Prime Minister Zhao put on a show of compromise, speaking with earnest sincerity.
"I know your intentions, but your current state is not suitable for public appearance. The Regent's manor people should be arriving soon, so you should return to your courtyard first."
Zhao Haitang squeezed Chu Chaojin's hand. "Father, you need not worry. I will not damage the reputation of our Prime Minister's manor. I will hide behind the screen. Once the Chu family fetches Ah Jin, I will bear any punishment you mete out without complaint."
"You unfilial child, you no longer trust your own father?"
"Please forgive me, Father."
She stood up, glanced at Chu Chaojin, then turned back and bowed to Prime Minister Zhao. She then moved behind the screen, keeping a close watch on the situation.
Chu Chaojin's personal guard had already returned to the Regent's manor, and the remaining hidden guards were stationed outside the Prime Minister's manor. The front courtyard of the Regent's manor was brightly lit, and Second Uncle Chu personally arrived at the Prime Minister's manor with gifts.
"Ah Jie, did something happen?"
Jun Jiuli shook her head and even yawned.
"How could I possibly know? Children should mind their own business when it comes to adult matters. Be careful you don't stunt your growth, go back to sleep quickly."
"Is that really okay?"
"Of course. Second Uncle will handle it. Our primary task now is to grow. The adults are busy enough and don't have time to worry about us. Don't cause them more trouble here."
"Oh, alright."
...
"Thank you, Prime Minister Zhao, for saving my life. My Chu family is eternally grateful. We came in a hurry and have prepared some humble gifts. I hope the Prime Minister will accept them."
"Brother Chu, you are too kind. The young lord has fallen unconscious, but his life is not in danger. Please follow me, you can take him away."
"Thank you, Prime Minister, for your care."
After speaking, Second Uncle Chu quickly followed into the guest room. Chu Chaojin was the future head of the family. If anything were to happen to him, the Chu family would surely fall into chaos.
Chu Chaojin's nighttime intrusion into the Prime Minister's manor was a rather unsightly affair. The guard spoke hesitantly, and he had no understanding of the underlying reasons.
He could only attribute it to being saved by the Prime Minister, and even if he had been injured by someone from the Prime Minister's manor, he would have to suffer in silence. He hoped this child would learn a lesson and not act so rashly in the future.
Seeing Chu Chaojin wrapped up like a mummy, Second Uncle Chu looked at Prime Minister Zhao with a hint of confusion.
Prime Minister Zhao opened his mouth, unsure how to explain, and said in a way that only highlighted his guilt:
"His life is not in danger; they are merely external injuries. Brother Chu, please take him back and care for him. I don't know who would be so ruthless, but when our people from the Prime Minister's manor found him, he was already like this."
"Thank you, Brother Zhao."
The two guards brought by Second Uncle Chu quickly carried Chu Chaojin onto a stretcher, and they sped back to the Regent's manor in a carriage.
"Physician, what is wrong with Jin'er?"
"Second Master, the young master's condition... this..."
"Just tell me, don't hesitate."
Upon learning the situation, Second Uncle Chu almost lost his footing and was completely distraught.
"This matter cannot be spread. We will discuss everything after Chaojin wakes up. Little Six, go report this to the First Madam."
He then swept his gaze over everyone in the room, his threatening warning understood by all. They all lowered their heads, and the entire room fell silent.
Zhao Haitang was also under house arrest. It was then that she remembered her caring and loyal Xiaocui.
"Speak, where exactly did Xiaocui go?"
The few maids looked at each other, none daring to speak.
"Hmph, if you won't tell me, I'll find her myself."
Saying this, she got up to leave. The few maids knelt down and blocked her path.
"Miss, you cannot! The Master ordered that you are not to step out of this room! We beg you, spare us!"
"You lowly wenches, threatening me with your lives? You are not worthy of such a thing. Get out of my way! Anyone who dares to take another step forward, I will take their life."
With that, she kicked the maid directly in front of her in the chest. The other maids quickly scattered.
