novelhk Chapter 18 Theft
Chapter 18 Theft
Qingwen's heart skipped a beat, and she had a bad feeling, sensing that something strange was going on today.
Did Xiren steal property?
How can it be!
Xi Ren's desire to become Bao Yu's concubine is now blatantly obvious, and she and Bao Yu have long been...
Given her relationship with Baoyu, what could she possibly want that Baoyu wouldn't give her?
Why would you need to steal?
But the second wife said exactly that...
Qingwen gritted her teeth and endured the pain in her knees as she walked to her room and pushed the door open. Anyway, she was upright and had nothing to hide. She hadn't done anything wrong, and nothing would happen to her.
"Moms, feel free to search."
Qingwen stood at the door and spoke frankly.
Granny Li shoved her into the room. Qingwen lost her balance and fell inside. She quickly grabbed the table to steady herself and angrily asked, "What do you want, Mother?"
With a smile, Granny Li said, "The Second Madam asked us to give the young lady a thorough check-up."
"What are you checking?" Qingwen sensed something was wrong and asked sternly.
"you!"
Granny Li took out an exquisite porcelain bottle from her sleeve, and looking at Qingwen's terrified and ashamed appearance, she said expressionlessly, "Miss, don't panic. We are just following orders. Please don't make things difficult for us."
"What are you holding?" Qingwen gripped her clothes tightly.
She now knew the real reason why Xiren was punished.
Granny Li smiled, knowing that Qingwen had misunderstood and thought they were going to undress her for an inspection.
As a woman, she naturally understood how humiliating a strip search was; a more assertive woman would probably have simply smashed her head against a wall and died.
If things get out of control, even if the innocent are innocent, the entire Jia family will be disgraced and subjected to the contempt and scorn of the world.
How could they be so stupid?
Besides, as women, why would they act like this unless absolutely necessary?
"This is the 'virginity mark,' a test to verify a woman's innocence. Simply apply it to her arm; if the red mark remains and doesn't dissipate, and is as deep as cinnabar, she is a virgin. If she has already lost her virginity, this 'virginity mark' will never be applied."
Qingwen breathed a sigh of relief. Although she was still a little ashamed, she felt much better. She had heard of the "virginity mark" before.
Seeing that Granny Li and the others had no intention of insulting anyone, she immediately rolled up her sleeves, revealing her smooth, fair arms.
Seeing that Qingwen's expression, though shy, was still open and honest, Granny Li immediately understood.
At her age, she naturally knew that the "virginity mark" was just a trick to fool young girls. It wasn't magical at all; it would just come off after a couple of baths. Only ignorant people believed in it and used it as a test of a woman's chastity.
She took out the cinnabar mark mainly to see the reactions of the maids. They were all teenage girls who couldn't keep secrets. If she used this to scare them, everything would come out.
An innocent person is naturally at peace with themselves and will not be afraid of this thing, while someone who has done it will naturally be afraid because they have a guilty conscience.
It's like...
"You can't do this!" Bihen cried out in anguish, clutching her clothes and refusing to let Li Mama touch her, her heart turning cold.
She thought that after serving Baoyu, a bright future awaited her, but she never expected things to turn out like this.
Seeing her intense reaction, Granny Li immediately understood: "Tie her up, gag her, and hand her over to the Second Madam for disposal."
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As the sun set and darkness fell, the Yihong Courtyard remained brightly lit. The young ladies of the Grand View Garden noticed the unusual situation and assumed something had happened to Baoyu. They sent people to inquire, but all were sent away by the gatekeepers at Lady Wang's behest.
Finally, the old lady heard the news and sent Yuanyang over.
By this time, there weren't many people left in the flower hall. Granny Li and her men had already 'checked' all the maids in Yihong Courtyard with the cinnabar.
Those without problems, such as Qingwen, are now standing respectfully in the courtyard outside the flower hall, awaiting Madam Wang's instructions.
Those who had problems were gagged and tied up, kneeling in the flower hall with ashen faces, just like Xiren before them.
The head maid usually kept the other maids in check, preventing them from getting close to Baoyu, and even from entering the main room. Therefore, none of the other maids had any affair with Baoyu.
Granny Li stood with her hands at her sides and her eyes lowered. She respectfully replied to Madam Wang, "Madam, we have checked all the maids' rooms. We found stolen goods in the rooms of three young ladies: Bihen, Sheyue, and Qiuwen."
After saying that, he threw the stolen goods he had just "found" on the ground.
Madam Wang was so angry that she laughed. Looking at the three people who were tied up like dumplings, she wished she could beat them all to death.
She naturally recognized all three of them. Xiren had often mentioned them to her before, saying that they were all good people, taking good care of Baoyu, acting cautiously and thoughtfully, and serving him well.
They served you very well!
They've already served you in bed, how can you not serve them properly!
Of the eight maids around Baoyu, he took four as his own.
However, the fact that Qingwen was not among the four surprised Madam Wang, and she felt strangely comforted.
You should know that she used to look down on Qingwen the most, thinking that Qingwen was exceptionally beautiful and would definitely seduce Baoyu in secret.
Unexpectedly, this Qingwen was not only beautiful, but also of good character.
Madam Wang suppressed her anger. Getting angry was useless now; the deed was done, and the most urgent thing was to cover it up.
Baoyu is still young and not old enough to take in concubines. To prevent him from being seduced and corrupted by these women, they naturally cannot stay by Baoyu's side any longer.
Although she really wanted to beat them all to death, she was still somewhat afraid.
She was trying to catch a mouse but was afraid of damaging the jade bottle!
Once someone dies, nothing can be hidden anymore.
That's it!
Thinking of this, Madam Wang stood up and said in a chilling tone, "Take them all away and treat them the same way as Xiren."
After beating Xiren, Zhou Rui's wife had already returned, intending to take her away after dark. Who knew that after one Xiren appeared in Yihong Courtyard, there were actually three more.
Got it!
Let's send all four of them away at the same time!
Zhou Rui's wife led the person away again and went through the process of Xiren again.
Madam Wang walked out of the flower hall and looked at the few maids in front of her. She felt a little comforted: "You all keep your mouths shut and don't say anything untoward. Take good care of Baoyu and do your duty. I will certainly not treat you unfairly. Alright, go and do your own thing."
These young girls are already quite frightened; there's no need to discipline them further. Besides, this matter has already alarmed the old lady, who has always doted on Baoyu and is always concerned about any disturbances here.
However, before going to see the old lady, I still need to see Baoyu.