Xuezhan grabbed Cao Lihuan’s wrist and shouted, “Stop this commotion at once! Do you want me to fetch Old Madam?”
At the mention of “Old Madam,” a flicker of fear crossed Cao Lihuan’s face, but she quickly feigned indifference. “Even if you bring Old Madam here, I’m not afraid. In fact, I’d like to ask her to judge this matter. How can such an insolent servant who dares to bully her master be kept around…”
Before she could finish, someone interjected, “Who has such airs that they’d trouble Old Madam?” A noblewoman in her mid-thirties emerged from the courtyard gate. She was of average height, with a fair, beautiful, and dignified face, exuding an aura of grace and nobility. She wore a sky-blue soft satin jacket embroidered with exquisitely elegant plum blossoms and a long white skirt. Her hair was neatly styled into a glossy tilted bun, adorned only with two jade hairpins. The jade was lustrous, emerald-green, and translucent—clearly of exceptional quality.
Upon seeing the newcomer, Xuezhan called out with reverence and trepidation, “First Madam.” Cao Lihuan instinctively released her grip, straightened her posture, and smoothed her clothes and hair. Xianglan scrambled to her feet and quietly stood in a corner at a moderate distance, hands clasped respectfully. She thought, “Such attire and demeanor, and yet so unfamiliar—this must be First Madam Qin Shi, right? What elegance! By age, she should be over forty, but she looks as if she’s still in her thirties.”
First Madam Qin Shi calmly surveyed the scene. She first noticed Liubei lying on the ground, her hair disheveled, clothes in disarray, and face streaked with tears and mucus. Then she glanced at Cao Lihuan, whose hair was also slightly messy, and asked in a stern voice, “What is going on here?”
The ferocity still lingering on her face, Cao Lihuan pointed at Liubei and exclaimed loudly, “I came with good intentions to welcome my uncle’s family, but this wretched girl blocked the door and refused to let me in. In the end, she even dared to lay hands on her master and cursed me by name!”
Qin Shi, having already deduced the identity of the person before her, feigned ignorance and furrowed her brows slightly as she looked at Cao Lihuan. “You are…?”
Xuezhan whispered, “She is the cousin young lady Old Madam mentioned to you earlier.”
A look of understanding dawned on Qin Shi’s face. She gave Cao Lihuan a faint glance and said, “You should address me as Aunt.” Just as Cao Lihuan opened her mouth to speak, Qin Shi waved her hand dismissively. “Enough. Come with me first.” She turned to leave but glanced back at Liubei and added, “Don’t let her lie on the ground. Help her up and take her inside. It would be improper if Old Madam were to see this later.” With that, she headed toward the adjacent hall.Cao Lihuan had no choice but to follow Qin Shi. She was seething with resentment. She had long since tried to curry favor with the Second Branch of the Lin family. Lin Changmin was a mere military man who focused solely on army affairs and paid no attention to household matters. Second Madam Wang Shi was as slippery as an eel; no matter how much Cao Lihuan tried to ingratiate herself, Wang Shi always maintained a smiling yet distant demeanor. The Old Master lived in seclusion, and the Old Madam disliked her. Zhao Yuechan, on the other hand, had some rapport with her, but despite the many gold and silver jewelry, silk fabrics, and trinkets Cao Lihuan had gifted her, Zhao Yuechan had barely fulfilled any of her promises! Now that the main branch had returned, it seemed Qin Shi was back in charge of the household. Cao Lihuan had long prepared to flatter and claim kinship. In the household, maids and servants superficially addressed her as "Cousin Miss." By nature, she was domineering and vain. Over time, she had cast aside her initial unease upon entering the mansion and began to regard herself as a legitimate young lady of the Lin family, no longer acting like an outsider. Yet she never expected such a scene today, especially Liubei's words, which infuriated and humiliated her. With old and new grievances combined, Cao Lihuan had struck Liubei harshly, and her rage had yet to subside.
Xianglan followed behind Cao Lihuan. When they reached the door of the small hall, she obediently stood outside to guard it. She saw Xuezhan and a young maid supporting Liubei as they walked in. Xuezhan said softly, "Fortunately, your hair is thick, so losing a handful isn't too noticeable..." Liubei, sobbing, entered a side room.
