Chapter 6, Punishing the Evil Slaves (Part 2)

Madam Han Er slightly frowned; this Minister Wang is a stone-faced individual, known for his rigidity and adherence to rules. He spends his days either impeaching one person or reporting another, showing no favoritism to anyone.

Immediately, a coarse maid came up without any courtesy and covered Chengyue's mouth, dragging the despairing and terrified Chengyue away

Chengyue was not foolish either; she quickly understood and began to crawl towards Xiliang Mo while bowing her head. She even attempted to reach out and tug at Xiliang Mo's skirt: "Sister Mo... No, Miss, please spare me. I have a mother who is bedridden and younger siblings who depend on me for support. You are a benevolent living Buddha, always so compassionate towards us lowly servants!"

Although she did not wish to interfere too much in the affairs of others' households, she was still aware that the Lan family had not dismissed her. This young lady is clearly a legitimate daughter; how could she have fallen to a state where she is even worse off than the servants of the Duke's residence?

The first statement seemed as if she was unappreciative, and Xiliang Mo couldn't help but sneer inwardly. She glanced at Madam Chen, only to find that Madam Chen was merely looking at her with pity and remained silent. She understood that Madam Chen was fully aware of everything, but as an outsider, it was not appropriate for her to intervene too directly in the affairs of others' households

"Madam, this servant knows her mistake, please forgive me, I will never dare again..." Chengyue immediately knelt down, desperately knocking her head on the ground. Madam Han Er took a step back in disgust, but Aunt Ma immediately gave Chengyue a knowing glance.

Originally, it was merely a matter of waiting for the right time to casually send her off to an ordinary merchant from another region, or even to seek out a rural landlord, or to have her serve as a concubine; it could simply be done by taking her out through the back door.

Madam Han Er fixed her sharp gaze on the pale and panicked Xi Liangmo, wanting to ascertain whether today's incident was intentional or unintentional. However, after observing for a long time, all she could see was the increasing terror on Xi Liangmo's face under her scrutiny, which barely confirmed that today's event was merely a coincidence

Madam Chen prefers plain colors, and today, for the matchmaking event, she is dressed in a light purple embroidered green orchid silk jacket and skirt, which accentuates her long and beautiful face, making it appear even colder by three points

Madam Han Er made up her mind, and her gaze towards Chengyue, who was still unaware of the impending disaster and wore a smug expression, was filled with coldness. She waved her hand and coldly commanded: "Why haven't you dragged this malicious servant out to be beaten to death yet!"

Madam Han Er was quite satisfied, yet her face revealed a look of reproach: "This shall not be a precedent; if there is a next time, I will not be able to keep a stewardess like you by my side."

Xiliang Mo expressed her gratitude, weakly bowing her head and saying: "Yes, Sister Mo thanks Mother."

The lady he married is also a straightforward person. If this matter were to reach the hands of Inspector Wang, and he were to report to the Emperor that Duke Jing's household management is lax, allowing wicked servants to bully their master, it would certainly not be a good thing

All the servants were taken aback, as they had not expected that Madam Han Er would actually become enraged over a young lady who had always been like this, especially regarding her capable maid beside her own daughter. When they looked at the seemingly bewildered expression of Xi Liangmo, their demeanor changed.

A discerning person can easily tell that this wicked servant has always been tyrannical and has bullied the people of Xiliang Mo, which is why she is so terrified as if she has seen a ghost

After some thought, I frowned at my aunt Ma, who was serving me, and said: "To raise such a troublesome servant is not a good thing; the whole family should be sold off far away."

It is best to strike her so that she cannot get out of bed tomorrow

Madam Chen had originally changed her opinion of Xiliang Dan and Madam Han Er due to Aunt Ma's words, but at this moment, she could not help but feel that the other party was not only inherently malicious but also exceptionally skilled at concealing their true nature. She shook her head, looking at Xiliang Mo with increasing sympathy.

Then she seemed unable to suppress her trembling as she looked at Madam Han Er for help: "Madam Er."

Today, she achieved her two objectives and left gracefully, leaving behind a garden full of inquisitive gazes

Along with the two maids who followed Chengyue, they were also dragged down and given thirty strokes of the board, barely clinging to life, uncertain whether they would survive or not

Perhaps it is precisely for this reason that the ever-suspicious emperor, despite being immersed in alchemy all day, is still very willing to listen to what figures like Minister Wang, who cannot be bribed and are staunch in their beliefs, have to say

It seems that she must be made to attend the banquet tomorrow

With just a few words, she effortlessly removed Madam Han Er from the situation, and then she erased the outrageous crime of indulging a servant in bullying the master from Xi Liang Dan's reputation, allowing Xi Liang Dan to gain a reputation for being soft-hearted and kind

Madam Han Er smiled and personally stepped forward to help Xi Liang Mo up, speaking gently like a kind mother: "Sister Mo, today it is all because of your mother that you have suffered grievances."

Madam Han Er has two daughters. The second young lady, Xi Liangxian, is to be sent to the palace. In addition to the fourth young lady, Xi Liangdan, who is also of marriageable age, the illegitimate third and fifth young ladies have also reached the appropriate age. She has long made up her mind to use the marriage prospects of her illegitimate daughters to pave the way for her own two daughters, and naturally, she spares no effort in seeking suitable matches.

