Chapter 2 The Morning After
Early the next morning, Cui Shi brought a group of maids and servants to the Old Madam's courtyard, where the six offending maids were presented. All the ladies from each branch of the family had also arrived for their morning greetings.
Six stools were placed in the courtyard of Ci'an Hall, followed by a chorus of wails. Cui Shi did not have their mouths gagged, allowing their cries to ring out.
The louder and more heart-wrenching the cries, the more chilling and unforgettable the impression they would leave on those who heard them.
The Old Madam, inside the room, was so enraged she pounded her chest and stamped her feet, exclaiming, "She's not punishing them; she's clearly slapping my face!"
Su Wanqing, clutching her handkerchief, sobbed, "If Madam cannot tolerate Wanqing, then Wanqing will return home immediately."
"Mother, is Cui Shi trying to overturn the heavens? Is a descendant of a noble family behaving like such a shrew, shouting and killing in Mother's courtyard so early in the morning? Quickly, send someone to summon Eldest Brother back to the manor!" Yu Ruyi added fuel to the fire.
"There's no need to trouble the Madam. I have already sent for the Duke, and the son-in-law has also been invited. Since we are to discuss right and wrong, let's clarify it thoroughly. As for the cousin, if you wish to go home, I will not stop you," Cui Shi's voice drifted in from outside the door.
Her voice arrived before she did.
Upon hearing that the son-in-law had been invited, Yu Ruyi's face instantly turned pale.
She and her husband were not on good terms, and her life in her husband's home was difficult. Her return to her maiden home with her child this time was out of sheer defiance.
Su Wanqing's face also lost all color. She bit her lips tightly, not daring to utter a sound.
Cui Shi was wearing a black sable fur coat today, exuding an undeniable elegance. Today, however, Cui Shi carried an air of chilling solemnity.
"Old Madam!" Cui Shi nodded towards the Old Madam seated in the main position, a gesture of greeting.
"Cui Shi, you are presumptuous!" The Old Madam slammed down her teacup.
Cui Shi did not flinch. The teacup shattered at her feet, the tea staining the carpet.
Cui Shi sat down in her seat. "Old Madam, do you know the meaning of presumption? Presumption is speaking and acting carelessly, arbitrarily, and without restraint. Old Madam, it is not your daughter-in-law who is presumptuous, but the lowly servants being beaten outside."
"You..." The Old Madam, whether truly breathless or feigning it, clutched her chest and spoke after a long pause, "You are glib-tongued; I cannot argue with you."
Before Yu Zeyan could enter Ci'an Hall, he heard the cries of anguish from within and couldn't help but quicken his pace.
Seeing the scene, he frowned and asked, "What is going on here?"
"Duke, you should ask yourself!" Kang Er said.
Kang Er's aunt worked in Cui Shi's courtyard and had heard some of what had transpired. He was not unaware of the sordid affairs of the inner chambers, but the Sixth Miss was so young; the Old Madam was truly muddled.
Yu Zeyan recognized Ju Xiang, a maid from the Old Madam's courtyard, and asked her to explain. Ju Xiang, already beaten to the brink of death, lay on the ground and pleaded, "Duke, spare me. This servant was wrong. This servant will never dare again. I beg the Duke not to sell me off."
As they were speaking, the son-in-law, Qin Muyan, arrived.
Seeing Yu Zeyan's grim expression, he instinctively sensed something was amiss and quickly stepped forward, "Eldest Brother, has something happened?"
Yu Zeyan already looked down on Qin Muyan, and now, considering that the Qin family's maids were also involved in ruining his daughter's reputation, he had even less reason to show him a good face.
He flicked his sleeve heavily and turned to walk towards the main hall. Qin Muyan felt as if he had been slapped in the face and instinctively touched his cheek.
Seeing that two of the beaten maids were from Yu Shi's retinue, Qin Muyan inwardly cursed, how unlucky.
It must have been that troublemaker Yu Shi, up to some wicked deed again.
Seeing her son enter, the Old Madam felt as if she had found her backbone. In her haste, she almost fainted.
At her age, to put on such a display, it was no wonder she couldn't raise her daughter properly.