Qin Liangyu had to admit that today was an eye-opener for her.
Madam Fang refused to summon a physician for the original owner of this body, nor would she provide any medicine. It was only because Qin Liangyu had coughed so badly today that she resorted to a scheme to let the old matriarch know of her condition, which finally earned her the opportunity to leave the residence and purchase medicine.
And for such "kindness," they expected her to be grateful?
Qin Liangyu smiled faintly, meeting the old servant woman's gaze directly. "I have taken note of your admonishments just now. When I see Mother and the old matriarch shortly, I will not forget to credit you for your efforts."
At the mention of the old matriarch, the servant woman's expression stiffened for a moment, then she sneered: "Fifth Miss doesn't actually believe that simply catching the old matriarch's attention will earn you her lasting favor, does she?"
The implication was clear—in the end, Qin Liangyu would still have to answer to Madam Fang.
Qin Liangyu cast her a look that was neither quite a smile nor quite not, then turned to Lu Yi and asked, "Did you commit every word she just said to memory?"
Lu Yi nodded. "Rest assured, Miss. Not a single word was missed."
The world said that the Princess Regent possessed a mind of seven apertures and exquisite cunning, supremely skilled at reading people. Since her rebirth not long ago, Qin Liangyu had already discerned that this maid, Lu Yi, was bold yet meticulous, and fiercely loyal—otherwise, she would not have managed to protect the original owner for so long in such an environment.
Only then did Qin Liangyu let her smile fade, turning a pair of cold, impassive eyes upon the servant woman.
A chill ran through the old servant's entire body. For some inexplicable reason, under Fifth Miss's gaze, she felt as though she had been transported to some field of slaughter, where she might be hewn to pieces at any moment.
But having lorded over others beside Madam Fang for so many years, she would not yield so easily. She lifted her chin and said, "Fifth Miss had best follow this old servant inside. Let us see whether you can still be so defiant before the Madam!"
Qin Liangyu nodded and followed at a leisurely pace.
Lu Yi walked behind, gazing at her young mistress's retreating figure.
For some reason, she felt that ever since Miss had fallen into the water and awakened five days ago, she had been somewhat different—more… beautiful… no, that wasn't it—more formidable.
In the past, it had always been Lu Yi who shielded her mistress. Never had she seen her speak with such incisive precision, neither retreating nor yielding.
Just as she stepped into Madam Fang's courtyard, Qin Liangyu noticed many chests wrapped in red silk cloth arranged outside. The quantity was passable, though any discerning eye could tell they were rather shabby.
These must have been delivered today by the family of her elder half-sister Qin Yi, who was currently in discussions for marriage.
The servant woman entered first. After speaking of who knew what, it was a long while before she emerged again to call her: "Fifth Miss, you may go in now."
Qin Liangyu raised her eyes to look at her, then strolled unhurriedly inside.
She quickly surveyed the people in the room. Based on the information she had gathered over these past few days, she soon deduced that aside from her third brother, Qin Haoxuan, who was away managing business all year round, and her fourth brother, Qin Wenyan, who was studying at the Imperial Academy, everyone else was present.
The old matriarch spoke first: "Have you bought the medicine?"
Qin Liangyu nodded obediently.
She replied: "Granddaughter thanks Grandmother for her concern. The physician has prescribed medicine; a few doses and I shall be well."
Speaking of it, this old matriarch was also an extraordinarily capable figure.
Back when Qin Cun was still young, she had single-handedly sustained the entire household. Thus, even now that she no longer concerned herself with the affairs of the residence, no one dared to offend her.
Qin Liangyu had precisely counted on this, and having heard that this woman treated her fourth son, Qin Wenyan, who had been raised by her side since childhood, with great favor, she had conceived this plan—bringing the matter of her grave illness with no physician attending to her before the old lady.
As it turned out, her expectations were confirmed.
This old matriarch possessed a broader sense of perspective than anyone else in the household.
Just as she was thinking this, she heard an exceedingly arrogant voice speak up: "So it only took a few doses of medicine to recover. Fifth Sister brought her complaint to Grandmother's doorstep at dawn, and I was led to believe you were on the verge of death."
Qin Liangyu looked over. The young woman wore a bright red Cloud-brocade robe, her appearance extremely striking, with Koudan painted on her nails. She regarded Qin Liangyu with visible displeasure.
Qin Liangyu understood at once.
This person was Madam Fang's biological daughter—the legitimate Second Miss of the household, Qin Qiong.
