Su Ruolan came from Shou'an Hall and often went to report to Madam Fu, so she met her many times.
Ever since she was punished at the South Tower last time, her status had been temporarily lowered by the old lady, which not only silenced the gossip but also tempered her temper. Today, she was ordered to come out to retrieve a few things when she happened to see You Tong's carriage wheel stuck in a ditch. While waiting in the crowd to see what was going on, she saw You Tong.
She already harbored resentment and disdain for You Tong, and after being punished, she became even more indignant. She immediately led Jin Deng into the restaurant, intending to pull You Tong's hair out.
Unexpectedly, after waiting for a long time, I actually saw some clues.
Su Ruolan was secretly delighted, but fearing something might go wrong, she pulled Jin Deng and hid in the shadows again.
A while later, You Tong, Chun Cao, and Mu Xiang came out after finishing their meal. Because of what had just happened, Mu Xiang was telling the two of them about the Second Young Master Qin's demeanor, reputation, and anecdotes, praising his superb medical skills and his tactful manner. You Tong needed to ask him for a favor, so the more details the better, and thus heard some of the details.
The fragmented words reached Su Ruolan's ears, making her even more certain, and she immediately sneered.
However, she had suffered a loss at the South Tower last time, not only losing face but also being scolded by the old lady and almost being disliked. This time, she dared not act rashly. After returning home, she tossed and turned, wanting to expose Wei Youtong's frivolous behavior of attracting bees and butterflies, but she was afraid that making a special complaint would be seen as stirring up trouble. After hesitating for two days, she finally found an opportunity.
Author's Note: So arrogant, never learning from my mistakes~ Thanks for the landmines, muaaa~!
A landmine was thrown into the courtyard.
Miss Donut threw a landmine
Chapter 21 Informing
As November arrived, the Fu family gradually became busier.
Since Madam Tian passed away, the affairs of the inner quarters of the mansion have been managed by the old lady and Madam Shen from the eldest branch. The Fu family holds a prestigious position in Qizhou and commands the troops of several surrounding prefectures. The year-end is the busiest time for social interactions. Although it is not yet the twelfth lunar month, prominent families inside and outside Qizhou have been sending invitations to their New Year's banquets and various gifts. It will probably be even busier at the end of the year.
Unfortunately, the old lady was getting on in years and slept lightly at night, needing to take two naps during the day. When Shen was unsure of what to do, she still had to ask the old lady for instructions on many things, and there were always too many maids to handle the messengers and deliver things.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Su Ruolan asked a familiar maid to remind the old lady to try to get her transferred back to her side.
The fact that she was favored by the old lady and assigned to serve Fu Yu in the South Building, with even hints of being favored and promoted, shows that she had some exceptional qualities. Not only was she more beautiful than the other maids, but she was also very good at flattering people and getting things done. Because she had been in Shou'an Hall for a long time, she was very good at understanding the old lady's thoughts, being respectful, obsequious, and considerate.
Previously at the South Building, she had planned to suppress You Tong's brilliance as soon as possible, but she made a mistake and failed.
After the matter was reported to Shou'an Hall, the old lady personally summoned her and reprimanded her, saying that she should not have reversed the order of rank and acted like a servant to deceive her master, thus disgracing Shou'an Hall.
Su Ruolan understood the implication of the words and dared not argue back. She obediently and meekly admitted her mistake and listened to Su Ruolan's scolding and reprimand.
After the old lady's anger subsided, she wiped away her tears and gently pleaded her case, saying that it was indeed wrong for her to speak ill of her master behind his back. She explained that she felt unworthy of the general and, in a moment of confusion, had spoken disrespectfully. As for the accusation of disobeying her master, she explained that she had been sent from the old lady's quarters and usually did needlework there. She was too busy to handle everything, so she had turned down some minor tasks; it wasn't that she was truly disrespectful to her master. It was You Tong who treated her like a lowly maid, showing no respect for her elders.
Although the old lady refuted her in person, after thinking about it behind her back, she felt that although Su Ruolan was a bit cunning, she was not entirely wicked.
Besides, she already harbored resentment towards You Tong, so why would she severely punish those around her because of You Tong's matter?
Therefore, Su Ruolan was demoted two ranks to clarify the rules of hierarchy and quell the matter.
Shou'an Hall is currently short-staffed. Su Ruolan previously performed her duties here well, and recently she has sincerely reformed herself, which is commendable.
In contrast, Wei Youtong not only didn't know how to please her elders, but she also managed to sway Fu Yu, who turned around and advised her to be understanding.
The old lady, used to being treated with utmost respect, felt dissatisfied and thought it was not worth severely punishing You Tong's personal maid. After listening to her advice, she nodded in agreement and transferred Su Ruolan back to the room to serve her.
