The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 1)

Chapter 184 - Widespread Impact

The conflict between the Ministry of War and the Jinyiwei had barely settled when the once-powerful Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial Eunuch Xingfu faced the confiscation of his property, providing ample fodder for gossip on the streets. Conversely, the formerly bustling homes of several Grand Secretaries became eerily quiet—visiting now would suggest a guilty conscience, and no one wanted to attract trouble with the Jinyiwei conducting house raids everywhere.

Lady He, feeling like an ant on a hot pan, was agitated and worried but dared not risk her husband's wrath by seeking information. She fretted at home until the Tian family came to request silver for making autumn clothes for the maids. This reminded her of Shen Xiaohai's recent frequent trips involving Tianyuan. She detained Tianyuan's wife in the room, giving her a forced smile, "Why do you need 120 taels of silver for autumn clothes this year? Even winter clothes haven't required that much before."

When it came down to it, she looked at the woman with utter disdain—her gaze was filled with silent scorn. In her younger days, this woman had been the top maid beside Shen Xiaohai, clearly already a kept woman. When Lady He married into the household, she sent her out to be a stewardess, yet Shen Xiaohai kept bestowing her with fabrics and jewelry time and time again, maintaining a lingering connection. The woman gradually began to act arrogantly, refusing to obey simple commands. As she was well-versed in Shen Xiaohai's temper and habits, whenever Lady He made any move against her, she would go straight to Shen Xiaohai to plead her case. Lady He, being fearful of her husband, had been unable to deal with her all these years.

At this moment, when Lady He questioned her, Tianyuan's wife was unfazed, a smile spreading over her still-charming face. She raised her bejeweled hand to cover her bright red lips and giggled, "My Lady must have forgotten—this year, the eldest young lady is to be married. Her rooms are filled with a dozen or more young maids, each needing a few new sets of clothes. This is all about the young lady's reputation; it's not an area for skimping."

Lady He, stifled by her words, could only cough uncomfortably and mutter, "Still, you don't need that much. Bring me a list, and I'll approve it before you collect anything."

The woman pressed her lips into a polite smile and replied crisply, "Yes, My lady." She got up to leave but was called back by Lady He.

"These past few days, I've noticed Tianyuan has been making trips outside. Has he... heard any news? Didn't he go to my great uncle's house before? What did my great uncle say?"

Tianyua's wife widened her eyes in surprise and shook her head in confusion. "He's hardly been home these past days, and when he is, he goes straight to the master's study... Matters between men, how would I know about them? If My lady wishes to ask anything, perhaps it would be best to ask the master?"

Although Tianyuan was nominally her husband, everyone in the household knew she was truly Shen Xiaohai's woman. Any business Tianyuan had was always discussed with her first.

Lady He massaged her temples in irritation, about to lose her temper when Chunmei suddenly entered, her face pale. Given the tense atmosphere, Chunmei's appearance made Lady He's heart sink as she demanded, "What is it that has you in such a panic?!"

"My Lady! Today, the Jinyiwei surrounded the Great Uncle's household!" Chunmei was struggling to keep her composure, but her lips trembled uncontrollably. "The lady there sent someone over, bringing the young miss and young master... they're now waiting at the west corner gate. The young master and all the young misses are crying terribly..."

Even Tianyuan's wife was shocked, her face paling as if she'd seen a ghost. She stammered, "But... the Great Uncle's household was fine just yesterday..."

"You may go now!" Lady He stood abruptly and turned to Chunmei. "Quick, take me to the study."

To think that the issue had spread this far, even involving Shen Xiaohai's maternal relatives... Her mind was in turmoil as she hurried to the front courtyard study and hastily relayed the news to Shen Xiaohai.

Shen Xiaohai clearly hadn't expected that even his mother's family would be implicated. His usual haughtiness vanished, and he stared in shock, gripping his chair as he collapsed into it. "What?!"

In those days, when things were going well, he had often partnered with the Great Uncle on smuggling operations; after all, that was his mother's family. Though they were distant relatives, they had substantial wealth...

Now that even the Great Uncle's household had been raided, the next target...

He hardly dared to think any further, clenching his fists in a state of unease. Back then, Duke Ying's household had already been tainted by the disgrace of Duke Cheng's household. Otherwise, they wouldn't have been struggling to stand again after all these years. And now, if they got involved with Xingfu as well, they could forget about ever rising again.

"Quick, call Tianyuan here!" He touched his feverish forehead, feeling that every matter was thorny, and he now realized that, at this critical moment, he had no solid backing to rely on.

He glanced at Lady He, who was standing there dumbfounded, and snapped impatiently, "What are you standing here for?! There are more than a dozen households in the capital with connections to Xingfu—do you think they'll all be wiped out? Don't scare yourself to death. Hurry up and bring the children inside..."

Lady He, flustered and panicked, quickly replied affirmatively, just as Shen Qingrang came barging in without a clue.

"Father, Mother!" he exclaimed, breathless and barely steady on his feet. "Is it true that Cousin and the others have arrived?"

Shen Xiaohai, already overwhelmed with irritation, found his shouting even more bothersome. "You're still young—just mind your own affairs and don't meddle in others! Go and fetch your elder brother!"

In such urgent matters, it was better to rely on the elder son, who was older, mature, and already of age, making it easier for him to move about and handle things.

Sensing his father's strained tone, Shen Qingrang quickly agreed and ran out without further protest. Lady He tried to pull him back but was unsuccessful. She could only sigh and lead Chunmei toward the west corner gate.

Yet her heart still pounded anxiously, so she whispered to Chunmei, "Later, go to Tianyuan and see if you can find out what's going on—see what orders the heir has given him and the young master."

Shen Xiaohai never told her anything clearly, which only heightened her fears.

Chunmei nodded, just as Chunying came hurrying over. "My Lady, Old Lady has caught wind of the news and sent someone to ask what's going on."

Lady He felt a surge of frustration as if she alone in this household was fated to worry and panic. With a hint of defiance, she snorted, "Just tell her that the Jinyiwei has surrounded the Great Uncle's residence, and Great Aunt has sent her grandchildren here to take refuge!"