Chapter 31 Opposing each other with equal harshness

　　It was fine weather after the rain. The moonlight was clear like water.

　　No one was in the mood to talk. All the way, the three were quiet. Only the soft sound of the embroidered shoes moving on the wet stones could be heard.

　　Only when they stepped in the yard of Pine Crane Hall did Zisu turn and locked the main door. Then, she went in first to report. Following this, concubine Yun whispered, "Second young mistress, it's really not me…"

　　Shu Huan turned and looked at her.

　　Her (Y) face was pale like the moonlight. There was grievance in her eyes as well as confusion and helplessness.

　　"I know it's not you."

　　When people do good things, they often rely on their own heart. When they do bad things, it was for the sake of interest. Only when concubine Yun hold on that information that can be used against her (SH) and threaten her would it be beneficial for her (Y). If the information gets out, both sides would lose. This was also why both of them would be here now. It was just, did concubine Yun know that when she schemed against someone, she could also be schemed against? The one who was unlucky was her (SH). She didn't do anything, but was still struck by the arrow…

　　Shu Huan sighed and asked, "What did my parents tell you exactly?"

　　Concubine Yun shook her head and said, "They didn't say anything. I just asked them whether second young mistress knows how to read. They said that you learned from that scholar. I let someone inquire about the other things. Aside from the sachet, there was nothing else."

　　Shu Huan's heart slightly calmed down. She lifted her skirt and walked up the steps.

　　When things came to a head, she wasn't afraid anymore. After all, even if she was afraid, it wouldn't help the matter.

　　It was just the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. Concubine Yun was the mantis. Then, who was the oriole?

• The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind: to pursue a narrow gain while neglecting a greater danger.

　　When the two entered the main hall, they saw old madam sitting on the main seat with a sullen face. That expression was even more ugly than how Gu Xihe described it. Shu Huan stepped forward and paid her respect, "Greetings to old madam."

　　Old madam humphed once coldly and shouted, "Everyone retreat. No one is allowed to stay in the room!"

　　"Yes," Zisu and the other maids responded. Everyone retreated unsettled and closed the door.

　　Old madam personally walked to the door and locked it. Then, her gaze swept over Shu Huan and concubine Yun. She shouted, "Kneel!"

　　The voice was like thunder, making concubine Yun tremble and kneel first.

　　Shu Huan lifted her clothes a bit and also knelt.

　　Old madam then walked back and sat down. She just looked at them gloomily like this without a word. Shu Huan didn't know how much time had pa.s.sed, when she finally heard old madam say, "Where is the sachet? Still not handing it over?!"

　　Sure enough, it was for this matter!

　　Although, she was prepared, Shu Huan's eyelid still jumped. She got a headache from guessing how many eyes and ears were placed at her side. Or better said, inside of Plum Flower Pavilion.

　　Concubine Yun's body trembled once more. After hesitating for a while, she suddenly gritted her teeth and said, "Answering old madam, I've long burned the sachet."

　　"Burned?" Old madam sneered and didn't believe it, "For who are you hiding it?"