: "They say she was found in the morning, and had been dead for some time."

How could someone suddenly commit suicide without reason? Was it due to the matter of leaving the residence? But Caitao didn’t seem like the type, always smiling when meeting people, albeit with a certain intentionality, suggesting she was a thoughtful person. Such a person wouldn’t easily choose death before the situation worsened.

Moreover, even upon leaving the residence, there is always a path to take. Why choose death over leaving?

Did something happen last night forcing Caitao to commit suicide?

She thought of the Lady!

But why would the Lady, who always treated Madam Mei better than other concubines, do something harmful to a maid beside Madam Mei? Especially since Madam Mei always follows the Lady’s orders.

Siliu was gulping tea and didn’t observe Xiqiu’s expression, continuing: "Caitao’s brother and sister-in-law have been notified, I fear when they arrive there will be a commotion." She said with a sigh: "Lately, there’s truly been a myriad of troubles."

Xiqiu remained silent, still hoping the matter was unrelated to the concubine.

"Have you gone to the concubine’s place? Seen Xiuzhi?"

Siliu replied: "East Cross Courtyard was bustling with people, I didn’t see the concubine nor Xiuzhi, but spotted the little maid named Dongqing, who said the concubine’s illness has greatly improved, she’s gotten up, though still a bit weak!" Xiqiu continued to inquire: "Did you ask what time the First Master left last night?"

Siliu shook her head: "It was too crowded to inquire deeply, but I guess the First Master spent the night in the study." Xiqiu raised an eyebrow: "Why do you think so?"

Siliu explained: "When I went, the women were discussing about Caitao and another matter, saying there was commotion in the study last night, even the Lady was startled, and hurried over with Nanny Fang in the night, sealing the doors with several women. Apparently, they heard crying and the Lady’s rebuking voice, but then it quieted down..." Siliu paused then added: "Additionally, Sister Zijuan was confined by the Lady for breaking a Blue and White Mei Bottle from the official kiln. A few maids that favored Zijuan were planning to visit her, but the Lady forbade it, saying those about to leave should have less contact!"

Xiqiu felt disappointed that the First Master hadn’t spent the night with the concubine but was drawn to Zijuan’s matter, finding it odd and inexplicable. Zijuan, usually calm, having stayed in the Lady’s quarters for so many years, how could she break something?

Unable to make sense of it, she felt this matter might be eerily linked to Caitao’s death.

"Miss, should we go to Zhui Garden today? I noticed the Lady looked unfavorably, might your visit remind her of what you said last night, igniting her anger, and..."

Xiqiu furrowed her brow and dismissed the concern: "Even if mother is angry with me, it only means I need to be more thorough in everything!" Finishing, she took Siliu and Sixing to the front courtyard for greetings, indeed, the Lady didn’t appear, having them sent back separately. Tong Xi ran into Xiqiu on the way and mysteriously asked: "Do you know why Caitao suddenly hanged herself?"

"I don’t know." Xiqiu showed interest: "Fourth sister, tell me why?"

Tong Xi led her into her own courtyard and had Xinzhu guard the door before cautiously saying: "I’ll tell you, don’t disclose it to others. Caitao secretly sneaked into father’s study last night, tied up by his servant, and when mother heard the report, she rushed over. She harshly pulled Caitao’s pants down and gave her twenty lashes in front of several servants and maids!"

Why didn’t Siliu mention Caitao had injuries? Then she thought, perhaps understood it better— the Lady couldn’t kill Caitao directly, thus forced her to death by other means, purposely humiliating her in public, avoiding the scandal that might damage the First Master’s reputation.

An eighteen-year-old girl being humiliated by having her pants pulled down and lashes in front of others, such disgrace, surely no one could endure that, Caitao hanging herself overnight was entirely predictable.

"Did Madam Mei say anything? It’s her maid after all." Xiqiu asked.

"What could she say with the person dead? Besides, she’s lucky not to hide at the sight of trouble, let alone plead for Caitao?" Tong Xi scoffed: "Furthermore, for Caitao to commit such acts, as her mistress she bears the responsibility of inadequate oversight. The Lady didn’t penalize her, giving her enormous face, should she plead, I’ll have mother utterly humiliate her."