It was Pei-Shi who spoke.
Ping Lan and Qiu Si had been hitting Nanny Wei’s face for quite a while and their hands had already begun to ache. Upon hearing Pei-Shi‘s words, they felt a wave of relief wash over them and immediately stopped their actions. Turning around, they saluted respectfully to Pei-Shi.
Zhen Ting Yun pouted slightly. She swept a glance at Nanny Wei’s swollen face and found that it resembled a roasted pig’s head used for ancestral worship during Chinese New Year celebrations; a fat head with two big ears.
Thinking that she looked like a roasted pig’s head, Zhen Ting Yun could not help but giggle, which slightly alleviated her anger. She walked up to welcome Pei-Shi, wearing a face full of grievances, she complained, “Mother, you finally came. If you hadn’t, I’m afraid I would’ve been bullied until I have no more dignity to remain in this household.”
Pei-Shi glanced at Nanny Wei, who was still kneeling despite having been beaten silly, and then she looked at Zhen Ting Yun’s aggrieved expression. She felt the onset of a headache coming. Fortunately, after years of experience gained from accompanying Father Zhen outside, she was able to calmly ask, “What exactly happened here?”
With a face full of innocence, Zhen Ting Yun replied, “I’ve also just returned to the courtyard and I’m not entirely clear about the whole situation as well. Why not let Nanny Wei explain it herself?”
Nanny Wei’s head was already spinning, and when she heard Zhen Ting Yun mention her, she trembled and fainted on the spot.
Zhen Ting Yun, “…” Erm… isn’t this being too useless?
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She did not want this matter to escalate, nor did she want to involve Zhen Yi Yun. She decided not to inquire further and instead, reached out and held Zhen Ting Yun’s hand as she carefully examined the redness on her palm. With concern, she gently scolded, “She’s but a servant. If you don’t like her, you can always dismiss her. There’s no need for you to take matters into your own hands. Look at this redden palm, Mother’s heart aches at the sight of it… A young lady like you shouldn’t always raise your fist to settle issues, it will only harm your reputation in the end.”
Zhen Ting Yun blinked her eyes innocently and replied, “I didn’t want to hit her either, but she spoke accusations, claiming that it was all Elder Sister’s orders. How could I bear to continue listening to her false words? So I gave her a couple of slaps.”
With heavens watching on pitifully, if Nanny Wei had not been knocked unconscious, she would have probably crawled up just to confront Zhen Ting Yun.
Are a freaking kidding me? Is this what you called a couple of slaps?!
Just a couple?!
Don’t you have any shame?!
Unfortunately, Nanny Wei was still unconscious, lying motionless on the ground. In this courtyard, only Pei-Shi would dare to question Zhen Ting Yun’s words.
However, there was no reason for Pei-Shi to raise doubts about her own daughter’s words for the sake of a servant.
Therefore, without a change in expression, Pei-Shi sighed, “My child, you’re too quick to temper…” She then gestured for someone to take Nanny Wei away.
But before they could do so, Zhen Ting Yun spoke up again, “She is someone from Elder Sister’s side. We shouldn’t handle this without consulting Elder Sister first.”
Pei-Shi paused for a moment and tactfully replied, “Your eldest sister still has to attend school tomorrow. It’s unnecessary to trouble her with this trivial matter, I will talk to her about this later on.”
“I know Mother is concerned about disturbing Elder Sister when she’s studying. But I’ve often heard people say that women’s education is not just about the Six Arts. Women also need to learn about social relationships and worldly affairs.” Zhen Ting Yun continued. “Nanny Wei is just a servant, but she acted so insolently, and this is likely a result of Elder Sister’s leniency towards her. This time around, it occurred at home and Mother was able to settle this for us and make sure we do not suffer from any grievances. But what about next time? Soon Elder Sister would celebrate her coming of age and will eventually marry and start managing her own household. She should learn the ways of managing one’s subordinates soon. In your daughter’s humble opinion, Mother should call Elder Sister out. Even if she just stood by the side and observed as you handled the situation, it will be a valuable learning experience. If Elder Sister and I could even pick up half of Mother’s skills, it would deeply benefit both of us for a lifetime.”
