C16 (1/2)
Wan Ju was merely a servant of the Ye Family. Although her facial features were delicate and pretty, she did not have a devastating beauty and her family wasn't doing well either. Furthermore, the servants of the house have always been kind to the servants, so every two months, they would have the chance to go home and visit their families. In all these years, Wan Ju had walked back and forth from the Ye Mansion to her home countless of times and nothing had happened.
It must be because of that!
Jin Lan's eyes darkened, and she gently lifted the cup lid, fiddling with the green tender tea leaves in the teacup.
The sound of porcelain colliding could be heard from time to time in the house. Normally, it would be pleasant to listen to, but when it entered Madame Dou's ears, it was like a thousand-pound hammer smashing into her heart. She immediately felt her heart pounding. She kept twirling the hem of her clothes as she nervously tried to figure out how to escape.
After a long while, Jin Lan opened his mouth, ”Sister-in-law Dou, do you know the laws of the Zhou Dynasty? What is the crime of a servant who has signed a death contract escaping in secret?”
Madame Dou was shocked, a strong unease arose in her heart, ”This servant doesn't know.”
Jin Lan turned his head to look at Mama Tang, ”Does Mama know?”
Although the Mama Tang did not know why Jin Lan suddenly mentioned this, he still nodded his head and replied respectfully: ”According to the laws of the Great Zhou, the servants who have signed the death contract can escape at will. Those who capture them can be killed at will, and their families can be punished as well.
Although Madame Dou tried her best to suppress the fear in her heart, her body still trembled uncontrollably, ”Many, many thanks Mama for telling me, but what does this have to do with me?”
The corner of Jin Lan's mouth rose in a cold smile, ”If I'm not wrong, what Wan Ju signed is a death contract.”
Wan Ju was not the son of Ye Family, it was said that her brother did some odd jobs outside, and could not earn much money every year. Although Madame Dou often helped people wash and sew up to earn some money, my father and mother's bodies were in a bad condition, and they had to watch the doctors eat their medicine. This was why she sold Wan Ju to the Ye Family. Firstly, because she obtained silver to live on, and secondly, to find a place for Wan Ju to eat and wear.
Thus, when Wan Ju sold herself, she signed the death contract.
Madame Dou's body continuously trembled, she forced out a smile that was uglier than a cry, ”Where did this lady come from? It was just that my sister-in-law was suffering from an emergency and was afraid that if I were to return home I would cause this young lady to get sick, thus coming here to take a few days off. How did this young lady get involved in this? ”
”Sister Dou, you don't need to quibble.” Jin Lan let out a cold snort, her young and tender face was filled with severity. ”To tell you the truth, when Wan Ju left the mansion, I didn't even ask her to bring a millet cake!”
Mama Tang and Wen Zhu were startled, their faces revealed a strange expression, then instantly understood why Madame Dou was so resistant to Jin Lan and asked for Wan Ju's doctor.
”How, how could this be …” Madame Dou's breathing suddenly stopped, the feigned calmness on her face was finally broken, revealing a bit of panic, but she still bit on her lips, ”I did eat a millet cake that day, maybe, maybe, maybe little sister-in-law bought it by passing by the store.”
”So you're saying I misunderstood?” ”Since that's the case, Wen Zhu, come back with Sister Dou and help me visit Wan Ju. Tell her to rest in peace and come back when she is well.”
Wen Zhu replied, ”Yes.” With that, she coldly looked at Madame Dou, ”Sister Dou, please!”
Unexpectedly, Madame Dou turned a deaf ear to Wen Zhu's words, he was still standing blankly on the spot, his body shaking like a sieve, and his face turning uglier and uglier.
”What is it? ”Sister Dou, it's getting late. Why don't you hurry up and go home?” The Madame Dou had lied to Jin Lan the moment they arrived. Now that they had been exposed, Wen Zhu would naturally not give her any good looks.
Madame Dou's face instantly turned pale, she could not hold on any longer, and kneeled on the ground and kowtowed to Jin Lan, ”Miss, please spare me!”
Jin Lan leaned back in his chair and watched quietly. He did not answer, but Mama Tang by his side calmly asked, ”What did Sister Dou say? This lady wants you to go home, not to harm you, why are you shouting for mercy? ”