Chapter 125: Playing with Fire, This Is Retribution (Part One)

Zhou Changyin lunged forward and knocked over the brazier. She fell to the ground, covered in burning charcoal. The people nearby watched in horror as her clothes caught fire, and she began to shriek and roll on the floor. Fortunately, the loud sound of firecrackers and drums, combined with the fact that the newlyweds had already moved some distance away and were surrounded by a large crowd of guests, meant that the commotion behind them went unnoticed.

Wu Tan was tucked securely under Xiao Yue's arm. Only after he turned away did she cast a hurried glance at Zhou Changyin’s condition. When she had lunged, her hands and face had made contact with the glowing charcoal, leaving immediate burn marks. Covered in black soot, she looked both filthy and ghastly. The autumn-weight fabric of her clothes, thin and light, had been quickly consumed by the flames, clinging to her skin.

She writhed on the ground, her screams blood-curdling. Those around her wanted to help but were at a complete loss as to how to begin. A few servants from the Wu household’s gatehouse rushed over with buckets and basins of water. They poured them over her, but because she kept thrashing about, they only managed to extinguish the flames on her head temporarily.

"Get more water! Quickly!" the gatehouse steward shouted.

Xiao Yue set Wu Tan back on the ground and gave Lei Ming a subtle signal. Lei Ming nodded slightly, scanned the corner of the courtyard, grabbed a tattered felt mat used to cover miscellaneous items, and rushed back, throwing it over Zhou Changyin to smother her. Though she continued to scream and struggle, she was no match for his strength. Once the flames were suppressed, Lei Ming discarded the mat and wrapped Zhou Changyin in his own outer robe. After all, she was a member of Empress Dowager Zhou’s maternal family; they couldn't let her lose her life in such a manner.

Xiao Yue turned to the steward, who was still standing there in a daze, and asked, "Is the side room available?"

"Yes, yes, it is!" The steward snapped back to reality, nodded repeatedly, and turned to lead the way for Lei Ming. Lei Ming picked up Zhou Changyin and carried her into the nearby side room.

Xiao Yue added, "Do not alert the rest of the household. Go and fetch the Old Madam of the Ning State Duke’s Mansion; I will wait here."

"Understood!" The steward, flustered by such a mishap on such a joyous day, was relieved that someone had stepped up to take charge and immediately followed orders.

Wu Tan thought for a moment, then beckoned to Xingzi and instructed, "Go find some clean clothes, and hurry and fetch Doctor Xu."

Zhou Changyin had brought this upon herself and was not worthy of sympathy, but their priority was clear: keep the incident contained so it wouldn't spoil the atmosphere of the Dingyuan Marquis’s wedding. The newlyweds were currently in the main hall performing their marriage bows, and most guests had flocked there to watch. However, a dozen or so people who had been slower to move were lingering, unable to resist the spectacle. After all, weddings were common, but such dramatic accidents were rare.

Xiao Yue entered the room, and Wu Tan followed. Lei Ming laid Zhou Changyin onto a simple wooden bed. She had two deep burns on her face from the charcoal, and her left palm was a bloody, mangled mess from having reached directly into the brazier. Her clothes and hair were charred and disheveled, though the extent of the burns on her body was hidden beneath the robe Lei Ming had wrapped around her. She seemed to be in deep shock; she hadn't fainted, but she lay there moaning, completely oblivious to her surroundings.

Old Madam Zhou had been observing the ceremony with the Wu family’s matriarch when she heard the news and rushed over, arriving just behind Doctor Xu.

"Watch your step, Old Madam, mind the threshold!" Nurse Xing cautioned as she supported her. The crowd at the door parted.

Xiao Yue and Wu Tan were standing just inside the entrance. Upon seeing her, Xiao Yue greeted her, "Grandmother."

Old Madam Zhou was frantic, her eyes scanning the room. "I heard from the servants that Yin’er was injured. How is she..." Before she could finish, she saw Zhou Changyin on the bed and rushed over, abandoning Xiao Yue. When she saw the state of her granddaughter, she felt dizzy and gasped, "This... this... how did it come to this?"

Doctor Xu arrived behind them. Wu Tan gave him a meaningful look, and he nodded, hurrying forward with his medicine kit.

Nurse Xing said, "Old Madam, the doctor is here!" Old Madam Zhou stepped aside.

Doctor Xu took one look, his expression changing instantly. He hesitated, unsure where to start. "The wounds are covered in debris. I must clean them first before applying medicine and bandages. Also... I need to prepare a decoction for the pain." He looked at Old Madam Zhou, troubled. "Old Madam, Miss Zhou is a lady of noble status, and her body... I..."

Treating the face and hands was already delicate, not to mention the various other burns on her body. Hearing Old Madam Zhou’s voice, Zhou Changyin regained a sliver of consciousness. She slowly opened her eyes, saw the Old Madam, and tears began to stream down her face. "Grandmother!" She struggled to sit up.

Doctor Xu panicked. "Miss, you have wounds on your face! You cannot let tears touch them, please don't cry!"

