Dong Ningxin looked at Qin Tingxue in disbelief. How dare she?
"What are you still standing there for? Disrespecting your superiors is not something I'll overlook. Go kneel. You can get up when I'm in a better mood. Oh, right, concubine, be careful. If you lose the child while kneeling, you'll have no protection." Madam Da Qin said slowly.
Madam Da Qin had already found out that Dong Ningxin was physically strong. Moreover, at this stage of pregnancy, the fetus was stable. Kneeling would be uncomfortable, but at most, she would suffer a little.
"If Concubine Dong tries to make a fuss later, claiming the child was harmed by the madam's punishment of kneeling, then I wouldn't mind ensuring your child is indeed harmed. After all, it needs to be proven to avoid feeling wronged by being falsely accused." Madam Da Qin added.
Dong Ningxin shrank her neck, feeling as if Madam Da Qin had transformed into someone else, like a mind reader who knew her every thought.
"Concubine Dong, please," the wet nurse stepped forward. "If the concubine doesn't know how to kneel, this old servant can help. However, this old servant's hands are not always gentle. If your knees are injured, the concubine will suffer."
Dong Ningxin looked pleadingly at the stewards, but the one who had spoken for her earlier was now half-dead. Who would dare risk their own life?
Unable to leave or find a way to counter Madam Da Qin, Dong Ningxin, despite feeling immense humiliation, could only kneel obediently.
After this incident, the stewards understood that no matter what, the principal wife was always the principal wife. Madam was not from a small family; the Qin family had distinguished military achievements, and she was their only daughter, always doted upon and cherished. For many years, even though the Duke had not favored Madam, she had firmly held her position as the Duchess. They had truly been blinded by greed to even consider replacing the mistress of the household.
"Didn't all you stewards finish reporting? Why are you still lingering here? Disperse." Qin Tingxue feigned confusion.
"Madam, my duties are not yet fully reported."
"Madam, I forgot to mention something earlier."
"Madam, I also have something to consult the madam about."
Madam Da Qin smiled warmly, "Then, one by one."
Qi Zhenzhen and Gu Sinian sat calmly to the side, one drinking tea, the other eating snacks.
After about two quarters of an hour, the stewards finally finished detailing the matters of the past few months.
Madam Da Qin finally had a thorough grasp of the household's situation. "Disperse now, everyone go back to your duties! Oh, why is Concubine Dong still kneeling? Wet nurse, what's going on? I was busy, and you didn't remind her? I was angry earlier! Concubine Dong, why are you so obedient? You knelt just because I told you to? Get up quickly, you are carrying the Duke's child in your womb."
Saying this, she personally helped Dong Ningxin up.
After kneeling for two quarters of an hour, Dong Ningxin felt as if her legs were no longer her own.
What was hateful was Madam Da Qin's pretense, which only fanned the flames of her anger.
But she was a concubine and could not disrespect her superiors.
During the punishment of kneeling, Dong Ningxin had also learned a bit. She knew she couldn't openly defy Madam Da Qin. Otherwise, as long as the Duke was not present, she could use her status as the principal wife to torment her.
"It was my own arrogance and disrespect that angered the madam. I deserve to kneel, and even kneeling for another two quarters of an hour would be fitting." Dong Ningxin said respectfully, with her head lowered.
Madam Da Qin's eyes softened, and she chuckled softly, "Dong Ningxin, you must hate me immensely in your heart, wishing you could strangle me? It's a pity you don't have the opportunity. As for me, I can torment you in countless ways. Don't you feel resentful? But you can't do anything about it, you can only endure it."