Her current attitude was likely because her own matter had caused Madam Fang to incur the old lady's displeasure, and she was now standing up for her mother.
But if accounts were to be settled, she should first settle the debt owed to the original owner who had died.
Qin Qiong, as an elder sister, had shown no kindness—she had deliberately pushed the original owner into the water, causing her to perish in her youth.
How could such a debt ever be repaid?
Qin Liangyu looked at Qin Qiong and said: "Second Sister's words are not quite right. If we truly trace back to the instigator, it was you who deliberately pushed me into the water, causing me to fall gravely ill. Fortunately, Heaven showed mercy, and I barely escaped with my life. Had it not been so, I fear I would not be standing here today."
Qin Qiong gritted her teeth and looked at the woman standing in the hall—delicate in features, beautiful in countenance, her brilliance undimmed even in plain garments. She simply hated Qin Liangyu's face. Why must she keep appearing before her!
Why.
She herself was the legitimate daughter of this household and should possess the best of everything. Yet this concubine-born younger sister had been exceptionally beautiful and captivating since childhood, and on top of that, she was timid and pitiful—who was she trying to impress with that act?
She simply wanted to destroy such beauty.
"You—" Qin Qiong pointed a slender finger at Qin Liangyu in the hall, about to speak further, when Madam Fang cut her off with a scolding.
"Enough. Stop arguing. Today your elder sister is discussing marriage prospects, so all of you, behave yourselves." If the matter of falling into the water were pursued any further, she and her daughter would have no ground to stand on—would they not simply be scolded by the old lady again?
Qin Liangyu cast a meaningful glance at Madam Fang but did not press the drowning matter further. Instead, the head of the Qin household, Qin Cun, turned a stern face toward Qin Liangyu and rebuked: "I heard from the matron attending your mother that you were putting on airs outside just now, refusing to come in?"
Qin Liangyu thought to herself, here it comes.
The matron had taken quite some time before coming to fetch her—she knew the woman must have been frightened by her earlier words and had decided to strike first.
Qin Liangyu turned her limpid, watery eyes to Qin Cun, a hint of grievance in her voice: "In Father's heart, do you truly believe Liangyu is the sort to put on airs before Mother's attendants?"
Qin Cun was momentarily taken aback.
Though he cared little for this daughter, he knew she was timid by nature and never dared to stir up trouble. For a moment, he felt somewhat embarrassed by his own hasty, indiscriminate questioning: "Then tell me, what exactly happened?"
Qin Liangyu looked toward Lu Yi and said in a soft, low voice: "Lu Yi was present as well. Might she be allowed to speak on my behalf?"
In such a short span of time, even if Lu Yi were one of Qin Liangyu's trusted attendants, there was absolutely no possibility that she could have received instructions to collude in a fabricated story. What she said actually carried more credibility than if Qin Liangyu had spoken the words herself.
Only then did the old matron raise her eyes to look directly at Qin Liangyu. Her gaze lingered for a moment before she spoke on Qin Cun's behalf: "We shall act according to your words."
Madam Fang's heart gave a sudden lurch, and she shot a venomous glare at the old servant woman.
With this move from Qin Liangyu, they had instantly shifted from the offensive to the defensive.
Sure enough, Lu Yi began to speak, delivering her account with vivid emotion and dramatic flair, portraying the servant woman's bullying arrogance and Qin Liangyu's patient forbearance to the fullest.
The servant woman opened her mouth to argue.
This Fifth Miss had hardly been so timid and fearful just moments ago—she was clearly quite eloquent and sharp-tongued.
But before the words could leave her mouth, Qin Cun, seated at the head, slammed his hand hard against the table. His voice was deep with anger as he looked at Madam Fang: "If you care nothing for the children of this household, so be it—but you cannot even manage the servants properly. In that case, you might as well hand the authority of household management over to Concubine Wang first, so that you may reflect on your failings."
Madam Fang started, her voice tinged with fear: "My lord, this concubine was negligent in her oversight. This time I will certainly punish this insolent servant severely. I beg my lord to give this concubine another chance."
The master had already been harboring guilt toward Concubine Wang's branch of the household over this matter of marriage negotiations. If he truly handed over the authority of household management to her, would that not allow that wretched woman to lord it over her?
Qin Qiong also pleaded from the side: "Father, Mother has labored for this household for many years. Even if she claims no great merit, she has certainly earned her share of toil. There is truly no need to make such a great stir over this."
Qin Cun's expression showed signs of softening.