Zhao Haitang rushed out without looking back and went straight to Concubine Song's courtyard. Without a word, she burst into the inner room.
The maids outside dared not stop her, only making noise to alert those inside that someone was coming.
"Concubine Song, hand over Xiaocui immediately."
Concubine Song adjusted the pearl hairpin in her hair and made as if to rise and bow to Zhao Haitang.
"Oh my, what wind has blown the eldest young lady here? If the eldest young lady wishes to see this humble concubine, you need only give a word, and I will come to you."
"Stop your pretense. Where is Xiaocui?"
"Xiaocui was punished by the Master. Eldest young lady should not be asking me."
Concubine Song was smugly regaining control when Zhao Haitang rushed forward, pulled the hairpin from her hair, and held it directly against her neck.
"Auntie, don't smile too triumphantly. My hand is not light or heavy. If I press a few inches deeper, Youlan and her brother will have no one to rely on."
"Zhao Haitang, don't go too far. Although I am the Master's concubine, I have borne a son and a daughter for the Zhao family, making me your stepmother! To risk your lifelong reputation for a mere maid, that depends on whether you dare."
"Stepmother? You think you're worthy? You're nothing but a concubine. Guess what? If I kill you, will Father cover it up for me? At most, I'll be confined for a while. The title of嫡女, the legitimate daughter, is not something anyone can have."
Concubine Song felt the sharpness and coldness of the hairpin and immediately panicked. This eldest young lady had been acting like a lunatic lately, and she didn't dare gamble with her own life.
"In the woodshed."
Zhao Haitang got the information she wanted, pushed Concubine Song aside, and gave a warning glance to the restless servants and maids before leaving the inner room, still clutching the hairpin.
Arriving at the woodshed door, two household guards immediately blocked her from rushing inside.
"Eldest young lady, please return. The Master gave orders that no one is to enter."
"You dogs, get out of my way. Did my father say this, or did Concubine Song? Recognize who the true master of the Prime Minister's manor is. If you dare to block me, I'll have your heads."
The two guards exchanged glances. Zhao Haitang seized the opportunity, kicked open the door, and rushed inside. She saw Xiaocui, covered in blood and barely breathing.
Big tears rolled down her face. "Quick, call the manor physician, quickly! If Xiaocui has any serious issues, I will make you pay with your lives."
The two guards instantly panicked. Although the concubine was in charge, Concubine Song did not have the audacity to defy Zhao Haitang, the legitimate daughter, who still enjoyed all the privileges.
Executing two household servants was as simple as her saying the word. The two conferred, leaving one to watch while the other hurriedly went to find the manor physician.
Xiaocui, drowsy, woke up. "Miss, Miss, you've finally come to save me. I'm still alive, right? Cough cough, Xiaocui is really in so much pain."
"Don't talk. It's okay, it will be okay. I will save you. Xiaocui, don't fall asleep. The doctor will be here soon. I won't let anything happen to you."
"Miss, being able to follow you is the greatest happiness of Xiaocui's life. Xiaocui will be your maid again in the next life. Please don't dislike me."
She emphasized the word "maid" heavily, her voice intermittent and pitiful.
"Silly girl, what nonsense are you talking about? I have never treated you as an ordinary maid. Hold on, everything will be alright. Once you're better, I'll return your indenture. So you must hold on, and then you'll have the status of a commoner."
"Miss, you are so good."
With that, she fainted. Zhao Haitang was overwhelmed with emotion, calling out her name with heartbreaking intensity, shedding a stream of tears.
The manor physician arrived, diagnosed her condition, prescribed medicine, and instructed that she be well cared for and not moved for two months. Only then did Zhao Haitang feel a little at ease. In her previous life, Xiaocui had died because she had implicated her, yet she had not revealed her relationship with the Second Prince before dying. Xiaocui, such a loyal person, she had sworn to protect her well. To think that this time she had been implicated again, she felt immense self-reproach.
"Xiaocui, be brave, everything will be alright. From now on, as long as I am here, no one will be able to bully you again."