Taking into account Yun Zi’rao’s frail condition, Madam Yun did not talk with her for very long.
She instructed her to lie down and rest, then personally supervised the preparation of medicinal porridge according to the physician’s prescription.
The doctor had warned that Zi’rao’s body was far too weak.
She could not be heavily nourished all at once.
Everything had to be done gradually.
For the first few days, soft foods and light liquids should be her main diet.
Nothing greasy.
So Madam Yun decided to oversee the kitchen herself.
Accompanied by Madam Zhou and several maids, she headed toward the kitchen.
As they passed near the woodshed, an angry shout rang out from the distance.
“You little bitch! Chop faster!”
“If today’s firewood isn’t enough, I’ll throw you into the stove and burn you instead!”
“You think you’re still the First Miss’s personal maid from three years ago?”
The old woman sneered.
“Did you see the First Miss return from the Laundry Bureau and start dreaming that your good days are coming back?”
“Keep dreaming, you little slut!”
“Even if the First Miss returns, she’ll never be as important as Second Miss!”
“If Second Miss sheds a single tear, it’ll be the First Miss’s fault!”
Madam Yun’s expression immediately turned cold.
Ahead of them, outside the woodshed, stood a fierce-looking old servant woman with her hands on her hips, yelling abuse at a young maid chopping firewood.
The insults weren’t directed solely at the maid.
Yun Zi’rao had been dragged into them as well.
The First Miss is less important than the Second Miss.
If the Second Miss cries, it’s automatically the First Miss’s fault.
Madam Yun’s gaze chilled further.
Even the servants understood this unwritten rule.
If Second Miss suffered any grievance—real or imagined—the blame would inevitably fall upon Zi’rao.
A mere servant working in the woodshed knew it.
Yet she, the mistress of the household, had remained blind to it for three years.
“Madam Zhou.”
She spoke calmly.
“That maid used to serve Zi’rao?”
Madam Zhou nodded.
“Yes.”
“She’s Chenyu, Eldest Miss’s personal maid.”
“After Eldest Miss was sent to the Laundry Bureau, Chenyu was reassigned to the woodshed.”
After a brief pause, she added:
“That old woman is Madam Chen.”
“She used to be a rough servant in Young Master’s courtyard.”
“Three years ago she was transferred to assist the kitchen.”
“Because of her age and seniority, she rarely does any real work herself.”
“She mostly supervises the younger servants.”
Madam Yun’s voice became cool.
“Or rather…”
“She was transferred here specifically to keep an eye on Chenyu.”
Madam Zhou remained silent.
The silence itself was confirmation.
“You… you’re lying!”
The maid chopping wood suddenly stopped working.
Her eyes were red as she shouted back.
“The First Miss is kind-hearted!”
“She is the daughter of the Prime Minister and Madam!”
“What right do you have to speak about her like that?”
Madam Chen instantly flew into a rage.
“You insolent little thing!”
Smack!
Her hand struck the maid’s face.
The force of the blow made the girl stumble backward.
Her lip split open.
The axe slipped from her hand.
And flew directly toward Madam Yun.
Madam Zhou gasped.
Reacting quickly, she pulled Madam Yun backward.
“Madam, be careful!”
The axe struck the ground with a heavy thud.
Only then did Madam Chen notice Madam Yun standing nearby.
Her face turned pale.
She hurried forward.
“M-Madam! When did you arrive?”
Madam Zhou glared at her.
“Madam Chen, what exactly is going on here?”
The maid who had dropped the axe was equally terrified.
Recovering her senses, she rushed forward and knelt.
“This servant deserves death!”
“This servant deserves death!”
Madam Chen immediately forced a smile.
“I didn’t know Madam was coming.”
“The kitchen is short on firewood.”
“That little slut works slowly and is always trying to slack off.”
“I was merely disciplining her.”
Madam Yun ignored her completely.
Instead, she looked directly at the kneeling maid.
“You are Zi’rao’s maid, Chenyu?”
Madam Chen immediately panicked.
“Madam, she isn’t called Chenyu—”
Madam Zhou looked at her sharply.
“Did Madam ask you?”
Madam Chen froze.
The maid lowered her head.
“I used to be called Chenyu.”
“The name was given to me by Eldest Miss.”
The moment she spoke, tears rolled down her face.
“But now this servant is lowly and insignificant.”
“I am no longer worthy of that name.”
Madam Yun’s expression softened slightly.
“From today onward, you’ll return to Eldest Miss’s side.”
“You won’t need to chop wood here anymore.”
Madam Chen’s face changed dramatically.
“Madam!”
“Surely that’s inappropriate?”
“This little slut has grown used to rough labor.”
“How could she possibly serve Eldest Miss again?”
“I could choose a smarter servant for—”
“No need.”
Madam Yun interrupted calmly.
“Chenyu is fine.”
“Go pack your things immediately.”
The maid stared at her in disbelief.
“Madam?”
“Go.”
The joy that flooded her face was almost overwhelming.
She immediately kowtowed several times.
“Thank you, Madam!”
“Thank you, Madam!”
“I’ll go right away!”
Madam Chen’s expression shifted between green and white.
She rubbed her hands nervously.
“Madam… if she leaves…”
She pointed toward the pile of wood.
“What about all this firewood?”
Madam Yun looked at her indifferently.
“You just said Chenyu is slow and lazy.”
“You, on the other hand, seem very capable.”
Her tone remained mild.
“In that case…”
“Why don’t you chop the wood yourself?”
Madam Chen froze.
Her face instantly turned the color of bitter vegetables.
She looked as though she wanted to cry.