Chapter 68: Mutual Benefit Through Manipulation

Madam Li hesitated almost not at all. “This servant… this servant is willing.”

Tan Qingjiu’s lips curled slightly. “So readily? Madam, you agree so quickly that it unsettles me. I fear you might be deceiving me…”

Madam Li let out a bitter laugh and took a deep breath. The burning in her throat lingered, and the pain from her burns still tormented her, so that every movement, every breath, was agony carved into her bones.

“This servant just walked the road to hell’s gate and barely managed to drag this life back. Of course, I know what truly matters to me.”

“I have been a servant since I was in my teens, starting from the lowest rank, climbing step by step. In my twenties, I served Lady Chen, and later, I was assigned to Tan Yunge. I dare say I was diligent and loyal. Whatever they asked, I did with all my strength.”

“But never did I imagine that Tan Yunge would be so utterly heartless.”

“I only wished to save my own life, yet she would not allow it.”

“I know I am just a servant—beaten or killed at my master’s whim, that is my fate. But even so, my heart is frozen with disappointment. Even a dog, if kept long enough, earns some affection. And I am a person, after all.”

Madam Li clenched her jaw, a fierce hatred flaring in her eyes. “She has been so cruel to me, so I have no reason to be loyal to her.”

“This vengeance, I will have it.”

Her chest heaved violently, her heart consumed by rage and resentment. Every throb of pain reminded her of what Tan Yunge had done.

“If Tan Yunge sees me as a dog, then I shall show her—sometimes, a cornered dog will bite back. I’ll let her understand that a servant groveling at her feet might very well be the reason she never rises again.”

Tan Qingjiu’s lips curved. “Excellent.”

Madam Li raised her head. “The events of six years ago are known not only to me, but also to the midwife who delivered you, Second Miss. Afterward, the heir’s wife wanted to dispose of the midwife, but I took pity and sent her away. She was grateful and keeps in touch with me from time to time. I know where she is.”

“And more than a decade ago, as for Madam’s affairs, Lady Chen went to great lengths to take her life—not just because she coveted the position of Madam Tan, but also because she desired Madam’s generous dowry.”

“After Madam died, Lady Chen claimed her dowry entirely for herself.”

Tan Qingjiu narrowed her eyes. “The dowry?”

Madam Li nodded. Every word sent a fresh wave of pain through her throat, but for the sake of her life, she forced herself to continue. “Madam’s family was quite well off, so when she married, the dowry was substantial. In fact, Tan Yun’s quick advancement after entering government was due to the support of your maternal grandfather.”

“But later, for the sake of promotion, Tan Yun accepted bribes and committed heinous acts, enraging your maternal grandfather. He demanded that Madam either divorce Tan Yun or sever all ties with her family. By that time, you were already born, so Madam chose… to remain in the Tan household.”

“Tan Yun hated your grandfather for this, and secretly arranged for him to be demoted and sent away. After that, Madam lost all contact with her family. Without their backing, Lady Chen dared act with such audacity.”

Tan Qingjiu raised her brows slightly. Even though she had inherited all of Tan Qingjiu’s memories after crossing over, her mother had died young, and she had few memories of her. As for her mother’s family, she recalled even less.

Still, she could send someone to investigate.

As for her mother’s dowry…

Tan Qingjiu narrowed her eyes. What rightfully belonged to her mother should fall to her, even in her mother’s absence. Since Chen Yueru had seized it, she would make her return it all—with interest.

Weighing her options, Tan Qingjiu turned to Madam Li. “What dowry items did my mother have, and who knows about them?”

Madam Li frowned, thinking carefully. “Madam had two personal maids and a matron. One of the maids was bribed by Lady Chen and now serves in her courtyard. Her name is Qin Yin.”

“The other maid and the matron refused to be bought and were dealt with by Lady Chen. But I was not involved, so I don’t know exactly what Lady Chen did with them.”

Tan Qingjiu nodded. “Very well, I understand.”

She handed the medicine she’d set aside to Madam Li. “Drink this.”

“The weather is getting warmer, and your burns are severe. I’ve applied ointment, but you must be careful or the wounds may fester. In a few days, I’ll return to check. There’s a maid here who will change your dressings daily.”

Tan Qingjiu watched as Madam Li drank the medicine. “Don’t even think of escaping. The people in this courtyard are all skilled in martial arts. If you run, I’ll find a way to bring you back.”

Madam Li inhaled deeply. “I won’t run. I’ve said it—I want revenge. I can’t let this go.”

“Good.”

Tan Qingjiu returned to Yunshang Courtyard, where Qingdai helped her remove her outer robe before lowering her voice. “Can we trust what Madam Li said?”

Tan Qingjiu recalled what Madam Li had told her six years ago, a faint smile on her lips. “Madam Li is cautious and values her life, but she’s also shrewd enough to have lasted this long serving both Chen Yueru and Tan Yunge.”

“Today, Tan Yunge meant to kill her, and Madam Li knows it well. Her hatred for Tan Yunge is genuine—she truly wants revenge. I hate Tan Yunge and Chen Yueru as well, and Madam Li is clever—she told me those things purposely to stoke my resentment toward Chen Yueru.”

“She hopes to borrow my hand to remove Chen Yueru and Tan Yunge.”

Tan Qingjiu lowered her eyes, lips curving slightly. “No matter. I want to use her too, to uncover more about Chen Yueru and Tan Yunge. We’ll use each other—everyone gets what they want. It suits me.”

“If she tries any tricks, I have ways to make her talk. She’s in my hands now—what is there to fear?”

Qingdai nodded. “That’s true.”

After a moment, she added, “Earlier, Chen Yueru sent someone to fetch the eminent monk she contacted before. She’s having him come tomorrow, claiming he’s to drive out ghosts and capture evil spirits.”

“Tomorrow?” Tan Qingjiu raised her brows.

“Yes, tomorrow.”

Tan Qingjiu nodded. “Excellent. Let him come. I want to see just what ghosts he’s driving out, and what monsters he intends to catch.”