"Go to your sister's place, it's been a few days since we last met, and she must be thinking of you," said Madam Han Er with a smile that carried double meanings. Everyone knows that Xi Liang Dan has a fierce temper and often resorts to whipping people; Xi Liang Mo has endured her fair share of it.

Aunt Ma keenly noticed that Madam Chen was staring at Xiliang Mo's clothes. She immediately thought of something and smiled at the madam, saying: "Indeed, madam, you have made many clothes for Mo Jie, but you may not know that Mo Jie is currently cultivating her character in front of the Buddha and refuses to accept them no matter what. They are now all with Dan Jie. Tomorrow is a good day for Mo Jie, and you cannot decline any further."

Madam Chen was indeed a straightforward person, yet she was not foolish. After a pause, she suddenly smiled and said: "This must be the young lady, indeed a fine appearance. Your mother has been busy these days for you and your sisters. Tomorrow is your small banquet for the match, and I have seen several of your sisters, but I have yet to meet the young lady until today."

She suddenly realized that today was a trap set for her by Xi Liangmo. She had once taken pleasure in bullying her, relying on the Fourth Miss, and had watched her plead and cry, but she never expected that today she would have to pay with her life.

She had no intention of paying any attention to Miss Xiliang Mo, after all, the Duke of Jingguo did not even remember having such a daughter, let alone the noble families that frequently interacted in the capital. The existence of this girl constantly reminded her that she was merely a secondary wife. If it were not for her desire to see her suffer on behalf of the Lan family, she would have long since eliminated this annoying presence

Xiliang Morou smiled gently and replied, "Yes." She was just worried about not finding an opportunity to go to Xiliang Dan's place, but now, the opportunity has presented itself.

Regardless of whether she is intentional or not, it is most appropriate for Xiliang Dan to deal with this girl who has caused herself trouble this time

These words can hardly be described as anything but venomous, clearly indicating that Madam Han Er intends to kill her and even sell her family. Yet now, she comes to seek the favor of Xi Liangmo. If Xi Liangmo does not plead for mercy on behalf of Madam Chen and Madam Han Er, she will undoubtedly earn a reputation for being ungrateful and cold-hearted. As several young ladies are reaching the age for marriage proposals, who would want to marry a girl who is both unloved and inherently harsh?

She remembers that there seems to be a daughter born to Lady Lan in the Duke's family, and it must be this young lady. It appears that her days under the stepmother's care are not easy.

Cheng Yue was still in a daze, not understanding how she could suddenly go from being the most favored maid by the Fourth Miss to facing imminent death. It was only upon hearing that even her entire family had been sold off that a sense of near-death panic descended upon her.

Madam Han Er cast a cold, furious glance at Xi Liangmo and immediately spoke: "Why haven't you gagged this wretched slave and dragged her away yet!"

Madam Han Er's expression slightly stiffened, as she noticed that Xi Liang Mo seemed to realize she had misspoken, displaying a face full of unease and fear. This could not help but elicit a cold laugh from her, truly a lowly and unrefined person.

Xiliang Mo, with a face full of surprise, held onto Madam Han Er's hand and timidly looked at her, saying: "It is Mo Jie'er who is ignorant and has offended Madam Er... Mother"

A cold light flashed in Xiliang Mo's eyes, hum, at this point, do they still want to drag her down? Truly a worthless and despicable servant.

Aunt Ma immediately received another blessing. After expressing her gratitude, she turned around and coldly ordered two maids to drag Chengyue down and beat her to death

The husband is currently engaged in a fierce struggle with treacherous individuals in the court, facing a difficult situation; she cannot add to his troubles.

Madam Chen secretly sighed, feeling pity for the girl who did not even dare to address Lady Han Er as mother. She smiled and approached, wanting to offer some words of comfort, but keenly noticed that Xiliang Mo was wearing a plain white robe. Although the robe was made of silk, it had become fuzzy from washing, and the cuffs of the inner garment peeking out from under Xiliang Mo's wide sleeves appeared to have embroidered edges, but in fact, they were patches.

Madam Chen did not expect to coincidentally witness this scene today; she certainly could not allow anyone to seize the opportunity to speak against her. A glint of malice flashed in Madam Han Er's eyes as she forced a smile and said, "Elder sister has always been shy and reluctant to meet others, yet today she seems to have a fateful encounter with you, Madam."

She quickly retreated, her face filled with terror as she looked at Chengyue. The large eyes embedded in her thin, small face instantly brimmed with tears, as if she were looking at a malevolent spirit: "You... you must not come closer... please..."

Aunt Ma had been by Madam Han Er's side for many years and immediately understood her master's intentions. She respectfully approached and offered her greetings, her face filled with shame: "It is all the servant's fault. These days, I have been busy accompanying the madam with the marriage affairs of several young ladies, and since the Fourth Young Lady has always been soft-hearted and kind, it has led to the emergence of a troublesome servant like Chengyue. I humbly request a penalty of three months' salary."

Chengyue struggled desperately to speak; she saw the moment Xiliang Mo lowered her head, a mocking and coldly venomous smile directed at her. Yet, she no longer had the chance to utter a word.

Madam Han Er is excessively harsh and ungrateful; such blatant mistreatment of her legitimate daughter is a severe breach of familial ethics