DDR 57

Chapter 57: Exposing née Zhao

This is the full chapter, because it is half the length of chapter 56. As a note, when I do split up the extra long chapters, I will always split them at a scene change if possible, or at an otherwise appropriate point.

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“Why is the Master looking for me?” Shen Wenhua was abruptly making trouble, and even though Ruan momo had planned in advance, she was inevitably worried.

“The Master said something about wanting to ask momo something, but as to the specific thing, Master didn’t say, just that momo should hurry!” The person who came was airtight and did not reveal anything.

Ruan momo noticed this, and she was a little worried that Shen Wenhua suspected her, but then again, she thought that her actions had been very secretive. No one should know, so she put it out of her mind, “Okay, I’ll go right away. I’ll trouble you to inform the Master.” What Shen Wenhua was going to ask, Ruan momo knew it well, but she was not afraid.

“Then hurry up, Master is waiting!” Smiling, that person soon left. Ruan momo also smiled, and confidently went to see Shen Wenhua.

“Master!” Giving her salute according to etiquette,[1] from the beginning Ruan momo’s manner did not give anyone a mistake to latch onto. Although her status in the Shen family was not ordinary, she never exceeded the regulations of her station. This was also how she was able to stay standing in the Shen family for so many years.

“Momo, do you know why I called you here?” Although his tone was calm, Ruan momo still heard a hint of coldness. “This old servant doesn’t know, and would ask Master to say it clearly. Did this old servant do something wrong?”

“Do something wrong? Hehe, you really did something very wrong! You look, what is this?” He passed Dan Yuerong’s medicine over to Ruan momo. Ruan momo’s face changed, but then quickly returned to normal. “Master, this is Madam’s medicine, but what’s the matter?” Looking puzzled, Ruan momo was still very skilled at putting on an act.

“What’s the matter? Ruan momo, the traveling doctor looked at it just now, but he said that there is an ingredient missing from it. Does Ruan momo know what’s missing?”

“Master, this medicine was prescribed by the doctor, and this old servant had people decoct the medicine in accordance with the prescription. How could anything be missing?” Ruan momo did not panic at all. She had done everything through other people in secret, so her own hands were clean. Therefore, she had no reason to worry.

“How can it be missing? Ruan momo, I have to ask you this. Madam put you in charge of household affairs. Now that the Madam’s medicine has fewer ingredients than it should, you know that as Madam continues to take it, her cold will never get better. Ruan momo, do you know what the consequences will be then?”

“Really? This old servant has been negligent and hopes that Master will punish severely!” She voluntarily acknowledged her mistake, and Ruan momo‘s attitude was very appropriate. She was very old, and she had worked hard for many years in the Shen family. She didn’t make any serious mistakes and thus wouldn’t be severely punished. What’s more, she was Old Madam Shen’s person. If Shen Wenhua wanted to punish her, it would not be easy for him to deal with it, so she wasn’t anxious.

“It was indeed your negligence, but I’m only asking you, why is this medicine lacking an ingredient? Don’t tell me momo was unaware?” Seeing that at this time Ruan momo still looked so calm, Shen Wenhua’s heart felt a little twitchy for some reason.

This Ruan momo was his mother’s person. Could it be that his mother still hadn’t given up? Must she set herself against Rong’er? Why treat Rong’er like this? In the past he had let it be, but this time they were unexpectedly playing with Rong’er’s health. This time he certainly could not let it pass!

“Master, this old servant really doesn’t know. This old servant had Zhang momo who is serving next to the Madam’s side get the medicine, and Cheng momo decocts the medicine. They always do things carefully, and they are all Madam’s people. Is it possible there’s a problem there?” One had to admit this Ruan momo was very cautious. She had not been involved in this matter at all, just in case. As she mentioned, these two people were Dan Yuerong’s room servants. They had followed Dan Yuerong for many years, so of course she trusted them. When the time came to investigate the matter, it would be the fault of those two momo. Punishing the two momo would be like snapping off Dan Yuerong’s arm! Sure enough, it was killing two birds with one stone![2]

“I have already asked. The medicine Zhang momo fetched was taken from the pharmacy. I have already checked. I have also asked about Cheng momo who decocted the medicine; after she took the medicine, she immediately boiled it. Everyone in the kitchen can bear witness.”

