A chaotic rustle erupted inside the house. The maids in the courtyard hunched their shoulders and held their tongues. One of them mustered the courage to glance back and saw that the tables, screens, and flower stands in the hall had all been overturned, leaving the room in complete disarray.
“How dare she, a mere fool, try to kill me?”
First Master Cheng gasped for breath, his topknot slightly disheveled and his casual robe in disorder.
“Does she think I can’t kill her just because she’s a fool? Does she believe being a fool gives her the right to live so arrogantly? Let her not forget—she’s already ‘died’ once in a chamber pot!”
He swung his wide sleeves emphatically.
“If she dares to use her idiocy as a shield to try to kill me, she’d better remember—I can just as easily kill her!”
First Madam Cheng, who had rushed over from the newly established scripture hall upon hearing the commotion, was startled by the scene of devastation before her.
“What are you doing?” she cried out. While urging the maids to clean up the mess on the floor, she pulled First Master Cheng into the inner room to sit down.
First Master Cheng sat down, still panting with barely contained fury.
“Do you know what she did?” he exclaimed, pointing a trembling finger toward the outside. “She actually took her people all the way to the South Cheng area, moved into some broken-down shack, and started promising to build houses for those people! When I tried to reason with her, she shot and wounded my men—and even fired an arrow at me herself!”
First Madam Cheng reached out and gripped his arm, cutting him off.
“Wait, what did you say?” she asked urgently. “She wants to build houses for them?”
“Yes, that’s what she said,” First Master Cheng replied with a scornful snort. “She’s got those South Cheng folks so fooled they’re practically giddy with excitement. As if the ravings of a madwoman could ever be trusted!”
First Madam Cheng nodded slowly.
“Indeed… building houses? How could that even be possible?” she murmured. “Where would she get the money for such a thing?”
“Even if she had the money, who in their right mind would build houses for complete strangers?!” First Master Cheng retorted sharply.
First Madam Cheng reached out to soothe him while pouring a cup of hot tea.
“Don’t upset yourself, Master. Why waste your anger on a fool?” she said with a gentle smile.
First Master Cheng turned to her with a furrowed brow.
“Why aren’t you angry?” he asked.
“I am under the protection of the True One. My mind and spirit are at peace—what is there to be angry about?” First Madam Cheng replied calmly.
“What ‘True One’ or ‘False One’…” First Master Cheng muttered dismissively, his frown deepening.
First Madam Cheng quickly hushed him, clasped her hands together, and murmured a few words of apology before explaining the matter of Abbess Sun. She then pointed toward the four-legged table beside the bed.
“The scripture is enshrined over there. Now we can both rest easy,” she said reassuringly.
“Such foolish womanly superstition!” First Master Cheng retorted impatiently, waving his hand in disdain.
First Madam Cheng showed no sign of annoyance and simply smiled as she lifted her tea bowl.
“Well, I feel at ease now. That girl has been driven out, after all…” she remarked.
“How can you call that ‘driven out’?” First Master Cheng snapped irritably.
“As long as she’s no longer in our household, it’s fine. She can go wherever she pleases,” First Madam Cheng replied calmly.
“We can’t afford the shame of this!” he fumed.
First Madam Cheng chuckled softly.
“Master, from the day she was born, have we ever been in a position to worry about shame?” she said pointedly.
That was… true enough.
Frustrated and lost for words, First Master Cheng flicked his sleeve dismissively and rose to retreat to his study, determined to find another solution.
“Madam, your complexion and mood have truly improved so much,” a maid praised from the side.
First Madam Cheng smiled faintly as she sipped her tea.
“Are you saying that because I didn’t flip any tables or smash tea bowls in anger this time?” she replied with a light laugh.
The maid would never openly agree and instead denied it playfully with a smile.
“Think what you will—I am not the same person I used to be,” First Madam Cheng said, gently smoothing a strand of hair at her temple. “Under the protection of the True One, even if the sky were to fall, I would not flinch. Let alone be troubled by the antics of a fool.”
The sun rose and set, and a new day began.
