Guo Mama finished speaking and was about to drag Fangsi away when a young maid hurried in and announced, "Madam requests Mama's presence in her chamber." Hearing this, Guo Mama had no choice but to go to Song Yima's bedroom. Upon entering, she saw that Song Yima had already risen from bed, her cheeks still flushed, clearly having just woken up. Song Ke sat in the chair to the left, Song Zancha sat on the right, and Xianglan stood nearby serving tea.
At the sight, Guo Mama's heart began to pound nervously. She forced a smile and said, "Madam, you've woken up—why didn't you let me know? The kitchen has freshly brewed heat-relief soup. Would Madam like a bowl?"
Song Yima waved her hand dismissively, seemingly unable to meet Guo Mama's gaze, her eyes fixed on her son's expression. Guo Mama thought to herself, "This is bad." Sure enough, Song Ke spoke up: "There's no particular reason for my visit today. I just feel that Fangsi has grown older and has served Madam for many years. She's worked hard and deserves to be released from the household to marry. Although our family isn't as prosperous as before, we shouldn't treat her poorly. Later, Mama can withdraw fifty taels of silver from the accounts, along with a set of gold and silver hairpins and two bolts of cloth, as a reward for her years of dedication. When she marries in the future, the Song family will provide an additional dowry."
Although Song Yima had vaguely anticipated this outcome, hearing it from Song Ke's lips still made her heart tighten. She pleaded, "Eldest Young Master, how can you say such things? No matter how flawed my daughter may be, I beg Madam and the masters to teach her properly. Don't drive her out. In consideration of my years of loyal service to Madam, please at least allow me to retain some dignity!"
Song Yima's heart softened, and she glanced at Song Ke again. Seeing his expression as still as water, she moved her lips but ultimately lowered her head and fell silent.
Song Zancha said coldly, "Releasing her with dignity now is already out of respect for Mama's face. If Mama would only ask Fangsi what she has done, you would understand why I say this." It turned out that Song Ke had earlier informed Song Zancha about Fangsi instigating the Lin family's young lady to cause a scene. Having grown up reading works like "The Collection of Virtuous Women" and "Biographies of Exemplary Women," Song Zancha was steeped in rules and propriety and despised servants who brought disgrace upon the family. No matter how well Fangsi had treated her in the past, this incident had reduced all goodwill to ashes. At that moment, she only wished to have Fangsi expelled and thus spoke with extreme bluntness.
Guo Mama knelt and implored, "Young Lady, please say a good word for my daughter. Since childhood, she has combed your hair, made tassels and pouches for you, and kept you company for conversation and relaxation. When you were young and studying or writing, she stood by your side attending to ink and brushes. In cold weather, she made thick bedding for you; in hot weather, she brewed sour plum soup. Young Lady, please consider our past affection..." As she spoke, her voice choked with sobs. Though her words were directed at Song Zancha, every syllable implicitly referred to Song Yima.
Sure enough, Song Yima could no longer remain seated. She was soft-hearted, and Guo Mama's speech reminded her of Fangsi's years of devoted service, stirring her emotions. She began, "Ke'er..."
Song Zancha replied with slight anger, "These are the duties she ought to fulfill as a maid. Even if she neglected them, she would at most be considered lazy and inefficient—hardly grounds for expulsion! Mama, go ask her what exactly she has done!"
Before her words faded, the curtain of the inner room was flung aside, and Fangsi rushed in like a gust of wind. She knelt beside Guo Mama, tears streaming down her face, and pleaded hoarsely, "I know I was wrong. I beg you, please don't drive me out. If you expel me, I'd rather dash my head and die cleanly..." She kowtowed repeatedly without cease.Song Ke noticed Song Yima's eyes were also reddening, so he quickly spoke up: "Guo Mama, please rise quickly. This isn't about driving Fangsi away. It's just that she's grown older, and as the saying goes, 'A grown daughter cannot be kept at home.' Seeing her thoughts increasingly wander, it's time to let her go and marry. In the future, if she misses Madam, she's welcome to come back for visits. Just now, Madam mentioned giving Fangsi a decent set of jewelry as her future dowry. You should also thank Madam for this kindness."
These words left Guo Mama speechless again. Indeed, they weren't driving Fangsi out but were sending her off with gifts. And Fangsi had long reached the age for marriage arrangements.
Fangsi sobbed, "I'm willing to serve Madam and never marry in my whole life!"
Guo Mama hurriedly added, "That's right. Since my daughter hasn't been betrothed to anyone yet, let her serve Madam for a few more years. It won't be too late for her to leave after she's engaged."
Song Ke felt quite a headache coming on. Guo Mama was an elderly servant with status, and out of respect for her deep bond with Madam, he still treated her with some deference. This made it difficult to deal with Fangsi as well. Originally, he had planned to send Fangsi away with some valuables to settle the matter, but who would have thought this mother and daughter would be so shamelessly stubborn, refusing to leave no matter what. He glanced around and saw his mother's face full of reluctance, while his sister wore a tense expression, as if someone owed her a fortune. At a time when they needed support, no one could speak up and say a few words.
By now, Fangsi was kowtowing and wailing, "Don't drive me away! I'll change all my faults from now on!"
Song Zancha stood up in anger, saying, "Change? You're just paying lip service! You schemed against your master for your own selfish reasons. If you insist on staying today, I might as well leave this household to have some peace!"
Guo Mama beat her chest and wailed, "Why must Zan Jie'er speak so harshly? How can we mother and daughter go on living? After all our hard work serving our masters, we end up becoming enemies. Heaven truly has a black heart..."
