Chapter 105: Discord Within the Heavenly Family

“Speak up, who was it? Otherwise, I’ll wrap iron nails around this whip and lash you.” Fang Yuan yelled viciously.

Zhang Sizan burst into tears immediately. “I don’t know! The man looked like someone from the Eastern Palace. He said the Marquis had offended his master and asked me to help vent his anger.”

“Who are you trying to fool? You’re an old hand in the palace. You actually obeyed an unknown person’s orders? Tell me who sent you, or you’ll regret it.” Fang Yuan didn’t believe a word. To survive in the palace that long and become someone close to the Empress, one must have navigated countless intrigues. No one would stoop to such a thing for five hundred taels.

“I really don’t know, please spare me!” The old hag kept crying out, but Fang Yuan showed no mercy, beating her more and more brutally.

Cai Cong supported the bandaged Cai Jie’er and watched from a distance. The servants of the mansion were also summoned to watch.

“Enough talk. My mother is the mistress of this household. You servants see how this old hag abuses her, yet you remain indifferent. What use are you? I say this once: remember it well. If this happens again, everyone will be flogged to death.”

Cai Cong spoke calmly, but the murderous aura accumulated from recent killings terrified the servants, who knelt trembling in silence.

“Reward the gatekeeper, Xiao Niu, ten taels of silver. Keep a good watch; this old hag will suffer greatly.” Cai Cong said, then helped the tearful Cai Jie’er back to rest. If she stayed any longer, her compassion might compel her to plead for the old woman.

Qiu Yue arrived at the palace gate and handed over the token. Someone quickly went to report it, and soon a young eunuch came to escort her.

“Your servant Qiu Yue pays respects to Her Majesty the Empress.” Upon entering, Qiu Yue knelt, head bowed, too afraid to look up. If even a palace steward was so cruel, the Empress must be terrifying.

“Get up! What trouble is your Marquis causing now? He just left not long ago!” Changsun said casually, friendly and without any airs.

“Your Majesty, the Marquis sent me to request a female doctor to treat my mistress’s injuries,” Qiu Yue said nervously.

“What happened to your mistress? Isn’t she studying etiquette? How did she get hurt?” Changsun asked, puzzled.

Qiu Yue’s expression changed. She clenched her teeth and said with eyes closed, “She was beaten by Zhang Sizan, whom you sent. Whenever my mistress displeases her, she beats her. Today, her left hand is swollen like a hoof, bruised all over.”

“How dare she!”

“Ah!”

Changsun glared fiercely and shouted, scaring Qiu Yue into a trembling collapse.

“Who gave her the right to beat a titled lady?”

“She said it was Your Majesty,” Qiu Yue whispered so softly Changsun barely heard. “That’s why my mistress dared not speak back.”

“Summon two female doctors immediately. You, take some men and flog those insolent servants thirty lashes each.” Changsun said coldly, already imagining Cai Cong’s fury. He didn’t execute them on the spot, leaving that to her.

If rumors spread, people would think she allowed servants to bully nobles, damaging her reputation. Her anger intensified. “Flog these vile servants to death.”

Qiu Yue trembled, realizing the Empress was truly more terrifying—she could order death with a mere word.

The eunuchs were grim and silent, squinting, while the two female doctors smiled softly, speaking gently as they asked about the mistress’s injuries. Their tone was soothing.

“The two sisters have arrived. This is our Marquis’s residence. Since he was just granted the title today, the plaque says ‘Earl’s Mansion.’” The carriage stopped at the gate. Qiu Yue jumped down proudly, boasting to the two female doctors, ignoring the eunuchs.

“Marquis! Marquis! The Empress sent people!” Qiu Yue shouted excitedly, thrilled to see the Empress’s envoy.

“Don’t make such a fuss. Where are they?” Cai Cong came out to ask.

Qiu Yue glanced behind at the empty street, blushing awkwardly. “I ran too fast. They’re still behind! I’ll go fetch them.”

“No need. We’re here.” The leading eunuch smiled and saluted Cai Cong, then said to the two female attendants, “You must do your utmost to diagnose Lady Xiao Jia. If anyone finds you negligent, Zhang Long, that vile maid, will be your fate.”

“We understand and will do our best,” the two female attendants whispered. Although the eunuch had been silent the whole way, his rank far exceeded theirs.

“Qiu Yue, take them inside.” Cai Cong then asked the eunuch, “Why did you come personally?”

“The Empress said she owes you an apology this time and sent me to explain.” The eunuch spoke cheerfully. He was Gao Xian, the chief eunuch beside Changsun.

“Then come with me! Everyone is in the courtyard.” Cai Cong led the way, with Gao Xian half a step behind, walking naturally by his side.

“Should we gather all the servants? This will leave a deep impression.” Gao Xian said casually. Cai Cong nodded thoughtfully and called a servant to summon everyone.

Zhang Long was covered in whip scars, lips cracked, head drooping weakly against the rockery.

“Where are they? Handle it as you see fit!” Cai Cong said casually. Zhang Long opened her eyes and, seeing Gao Xian, shouted wildly, “Chief Eunuch, save me! Cai Cong is rebelling! I’m the Empress’s servant, yet he tied me up and beat me like I was nothing, defying Her Majesty.”

“Marquis, please remain seated. I will report after enforcing the house rules.”

“The others don’t matter, but Zhang Long must not die. She was sent to sow discord between me and the Eastern Palace. This must be reported to the Empress for her judgment.” Cai Cong glanced at the old crone, who kept insisting the Eastern Palace paid her.

“The Empress’s orders were to execute them all. You know, since His Majesty ascended, the one forced to abdicate has been uneasy and jealous of the imperial family.” Gao Xian whispered just for Cai Cong.

Cai Cong nodded silently and turned away, his mind restless. Li Yuan—it was really Li Yuan. It made sense. Li Shimin killed his favored son, blamed it on the fourth prince, and forced him to abdicate. Such slights would breed resentment and dark deeds, especially in the dead of night.

He admired how Li Yuan managed to orchestrate this under heavy surveillance without being discovered. Founding emperors were never simple men.

Half an hour later, Gao Xian reported, “It’s a pity you didn’t watch, Marquis. Those maids were like torn sacks—no blood despite the beating, but their bones are all broken. Truly fascinating.”

“What about Zhang Long?” Cai Cong was not interested in how they were beaten. No cruelty could surpass slow slicing or skinning alive.

“To prevent her from talking nonsense, she was the first to be killed. I was going to offer you some tea, but it’s late now. I’ll return to report.”

“Very well. I’ll see you out.” Cai Cong smiled and walked out. Gao Xian followed. At the gate, someone handed Gao Xian a food box.

“Thank you all for your long journey. This is a simple meal for the road.”

Gao Xian weighed the box and smiled, “Thank you, Marquis.” Opening it in the carriage revealed two pounds of the finest tea, said to be unattainable even with money, ten taels of gold, and two large silver ingots.

“Tell the men, today the Marquis shares his meal, and when returning, each person will receive five taels of silver.”