With her wish fulfilled, Su Ruolan adopted an even more respectful and considerate demeanor.
...
Because the days are short in winter and the old lady has been busy lately, she has excused the women from the custom of greeting each other in the morning.
That morning, after finishing up all the tasks at hand, Madam Shen had a few things to discuss with the old lady. Fearing that the maids might not convey the message clearly, she took advantage of the warm sunshine and went to Shou'an Hall.
After the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law had discussed and considered several matters, Madam Shen brought up another one—
“Yesterday Deming said that the emperor’s health in the capital is getting worse and worse. He has imperial physicians by his side all day long, and the weather might change any day now. My wife has added another gift to the gifts that are sent to the capital every year, and she plans to have someone set off to send them over as soon as possible. Mother, please take a look.”
As he spoke, he handed the rough draft of the gift list to the old lady.
The Fu family held military power and dominated a region. They had very little open interaction with court officials. Fu Deming's secret dealings were with a few inconspicuous officials who could observe the emperor's movements and pass on information, but they wouldn't be too ostentatious. The rest were a few old friends and acquaintances who were not in the central government.
The old lady looked at them one by one, nodded, and said, "Let's do it this way."
"There's one more thing. The Wei family..."
Shen paused, looking somewhat troubled.
Upon hearing this, the old lady's smile faded. "When we proposed marriage for Xiuping, we made quite a show of it to outsiders. We're far from the capital, but there are many people watching us. If we're too cold and indifferent, people will inevitably gossip and make wild guesses."
Madam Shen understood and took out another gift list and handed it to her, "This is what your daughter-in-law drafted. Since Mother said so, shall we add two more items?"
After reading it, the old lady, unsure whether Fu Yu intended to bring Wei back to her parents' home, instructed someone to inquire.
After the maid understood, she left. The old lady withdrew her gaze and inadvertently caught sight of Su Ruolan, who stood there like a wooden doll, her expression strange, as if lost in thought. Remembering that there were still some treasured items in the South Tower that Fu Yu rarely used and were just gathering dust, she thought it would be better to suggest to Aunt Zhou that they be sent to the Wei family to make up the difference. So she said, "Ruolan, come here."
I called out once, but there was no response.
The quick-witted maidservant beside her nudged Su Ruolan, "Sister Su, the old lady is calling for you!"
Su Ruolan seemed to wake from a dream, her expression blank, "What?"
"The old lady is calling you!" someone else reminded them.
Startled, Su Ruolan knelt on the ground. "This servant deserves to die. Please forgive me, Madam!"
This reaction was quite intense, which surprised those around them. The old lady also frowned and said, "What are you doing?"
"I was thinking about something else when I heard the old lady mention the second young mistress, and I was so lost in thought that I didn't hear her. Please forgive me, old lady." Su Ruolan looked frightened, and her voice was hurried and anxious.
The old lady disliked people who panicked in the face of trouble, and when she heard her mention You Tong, she became even more displeased.
"What has she been up to now!"
"This servant...this servant..." Su Ruolan stammered for a moment before lowering her head and saying, "This servant dares not say."
"What's there to be afraid of!" The old lady lost her patience. "When did you learn to be so long-winded!"
Su Ruolan grew increasingly frightened, but could only look at the maids around her, appearing as if she had no words to express her suffering.
Seeing this, Madam Shen said, "Perhaps there's something inconvenient to say, Mother. Why don't you have someone else leave first?" Before the old lady could speak, Su Ruolan nodded hurriedly, her face full of gratitude. The old lady thought quite well of this respectful and obedient daughter-in-law, so she waved her hand and waited until everyone had left before asking in a deep voice, "What exactly happened?"
"It happened... a few days ago."
"About the Wei family?"
"Yes. This servant originally wanted to report this sooner, but I was afraid... afraid of being accused of spreading rumors and disrespecting my mistress. I hesitated these past few days and didn't dare to speak. Just now, when Madam mentioned it, I thought that this matter concerns the reputation of the manor and shouldn't be concealed. That's why I was so lost in thought." Su Ruolan knelt on the ground, but her expression revealed some indignation. "But this matter is really too..."
"What is it?!" The old lady became even more concerned when she heard that it concerned her reputation.
Su Ruolan then recounted the events of that day to the two of them in detail.
She was already prejudiced, convinced that You Tong was promiscuous and had been philandering since marrying into the family. She saw every clue as proof, and her conviction was unwavering, hence her resolute tone. Finally, she kowtowed and said, "This servant remembers the lesson and dares not spread rumors. This time I saw it with my own eyes, and there is not a single lie. If the old lady does not believe me, she can call Jin Deng to inquire. There were many witnesses to what happened in front of the restaurant that day."
