The old woman listened with her heart pounding and was about to leave when she heard Shen Zhenniang calling out again.
"Is everyone dead? Where is my tea?"
The old woman hurried in and glanced over.
Oh!
The teacup and teapot were smashed to pieces—where was there any water left to drink?
"Miss Zhenniang, this pot is broken, and to have tea, you'll have to wait. I need to borrow one from the lady."
Shen Zhenniang waved her hand impatiently.
"Then go quickly!"
Just as the old woman was about to leave, Liao Ruyan stopped her.
"Ma, when you just came in, did you hear anything?"
Though Liao Ruyan spoke softly and even smiled, the malice that flowed from her enchanting eyes sent a shiver through the old woman's heart.
"I've always been hard of hearing, and if it's a bit far, I can't hear anything, and Miss Zhenniang knows it."
Upon hearing this, Shen Zhenniang nodded.
"Sister Ruyan, she's deaf. Remember how we pranked her before, dripping wax into her ears?"
