Bianliu, worried that Nanny Zhang’s spittle might splash on her, stepped back in disgust and continued: “Eldest Miss also said that the contracts of the servants bought today will not be handed over. Currently, in her and Second Young Master’s courtyards, there are still several doing chores. Their contracts are in Concubine Wei’s hands. Eldest Miss requests that Concubine Wei give them to her for safekeeping. That way, if they misbehave, she won’t need to trouble Concubine Wei again—she’ll deal with them directly.”
Concubine Wei understood.
Ye Sangzhi was doing this deliberately. She knew these servants were loyal to Concubine Wei, so she made a fuss about buying new ones, just to replace them—such scheming. Once replaced, it would be harder for Concubine Wei to meddle with the siblings.
Fortunately, not all had been swapped out. But the contracts must remain in her grip—otherwise, how could she keep the servants obedient?
Concubine Wei forced a smile: “Don’t worry, Bianliu. Since Sangzhi says they’re disobedient, I’ll discipline them to her satisfaction. But as I manage the household, how could I hand their contracts to her? She will marry one day. If people learn she meddles in household affairs, her reputation will suffer. As her maid, surely you don’t want that?”
Bianliu, after following her mistress for so long, had grown sharp‑tongued—especially against this vile woman. Her mistress was beautiful, educated, and capable. She would not allow such slander.
“You little wretch! Eldest Miss is one thing, but who are you to speak so to Concubine Wei? I’ll teach you a lesson!” Nanny Zhang lunged, claws out, aiming to scratch Bianliu’s face.
But Bianliu didn’t give her the chance. She sidestepped lightly, lifting her foot just enough.
Nanny Zhang, less agile, stumbled forward, tripped, and fell flat. Her face smacked hard against the floor.
“Ah—!” The pain was sharp.
“Nanny Zhang!” Concubine Wei cried, rushing with a maid to lift her.
When they finally got her upright, her face was smeared with blood from her nose.
Ugh!
Bianliu turned her head aside, nauseated, nearly retching up her breakfast.
Nanny Zhang wept in pain: “Concubine Wei, you must defend me! This vile maid is insolent, she’s injured me—it’s intolerable!”
“Don’t slander me, Nanny Zhang. I neither lied nor struck you. You fell on your own.” Bianliu insisted—she had a mouth of her own and wouldn’t accept blame. Nanny Zhang had brought it on herself.
“Bianliu!” Concubine Wei snapped. “Even as Eldest Miss’s maid, you cannot act lawlessly. If I let this pass, how can I manage the household?”
Bianliu retorted firmly: “Concubine Wei, Nanny Zhang tried to hit me. Should I stand still like a wooden post and let her?”
“You still dare argue? Guards! Seize her and give her twenty strokes according to household rules!”
“I’d like to see who dares.” Ye Sangzhi arrived just in time, pulling Bianliu behind her.
“Sangzhi, why are you here?” Concubine Wei quickly calmed herself, forcing a smile. “Your father ordered you to reflect. Why have you left your courtyard? If he finds out, he’ll be angry. You shouldn’t provoke him further.”
“Reflection isn’t confinement. Father didn’t order guards at my courtyard. Why shouldn’t I come out? Concubine Wei, you’re overstepping.”
Ye Sangzhi’s sly smile made it look as though she and Concubine Wei were on good terms. Her breezy, indifferent manner pierced Concubine Wei’s composure.
“Sangzhi, I know Bianliu is your maid, but she spoke disrespectfully to me and injured Nanny Zhang. I only punished her according to household rules. I trust you’re sensible and won’t shield her, right?”
“Heh! Concubine Wei, it seems your memory is poor. When did I permit you to call me by name? Don’t you know you’re unworthy?” Ye Sangzhi’s expression turned cold, though her lips still curled in mocking amusement. Her words were sharp as ever: “Bianliu is mine. Her words and actions represent me. You say she disrespected you? That’s because you don’t deserve respect. You say she injured Nanny Zhang? Even if that old hag tried to strike first, even if Bianliu stood silently, if she wanted to hit, she could hit. After all, I am the master. Nanny Zhang is nothing but a vile servant.”
“Eldest Miss, you go too far. I may be a servant, but I’ve served the Ye family for years. Even without merit, I’ve labored hard. Why be so cruel, so merciless? Do you mean to drive me to death?” Nanny Zhang wept, blood mixing with tears, looking pitiful.
But Ye Sangzhi knew well—this old woman had long aided Concubine Wei in her schemes. Better she die.
When Concubine Wei staged her fall years ago, Nanny Zhang had stood by, mocking Ye Sangzhi. When Father invoked family law against her, Nanny Zhang had given false testimony, fanning the flames.
“Concubine Wei, you must defend me,” Nanny Zhang pleaded, shocked that Ye Sangzhi spoke so openly. Other noble daughters cared about reputation, hiding their cruelty behind masks of virtue. But Ye Sangzhi was different—she declared it openly, before the whole courtyard.
Concubine Wei stared deeply into Ye Sangzhi’s eyes. “Eldest Miss, why go so far? You will marry one day. If word spreads that you abuse servants, not only your reputation but the Ye family’s will suffer. Even if you don’t care for yourself, think of your brother Lingzhou. Everyone in the capital knows he’s a frivolous wastrel. If you gain a bad name too, not only will you fail to marry well, but his prospects will be ruined. Is that worth it?”
She didn’t believe this girl cared for nothing. Surely she cared for her brother.