224 Old Madam’s Kindness
Who knew…
Concubine He looked up at Yang Shuwan, who could not hide her smug expression, and her eyes burned with anger.
Yu Qingning reacted immediately. With a burning face, she rushed to Yu Youyao. “Big Sister, I’m sorry. I-I didn’t do it on purpose. I just heard from the maidservants and old maids that Big Sister even invited the fifth and sixth sisters of the second branch to the birthday banquet, but you didn’t invite me. I was angry, so… please forgive me…”
Yu Youyao slowly picked up her tea and lowered her head to take a sip. Then, she said, “As an older sister, I naturally won’t argue with my younger sister, but Fourth Sister should indeed learn the rules.”
Yu Qingning’s tears fell even more fiercely. “Big Sister…”
Concubine He also panicked. She crawled to Yu Youyao and begged, “Eldest Miss, Fourth Miss has been spoiled by me since she was young. I’ll definitely discipline her well from now on. As her elder sister, please forgive her this time…”
If Eldest Miss did not forgive Qingning today, Qingning would probably only be able to stay in the courtyard in the future. When she was old, she would casually arrange a marriage and she would get married hastily. Her life would probably be ruined.
Yu Youyao put down her teacup. The bottom of the cup knocked against the table, producing a loud thud. “I’ve already forgiven her. Otherwise, do you think that just based on the fact that she caused a commotion at my birthday banquet, she would still be able to sit down and eat well? As her elder sister, I’m not only giving her face, but also giving her respect. However…” She changed the topic slightly, her voice sounding calm and tactful. “Face is something that you have to fight for yourself, and it’s never given to you by others.”
As Yu Qingning cried, she looked at Yu Youyao viciously, and a sense of ruthlessness rose in her heart.
Concubine He opened her mouth…
“Shut up!” This time, it was Yu Zongzheng who spoke. A terrifying anger was brewing on his face. “Don’t think that just because Yao Yao has forgiven her, this matter will be over.”
Concubine He’s face turned pale. “Master…”
Old Madam Yu waved her hand. “Take them away.”
Seeing Concubine He and her daughter being dragged out of An Shou Hall by the two old maids, Yang Shuwan almost couldn’t help but smile. She lowered her head, pinched her handkerchief, and gently pressed the corner of her mouth. When she raised her head, she unexpectedly met Old Madam’s turbid but cold eyes. Her heart immediately skipped a beat. She subconsciously put away the handkerchief at the corner of her mouth, folded her legs, and sat up straight.
Old Madam Yu sneered. “Where did Mu Jin go this morning?”
Yang Shuwan’s pupils constricted, and she quickly said, “It’s Yao Yao’s birthday banquet today, so I didn’t bring Mu Jin along. I asked her to help make the noodles in the main kitchen.”
There were many of her people in the main kitchen, so she could definitely cover it up.
Old Madam Yu sneered. “Do you think that I’m old and don’t care about the family anymore? Do you think you can control everything in the family?” She turned to look at Liu’er. “Tell me.”
Liu’er took a step forward and met Yang Shuwan’s murderous gaze. She lowered her head and said, “There was a banquet at home tonight, so Eldest Miss asked me to go to the main kitchen to help. I saw Miss Mu Jin this morning, and she only returned when the other young mistresses entered the residence.”
She used to work in the main courtyard and knew the people there. Eldest Miss was worried that something would go wrong on her birthday today, so she asked her to keep an eye on the main courtyard.
Yang Shuwan tugged at her handkerchief. “Thisgirl, Mu Jin, probably went to hide somewhere…” She lowered her eyes and glanced at Mu Jin.
When Mu Jin walked out from behind Yang Shuwan, her legs went limp and she knelt on the ground with a thud. “Old Madam, it’s my fault. First Madam got up at dawn today and was in charge of the residence early in the morning. She asked me to go to the main kitchen to help. When I went to the main kitchen, I saw that it was orderly and there was no need for me to do anything, so I went to the backyard to hide.” As she spoke, she cried. “First Madam didn’t know about this. It’s all my fault…”
Yu Youyao looked up. The skinny Mu Jin was kneeling on the ground, her body trembling.
Even if she admitted her mistake, she still had to mention how much Yang Shuwan, her stepmother, cared about her birthday. It was obvious that she was really loyal.
In this way, even if Liu’er snitched on Mu Jin and said she went to the Hanlu Courtyard, Mu Jin could also say that she had gone there to slack off and that Eldest Madam did not know about this.
She would say it was her fault and not implicate Madam Yang at all.
Old Madam Yu lowered her eyes. “The person in front of you can say whatever you want.” She glanced at Mu Jin. “This girl is sly and doesn’t even listen to the orders of the main family.”
Yang Shuwan’s face stiffened, but she did not dare to say anything else.
Old Madam Yu looked up again. “She doesn’t look young anymore. She’s in her twenties, right? These maidservants are getting more scheming as they age.” She changed the topic and her tone suddenly became stiff. “Just drag her out to be matched with the servants in the residence. It can be considered as her way of serving you.”
When a maidservant made a mistake, most of them would be sold after being flogged. She had money in her hands, so if she spent some money, she would have a good exit.
She did not look outstanding, and Master did not like her either. First Madam had originally wanted to keep her around. In the future, when she was older, she would be the person in charge of the main courtyard. She was First Madam’s maidservant, and she was usually arrogant and domineering. However, being downgraded was not a good way to live. She could still live a good life if she was matched with someone good but if she was matched with an old and ugly person, her life would be over.
Mu Jin’s face turned pale with fright. She kowtowed repeatedly. “Old Madam, I know my mistake. Please show mercy…”
Old Madam Yu lowered her eyes. At this point, Mu Jin still insisted that it was her fault. It was obvious that she was being controlled.
Madam Yang still had some tricks up her sleeve.
When Liu’er saw this scene, she recalled her previous days in the main courtyard and felt a chill down her spine.
Whatever his master had instructed him to do, whether she was right or wrong, she had to do it carefully. If anything went wrong, she would be used as a sacrifice. It was the life of a servant.
Liu’er glanced at Eldest Miss, glad that she had followed a good master.
“What do you think?” Old Madam Yu looked at Yang Shuwan. After all, she had served her for many years and wanted to hear what she had to say.
Yang Shuwan turned her face away, not looking at Mu Jin’s expectant eyes. She gritted her teeth and said, “I don’t dare to have such a cunning servant anymore, so I’ll follow Old Madam’s instructions.”
Old Madam Yu waved her hand, feeling bored.
If Yang Shuwan could put in a few good words for Mu Jin, she would still think highly of her. However, Yang Shuwan was cold and indifferent. She did not put in any good word for her maidservants and they would still have to work hard.
Mu Jin was pulled down, crying and shouting. “Old Madam, please show mercy, First Madam, First Madam…”
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