Inside the hall, Qin Shi sighed and said, "Just now, the Old Madam spoke of you, saying how pitiable you are, having lost your parents early and having an elder brother you can't rely on. She asked me to take extra care of you in daily life."
Cao Lihuan cursed inwardly, "Take extra care of me? Nonsense! That old hag wishes I'd disappear immediately." She sneered and said, "If the Old Madam cares for me, why didn't she let me in? Instead, she had two maids stop me at the door, repeating 'the Old Madam's orders,' calling it a 'family banquet.' So, she treats me as an outsider. If even the Old Madam acts this way, how can those snobbish maids regard me as a proper mistress and show me respect?"
Upon hearing this, Qin Shi's face darkened instantly. She sat down in a chair and remained silent for a long while before slowly saying, "Today is indeed our Lin family's family banquet." She emphasized the words "our Lin family" heavily. "Although men and women sit separately, there are no screens. You are grown now, soon to be married, and the young masters in the family are also of age. It would be improper for you to dine together, which is why you weren't invited. However, the Old Madam had four of your favorite dishes and two plates of pastries sent to you. She plans to have you and the other girls join her for lunch tomorrow."
Cao Lihuan said, "The Old Madam is truly thoughtful." Her words dripped with sarcasm.Qin Shi's expression grew increasingly stern: "The Lin family values rules and propriety above all. Though you don't bear the Lin surname, you still address me as 'aunt'. I'll take the liberty of speaking plainly. As a young lady from a respectable family, you should conduct yourself with proper decorum. No matter what the maids might think privately, they must show respect to their masters outwardly. Even if there are insolent servants who overstep, you should report them to the housekeepers or senior matrons. Why stoop to scuffling with a maid, disregarding your own dignity? However unworthy Liubei may be, she serves in Old Madam's household. When beating a dog, one must consider its master's face. By striking Liubei, weren't you slapping Old Madam across the face? You'll soon be married - if word of today's incident spreads and damages your reputation, how will you establish yourself in your future husband's household?"
Cao Lihuan retorted coldly with hardened tone: "My conduct is proper and my actions correct. Who could find fault with my manners or behavior, or tarnish my reputation? In Yuzhou, I was renowned as a dignified young lady - you may inquire if you doubt this. Had that maid not provoked me beyond endurance, why would I have struck her? She spouted such vulgarities, taking advantage of my being orphaned and helpless - even a mere maid dares to trample over me!"
Having lived to this age, Qin Shi had never been confronted with such brazen defiance from a junior, especially when offering well-intentioned advice. She couldn't help but laugh in exasperation: "Very well, very well. So you mean to say you did nothing wrong today, and only the maid was at fault? But that maid was acting on Old Madam's orders - are you implying Old Madam was in the wrong?" Without waiting for Cao Lihuan's response, she suddenly stood and approached the girl, wearing a faint smile as she said: "As the saying goes, 'Great kindness begets great enmity' - now I understand. Since you feel we've all wronged you, and Old Madam's countless considerations have only bred resentment, you should pack your belongings and return home. Our Lin family doesn't mind providing an extra place at the table and a dowry chest, but we never raise ungrateful wretches!"
Cao Lihuan stood stunned, never expecting Qin Shi would directly order her departure! Gritting her teeth, she protested: "You're expelling me? How could any aunt treat her niece this way - driving her out upon first meeting!"
Qin Shi maintained her slight smile, though it didn't reach her eyes: "I don't understand your meaning, miss. Clearly, you're the one who resents Old Madam and blames us. This is the Lin residence - you're not of the Lin family. Sending you back is only natural."
Cao Lihuan stood speechless and dumbfounded. Having always gotten her way through intimidation, she never anticipated Qin Shi would deliver such a blunt humiliation!
Observing Cao Lihuan's expression, Qin Shi smiled coldly to herself. Reaching the doorway, she turned back and said softly: "Make haste to pack your luggage. I'll have a carriage prepared to send you off." Then she gracefully swept out of the room.
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