Favoring a concubine and destroying the wife? I'll abandon my husband and children and wipe out

The next day, Sanmei, who hadn't slept all night, endured her injuries, tidied herself up, and went to work.

Chunyu was surprised: "You're not fully recovered yet, why are you here?"

Sanmei didn't want to say more. "I'm almost fully recovered. Besides, as a servant, how can I not serve my master? Is it really reasonable for me to stay in bed for a few more days?"

Chunyu, who was also a servant, sympathized with him and said, "Alright, I'll do all the heavy work for you. Just take care of yourself."

"Thanks." Sanmei looked at her gratefully.

A short while later, a noise came from inside; Ye Ruyue had gotten up.

The two of them hurried inside to help her with her washing and grooming.

When Ye Ruyue saw Sanmei, she was reminded of what happened yesterday, and she didn't give her a good look, frequently making things difficult for her by pointing out this and that.

Sanmei endured it all, bowing her head and doing everything with exceptional respect before Ye Ruyue finally let her go.

"Alright, you can go now. We don't need you here anymore."

Sanmei should have gone out, but she was careful and didn't go far. Standing in the wind, she could clearly hear the sounds inside.

"Where is the master? Did he go to court?" Ye Ruyue's impatient voice faintly rang out.

Sanmei was immediately struck as if by a blow to the head, her pupils constricting slightly.

Chunyu replied, "This servant does not know. According to the rules, we cannot approach the master's courtyard without permission."

"Then go and find out now. If the magistrate hasn't gone to court yet, invite him here!"

Ye Ruyue wanted to seize every opportunity to win over Zhao Ye's affections, and also to settle accounts with Zhao Ye for his visit to Guantang Courtyard last night!

Early in the morning is a good time; Cheng Nanzhi hasn't gotten up yet and won't notice.

Sanmei was too stunned to hear what Ye Ruyue and Chunyu said afterward.

Hiding, Sanmei saw Chunyu go out and, as if possessed, followed her. She then witnessed Chunyu meeting with Qian Yidong and talking to him!

Qian Yidong left in a hurry, and a moment later, footsteps approached again.

Sanmei turned her head and saw that it really was Zhao Ye!

He was still quite impatient and went straight to Ye Ruyue's courtyard, where he stayed for a while before leaving.

But as he walked out, he straightened his collar and instructed Qian Yidong, who was following him, to go to the private vault and fetch some things for Ye Ruyue!

Sanmei remained rooted to the spot.

After an unknown amount of time, Chunyu came out to look for her.

Sanmei hurriedly responded.

"Where have you been? Miss Biao is looking for you to serve her breakfast. She needs to pay her respects to the old lady later. It wouldn't be good if you were late!" Chunyu said.

Sanmei made up a random excuse, but couldn't help asking, "What did you do for Miss Biao this morning?"

Chunyu was taken aback, then said in a low voice, "Sanmei, servants should talk less and do more, and not ask too many questions."

Sanmei felt as if she had been struck a heavy blow.

Upon seeing Ye Ruyue, she was somewhat displeased that Sanmei had arrived late, and scolded her a few times with a stern face.

Sanmei silently endured it all, obediently serving Ye Ruyue until she was finished, then Ye Ruyue left with Chunyu.

After a morning of turmoil, Sanmei's injuries were throbbing, but she seemed oblivious, walking blankly towards her lodgings.

Just as they were about to arrive, Sanmei suddenly stopped, as if she had figured something out. Taking advantage of Ye Ruyue's absence, she turned around and left abruptly.

At this moment, Cheng Nanzhi was about to rise in Guantang Courtyard.

She didn't plan to go to Shou'an Hall to pay her respects today, so she only sent a maid to inform Old Madam Zhao that she wasn't feeling well. Given what happened yesterday, Old Madam Zhao wouldn't disagree.

"Qingdai, take the cushion that Zhao Ye used last night and burn it later."

