Chapter 421 - 428: Not a Disgrace

Su Wenyue had no interest in picking a fight with the Wife of a lower officer. The reason she erupted was that Madam Zhang had dared too much by provoking her, it was merely about establishing authority. Seeing that Madam Zhang had come to the realization herself, she let the matter slide with grace. She could tell Madam Zhang was not a schemer and meant no offense; her nature was just to speak her mind directly.

Madam Zhang had initially feared that Su Wenyue would not let the issue go easily, but seeing that Su Wenyue had no intention of pursuing it further, her heart relaxed, and she admired Su Wenyue’s magnanimity, daring no longer to commit even the slightest offense.

Meanwhile, Chen Li arrived at Liu Mansion with a heart full of sorrow and disbelief. Liu Xiu was not at home, but Chen Li was a frequent guest of the mansion, so the servants led her to the Living Room to wait. After half a day with no sight of Liu Xiu, Chen Li grew restless and went outside to catch her breath, unwittingly overhearing a conversation between the servants.

“Third Young Master is indeed very fond of the Bride-to-be. Although there is little time, everything is managed with great care. Not only is the dowry so generous, but he’s also taking time out of his busy schedule to personally purchase items for the New Madam. It’s clear how dearly he holds her in his heart.”

“Exactly, Third Young Master is in such high spirits today with the auspicious occasion approaching. Miss Yin from Yiyang Prefecture is recognized as a beauty and possesses both talents and looks. To marry such a woman as his Wife, no wonder he is so attentive.”

“But what will become of Miss Chen, seeing that Third Young Master is marrying Miss Yin? I think Miss Chen has quite deep feelings for our family’s Third Young Master.”

“That’s nothing. Since ancient times, a man is entitled to multiple wives and concubines. Even after marrying Miss Yin, if he were to take Miss Chen as a Concubine, it wouldn’t be disgraceful, given that Miss Chen’s Status is not high enough to be the First Wife.”

“That’s right, Miss Chen is after all just a Merchant’s daughter, and her behavior is often inappropriate. She’s always seen gallivanting outside; such conduct is unbefitting a daughter of a decent family. Even sons from humble households wouldn’t want to marry such a woman as their legitimate Wife; it is only our Third Young Master’s tolerance that allows for it.”

Caught unawares by the maids chatting candidly nearby, Chen Li’s face paled with anger. She had not realized that the behavior she considered independent and strong in her eyes was seen as improper by others, to the point where even lowly maids felt bold enough to gossip behind her back and take pleasure in her misfortune.

“Look at you two, mere maids so insolent as to gossip about your master behind her back. You’ve really lost all sense of order! You look down on me because I’m a Merchant’s daughter? I want to see what kind of ‘Goods’ you two servant wretches really are!” Chen Li said furiously. Despite always priding herself on modern ideals of equality and treating the servants with leniency, her true feelings were revealed in her anger.

The two maids were caught off guard, having been exposed for gossiping about someone to their face. They stumbled and collapsed to their knees in fright: “Miss Chen, Miss Chen…”

“Why have you stopped talking? Keep going! You were quite vehement before. Since a Merchant’s daughter like me doesn’t deserve to marry decently and can only be a Concubine, let’s see what sort of fate you will face.” With that, Su Wenyue ordered someone to fetch the housekeeper and have him deal with the two maids.

The housekeeper was in a difficult position himself, as one of the maids was his wife’s niece and held in high regard by his wife, which was how she ended up working in the Inner Courtyard. With kinship at play, punishing her too harshly would be improper, yet too light a punishment wouldn’t appease Chen Li, and any larger commotion could only mar the Servants’ dignity before the master.

“The two of you have been in the mansion for a while, and should know the rules by now. Yet, you dare to speak ill of the guests, such audacity! If I don’t punish you, what becomes of mansion rules? Both of you go to the Courtyard and kneel, and I’ll dock your monthly payment for two months. Are you convinced?” The housekeeper raised his voice deliberately, scolding the two maids. The punishment wasn’t particularly harsh, but it wasn’t too lenient either, and was meted out in Chen Li’s view.

After speaking sternly, the housekeeper then turned to Chen Li with an ingratiating smile, more attentive than usual: “Miss Chen, these impertinent maids have been punished. Please, for the sake of this servant, do not be angry any longer. It’s not worth it to upset yourself over them.”

“That counts as punishment? No wonder the mansion’s servants look down on me. Just a light penalty for such humiliation and slander. Let’s see what Big Brother Liu has to say about the rules in his mansion when he returns!” In normal times, Chen Li might have forgiven the maids out of respect for the housekeeper, but today she was already seething with anger and had no intention of letting them off.

Seeing Chen Li disdain him so openly and unrelentingly, the housekeeper’s face darkened. After all, Chen Li was an outsider with not such a high status, and it was her conduct that incited criticism. A few harsh words from the servants merited just a scolding, and yet she was insistent and unyielding.

While the housekeeper thought this way, he still feared that Chen Li would take the matter to the master, so swallowing his anger, he said, “This servant is slow-witted; how shall I punish them to your satisfaction, Miss Chen?”

“Hmph, why keep such maids who do nothing but wag their tongues? Just beat them and sell them off!” Chen Li declared without a second thought, determined to teach the two maids a lesson.

The two maids had not expected Chen Li to disregard even the housekeeper’s face. Their faint hope disappeared, and upon hearing Chen Li’s decision to have them sold, they were terrified and pleaded pitifully: “Miss Chen, have mercy! We won’t dare do it again, please spare us this once!”

The housekeeper’s forced smile froze completely. He hadn’t expected Chen Li to make such an excessive demand. The Liu Family was known for its lenient governance, and for a matter not so serious, even the master would normally just administer a few beatings and demote the servants to lower work as a severe punishment. Worse, selling the two would cause uproar from his wife at home.

“Miss Chen, I’m afraid this is not appropriate. After all, their offense was mere loose talk, and our mansion is in short supply of hands due to the joyous event. With the Mistress soon to enter, if I may plead for mercy on their behalf and keep them here, relegating them to the hardest labor, to see how they mend their ways?”

Chen Li was furious. They were just two servants, and the housekeeper had repeatedly opposed her, insisting on reasons she couldn’t accept to keep them around.

“This, if Miss Chen insists, I dare not disobey, but they are two of the mansion’s top servant girls. I don’t have the authority to decide on my own; I’d have to report to the master.” The housekeeper held back his anger, and it was at that moment Liu Xiu returned.