Ink Burns

Chapter 188 Huang Zhi Battle
Shan Yue stopped in her tracks, her eyes cold and her expression not very friendly.

Whether she's kind or not doesn't matter, as long as she's willing to stop!
The leading old woman burst into tears as soon as she saw Shan Yue stop: "Please, young mistress, give us a way out! The head steward of the manor is kicking people out! He says that the men and women in the house are either dead or injured, and they don't need so many servants. Now, the servants born in the family are being sent back to their hometown in Zhenjiang, while those bought later are being given some silver to leave the manor—we, the hardworking old folks who have toiled for the Xue family for decades, are now all alone and helpless in our old age! It's outrageous! It's outrageous!"

The old woman behind her quickly caught up, crying loudly, "The Xue family is still one family! The Northern Mansion is shameless, driving us old servants away. Surely the Southern Mansion should take us in?! Even if they don't, shouldn't they at least give us some of the money they've spent?! Our powerful Lord Xue, could it be that he was taken care of by us sisters when he was young?! What a tragedy! What a tragedy!"

Ha, the division of labor is quite clear. The old woman in front is responsible for building up the emotions, while the soldiers in the back are responsible for expressing their demands.

When the Xue family resorts to begging for money on the street to this extent, they're practically finished.

Shan Yue didn't want to pay the money, but—it was getting late.

Shan Yue looked up at the sky. It was foggy, with the clouds trailing black tails. With each breath, it was like a bundle of damp firewood burning, the flames roaring and the sultry, humid air seeping into her nostrils.

She was in a hurry to get to the Chang family's house, but a crowd gradually gathered at the intersection, and the horse irritably flicked its tail.

It was already strange that people were dying one after another in Xuebei Prefecture.

What's unusual attracts a crowd. Now that the old servant of the Xue family has started making a scene without regard for his reputation, the onlookers, like ants smelling sugar, have flocked to him.

With so many people, the carriage can't get out of the house.

Shan Yue raised her chin, about to speak, but Huang Zhi grabbed her wrist and pressed it down: "Don't make a sound. I, Manager Zhi, am here. Let's see who doesn't want that rotten face and dares to act crazy in front of me!"

Huang Zhi raised her chin and beckoned to Qiu Tao and Qiu Yu, who were standing at the gatehouse: "You two accompany Madam out! Be careful!"

After finding a replacement, Huang Zhi opened her mouth to clear her throat and made ample preparations for battle. Then, she rolled up her sleeves and charged out like an arrow released from a bow!
Shan Yue: Why do I feel such a strong sense of security for no reason?

Huang Zhi was experienced in battle, and as soon as she opened her mouth, she cursed in a sarcastic tone: "Oh! When you were taking a dump, your mothers were nowhere to be seen, but when it's time to eat shit, you suddenly appear! When your high-ranking mothers were taking kickbacks, pocketing dirty money, and collecting rewards, they didn't think about the Nan Mansion. Now that they've been kicked out, they have the nerve to come and ask us for money!"

Huang Zhi walked with her hands on her hips, cursing at the angel with her nostrils flared, as she took small, quick steps into the alley.

The crowd, like cows with nose rings, followed their owner inside.

Suddenly, an empty road appeared in front of the carriage.

The old woman retorted, "Where did you come from, you little brat? What business is it of yours what the mothers are talking about!"

The Evil Gardenia is like a man-eating plant that has been set ablaze: No matter what you say, don't question the status of the Evil Gardenia!
"I'm a little girl?! Spit! Spit! Spit!"

Huang Zhi spat three times: "The first spit is for your blindness! The second spit is for your contempt! The third spit is for your mother's bad behavior! Go ask around the capital! What is the status of Luo Feng by Lord Xue's side? And what am I, Huang Zhi, compared to him! Even the steward of the Northern Prefecture who chases people away has to respectfully address me as 'Steward Zhi'. You old hags asking for favors don't even lower your posture. Don't blame me, Steward Zhi, for even withholding your Northern Prefecture's severance pay!"

