High-class maid

Granny Zhou dared not raise her head and said, "When I came to the tea room today, I found Chunyun putting medicine into your kettle. I dared not make the decision on my own, so I disturbed you, Madam."

The old lady paused briefly after hearing what Granny Zhou said, then continued spinning the prayer beads in her hand, pretending to be absent-minded as she asked, "Oh? How dare you! Did you bring the things?"

"Reporting to the old lady, Chunyun was about to throw it into the fire, but I snatched it away. Only these are left."

After Zhou Mama finished speaking, she presented the medicine she had been holding in her hand, which Danxue immediately took. Chunyun sat motionless on the ground, lost in thought, seemingly preoccupied with something.

The old lady glanced at Danxue, who understood and went outside to have a third-class maid summon the family physician, while she continued to stand beside the old lady, ready to receive any instructions.

A short while later, the royal physician rushed over. Danxue handed the medicine to him, and after a brief inquiry, the physician said...

"Reporting to the old lady, this is the lowest quality laxative. Because it is colorless and odorless, and cheap, it is available in almost every pharmacy."

At this moment, the old lady looked at Chunyun and asked, "Do you have anything else to say? Who instructed you to do this? Why did you drug me?"

Chunyun seemed to have resigned herself to her fate, and knelt on the ground to reply, "Yes, it was Xiyun. Xiyun wanted to take this opportunity to frame Shen Xing'er, so she came up with this plan and threatened me that I had to help her. I was forced! Old Madam, I am innocent."

After hearing what Chunyun said, Danxue, without waiting for the old lady's instructions, went to the door and summoned a maid to call Xiyun over.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the maid who delivered the message returned and said...

"Grandma, I can't find Xiyun. I've searched the whole courtyard but haven't found her. Also, I've discovered that Xiyun's clothes and jewelry are missing."

"Hmph, she's quite clever. Go tell the old woman guarding the gate not to let Xiyun leave the manor. Everyone who leaves today must have their belongings thoroughly checked. Also, everyone go and search for Xiyun's whereabouts. Who is Shen Xing'er? Why would Xiyun frame you?" The old lady asked them.

Shen Xing'er took a step forward and knelt down, replying, "Replying to the old lady, my humble name is Shen Xing'er. I don't know why Xiyun framed me, but I did have an argument with Xiyun some time ago."

Then Shen Xing'er explained why she had argued with Xiyun some time ago and what Xiyun had done, and then she stopped talking.

She was also gambling in her heart, gambling that the old lady would take her anger out on her.

However, judging from the original story, the old lady is quite easy to please. Instead of trying to be clever and shirk responsibility, it's better to objectively state the facts. I believe the old lady has her own plans.

The old lady already knew what punishment she should give them. This was Xiyun and Chunyun's fault, as she could tell from Xiyun's sneaking away.

To her surprise, there was such a composed and dignified girl. After all, she was only twelve years old. If it were any other maid, she would have made excuses for herself long ago.

“I have already made up my mind about this matter. Although Chunyun was not the instigator, you and Xiyun colluded and committed the same crime.”

"If you hadn't left my courtyard, I would have sold you to a brothel. But since you have such a vicious heart, I'll give you to the carriage driver, Mr. Wang." With just a few words, the old lady decided Chunyun's fate.

The group was startled. The carriage driver, Mr. Wang, originally had a wife, but he had unusual sexual preferences.

One time, he accidentally killed his wife in bed. Because the incident was disgraceful, Mr. Wang's sons could not hold their father accountable and could only help suppress the matter.

But secrets don't stay hidden forever, and soon everyone in the household knew about it. However, since it was a matter between husband and wife, they could only talk about it secretly behind each other's backs.

Although Chunyun wasn't particularly beautiful, she wasn't ugly either.

To give a beautiful young woman to a widowed bachelor is a cruel twist of fate; one can only imagine the torment she would suffer. This is far better than simply executing her, and it serves as a warning to everyone in the household.

Upon hearing this, Chunyun, who was kneeling on the ground, trembled with fear. Then, a strong smell of urine wafted over, and she actually wet her pants in fright! Everyone covered their noses, and Danxue quickly called over a servant in the courtyard to drag Chunyun out.

Meanwhile, everyone in the small kitchen and tea room was still kneeling on the ground. Granny Zhou spoke with a heavy nasal tone.

“Madam, this is my fault for not supervising properly. You entrusted the small kitchen to me, but I let my subordinates commit such a disgraceful act. I have failed your trust and I am at your disposal.”

After saying that, he lay down on the ground and didn't raise his head again, waiting for the old lady's instructions.

"No, Madam, I was also at fault. A few days ago, I overheard Xiyun and Chunyun plotting to give me laxatives. Because I didn't believe they would actually do such a thing, I let it happen."

"I didn't tell Granny Zhou. If I had told Granny Zhou back then, perhaps none of this would have happened. I'm willing to take full responsibility for this!" Shen Xing'er said to the old lady.

It wasn't because she was a saint, but because Granny Zhou was indeed implicated in this matter, but she had no choice. As a mere maid, she could only use the old lady's hand to eliminate the root of the problem.

"Grandma, Xiyun and Chunyun are awful. Xing'er has already come to the tea room, and she still comes to inquire about Xing'er every day, and even pretends to apologize to Xing'er. Xing'er can't get rid of her even if she wants to!" Shantao hurriedly added.

“You two girls get along quite well. Granny Zhou was not strict enough, so she will be fined one month’s allowance. Shen Xing’er had a fight with her companion. Although you were the victim, the incident was caused by you, so you will be fined one month’s allowance and given five slaps on the hand.”

After the old lady finished speaking, she wearily waved her hand, signaling them to leave.

"Grandma, isn't Shen Xing'er's punishment too severe? Or is there some other deeper meaning?" Danxue asked, puzzled.

The old lady turned the prayer beads in her hand and said with her eyes closed.

"Shen Xing'er said she overheard Xiyun and Chunyun's scheme. Couldn't she have heard them putting drugs in the kettle? She's using me to punish them because she knows she can't get rid of Xiyun, so she has to use someone else."

"I see. Shen Xing'er is young, but quite clever. She knows how to use others' strengths against her, and she doesn't shirk responsibility. She takes on everything that should be taken on," Danxue said.

"I'll slap her palm five times to let her know that she shouldn't be so clever. She thinks others don't know, but she just doesn't want to say it. I hope she understands what I mean." After saying this, the old lady went into the inner room to rest.

Shen Xing'er, of course, knew what the old lady meant.

As the previous champion of the domestic power struggle, Shen Xing'er never thought she wouldn't be discovered, but she was gambling that the old lady would let her go. Even though she was slapped five times, Shen Xing'er was willing to accept it.

After all, Shen Xing'er in the book was kicked out of the mansion because of this incident. Now that Chunyun has been arrested and Xiyun has been exposed and escaped, does that mean she is safe?