Qi Mingzhu was prostrate on the ground, her shoulders shaking.
Qi Zhenzhen knew Qi Mingzhu's temperament. Bowing her head to an elder and admitting fault was one thing.
To her? For Qi Mingzhu, it was a profound humiliation.
Qi Mingzhu, accustomed to being high and mighty, how could she lower her proud head?
"Second sister, I was wrong. Please forgive me." Qi Mingzhu slowly turned her body, her face streaked with tears, and said to Qi Zhenzhen, "I know you are angry. You can splash hot water on me too. I won't dodge, nor will I cry out in pain, nor will I seek trouble with second sister afterward."
After her initial surprise, Qi Zhenzhen had a plan. Indeed, she wasn't entirely without sense. Admitting fault, showing weakness, adopting a humble posture.
If she were to do as Qi Mingzhu suggested and splash her with hot water, she would immediately be at a disadvantage.
Both the Old Madam and Marquis Changping would pity Qi Mingzhu.
But if she let it go, she would remain resentful, and it would disheartened Feixu, making it difficult for her to establish authority among the servants in the future.
The physician from Baicaotang arrived. After examining Feixu in the inner chamber, he came out and said, "Her entire back is red and scalded. Fortunately, there are no large blisters, only a few scattered ones the size of mung beans. Baicaotang has specialized burn ointment, but it's quite expensive. For the entire back, half a box is needed daily, and it will take at least ten days of medication for it to heal completely."
"Please prescribe the medicine. Money is not an issue," Qi Zhenzhen said.
"Madam, this box of medicine costs one hundred taels of silver," the physician stated the price.
Five boxes would cost five hundred taels.
This was no small sum.
"I'll pay," Qi Mingzhu said quickly. "I made a mistake, and Feixu's medical expenses should be borne by me."
Qi Mingzhu felt a pang of heartache. Her monthly allowance was only thirty taels. Previously, with her mother managing everything, she never had to worry about food, clothing, or daily expenses. Now that her mother was confined and stripped of her household management authority, and she was forbidden from meeting people casually, Madam Yun managed everything according to the household rules. While she wasn't mistreated, her life was far more difficult than when her mother was in charge.
But to appease Qi Zhenzhen, she had to spend money.
"I only have a few people who attend to me. In the past, they were very willing to follow me. But after this incident, everyone must be thinking twice. Following me means constant danger. In the future, I'm afraid no one will be willing to stay by my side."
"How could that be? They are servants; protecting their mistress is their duty..." Qi Mingzhu said instinctively.
Qi Zhenzhen watched Qi Mingzhu quietly, forcing Qi Mingzhu to swallow the rest of her words.
"I asked second sister to splash me with tea, but second sister remained silent. Now I've paid for the medicine, and second sister is still not satisfied. I truly don't know what else to do," Qi Mingzhu put on an expression of helplessness. "Grandmother, I know I was wrong, and I am willing to correct myself. I promise I won't make such mistakes again, but you must give me a chance to reform."
The Old Madam appeared somewhat troubled. It was true that Qi Mingzhu was in the wrong, but one could not simply retaliate in kind.
However, today was Zhenzhen's return visit day, and for her elder sister to cause such a scene was truly detestable.
"It is I, your servant, who failed to stop the eldest young lady, allowing her to act impulsively and do such a thing. I am willing to bear the punishment in place of the eldest young lady and also endure the pain Feixu suffered," Fusu suddenly stepped forward.
Previously, due to the matter with Young Master Lu, the eldest young lady had already shown some displeasure towards her. If the eldest young lady did not fare well this time, she, as a servant, would not benefit either, and her life would only become more difficult. However, if she stepped forward to take the blame for the eldest young lady, although she would inevitably suffer physical pain, it might at least improve the eldest young lady's attitude towards her.