The Fourth Lady novel Chapter 5

Qingyan's voice startled the people outside the door. As soon as Zizhu pushed open the door she called out, "Miss, what happened?"

Looking at the blur of the retreating purple figure, Qingyan dully replied, "Nothing, it was just that a mouse had suddenly appeared in the room earlier, but I've already driven it away."

After she finished her words, she picked up the books on the edge of the desk and proceeded to read them.

Murong Jingxuan, who was lying on the roof, listened to Qingyan's every word clearly, and couldn't help but to think: he was probably that big mouse without a doubt.

"Miss, it's getting late, it's best to rest early."

"I'll rest after finishing these few pages." Qingyan smiled at Zizhu as she said this, "You can go rest first."

"Yes." Zizhu gently closed the door behind her as she left the room.

Qingyan rested one hand on her chin as she sat at the edge of the desk, pondering over what Murong Jingxuan had just said.

Just why did she know how to play that [Thousand Beasts and Phoenix] tune, that had been lost for 5 years, that was because in this world only she alone could play this tune. And if this tune were to be played by a flute made from blood jade*, then it would cause the scene of a thousand beasts facing the Phoenix, and it was also the sign of the thousand beasts' court.

(*TN: Exactly as the name suggests, it's a type of red jade)

She raised her head to look towards the scenery outside the window, silently mouthing: "From now on, Qilian Qingyan shall cease to exist in this world."

Meanwhile, an elderly woman was respectfully kneeling in a room of the second house, relaying everything that was seen and heard during the day to her, and this elderly woman was precisely Su Qingyan's wet nurse––Granny Ruo.

As Ning Siyao listened to granny Ruo's reply, she continued to embroider the handkerchief one thread one stitch at a time. "Granny Ruo, I believe you should know what to do?"

"This old servant will definitely discipline the fourth young miss well, she grew up drinking my milk, and she has always listened to me in the past." Granny Ruo replied still with a face full of respect.

They all say a wise man submits to circumstances, the fourth miss was stupid and foolish, despite having the old madam* back her, she wasn't the type of master one would want win over. In order enjoy a fruitful retirement in the future, she needed to think for herself.

(*TN: the matriarch of the house, Qingyan's grandmother)

Ning Siyao placed down the handkerchief that was in her hands and made her servant girl bring out a sack of silver*, placing it in Granny Ruo's hands. She happily accepted the bag and with a thousand thanks, left Ning Siyao's place.

(*TN: 银子[yínzi] - The currency used at the time)

"Madam, why are you so generous with that old woman, no matter what she's just our pawn." Nianchun said this while looking to Ning Siyao in unjust. "What's the point of wasting money on that kind of servant."

"Chun'er, money is just a materialistic matter. If it can manage to kill that lowly girl, then wouldn't our wishes be granted? Besides, there's even an old servant willing to take the fall for us. This way we get the best of both worlds." Ning Siyao, while saying such cruel things, smiled as if she had never been a part of any of it.

"Madam is right, it was I that overlooked this point. That lass was fortunate this time that she didn't drown to death, what other brilliant plans does madam have next?" Nianxia squatted next to Ning Siyao, gently massaging her back.

Ning Siyao laid down on the soft couch, holding her forehead with one hand as she replied smiling, "There's no harm, just let her be complacent for a few days."

"Madam is right, how could that girl rival madam." Niandong also started to earnestly massage Ning Siyao's legs.

And at that time, another one of Qingyan's servant girl, Xiaocui, was currently kneeling in the third house. Chai Yiyun looked to the girl kneeling in front of her as she let her maid massage her.

"According to what you said, that girl, as soon as she woke, changed as if she'd become another person." Chai Yiyun dryly said this as she looked at the servant girl, "What's the reason?"