Chapter 65: A Plan Within a Plan - Part 2
Following Zi Yan’s death, only Bai Zhi and Mo Zhu were the closest yatous left by Li Wei Yang’s side. Everyone thought she would select two high-ranked yatous from other compunds, but who would have thought after half a month had passed by, she still hadn’t made a move. Even though the yatous and mamas were surprised, they didn’t dare to ask.
Because there were more things to do in the residence, Mo Zhu eventually requested from Li Wei Yang and selected Qin Fang and Hong Luo to serve tea and help around. Since Qin Fang had served in Da Furen’s residence and she was particularly clever, Mo Zhu had been watching her attentively, being frightened that she might be a spy sent by Da Furen. As for Hong Luo, because she was Accounting Manager Liu’s daughter, who was awaiting to marry and wasn’t connected to any of the masters in the entire residence, they didn’t keep a close eye on her especially since she was dependable and honest. She didn’t speak much and gradually won their trust and began doing more work in the residence.
Tonight, it was Bai Zhi and Hong Luo’s shifts.
Li Wei Yang was thirsty before bedtime and instructed someone to
bring tea over. Bai Zhi really liked Hong Luo, this reserved yet hardworking
yatou, and had the intention of letting her show her face to the master. In
the future, once she was released, their master could bestow more to her, so she
sent her to serve tea to Xiaojie.
Hong Luo lowered her head and Li Wei Yang inexplicably looked at
her arm. It wasn’t a big deal if she didn’t see it but with a glimpse, Li Wei
Yang noticed an oddity from her wrist.
Hong Luo usually dressed plainly. Besides the mandatory accessories,
she hadn't worn any special ones. But today, a jade bangle appeared on her
wrist.
It wasn’t a big deal, but it was odd that she hid the jade
bangle under her sleeves. If Li Wei Yang didn’t lean in closer, this jade
bangle wouldn’t have been seen by anyone.
Li Wei Yang had seen countless jewelry so she naturally
recognized this bangle was not ordinary. The whole bangle was made of green
jade, not a speck of defects could be seen and it was brightly shining in the
dark.
She remembered that Mo Zhu had said before that Hong Luo’s
father was a small manager in the accounting room and she also had two older
brothers waiting to marry so they promised her off to someone, hoping they
could have more gifts for her brothers' marriages. This kind of family would
buy such a valuable jade bangle for their daughter?
Numerous thoughts flashed across Li Wei Yang’s mind and in the
end, not a single trace of change appeared on her face as she laid down as
usual, turned her body. She listened to Hong Luo quietly retreating yet her
eyes were still wide open.
Was she too suspicious? Perhaps, it was gifted by her future
in-laws?
The next morning after waking up, Li Wei Yang put on a normal
expression when she saw Hong Luo and then found an excuse to send her out. She
then called Mo Zhu and Bai Zhi to inquire, Mo Zhu replied: “Hong Luo’s mother
originally promised her off to someone but for an unexplained reason, the
marriage was called off. So her father begged the housekeeper to let Hong Luo
stay in the residence to help out.”
Bai Zhi became more watchful because of what happened to Zi Yan:
“Xiaojie, do you suspect Hong Luo ……”
Li Wei Yang shook her head. It was only a valuable jade bangle,
what could this prove?
But Hong Luo’s monthly allowance was little and she didn’t have
much chance to leave the Li residence. Nothing had been missing from her
place either. If this bangle wasn’t stolen then where could it come from?
Li Wei Yang said: “You both pretend like you know nothing. If
there’s nothing wrong with her, then that’s good. But if there’s a problem, it
must be handled with evidence.”
Honestly speaking, she didn’t wish to see a second Zi Yan appear
but things were like this in the world. The more you didn’t want something to
happen, there was a higher possibility that it would.
Compared to Zi Yan who had lots of loopholes, Hong Luo grew up
in the Li family. Her work was steady and keen, and she was seen as a clever
yatou. But the smarter she was, the easier it was for her to become
overconfident. If she didn’t wear the jade bangle, Li Wei Yang wouldn’t have
discovered. But in this world, once a woman saw a valuable and beautiful
jewelry, even if they had to hide it underneath their clothing, they would
still want to wear it for the feeling. Hong Luo was after all a woman, she couldn’t bear
the pain of simply looking at the beautiful jewelry so she took a risk.
