Making Trouble from a Pretext

Pan Yueqing could never forget that fateful day when Madam Liu suffered a miscarriage, and the root cause was traced back to the ginseng chicken soup she had ordered to be served to Liu. It was supposed to be a gesture of kindness, a way to show concern for Liu's well - being. However, somehow, salvia miltiorrhiza was detected in the soup base. This discovery sent shockwaves through the household, especially considering that it was Yingying who had brought the soup out.

Pan Yueqing's memory of that day was as vivid as if it had just happened. She remembered clearly the humiliation she endured when Pan Miaoqian slapped her in front of everyone. The stinging pain on her cheek was nothing compared to the deep - seated resentment that had been building up inside her ever since. Now, as fate would have it, an opportunity presented itself. Pan Yueqing firmly believed that the blame should fall on the right person, and it was high time that Pan Miaoqian experienced the same kind of helpless and irrefutable pain that she had been made to feel.

With a shrewd glint in her eyes, Pan Yueqing beckoned to Gu Pan, her trusted maid. "Go to the courtyards of the Third Miss and Madam Liu," she instructed in a calm yet authoritative tone. "Say that the master asked you to pick some flowers and take my potted double - petal jasmine to Cian Xuan." The mention of the double - petal jasmine was not without purpose. These precious plants were not only rare but also held a certain significance in the household, and Pan Yueqing knew exactly how to use them to her advantage.

"Miss! How can I face others like this?" came Yingying's panicked voice. She was in a rather compromising state, only wearing a bellyband and being bundled tightly in Pan Yueqing's expensive quilt. When a burly servant carried her out, her face turned bright red with shame. She pleaded with Pan Yueqing, her eyes filled with desperation. "Please, Miss, don't do this to me!" But Pan Yueqing remained unmoved. A group of little maids, who had gathered around out of curiosity, whispered and pointed at the scene, their eyes wide with shock at the unexpected spectacle.

"Sister Yingying, if you wanted to face others, why did you do such a thing?" Pan Yueqing glanced coldly at Yingying. Her voice was laced with a hint of mockery. "You knew the consequences of your actions, yet you chose to act recklessly." Yingying, in a last - ditch effort to save herself, tried to use the argument of reputation. "I'm your maid. If this gets out, it will also be embarrassing for you, Miss!" she exclaimed. Seeing Pan Yueqing's suddenly cold face, she hoped that this would be enough to make her relent. But Pan Yueqing was not one to be easily swayed.

Looking at Yingying's angry and desperate expression, Pan Yueqing smiled wickedly and beckoned again. The servants then carried Yingying towards Ciwen Xuan, where the real showdown was about to take place. As they approached, Pan Yueqing's heart raced with anticipation. She knew that this was a crucial moment, a chance to turn the tables on those who had wronged her.

"Grandmother, Father." Pan Yueqing's voice arrived before she did. Her tone was respectful yet confident. She crossed the lotus pond outside Ciwen Xuan, the gentle breeze rustling the lotus leaves, creating a soft and soothing sound. As she reached the Qingfeng Pavilion, she curtsied slowly to Pan Haiyun and her grandmother, Madam Liu, who were sitting inside the pavilion, enjoying a moment of tranquility.

"Why such a commotion?" Pan Haiyun looked up at what was going on behind Pan Yueqing. His eyes widened at the sight of the bound and struggling Yingying. He took a sip of tea, his expression betraying no sign of anger or pleasure. His calm demeanor was a mask, hiding his true thoughts and emotions. He simply asked, "What is the meaning of this, Yueqing?"

Pan Yueqing looked back and glanced at Pan Miaoqian, who was instructing the maids to prepare the meals. Her eyes narrowed slightly at the sight of her rival. Then she turned to her grandmother, Madam Liu, and said, "I'm young and don't quite understand things in the inner quarters. So I'd like to ask Grandmother, how should we deal with maids and servants who misbehave in the master's room?" Her question was carefully crafted, a subtle way of setting the stage for what was to come.

"Since it's your maid, you can deal with it as you see fit," the old lady replied in a cold tone. She took a sip of tea, as if what Pan Yueqing said was a trivial matter. After putting down the tea cup, she showed a kind smile, beckoned to Pan Miaoqian, and said to Pan Haiyun, "Miao girl heard that you were coming back today and has been busy since early morning. You should appreciate her filial piety." This blatant show of favoritism towards Pan Miaoqian did not go unnoticed by Pan Yueqing.

The first thing Pan Yueqing noticed as she entered the pavilion was the double - tailed mermaid bead hairpin on Pan Miaoqian's head. Her eyes lit up with recognition. It was something she had lost a long time ago, a precious heirloom that held great sentimental value. Memories of her mother flashed through her mind, and a wave of anger surged within her.

Her eyes turned cold as ice. She squatted down beside Yingying, who was still struggling, and played with the ropes binding her. Then, with a sudden and forceful motion, she pulled away the Shu - embroidery quilt, completely tearing off the last bit of Yingying's modesty. "As soon as I left the capital, this maid in my room actually had an affair on my bed," she shouted, her voice filled with indignation. "She mocked me, the Second Miss who was sent away. She used the things in my courtyard and even accused me of harming Father's offspring. She's truly hateful! Take her away!"

