Surviving in the General's Mansion - Chapter 104

Madam Xiao watched Xiao Huan chatting animatedly with an official she did not recognize, then turned to Xiao Yaqing.

“Look at your father. The moment he has a little wine, he forgets who he is. He doesn’t even know enough to keep an eye on Mingxu. What could he possibly have to discuss with a stranger?”

Xiao Yaqing looked over her shoulder. Her mother was right.

Her father’s face was flushed scarlet from drink. She had no idea what he was saying to the official at the next table, but he was so excited that spittle flew from his mouth.

He had refused to let the maid behind him help, taking up the jug and pouring cup after cup for himself. Of course he had gotten himself drunk!

Madam Xiao had also noticed the maids the Wang Family had prepared. She said disapprovingly, “The Wang Family has no sense of propriety at all. Bringing in all these pretty young things has turned a perfectly respectable housewarming banquet into a sordid spectacle!

“They have only just returned to the capital, yet they are already indulging in these sordid schemes.

“Quite a few of those officials brought their wives with them. Look at the drunken ones clutching those maids and refusing to let go. Their wives look livid.”

Xiao Yaqing looked at her mother helplessly.

“Mother, perhaps you could speak a little louder. I’m afraid someone at the men’s tables might not have heard you clearly.”

Madam Xiao could not help bursting into laughter.

“You child. Where have you learned all these expressions lately? All you know is how to amuse your mother.”

*Clatter!*

“Oh! Miss Xiao, I’m terribly sorry!”

A maid passing behind Xiao Yaqing had somehow tripped and spilled an entire platter of food down her back.

“How could you be so careless?” Madam Xiao demanded, distressed by the sight.

Xiao Yaqing had not yet processed what had happened. Hearing her mother, she even tried to comfort her.

“It’s all right, Mother. The plate didn’t hit me.”

Madam Xiao frowned deeply at her daughter’s back.

In weather this cold, with soup and sauce soaking her clothes, wouldn’t Yaqing freeze?

Madam Wang noticed the small disturbance among the women and hurried over to investigate.

“Goodness, what sort of job have you done? Go and receive your punishment! Miss Xiao, I am terribly sorry. You must have been frightened!”

“It is no matter, Madam Wang. The maid did not do it deliberately. Perhaps she tripped over something,” Xiao Yaqing replied gently.

“Well, how about this? Miss Xiao, the weather is so cold and it is already evening. We can hardly have you sit here in wet clothes. Cailan!”

One of the maids beside Madam Wang immediately stepped forward.

“Yes.”

“Take Miss Xiao to a side room and bring her a new set of my clothes that I have never worn!”

After giving the order, Madam Wang turned back to Xiao Yaqing.

“My clothes may be a little loose on you, Miss Xiao, but the night wind is cold. You must change into something dry. I hope you will not disdain them.”

By now, Xiao Yaqing could feel the wet fabric clinging uncomfortably to her back. This was the first time she had met Mingxu’s aunt, so she thought there could hardly be any danger.

“How could I disdain them? Thank you, Madam Wang.”

Madam Xiao remained uneasy.

“Yaqing, do you need Mother to accompany you?”

At that, Xiao Yaqing glanced toward her father. She found that he had risen to his feet and was no longer bothering with a cup. He had lifted the jug straight to his mouth, and one foot was almost on the table.

The corner of her mouth twitched.

“Never mind, Mother. I’ll be back in a moment. You had better keep an eye on Father.”

Madam Xiao had no other choice. At least her daughter was still sober. How much longer her husband would remain conscious was anyone’s guess.

“All right, then. Go and come back quickly.”

With outsiders present, Madam Xiao could not say much more. But Xiao Huan had better just wait until they got home.

Xiao Yaqing followed Cailan all the way to a side room.

“Please wait here, Miss Xiao. This servant will fetch the clothes.”

“Thank you for the trouble,” Xiao Yaqing said politely.

—

Cang Chuli suddenly felt dizzy, almost as though he were drunk.

Realizing something was wrong, he immediately used his internal force to seal his meridians.

