Chapter 5 - A Secretive Act
Mountain Rock Courtyard was brightly lit.
The Vice Minister of Justice, Qi Junliang, wearing a cloak, was pacing back and forth in front of the west wing-room of Pei Yue's study, looking extremely anxious. It was only when he caught sight of Pei Yue approaching, surrounded by people, that he hurried forward and said:
“Dongting, the waters of this temporary palace theft case run very deep!”
Seeing his anxious expression, as if he didn't know where to begin, Pei Yue placated him.
“Don't be anxious. Let's go inside and talk.”
The delegation had been robbed at the temporary palace in Xuanfu. Although the matter was being mediated and placated by Pei Yue, this Grand Secretary, the actual investigation was the responsibility of the Ministry of Justice. Coincidentally, after entering the Grand Secretariat, besides being in charge of the Ministry of Revenue, Pei Yue was also assigned to oversee the Three Judicial Offices. Therefore, when the Vice Minister of Justice made progress, the first person he thought of to consult was Pei Yue.
Entering the east side-room of the main building, Pei Yue welcomed Qi Junliang and had him sit in the round-backed armchair opposite the desk. He personally poured him a cup of tea. Qi Junliang did not stand on ceremony with him, taking the cup and downing it in one gulp.
Besides being colleagues, Qi Junliang and Pei Yue had another relationship: he was Pei Yue's own brother-in-law. The Eldest Madam Xun-shi's eldest daughter was married to none other than Qi Junliang. After pouring tea for him, Pei Yue also poured a cup for himself and sat opposite him.
“Speak slowly.”
Qi Junliang sighed.
“I have just returned from the temporary palace. It has been confirmed that five different groups of people participated in the robbery that night.”
The ridge of Pei Yue's brow twitched; he felt something was not quite right.
“Were they each acting on their own? Or were they co-conspirators?”
Qi Junliang said, “According to what has been investigated so far, they were each acting on their own. Not only that, but some of them even started fighting amongst themselves.”
“Besides that treasure, what else was lost?”
“Nothing else has been lost for now. According to the clues we have tracked, some people came from the capital, and some from Xuanfu. Among these people, some used methods like house retainers, some were assassins and death-sworn soldiers, and what's even stranger is that there were also some people from the martial world. The imperial guards pursued them outside the city, but those people were like fish diving into the sea, disappearing in a flash. Dongting, do you think it's necessary to dispatch death-sworn soldiers just to steal a treasure?”
Pei Yue's fair fingers gently kneaded his temples. He said in a deep voice:
“Their real objective was not that treasure at all. I'm afraid it was something else. This time, Northern Yan has come with ill intentions.”
“By the way, is this the reason you came looking for me so late?”
“No,” Qi Junliang's expression was clearly much more grave.
“I came today to tell you that after the delegation left the temporary palace, I searched the scene once more and found something.”
“What was it?”
“A short blade. Furthermore, among the death-sworn soldiers left at the scene, we found a survivor.”
……
“What did you say? They found a short blade?”
Mingyi stared into Qinghe's eyes, suppressing the fluttering in her chest.
“What does it look like?”
Qinghe was about to describe it but remembered it would be more appropriate to draw it. She hurriedly found a sheet of Xuan paper, casually dipped a brush in ink, and drew a rough sketch. Mingyi took it and glanced at it. It was a short blade of about five cun(6.55 inches), shaped like a crescent moon. The blade was not sharp. This type of short blade did not seem like one used for killing and robbing; rather, it looked a bit like a short knife for cutting grass.
Having traveled the martial world for these three years, Mingyi understood its rules all too well.
“Death-sworn soldiers and assassins would not use this kind of knife. This type of knife could only be used by a house retainer or an ordinary person from the martial world.”
Among the people from the martial world she had hired, no one used this type of knife. In that case, it could only be a house retainer from some residence.
“This group of people was clearly ill-prepared. They didn't dare use their own weapons, so they hastily bought some knives from the market to make up the numbers. The people from the Ministry of Justice only need to take this knife and ask at the blacksmith shops one by one, and sooner or later, they will be able to find a clue.”
Northern Yan and the Great Jin were hereditary enemies. Many of the Great Jin's military commanders had died at the hands of the Northern Yan people.
“In the capital, there are not many residences that can deploy their own retainers to plunder the Northern Yan delegation's lodgings.”
