Qin Shi’s wronged expression intensified, “Does the Marquis believe a maid’s words over mine?”
“It’s not a matter of not believing, but if this maid had no backing, I don’t think she’d dare to be so bold.” Considering Qin Shi’s connections to the Prince’s manor, Qi Tianming didn’t want to be too harsh. “Aren’t we just trying to get to the bottom of things? We can’t wrong you, nor can we let this maid off the hook. Regardless of who told her to do it, she’s the one who acted, and she certainly cannot be forgiven.”
Luye watched Qin Shi with a trembling gaze. She wasn’t foolish; the Madam’s words had completely absolved her. The Madam would at most receive a few reprimands, while she was facing death.
She had initially hoped the Madam would step forward to protect her, but it seemed her wishful thinking was entirely in vain.
“Marquis, Old Madam, this servant is not lying. I did everything at Madam’s instruction. I know I was wrong, please spare my life. I will serve the Third Miss well from now on and ensure she never suffers any grievance.” Luye kowtowed incessantly.
“You wretched wench! Never mind that you mistreated the Third Miss; just for framing the Madam, you deserve to die several times over,” Madam Qin said sternly. “You truly think our Madam is so kind that you can do as you please. Do you think you can fool the Old Madam and the Marquis?”
Qin Shi dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief, “Did you personally receive my orders for this? Did I give you any promises? Or did I have Madam Qin instruct you to mistreat the Third Miss? Since you claim I ordered you, do you have any proof?”
Luye froze. She had no proof whatsoever. Moreover, the Marquis’s wife had not given her any direct orders, nor had Madam Qin relayed any messages. It was just that one time she went to Jinghua Courtyard, she overheard the Madam calling the Third Miss a little slut. She also heard the maids in the courtyard say how much the Madam hated Concubine Xiang, and that the Third Miss was dragged down by her mother, destined for a life like this.
That was why she had started mistreating the Third Miss. Since the Third Miss was timid and wouldn’t complain, she initially only tampered with the monthly allowances. No one said anything, and gradually, her boldness grew. During this time, she was summoned to Jinghua Courtyard once, and the Madam even rewarded her, saying she had served the Third Miss with merit. She felt the Madam approved of her actions, thus she became even more audacious. In that small courtyard, she was the master, and the Third Miss was the servant.
Luye finally understood. She had been unknowingly manipulated, and yet she had always considered herself to be on the Madam’s side…
Luye lowered her head, knowing that no matter what she said now, no one would believe her.
“Enough, drag this wretched maid out and beat her to death, then dump her in the mass grave,” Qi Tianming said impatiently. His heart was filled with anger, and since he couldn’t vent it on Qin Shi, he could only take it out on this maid.
“Father, Father,” Qi Xuanxuan said timidly, “Can we not beat Luye to death? Just sell her off, selling her would be enough.”
The Old Madam was somewhat surprised. After being mistreated to this extent, didn’t she harbor any resentment?
Qi Tianming, just like the Old Madam, was surprised. He frowned and asked, “Why?”
“In Xuanxuan’s courtyard, there were only Xuanxuan and Luye. Although she bullied me, she was always by Xuanxuan’s side,” Qi Xuanxuan said, biting her lip.
Despite the bullying, she had been a companion.
Luye looked at Qi Xuanxuan with gratitude. Regardless of how the Old Madam or the Marquis dealt with her, she accepted it. But for the Third Miss to plead on her behalf, she would always remember this kindness.
She deeply kowtowed to Qi Xuanxuan, Luye choked, “This servant thanks the Third Miss for her forgiveness.”
“Very well, Madam Fang, follow Xuanxuan’s wishes and sell off this Luye,” the Old Madam instructed Madam Fang.
Madam Fang beckoned two rough-looking maids, who then flanked Luye and escorted her out.
“Although this matter was done by the maid, you are the mistress of our Marquis’s manor, and you are also negligent in this matter,” the Old Madam said slowly, staring at Qin Shi. “Even a prince is subject to the same laws as commoners; when the mistress of the house errs, she should also reflect. Tianming, how do you intend to punish your wife?”
Qi Tianming looked at Qin Shi with a complex expression, “Her monthly allowance will be deducted for three months, and she is to remain in her quarters for self-reflection.”
Qin Shi clenched the handkerchief in her hand. She didn’t care about the monthly allowance, but being confined for self-reflection? She, the dignified principal wife, confined for self-reflection, her face was lost. If this were to spread, what about her reputation?
The Old Madam glared fiercely at Qi Tianming, “Just deduct the monthly allowance. Let the self-reflection be waived, as the Marquis’s manor still requires someone to manage its affairs. Also, regarding Xuanxuan, someone needs to make arrangements for her.”
“Mother, please rest assured. Your daughter-in-law will arrange Xuanxuan’s living situation properly. The previous courtyard was small and remote, and Xuanxuan has unpleasant memories there. Why not change her to a different place? Zhenzhen has been back for some time now. Why not take this opportunity to arrange her residence as well?” Qin Shi said with a grateful expression.
The Old Madam nodded, “It is indeed time.”
Qin Shi suggested several courtyards, all ordinary ones. Of course, compared to where Qi Xuanxuan had been living, they were much better.
The Old Madam also intended to compensate her, and secondly, she wanted to warn Qin Shi, so she rejected the courtyards Qin Shi had proposed.
“Fangfei Garden and Longxiang Garden are good,” the Old Madam directly named two courtyards.
Qin Shi gritted her teeth. Fangfei Garden was acceptable, but Longxiang Garden was where she moved every summer. Not only was the scenery excellent, but the furnishings were also meticulously arranged. The only drawback was that it was a bit small.
“Zhenzhen will reside in Longxiang Garden, and Xuanxuan will reside in Fangfei Garden,” the Old Madam directly assigned. “Those two courtyards are very close. Zhenzhen must take good care of her sister. Zisu, you will go to Xuanxuan’s side to serve her. As for the other vacant maids, you can assign them as you see fit, but make sure the Third Miss is well looked after.”
Zisu responded, and with a gentle expression, took Qi Xuanxuan from the Old Madam’s embrace. “Third Miss, I will take you to Fangfei Garden later.”
Qi Zhenzhen and Qi Xuanxuan thanked the Old Madam and Qin Shi with joy, each leading their maids and departing.
“Now that the children are gone, there’s no need to hold back. Tianming’s wife, I can guess what’s on your mind with about eighty to ninety percent accuracy. Whether you are vying for favor or feeling jealous, you must at least have some discretion. Our Marquis’s manor does not have many descendants; you must look after each and every one of them,” the Old Madam said coldly. “If I find out you are doing anything behind my back, do not blame me for not showing respect to the Prince’s manor.”
Qin Shi was stunned. In the years she had been in the Marquis’s manor, although she wasn’t close to the Old Madam, they had always been on amicable terms. The Old Madam had never spoken harshly to her, but today, because of that little slut, not only was she punished, but she was also lectured like this in person.
“Don’t think that what you did regarding Xuanxuan has left no trace. I am not investigating to save you some face,” the Old Madam said, seeing Qin Shi’s dissatisfaction, and threw another remark.