As Zhen Ting Yun spoke, she smiled. Her almond-shaped eyes shone brightly and a cute dimple appeared on her cheek. “Mother, don’t you think that it’s only logical?”
With things escalating to the point, Zhen Ting Yun would naturally not allow Zhen Yi Yun to continue being an innocent bystander.
Listening to Zhen Ting Yun’s string of words and looking at her smiling face, Pei-Shi‘s feelings were quite complex. However, since Zhen Ting Yun had expressed her thoughts, Pei-Shi could only reluctantly agree and patted Zhen Ting Yun’s arm in comfort. Pei-Shi sighed, “You’ve made a valid point.”
So Pei-Shi ordered someone to call Zhen Yi Yun out.
As it was already evening, Zhen Yi Yun was only wearing a plain muslin robe. She hastily threw on a dark blue embroidered cloak with cloud and crane patterns as she rushed out. Even her hair was loosely thrown into a bun. Seeing the chaos in the courtyard, her face changed dramatically and she quickly turned her gaze to Pei-Shi as she enquired, “Mother, what’s going on?”
Pei-Shi gave her a deep stare and calmly asked, “You don’t know?”
Zhen Yi Yun’s expression remained unchanged and she exhaled, “I was studying in my room. Mother should know that when I’m studying, I’ll be too engrossed in my books that I become oblivious to my surroundings.”
No one knew if Pei-Shi believed Zhen Yi Yun’s words, but Pei-Shi proceeded to explain the situation, focusing mainly on Nanny Wei’s actions. Pei-Shi concluded, “Your second sister believes that it’s your responsibility to handle this matter since it involves your servants. So, I thought it would be good to have you come out and listen as I settle this matter.”
Zhen Yi Yun’s beautiful face lost all signs of color. It fluttered between shock and indignation as she gritted her teeth in anger and said, “I can’t tolerate such a servant by my side, she must be sent away.”
However, after saying this, Zhen Yi Yun looked at Pei-Shi with teary eyes and softly continued, “It’s just that Nanny Wei has served by my side for many years. Even if she did not have meritorious contributions, she still did her best in serving me. Now that she’s older, she must’ve committed this mistake due to being muddled with age. I beg Mother to consider her past devotion towards me and let her return to her hometown instead as my act of deference towards her for all those years.”
Before Pei-Shi could answer, Zhen Ting Yun, who was standing at the side, interrupted, “Elder Sister, it is only right and proper that a servant serves loyally by their master’s side. How can you use that as a reason to forgive her for her misdeeds?”
Zhen Yi Yun bit her lip, gazing intently at Zhen Ting Yun as she said in a soft voice, “Why is Second Sister so ruthless… Is a servant, not a person too? Nanny Wei might have made a mistake, but she has been scolded and punished. What more do you want? Where it is possible to let people off, one should spare them2The original saying is <得饶人处且饶人>. It points out that an individual should not do things too absolutely, and should be lenient if possible.. We should let her return to her home.”
The lights lit in the courtyard were too bright and glaring. Zhen Ting Yun squinted her eyes and replied calmly, “Elder Sister must be joking. If she hadn’t crossed my bottom line, as the younger sister, I wouldn’t have stuck my hands into Elder Sister’s matters. It’s just that Nanny Wei acted too arrogantly and bullied me. If I remain silent, I may as well be the Lord of Tortoise3Similar to an ostrich that buries its head cowardly in the sand to hide from its threats.. Moreover, after she did all these things, how can I allow her leisurely return home and enjoy her retirement? Even Confucius teaches us to ‘repay kindness with kindness, and repay enmity with justice’. Elder Sister has been brought up reading the works of Confucius, yet Elder Sister isn’t able to grasp his teachings?”
