Qi Xuanxuan's previously cheerful face suddenly changed. It wasn't anger at the maid disturbing her, but fear.
It was truly strange, the master fearing the maid.
"We are from Second Miss's side, accompanying Second Miss to see Third Miss. Second Miss is currently speaking with Third Miss inside. What will happen if you shout like this and disturb the two ladies?" Fei Xu's cold voice sounded.
"Second Miss? What Second Miss? When did our mansion gain another Second Miss? And the two of you, you look unfamiliar. Are you perhaps from elsewhere, trying to sneak in to cause trouble and steal things?" The maid's voice grew sharper.
Inside the room, Qi Zhenzhen gave Qi Xuanxuan a reassuring look and pulled her to sit on the couch. "Is this the only maid serving in your courtyard?"
"There were a few before, but here..." Qi Xuanxuan's voice was very low. "Most were born into the household. They all left through connections, and in the end, only two remained: one outside maid, Lu Ye, and a gatekeeper. That gatekeeper hasn't been feeling well these past few days and is on leave."
Qi Zhenzhen pursed her lips. It seemed that only Qi Mingzhu enjoyed the treatment of a young lady in this mansion. She wondered if Concubine Xiang knew about Qi Xuanxuan's situation. If she did, how could she let her own flesh and blood live so miserably? But if she didn't know, that also seemed odd, as the two courtyards were quite close. Could Concubine Xiang's situation be even worse than this?
"You should speak more cautiously, otherwise, we will definitely report to the Old Madam," Fei Xu's voice came in again. "At that time, we will ask the Old Madam to judge."
"Stop trying to scare me. What Second Miss is there in this mansion?" The maid's voice did not lower at all.
*Slap—*
A crisp sound was heard, followed by the maid's even sharper voice:
"You dare hit me? I'll fight you to the death, you slut from nowhere, bullying me..."
Qi Xuanxuan was very anxious and wanted to go out, but Qi Zhenzhen stopped her. "Don't worry, my two maids have their limits."
"No, Second Sister, my maid has always been unruly. The others in the courtyard have suffered from her before." Qi Xuanxuan was close to tears. "If she were to injure someone by Second Sister's side, how could Xuanxuan face Second Sister?"
"Don't worry, she won't be injured. Tell Second Sister, how does that maid usually treat you? Is she also arrogant and disrespectful?" Qi Zhenzhen asked.
Qi Xuanxuan hesitated. "She..."
Her hesitation made Qi Zhenzhen understand. She raised her voice, "Fei Xu, Er Xi, bring her in."
The maid named Lu Ye had a swollen cheek and her hair was somewhat disheveled. Her hands were tied behind her back, looking utterly pathetic.
Looking at Fei Xu and Er Xi, they were neat and tidy, with no sign of disarray.
"Third Miss, you must do justice for this servant! Someone who appeared out of nowhere is bullying this servant in your courtyard. This is slapping Third Miss's face!" Lu Ye clamored, though her words were somewhat muffled due to the injury on her face.
Qi Xuanxuan looked at Qi Zhenzhen and her two maids with a hint of mischief. She mumbled, "Can the two sisters untie Lu Ye first?"
After receiving Qi Zhenzhen's signal, Er Xi released her. As soon as Lu Ye was free, she tried to run out, but Er Xi blocked her path.
"Why are you in such a hurry to leave?" Qi Zhenzhen asked.
"Am I not being bullied by you? If the master cannot even protect her own people, then I won't be here. I originally thought she was pitiful and came here to keep her company, but I didn't expect my good intentions to be thrown to the dogs." The maid said indignantly.
Qi Xuanxuan was at a loss and very flustered.
"Er Xi, slap her."
*Slap, slap, slap,* several more slaps landed.
Lu Ye's cheeks swelled even higher, comparable to a pig's head.
"Do you know why you're being beaten? For disrespecting your master, for speaking rudely and insulting your master. Someone like you, even if beaten to death and thrown out, would not be too much. Also, your clothes look brand new, perhaps even better than what Third Miss wears. Your face is also fair and tender, and your body looks better than Third Miss's. Why is that?" Qi Zhenzhen said slowly.
"You are merely a servant in the mansion, here to serve the master, not to bully the master. A servant dominating the master is punishable by beating to death," Fei Xu also said coldly.
"I, I was assigned by the Madam to serve Third Miss. I am the Madam's person. What are you?"
Lu Ye's words were slurred, but Qi Zhenzhen managed to understand her meaning.
"The Madam's person?" Qi Zhenzhen repeated slowly, a hint of fear flashing across her face.
Lu Ye was very smug. "Scared now? The Madam manages this mansion. No matter if you are Second Miss or not, opposing the Madam will have no good outcome. Hurry up and apologize to me, and compensate me, and then I might consider not reporting you to the Madam."
"Lu Ye, please don't go to the Madam. Here, take this." Qi Xuanxuan went into the inner room and brought out a small box containing several pieces of silver and some hairpins. "It was all a misunderstanding today. Second Sister came to see me. She just returned to the mansion, so you haven't seen her."
It was unheard of for a master to apologize to a maid.
Lu Ye's eyes rolled. It was clear this was something she was accustomed to; she showed no fear at all.
"Just this little stuff?" Lu Ye was clearly not satisfied. She looked up and saw the kingfisher hairpin on Qi Xuanxuan's head, her eyes lighting up. "The hairpin on Third Miss's head looks good. Since it's to compensate me, give it to me."
After saying that, she took a step forward and reached out to take it.
Qi Xuanxuan instinctively took a step back.
"What, Third Miss says she wants to compensate me, but she's reluctant to give even a hairpin?" Lu Ye's face darkened, and she said unhappily.
"This was given to me by Second Sister. I, I cannot give it to you," Qi Xuanxuan stammered.
She had just been hit by people from this so-called Second Miss. If she resisted, she might be punished again. Since these people couldn't stay here forever, she would wait until they left. Anyway, all the good things in this courtyard belonged to her, and they wouldn't benefit this little shrew.
"Since it was given by Second Miss, then this servant naturally cannot take it. This will be all." Lu Ye took the box from Qi Xuanxuan's hand, acting magnanimous. "Second Miss, it's getting late, and our Third Miss needs to sleep. Please leave."
It was completely dark now, and it was indeed inconvenient for Qi Zhenzhen to stay here any longer. She took Fei Xu and Er Xi and left.
As soon as they left, Lu Ye angrily dragged Qi Xuanxuan into the inner room and roughly pulled off the kingfisher hairpin. "What right do you have to keep such a good thing? It's better for me to have it. My brother is getting married next month, and I can give it to my sister-in-law. Your embroidery of handkerchiefs has been too slow these past few days. Starting tomorrow, you will only eat two meals a day. You can eat three meals only when you finish."