Chapter 482 (1/2)

Bad End

An shi did not think that Feng Yu Heng would place her suspicion there, thus she continued to speak on her own: “During that period of heavy rain, the elder madam’s mood was not too good. She said that she wanted to embroider an image of Buddha to calm herself down. She insisted on having this concubine go to the shop to retrieve some thread. On our way back, our carriage was in an accident, but the other girl was quite magnanimous and did not argue with us. Sister Jin Zhen even got out of the carriage to accompany her for a while, and the matter was concluded like that. Oh right, I heard that the girl also formed a relationship with sister Jin Zhen, and she came to our manor a couple times. This could be considered a friendship blooming from an initial discord.”

While An shi spoke, Jin Zhen, who had been burning joss paper for the matriarch suddenly began to tremble. By the end, she was no longer able to remain kneeling and fell to the ground.

Feng Zi Rui saw it and asked in confusion: “Concubine mother, what happened to you?”

Jin Zhen’s teeth were chattering, and she was unable to say a single word.

An shi was smart. How could she not see what had happened. Letting out an “ah” sound, she then looked at Jin Zhen with a deeply inquisitive look.

Cheng Jun Man also furrowed her brow and said after thinking: “Something like that did indeed occur.” After thinking some more, she added: “It seems that the girl came to the manor again after the elder madam was beaten by that group of troublemakers.”

Jin Zhen’s complexion turned a pale white, and everyone was able to see that she was clearly feeling guilty. Feng Yu Heng did not ask too much, only patting An shi’s shoulder and gently saying: “It’s fine. I will bring third sister back to rest for a while. After two hours, we will need to prepare to attend court.”

After she said this, she turned around and left. Xiang Rong held Zi Rui’s hand and followed behind her but found that Jin Zhen, who had been kneeling next to the incense burner, had stood up stiffly before hastily chasing after Feng Yu Heng.

Xiang Rong slowed her pace and quietly said to Zi Rui: “There must be a reason that concubine mother is looking to speak with seocnd sister. Let’s move a little slower.”

They did indeed walk slowly, but Feng Yu Heng did not stop. Jin Zhen’s legs were weak and looked to be in a poor state behind her. Only when Feng Yu Heng nearly reached the entrance of the manor did she finally manage to grab Feng Yu Heng’s sleeve; however, she was pushed away in irritation.

Fortunately, Feng Yu Heng also stopped. Turning around to look at her, she feigned ignorance and asked: “Concubine mother Jin Zhen, what is the reason for chasing after this county princess?”

Jin Zhen was unable to worry about too much. It was still late into the night at this moment. There were few people in the manor, and the gatekeepers had gone to sleep. Only one person was left to stand guard. She gritted her teeth and dropped to her knees in front of Feng Yu Heng, saying: “Second young miss, this servant did this all for you!”

Feng Yu Heng looked at Jin Zhen then looked at the unfamiliar maidservant behind her. She suddenly asked: “Where’s Man Xi?”

Jin Zhen was stunned. She did not think that Feng Yu Heng would not answer the first part, instead asking this question. She mumbled a little, not knowing how she should reply.

Feng Yu Heng did not wait for her reply. Instead, she tilted her head and asked the maidservant: “Where is the former maidservant, Man Xi, that had accompanied your concubine mother?”

The maidservant was a little nervous. Twisting the handkerchief in her hand, she spoke with a trembling voice: “Man Xi is… is in the courtyard taking care of some other matters. Presently, she is not concubine mother’s personal servant.”

Feng Yu Heng nodded and did not ask any further; however, she did make a statement: “Since you do not like Man Xi, have her come to the county princess’ manor to work then.” After saying this, she gave Wang Chuan a look. Without another word, Wang Chuan turned and walked in the direction of Ru Yi courtyard.

Jin Zhen panicked and shouted: “Wait a moment!” She then looked up at Feng Yu Heng and said with a begging voice: “Man Xi is just a servant. She made a mistake, and this servant took care of her. Second young miss, how about… you don’t pursue this matter?”

In truth, the moment that she saw Jin Zhen’s new personal servant, Feng Yu Heng already realized that there was definitely some sort of conflict between Man Xi and Jin Zhen; however, she never thought that Jin Zhen would have the courage to do anything to Man Xi. Now that she heard that she had been taken care of, she felt a little agony. Man Xi was the first person in the manor to follow her. She had been placed at Jin Zhen’s side to help monitor; however, she never thought that she would become busier and busier, while Jin Zhen’s ambition became greater and greater. As this continued, she was actually unable to protect Man Xi’s life.

Unfortunate was unfortunate, but Feng Yu Heng knew that she did not have any right to investigate this matter in the open. After all, Man Xi was Jin Zhen’s maidservant. As the master, Jin Zhen had the right to kill any servant in her courtyard that she pleased.

But… she curled up the corners of her lips, bringing forth a gloomy appearance. She asked Jin Zhen: “What’s the point of you belonging to me?”

Jin Zhen knew that this matter could not be hidden from Feng Yu Heng. Moreover, she did not believe that Feng Yu Heng would speak up for the matriarch. That was why, even if she felt afraid, there was no horror or despair.

She raised her head and said to Feng Yu Heng: “Not to hide it from second young miss, but the elder madam’s death… was caused by this servant. It’s just as sister An said earlier. It was that girl that we met on the road that gave me that poison. She said that the elder madam could not continue to live. To assemble a crowd to bash the second young miss was already a grave crime, but the second young miss could not kill her because of her own status, and you must have been feeling rather depressed. If I wanted to do something good for second young miss, I should help second young miss. Only with the elder madam dying could young miss’ anger be vented.”