Seeing the situation getting out of hand, Xianglan pulled Song Zancha aside and said, "Miss, please sit down." Noticing the hidden worry in Song Ke's eyes, she knew he was concerned about his mother and couldn't speak too bluntly. After a moment's thought, she signaled to Song Ke with her eyes. He immediately understood and said, "Xianglan, you speak for me."
Xianglan then stepped forward and said, "Mama, please hold back your tears for now. Take Fangsi out first, then come back to report. What kind of place is this? This is Madam's bedroom. How can we allow such loud wailing and crying here? Isn't this just adding to Madam's distress? Mama, you're experienced in handling affairs and have served Madam for so many years. Have you forgotten this principle? Moreover, sending Fangsi Jie Jie out to marry was decided by Eldest Master and the young lady together, and Madam also gave her approval. Mama, you certainly have great face to directly oppose Madam's decision. Even after Eldest Master repeatedly explained, you still wouldn't listen, and even resorted to pulling rank with your seniority. Just now you repeatedly claimed to be loyal, but now you're solely focused on your own daughter's interests, not even showing regard for Madam. Can this be called loyalty?"
This series of words came out like rapid gunfire, delivered with eloquence and a clear voice, leaving Guo Mama stunned.Xianglan took another step forward and said, "Secondly, although Eldest Master has long considered letting Fangsi leave to marry, why did he bring it up today? There's a reason. I suppose Mama has heard about the commotion in the study this morning. Ask Fangsi who caused it. Eldest Master has been trying to spare your dignity by not speaking plainly, yet you accuse him of disrespect!" She then turned to Fangsi and said, "When you did such a thing, breaking rules and propriety, you should have expected the consequences. Now that Eldest Master has spoken and Madam has agreed, this is no place for you to linger. Mama, please take her and leave."
These words cleared Song Ke's mind, and he nodded repeatedly at Xianglan, while even Song Zancha showed appreciation.
Guo Mama secretly seethed with hatred. Wiping her tears, she sneered, "The young lady puts on quite the airs. Even the young master wouldn't dare speak to me in such a tone—do you think you can? Is this what you call knowing the rules?"
Xianglan replied, "Though I may not understand all the rules, I do know one shouldn't stir up trouble behind others' backs for personal gain."
As Guo Mama was about to retort, Song Ke cut in, "The old house in the capital has long lacked a reliable caretaker. Mama, you're getting on in years and should have retired to enjoy your remaining days. I'll have the accounts issue fifty taels and arrange for you to recuperate at the old estate in the capital. Pack tomorrow and leave the manor—a carriage will be waiting at the gate."
It was as if a thunderbolt had struck Guo Mama. She stared disbelievingly at Song Yima, but the latter kept her eyes closed, silently chanting prayers while fingering her beads.
Song Zancha stepped forward to support Song Yima and said, "Mother, stay with me tonight." Ignoring Guo Mama and Fangsi kneeling on the ground, the group departed.
Behind them, Guo Mama wailed, "Madam! Madam, say something! Please say something!" She rushed out but was seized by matrons stationed at the door and dragged back inside.
Xianglan sighed. "Fangsi is indeed detestable, but Guo Mama has served for so many years..."
Song Ke said, "Don't pity her. My mother is broad-minded, but over the years, Guo Mama has stolen countless silver pieces and jewels while attending her. Once, I saw Fangsi wearing a pearl-and-gold hairpin clearly made for my mother's birthday years ago—a piece I had commissioned as a tribute. I quietly asked Mother if she'd gifted it to anyone; she said no, yet the item had vanished. Mother wanted to avoid conflict, so the matter was dropped. Since then, I've kept watch and found Guo Mama dishonest. Now, with this opportunity, it's fitting to dismiss her."
They arrived at Song Zancha's chamber. Song Ke hurried ahead and, together with his sister, helped Song Yima sit on the bed. Respectfully, he said, "Mother, Sister and I have discussed it. You lack a capable maid now, so she will assign her Juanhua to serve you, and I'll transfer my Junxi to assist Sister. After this summer, we'll add two more maids... If you dislike Juanhua, I'll select another." It turned out Fangsi had monopolized Song Yima's household, refusing to train new maids for fear of being replaced. With her gone, Song Yima's quarters were left without a single useful maid.A weary look on her face, Song Yima waved her hand and said, "You decide everything. I'm old now and can no longer make decisions. The people by my side can be dismissed at will—what more can I say?" With that, she closed her eyes.
Song Ke said, "Mother, Guo Mama has sticky fingers, and Fangsi is also too..."
"I know," Song Yima opened her eyes and looked at Song Ke. "But at my age, what else do I have to look forward to besides having someone by my side who can coax me with sweet words and make me happy? How much can she possibly take with her sticky fingers? Can't I just consider it spending money to buy some joy?"
Song Ke immediately knelt down, and Song Zancha hurriedly followed suit. Gritting his teeth, Song Ke said, "Your son is unfilial, causing you distress. However..."
Song Yima waved her hand again, closed her eyes, and said, "Enough. Your high-sounding principles are endless, and I can't argue with you. I just want some peace. Treat the mother and daughter kindly, find a reliable person to send them away. After all, they've served us—we mustn't be ungrateful."
Song Ke repeatedly agreed. Seeing that Song Yima was unwilling to engage with him, he had no choice but to withdraw. He shot a glance at his sister, signaling her to take good care of their mother, before finally leaving.
For a while, nothing happened.
The next morning, a scream was heard from the main room, followed by Guo Mama's heart-wrenching wails: "My child, how could you be so desperate as to leave me behind? How am I supposed to live without you!"
Xianglan hurriedly followed Song Ke to the scene, only to find that Fangsi had hanged herself. The embroidered shoes under her skirt were faintly visible, swaying in the air.
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