Tears welled up in Hai shi's eyes. She wiped them off and continued, "The imperial army put down the revolt and luckily, the capital was undamaged at all. As many men of the capital had taken part in the war and returned safe and sound, their families all went to temples and nunneries to burn incense and redeem their vows to Buddhas. One day when night fell, the gatekeeper of our mansion suddenly came to report that Marquis Yongchang's Household had their servants send Sister Molan back. Madam was completely stunned. I immediately went to the House of Mountain Moon and found that Sister Molan was not there. I was so angry that I asked my servants to tie her maids up and questioned them closely. Then I knew that Sister Molan had secretly slipped out that morning."

Hai shi sobbed softly. Now she was in charge of many affairs of the Shen Mansion. After this ignoble thing, she must have been blamed by Sheng Hong and Wang shi so that she looked mentally and physically exhausted. Minglan felt sorry for Hai shi and came near her to comfort her by stroking her back.

Hai shi gratefully glanced at Minglan and wiped away tears on her face before she added, "... I went to the gate and brought Sister Molan back. Then I made some inquiries and discovered that... Sister Molan went to Longhua Temple without notice that morning. Coincidentally, Young Master Liang Han also accompanied Madam Liang to the temple. Later, when Sister Molan fell from the carriage and was in danger of rolling down a hill, Young Master Liang Han happened to ride a horse beside her carriage, so he saved Sister Molan in time. Under the watchful eyes of the people, he held Sister Molan in his arms and brought her back."

With that, Hai shi lowered her head. Minglan and Old Madam Sheng looked at each other with complicated emotions in their eyes. In this situation, the possible marriage between Minglan and Liang Han surely fell through. For Minglan, she didn't need to set herself against Sheng Hong and Wang shi. For Old Madam Sheng, there was no need to take a lot of arguing to persuade Sheng Hong. But for the Sheng Mansion, it was an ignoble thing.

Old Madam Sheng stared at Hai shi and queried slowly, "She must have accomplices. Have you found them out?"

Hai shi stopped crying and raised her head. "As soon as we knew this matter, Madam arrested all the servants in the House of Mountain Moon, including Yunzai who posed as Sister Molan and feigned illness on the bed, and the gatekeeper who prepared the carriage for Sister Molan. Madam tortured them during interrogation according to the domestic discipline. Soon they gave the name of the chief culprit. It was Concubine Lin. Master flew into a rage and flogged Concubine Lin and Sister Molan soundly. Then they were locked in the woodshed for three days and nights. During this period, they could eat only one meal a day."

Minglan was left speechless. Concubine Lin was very capable of planning. First of all, she made certain that when the madam and young master of Marquis Yongchang's Household would go to the Longhua Temple and which way they would take. Then she bought off many servants to help her to conceal Molan's whereabouts from Madam and Master for a whole day. She was indeed a very determined and strong-willed woman who elaborately planned this for her daughter with great finesse.

Old Madam Sheng was a little angry, her chest heaving, and asked, "What does Master plan to do with this shameless girl?"

With a pale face, Hai shi answered in low voice, "After that Marquis Yongchang's Household haven't made any promises. Concubine Lin knelt before Master and cried day and night. She begged Madam to visit Marquis Yongchang's Household and bring up a proposal of marriage. Concubine Lin also said Sister Molan could only kill herself if Madam didn't do that. Madam got sick with rage."

Old Madam Sheng sneered, "Your mother-in-law is too useless. She used to be a tough woman but now she was beaten down by such a small threat. Since they dared do that, they have to accept the bad consequence. Just leave Molan alone! She has no courage to die."

A trace of embarrassment flashed through Hai shi's eyes and she said slightly, "It's not the real reason for Madam's illness."

"What's the real reason then?" Old Madam Sheng asked briefly.

Hai shi twisted the handkerchief with her fingers for a few seconds. Then she resolutely raised her head and replied.... Click the external link to read the whole chapter 105 ↓