As the morning mist gradually dissipated, sunlight slowly fell upon the entrance of the Cheng residence. Two gatekeepers stood with their arms crossed, chatting and laughing as they watched the young servants sweep and clean the front courtyard.
The commotion from the previous day had faded with the night, and peace had returned to the Cheng household. But that tranquility was soon shattered by a sudden burst of noise.
A crowd of simply dressed, shabby-looking people streamed across the bridge, carrying poles on their shoulders, hauling loads in their hands, pushing carts, and dragging goods. They shouted, called out, talked, and laughed—in an instant, turning the street in front of the Cheng residence into a scene as bustling as a temple fair.
Given the prestigious plaque bestowed by the emperor hanging above the entrance, no one had ever dared to cause such a racket on the street near the Cheng family’s gates. What in the world was happening today?
“Go and ask what’s going on! Why are all these laborers coming here?” the gatekeepers shouted, frowning.
Two young servants immediately dropped their brooms and ran over to demand an explanation. They returned after a short while with strange expressions on their faces.
“They say they’re here to build houses…” they reported.
Build houses?
The gatekeepers exchanged glances. The incident between Cheng Jiao-niang and First Master Cheng in the South Cheng area the previous day had already spread throughout the household. The talk about building houses for the South Cheng residents—wasn’t that supposed to be a joke?
“Madam, Madam!”
First Madam Cheng was kneeling before the four-legged table in the inner room, softly reciting from the Tai Ping Scripture. She didn’t even turn her head at the call. An attendant in the outer room intercepted the rushing maid and scolded her in a hushed tone.
Unperturbed, First Madam Cheng calmly finished reciting a passage, reverently placed the scripture back on the table, and only then rose to step out.
“What’s all this shouting about now?” she asked mildly, sitting down and lifting her tea bowl.
“Madam, Madam—they’re really building houses over there! Ten thousand guan! That foolish young lady has taken out ten thousand guan!” the maid exclaimed urgently.
Ten thousand guan!
First Madam Cheng spat out her tea in shock.
“What nonsense are you spouting?” she cried.
“No, it’s true! Everyone knows—the South Cheng side is talking about it openly. It really is ten thousand guan!” the maid insisted, her own astonishment from hearing and seeing it still vivid.
Ten thousand guan!
“Where did she get that kind of money?” First Madam Cheng exclaimed, pressing a hand to her chest.
“Perhaps the Zhou family gave it to her?” the servant ventured.
Regardless of where it came from—if that foolish girl had it, then it rightfully belonged to their family!
Ten. Thousand. Guan.
“This is outrageous! That fool has been swindled by those paupers from South Cheng! Where is the Master? Go and inform him at once!”
First Madam Cheng exclaimed, rising to her feet in a rush. But she moved too abruptly and knocked hard against the low table in front of her, sending a sharp pain through her knee.
Furious, she lashed out and kicked the table over.
“Chop it up and burn it!” she snapped irritably. Leaning on her servant for support, she limped out of the room.
The maids hurriedly acknowledged the order and went to lift the overturned table. One of them glanced toward the inner room and whispered to another with a smirk,
“Seems even the ‘True One’ is no match for a madwoman…”
The remark drew muffled giggles from both servants, though they quickly stifled their laughter. Exchanging amused looks, they carried the table out of the room.
By the time First Madam Cheng went to find First Master Cheng, Second Madam Cheng had already left the house.
This was her first time visiting the South Cheng area. She walked briskly, undeterred by the strange, pungent smells in the air or the uneven, rugged path. However, she was stopped outside the courtyard where Cheng Jiao-niang was staying.
“Jiao-niang, Jiao-niang—it’s me,” Second Madam Cheng said urgently, wiping tears from her eyes. “I know you’ve been wronged. I… I will find a way to help you.”
Steward Cao leaned against the gate, watching her with a faint, ambiguous smile.
“Madam, my mistress has made it clear—she will not see you,” he said.
My mistress?
Second Madam Cheng’s eyes flickered slightly at his choice of words.
“This time, my intentions are different from the others. My husband and I support you. Do you know why all this happened? It’s because we were trying to arrange a better marriage for Jiao-niang, and someone became furious out of jealousy,” she explained, watching Steward Cao closely. “We are on your side—on your family’s side.”