Xia Heng had replaced that entire jug of wine with water. How could he possibly be drunk?

At that moment, Xia Heng noticed a maid approach Huyan Lie and whisper something behind him.

Huyan Lie’s furrowed brow relaxed, and he drained all the wine in his cup.

By reflex, Xia Heng looked toward Xiao Yaqing’s seat among the women.

Only Madam Xiao remained at the table, glancing from time to time toward Xiao Huan.

“Goodness, has Mingxu had too much to drink?” Wang Wenshan asked as he stepped forward.

Only then did Xia Heng realize that something was wrong with Cang Chuli as well.

“It is nothing. Someone, take Mingxu back to Jingniang’s room to rest!”

No sooner had the words left his mouth than two servants came forward to support Cang Chuli between them.

Xia Heng hurried over.

“There is no need to trouble you, Master Wang. If the general is drunk, we servants can take him back to the mansion.”

The scene in the main courtyard that afternoon had already made it clear that this family had a poor relationship with Cang Chuli.

And Cang Chuli had not drunk any wine at all. How could he be drunk? There had to be something suspicious going on!

Wang Wenshan glanced at her and barked, “My nephew is spending one night at his own uncle’s residence. Since when do I need a maid’s permission?”

Xia Heng was momentarily struck speechless. The two servants had already lifted Cang Chuli between them.

After delivering that rebuke, Wang Wenshan swept his sleeve and returned to the head table.

An unnatural flush rose over Cang Chuli’s face. Although he had not completely lost consciousness, Xia Heng could see that he could barely keep his eyes open.

Then she thought of Xiao Yaqing, whose whereabouts were unknown.

Xia Heng looked back at Huyan Lie. He had not risen from his seat.

In the original novel, Huyan Lie had pretended to be gentle and refined for a while. It was only later that he began trying to seize Xiao Yaqing by force.

At this point in the story, he should not have done anything truly excessive yet.

But Xia Heng could not shake her unease.

There was no time to waste. She grabbed Chuqing, who was about to step forward and argue, pulled her close, and gave her a few hurried instructions. Then the two split up.

Xia Heng quickly followed the servants taking Cang Chuli away.

Her heart was frantic, but her mind was exceptionally calm.

Chuqing was fast. Xia Heng had told her to first find out where Xiao Yaqing had gone, then go directly to Mo Qing and Mo Bai for help.

Two of them would search for Xiao Yaqing, while the third came to assist her.

Mo Bai had said that he and Cang Chuli had stayed here briefly as children. They were sure to know the grounds better than Xia Heng did and could find someone much faster.

Besides, all three knew martial arts. If the worst happened, they could at least hold their opponents off for a while.

But when had Cang Chuli been drugged? She had clearly watched him the entire time, and she had changed his wine!

The only time she had not been watching was while Cang Chuli and Lin Feng were sparring…

That maid who had disappeared!

Regret was useless now. Xia Heng gritted her teeth and followed close behind the two servants.

First she had to wake their primary fighting force. Then Yaqing would have another layer of protection too!

The two servants carried Cang Chuli back to Ruyi Courtyard and were lowering him onto the bed. When no one was paying attention, Xia Heng quickly unlatched one of the low lattice windows inside the room.

Once Cang Chuli was settled, one of the servants turned to Xia Heng.

“The two of us can watch over him here. Why don’t you go rest in the rear courtyard, miss?”

*Damn. They’re trying to get rid of me. If I refuse to leave, are they going to knock me unconscious?*

Xia Heng eyed their burly builds with apprehension. The lump on her head had only just healed.

“Brother, let me pour our general a cup of hot water.”

Before the man in front of her could speak, the other servant behind him said, “General Cang is sleeping soundly now. I’m afraid he cannot drink any hot water. This servant will prepare some for him when he wakes.”

He gestured for her to leave.

With no other choice, Xia Heng reluctantly walked out of the room.

The two servants did not linger inside either. They soon followed her out, closed the door, and stationed themselves before it like a pair of guardian deities.

Under their watchful eyes, Xia Heng had no choice but to leave the courtyard first.