“Master must carefully investigate! Unexpectedly someone in the Shen residence dares to harm the Madam, this person must be found!”

“They will certainly be found. Ruan momo is managing the household now, so I called for you to come here today to ask if you’ve noticed anything suspicious?” This happened, and Ruan momo should be asked about it. After all, she had now replaced Dan Yuerong as the house manager. Many things happened under her purview. For such things to come out, she could not avoid censure.

“This old servant has failed the Master’s trust in this old servant. This old servant has not managed the house well, and hopes Master will punish this one!”

“Of course you must be punished, but now the person responsible must be found. Ruan momo, don’t you agree?” If it were something else, Shen Wenhua may have been able to bear it, but this matter involved Dan Yuerong. Shen Wenhua would certainly not let it go so easily!

“Naturally, this person must be punished severely to serve as an example to others!” Ruan momo knew that this was Shen Wenhua’s way of making her take a position, so of course she was unequivocal. In any case, this matter wouldn’t fall on her.

“Good, if momo says so then it’s enough. I am unable to intervene in many of the matters in the inner residence. I also hope momo will cooperate with me to discover the truth!”

“What does Master plan to do?”

“That medicinal ingredient cannot have disappeared into thin air. It’s certain that someone must have hidden it. Madam has been taking this medicine for more than a month, so it can be assumed that the amount stolen is not small. Go investigate who has the ingredient, and that will naturally be the person responsible.”

“Master has spoken truly. This old servant will have people go search!” Hearing Shen Wenhua’s words, Ruan momo was relieved. She had taken proper care of the medicinal ingredients. Moreover, looking at Shen Wenhua’s attitude, she must find someone to take the fall, otherwise Shen Wenhua was unlikely to drop the matter. She started thinking of a plan.

“Good, I’ll be waiting for Ruan momo’s good news.”

“Master, rest assured!” Ruan momo had been here for almost a year, and she was extremely familiar with the Shen residence. Especially as she had assisted Dan Yuerong in managing household affairs, she naturally had a dominating presence. What’s more, her thoughts were always meticulous. This time she’d also prepared well. With the plot coming to light, naturally she needed a scapegoat.

 She gathered a large number of people to search all the rooms. Ruan momo was not one to let go. The first places to be searched were the rooms of Zhang momo and Cheng momo, because currently these two were the most suspicious!

If someone must plead guilty at this time, then the two momo that had been a part of Madam’s dowry would be best. At that time, the Madam would lose both her left and right arms, and in the future when she faced the Old Madam, she would have less confidence. Meanwhile Ruan momo would be here, taking more control over the inner residence!

Thinking about it this way, although Ruan momo‘s face showed nothing, but she still had the appearance of wanting to see what would be found in Zhang momo‘s room. But what she didn’t expect was that not only was Zhang momo’s room searched, but also née Zhao’s!

“Momo, we found some medicinal ingredients in née Zhao’s room, as well as Cheng momo’s room!”

“Really? Quickly let me see!” Finding things in Cheng momo’s room was expected, but in née Zhao’s room…

Looking at née Zhao’s nervous face, Ruan momo didn’t know what was happening, and was a little worried. But she didn’t have time before Shen Wenhua came over, “I heard you found something? Momo, is it true?”

“Naturally it is true, Master, look, it’s all here!” Taking a glance at née Zhao, Ruan momo felt that this née Zhao was really incompetent, or why would they find something?

She didn’t know why, but she felt uneasy. Ruan momo looked at née Zhao, and then again at Shen Wenhua. She was suddenly overcome with the feeling of things going out of control. However, Shen Wenhua didn’t give her even a tiny bit of an opportunity. “Doctor, have a look at these two medicine packets, and see which one contains the missing medicinal ingredients.” Shen Wenhua didn’t let the traveling doctor leave, and even brought him forward. What was his purpose? Ruan momo looked at the traveling doctor. He was not dressed like a doctor at all. The arrival of this traveling doctor was so strange, as was the fact that he had discovered what other doctors had not. Looking at the doctor, Ruan momo didn’t know what was going on, but she felt her confidence diminishing.

