Volume One, Chapter 17: The Fang Family, Lifting a Stone Only to Drop It on Their Own Feet

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Xiao Ruyan stared daggers at those bridal headpieces, her eyes full of jealousy. She quickly walked over to Lady Fang’s side, affectionately linking her arm and coquettishly said, “Mother, you promised Ruyan~”
She raised her hand, pointing at the headpieces carried by the servants. “You said these would all be mine in the future, my dowry. How can you give them to others now?”
Her gaze shifted to Mu Wanwan, filled with triumph. Then, with a look of disdain, she continued, “Besides, Xiao Qingqing is so ill, will she even survive? Giving such beautiful headpieces to her is simply a waste!”
Lady Fang cast a condescending glance at Mu Wanwan, her eyes cold and indifferent. A faint, proud smile curved her lips.
“Cough, cough, cough…” Mu Wanwan suddenly began coughing violently, her cheeks flushed as she coughed rapidly. Despite this, her gaze never wavered from Xiao Ruyan, who was so frightened she immediately hid behind Lady Fang, her feet already stepping out the door.
“Mother, look at Xiao Qingqing’s terrifying eyes. Even if you gave her the finest headpieces, she wouldn’t appreciate them. It’s better to give them to me—Ruyan is the most filial.” Xiao Ruyan shot a triumphant look at Mu Wanwan from behind Lady Fang.
Mu Wanwan silently cursed, “Coward!”
With one hand, she quickly flicked out a silver needle, which glimmered with a flash—
“Ah!” The false Rong Li cried out in pain.
His balance faltered, and he stumbled directly toward Xiao Ruyan.
“Ah!” She screamed, her face paling. Suddenly, behind her came a cracking sound—the railing, old and dilapidated, couldn’t bear her weight and gave way completely.
Splash!
Xiao Ruyan fell right into the lotus pond.
She flailed endlessly in the water, while Lady Fang and the servants on the shore panicked and scrambled in distress.
“Quick, save Ruyan! Hurry!” Lady Fang’s face was anxious, as if she wished she could dive in herself, but she didn’t know how to swim.
The maids exchanged worried looks—they couldn’t swim either!
The young servants could swim, but jumping into the water to save her would ruin the Second Miss’s reputation.
“What are you waiting for? Find a bamboo pole!” the nursemaid beside Lady Fang suddenly exclaimed in desperation.
Soon, someone fetched a bamboo pole and threw it toward Xiao Ruyan. Had they been any slower, she might have drowned despite the shallow water.
When Xiao Ruyan grabbed the pole and stood up, she realized the water was shallow, but the pond was long neglected and thick with sludge, causing her feet to slip and fall repeatedly until she was utterly exhausted and unable to steady herself.

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Finally, she managed to climb ashore holding the bamboo pole, reeking of mud and filth, making everyone gag.
Everyone covered their mouths and noses to avoid the foul smell, but Xiao Ruyan felt wronged and began to wail loudly.
“Wuwu, Mother, I almost didn’t make it…” she sobbed, tears streaming down her dirt-smudged face and hair, looking like a mud doll.
Remarkably, Lady Fang showed no disdain. With tears in her eyes, she lifted a handkerchief and gently wiped the grime from Xiao Ruyan’s face. “Don’t be afraid, it’s alright. Mother is here; nothing will happen to you.”
Mu Wanwan watched this touching mother-daughter scene nearby, a deep chill spreading through her heart.
Look at that—vicious as Lady Fang was, she still showed genuine affection toward Xiao Ruyan. But what about her? What about Rong Li? What about her elder sister?
Xiao Jinghai, Xiao Jinghai! They say a tiger won’t eat its cubs, but you’re worse than a beast.
“Nursemaid Zhang, take Ruyan back to wash thoroughly!” After calming Xiao Ruyan, Lady Fang ordered her trusted nursemaid, then cast a cold glare at the timid false Rong Li standing at the back of the crowd.
“Someone, escort Master Li back!”
The servants obeyed.
Lady Fang took a deep breath and shot a venomous look at Mu Wanwan.
“Mother, why do you look at me like that?” Mu Wanwan held her handkerchief and coughed softly.
Earlier, in the chaos, she had already retrieved the silver needle from false Rong Li, ensuring no one would notice.
Now, leaning against Nursemaid Rong, she looked at Lady Fang with an innocent and wronged expression. “The Listening Wind Courtyard is so old and neglected, which led to my sister’s misfortune. But if you look closely, Qingqing herself is at fault—
At fault for being the legitimate eldest daughter of the Marquis’s household, yet unable to even spare money to repair the courtyard. At fault for her shabby residence. At fault for…”
Before she could finish, Lady Fang sharply interrupted, “Enough!” she roared.
Xiao Qingqing was not admitting fault; she was cunningly accusing Lady Fang of mistreatment, implying she was malicious!
What hypocrisy! Who gave Xiao Qingqing the confidence to defy the matriarch so brazenly?
Lady Fang took a deep breath, struggling to calm her fury. Her gaze turned maliciously to Nursemaid Rong beside Mu Wanwan.
In the next moment, she said, “Nursemaid Rong’s negligence in overseeing the Listening Wind Courtyard caused Ruyan’s fall into the water. This is an unforgivable crime!”

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“Guards, take Nursemaid Rong away and sell her soon.”
With a wave of her hand, four stout older women stepped forward to seize Nursemaid Rong without a word.
“Who dares?” Mu Wanwan said coldly, her voice low but filled with an eerie resolve that instantly froze the four women in place.
They exchanged uncertain glances and finally chose to stand still, waiting. Lady Fang was enraged.
She was puzzled: things had never been like this before. Why had everything changed since Xiao Qingqing returned to the mansion?
Before she could figure it out, Mu Wanwan’s weak but resolute voice rang out—
“Mother, if you want my blood spilled right here, then order the guards to take Nursemaid Rong away.” She then drew a dagger she had been hiding in her sleeve.
This sight sent a chill down Lady Fang’s spine, filling her with dread. The thought of Xiao Qingqing holding a dagger to her was terrifying.
Fortunately, she had kept her distance from Xiao Qingqing; otherwise, the dagger would already be at her throat.
“What… what are you doing? Threatening me? Put the dagger down at once.” Lady Fang feigned calm, though she was terrified inside. Xiao Qingqing was barefoot and desperate—if she lost control, Lady Fang would be in real trouble.
A faint, meaningful smile curled Mu Wanwan’s lips. “Do you take me for a fool, Mother?”
“…”
“Heh heh heh, I’m afraid if I put down this dagger, Nursemaid Rong will be sold off by you right after.”
“Here in the Listening Wind Courtyard, if I lose Nursemaid Rong’s care, it will be a dead end for me anyway. So I might as well end it today rather than continue to suffer!”
“It’s a pity for Rong Li, though. He might have to fend for himself from now on, as I can no longer use the power of the Prince Regent’s mansion to pave the way for him.”
“You, you…” Lady Fang trembled with rage.
That false Rong Li was originally her blade, used to harm Mu Wanwan, but now it had become a blade against herself!
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, and finally, her eyes rolled back and she fainted outright.