Chapter 21: The Maid Jianxue

Tang Wu’s voice drifted from behind.

"Chaochao is right; it is indeed time to change the plaque. Otherwise, if the Emperor finds out, it will be difficult to explain."

Tang Wen, having just stepped off the carriage, turned pale at these words. If the plaque were changed to "General’s Residence," it would cement the fact that he had been relying on his elder brother’s status. Furthermore, the "Tang Residence" plaque had hung on this house for many years, and the Emperor had never once spoken a word against it.

He stepped forward and said, "Brother, there is no rush to change the plaque. Let me help you inside to rest first."

Tang Chaochao grinned. "There is no need to trouble you, Second Uncle, to assist my father; my mother is right here! If you have the time, you would be better off finding someone to replace that plaque!"

Tang Wen’s expression darkened, and he retracted his outstretched hand in embarrassment. This young niece was the complete opposite of her elder sister. Tang Mumu had been a noble lady; although she was not close to them, she had never been so disrespectful to her elders.

*Tang Chaochao!*

Watching the family of three walk into the manor, Tang Wen clenched his fists.

Entering this Imperial-granted General’s Residence, Tang Chaochao understood why the others did not want to move out. Pavilions, terraces, and intricately carved beams were all present, and most importantly, it was unimaginably large. It was worth noting that this house was situated in the prime location of the capital, surrounded by the residences of officials of the third rank and above.

"Father, isn't it said that members of a noble family share in each other's glory and disgrace? Why does Grandmother favor Second Uncle so much? Is she not afraid of upsetting you?"

Tang Wu’s expression turned grim at the mention of this. Song Rongzhi sighed and said, "It is because we have no son. With no one to inherit this vast family estate, everyone assumes it will eventually fall into the hands of the second branch. What does it matter if we are unhappy?"

Tang Chaochao laughed. "Mother is so clever; you must have a plan. You wouldn't let them have it so easily!"

Amused, Song Rongzhi lightly tapped the tip of Tang Chaochao's nose. "Your father and I have long since planned it. We intended to divide the entire estate into two parts—one for your elder sister and one for you, as your dowries. Now that your sister is gone, it will all be transferred to your name."

Tang Chaochao bared her small white teeth in a smile.

Guided by the maids, they first visited the courtyard where Song Rongzhi and her husband resided, after which someone led Tang Chaochao to the quarters she would occupy. The room was not newly furnished; the furniture clearly showed its age.

The maid explained, "Second Miss, this is the room where the Eldest Miss used to stay. The Second Mistress said that since you never met your sister, you would surely feel a sense of longing, and thus she made this arrangement."

Tang Chaochao said nothing. She knew exactly what they were thinking. They assumed that assigning her such a room would disgust her. After all, the living quarters of the deceased should have been sealed off. Bringing it out for her to use now showed their ill intentions. But did Tang Chaochao care?

She gestured for the maid to leave and wandered around the room. Although the decor was not luxurious, the items were placed with great care.

At that moment, a maid peeked timidly into the courtyard. When Tang Chaochao looked over, the girl's eyes turned red, and tears instantly welled up. She dared not approach.

Tang Chaochao beckoned to her. The girl was quite cute, her large eyes filled with tears. Seeing Tang Chaochao beckon, her feet moved reluctantly. When she finally reached Tang Chaochao, she knelt directly before her, staring intently at her face, whispering, "Miss... Miss..."

Tang Chaochao was becoming annoyed by the girl’s crying. She puffed out her cheeks. "If you cry again, I will have you thrown out!"

The girl was clearly frightened. She knew the person before her was not her mistress, but she looked so much like her. Tang Chaochao looked at the girl, who was struggling to hold back her tears. "What is your name?"

The girl replied in a tearful voice, "This servant is called Jianxue. The Miss loved to watch the snow, so she gave me this name."

Tang Chaochao’s eyes darkened. "The Miss you speak of—is she my elder sister?"

Jianxue nodded. She had heard that a Second Miss was returning with the General, but she had not expected the Second Miss to resemble her elder sister so closely. That was why she had been unable to stop her tears.

Tang Chaochao frowned. "Since you were my elder sister’s personal maid, why were you not in Huaicheng?"

Jianxue felt even more aggrieved at this. The tears in her eyes threatened to fall again. "I was originally in Huaicheng, but three years ago, the Miss returned to the capital to celebrate her maternal grandfather’s birthday. Before leaving, she left me behind."

Leaving her personal maid behind to return to Huaicheng alone—why would her sister do that?

"Did you commit some fault that caused my sister to leave you behind?"

Jianxue shook her head. "No, I do not know why."

Tang Chaochao sighed and asked, "Then do you know who my sister met in the capital, or if anything unusual happened?"

Jianxue thought for a moment. "The people the Miss met were all noble ladies and young masters of the capital; there was nothing amiss! Why does the Second Miss ask?"

Tang Chaochao looked into the girl's eyes and detected no sign of lying. "Do you know that my sister did not die of illness, but was murdered?"

Jianxue nodded. This matter had caused a great stir not only in Huaicheng but was also the subject of constant rumors in the capital.

"You had best think carefully. Perhaps you can help me find the true cause of my sister’s death." Tang Chaochao felt that this matter was connected to her sister's return to the capital three years ago. This girl, who had suddenly appeared, was the perfect breakthrough.

Upon hearing that she could help find the murderer of her mistress, Jianxue immediately began to recall everything. However, all the events she recounted were mundane.

Tang Chaochao thought for a moment and said, "Since you were my sister’s maid, you may stay here from now on. Tell me if you remember anything else."

Jianxue broke into a smile through her tears. She had been bought by her mistress on the roadside and could be said to have grown up alongside her. Now that her mistress was dead, if she could help the Second Miss find the true culprit, she could avenge her.

Tang Chaochao sent Jianxue away and walked around the room once more. She opened one of the wardrobes; inside were the clothes Tang Mumu had worn during her lifetime—all light-colored, showing that she had been a gentle and reserved person.

Tang Chaochao closed the wardrobe and opened her own bundle. It contained only her two sets of Taoist robes. Song Rongzhi had made many dresses for her, but Tang Chaochao did not like them and had refused them. After some thought, she called Jianxue back in, handed her one of the Taoist robes, and said, "Go outside and have several more made in this style."

Jianxue looked at the robe in her hand, then at the one Tang Chaochao was wearing. She said nothing and left. This time, she went to Song Rongzhi’s courtyard. Her mistress had arrived with only that one bundle, and making clothes required silver. Jianxue did not think Tang Chaochao had any silver, so she sought out Song Rongzhi.

When Song Rongzhi heard that her daughter wanted clothes made, she was delighted. But when Jianxue took out the Taoist robe and explained that this was what the young lady wanted, the smile vanished from Song Rongzhi’s face.

However, she soon asked, "Did Chaochao say that the fabric must be the same as well?"

Jianxue thought for a moment and shook her head. "The Miss did not say."

The smile returned to Song Rongzhi’s face. Since the style could not be changed, she would put her effort into the fabric instead.