“Yes, Master Shen!” The traveling doctor took a look at the two medicine packets, and soon came to a conclusion. “Master Shen, this one just contains ordinary medicinal herbs for rheumatism. However, this one contains the ingredient missing from the Madam’s medicine.”

“What, how is that possible?” Née Zhao looked at the medicine that had clearly been found in her room. She could not help but feel a chill run down her spine, and her face was full of panic. “Master, this impossible! Master, how could this servant do such a thing to harm the Madam? Master, this servant didn’t do it, someone has framed this servant!” Née Zhao was not a fool. The medicinal ingredient was found in her room. The consequences were too horrible to contemplate!

What to do? Why was this happening? Née Zhao subconsciously looked at Ruan momo, hoping Ruan momo could help her, but right now Ruan momo wanted to dispel suspicions, so of course she couldn’t do anything suspicious. Therefore she avoided née Zhao’s eyes and wondered what was going on. She inevitably had a feeling someone was scheming against her.

But who was it? Who was behind this seamless plan? Even to the extent of diverting disaster to the East?[3] If Shen Wenhua really believed it was née Zhao’s doing, then wouldn’t this chess piece she had arranged become useless?

Her heart anxious, Ruan momo looked at Shen Wenhua and wanted to speak, but at that moment Shen Wenhua interrogated née Zhao directly, “Née Zhao, speak, why did you do this?”

“Master, this servant did not! This servant wouldn’t dare!” She shook her head. There was no way née Zhao would admit it, else wouldn’t she lose this good job? She had finally entered the Shen residence with much difficulty, and because of her good job, her family didn’t have to worry about food and clothing. If she was kicked out because of this, who would dare hire her in the future? Where could she find such a good job?

No, she definitely couldn’t admit it!

With an idea in mind, née Zhao immediately dropped to her knees. “Master, you have to believe this servant, there is no grievance or enmity between this servant and the Madam. How would this servant dare to treat the Madam like this? Furthermore, this servant is a newcomer and the young master’s wet nurse, so what benefit is there for this servant to do such a thing?” Née Zhao couldn’t be considered too stupid, as her defense was logical. The tears streaming down her face made her seem like she’d been bullied.

“Then what evidence do you have that you didn’t do it? Now there is irrefutable evidence since the things were found in your room. How can you still deny it?”

“This servant, this servant didn’t do it!” She herself did not know how it had been found in her room. She was confused and frightened. “Master, this servant doesn’t understand anything, not to mention medical knowledge. How could I know that withholding this medicine would affect the Madam? Master, this servant truly doesn’t know!”

“Master, née Zhao is lying. A few days ago, this servant saw née Zhao’s take a packet and hide it away. Master, it was this package of medicinal ingredients!”

“Are you telling the truth?” Hearing someone come to testify, Shen Wenhua looked at the person, who happened to be the servant girl from the front courtyard. She nodded, “Master, this servant could see very clearly, that day née Zhao secretly took a package of medicinal herbs. This servant didn’t know what she was doing, but this servant knew that she was definitely not doing a good deed!”

“Née Zhao, do you still refuse to admit your guilt?”

“Master, no, this servant took medicine last time, but it wasn’t the ingredients for the Madam’s medicine! The medicine was bought by this servant for her family!” Speaking of this, née Zhao was also at a loss as to this matter. She didn’t know what was going on these days, but she hadn’t been able to produce as much milk as usual. She was worried she would stop producing milk and then the Shen family would turn their backs on her. By that time, she’d be unable to stay as Shen Zihan’s wet nurse, so wouldn’t she be kicked out?

Being the wet nurse for a rich family’s young master and young miss was like being half a mother. In the future when the children grow up, they would look after and provide for her. At that time, she would be respected, she’d have no worries in this life, and her family would also benefit. That would be much better than living a poverty-stricken life at home.

