Chapter 100

On the way to Tianxiang Pavilion, Xu Hao speculated what kind of unsavory things could be involved. Probably some gambling tools and alcohol brought from outside, or perhaps some tokens of affection used by men, or even some pornographic picture books, or those sachets embroidered with demons fighting as described in *The Story of the Stone*, or even some sophisticated devices used by women for self-pleasure, and so on.

To Xu Hao, was this really a big deal? An adult's personal privacy was none of others' business. In such an environment at home, even if the girls did learn something, where would they have the chance to practice? Even if they really did learn something bad and secretly ran off to have affairs, it wouldn't be a big deal as long as it wasn't with his own women.

Don't bring up propriety and morality. Men can visit brothels, so why can't women seek excitement? Xu Hao thought. What's wrong with looking at picture books and novels? He had been reading them for years and was still a good young man.

He quickly arrived at Tianxiang Pavilion, where several managing women were searching Xu Cuizhi's room. A group of servants stood at the door, some angry, some expressionless, and some gloating. Inside, chests and wardrobes were overturned, clothes and skirts scattered everywhere.

Xu Hao immediately stepped forward and shouted, "Stop!"

The women paused. The leader was Wang Gui's wife, a confidante of the First Lady. She was originally a dowry maid, now in her thirties, with an ordinary appearance and a somewhat plump body. Her husband was the head steward, Wang Fu. In the Xu family, she acted arrogantly, always gossiping and meddling in others' affairs, and was quick to report to the Lady. Many servants had been punished because of her, and many people cursed her behind her back as "Fat Little Devil."

Xu Hao had little interaction with the First Lady's side, usually keeping a low profile. Moreover, the Second Lady, Xiao Shi, was shrewd and protective, so few people would come to cause trouble.

Of course, the First Lady's side wasn't afraid of them. These women didn't take the Third Young Master seriously. If it were a few days ago, they might have been wary, but now, with the Lady and the Eldest Young Master in charge of household affairs, they had no qualms.

Xu Hao's sudden appearance was clearly to stand up for the girls. Wang Gui's wife decided to be polite first and then forceful. She said with a forced smile, "This is a private matter of the inner quarters. As a man, you should avoid it. Why did you rush over at the instigation of some lowly women? Don't you know they are trying to trap you? You don't understand the depth of this. Listen to your mother and go back."

Xu Hao hadn't expected the "Fat Little Devil" to speak so reasonably. After a moment's thought, he smiled politely and said, "I came to explain. The gambling was with my permission, so the responsibility is mine. Gambling is indeed not good, but staying in the garden for a long time with nothing to do, a few people gathering to play a small game for fun is a minor matter, not worth making a big fuss over. Of course, the fault is ours, and we will ensure it doesn't happen again. I apologize for troubling you ladies to come at such a late hour. Servants, quickly bring tea and some good wine and meat for the ladies."

"No need," Wang Gui's wife said, raising her hand with authority. She faced Xu Hao seriously, "It seems you are determined to protect them. This is the first time you've pleaded for them, so I'll give you some face. We won't search the Second Lady's side."

Xu Hao smiled, "Thank you, Madam. Do we need to search Cuizhi and Cuiliu's rooms? I sent them away, and if they are searched right after, how will I explain it to them when they return? What do you say, Madam? Why don't you ladies sit down and have a cup of tea while I go to the Old Lady's room to seek a pardon? That way, you have a reason to report back to the Lady."

At this moment, a woman secretly tugged at Wang Gui's wife and nodded subtly. Wang Gui's wife thought to herself, no wonder everyone says the Third Young Master is different now. He's quite capable. In this family, don't offend the Fourth Young Master. Indeed, his words, though clearly protecting others, sounded very reasonable.

If it were when Xu Hao had just arrived, tonight's incident would not have ended well. As a young master of no particular importance, who would care? A confrontation would likely lead to Xu Hao losing his temper and getting physical, which would escalate the situation. The elders would be alarmed, and upon questioning, Xu Hao would be found guilty and punished severely. The garden's residents involved in gambling would not be spared, and Xu Hao would end up disgraced and his status in the family would plummet.

So, the smart Xu Hao initially chose to be low-key, avoiding trouble and delegating matters to Xu Qingtang and his wife. This was the difference between an adult and a middle school student.

With the young master pleading personally, Wang Gui's wife, feeling satisfied, decided to back down. She smiled and said there was no need to disturb the Old Lady, and a cursory search would suffice.

Xu Hao also chose to back down, allowing them to search each servant's room. They had all received word in advance, and the contraband had been moved, so nothing was found.

