Hui'er trembled as she stepped forward, her legs giving way as she knelt on the floor. Qin Shi sized her up and saw a rather plain, slightly plump maid dressed in a black kesi jacket with a silver-white plain satin skirt underneath. Around her neck hung a small gold-locket necklace, and on her wrists were a pair of delicate gold bracelets. Her eyebrows were finely drawn, and her hair was neatly styled—her attire almost rivaled that of young ladies. At a glance, it was clear she was a favored servant.
Qin Shi sneered, "You’re quite the fine maid, aren’t you? I’ve heard you’ve been stuffing gold and silver into the hands of these three, scheming against Third Master! Speak! Who put you up to this?"
Hui'er was so terrified her hands and feet turned icy. She glanced up at Cao Lihuan, but the latter’s face was expressionless, her gaze averted. Lowering her head, Hui'er thought to herself, After all, I’m not a Lin family servant—they can’t do much to me. But if I reveal that the young lady ordered me to do this, I’ll be dead without a burial place. She kowtowed frantically and pleaded, "This was all my fault! I was blind and wicked to do such a thing—it has nothing to do with anyone else! I beg Taitai for mercy, I beg the young lady for mercy!"
Hearing this, Cao Lihuan slowly let out the breath she’d been holding. Qin Shi scoffed, "You did this all on your own? Why? And where did you get the gold and silver jewelry? A maid like you couldn’t possibly afford such things!"
Hui'er kowtowed repeatedly. "I was in charge of the jewelry... I stole it... I..."
Gritting her teeth, Cao Lihuan spoke up, "Hui'er is my maid. If she’s done wrong, I’ll discipline her and give Cousin-in-law a proper explanation."
Qin Shi’s gaze turned icy as she fixed it on Cao Lihuan. She slammed the table and pointed at Zhao Yuechan beside her. "You—go spit on her! Teach her what a young lady’s manners should be!"
Zhao Yuechan immediately stepped forward and spat viciously in Cao Lihuan’s face, scolding, "Kneel down! When elders are disciplining servants, who are you to interrupt? Shame on you, a young lady from a respectable family—where’s your dignity? Even I’ve been standing here quietly listening! Hui'er is your maid, and you failed to discipline her properly. Taitai hasn’t even scolded you yet, and here you are, acting all high and mighty!"
Cao Lihuan had never suffered such humiliation before. Rage churned inside her, but she dared not argue further and obediently knelt down. Qin Shi picked up her teacup and took a slow sip before saying, "Though Hui'er is your maid, she’s black-hearted enough to tarnish the reputation of my Lin family’s descendants. Who put her up to this? Where did the bribery money come from? You know the answers best. I’m not spelling it out—I’m giving you face..."
Cao Lihuan could no longer hold back. She sprang to her feet and shouted, "Cousin-in-law, are you implying I ordered Hui'er to do this? Do you have any proof?"
Qin Shi was taken aback, then furious. She slammed the long table, and Mama Han stepped forward, swinging her arm to deliver a resounding slap across Cao Lihuan’s face. "How dare you defy your elders and question Taitai! Say another word, and I’ll tear your mouth apart!" She sneered at Cao Lihuan. "Don’t think being a cousin’s daughter makes you special—I’ve even slapped Lou-ge’er before! If you’re not satisfied, go complain to the Old Master and Old Madam! Did your parents never teach you manners?"Qin Shi raised her voice and declared, "Now that you're older and have started harboring all sorts of improper thoughts, shielding the maids around you and refusing to heed my words, it's no longer suitable for you to stay in the garden. Starting today, you are to move out. If you wish to return to your brother's place, we'll prepare a carriage to send you back. If not, there's an empty room in the western section behind the mansion. But from now on, you are forbidden from entering the garden! Go pack your things immediately!"
Then, turning her gaze to Hui'er, she sneered repeatedly, "Even if you're not a maid of the Lin family, you're the most despicable for maliciously tarnishing our Third Master's reputation. Today, I will deal with you!" She glanced at her head maid, Hongjian.
Understanding her mistress's intent, Hongjian raised her voice, "Drag Hui'er outside the second gate and give her thirty strokes of the rod! Strip her pants before the beating!"
The mention of stripping her pants terrified Hui'er out of her wits. Outside the second gate was where the male servants and attendants frequented. Being beaten with her pants down meant all dignity and face would be lost, and she could forget about marrying into a respectable family for the rest of her life. She wailed loudly, "I was wrong! I was wrong, Taitai! Spare me! Miss, Miss, save me..." Before she could finish, several matrons dragged her away.
The room was so silent you could hear a pin drop. Qin Shi turned back and exchanged another glance with Hongjian, who nodded. Looking at the three servants kneeling below, Hongjian announced, "Wu San's wife, deduct three months' wages and demote her to gatekeeping at the second gate, plus thirty slaps on the face. Feng Shuang's wife, deduct three months' wages and assign her to guarding the garden's west gate from now on, plus thirty slaps." Then she eyed the trembling maid and said, "Siqiao, as Third Master's maid, you actually betrayed your master. The mansion can no longer tolerate you. Since your loyalty lies elsewhere, from today onward, you shall serve Miss Huan. Hand over your deed of sale later, then take her out for ten strokes of the rod. After that, pack your things and leave."
Siqiao burst into loud sobs, "Taitai, Taitai, please show mercy! Don't send me away! I was blinded this time..." She was dragged out crying by several matrons.
Qin Shi sat upright like a bell. "Who usually serves in Gauze Snow Dock?"
Hearing this, Xianglan hurried out from the inner room and knelt before Qin Shi, followed by Huairui and Granny Liu. Qin Shi scrutinized them one by one, asking their names and how long they had served, then sternly reprimanded them, warning that if they "dared to incite their master to mischief, their legs would be broken." Finally, she looked at Cao Lihuan, who stood rigidly, and said softly, "From now on, you'd better watch your step." With that, she rose and left with her entourage.
Xianglan was stunned by Qin Shi's swift and decisive actions, thinking to herself, "Qin Shi is formidable. Without even interrogating, she directly pinned the blame on Cao Lihuan for instigating the maids to spread rumors. Today's visit was to make an example of her, a clear warning to Cao Lihuan. If Cao Lihuan is smart, she'll rein in her schemes from now on and may still leave safely when the time comes. If not..."
As she pondered, a loud crash interrupted her thoughts. Cao Lihuan had swept all the teacups off the table and cursed viciously, "You old hag! Sooner or later, I'll have you cut into a thousand pieces!"Xianglan lowered her head and silently entered the room. Qin Shi's admonishments might as well have been pearls cast before swine. Cao Lihuan often boasted at home, "I don't care if you're Taitai or some grand madam—if you cross me and make my life difficult, I'll make sure you regret it!" With such an unrepentant, vengeful nature, who knew what kind of storm she might stir up.
Votes, collections, and comments are much appreciated
Commenter, why have you been absent for so long? T_T
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