Zhou Changyin was in agony, and between the pain and her terror, she hadn't even realized the tears were stinging her injuries. It was only when she reached out to grab the Old Madam’s sleeve that she noticed her mangled, soot-covered palm. "Ah—" she shrieked, finally remembering the burning sensation on her face. She reached up to touch it.

Nurse Xing quickly grabbed her wrists and turned to the Old Madam. "Old Madam, the young lady’s injuries are severe. I fear they cannot be treated properly here. Should we take her back and have someone fetch a court physician from the palace?"

"Grandmother! My... my face!" Zhou Changyin didn't dare touch her face anymore, but the thought of it being ruined set her into a fresh, uncontrollable fit of wailing.

Old Madam Zhou’s heart ached. She nodded, "Let us go back." But seeing Zhou Changyin’s state, she was distressed and looked toward Lei Ming.

Xiao Yue said, "I will escort Grandmother back. Lei Ming, take the Prince’s token to the Imperial Medical Bureau and request a court physician skilled in treating external injuries."

"Understood!" Lei Ming replied. Just as he moved to pick Zhou Changyin up, she seemed to snap fully alert upon hearing Xiao Yue’s voice. She turned her head sharply, saw Xiao Yue, and then inevitably saw Wu Tan standing closely beside him.

"It was you—" Her eyes burned with all-consuming rage. She struggled to get off the bed to lunge at Wu Tan. "You were the one harming me! Wu Tan, you vicious little bitch, you plotted against me..."

Lei Ming, who had been about to help her, saw that she was still unrepentant and simply let go. Zhou Changyin tumbled onto the floor. With over a dozen burns of varying severity, and the side room being a simple structure with a dirt floor, she hit the ground hard. Her wounds were instantly fouled with dirt, yet she didn't seem to notice, her eyes fixed on Wu Tan with venomous, cruel intensity.

Wu Tan had finally seen the extent of someone’s paranoia and shamelessness. She frowned slightly. "What are you talking about, Sister Zhou? Did I do anything to you just now?"

"It was you..." Zhou Changyin shrieked.

Before Wu Tan could respond, a onlooker at the door could no longer hold back. "You were the one who took a hairpin and tried to stab the Second Miss of the Wu family during the chaos! If Prince Sheng hadn't pulled her away, she would be the one injured right now. You hurt yourself when your own attack failed and you knocked over the brazier. Miss Zhou, we don't know what private grudge you have against the Wu family, but we saw everything clearly. The Wu family miss didn't touch a hair on your head. After you were injured, they even found a place for you to rest and sent for a doctor... have you no conscience?"

"You..." Zhou Changyin never expected a bystander to speak up for Wu Tan. In her fury, she tried to roar at the person.

There were over a dozen people at the door now, including servants and guests who had witnessed the entire event. Once one person spoke, others followed. "Exactly! I've seen villains complain first, but never someone so shameless—trying to hurt someone else and then blaming the victim!"

"I call this karma! Heaven is watching!"

The crowd chattered, their words growing increasingly harsh. Old Madam Zhou’s expression was grim. She didn't know what grudge her granddaughter held against Wu Tan, but she understood Xiao Yue. He was standing there, watching coldly, and his position clearly signaled his protection of Wu Tan. She realized instantly that Zhou Changyin was entirely in the wrong; otherwise, given Xiao Yue’s character, he would never let the Zhou family’s reputation be dragged through the mud like this.

Zhou Changyin tried to throw another tantrum, but the voices of the crowd drowned her out. Old Madam Zhou’s patience was exhausted. She said to Nurse Xing, "The Wu family is holding a wedding today; do not cause trouble here. Taking Yin’er home for treatment is the priority."

"Yes!" Nurse Xing leaned down to lift her, but Zhou Changyin was too weak to stand. Lei Ming stepped in to assist.

"Grandmother—" Zhou Changyin wasn't willing to leave, but Old Madam Zhou gave her a warning glare and hissed, "Be quiet! If you have no shame, the Zhou family still does!"

Old Madam Zhou was a woman of decisive action. Zhou Changyin, afraid of her grandmother and knowing Xiao Yue would not defend her, bit her tongue and fell silent, though her heart burned with hatred.

Old Madam Zhou walked to the door, stopped before Xiao Yue and Wu Tan, and said to Wu Tan, "We are leaving. Please convey my apologies to your grandmother." She looked back at Zhou Changyin, sighed, and added, "I will get to the bottom of today’s events. If this girl truly behaved improperly, I will see that justice is done. I apologize for the trouble she has caused your family on such a significant day."

Wu Tan hurriedly bowed. "Old Madam, you are too kind."

Old Madam Zhou, having no heart for further talk, offered a strained smile and departed. Lei Ming and Nurse Xing followed with Zhou Changyin. Even as they left, Zhou Changyin’s eyes remained fixed on Wu Tan with murderous intent. Wu Tan, refusing to engage further, simply rolled her eyes and looked away.

Once they left the side room, Wu Tan went to see the guests off. Xiao Yue followed behind her until they reached the main gate, where he suddenly instructed, "Tell the Heir of the Wu family that I have matters to attend to and am returning home first."

Wu Tan didn't think much of it and merely nodded. "Oh!"

