Chapter 16: The Grand Garden Is Searched
Dark clouds were gathering over the Jia mansion. One evening, a servant found a small box containing improper items in the garden. The news spread quickly, and panic filled the household. The senior members of the family decided that a thorough search must be conducted to find the owner of the box.
Late at night, groups of servants led by senior family members went through every room in the Grand Garden. They opened drawers, searched under beds, and examined every corner. The young ladies were shocked and humiliated by this invasion of their private spaces. It was as if a storm had entered their peaceful world.
When the search reached Tanchun's room, she stood at the door with anger in her eyes. "How dare you treat us like criminals?" she shouted. "We are the daughters of this family, not thieves!" She ordered her servants to light all the lamps and invited the searchers to look as much as they wanted. Her courage shamed those who had come to search her room.
But the search continued in other rooms. Servants were questioned, belongings were thrown about, and trust was broken between masters and servants. The Grand Garden, once a place of beauty and joy, now felt like a prison. The young people realized that their happy days were coming to an end.
The search revealed little of importance, but it damaged something that could not be repaired. The trust and peace that had held the household together were now broken. From that night on, everyone knew that the Jia family was falling apart from within.