Chapter 28: Fourth Miss is Not Easy to Mess With!

  The crowd watched the jade shop's bold move, which continued until dusk. An Zhongran went from initial anger and shame to helplessness, numbness, and finally, he didn't care anymore, his face had already been lost, and he wouldn't continue to suffer, saying that he would no longer continue to check, but instead let the shop's owner take over. Although this was the case, he was still the main character of this unprecedented 1,000 yuan clearing event, and later came to be known as "An Qianyuan".

  It is said that after this incident, An Zhong would fly into a rage whenever he heard words like "one thousand", "guan" or "copper coins". As a result, countless accountants suffered misfortune.

  It is said that the story of "An Qian Guan" spread rapidly throughout the capital, and the theme of a clever and beautiful woman punishing a man who broke off their engagement was extremely popular among the common people. It was soon adapted into various forms of storytelling, plays, and ballads, which were sung and performed throughout the city. This phenomenon only exacerbated An Shizi's violent temper, and it is said that he subsequently smashed up several more theaters and restaurants.

  It is said that the newly appointed Minister of Justice, Pei Zhoucheng, must listen to "An Qian Guan" every day. After listening, he feels refreshed and even the tedious official duties in the Ministry of Justice become enjoyable.

  It is said that...

  Rose petals scattered in the hot water, white mist swirling, fragrance hitting the nose. Pei Yuange gently scooped up the hot water to wash away the dust of the day. Zi Yun was waiting by her side when she suddenly heard a faint "ding" sound outside the window, startling her heart, just as she was about to go out and check, she heard through the window: "Servant Bai Wei asks if Fourth Miss needs someone to attend to her bath?"

  After arriving at Jingyuanzhai, Pei Yuange's personal affairs were no longer handled by these maids. Why did Bai Wei come to offer her services again? Moreover, even if she wanted to offer her services, there was no need to sneak around outside the window and eavesdrop, making a noise before speaking out, obviously having ulterior motives, and daring to make excuses? Pei Yuange's eyes turned cold, but his voice was very calm, even with a hint of laziness after being melted by hot water: "You're just in time, I was thinking of finding someone to help me scrub my back, come on in!"

  However, as soon as Bai Wei stepped into the house, Zi Yun, who was standing guard beside her, immediately locked the door from the inside.

  Pei Yuange put on her undergarments, draped a pale blue gauze cloak over herself, and emerged from behind the screen. She sat down calmly and said nonchalantly, "Speak, what did Madam Zhang ask you to do?" Originally, she had planned to deal with these maids later, but unexpectedly they were already making moves again. Did she have no way to get rid of them?

  Bai Wei was already frightened, and upon hearing this, her face turned even paler. The fourth miss had actually known all along that she was a maid of Zhang's household, but had been enduring it silently. Now that it had been exposed, if she didn't confess the truth, the consequences would be severe. But she dared not betray Zhang Yun, and trembled as she said: "This servant... this servant only wanted to serve the fourth miss in her bath!"

  "You're indeed loyal to Zhang Niang, I just hope she's worthy of your loyalty." Pei Yuange didn't get angry, his expression was calm and composed. "I've always liked maids who are loyal and devoted, I'll reward you well. Zi Yun, keep an eye on her, send her out in half a time unit later, tell the people at Jing Xuan Zhai that I highly appreciate Bai Wei, from tomorrow onwards, she's one of my personal maids, serving me directly. If anyone dares to make a move on her without permission, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

  "Yes, miss."

  Bai Wei was bewildered. Fourth Miss not only didn't use severe punishment to force a confession, but also gave her such dignity? However, upon further thought, she suddenly broke out in cold sweat.

  She must have been sneaking around tonight, of course, it's related to Zhang Yun's orders. If she was called into the inner chamber for half an hour and came out with a face that others didn't have... If this got to Madam Zhang's ears, what would she think? She'd definitely think she had betrayed her, sold out her plan, and that's how she got Pei Yuansong's favor... With Madam Zhang's methods and power in the Pei manor, it would be easy for her to get rid of her. And Fourth Miss wouldn't protect her either. In that case, isn't she dead for sure?

