Chapter 283 Addiction

Words : 1349 Updated : Oct 20th, 2025

Qihao Hall.The Third Madam was anxious and restless, unable to sit still. Her daughter had taken someone to Agarwood Pavilion, and she was worried. Just as she was about to get up and take a look, Xie Jinxiu ran in. She threw herself directly into the Third Madam’s arms, startling her. "What happened?" the Third Madam asked urgently. "Mother, I almost couldn’t make it back!" Xie Jinxiu cried pitifully. The Old Madam glanced over. She saw the mud-covered socks on Xie Jinxiu’s feet. Anger surged to the Old Madam’s temples. A well-bred young lady should maintain proper composure, and even when walking, should not expose her embroidered shoes. Now, she had lost her shoes! The Third Madam had never seen her daughter in such a miserable state; her heart felt as if it was being squeezed by a hand, causing her to gasp for breath due to the pain. While she wiped Xie Jinxiu’s tears with a handkerchief, she cursed Su Jin and complained to the Old Madam. She had said that the female bandit was ruthless, yet she was still made to apologize. The Third Madam harbored resentment towards Su Jin but dared not curse her openly again, for Mrs. Wang had said that her daughter had first instigated the maid to chase people with a broom. She started it, so naturally, others would respond in kind. Xie Jinxiu bit her lip and said, "Mother, the Eldest Young Madam won’t see me. I can’t even apologize. What about Father?" The Third Madam glanced at Mrs. Wang. "The Eldest Young Madam gives more respect to Mrs. Wang than to the Old Madam," the Third Madam said sarcastically. "If Mrs. Wang goes, she surely won’t be chased out." Mrs. Wang turned pale. Was the Third Madam intentionally making things difficult for her? However— The Old Madam sided with the Third Madam. "You go," the Old Madam instructed. Mrs. Wang felt as though a stone weighed on her heart, and her steps were heavy. Zilan Garden. Xie Jinyu sat at the desk, massaging her sore neck. The maid was counting sheets of paper beside her. "How many times have I copied it now?" Xie Jinyu asked. "Seventeen times," the maid replied. "I’ve been copying for so long, how is it only seventeen times?" Xie Jinyu felt her hand was terribly sore. The maid put down the paper and asked, "Should we take this to Princess Shouning now?" Princess Shouning had been punished by the Emperor to copy the palace rules a hundred times. Without finishing it, she wasn’t allowed to leave Fengyang Palace. These seventeen copies were secretly done by Xie Jinyu for her. The Emperor was busy with many affairs and didn’t have the time to inspect carefully, so they could easily get away with it. "Let’s make it twenty," Xie Jinyu said sulkily. Outside, a maid wearing a light green dress ran in, gasping, "First Miss, Second Miss was chased out of Agarwood Pavilion by the Eldest Young Madam’s maids with a broom." Xie Jinyu was stunned by the news. "Was she really hit?" She couldn’t believe it. The little maid nodded repeatedly. "Not only hit, but hit several times. Second Miss even left her embroidered shoes at Agarwood Pavilion," the maid covered her mouth with a smile. "Second Miss ran barefoot all the way to Qihao Hall." Xie Jinyu laughed joyfully. She stood up, and the maid asked, "Miss, where are you going?" "To see my mother!" Peony Garden. Princess Nanzhang had also heard the news of Xie Jinxiu being chased. She furrowed her brows slightly, feeling that things were not normal. "What’s the reaction from Qihao Hall?" she asked cautiously. "It’s unclear how angry the Old Madam is, but Mrs. Wang went to Agarwood Pavilion," the maid replied. Princess Nanzhang seemed thoughtful. Xie Jinyu walked in and said, "Mother, the Eldest Young Madam treats our Duke Mansion’s family rules as if they don’t exist. This is such a good opportunity, we must not let her get away with it!" Forced by Su Jin to kneel in the Buddhist Hall until she fainted. How could Princess Nanzhang swallow this insult? Though, because it involved Qihao Hall, Princess Nanzhang was more patient. "The maids from the South Courtyard were chased first, and the Second Miss went to find trouble at Agarwood Pavilion later. There must be something I’m not aware of. Let’s find out before doing anything," Princess Nanzhang said prudently. Xie Jinyu pouted but said nothing. Mrs. Zhao instructed the maid, "Go keep an eye on things, and report back immediately if anything happens." "Yes." Agarwood Pavilion, at the back gate. Mrs. Wang waited there. A small maid came out and said sweetly, "Mrs. Wang, the Eldest Young Madam invites you in." Mrs. Wang’s heart grew heavier. She didn’t want to go in at all. The Third Madam already didn’t like her and was stirring up trouble in front of the Old Madam, yet the Eldest Young Madam treated her so well, permitting her to enter the backyard. Rather than entering the backyard, Mrs. Wang would have preferred to be chased away. What qualifications did she have to be looked upon favorably by the Eldest Young Madam? Full of mixed emotions, Mrs. Wang lifted her foot and walked in. Su Jin was drinking tea in the gazebo. Xingxing noticed Mrs. Wang’s arrival and said excitedly, "Miss, Mrs. Wang is here." Mrs. Wang stepped into the gazebo and paid her respects to Su Jin. "Greetings, Eldest Young Madam," she said. "You’re too kind, Mrs. Wang," Su Jin smiled. "Please sit." Mrs. Wang didn’t sit; she directly stated her purpose, "The Old Madam sent me to ask the Eldest Young Madam to purchase another pill." "Another pill?" Su Jin raised an eyebrow. Mrs. Wang nodded. Su Jin smiled. It was just as she had expected. Su Jin picked up her teacup and gently fiddled with the lid. The crisp sound echoed, causing Mrs. Wang’s heart to tremble. "Didn’t the Second Miss say that the pill was ineffective for the Third Master’s condition?" Su Jin asked. "Why come to me for another?" "Could it be they’ve become addicted?" "... ." Mrs. Wang didn’t know how to respond, because once the topic opened, it would surely lead to more being said. She stayed silent. Xingxing couldn’t help but say, "Because the pill was ineffective, when my Miss went to the South Courtyard for the medicine money, the Second Miss ordered the maids and old women to chase us with brooms." "It’s only been a short while, and now they’ve come asking for the pill again." "That pill costs two thousand taels of silver each, more expensive than gold. Even with immense wealth, it’s unaffordable to desire such an expensive indulgence." "... ." After Xingxing spoke, Su Jin continued. "These days, those who owe money are the masters." "Getting scammed once is enough," Su Jin said. "... ." Mrs. Wang was intelligent; with one listen, she understood what had displeased Su Jin. She quickly said, "I’ll return and have the Old Madam send someone with the money." Su Jin looked at her and said, "So, you must have the pill?" "I hope the Eldest Young Madam can overlook past grievances," Mrs. Wang said. Su Jin chuckled, "What if I must know the reason for wanting the pill?" Mrs. Wang showed a troubled expression. "Those matters are too filthy; I dare not offend the Eldest Young Madam’s ears," Mrs. Wang said. Mrs. Wang was unwilling to speak but had already hinted at it. Su Jin held a certain fondness for her and did not press further. "The payment for the previous pill wasn’t given, and now adding the upcoming purchase, it’s a total of ten thousand taels." "Whenever I receive the money is when I’ll help with the pill," Su Jin’s voice was undeniable. Ten... ten thousand taels? Mrs. Wang’s throat tightened. She hesitated twice but didn’t dare ask if she had misheard. Back at Qihao Hall, Mrs. Wang relayed the matter. The Third Madam exploded on the spot. "Ten thousand taels?!" "Why doesn’t she just rob us!" """

Chapter 283 Addiction

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