Xiqiu was filled with surprise, but felt embarrassed to show it, so she asked, "How could this happen? Have you found out who the person is?"

Madam Le shook her head, "No name, no identity. We interrogated the wretched girl all night, but she wouldn’t reveal anything. Even the few maids around her kept their lips sealed. In my anger, I sold them all off. Right now, she’s locked up in her room and hasn’t eaten anything since last night. She wouldn’t listen to Pingrong either."

"Don’t be too upset, you’ll only harm yourself by getting angry. She’s just a child. With proper reasoning, she’ll eventually understand. There’s no issue between mother and daughter that can’t be resolved!" Xiqiu could only offer such persuasion, as it wasn’t a glorious matter, and as an outsider, she couldn’t say much.

Madam Le wiped her tears, looking like she resented iron for not being steel, and struck the table, "No need to investigate further, let her be. We’ll set off back tomorrow, she will never be allowed to come to the Capital again!"

It seemed she wanted to resolve the issue with time and distance. Xiqiu nodded slightly and sighed, "The journey will be rough; you should persuade her to eat, her health is important."

Madam Le replied with lingering anger, "Let her starve for all I care, at least it saves me some peace." She gripped Xiqiu’s hand, "What sin have I committed to have a youngest daughter so late, both the Marquis and I were overjoyed, cherishing her dearly, yet she turned out to be so heartless. If only I had known, I would have strangled her newborn!"

Xiqiu and Madam Ruan softly consoled her.

Originally intending to leave after delivering mooncakes, Xiqiu now felt embarrassed to mention leaving. "Those are just words of anger. She’s not a child who doesn’t know the weight of things. This is the age of budding romance, guide her properly, you can’t just let her be!"

Madam Le sighed, about to speak when suddenly the curtain was lifted, and Ruan Pingrong rushed in. Seeing Xiqiu there, she froze, her complexion changing and unable to react for a moment.

"What’s going on?" Madam Ruan asked with a frown.

Ruan Pingrong snapped back to reality and stammered, eyes on Xiqiu, "It’s Yao, she...she took a knife and wants to..."

"Ah!" Madam Le jumped up and then fainted.

Madam Ruan ran around anxiously, "Sister-in-law," then looked outside, "Someone, go call a doctor!"

Xiqiu also went over to help, while Ruan Pingrong, startled, retreated repeatedly until she quietly slipped out as things seemed grim.

The room was chaotic. Xiqiu said to Madam Ruan, "I’ll keep an eye here; you should go see Yao. Make sure nothing bad happens." Madam Ruan, realizing Le Yao was still causing trouble down there, didn’t even have time to be polite and nodded, "I’ll go there; I leave my sister-in-law in your care."

Xiqiu agreed, and Madam Ruan hurriedly left with her people.

Xiqiu pressed the accupoint and gave warm water; after much effort, Madam Le slowly regained consciousness. Tears streamed down as she grabbed Xiqiu, crying, "See, just a moment ago, I said she was sensible, and in the blink of an eye, she’s battling with life and death. What kind of young lady is she? Talking about marriage at such an age, aren’t you afraid of losing face!"

Xiqiu supported her, "Take a rest, have some more water." Madam Le took a sip with Xiqiu’s help, still furious, "If we were at home, I’d tie her up and lock her in a room to discipline her. But here..." Being at the Marquis Jinxiang Mansion was inconvenient, she added, "If she dies today, that’ll be the end, but if not, I’ll settle the score with her thoroughly."

Xiqiu glanced awkwardly at the maids standing by and interrupted, "Lie down and rest; Madam Ruan has gone, everything will be fine. She’s young and just playing around; she’ll calm down soon."

Madam Le, initially blinded by rage, now realized there were many people present. She opened her mouth but didn’t continue cursing.

A moment passed without Madam Ruan returning; instead, her trusted aide came and said to Xiqiu, "Fourth Madam, our madam invites you over."

Invite her over? Xiqiu was puzzled, and Madam Le furrowed her brows worriedly at Xiqiu. Xiqiu nodded slightly and said to Madam Le, "I don’t know what it’s about, so I’ll go check. Do rest well."

Madam Le squeezed her hand tightly, nodding, "Thank you." Xiqiu smiled slightly, and Madam Le added, "I won’t be formal with you. We’re practically family. Even though you’re young, you’re senior in rank. When you see Yao, don’t hold back, scold her like she’s your daughter; only by scolding her awake will she learn."

As a daughter?

Xiqiu nodded with a wry smile, "It’s not as serious as you say!" After exchanging a few more words, she went with the aide to Le Yao’s room.

The room was chaotic, inside and out, with maids standing in the courtyard. When Xiqiu entered with Bihuai and Biwu, all the maids bowed, and faint sounds of sobbing could be heard from inside the room.

Xiqiu entered, seeing Madam Ruan standing outside the door, continuously dodging pillows and porcelain vases flying from inside. Ruan Pingrong supported Madam Ruan as they both stepped back, and Xiqiu approached, "Madam Ruan."

"You’re here." Madam Ruan seemed relieved and urgently called inside, "Stop this, Fourth Madam is here. Don’t you have something to say to her?"

Xiqiu frowned, hearing Le Yao’s voice from inside, "Let Fourth Madam in; the rest of you leave."

Madam Ruan looked helpless, came over to Xiqiu, and said, "She refuses to see anyone but insists on seeing you. Please go and see her, try to persuade her. I really don’t know what to do with this girl."

Xiqiu did not understand why Le Yao wanted to see her, but given the situation, it wasn’t the time to ask, so she nodded, "I’ll go inside and see if I can help."

Madam Ruan agreed. Xiqiu turned to head inside, catching sight of Ruan Pingrong nervously holding onto Madam Ruan, her face pale.

Her suspicion grew. Could it have something to do with her?

Le Yao was in her undergarments, hair down, barefooted, jumping and shouting. Seeing Xiqiu enter, her eyes lit up, and she slammed the door shut.

Xiqiu looked at her, startled. Watching her turn around and show a urgent look on her youthful, delicate face, she fetched a letter from her bosom and handed it to Xiqiu, urgently whispering, "Fourth Madam, please give this letter to Minzhi and tell him he must wait for me."

It felt as if something cold climbed from her feet to her head, the chill spreading to the depths of her eyes. Xiqiu’s face darkened as she glanced at the letter without reading it, asking, "Minzhi? My seventh brother?"

"Yes, yes!" Le Yao unabashedly said, "Please tell him, my mother wants to take me back. You can’t fight city hall, but I’ll definitely return. He mustn’t marry anyone; tell him to wait for me."