Chapter 194

Chapter 194: Promoted by Several Ranks

What?

Ah Jian stared at Du Yi Zhi in astonishment, as did the small crowd of commoners and hunters lined up outside Prosperous Hall.

Sun Dun Xu grew even more arrogant at this sight. Raising his voice, he sneered, “Boss Du, if you have any sense of shame or care for Ji Prefecture’s commoners, you’d better hurry and leave! Don’t drag down the innocent people of Ji Prefecture with your ill fortune—ouch!”

Sun Dun Xu cried out as a hard-packed snowball slammed against him.

“Bah! Boss Du is a good man! If not for him, my whole family would’ve frozen to death by now! It’s you who bring bad luck to Prosperous Hall!”

“That’s right! Get lost and stop talking nonsense about Boss Du!”

More snowballs flew, pelting Sun Dun Xu until he covered his face and fled. Even after running far away, angry shouts still chased him.

“Bah!” Sun Dun Xu spat angrily. “A bunch of worthless fools, courting death by buying his cotton! When they die, they’ll deserve it!”

After saying that, he quickly ran to Du Residence to report the incident at Prosperous Hall.

Old Madam Du paused the movement of her prayer beads when she heard that some commoners were still defending Du Yi Zhi.

In her presence, Sun Dun Xu lost all his arrogance, shrinking nervously.

After a long silence, Old Madam Du sighed deeply. “If that’s the case, tell our people to work even harder.”

“Yes, yes!” Sun Dun Xu eagerly responded, turning to leave immediately.

Just then, a figure hurriedly walked in, colliding with Sun Dun Xu. The man nearly fell, but Sun Dun Xu quickly caught him. His relief vanished when he saw who it was—Second Master Du.

Though not as hot-tempered as Third Master Du, Second Master Du was strict about manners. Usually, failing to greet him respectfully resulted in harsh punishment, let alone colliding with him directly.

[I’m doomed this time!] Sun Dun Xu thought anxiously.

Yet, Second Master Du only laughed twice and completely ignored him, calling out cheerfully, “Old Madam, great news!”

Old Madam Du turned her gaze. Only now noticing Sun Dun Xu, Second Master Du waved him off distractedly.

Sun Dun Xu exhaled in relief. Immediately feeling a sudden urge, he rushed to the outhouse to take care of things before following through on the old madam’s orders.

In Old Madam Du’s room, Second Master Du took out a familiar-looking letter.

Old Madam Du rose in anticipation. “What is this?”

“I found it just now in Third Master’s courtyard. He’s in no condition to deliver it, so I brought it myself.”

Mentioning Third Master, Old Madam Du’s eyes darkened with displeasure.

Since Du Cheng’s death, Third Master Du’s wife had thrown the household into chaos. Out of pity for Third Master Du, Old Madam Du had proposed adding two young concubines to his household. After all, the madam was too old to have more children, but Third Master Du still could.

But that woman went mad that very night, slashing at both new concubines with a knife and wounding Third Master Du’s face.

Had it not been for her recent loss, Old Madam Du would have immediately forced Third Master to divorce her. But, since Third Master had foolishly revealed family secrets to his wife, they couldn’t risk the scandal. They’d have to wait until things calmed down before quietly arranging for her death from illness.

These thoughts flashed briefly through Old Madam Du’s mind before she reached excitedly for the letter.

Compared to the prosperity of the entire Du Clan, what was one Du Cheng’s death? If the madam had properly disciplined her son, Du Cheng wouldn’t have died at all.

“Your father and Third Master…” she began.

“Have already been informed,” Second Master Du replied.

Just then, Second Master Du’s elder brother and Third Master Du’s elder brother hurried inside.

Third Master Du’s elder brother had another son from a concubine who, despite his lesser birth, was greatly favored. Thus, Du Cheng’s death didn’t affect him as much.

“Has our patron sent another letter?” Elder Brother Du eagerly asked.

Second Master Du revealed the sealed token—exactly like the one they had presented years ago. Even the seal on the letter was identical.

“Indeed!” Second Master Du said. “It seems our patron greatly values the Du Clan. Perhaps Elder Brother is about to receive another promotion.”

Old Madam Du shared this expectation. “The more favor we receive, the harder we must work.” Slowly, she broke the seal and unfolded the letter under everyone’s eager eyes.

Second Master Du watched closely. But as moments passed in silence, he grew anxious and prepared to speak.

Yet, Old Madam Du’s hand began trembling gently at first, then increasingly harder.

“How many ranks did Ming Yi get promoted, to make Sister-in-law so happy?” Elder Brother Du joked.

Then suddenly—”Pu chi!”

A mouthful of blood splattered onto the letter, staining it crimson. Old Madam Du’s mouth gaped open in shock. The letter fluttered from her trembling hand.

Her eyes fixed blankly on empty space, and before anyone could react, her body lurched violently backward.

“Sister-in-law!”

“Old Madam!”

“What—what’s going on?” Second Master Du rushed to support her. Hearing the commotion, Nanny Zhou hurried inside.

Elder Brother Du had already picked up the letter from the floor. But a single glance froze his expression.

“No…” he murmured weakly. Then, without warning, he also collapsed.

Chaos broke out inside the room.

Terrified that Third Master Du’s brother might suffer the same fate, Second Master Du snatched the letter from his limp hand. One glance—he staggered backward and collapsed onto the floor, dignity forgotten.

His lips moved silently, unable to speak.

[It’s over!] he thought. [The Du Clan is finished!]

Instead of the promotion they anticipated, the letter demanded they confess to collaborating with the yamen and burning the cotton!

But—but they had done everything exactly as instructed!

Why—why was this happening?

“The letter…where’s the letter?” Just then, Old Madam Du regained consciousness, shakily reaching out. “Fake! It must be fake!”

“Du Yi Zhi! It’s Du Yi Zhi’s revenge against us… yes, yes, that’s it!” Old Madam Du laughed and sobbed, utterly hysterical.

Elder Brother Du’s eyes widened with rage.

Finally, Third Master Du’s brother retrieved the letter from the collapsed Second Master. Seeing everyone’s reactions, he’d expected the worst. Yet, reading it for himself, he still stumbled, nearly collapsing.

[How…how could this happen?]