When Concubine Tian saw that Wang Yutong had made up her mind, she didn’t press further.
She only reminded her, “In the future, you must be more careful. Don’t act so impulsively again.”
Wang Yutong nodded. “I understand, Auntie. Don’t worry. Tonight, don’t leave—stay and spend the New Year with me!
But you… you should be more careful from now on. Madam will probably make things difficult for you.”
Concubine Tian’s eyes reddened as she nodded. “Alright, I’ll stay with you. Don’t worry about me. I’ve always been a servant—I’m used to it.”
Hearing the casual, almost resigned tone in her voice, Wang Yutong suddenly felt a heavy weight settle in her chest, making it hard to breathe.
Who would willingly be born inferior, living as a servant?
“Auntie, just wait. When I grow up, I’ll have the ability to protect you,” Wang Yutong said softly, hugging her arm.
Concubine Tian gently patted her hand and smiled. “Good child. Hearing you say that is enough for me.
But don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Just live well in the present.”
Meanwhile, Madam Cui was complaining to the Marquis.
“My lord, that Sixth girl is getting more and more outrageous. Over something as trivial as food, she’s been spouting nonsense in front of the second and third branches.
If outsiders heard, they’d think our household lacks discipline and that our daughters are poorly raised. How will we arrange marriages in the future?”
After hearing her complaints, the Marquis cast her a cold glance and sneered. “Isn’t this because you, the mistress of the household, failed to manage the servants properly?
In just half a year, those audacious servants dare to openly withhold a young lady’s allowances.
If not for that, would a child barely five or six years old speak up unless she was truly starving?
Do you really think such a young child would deliberately complain?”
Madam Cui felt somewhat guilty at his retort and forced a smile. “My lord, then what should we do? We can’t leave her unpunished. If the other girls follow her example, won’t the household fall into chaos?”
The Marquis also felt troubled. If he punished her—she wasn’t even six yet.
If he didn’t—others might imitate her.
“Sigh… what do you suggest? We can’t exactly have her beaten with boards, can we? She’s just a little girl—she wouldn’t survive it. This is truly troublesome,” he muttered, frustrated.
Ignore it? She was still his own daughter.
Punish her? She was only concubine-born.
He was caught in a dilemma.
Seeing his hesitation, Madam Cui suggested, “My lord, how about sending the Sixth girl to one of the estate farms?
Let her experience some hardship so she’ll learn how good life in the manor is.”
After thinking for a moment, the Marquis shook his head. “That won’t do. She’ll be six soon and needs to attend school.
If we send her away and she doesn’t study, word will spread that a daughter of the marquis household is illiterate. People won’t just talk about her—they’ll talk about all the girls in the family. Do we want to lose face?
It would affect all their marriage prospects.”
Hearing that it might impact all the daughters, Madam Cui quickly dropped the idea.
“Hmph, this won’t work, that won’t work—are we really going to let her off without any punishment?
If all the young ladies and young masters become this unruly, how will I, as the mistress, maintain authority? The second and third branches will laugh at me behind my back,” she said irritably.
The Marquis felt a headache coming on. After a moment of thought, he asked, “I recall there’s a small house next to the clan school, isn’t there?”
“Yes,” Madam Cui replied. “It was built when the clan school was established—three extra rooms that were later enclosed with a wall to separate them.”
The Wang clan school had been donated by the first marquis when the family was first established.
“Have it repaired,” the Marquis said. “When the Sixth girl starts school, move her there.
Externally, we’ll say it’s for her convenience in attending classes. That way, we won’t have to see her, and it serves as a punishment.”
Madam Cui’s eyes lit up. It was a perfect solution—punish the girl without seeming too harsh, and still have a reasonable excuse.
“My lord is wise. We’ll do as you say,” she said with a satisfied smile, already feeling relieved at the thought of the Sixth girl being out of her sight.
Soon, the repairs were arranged.
Unaware of the “punishment” awaiting her, Wang Yutong continued spending the New Year warmly with her mother.
Concubine Tian watched her carefree demeanor with a trace of worry but didn’t dare question the Marquis or Madam’s decision.
Once the house was ready, Madam Cui sent someone to inform Wang Yutong that, for the convenience of attending school, she would be moving to the residence beside the clan school.
Though young, Wang Yutong had the mind of an adult.
Hearing this arrangement, her heart grew cold.
Sending a six-year-old girl away under the pretense of schooling—any fool could see she was being cast aside.
Fortunately, she wasn’t a real child. Otherwise, she might have been heartbroken to tears.
This marquis household is truly cold and heartless.
But simply going along with their plan wasn’t an option.
So, that very afternoon, she went alone to the outer study.
Seeing the steward Wang Fu standing outside, she calmly asked, “Steward Fu, is Father in the study? I have something to discuss with him.”
Wang Fu wanted to refuse, but then he remembered—this was the young miss who had dared to complain on New Year’s Eve. If he stopped her now and she later reported him, it would be trouble.
He quickly replied respectfully, “Sixth Miss, the Marquis has just returned. Please wait a moment while I inform him.”
“Alright.”
Wang Yutong agreed readily and stood outside, quietly observing the courtyard scenery.
Inside the study, Wang Fu bowed and reported, “My lord, the Sixth Miss has come. She is outside requesting an audience.”
Wang Yuanwu set down his book and rubbed his temples. “Did she say what it’s about?”
“No, my lord.”
“Hmm… she didn’t say.” He looked puzzled. This was the first time the Sixth girl had come to the outer study on her own.
Seeing his confusion, Wang Fu leaned closer and lowered his voice. “My lord, do you remember?
This morning, Madam instructed that the house beside the clan school has been repaired and is ready for occupancy.
She also told the Sixth Miss to pack and move there as soon as possible for the convenience of attending school.
In my opinion… the Sixth Miss has likely come because of this matter.”