Xiao Yue did not linger. He descended the steps and quickly caught up with Old Madam Zhou. As the coachman helped Zhou Changyin into the carriage, Xiao Yue stopped the Old Madam as she prepared to board. "Grandmother, ride in my carriage."

Old Madam Zhou glanced into the carriage—Zhou Changyin’s state was indeed distressing. She looked around and noticed Su Ying was missing. Surprised, she asked Nurse Xing, "Where is Su Ying?"

Xiao Yue said, "I had the Wu family send her home early."

Xiao Yue? He had ordered Su Ying to be sent home? Old Madam Zhou realized there was more to this than met the eye. Her heart hammered, and she told Nurse Xing, "You take care of her."

Xiao Yue escorted the Old Madam into his carriage, and they departed for the Ning State Duke’s Mansion. Lei Ming did not accompany them; he found a tailor shop to get a new robe and then headed straight to the Imperial Medical Bureau to fetch a physician.

When they arrived at the Zhou residence, the Ning State Duke, Zhou Yuansheng, was away at his government office. His wife, Madam Chang, and the Heir’s wife, Madam Han, rushed to see Zhou Changyin. Xiao Yue said nothing during the journey, but his presence made it clear to Old Madam Zhou that he had something to say. She sent for Zhou Yuansheng.

It was nearly dusk by the time Zhou Yuansheng returned. In Zhou Changyin’s quarters, the situation was chaotic; the physician had been working all afternoon, but the wounds were still difficult to treat as the fabric had adhered to the flesh. The servants avoided the courtyard, terrified by the wailing. Madam Chang, unable to stomach the sight, had left her daughter-in-law, Madam Han, to supervise. She had just returned to her room for tea when the Old Madam summoned her.

In the Old Madam’s room, there were only herself, Xiao Yue, and the couple, Zhou Yuansheng and his wife. The Old Madam sat in the dimming light, not calling for lamps. Zhou Yuansheng and his wife exchanged glances, and Zhou Yuansheng asked cautiously, "Mother, has your son done something to displease you?"

The Old Madam ignored him, her fingers clutching her prayer beads. She looked at Xiao Yue and said, "Speak your piece."

Zhou Yuansheng was puzzled. Xiao Yue had returned to the capital, and the court was abuzz with speculation, but as a low-ranking official in the Hanlin Academy, Zhou Yuansheng rarely interacted with the high-level politics that Xiao Yue or the Emperor dealt with.

"Ziyu, is there something on your mind?" Zhou Yuansheng asked.

Xiao Yue looked at the couple and went straight to the point. "There is a private matter I must inform you of. I have set my sights on Wu Tan of the Dingyuan Marquis’s Mansion. Even though she is young, I intend to marry her once she comes of age."

Zhou Yuansheng and his wife exchanged a look—why were they being told this? Old Madam Zhou was equally surprised, her breath catching. Xiao Yue’s expression, however, was deadly serious.

"That is a good thing..." Zhou Yuansheng managed to say.

Xiao Yue continued, "It is a good thing for me, but if you cannot discipline your daughter, it will be a disaster for the Ning State Duke’s Mansion. I do not wish to fall out with you, so I am telling you this directly: restrain her. If she acts against her again, she will bring ruin upon your house."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Madam Chang said, displeased.

Xiao Yue said, "I believe you were unaware, but for the sake of the Empress Dowager, I must warn you. Half a month ago, Zhou Changyin colluded with Li Xun’er to plot against Wu Tan and became embroiled in the murder case of the top scholar. Today, at the wedding, she attempted to harm her twice more. For the sake of your family, I should have ended her life for her involvement in that murder, but out of respect for your family ties, I did not act on my own. I am telling you now: from here on, you are responsible for her actions."

He had no desire to recount the years of her harassment. The murder case was enough to keep the Zhou family in check. They might excuse her behavior as the result of a fanatical crush, but being involved in a high-profile murder was a different matter entirely.

After Xiao Yue left, the three members of the Zhou family sat in stunned silence. They knew she had once been infatuated with Xiao Yue, but they assumed it had passed, especially since she was now married. The Zhou family relied entirely on the Empress Dowager’s protection and were otherwise unremarkable, honest people. They couldn't fathom where Zhou Changyin’s nature had come from.

Xiao Yue left the mansion as darkness fell. He boarded his carriage, but halfway to his own residence, he jumped out and made his way back to the Dingyuan Marquis’s Mansion.

The wedding festivities were still in full swing. Xiao Yue did not go to the front gate; he scaled the back wall.

In the traditions of the Great Yin, there was a custom of sisters accompanying the bride. Because the Lin family’s main branch was not in the capital, Lin Yanyao’s cousins from a collateral branch were there. Wu Tan had spent the afternoon with the female relatives in the bridal chamber. Wu Qingyu’s friends were numerous and rowdy, keeping the celebrations going deep into the night.

It was nearly the third watch when Wu Tan finally returned to her quarters. "Prepare my bathwater!" she ordered her maids. Humming a tune, she sat at her vanity to remove her jewelry. Suddenly, in the reflection of the mirror, she saw a pair of men's boots resting on the footstool by her bed...