After that matter, Hong Luo carefully recalled Xiaojie’s
expression that night and her body was suddenly drenched with sweat. She didn’t dare wear
that bangle again and she put in all her efforts to serve Li Wei Yang.
Three days later, Bai Zhi came to report: “Xiaojie, Nubi has
been secretly keeping a close eye on her, but she is very prudent in her work
and she doesn’t interact with outsiders. There is nothing unusual.”
Li Wei Yang nodded and said: “Perhaps she became aware.”
Bai Zhi was stunned, she anxiously said: “Could it be that Nubi
wasn’t careful enough and revealed our intentions?”
Li Wei Yang shook her head, she said: “Even the cleverest fox will
eventually reveal its tail, let’s wait longer.”
Li Wei Yang was right. After waiting for three days, Hong Luo
didn’t notice any unusual behavior from Xiaojie and believed she was
oversensitive, so she finally took action.
That night, Bai Zhi and a mama who were responsible for guarding
the night caught Hong Luo sneaking around. Bai Zhi ordered people to stuff her
mouth and then personally brought her in front of Li Wei Yang.
Li Wei Yang looked at Hong Luo’s trembling body and laughed: “Why
are you so frightened?”
Bai Zhi approached forth and then pull out the cloth stuffed in
Hong Luo’s mouth. Hong Luo immediately said: “Xiaojie, what did Nubi do wrong?”
Li Wei Yang saw that she deliberately put on an expression as if
nothing had happened. She calmly smiled and said: “I’ve treated you well, why
did you betray me?”
Hong Luo tightly pursed her lips, she didn’t speak one word yet
cold sweat endlessly rolled down her forehead.
Li Wei Yang knew Hong Luo couldn’t be compared with Zi Yan who
didn’t have any experience with fights. Zi Yan had just arrived from Ping Cheng
and she had read many plays so she still had dreams of becoming a phoenix. But
Hong Luo was raised inside the Li family's residence so she knew the outcome of Nubis
that participated in the inner fights within the family wouldn’t end well and
thus wouldn’t end her own future because of tiny temptations. Da Furen must have
had something of Hong Luo in her hand and then gave her threats and
promises.
Pondering up to here, Li Wei Yang softly spoke: “Hong Luo, you
haven’t passed 15 yet this year, a height of one’s youth. I often
lamented the tragic end of beautiful women. Even more, I lamented the
lives of women. Once we take a wrong step, we waste our whole life. So as a
woman, we must learn to cherish ourselves. Hong Luo, don’t just be concerned
about what’s present now, you must think about your long future!”
Hong Luo astonishingly looked at Li Wei Yang, her face whitened
and her body was still like a wooden carving.
Li Wei Yang sighed, Bai Zhi said: “Hong Luo, Xiaojie is giving
you a chance to be honest with her. She is doing you a favor. I saw you just
now obviously burying something, I’ve already sent someone to dig it out. Why
don’t you tell us honestly? This is a chance for you to atone for your crime with
a good deed.”
Hong Luo’s expression changed unpredictably. She watched Li Wei
Yang’s water-clear eyes and remained silent.
Li Wei Yang gradually said: “Hong Luo, you are prudent, and your
work is clean. I’ve been thinking of you highly. Two days ago Bai Zhi even
mentioned promoting you to a first-level yatou but why do you want to demolish
your future? If I fall, you are my yatou, where else better can you go?”
Hong Luo lowered her head, for a long time, she didn’t say a
word.
Li Wei Yang knew she was struggling on the inside, she didn’t
press her. Only the silent hourglass could be heard as a grain of sand crawled
past.
Hong Luo was already drenched with sweat. When she finally
opened her mouth to speak, she almost couldn’t hear her own voice: “Nubi is
wrong, Xiaojie, please point Nubi to a path of livelihood.”
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Translator: chaierie
Editor: Panisa
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