With such amateurish methods and insufficient preparation, after running through the possible candidates in her mind, Mingyi had almost guessed who was behind it. She instantly felt the matter was troublesome.
“We must find a way to cut off this line of inquiry.”
Qinghe said, “What about that survivor?”
“He's not one of ours, is he?”
“No, he's a death-sworn soldier.”
“Leave him for now. A single death-sworn soldier is unlikely to know the mastermind. Let's focus on that knife first.”
“Tomorrow, I will make an excuse to go out.”
The mistress and servant discussed and settled on a plan. After tidying up, they went to sleep.
Pei Yue did not come to the rear courtyard today, so Qinghe slept with Mingyi. Just as the young maid was about to close her eyes, she suddenly said:
“Oh right, Miss, when I snuck into Vice Minister Qi's study, I also stumbled upon something shocking.”
“What was it?”
“That Vice Minister was having an affair with the maid who serves tea in the study.”
Most of Mingyi's sleepiness instantly vanished.
“You didn't see wrong?”
That Qi Junliang was Pei Yue's brother-in-law. If he was having an affair, did Pei Yue's eldest sister know?
Qinghe was already drowsing off. She replied groggily, “How could I be wrong? If they weren't in such a hurry to get down to business, I wouldn't have had the chance to search his study.”
Damn it. This was another troublesome matter. If she told her mother-in-law, it would expose the fact that she was spying on the Qi family. But if she didn't tell, there would always be a nagging feeling in her heart.
Three days passed. Mingyi went to the kitchens every day as usual.
Pei Yue did not come to the rear courtyard every night. After the first three days of the marriage were over, he mostly rested in his study, only accompanying her for the evening meal each day or sending someone to deliver some books or jewelry as a show of a husband's concern. With matters weighing on her mind, Mingyi did not pay him much attention either.
This day, the wind was mild and the sun was beautiful. It was a rare warm day since the beginning of winter.
Xun-shi was in the council hall managing household affairs early in the morning. She had been sitting for less than half a shichen (one hour) when she saw several of her sisters-in-law enter the hall in a grand procession, bringing their own daughters-in-law and daughters with them.
“Elder Sister-in-law, you sit here in the council hall all day like a Bodhisattva, but you have no idea that the kitchens have been turned upside down. You probably don't know yet, do you? Yue'ger's wife went to the kitchens for three days and ate roast goose there for three days. She hasn't managed any proper work, just eating and sleeping and sleeping and eating. She's treating the kitchens like her own private garden.”
Hearing this, a vein throbbed on Xun-shi's forehead. She had already heard about this matter this morning. In her heart, she naturally blamed her daughter-in-law for being a disappointment, but on the surface, she would not allow the others to find fault.
“She is the young madam in charge of this residence. Isn't that kitchen her private garden then? What, her husband conquered this territory, and now she's breaking some divine law by entering her own kitchen to eat a roast goose?”
Blocked by her words, the crowd of womenfolk were once again rendered speechless.
“But, that's not how things are done! She is the wife of the Master of the house. She should lead by example. How can she be so frivolous?”
“The way I see it, she's just from the countryside and has never seen the world. The moment she sees a bit of food, she loses all sense of direction.”
The one who had spoken was precisely Pei Yue's Second Aunt, the Second Madam, Miao-shi. Miao-shi had come today with a purpose. She had her people in the kitchens and had heard that in these past few days, Mingyi's maid had been putting the kitchen staff through the wringer. Vegetable baskets had to be arranged neatly, cucumbers had to be lined up in order from shortest to longest, knife work had to be delicate, and the direction of the cuts had to be consistent. If any maid dared to steal food, she would have to hold a horse stance while balancing pots and pans.
Heavens, this was the Pei family's back kitchen, not some martial arts training ground!
Was that reasonable?
What was more, she had even implemented some “three-three system.”
What was the “three-three system”?
It meant that three people formed a group and supervised each other. If any one of the three stole food or falsified accounts, the other two would be held equally guilty. In this way, the three would watch each other, and no one would dare to act rashly.
If this went on, how could it be tolerated? Wouldn't the kitchens become a pot of clear soup?
Therefore, using the matter of the roast goose today, they wanted to squeeze Mingyi out.
Xun-shi also had a headache, but she still had to speak up for Mingyi.