  Bai Zhi was beaten, and Gui's mother was driven away. Once, she had made the people of Jingyu Lane anxious, but later, Fourth Miss didn't make a move again. Bai Wei thought that either Fourth Miss hadn't noticed that there were still Zhang Niang's people among those left, or she didn't have the means to get rid of them.

  It wasn't until now that she realized they were all wrong!

  This Fourth Miss is far more terrifying than she imagined, and these maids are nothing in front of her. She doesn't even need to lift a hand, just making a gesture can make them die without a burial place. Just like now, if Fourth Miss spreads this rumor, she will definitely be dead!

  They should have realized from Chen Qiming's incident that Fourth Miss is not someone to be trifled with!

  She overestimates herself and underestimates Miss Si, now it's too late to regret...

  "Spare Miss Fourth's life! Spare Miss Fourth's life!" Bai Wei was a clever person and quickly understood the situation, repeatedly kowtowing to beg for mercy. "This servant will say it now. It was Wang Nai Nai who ordered this servant a few days ago to pay attention to Miss Fourth's words and actions, and try to find an opportunity to take a look at the red mark on Miss Fourth's back, as well as whether her clothes were unusual in any way. However, Miss Fourth only allowed Zi Yun to serve her closely, so this servant couldn't find an opportunity, which is why she was spying from outside."

  What's on his back? Pei Yuansong furrowed his brow, and Zhang Yun let Bai Wei see what he was doing.

  "Coldly said: 'Even if you want to deceive me, you should find a decent reason. Such nonsense, who do you think will believe it?'"

  Bai Wei knew her life was in danger, and she was extremely anxious. In order to convince Pei Yuange, she hastily said: "The slave's words are all true. Wang Niangniang also said that on the day of Master's birthday banquet, Zhang Niang would make a move against Fourth Miss, and it would ruin Fourth Miss' reputation. She didn't say what it was about, but Wang Niangniang likes Bai Zhi more, so she will definitely instruct Bai Zhi to do it. The slave is willing to monitor Bai Zhi for Fourth Miss and expose Zhang Niang's sinister plot to show loyalty!"

  Pei Yuansong gazed at her lightly and said after a while: "Alright, I'll wait and see your loyalty."

  As soon as Bai Wei left, Pei Yuange immediately ordered: "Ziyan, you take the madam's jade pendant later and go find Xiaoyu Quan'er, let her be in charge of keeping an eye on Bai Zhi, see what kind of trickery they have!" Shu Xueyu had once saved Quan'er's father, their whole family was grateful to her, but afterwards they were also ostracized by Zhang Yun's people. Now there is only a young daughter Quan'er doing chores in the mansion, she is very clever and can be used now.

  But why did Zhang Yun let people notice the red mark on her back?

  Zi Yuan was also puzzled: "Could it be that they want someone to impersonate the young lady? And yet...". She couldn't figure it out no matter how hard she thought.

  Impersonation? Pei Yuange's heart moved, thinking of what Bai Wei had just said, wanting to take a look at the mark on her back, and also to see if there was anything unusual about her clothes. Could it be that... they weren't looking for someone to impersonate her, but rather suspected that she was an impersonator? That's why they wanted to check the mark on her back, and were worried that she might have used red dye to fake it, so they also wanted to see if there were any stains on her clothes. It made sense, after all, her changes had been so drastic, Pei Zhoucheng and Zi Yun hadn't seen her in years and didn't notice anything unusual, but Zhang Yun knew her situation like the back of his hand, how could he not have noticed something strange?

  This was also a flaw that she deliberately let Zhang Yun see, just to make Zhang Yun suspicious and uncertain, so that she could take advantage of the situation.

  But I didn't expect her to think crookedly to this extent... Since Zhang Yun has such an idea, if she doesn't help herself make it real and let her grasp the handle, wouldn't that be too regrettable?

  Pei Yuansong whispered a few words to Zi Yun, and his mind returned to what Bai Wei had just said. On the day of the longevity banquet, Zhang Yun was going to play another trick again.

  But now, Bae Won-song is not afraid of her tricks, but rather fears that she will really calm down, making it even harder to catch her off guard and expose her in front of his father.

  Father's birthday banquet... Alright, let's see who can outdo whom!