The servants of Tianxiang Pavilion all breathed a sigh of relief. Xu Cuizhi's wet nurse glanced at the girl's room, which Xu Hao noticed. He had never liked this plump and domineering wet nurse, who had bullied the honest Cuizhi and taken things for herself. She had also led the gambling and drinking, but since Cuizhi hadn't complained, Xu Hao hadn't wanted to interfere.

This time, however, he couldn't let it go. She might be hiding something in Cuizhi's room, using the girl as a shield to protect herself.

If Cuizhi was found to have hidden anything inappropriate, it would not only embarrass the First Lady, Wang Shi, but also ruin Cuizhi's reputation.

Just as Wang Gui's wife was about to leave, she pulled Xu Hao aside and whispered, "I must advise you. Being kind is good, but don't let others take advantage of you. Can't you see their ulterior motives? How long have you been here, and how big is the room? What could they not find? Do they think we are fools? The garden has been too chaotic lately, with nightly gambling and even theft of the girls' jewelry. To be honest, this was a joint decision by the three ladies, knowing you would step in. They used this to send a message and keep everyone in line. There are many bizarre and scandalous things in the inner quarters, and you, being young, know little. Remember to think carefully before acting. I'll be going now."

Surprised, Xu Hao said, "Madam, wait a moment."

"What is it, speak up," Wang Gui's wife thought to herself that if she could win the Third Young Master's trust, the trip would not have been in vain.

Unexpectedly, Xu Hao, having learned from her, decided not to tell her. He instructed Qingwen from a distance, "Quickly fetch five taels of silver as a token of my appreciation."

After sending off the satisfied women, Xu Hao left Tianxiang Pavilion without a word. He then sent Wang Hu to take Qingwen to see Xu Cuizhi at the Mu family's residence, to give her a heads-up.

Xu Hao then went to see Xiao Shi and recounted the events. Xiao Shi praised her son for his good judgment, advising him not to meddle in matters beyond his control.

Xiao Shi hugged her son, smiling calmly, but then pulled him into a long conversation. Eventually, Qingwen returned.

"The young lady said that if her wet nurse did something wrong, perhaps there were other hidden misdeeds. As a daughter, she dared not plead for her. The family has its rules, and the Lady can decide her fate. It's as if she raised a traitor."

Xiao Shi's eyebrows shot up, and she sneered, "What a wooden lady. I thought she had no fire in her, but she can speak with resentment and sarcasm. What did she do earlier? Knowing her wet nurse might do something despicable, she remained silent. Clearly, she's not as innocent as she seems. Well, I'll take care of it for you."

Xu Hao said, "Mother, how could Cuizhi, a young girl, speak up? Besides, it's her private matter, and I don't think it's a big deal."

"Get lost," Xiao Shi scolded. Just then, Xu Qingtang, who had been wandering out in a robe, heard and laughed, "Indeed, it's your egg. Don't be heartbroken if it breaks." He then wobbled off to find the new toilet Xu Hao had built.

Xiao Shi glared at her husband and sternly told Xu Hao, "What do you know, child? Stay out of such messy affairs in the future. You're right, it's her private matter, but she shouldn't have done it next to the young ladies. Do you understand the severity? One mistake could ruin the Xu family's reputation. Who would want your sisters in the future? You're being incredibly foolish!"

Xu Hao broke out in a cold sweat, realizing he had almost made a grave mistake. It seemed modern values didn't fit the ancient world. Some time-travelers, even as emperors, insisted on elections and human rights, which even the modern Western world couldn't fully achieve. These time-travelers, however, promoted universal values in ancient times, leading to disastrous results.

Xiao Shi, still angry, said, "If such a shameless woman were by your sisters, I would immediately sell her to a brothel. Want men? Fine, you'll have them every day, and you'll be ridden by thousands. Enjoy your miserable life."

Xu Hao, feeling a chill, quickly bowed his head, "Uh, Mother, I'll go to sleep now."

Late that night, after a sleepless night, Xiao Shi received a report and immediately ordered her confidants to raid Tianxiang Pavilion. They caught the wet nurse in bed, enjoying a pornographic book and feeling herself.

They then thoroughly searched the wet nurse's room, finding a box of contraband, including copper coins, Burmese bells, and various other items. They also found a bottle of aphrodisiacs, a silver dildo, and a sulfur circle, along with several of Xu Cuizhi's jewelry and gold ingots.

The disgraced wet nurse was brought to the courtyard and harshly humiliated by Xiao Shi. No one was disturbed, and the wet nurse and her family were sent back to their hometown that night.

PS: There are no more recommendations next week, tears! Please leave comments and vote for recommendations and add to your favorites every day. I will continue to update two chapters a day, each with 3,000 words. Let's get through this together and welcome the Spring Festival.