The washbasin crashed to the ground. Zhao Qin was jolted and sprang to his feet. He was at a loss, his tongue tripping over words as he tried to find an explanation. Finally, covering the crotch of his trousers soaked with body fluid with both hands, he lowered his head and scurried away. Zui Tao tried to stop him, but he pushed her roughly. She staggered and fell to the ground, then shouted urgently, "Help! There's a thief!"
"What's going on?"
Zui Tao's commotion woke up Liu Yushu. She sat up and asked. By then, Zui Tao had already rushed out of the courtyard.
A maid heard her voice and came in to reply, "Miss, Sister Zui Tao said there's a thief in the yard."
"Come here and help me put on my shoes." Liu Yushu frowned slightly, her eyes full of confusion. She wondered in her heart how could there be a thief in the mansion in broad daylight? If it was true, this thief was really audacious.
The old lady had already given a lecture in the mansion. There shouldn't be anyone daring to have improper thoughts about her anymore.
Then who could it be?
Liu Yushu walked into the yard and asked the maid, "Did you see what the thief looked like?"
The maid shook her head. "No. All I know is that the thief seemed to be trying to steal a foot - washing basin. He was discovered by Sister Zui Tao before he could succeed. I don't know what happened after that."
"Got it. You can go." Liu Yushu's expression was calm, showing no emotion. But she thought this matter was rather strange in her heart.
A thief stealing a foot - washing basin? It was just ridiculous.
Since Lady Wei was still in the mansion, it was not appropriate to make a big fuss in front of an outsider and let others laugh at them.
By the time Liu Yushu reached the front hall, the matter had already spread.
"Grandmother, what exactly happened?" Liu Yushu stepped into the main hall. Zui Tao was kneeling on the ground.
"Tell me, what did the thief look like?" The old lady looked calm.
Lady Wei pulled Liu Yushu to sit beside her. She was holding a teacup, sipping tea as if the matter had nothing to do with her, with a look of anticipation on her face.
"He was wearing a dark blue robe with hidden patterns of Chinese flowering crabapple on the collar and cuffs." Zui Tao recalled. After a moment's thought, she continued, "He was two heads taller than me. He had a fair complexion and single - fold eyelids. His face was all wet. He was hiding furtively under the wall outside Miss Shu's room, holding Miss Shu's foot - washing basin. I don't know how he got in, but I'm sure he's not from our mansion."
Lady Wei had been looking forward to a good show. But her hand trembled, and the teacup in her hand fell to the ground. She gave the old lady an awkward smile, her expression stiff. She stared at Zui Tao impatiently and asked, "Was the man caught?"
The person Zui Tao described was clearly her son, Zhao Qin! She could tell just from the robe. Before Lady Wei entered the mansion, she had repeatedly told Zhao Qin to wait outside and not to come in. But this brat not only came in but also sneaked in.
Well, seeing Lady Wei's guilty look, the old lady immediately understood what was going on. Liu Yushu also had a general idea. This matter might be related to Lady Wei.
There was no thief at all. It was just that Zhao Qin was cornered when he was caught by Zui Tao. When he was running away, he was so flustered that he was like a headless fly, bumping around everywhere. Many servants in the mansion saw him. He got even more panicked and tried to climb over the wall several times. But he didn't have enough strength and fell off the wall. Finally, with nowhere to hide and seeing that the guards were about to catch up with him, he gritted his teeth and jumped into the lake behind the mountain. He held his breath and sank to the bottom of the lake, planning to sneak away after the people left.
Zui Tao shook her head blankly. Seeing Lady Wei's worried look, she thought Lady Wei was worried about the Liu Mansion and kindly comforted her, "Replying to Lady Wei, all the guards in our mansion know martial arts. Please rest assured. We will surely catch the thief, tie him up tightly, and send him to the yamen. The person who dared to peep at our miss is really a despicable lecher."
Hearing this, Lady Wei almost choked. She slumped in her seat, covering her chest with one hand. Her face was deathly pale, and her voice began to tremble. "Old lady, I have something to attend to at home today. I won't bother you anymore." Just as she was about to leave, Mama Xie blocked her way. The old lady said, "The thief may still be in the mansion, Lady Wei. In my opinion, you'd better stay here first. Don't go out and run into the thief and get hurt."
"How could that be? I really have an urgent matter at home and must go back." Lady Wei was so anxious that her face turned pale. She cursed in her heart: This stupid kid, Zhao Qin, mustn't be caught.
Lady Wei was extremely anxious. Cold sweat kept breaking out on her forehead. She was afraid that Zhao Qin would be caught and humiliated in public. If this matter got out, how could she show her face in the future?
Among Lady Wei's two sons, she had always favored the younger one, Zhao Qin. She had pampered and protected him all the time since he was a child. No matter how big or small the trouble Zhao Qin caused, she would help him clean up the mess. She didn't care much when her eldest son got married. But it was different for Zhao Qin. As a mother, she must fulfill her son's wish and let him marry Liu Yushu.
"In that case, I won't force you to stay, Lady Wei." The old lady said leisurely. Anyway, she had Lady Wei's weakness in her hands, so she wasn't in a hurry.
Seeing this, Liu Yushu couldn't help smiling.
Originally, Lady Wei had wanted to matchmake Liu Yushu with her son, but now she didn't say a word.
"Mama Xie, give Lady Wei the things I've ordered."
"Yes, I've already prepared them."
Lady Wei was confused. "What things?"