"So, you're saying it's your sister-in-law's good fortune to be born well and learn a few characters, and to raise her child diligently? Whereas you are unfortunate, not only a concubine but also illiterate, which is why Yunli is so ill-behaved?"
Every word was like a nail, piercing into Concubine Linlang's heart. For a moment, she widened her eyes, wanting to curse but suppressing it due to her status.
She then let out a cold snort and spoke to Feng Jinyao.
"My fate is bitter. I wasn't born into a family like the main wife and the third young lady. I was poor since childhood, so my family sold me into the manor as a maid. The master took pity on my plight and took me in, and then we had Yunli."
The more she spoke, the more animated she became, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief.
"The child is innocent. He is still young and at the age where he should be learning and behaving properly. If the main wife dislikes me, she can scold me as she pleases, but don't target my child. Must you make him as ignorant as me?"
These words almost made Madam Wen faint with anger.
Feng Yunhe, standing nearby, also looked at Concubine Linlang with annoyance.
Such a sharp tongue could twist black into white. No wonder his father hadn't doted on him as much since his younger brother was born. It was all their fault, this mother and son!
"Yunxu!"
"Yes."
"If a servant talks back, how should they be punished according to the family rules? And if they deliberately instigate discord between the masters, how should they be dealt with?"
Feng Jinyao suddenly shouted, startling Concubine Linlang, whose legs went weak, and she knelt down with a thud.
Yunxu remained calm, bowed respectfully, and then said to Concubine Linlang.
"If a servant talks back, the punishment is thirty slaps for a minor offense, or thirty strokes of the cane and being sold off for a more serious one. If they deliberately instigate discord, regardless of the severity, they will be bound and handed over to the Shun Tian Fu Yin for legal xử lý."
Shun Tian Fu Yin!
Wouldn't that mean going to jail?
Concubine Linlang was completely terrified. She had caused trouble in the backyard a few times before, but Madam Wen had always let it go with a show of anger.
Now, seeing that the madam of the manor was seriously ill and unable to manage affairs, and the young masters were not often at home, and the third young lady was gentle, she had dared to make a scene. She never expected to stir up such trouble!
"You... How can you? I am not a servant, I am a concubine, the master's concubine. I have also given birth to a son for the Feng family, who is even recorded in the family registry. You cannot treat me like this!"
As she spoke, her confidence grew, but looking at Feng Jinyao's determined gaze, her heart grew restless.
If only she had known she wouldn't have made such a fuss. How should she resolve this now?
"If I remember correctly, you were a maid bought to serve my eldest brother in the study a few years ago, weren't you? Although you have been elevated to the status of a concubine, your deed of sale is still in Mother's hands. To put it bluntly, you are still a slave. Do you think I can't?"
Madam Wen understood immediately after hearing her words.
Although her temperament was gentle, it didn't mean she knew nothing.
When she was at her maiden home, her mother had taught her how to manage household affairs. She naturally knew about deeds of sale.
She also understood that Feng Jinyao had just handed her the leverage she needed.
From now on, if Concubine Linlang dared to cause trouble again, she could simply bring up the deed of sale to make her obediently comply.
Feng Yunhe, standing beside her, narrowed his eyes and looked at his aunt, a question arising in his mind.
This young aunt usually disliked meddling in affairs. She either stayed in her room copying Buddhist scriptures or went to Fahua Temple to burn incense, always smiling at everyone, yet maintaining a distance.
How could she suddenly act so decisively and skillfully to subdue a shrew-like concubine?
Concubine Linlang was now completely flustered. She had never managed affairs, so she was ignorant of the matter of the deed of sale.
She thought she had ascended to heaven, and after becoming a concubine, she was no longer a slave. She never expected...
"Third young lady, have mercy! I... I didn't mean it. I will never dare to do it again, never again."
Feng Yunli, standing beside them, didn't understand what the adults were saying, but he only saw his beloved concubine kowtowing repeatedly to Feng Jinyao, begging for forgiveness.
So, his chubby arms stretched out, blocking in front of Concubine Linlang.
His little face, plump and indignant, said, "You're not allowed to bully my concubine!"
He was young but courageous and filial. It was a pity that such a good child had been spoiled by Linlang.
Thinking of his future, Feng Jinyao made up her mind. No matter what, she couldn't let Linlang continue to raise him, otherwise, this child's life would be ruined.
"Talking back to the main wife, showing no respect in your words, this is crime one; relying on the fact that you gave birth to a son, harboring ill intentions, this is crime two; instigating the child, refusing to be disciplined by the legitimate wife and elder brother, this is crime three; daring to covet the status of legitimate and illegitimate children, this is crime four; as a concubine, failing to raise the child well, not fulfilling the duty of serving the main wife, spending all day inquiring about gossip, this is crime five."
Feng Jinyao listed five charges in one breath. These charges were neither major nor minor, but they left Concubine Linlang unable to refute.
"If I were to write a petition and send it, along with you, to Ying Tian Fu, what would be your fate?"
Upon hearing this, Concubine Linlang collapsed to the ground, her face ashen, completely devoid of her previous aggressive demeanor.
Feng Yunhe let out a long sigh of relief, while Madam Wen felt a pang of sympathy.
"The child is still here, don't break his heart."
This was Madam Wen's nature, which was why she was bullied by concubines like this.
As soon as these words were spoken, Concubine Linlang managed to regain her senses and kowtowed frantically to Madam Wen.
"Your servant will never dare again, never again. Please, madam, save me."
Madam Wen frowned, her headache worsening.
"Sister-in-law, don't worry. It's almost the New Year, so the punishment won't be too severe. Since Concubine Linlang has admitted her guilt, you will be punished by copying the 'Women's Precepts' ten times in your room. If even one character is missing, I will report it to Mother, and she will deal with you using your deed of sale. Do you understand?"
She thought it was something serious, but it was just copying the Women's Precepts?
Linlang lowered her head, feigning submission, but inwardly scoffed at Feng Jinyao.
So, she was just a paper tiger. Humph, once she found a way to get her hands on the deed of sale, she would deal with her again!
A flash of malice flickered in her eyes, but Feng Jinyao did not miss it. The corners of her lips curved slightly, her mind already calculating.
"As for Yunli, wanting to study is a good thing, but he is still young. We'll look for a tutor to enlighten him in the spring. If he is truly a promising seedling, I will naturally report it to Father and find a way to send him to the academy."
"Yes, yes, yes. Thank you, third young lady, thank you, third young lady. Yunli, hurry and thank your aunt!"
Feng Yunli's little face was scrunched up. Why was his concubine crying and laughing one moment and the next? What did it mean?
On the other hand, Feng Yunhe, standing beside them, clenched his small hands behind his back, his breathing heavy.
Feng Jinyao glanced at him from the corner of her eye and thought to herself, he was just a child, his dissatisfaction was so obvious.
Unfortunately, some things couldn't be revealed to them yet, otherwise, the hidden viper behind Concubine Linlang would not be exposed.