Chapter 24: The Tide Has Turned

Liu Zheng stepped in quietly and whispered, "My Lady, everything you requested is ready."

Sheng Xiayan gave a slight nod, reached out to pick up the paper doll from the table, and a meaningful smile curved her lips. "This time, I want to see if she can still act so high-handedly in the Grand Preceptor's estate."

The courtyard of the Grand Preceptor's estate was silent, with only a few dim lanterns swaying in the wind. Sheng Xiayan stood by the window, clutching the talisman paper she had carefully prepared, a flicker of coldness in her eyes. She gently pressed the talisman onto the small paper doll; the edges of the paper began to emit a faint chill, as if the doll itself were imbued with some ancient and eerie power.

"From now on, I shall have one less stumbling block," Sheng Xiayan murmured, a cold sneer tugging at the corner of her mouth. She knew that all of this was only the beginning.

She tucked the paper doll away, intending to hand it to the servant she had arranged. This servant, Liu Zheng, was a low-ranking boy in the Madam's household who usually went unnoticed. In truth, he had no deep connection with the Madam, and having once been threatened by her, he harbored long-standing resentment. Now, knowing the young mistress possessed such means, he was more than willing to lend a hand.

Sheng Xiayan instructed, "Remember, hide this paper doll in the most conspicuous box. When the Grand Preceptor visits the Madam's quarters, make sure he sees it for himself." She then slipped a pouch of silver into Liu Zheng's hand. Her eyes were filled with confidence; she knew that if this ploy succeeded, the Madam would never be able to regain her power.

"I understand, please rest assured! I will complete the task," Liu Zheng replied with a respectful nod. He quietly slipped out of Sheng Xiayan's room to carry out the plan as instructed.

The next day, the Madam was managing affairs in the parlor as usual, feeling somewhat irritable. She was unaware that the crisis she was about to face was silently closing in. Just then, Sheng Xiayan deliberately appeared, pretending to wander into the Madam's courtyard by chance. "Madam, I heard you prepared a token of affection for the Grand Preceptor, so I took the opportunity to come and see. I wonder if you might introduce it to me today?"

The Madam was momentarily stunned by her unexpected visit, but she quickly regained her composure. "You are quite polite. In that case, wait a moment; once I finish discussing matters with the Grand Preceptor, I will take you to see him."

Sheng Xiayan smiled slightly, her plan already set. She knew the Grand Preceptor had business out today, which was exactly why she had chosen this timing. If she hadn't intended to reveal the matter to him, why would she have deliberately mentioned this "token of affection"?

A short while later, the Grand Preceptor arrived. Just as Sheng Xiayan had anticipated, he noticed nothing amiss and walked into the courtyard in his usual low-profile manner.

Sheng Xiayan feigned nervousness, lowered her head, and said with feigned gentleness, "Grand Preceptor, I heard you were coming today, so I brought a small token for you. I hope it meets your favor. I also heard that Mother prepared a great gift for you—you might want to look for it in the boxes yourself." Her words were subtle, but she had already secretly arranged everything.

The Grand Preceptor seemed uninterested and replied coldly, "If so, then I shall take a look." He took the item Sheng Xiayan handed him and walked toward the room where the Madam was staying.

At that moment, the Madam remained oblivious, still busy with her tasks, while the Grand Preceptor rummaged through her room. Suddenly, his eyes lit up; he noticed an eye-catching box. It looked ancient yet exquisite, instantly drawing his attention.

Just as Sheng Xiayan had hoped, the box contained the paper doll. The doll’s face was covered in curses, and the red talisman script shimmered with a chilling, unsettling aura. The Grand Preceptor frowned and couldn't help but open the box. As he looked at the curses written with his own name on the doll, a look of horror appeared in his eyes. He scanned the hideous, vitriolic words written on the paper.

"What is this?" The Grand Preceptor's voice was low and filled with rage. He glared, his tone bordering on murderous. "Madam, how dare you do such a thing?!"

Hearing his voice, the Madam hurried over. Seeing the Grand Preceptor's dark expression, her heart sank, and she knew things were dire. She immediately bowed her head to explain, "Grand Preceptor, you have misunderstood! This is absolutely not my doing." Her voice was urgent, as if desperate to defend herself.

However, the Grand Preceptor's anger did not subside. Instead, his words grew even colder. "You say this isn't your doing? Then how did this paper doll appear in your quarters? You intend to curse me to death! I see now—had I not discovered this, you would have continued with such vicious intentions." His voice grew heavy, and his eyes burned with fury.

The Madam felt a shock to her core; she knew this could no longer be covered up. She realized that if she could not appease his anger today, she would lose his trust and reliance forever. Losing his support meant the total loss of her power in the estate.

The Grand Preceptor stood there, his face grim. After a moment of silence, he finally spoke: "Reflect properly on how you dared to curse your husband's family. Look at what you have done. You are to remain confined to this courtyard and are not to go anywhere."

With that, he turned and left the courtyard without looking back, heading straight for his study. The Madam stood in place, filled with anxiety and unease. Everything before her had become an inescapable nightmare.

The Madam was locked within her own courtyard, and the sprawling estate now felt cold and desolate. The nurses and maids she most trusted had been reassigned, and the guards at the gate ignored her cries, refusing even to bring her a cup of water. She sat on her bed, clutching her sleeves tightly, her eyes filled with rage and resentment.

Yesterday, the Grand Preceptor had been struck with thunderous fury, locking her in the courtyard and ordering that no one be allowed to visit—not even the kitchen was to send her food. In just one day, she was famished and parched, her throat feeling as if it had been scorched by fire. She endured the discomfort, dragging her heavy body to the door to try and push it open, but the guards outside stood coldly, not even sparing her a glance.

"Open the door!" the Madam shouted sharply, her eyes filled with malice. "I am the mistress of this house, the Grand Preceptor's wife! If you dare to defy me, beware the consequences later!"

The guards remained unmoved, not even lifting their heads. One replied coldly, "Madam, the Grand Preceptor has ordered that you are not to step a single foot outside this courtyard."

The Madam trembled with rage. She took a deep breath, trying to speak calmly. "I am thirsty. Bring me water."

The guards remained motionless, as if her words were not worth a moment of their time.