Volume 1, Chapter 16: Disciplining the Treacherous Servant

On the garden path of the Meng Residence, Meng Yuhong anxiously kicked at the stones beneath his feet, his mind swirling with memories of everything that had transpired since he first met Meng Tingfeng. He had scolded her, even struck her with a broom, yet she claimed she wasn’t bad and even spoke up for herself in front of Shi Zilu. She said one shouldn’t judge a person from just one side.

His thoughts were chaotic and tangled. Though he didn’t know which tattling servant had told Meng Tingfeng that he would be adopting a kitten in winter, upon reflection, he realized he had never truly understood her, nor had he ever tried to get to know her. Their father and eldest sister treated her kindly, but it seemed he was the only one constantly at odds with her. Shouldn’t he be a little kinder to his legitimate elder sister?

Startled by his own thoughts, Meng Yuhong muttered a curse to himself. What nonsense was he imagining? That wild child from the mountains had made his sister restless and sleepless, causing him to be beaten and leading to the death of Black Lion. He could not afford to be soft-hearted.

Having seemingly resolved this, he ceased his restless pacing and muttered to himself as he walked on. His young attendant was quite puzzled. What was wrong with the young master? Why was he acting so nervous and jumpy?

Meanwhile, in the Orchid Courtyard, after chatting with Shi Zilu for a while, Meng Tingfeng looked helplessly at the tears welling up in her friend’s big eyes.

“Miss Shi, why are you crying?” she asked.

Shi Zilu took out a handkerchief and gently wiped her tears. “You’ve had such a hard life in the mountains, working the fields and hunting through all seasons, and even being beaten by your foster father. Oh, Tingfeng, why didn’t you tell me sooner? I could have asked my brother to send you more nourishing supplements.”

“Look at you, covered in wounds…” Tears brimmed in her eyes as she tugged on Meng Tingfeng’s sleeve, noticing the ugly scars hidden beneath, and she cried even harder.

Meng Tingfeng had underestimated her friend’s compassion. Had she known earlier, she would never have revealed her past hardships in the mountains.

After a while, Shi Zilu suddenly stood up. “Tingfeng, wait here. I’ll go find my brother right now and have him send more supplements! Tonight, I’ll ask the kitchen to stew something nourishing for you.”

“Miss Shi, no need…” Meng Tingfeng began, but Shi Zilu was already gone like the wind, vanishing instantly.

What a kind and lovely young lady.

At that moment, Meng Tingfeng finally showed the most genuine smile she had since her rebirth.

But Shi Zilu, excited and eager, forgot that this was not the Shi Residence and soon found herself lost.

“Should I go left or right? With such a large Meng Residence, are there no servants around?” she muttered irritably, stamping her foot. Then, sharp-eyed, she spotted Meng Yuhong sitting thoughtfully in a garden pavilion.

Lifting her skirt, she ran over. “Hey, young master Meng, please take me to my brother.”

She had expected the stern Meng Yuhong to refuse her and make her work harder, but to her surprise, he merely glanced at her lightly before standing up.

Shi Zilu was momentarily stunned but quickly followed.

The youth’s long legs took large strides, and despite her running, Shi Zilu couldn’t keep up. Unexpectedly, he stopped at a corner of the corridor.

She opened her mouth to speak, but voices drifted from the corridor’s end.

“Hey, today the Prime Minister brought several boxes of gifts — all for the second young lady. There’s so much gold and silver jewelry and the finest fabrics. Truly enviable.”

“Envy what? If you were as cunning as the second young lady, you’d have these treasures too.”

“How so?”

“That second young lady has such a pitiful face. You don’t know that day after saving Miss Shi, her clothes were soaked through, even her inner garments were visible. She didn’t even try to cover up and kept clinging to Young Master Liu, finally riding off in Lord Shi’s carriage! With that seductive look, she knows exactly how to charm. To me, she’s just a promiscuous harlot!”

Hearing these idle servants gossiping in hiding, both Meng Yuhong and Shi Zilu’s expressions changed.

Meng Yuhong’s eyes grew complex, his lips pressed tight.

These words were rumors he had spread himself on the day Meng Tingfeng returned to the residence, after his intimidation failed. With his tacit approval and protection, no one feared punishment for speaking freely within the household.

Originally, he wished such rumors would spread like wildfire throughout the residence. Even when he saw the hurt and grievance on Meng Tingfeng’s face as she heard these words during meals, he remained unmoved.

But hearing them today, why did a flicker of doubt stir within him?

Such words… shouldn’t be spread inside the residence, right?

Shi Zilu was so enraged she stamped her feet. Her kind act of saving the unfortunate and pitiful Tingfeng was met with such slander from the servants! She couldn’t imagine how heartbroken Meng Tingfeng must feel upon hearing them.

Without hesitation, she let down her skirt and stormed toward the two gossiping maids.

“Hey, you two!”

Pointing accusingly, Shi Zilu scolded fiercely, “Does the Meng Residence have no family rules? Gossiping behind the mistress’s back—how should that be punished?”

The two maids were so frightened by her fierce demeanor that they immediately dropped to their knees. But then, seeing the young master standing at the corner, they relaxed somewhat.

Not speaking, the two remained silent, making Shi Zilu’s face turn green with frustration.

“How dare you ignore me!”

The maids exchanged uneasy glances. Who was this finely dressed young lady? They talked about the second young lady, but the young master who allowed them to speak freely was silent—and this lady had no authority over them. Perhaps the young master would handle it.

Lowering their heads, they awaited Meng Yuhong’s word.

Seeing the relief on their faces, Shi Zilu felt her throat tighten. She turned and grabbed Meng Yuhong’s sleeve.

“These are your household servants! Don’t you care?”

Meng Yuhong’s lips moved stiffly as he faltered, “I…”

He had once gathered the servants and openly allowed such talk, effectively vouching for them. Now, caught off guard by Shi Zilu’s intervention, he was at a loss.

Punishing them would make him lose face among the servants. But if he didn’t…

While he hesitated, Shi Zilu released his sleeve and strode directly up to the two maids.

Taking a deep breath, she raised her hand and slapped them sharply — “Smack! Smack!”

Both maids bore red, swollen handprints.

Shi Zilu immediately regretted not bringing Qiu Tong and Dong Bai with her; she now realized that striking someone required strength.

Though only two slaps, the maids’ thick, tough faces made her palm ache.

“You two filthy gossipy wenches!” she spat.

Despite her aching hands, her spirit remained undiminished. Grabbing one maid by the ear, she marched toward Meng Yuhong with a fierce air that was somewhat intimidating.

Looking disdainfully at Meng Yuhong as he took a step back, she commanded, “Lead the way!”