She spoke with absolute certainty, while the old lady on the couch had already turned ashen-faced.
Why didn't you say so sooner!
"This servant is afraid... The general reprimanded me last time, forbidding me from spreading rumors or gossiping about my master. Besides, this matter involves Young Master Qin, so I dare not speak carelessly."
"That's exactly why I have to say it!" The old lady's voice trembled with anger. "What a tragedy, what a tragedy!"
Su Ruolan knelt even more obediently, remaining silent as a cicada in winter.
Madam Shen quickly helped her up, trying to calm her down, and advised, "Mother, calm down. It's not worth getting upset over her."
“You don’t know the gravity of the situation. Our foundation and reputation were earned with our lives, with countless lives shed! How can we allow them to be so easily tarnished? Even if it were just a shadow, we should take precautions, let alone witness it with our own eyes this time! Where’s Jin Deng? Bring him in!”
A moment later, Jin Deng rushed in, flustered, and told the old lady the truth about what happened that day.
Upon hearing this, the old lady realized that the general situation matched Su Ruolan's account, and she was so angry that her eyes rolled back and she almost fainted.
Madam Shen quickly signaled to Jin Deng and Su Ruolan to leave.
...
Only the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law remained in the room. It took Madam Fu quite a while to recover.
“When the two brothers discussed marrying a woman from the Wei family, I refused, but I agreed because of the important matters at hand. This family fortune was hard-won, and I didn't interfere in their affairs; I left it to them to arrange.” She was both angry and resentful, and two streams of tears rolled down her old eyes. “That Wei family has become a laughingstock in the capital; who would want to marry her? I haven't made things difficult for her; haven't I been very kind? But look at her! Xiuping has suffered so much to gain this much prestige, and she doesn't know how to be considerate. She's only been married for a few days, and she's already single-mindedly trying to get out!”
She was furious and launched into a tirade, leaving Madam Shen with no choice but to listen.
After finally tiring herself out of scolding, Madam Shen said, "It's not worth getting yourself sick from getting angry. While their words may be credible, we should ask them to find out the truth..."
"How can we ask about such a shameful matter? Are we supposed to go to Young Master Qin and expose our family scandal to the world, making ourselves a laughingstock?"
Shen was speechless.
After a moment, seeing that the old lady had calmed down a bit, he said, "Then let Wei come and ask her. If it's a misunderstanding, don't wrong her. If it's true, she should be disciplined. How can you get yourself all upset here while she's enjoying herself in the South Tower?"
These words suited the old lady's wishes.
He then said in a deep voice, "Go and summon Madam Wei!"
The author has something to say: Shen: I get criticized even when I try to reason and offer advice. Do you think it's easy for me?
You Tong: I'm just sitting in the house, and trouble falls from the sky. Do you know how hard it is for me...?
Su Qianli sent someone to their death. Ruolan: It's alright, I made the old lady cry for you.
Old lady: ? ? ? Who are you trying to trick??
Chapter 22 Helplessness
Inside the south building, You Tong, with her hands tucked into her sleeves, was inspecting the earthenware pots of soup in the kitchen one by one.
She bought this set of earthenware jars and pots when she left the manor last time. They were very well made. After returning to the manor, she asked the servants to clean them up and make room for them to be placed neatly. She then made a winter melon and pork rib soup and an old duck and bamboo shoot soup to practice.
Last night before going to bed, she asked the kitchen to light a fire and slowly simmer charcoal all night. Now, even though the roof is still closed, the aroma is already filling the air.
Take it out at noon, and it will taste absolutely delicious.
Chuncao followed beside her, tried to touch the roof tile, and quickly withdrew her hand because it was hot. She clicked her tongue and exclaimed, "Young Madam is becoming more and more capable. The delicious food she has made in the past few months is more than I have seen in the past ten years! If Madam finds out later that Young Madam has such talent and lives such a wonderful life, she will be very pleased."
This lady naturally refers to Lady Xue from the capital.
Upon hearing this, You Tong smiled and said, "Mother has a lot on her plate; there's no need to bother her with everything."
He gave these instructions aloud, but his thoughts couldn't help but drift outside the mansion.
Qin Liangyu's identity was quickly verified after she returned home. She was the apple of the old lady's eye, and would certainly not travel far around the New Year. Judging from the scene that day, she seemed kind and gentle, and also a fellow food enthusiast. Once she finished preparing the tripe, she could find out where the cook lived and seek her help.
However, all of that is still far off; what's imminent is returning to Beijing.