“What she wants to eat or do, she has her own ideas. If she is wrong, Yue'er and I will be the ones to speak to her. It is not the place for others to point fingers. If she is not even allowed to eat a roast goose, then the dishes on all of your tables can be cleared away.”
Mingyi also felt very wronged. She had indeed asked for a roast goose on the first day, but the ones after that were all gifts from her subordinates to show their respect.
She could control her heart, but could she control her mouth?
It would be a waste not to eat what was offered, so she ate roast goose for three days. Everyone saw this young madam's style and just assumed she was easily impressed by small gains, so they “showed their respect” to her even more. Not only with tasty food, but also with some amusing trinkets. Someone even saw that Mingyi didn't have a single decent piece of jewelry on her and secretly stuffed some silver taels into her hand.
Mingyi accepted it all.
After hanging around the kitchens for three days, she had more or less figured things out.
In a small kitchen, the ways of the world were many. There were four main managers in this kitchen. One of them was on good terms with Fu Momo and was definitely the Eldest Madam's person. Another, who was arrogant and tyrannical in the kitchens all day, was the younger sister of Second Madam Miao-shi's dowry maid. Of the other two, one was reserved and did not show her true colors, while the other, who was skilled at currying favor and was obsequious to everyone she met, was Concubine Huo's person.
Concubine Huo was no ordinary concubine; she had a significant background.
The Third Master's first betrothed was the young miss of the scholarly Huo family. Unfortunately, the Huo family was implicated in a literary inquisition, and the entire family was convicted. The Third Master tried every means to rescue Huo-shi and was completely devoted to her. But Huo-shi was already of servant status, so how could she be his main wife? Thus, the Old Madam, who was still alive at the time, thought of a solution and arranged for the Third Master to marry the daughter of a minor fifth-rank official, who was the current Third Madam, Zhou-shi. Since Zhou-shi had married up, she naturally had to tolerate this special concubine.
Zhou-shi had a dull personality and was not as talented as Concubine Huo, so she did not please the Third Master at all. The financial power of the Third Branch had been in Concubine Huo's hands for all these years. In the Third Branch, Concubine Huo even had more standing than Zhou-shi.
The inner household affairs had always been managed by Xun-shi. Unless it involved major clan business, Pei Yue would not inquire. Although Xun-shi could manage the entire household, she could not interfere in the private affairs of her husband's younger brother, and often had to turn a blind eye.
Over the years, Concubine Huo of the Third Branch and the Second Madam of the Second Branch had extended their hands into the kitchens. Although no major trouble had occurred, they had skimmed no small amount of profit in private. For example, if a master wanted to add a dish beyond their official allowance, they had to pay for it themselves. This silver was in fact embezzled by the managers. If two extra crabs were requested today, then tomorrow when making crab paste, they could report two extra crabs on the books. In this way, the accounts were balanced, and the silver was pocketed. It was by these means that the managers thrived in the back courtyards.
Mingyi had heard a few tidbits from Fu Momo and had also observed with a cool eye for three days, so she understood clearly.
Her mother-in-law had told her to manage the kitchens, which was in fact a way to help her clear out dissidents. If she let those people act tyrannically in the kitchens, she would offend her mother-in-law. If she dealt with those people, she would offend her aunt and Concubine Huo. Comparing the two, Mingyi naturally chose to side with her mother-in-law.
See, where there are people, there are politics. You can't just expect to eat and muddle through.
Having just arrived, if you're not the one to walk on the mountain of knives, who will?
Having figured this out, Mingyi prepared to draw in her net. On the morning of this day, she ordered people to bring those two managers into the council hall.
No sooner had Miao-shi and the others disparaged Mingyi for neglecting her duties than they saw her have two people thrown in, which gave them a start.
“Yue'ger's wife, what are you doing?” The moment Miao-shi saw her own confidante had been taken down, flames of anger shot up within her.
Mingyi glanced at her, then cupped her hands towards her mother-in-law, Xun-shi, who was in the main seat.
“Mother, this daughter-in-law is young and ignorant. You asked me to manage the kitchens, and I thought that I couldn't just start giving orders randomly as soon as I arrived. Therefore, I sat back for three days, thinking I would learn from these managing momos. Who would have known that every single one of them thought this daughter-in-law was some sort of corrupt person and just stuffed benefits my way all at once. The others, well, this daughter-in-law won't comment on them; it was nothing more than some fruits and melons. But these two, they were extremely generous. They offered a hundred taels in one go.”