Huang Zhi's curses were full of vigor, and even across the street, one could hear a hint of the heroic spirit of "The east wind blows and the war drums beat, who is afraid of the wicked gardenia?": "Come on, come on! We won't go to the steward who is also a servant. I'll take you to find Liang Er's wife and make sure you're punished by kowtowing and admitting your mistake!"

Shan Yue sat in the carriage and tactically took a sip of tea to conceal his shock and respect.

Qiu Taoba, peering through the gap in the carriage curtain, sighed with admiration, clenched her fists, and declared, "I want to become as amazing as Sister Huang Zhi someday!" Shan Yue swallowed her tea: "No, no, no, your Sister Huang Zhi isn't even human. She's the product of the evil soil (the Cheng family), the indulgence (Shan Yue herself), and the undeniable folly of the Xue family's northern branch—a product of perfect timing, location, and circumstances! She's a once-in-fifty-years evil gardenia! Her success can only be admired from afar, not replicated!"

Shan Yue lowered her eyes and saw Qiu Yu, who was usually quiet and reserved, sitting upright. She was neither curious about the hustle and bustle outside the window nor participated in their conversation—she was indeed like a fish, a clever little fish hiding in the cracks of rocks with not very shiny fur.

Shan Yue frowned.

**
The carriage traveled smoothly all the way to the Chang family's house.

The Chang family mansion was magnificent, with five pillars reaching to the top of the gate. The blue bricks were mixed with a few gold leaves, and the wealth was clearly visible even in the hot, humid rain and mist.

The gates are now tightly shut, and a sense of tension permeates the air of wealth.

Shan Yue did not send an invitation, but she was confident that Madam Zhou of the Chang family would definitely meet with her.

Qiu Tao went to knock on the door.

The doorman impatiently shooed them away: "Go away! The owner is in a hurry today and won't see any guests!"

The door wasn't even opened a crack.

Qiu Tao smiled and whispered, "Please inform her that Madam Xue Nan is coming to see us. Madam Zhou might be waiting for her!"

There was no sound from the gatekeeper for a long time. After a while, the door opened a crack and the voice softened considerably: "The main door can only be opened this small. Please come in quickly. Madam is waiting for you in Guili Hall!"

Guili Hall is located in the inner courtyard; it takes going in and out repeatedly to reach it.

The servants in front of the hall kept their heads down, their small, quick steps moving so fast they seemed to create a gust of wind. All around was quiet, with only a few faint sobs and whimpers audible.

When Shan Yue was led into the inner room, she saw that it was a sultry June day. Madam Zhou had a headband inlaid with jade and emeralds tied around her forehead and wore a high-necked jacket that covered her neck. She was lying on the warm couch, wiping away tears with a silk handkerchief in her hand. Beside her, an unfamiliar maid was comforting her in a low voice.

Upon hearing Shan Yue enter, Madam Zhou stopped crying, wiped her eyes with a silk handkerchief, and asked Shan Yue to sit down: "The house is in complete chaos. Although this is your first time here, I really don't have the energy to entertain you. We're all family here, so please make yourself at home."

In recent days, Shan Yue has supplied Madam Zhou with four or five paintings, which are said to be selling very well at Guan An Zhai. One of them, a landscape painting imitating Zhao Tingying of the Song Dynasty, sold for a high price of four hundred taels of silver. After splitting the profits, Madam Zhou made a fortune.

Therefore, Madam Zhou treated Shan Yue with great intimacy and naturalness.

Shan Yue frowned: "I had planned to come yesterday, but I was afraid of upsetting you, so I waited until today—what's wrong with Young Master Chang now? I heard he's been appointed as the Prefect of the Capital? Have you found out if it's true?"

She then brought up Xue Chen: "Our Erlang was not well when he was carried back; he passed away last night."

Shan Yue looked anxious: "What happened? Did the two young masters get lost or something? How come one went in and the other went down? The Xue family is in a complete mess, we're totally at a loss, that's why I came to you for help!"

(End of this chapter)