"Second Miss! You can't treat me like this!" Yingying was pushed and struggled desperately. Her cries for mercy fell on deaf ears. "Please, have mercy on me!" she sobbed, but Pan Yueqing was determined to see this through.

"Pan Yueqing!" The old lady didn't expect Pan Yueqing to come up with such an audacious plan. Her face fell, and she loudly reprimanded, trying to stop Pan Yueqing. "What are you thinking? This is too much!" But Pan Yueqing was not deterred.

"Second Sister! This is Grandmother's place, yet you're shouting about punishing people here?" Pan Miaoqian sneered inwardly. She thought this was a perfect opportunity to turn the tables. "Will Second Sister be burdened with another life on your conscience?" she taunted, trying to put Pan Yueqing on the defensive.

"I was negligent. I've never dealt with such a thing before and got carried away with anger," Pan Yueqing said, feigning remorse. She had expected them to speak up and wasn't angry. In fact, this was all part of her plan. However, the next second, as if suddenly attracted by Pan Miaoqian's voice, she widened her eyes, moved closer, and with a swift motion, pulled the double - tailed mermaid bead hairpin from Pan Miaoqian's head and held it in her hand. "Third Sister, this... this hairpin was taken off by the Empress Dowager from her headdress when my grandmother accompanied the Empress Dowager to Wutai Mountain to worship Buddha five years ago. I've been looking for it for so long, and it turns out you stole it?"

"I... I didn't steal it!" Pan Miaoqian was taken aback. She also didn't expect that she just wanted to suppress Pan Yueqing a bit, but Pan Yueqing would suddenly turn on her with such a powerful accusation. "You're lying!" she exclaimed, her face turning red with anger and embarrassment.

"Taking something without asking is stealing. Stealing means being low - class and shameless," Pan Yueqing said, her voice firm and unwavering. She slightly raised her chin and enunciated each word clearly to Pan Miaoqian. Then she turned to Nanny Zhao, who was given by the former grandmother, and said, "Nanny Zhao, you were originally from the Empress Dowager's side. How should we deal with someone who steals something bestowed by the Empress Dowager?"

"Stealing something bestowed by the imperial court is a capital offense," Nanny Zhao replied in a steady voice. Her words rang in everyone's ears, creating a tense and oppressive atmosphere.

"You... don't try to scare me..." Pan Miaoqian panicked when she heard this. She looked at the old lady helplessly, her eyes filled with fear. She said pitifully, "Grandmother..." hoping that the old lady would come to her rescue.

"It seems that Third Sister doesn't deny stealing the hairpin?" Pan Yueqing smiled gracefully with her hands in her sleeves and let out a sigh as if leisurely. "If you liked it, you could have just asked to borrow it from me. How could a renowned talented girl be so lacking in propriety and shame?" she continued to taunt, further humiliating Pan Miaoqian.

"Pan Yueqing, shut up!" The old lady, her face turning pale with anger, angrily rebuked Pan Yueqing. "For such a small hairpin, you're making such a big fuss. Where's your grace as an elder sister?" But Pan Yueqing was not going to back down.

Seeing that someone was protecting her, Pan Miaoqian stepped forward three steps and fell on the old lady's knees, burying her head and crying pitifully. "Grandmother, you have to believe me!" she sobbed.

"Making a big fuss?" Pan Yueqing looked down at the hairpin in her hand, then slightly raised her eyes. The tears in her eyes were not just for show. "The jade material of this hairpin was collected by Mother herself in Hetian when she was unmarried," she said, her voice filled with emotion. The implication was clear: Pan Miaoqian had not only stolen a precious item but also something that held deep sentimental value related to her deceased mother.

Pan Miaoqian fell silent. She peeked at Pan Haiyun's expression from the gap in the old lady's clothes. Sure enough, her father, who had been silent all this time, changed his expression.

Pan Yueqing clenched the hairpin tightly and then said with a sob, "Forget it. It's just a hairpin. I'm content now that it's been found. However... Daughter has one more thing to ask Father to handle."

As she spoke, without waiting for Pan Haiyun's response, she took out an embroidered sachet from her waist and presented it in front of Pan Haiyun. "Father, please take a look."

Pan Haiyun was already a bit displeased that Pan Miaoqian had stolen his late wife's hairpin, and he felt more pity for Pan Yueqing. He took the sachet cooperatively and poured out its contents on the table. There were several broken roots. He looked up at Pan Yueqing with a puzzled expression. "What is this?"

"Double - petal jasmine presented by the Dayuezhi Kingdom." Pan Yueqing said softly.

"What?!" Pan Haiyun stood up suddenly. The current Emperor loved elegance and considered gardening a refined hobby. But only the double - petal jasmine couldn't be cultivated by anyone. Pan Haiyun had heard of this. The double - petal jasmine had two - colored flowers and was already rare in the Dayue Kingdom. Only about ten seeds were presented.

"Daughter originally wanted to present it to the Emperor on the occasion of the Empress Dowager's birthday to help Father gain favor, but now it's in such a state." Pan Yueqing lowered her eyebrows. Her voice was not loud, but it was like a bolt from the blue to Pan Miaoqian's ears.

Pan Haiyun almost gritted his teeth. "Who did this?"