High-class maid

At this moment, the second wife walked gracefully in from outside the door and said, "Father, you don't need to do it. I'm afraid it will hurt your hands. Don't get upset over someone who isn't worth it."

When the second master saw the second mistress arrive, he said, "Ruolan, I know I was wrong. I have reflected on my mistakes these past few days. You can come back with me now."

The First Madam also said, "Yes, Ruolan, your elder brother and mother have already lectured Jiushan, so don't be angry anymore. Go back, Yizhou can't do without you either."

"Sister-in-law, as a fellow woman, you should understand my difficulties. I can go back, but who manages the purchasing and monthly allowances for our courtyard?" the second wife asked expressionlessly.

"This, this is Zhang Shi from the courtyard. I only put her in charge because you left. I still respect you very much." The second master panicked and hurriedly explained.

"Ha, respect me? If you truly respected me, you wouldn't have slapped me in public, and you wouldn't have waited ten days to pick me up. Are you truly respecting me, or are you acting in your own self-interest?"

"Ruolan, listen to me, I have my own difficulties too."

The second wife was too lazy to listen to what the second master was saying, and only said, "I know whether you have difficulties or not. I only have two conditions. If you can't meet them, then let's get a divorce."

When the Second Master heard that the Second Madam was serious, he dared not be nonchalant anymore. He stood up straight and said, "Tell me, as long as it's not too outrageous, I'll agree to anything."

"First, I will have Zhang bring up all the purchases and monthly allowances for our courtyard as soon as I return to the manor. Second, since Zhang fainted while serving tea, let her serve it to me again." The Second Madam stated her demands.

"Alright, I promise you, it's only right. Shall we go home?" the second master asked tentatively.

The second wife's father, Lord Wang, said to the first wife, "Since you have come all this way, I should have prepared a small feast, but I am truly heartbroken and do not have the extra energy to entertain you. Please forgive my poor hospitality."

The First Madam said, "Sir, there's no need for you to go to such trouble. I came all this way so early in the morning because I didn't want to trouble you two. Since Ruolan has agreed to go back, we'll take our leave now."

The second master also said, "Father, your son-in-law and Ruolan are going home now."

Lord Wang snorted, turned his face away, and did not answer him.

Madam Wang, with red eyes, said to the Second Madam, "Lan'er, if you are really wronged, let your father and mother come to pick you up. Although your younger brother is not in the capital, your father can still stand up for you!"

The second wife said, "Mother, don't worry. I used to want too much, but now I've seen through it all. I don't want what I can't hold onto. I only want what belongs to me. I'm leaving now."

After saying that, he left without looking back.

Lord Wang and his wife were angry, so they only delivered the food to the entrance of the hall and stopped there.

After arriving at the Minister's residence, the Second Madam first went to the Old Madam's courtyard and paid her respects.

Looking at the second wife's gaunt face, the old lady sighed helplessly and said, "Ruolan, you know how absurd this second son is. From now on, don't make trouble for yourself. Just manage the money in your courtyard and your son well, and that will be enough."

The second wife bowed and replied, "Yes, Mother, your daughter-in-law understands." Then she said nothing more.

Seeing that she was really unhappy, the old lady didn't keep her company for long. She just said, "Go back to the courtyard and see if everything is alright," and waved her away.

When the second madam arrived in the courtyard, before she could even summon Zhang, she went to the door of the second madam's room herself, knelt weakly at the door, and said...

"It's all because I was ignorant and made Madam and Master angry. Please forgive me, Madam." After saying this, she took a handkerchief to wipe away the tears that had fallen from the corners of her eyes, looking quite pitiful.

Upon hearing this, the second wife snorted and said, "Since she likes kneeling so much, let her kneel. Who is she trying to impress with this act?"

When Zhang saw that the second mistress showed no sign of waking her up, she panicked. Others might not know, but she knew she was pregnant. No matter how arrogant she was, she wouldn't dare gamble with the child in her womb.

Zhang's eyes darted around, and she was about to faint. Her maidservant skillfully turned around to call the family physician.

Upon seeing this from the courtyard, Ban Jian sneered and said, "Miss, my mistress said that if you faint, you should rest for three months. Your constitution is too weak; how can you serve the master?"

Upon hearing this, Madam Zhang realized that she would be out of her husband's sight for three months after fainting, and it would be a loss if a new person replaced her. After thinking for a moment, she slowly woke up.

Ban Jian, as if guessing that she would wake up, said, "Since you're awake, Miss, please come in with me." He then opened the curtain and went inside on his own, ignoring the "delicate" Zhang Shi.

Madam Zhang entered the bedroom with her head bowed and eyes downcast. Seeing the Second Madam lying on the chaise longue, she immediately knelt down and said, "Madam, it was all my fault for being ignorant. I have come today to beg for forgiveness."

"There's no need for apologies. Even upper and lower teeth sometimes clash, let alone my husband and I. I'm not that foolish to fall out of love for someone who isn't even worth mentioning."

Hearing the second wife's veiled remarks, Zhang looked slightly embarrassed, unsure whether to sit or stand.

Before she could reply, the second madam continued, "Tea wasn't served that day either, so let's make up for it today. Banjian, serve tea."

As if he had been prepared all along, Ban Jian presented a steaming cup of tea.

Knowing that the Second Madam had just returned and that the Second Master was unwilling to offend her for his sake, Madam Zhang knew she couldn't avoid it, and her hands trembled as she accepted the tea.

"Ma'am, please have some tea."

"Hmm, this tea isn't hot enough. I prefer hot tea," the second wife refused without even looking up.

Ban Jian immediately added hot water to the teacup, regardless of whether the hot water spilled out.

Madam Zhang dared not cry out in pain, but gritted her teeth and continued, "Madam, please have some tea."

The second wife didn't even look up, and continued adding water to her teacup.

After Zhang had been holding the teacup for almost a quarter of an hour, the second lady had someone take it from her and said, "Since you've come to apologize, have you brought any sincerity?"

"Sincerity? This servant is foolish and does not know what Madam wants." Madam Zhang was obviously not expected the Second Madam to be so direct, and for a moment she did not know how to respond.

"I heard that you've been in charge of the purchasing in our courtyard and the monthly allowances issued by the manor these past few days. Now that I'm back, bring over the account books. The purpose of bringing you home is to take good care of the master; don't worry about anything else."

The second wife practically told her outright that she was only allowed to enter the household to serve men, and that she was not worthy of touching anyone else.

Madam Zhang's face flushed red and then turned pale, almost losing her composure: "Well, Madam returned in such a hurry that I haven't prepared anything yet. Perhaps I can bring the account books with me when I pay my respects tomorrow."

Ban Jian rushed forward and scolded, "How dare you! Madam doesn't blame you for meddling in things you shouldn't have, but you blame Madam for returning in such a hurry. Miss, please have the maid lead the way, I'll go with you to get it right away."