Qi Zhenzhen ordered Er Xi to release everyone who had been locked up by Madam Qin. The crowd was still a bit confused, not knowing what had happened.
After Er Xi explained the situation, everyone knelt before Qi Zhenzhen, saying, "Thank you, Second Miss, for saving us."
"We can talk about this later. For now, lock these people up. Also, the姨娘 needs attendants. Did Father arrange for wet nurses beforehand?" Qi Zhenzhen asked.
Two women stepped forward. "Replying to Second Miss, we are the wet nurses."
The two women were dirty, and their hair was disheveled from being pulled.
"You two hurry and wash up. The young master needs you to attend to him," Qi Zhenzhen instructed.
Joy appeared on everyone's faces. If the Marquis investigated the姨娘's fall, none of them would escape blame. Now that the姨娘 had safely given birth to the young master, it was a joyous occasion. Even if they were punished later, it would be lenient.
The two wet nurses quickly left as instructed.
The others returned to their respective duties and places.
As two maids bowed to Qi Zhenzhen and were about to enter the room, Qi Zhenzhen called out to them.
"Are you two the head maids serving the姨娘?" Qi Zhenzhen asked.
The two maids, dressed in goose yellow and tender green, responded.
"Your servant, Shun Xin."
"Your servant, Shun Yi."
Qi Zhenzhen observed them. "When the姨娘 fell, who was attending her?"
Shun Yi stepped forward. "It was your servant."
"Do you know your crime?" Qi Zhenzhen's face darkened.
Shun Yi knelt before Qi Zhenzhen. "Your servant knows her crime. When the姨娘 fell, your servant couldn't catch her."
Qi Zhenzhen ignored her and turned her gaze to Shun Xin. "At this stage of the姨娘's pregnancy, why was only Shun Yi attending her?"
Shun Xin calmly replied, "The姨娘 said she was a bit cold, so your servant went back to the room to get her a cloak. Shun Yi can testify that it was the姨娘 who ordered your servant to leave."
"The姨娘 ordered you? As a head maid, it is your duty to attend to your mistress's daily needs, food, clothing, and shelter. Why would you need to be ordered? With the姨娘 pregnant, you should have been even more attentive. Shouldn't you have brought the cloak with you when she went out? Did you go back specifically because you knew the姨娘 was going to fall?" Qi Zhenzhen said coldly.
Qi Zhenzhen's gaze was sharp, like a blade, fixed on Shun Xin.
Shun Xin felt a sudden unease. At most, she would be accused of negligence, and her punishment wouldn't be severe.
"Second Miss is accusing your servant unfairly. Your servant has no foresight, how could she have known the姨娘 would fall?" Shun Xin steadied herself, looking wronged.
"Unfairly?" Qi Zhenzhen sneered. "Do you think I didn't see your eye contact with Madam Qin just now? Everyone else who came out looked at Madam Qin with anger, but you looked at Madam Qin with inquiry!"
Shun Yi suddenly looked up at Shun Xin. "Shun Xin, is what Second Miss says true?"
Shun Xin naturally denied it vehemently. "The姨娘 treats me very well. How could I do anything to betray her?"
"But we go to that place every day. Why has the姨娘 never fallen before, but only today?" Shun Yi was very confused.
"How would I know?" Shun Xin said, looking wronged. "Shun Yi, you don't believe me? We serve the姨娘 together. You've seen how I treat the姨娘 every day. Why would you doubt me after hearing a few words from Second Miss?"
Tsk tsk, with tears in her eyes and a wronged expression, her acting was far better than those popular young actresses from her previous life.
Shun Yi remained unmoved and said word by word, "Because Second Miss saved us, saved the姨娘."