A trace of worry filled Su Fu’s eyes as she looked at Zhou Shi and asked softly, “Daughter feels somewhat uneasy, so I came to ask Mother—has our household encountered any difficulties recently?”
Her question puzzled Zhou Shi.
She frowned slightly, wondering why Su Fu would ask such a thing.
“No, everything in our household has been quite fine lately. There’s been no trouble at all. Why do you ask, Fu’er?”
Su Fu appeared confused. “That’s strange. Today, the maid only delivered one basin of ice to Lanxiang Pavilion. I thought perhaps the household had run into financial trouble and all the courtyards were reducing expenses, so I came to ask Mother.”
She then innocently pointed at the several basins of ice arranged inside Zhou Shi’s room. “But seeing so many ice basins here in Mother’s quarters, I suppose the household hasn’t encountered any hardship after all.”
At these words, Zhou Shi’s expression turned awkward. She coughed lightly.
Inwardly, she thought: In the past, Lanxiang Pavilion always received just that amount, and Su Fu never said anything. Why is she suddenly bringing this up today?
Feigning surprise, Zhou Shi raised her voice slightly. “What? Only one basin was sent to you? I clearly instructed that each courtyard receive three. Could it be that the maid misremembered?”
“Three basins? But only one was delivered to Lanxiang Pavilion. The maid said it was Mother’s instruction and that every courtyard received the same amount.”
Then Su Fu seemed to realize something. “Mother, it must be that maid who secretly kept the rest! She even slandered Mother, causing Fu’er to almost misunderstand you. Mother, such a servant must not be kept!”
Zhou Shi cursed Su Fu inwardly but maintained a gentle, loving expression on her face.
She patted Su Fu’s hand lightly and said softly, “Fu’er is right. A servant who betrays her master indeed cannot remain in the household. However, perhaps she was merely confused for a moment. We should give her a chance to correct her mistake.”
At this, Su Fu’s eyes reddened, as if she had suffered a great injustice.
“Mother, if even a lowly maid dares to embezzle items meant for Lanxiang Pavilion, it clearly means she thinks Daughter has no birth mother to protect her, and thus dares to bully me so boldly.”
“If she is not punished this time, won’t everyone in the future think I am easy to bully? How can I stand firm in this household then? I beg Mother to uphold justice for me!” The more she spoke, the more emotional she appeared, tears welling in her watery eyes as she looked at Zhou Shi in grievance.
With matters brought to this point, Zhou Shi understood that if she did not punish the maid today, she would not be able to dismiss Su Fu.
She could not afford to fall out with Su Fu just yet.
To maintain the image of a loving mother in Su Fu’s heart, she had no choice but to sacrifice the maid.
Taking out her handkerchief, she gently wiped Su Fu’s tears. “Oh, Fu’er, don’t cry. It pains Mother’s heart. I will uphold justice for you.”
She turned toward the doorway, her gaze icy and voice stern. “Someone come! Immediately expel the maid who delivered ice to Lanxiang Pavilion today! Our Su family will not tolerate a wicked servant who steals from and bullies her masters!”
Just as the old woman at the door was about to comply, Su Fu’s voice rang out again.
“Wait!”
Simply expelling her? That wouldn’t do.
“Mother, I recall that according to the Su family’s rules, such an offense warrants thirty strokes of the rod before expulsion. I know Mother is kind-hearted, but without rules there can be no order. If we do not punish her severely today, others may dare to ride over Mother’s authority in the future.” Having just cried, Su Fu’s voice still sounded soft and slightly nasal.
Zhou Shi nearly failed to maintain her dignified expression.
That wretched girl—why was she so difficult today? That maid, Yun Qing, had come with Zhou Shi from her maiden home and had served her for many years. She was practically a trusted confidante.
Grinding her teeth, Zhou Shi forced out the words, “Fu’er is right. Without rules, there can be no order. I have treated them too kindly in the past.”
She drew in a deep breath to suppress her anger. “Give that maid thirty strokes of the rod, then expel her from the Su residence.”
Only then was Su Fu satisfied. In her previous life, that maid had bullied her countless times.
Listening to the maid’s screams echo through the courtyard, Su Fu lowered her head slightly, the corners of her lips curving faintly upward. Gone was the tearful, aggrieved look from moments before.
Zhou Shi, hearing the screams outside, grew increasingly irritated. After all, the maid had followed her for so many years…
Su Fu rose and curtsied. “Daughter will take her leave. Mother should rest early.”
“Very well. Be careful on your way back. Tomorrow Mother will have new ice basins sent to Lanxiang Pavilion.”
“Thank you, Mother.”
Once Su Fu left, Zhou Shi could no longer contain herself.
She grabbed the teacup from the table and smashed it to the floor. The loving smile she had worn moments ago vanished completely.
The maid Xiao Tao trembled and knelt on the ground. “Madam, please calm your anger. It’s not worth harming your health.”
“How can I not be angry? Yun Qing has followed me since my days at the Zhou residence. And now, because of that wretched Su Fu, she not only suffers thirty strokes but is driven out of the household! I cannot swallow this grievance!”
Her eyes darkened viciously. “If I had known, I should never have spared that little wretch back then…”
Back at Lanxiang Pavilion, Qiuxue could hardly contain her excitement. Her already bright eyes sparkled even more. “Miss, that was so satisfying! You don’t know—every time Yun Qing brought things to our courtyard, the amount was always less than what other courtyards received. She even deliberately made things difficult for me and Sister Qiushuang.”
Su Fu gently patted her hand in comfort. “In the future, if anyone bullies you, bully them right back. The more we endure, the more others think we’re easy targets.”
Qiushuang, however, looked worried. “Miss, today you had Madam punish Yun Qing. Madam will surely hold a grudge against you. Since she manages the household, I fear your days ahead may not be easy.”
Su Fu’s slender fingers traced the pattern on her teacup as she replied indifferently, “Even if I pretended nothing happened as before, she would still make my life difficult. Since that is the case, why shouldn’t I at least make my present days more comfortable?”
She looked toward the doorway, her gaze deepening.
“Whatever tricks they wish to use against me in the future, let them come. I’ll be waiting.”
Turning to her two maids, she instructed, “From now on, you must also be careful in everything you do. Don’t give anyone the chance to seize upon your mistakes.”
Qiushuang and Qiuxue answered in unison, “Miss, rest assured. We understand.”
For the next few days, Su Fu’s life was peaceful. Just as she began to think Zhou Shi would make no move, Zhou Shi came.
That day, Su Fu was in the courtyard trimming flowers and plants when Zhou Shi and Su Qing suddenly arrived.
Upon seeing her, Su Qing warmly stepped forward and hooked her arm around Su Fu’s. “Elder Sister!”
Seeing the mother and daughter together, Su Fu knew at once that nothing good could come of this visit.
“Mother, Second Sister, what brings you here?”