“You!” Zhen Yi Yun gritted her teeth, her expression slightly changing.
She wanted to say more, but at that moment, Pei-Shi coughed, interrupting their argument. “The both of you, enough! She’s just a servant; is there a need for the two of you to argue like this?”
As the mistress of the household, Pei-Shi resolutely made a decision and resolved the issue. She ordered Nanny Wei to be taken away and assigned to do hard labor in a distant estate. As for the subsequent handling of this matter, it was inappropriate to announce it publicly. Then, she calmed down the maidservants and ordered them to withdraw after warning them to remain silent on the happenings that took place in the courtyard this evening.
Once the majority of the servants had left, leaving only a few trusted individuals in the courtyard, Pei-Shi relaxed and held Zhen Ting Yun’s hand as she consoled her, “Good child, you’ve been wronged. But we can’t let this matter escalate. If it spreads outside, it will undoubtedly harm both, your and your sister’s, reputations. As well as our family…”
She looked at the sky and softly said, “Alright, it’s getting late. You should rest early too. Don’t let this unpleasant episode ruin your health.”
Zhen Ting Yun nodded, paid her respects to Pei-Shi, and left to return to her room.
Pei-Shi watched her enter her room before glancing at Zhen Yi Yun. She walked towards Zhen Yi Yun’s room, and Zhen Yi Yun followed behind with her head lowered.
In her own room, Zhen Ting Yun sat down and reflected on the events of the evening. She could not help but smile, thinking to herself that Pei-Shi would probably have a private conversation with Zhen Yi Yun. After all, they were a close and affectionate mother-daughter duo, and to hit was to show affection, while to scold was to show love. As the one who just returned from outside, she naturally could not compare…
With that in mind, a smirk appeared on Zhen Ting Yun’s lips. She spoke in a clear and crisp voice, “Ba Zhen, go to my coffer and bring out two silver coins for Ping Lan and Qiu Si. They’ve worked hard tonight, so this money is for them to buy some medicinal ointment for their hands.”
This money acted as a reward for their obedience and a way to win their loyalty.
Ping Lan and Qiu Si were stunned to receive this reward from Second Miss. They were momentarily lost for words. They eventually came back to their senses and thanked Zhen Ting Yun with red-rimmed eyes. They used a lot of strength in slapping Nanny Wei just now, and currently, they needed the ointment as their hands were still stinging.
Zhen Ting Yun waved her hand, instructing them to go and prepare water for her to bathe. Then she called Ba Zhen and Liu Shun over, “The both of you shouldn’t just silently stand there and wipe your tears. Tomorrow, you will be going to Grandma’s side to serve her. You can’t act like you did today if a similar situation arises. Remember, when you do things in the future, you must stand tall and not show any weakness. Most people in this world are afraid of the strong and bully the weak. If you thought that by tolerating it to prevent more problems, others will think that you’re weak and step all over you.”
Both Ba Zhen and Liu Shun quickly agreed and expressed their gratitude to Zhen Ting Yun for standing up for them. However, they were both clumsy with words and did not know what else to say. With teary eyes, they solemnly promised, “We will serve Old Madame Zhen well.”
Meanwhile, Pei-Shi took her eldest daughter, Zhen Yi Yun, to the adjacent room.
As Zhen Ting Yun had predicted – to hit was to show affection, and to scold was to show love. After dismissing the attendants present, Pei-Shi could not stop herself as she raised her hand and delivered a slap to Zhen Yi Yun’s face during the heat of the moment.
The author has something to say:
Everyone is hoping to see some face slapping, so… Hehe~
Hehe~ The face slapping is resounding! The first battle and the victory goes to Zhen Ting Yun!~
Big lol ! She thought that she was tofu …. She is not 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Woah!!! Unexpectedly satisfied with that slap, but why author so good at cliffhanger 🥲