Upon descending the hill and returning to the residence, Feng Yao carried Su Yuxin, leaping back into their room through the window. As they settled in after removing their garments, the knock of the Blue Sparrow resonated from outside. Su Yuxin, bending her eyes into a smile, immediately displayed a mischievous sense of accomplishment. Feng Yao, somewhat helpless, playfully tapped Su Yuxin's petite nose. This young lady resembled a well-fed cat, adorable yet tantalizingly lazy.
"Come in," Feng Yao announced loudly. Subsequently, the door creaked open, and both Blue Sparrow and Purple Kite entered the room. Behind them, three or four young maidservants followed, carrying copper basins, towels, and water jugs, attending to tasks outside. Through the curtain, Blue Sparrow asked, "General, Madam, would you need the maidservants to assist in dressing?"
"No need," Feng Yao declined. He never had anyone attending to his grooming, such trivial matters did not require additional assistance.
"I'll do it," Su Yuxin proclaimed enthusiastically, eager to redeem herself for yesterday's incident of wrapping Feng Yao like a zongzi. However, instead of rectifying the situation, she ended up tying Feng Yao into a knot again. Feng Yao chuckled, undoing the tightly knotted belt, and said, "Allow me."
"Ah," Su Yuxin retreated awkwardly, poking her fingers together, feeling embarrassed. Feng Yao swiftly dressed himself and then assisted Su Yuxin. Consequently, Su Yuxin felt increasingly embarrassed. She vowed internally to assist the General properly next time, although this goal exhausted both Blue Sparrow and Purple Kite.
With Feng Yao's persuasion, Su Yuxin ate an extra bowl of fresh shrimp and egg soup during breakfast compared to her usual consumption. While eating, she intermittently touched her small belly, concerned that such eating habits might transform her into a round ball, realizing she would need to exercise more in the future.
"I have to go to the military camp today and won't return until evening. If you feel bored, feel free to go out, but remember to take enough guards," Feng Yao advised.
"Okay," Su Yuxin nodded. "Remember to have your lunch on time and don't overexert yourself."
Finally, in a hushed tone, she added, "Otherwise, I'll worry."
After saying this, she felt her face heat up. Feng Yao pulled Su Yuxin into an embrace, planting a kiss on her forehead, smiling with tenderness and contentment. It was a wonderful feeling to be cared for by someone you loved.
Once Feng Yao left, Purple Kite smilingly commented, "The General truly treats the Madam well." Su Yuxin blushed coyly, exuding happiness from head to toe. She was incredibly fortunate to be his wife.
Back in Yimei Garden, Su Yuxin received a report from Blue Sparrow detailing the recently finalized inventory of the warehouse and a list of items pawned off by Taohong. A full page worth of records revealed how Taohong had schemed over the years. She laughed at herself for having placed so much trust in her before.
"Bring Taohong here," Su Yuxin commanded. Today, she intended to settle things with Taohong once and for all.
Taohong had been confined to the firewood room for the past few days, perpetually on edge. Combined with inadequate food and sleep and no one to turn to, she had quickly lost weight and appeared almost skeletal. When brought in, she was still hunched over, resembling a shrimp. Upon seeing Su Yuxin, Taohong instinctively trembled.
For some inexplicable reason, the sight of Su Yuxin filled her with dread from the depths of her heart.
"Have you no manners upon seeing the Madam?" the attendant who escorted her directly kicked her knee. Taohong finally regained her composure, falling to her knees in fear, pleading, "Madam, the slave knows her wrongs. Please spare the slave's life, I beg of you."
"Wrongs?" Su Yuxin raised an eyebrow. "Tell me, where did you go wrong?"
"I should not have been so shallow-minded and pawned off Madam's jewelry," Taohong trembled as she spoke.
"Is that all?" Su Yuxin lightly tapped the table with her fingers, each tap resonating in Taohong's heart. "And what else?"
"I shouldn't have falsely accused others or shifted blame onto others," Taohong bit her lip.
"What else?" Su Yuxin raised her gaze.
"And...," Taohong hesitated, feeling unsure whether she should speak.
"I don't have time for this," Su Yuxin glanced at Taohong coldly. "If you're unwilling to speak, then save it for the officials at the government office in the capital."
Upon hearing this, Taohong's face turned pale. "No, please, don't. I'll talk, I'll talk. I shouldn't have secretly passed messages to the Second Miss, let alone follow her instructions to sow discord between Madam and the General."
"I have treated you generously these past years, yet you've betrayed me," Su Yuxin spoke composedly. "Tell me, how should I deal with you?"
"The slave deserves death. Whatever punishment the Madam deems fit, the slave will not dare to complain," Taohong uttered fearfully.
"Hit or scold? I have no time for that now," Su Yuxin's eyes were piercing. "Purple Kite, go summon the steward. Send her to the authorities."
"No, please," Taohong begged, desperately kowtowing. "Madam, spare me, and I will serve you as an ox or horse."
"I won't keep someone disloyal by my side," Su Yuxin stood up, looking down at Taohong. "When you betrayed me, you should have expected this day would come."
"Madam, I'll never dare again. Please spare me for our past relationship," Taohong crawled forward, attempting to grab Su Yuxin's leg, but was kicked away by Purple Kite.
"You, a disloyal opportunist, still have the face to talk about our past relationship," Purple Kite spat.
"Madam, the slave truly won't dare again. I beg for your mercy," Taohong ignored Purple Kite, incessantly kowtowing, pleading.
Su Yuxin merely smiled coldly. Soon, Zhou Zheng arrived and, after learning the truth, silenced Taohong and dispatched her to the government office in the capital.
Observing Taohong being led away, Su Yuxin squinted slightly. Debts owed from the past must be repaid; favors owed to her must be returned. Now, Taohong was the first. She wondered who the next one would be. Nevertheless, she wouldn't let a single one escape.
Witnessing Su Yuxin's ruthless handling of Taohong, Old Nanny Luo couldn't help but light three sticks of incense.
Su Yuxin couldn't help but laugh and feel a pang of sadness.
"Old Nanny, rest assured. The past Su Yuxin has died,
and the present Su Yuxin has been reborn, completely cutting ties with the past," Su Yuxin declared.
"Ahem, ahem..." Old Nanny Luo hurriedly coughed and clasped her hands, murmuring repeatedly, "Children speak their minds, but the wind will blow them away."
This statement made the initially melancholic Su Yuxin laugh.
"All this talk about life and death, and no taboos," Old Nanny Luo reproved gently, touching Su Yuxin's forehead firmly. "Pay attention from now on."
"Yes, yes, you're right," Su Yuxin leaned into Old Nanny Luo's embrace, acting like a child.
She didn't fear these matters. Without the death in her past life, there would be no rebirth in her present life.