Zhao Ye came over last night for dinner, and afterwards wanted to stay.

Cheng Nanzhi had already reached her limit in enduring being in the same room with him, so she immediately used the excuse of feeling unwell to send Zhao Ye away.

It was clear that Zhao Ye was not happy.

But who cares?

She found even things Zhao Ye had used disgusting.

Qingdai also disliked the ominous sign and readily agreed to do so.

Lianruo brought breakfast, and Cheng Nanzhi was just about to eat when Lan came in to report: "Miss, a maid wants to see you."

When she said this, Cheng Nanzhi did not ask Lianruo to step back and leave.

Lianruo asked curiously, "Where did this maid come from at this hour? Now that Madam doesn't manage the household affairs anymore, what does she want with Madam?"

Seeing Lan glance at Cheng Nanzhi and see her nod, she said directly, "It's Sanmei, the maidservant of Miss Shou'an Hall. When I saw her arrive, I sent the others away and led her to wait in the backyard."

Lianruo was taken aback: "What are the people from Miss Biao's side doing at our Guantang Courtyard? And why... did they send the others away?"

"I don't know," Lan replied.

Cheng Nanzhi put down her chopsticks. "Jianlan, bring her here. Lianruo, you can go out now. Tell the other servants in the courtyard that they are not allowed to come in without my permission."

Lianruo glanced at Cheng Nanzhi, puzzled, and then stepped back.

Jianlan quickly brought Sanmei along.

"Madam!" Sanmei knelt down with a thud.

She arrived full of anxiety, thinking she might never see Guantang Courtyard again. Unexpectedly, she was extremely lucky to run into Jianlan, whom she had met once before. She asked Jianlan to pass on a message, and she actually got to see her!

Sanmei went straight to the point: "Madam, please allow me to report something concerning you and Miss Biao!"

Only she and Cheng Nanzhi were in the room.

Cheng Nanzhi feigned confusion: "What?"

Sanmei gritted her teeth and said, "My lord... it seems that my lord is interested in Miss Biao!"

Cheng Nanzhi's face immediately darkened: "Do you know what you're saying?! My husband is truly devoted to me and has promised to have only me for the rest of his life. How could he have changed his mind!"

Sanmei was surprised that Madam seemed not to have noticed anything.

But having come this far, Sanmei had no choice but to bite the bullet and try her best. Perhaps the madam would reward her even more for telling her the truth and preventing her from being kept in the dark?

"This servant dares not lie in the slightest! This morning, this servant personally witnessed the master sneaking over to see Miss Biao, and the two of them, a man and a woman alone together, stayed for quite a long time!"

"what?!"

Cheng Nanzhi looked utterly shocked and incredulous.

After Sanmei repeatedly swore that she hadn't said anything wrong, Cheng Nanzhi feigned a heartbroken stunned silence, then tried to appear calm: "How can you be sure this isn't something you deliberately did to deceive me! What is your purpose in coming here against your will?!"

“Madam, I didn’t want to do such a thing either, but Miss Ye is far from being as gentle and kind as she appears!” Sanmei told Ye Ruyue about how she had made things difficult for her, and kowtowed, saying, “I don’t want anything, I only beg Madam to give me a chance to serve you, for my sake!”

As soon as she finished speaking, Sanmei's heart leaped into her throat, and she waited anxiously for the result.

She dared not look up, but heard what sounded like a sobbing, which lasted for a while before disappearing.

Immediately afterwards, the lady's voice, feigning strength, rang out: "I understand. However, I cannot question my husband because of your words, otherwise, if it is false, wouldn't it damage our marital relationship? I will find another way to verify it."

The lady paused for a moment, seemingly considering it seriously, and said solemnly, "Right now, I do have an opportunity to confirm this. Are you willing to help me? If what I find is true, I will give you a bright future."

Sanmei was overjoyed: "This servant is willing! Please tell me, Madam!"

Cheng Nanzhi then called her forward and whispered in her ear.