She emphasized the words your family.
But Steward Cao only grew more confused. What does this have to do with marriage arrangements or the Zhou family? What is she even talking about? Still, he decided not to overthink it. If his lady said she wouldn’t see someone, that was the end of the matter.
“Please return, Madam. If my lady says she won’t see you, then she won’t,” he replied, a hint of impatience in his voice.
Beside him, others thumped their long staffs firmly on the ground.
Second Madam Cheng and her servants jumped in fright.
After all, it was said that when First Master Cheng had tried to force his way in earlier, his men had actually been shot and wounded by arrows…
“Jiao-niang, don’t be stubborn. Your father and I will definitely help you,” Second Madam Cheng called out toward the courtyard, since she couldn’t enter. “Keep that money for yourself—it’s yours, your dowry. Don’t act recklessly out of anger. Don’t worry about housing; if they won’t let you stay at home, we’ll find another place for you to live…”
As she spoke, a few craftsmen pushed their way through the crowd behind her.
“Master Cao, the craftsmen over there are almost settled. Would you like to come and take a look?” they asked respectfully.
Before Steward Cao could respond, Second Madam Cheng reacted in alarm.
“Settled? What do you mean settled?” she exclaimed. “This must not go on! How can you encourage a child’s foolish whims?”
Everyone turned to look at her, and the craftsmen grew visibly uneasy and hesitant.
It was exactly as they’d thought—how could it be possible for a bunch of paupers from South Cheng to suddenly build so many houses…?
“Scram!” Steward Cao barked, his eyebrows furrowed fiercely.
Second Madam Cheng and her servants were startled once again, stumbling backward in a flustered cluster.
The Zhou family’s attendants surged forward without hesitation, swinging their staffs down hard.
Screaming, Second Madam Cheng and her group scrambled to flee.
The path was uneven, and several maids, already frightened, tripped and fell. They took solid blows from the staffs, howling in pain as they scrambled away to escape.
The scene gave First Master Cheng and his wife, who had rushed over upon hearing the commotion, quite a shock.
“Outrageous! Truly outrageous—this is utterly lawless!” First Master Cheng roared, raising his hand as if to summon more men.
Second Madam Cheng, who had lost one of her wooden clogs while being half-dragged away by her servants, caught sight of the couple. Her eyes blazed with fury.
Ten thousand guan!
That fool actually had ten thousand guan on her!
And now that fortune was about to be squandered!
“This is all your fault—you drove my Jiao-niang to this! I’ll fight you to the death!” Second Madam Cheng shrieked, lunging toward First Master Cheng.
Fighting behind closed doors at home was one thing, but this was out in the open. Servants on both sides were horrified—this involved the Cheng family’s dignity. Even Second Madam Cheng’s own attendants desperately tried to hold her back.
Even so, the scene drew stares and pointed fingers from onlookers in the distance.
First Master Cheng and his wife both turned livid with rage.
“Let’s go back—we’ll deal with this at home!” First Madam Cheng urged, pulling on her husband’s sleeve as he trembled with fury.
After all, the disgrace had already reached its peak!
“You—you get out of my sight too!” First Master Cheng snapped, jabbing a finger toward Second Madam Cheng. Then he turned sharply and strode away, his sleeves flapping indignantly.
First Madam Cheng shot a venomous glare at Second Madam Cheng, who was still weeping and supported by her maids, before turning to follow her husband.
“Who do you think you are? You can’t just order me around! Pah! Do you think you’re someone special? If you don’t give me a proper explanation, I’ll take you to court! Don’t think the Peng family is gone and has no one left to stand up for us!” Second Madam Cheng shouted.
“Madam, Madam—please, not so loud! We’re in public!” her servants pleaded, their faces pale.
“Public—that’s exactly why I’m saying it! Let everyone know how they’ve bullied us! They drove my Jiao-niang away, and now they want to drive me out too!” Second Madam Cheng cried.
Her servants truly didn’t dare let her continue. They firmly pulled her away, half-dragging her as they retreated.
As the commotion died down, Steward Cao glanced at the stunned craftsmen beside him and smiled.