“Heavens, Mother, I'm from the countryside and have never seen the world. I've never seen so much silver. I was thinking that the managers only have a monthly allowance of two or three taels and still have a family to support, yet they casually took out a hundred taels of silver. This is truly suspicious. This daughter-in-law suspects the two of them of lining their own pockets, and has therefore dealt with them.”
Hearing Mingyi's plausible speech, Xun-shi already understood everything perfectly.
So, her eating roast goose for three days was merely to confuse the enemy and lure them onto her hook.
She hadn't realized that this daughter-in-law was actually quite shrewd.
Hearing this, the Second Madam Miao-shi and Concubine Huo, who were present, both turned pale.
Their gazes shot like daggers towards their own confidantes.
The two momos had been thrown in, trussed up securely, with cloth strips stuffed in their mouths. They were prostrated on the ground, whimpering softly, looking utterly wretched.
Faced with the knife-like glares of their own mistresses, they complained endlessly in their hearts.
They had originally thought Mingyi was ignorant and had tried to win her over with silver, but they never expected to have their own faults seized upon instead.
More than losing a confidante, Miao-shi was worried about Mingyi checking the accounts.
“Yue'ger's wife, you claim they lined their own pockets, but do you have any evidence?”
Mingyi lifted her eyes to look at her. “No. But if you really want evidence, I imagine it would not be difficult to find.”
Hearing this, Xun-shi became even more satisfied.
Mingyi had dealt with these two people, but she did not intend to investigate further.
After all, they were all family. The sisters-in-law saw each other day in and day out, and Xun-shi could not let the situation become too ugly. By dealing with these people and killing the chicken to warn the dog, the goal would be achieved. If Mingyi were to present the account books today, it would instead put her in a difficult position.
At this critical juncture, it was time for Xun-shi to act as the peacemaker. She immediately interjected,
“You are the young madam in charge. It is perfectly justifiable for you to deal with the two of them. As for the accounts, we will not check them. After all, they are old servants who have served for many years. Let us leave them with some dignity. Send them back to their respective posts.”
Leaving dignity for the momos was also leaving dignity for Miao-shi and Concubine Huo.
Miao-shi and Concubine Huo knew this perfectly well and could not make any more fuss.
After the people were dismissed, Xun-shi smiled and beckoned to Mingyi. “Come and sit.”
She hadn't realized that Mingyi was not only shrewd but also knew how to act with propriety. Such skill and maturity were really not like that of a child from the countryside; on the contrary, she was more like a wily old fox who had been immersed in official circles for many years.
Xun-shi had to look at her in a new light.
“You must have been tired these past few days.”
Instead of having her sit in the round-backed armchair opposite her like last time, she ordered a maid to bring a brocade stool and had Mingyi sit beside her desk. Mingyi did as she was told and sat down, patting her belly.
“How could I be tired? I've gotten fatter, if anything.”
Xun-shi thought of the roast goose matter and suddenly laughed.
“This is your own home. There's no need for others to show you respect with gifts. If you want to eat something, just give the order.”
Mingyi could discern a sense of growing intimacy from between the lines of her mother-in-law's words.
Xun-shi had asked her to sit over because there was a matter she wanted to discuss with her.
“Mingyi, tomorrow is Yue'er's twenty-fourth birthday. He has always been a low-key person and never allows people to celebrate his birthday for him. There are many young ladies in this residence, so I do not intend to hold a grand celebration for him either.”
Right now, there are several female cousins living in the residence as guests. Pei Yue has always kept to himself, and he rarely even shows his face at family banquets. Xun-shi did not want her son to be disturbed even while eating a bowl of longevity noodles, so she has announced to the outside that no banquet will be held.
“I was just thinking of having his eldest sister return to the residence, and we'll just have a small, lively gathering with a few of our own family members.”
Mingyi had no objection. However, when she returned to Changchun Hall, she found the desk piled high with gift boxes. Fu Momo was taking inventory and making a register while telling her,
“Young Madam, these are all birthday gifts for the Master of the house from the young masters and young ladies of the various branches.”
The banquet may not be held, but the gifts must still be sent.
Mingyi looked through the gifts. Most of them were embroidery work from his sisters and female cousins. Unfortunately, she had no worldly possessions and had no presentable gift to give Pei Yue.
Could she possibly not give one?
Mingyi became worried.