Née Zhao was very clear on this point. Of course, she must firmly hold onto this position as Shen Zihan’s wet nurse. Knowing that she had less milk, Shen Zihan would not be able to drink enough, so of course she was concerned. But she was also afraid Shen Wenhua and the others would find out, and then she wouldn’t be allowed to look after Shen Zihan. Therefore, she secretly went to a doctor for a prescription, but how could she anticipate the doctor’s prescription would be like this?

Née Zhao felt a little empty inside, and her eyes were evasive. With her like this, naturally Shen Wenhua did not believe her. “You bought it for your family? Then why don’t you tell us who in your family is sick? I’ll have them come over to ask!” Née Zhao wouldn’t cry till she saw her coffin, so of course Shen Wenhua wouldn’t let it go.

“Master, yes, it is this servant’s youngest son. The child has not been very good recently, therefore, therefore this servant went to get a prescription.” Née Zhao was just grasping for a reason in her desperation. How could it be true? At this moment she could only brace herself to continue, but the more she spoke, the more uneasy she became.

“Really? All right, someone come here, bring the child and let the doctor take a look!”

“Yes, Master!”

“Master, the child is sick. It wouldn’t be good if he caught a chill. If it became serious, wouldn’t people say our Shen family is unreasonable and mistreats people?” Ruan momo saw née Zhao’s behavior and knew she was making things up. She of course came out to help née Zhao.

She’d found this née Zhao with great difficulty. Now née Zhao was in her hands, so she was not afraid that née Zhao would try to overturn the heavens. Ruan momo would preserve this née Zhao except as a last resort. “Master, née Zhao’s child is only a few months older than the young master. Such a small child should not meet with mishap.” Knowing that in the end, Shen Wenhua was kindhearted and would not implicate innocent people, Ruan momo could only bring out this excuse.

For now she could only delay, while thinking of a plan.

“Then momo, what do you think?” Shen Wenhua didn’t believe née Zhao’s words, but he also knew that née Zhao’s child was no more than six months old. If they brought the child over and something really happened, it would not be good for the Shen residence.

“Master, why not do it this way. This old servant will go to ask. This will prevent the child from freezing. The weather is so cold; it wouldn’t be good to fall ill.”

“Momo is old, and your health is not as good, so coming and going will be tiring. Doctor, please take the trip with me. We can go take a look at the child together!”

“Master’s body is too precious! How can you go in person? It’s better to let this old servant go!” She didn’t expect Shen Wenhua to go and see for himself. How could Ruan momo allow it?

If she went, she still might be able to turn things around. But if Shen Wenhua went in person, where would she get the chance to use her tricks?

“It’s no matter, let’s go!” Shen Wenhua’s attitude was very resolute this time. Ruan momo had no option but to secretly wink at her trusted aid. They were just about to leave, when Shen Jingshu popped out from who knows where. “Daddy, where are you going?” Shen Jingshu had been observing the progress of everything secretly, just to prevent Ruan momo from acting again. Therefore she must block her.

“Shu’er, why are you here? Weren’t you accompanying your mother?” Shen Wenhua deliberately chose a time while Dan Yuerong was sleeping to handle today’s affairs. As a caring husband, Shen Wenhua certainly couldn’t bear to let Dan Yuerong feel hurt over these matters.

“Daddy, Mom fell asleep. I came out for a walk, but I heard a lot of movement over here, so I came to take a look!” Shen Jingshu’s appearance promptly stopped the footsteps of those sent by Ruan momo. Therefore Ruan momo felt a small dark hatred for Shen Jingshu, as she thought Shen Jingshu had bad timing.

“En, you should go back, ok? Daddy is busy with some things.”

“Daddy, just now it sounded like Wet Nurse[4] seemed to have made a mistake. Can I go with you? Wet Nurse is very pitiful. Daddy mustn’t wrong her, ok? These days Hang’er is very clingy to Wet Nurse. Not just Mom, what would Hang’er do if she was gone?” A child’s words are naturally innocent, but to some people’s ears, especially under such circumstances, it made one think a little more.