“Do you still need me to come take a look?” he asked.
The craftsmen’s faces flushed with a mix of embarrassment and realization.
“N-no, that won’t be necessary,” they stammered awkwardly.
If these people dared to strike even a Cheng family madam, it was clear they were truly in charge here! And if they were in charge, then this money was real—and only a fool would turn down a chance to earn it!
Bowing and scraping apologetically, the craftsmen quickly withdrew.
The onlookers outside the gate also dispersed cheerfully.
It was true—this miracle of houses falling from the sky was really happening!
Steward Cao instructed the servants to guard the gate properly before stepping into the courtyard. The chaos outside seemed not to have disturbed the tranquility within. Ban Qin was kneeling on the veranda, wiping the floor. The door to the main hall was open, and inside, Cheng Jiao-niang sat upright, reading a book.
“Miss, everyone has been driven away,” Steward Cao reported respectfully from the veranda.
Cheng Jiao-niang set down her book and looked at him.
“Take a seat,” she said.
This was the first time she had ever invited him to sit. Steward Cao was both startled and honored. He hurriedly bowed in gratitude and knelt respectfully on the veranda outside the door, waiting eagerly for her instructions.
“What is your name?” Cheng Jiao-niang asked.
Steward Cao was taken aback for a moment. It made sense—as a servant, Master Zhou hadn’t needed to share his name with the young lady. Just as he was about to reply, a thought crossed his mind.
To show greater loyalty, why not ask the young lady to bestow a name upon him? After all, Master Zhou had instructed him before his departure that from now on, his sole allegiance was to her.
“My name is rather coarse. Perhaps you would be so kind as to grant me a new one,” he said with a smile.
As soon as he said this, before Cheng Jiao-niang could respond, Ban Qin—who was wiping the corridor—burst into a fit of coughing.
By now, Ban Qin had come to understand her mistress’s ways. The young lady never bothered herself with the comings and goings of those around her, nor did she care to remember their names. To her, people drifted in and out like passing clouds—some good, some bad, but none left a lasting impression.
Only those whom she deemed worthy would she ask for their names—whether out of gratitude or recognition. Yet, to this day, the number of people she had actively asked for a name could be counted on one hand.
When the mistress asked non-servants for their names, it was one thing. But when she asked servants, there was another possibility…
“Miss,” Ban Qin said, turning on her knees and shuffling a few steps closer to the room with a playful smile. “If we have any more, it’ll be impossible to tell them apart… Besides, it wouldn’t sound right for a man to be called that…”
What did that mean?
Steward Cao was puzzled for a moment, then suddenly realized something and understood—oh, Ban Qin! So that’s how all those Ban Qins came to be!
He couldn’t help but shudder at the thought.
Cao Ban Qin…
“Miss—my surname is Cao, given name Gui. I’m the fourth-born in my family, so everyone calls me Cao Si,” he said in one breath. “It’s not an elegant name—please forgive its simplicity.”
Cheng Jiao-niang looked at him for a moment, then smiled.
“Cao Gui,” she said.
Steward Cao quickly nodded in acknowledgment, feeling for the first time that his name sounded truly pleasing to the ear.
“You handle matters well,” Cheng Jiao-niang added.
Steward Cao couldn’t suppress a grin, reaching up to scratch his head as if he were a young servant again, bubbling with joy at receiving praise from his master.
“Miss, just tell me—what else needs to be done?” he asked eagerly.
“You’re saying that the dowry my mother left behind has been held by the Cheng family all this time?” Cheng Jiao-niang asked.
Steward Cao’s eyes lit up.
The dowry!
He had assumed that the young lady’s dramatic departure, the commotion she stirred, and the construction of houses were merely meant to shame the Cheng family—a lesson delivered, and that would be the end of it.
What was the point of clashing with mere servants? It didn’t strike at the heart of the matter.
Then he recalled the young lady’s words.
Yes—what had happened so far was nothing. The real blow, the one that would strike at their very foundations, had been waiting here all along!
She never acted without purpose, and when she did, she aimed straight for the vital spot. That was her consistent way—strike only when it mattered, and strike where it hurt most.