“Is that right? Shu’er? Hang’er really likes his wet nurse?” If one said née Zhao had no motive before, now, there was plenty of motive.

“Yes, when Wet Nurse is around, my brother won’t let Mom hold him. Mom is so sad, otherwise she wouldn’t insist on carrying little brother, and she wouldn’t have gotten sick…” As she spoke, Shen Jingshu became dejected. Hearing this, Shen Wenhua felt disgusted. Previously he had thought that Dan Yuerong just cared too much about the child. With Shen Jingshu’s words now, Shen Wenhua finally understood everything clearly. “Shu’er, don’t worry, Daddy won’t casually treat anyone unjustly, and even more so will not let anyone feel wronged, but as long as there are people who have thoughts they should not have, Daddy will not let them off!”

Shen Wenhua spoke very seriously, causing née Zhao to tremble subconsciously. Even Ruan momo‘s face became much heavier, and she observed Shen Jingshu’s expression more carefully.

This young miss didn’t seem to be simple. Her words seemed to be inadvertent, but they always made people think more about the situation. But the young miss was still so young. Could she really be a deep schemer? Were all of these things related to the young miss?

After thinking about it, Ruan momo was startled by her own thoughts.

What was she thinking? The young miss was only six years old. How could she know what she was doing? But if it wasn’t the young miss, then who was inciting things behind the scenes?

Ruan momo was a little puzzled, and there were many things she didn’t understand. But now, she didn’t have time to think about it. Shen Wenhua had already taken people with him, and the people under Ruan momo lost the opportunity due to the arrival of Shen Jingshu. Ruan momo felt anxious the whole way. For the first time, she didn’t know what to do.

“Momo, how can this turn out well?” Taking advantage of the fact that no one was paying her any attention, née Zhao could only ask Ruan momo for help. In née Zhao’s view, Ruan momo could certainly help her. Moreover, she suspected that all of these things were done by Ruan momo’s hand. Now that everything was coming to light, née Zhao was naturally afraid.

“In a moment, listen to my instructions. Do not talk any more than necessary, so as to avoid saying more than you should!” This really wouldn’t do. She could only discard this pawn. Although she hadn’t been easy to find, it was better than being exposed herself.

“Momo, it’s all up to you. These days I’ve always listened to you. You cannot disregard me!”

“Relax, I’ll save you!” Ruan momo had to console her, as née Zhao was aware of some her matters. In order to prevent the cornered dog from jumping over the wall,[5] it was very important to properly pacify her. “Remember, no matter what happens, you must carefully consider what should be said and what should not be said. Everything that concerns me, remember at all costs.”

“Momo, I’ll avoid it.”

“All right, don’t get too close to me, lest people start suspecting.” Ruan momo left after speaking. Née Zhao looked at Ruan momo and felt a little peace of mind. Although she didn’t know how Ruan momo would resolve this in a while, but these days she also realized that Ruan momo was a tenacious character, so she still believed in Ruan momo.

Ruan momo had gone through great efforts to bring her here, and had assigned to her many tasks, all of which indicated she was still useful. She would listen to and act on Ruan momo’s words in the hope of avoiding calamity.

Née Zhao had high hopes, but how could she expect that Ruan momo had already decided to abandon her? Originally she still had hope, but she never thought that when Shen Wenhua asked the doctor to confirm her child wasn’t sick, that Ruan momo would just look on coldly as she was interrogated by Shen Wenhua. Née Zhao only now realized that this time, she was doomed!

“Née Zhao, what else do you have to say for yourself? Now you can no longer deceive us. What exactly is your purpose in doing this?”

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Translator’s Notes

[1] The word “salute” is a little misleading; it’s one of those bows with the hands held in front, though the hand position and degree of bow varies according to social station and era.

[2] In Chinese, the idiom is: Two eagles, one arrow.

[3] An idiom meaning: to make someone else suffer losses in your stead.

[4] Jingshu addresses her as nainiang, which means wet nurse, rather than née Zhao.

[5] To be driven to desperate action.