In the confusion, the maids from the second gate brought the household physician. Yun Xu whispered into her ear, "Miss, I felt that Hehuan seemed to be controlled and unable to speak, so I took it upon myself to invite the physician to take a look."
Feng Jinyao nodded, she had also noticed something was amiss.
"Physician, go and examine that maid. Is there still hope for her?"
Upon receiving the order, the physician naturally paid more attention. Poor Hehuan had been beaten into unconsciousness. The nearby concubine Linlang, seeing this, wished the maid would die immediately.
If there were no witnesses, then she could say whatever she pleased.
The physician carefully examined her and discovered that Hehuan had indeed been struck at the acupoint that caused muteness. However, her unconsciousness was due to a severe head injury, possibly caused by blood clots in her brain.
Hearing this, Feng Jinyao looked at Concubine Linlang with eyes that seemed to have already sentenced her to death.
"Help her into the room and treat her well. Also, inform my elder brother of today's events, word for word."
"Yes!"
The maids kneeling nearby trembled, seeing the fate of the wet nurses, fearing they would be the next to be sold off.
Concubine Linlang was suddenly told that the master would be informed, and her heart descended into chaos.
Soon, Madam Wen received the news and hurried back from Yunhai Courtyard.
Upon entering and seeing the scene, she covered her mouth with her handkerchief and stumbled back two steps in shock.
But she quickly regained her composure and said to Feng Jinyao, "Please forgive my sister for witnessing this. I will handle it from here. You should go back and rest."
Family shame should not be aired. Although Feng Jinyao was not an outsider, this was an internal matter of their eldest branch, and it was not appropriate for her to handle it all the time, otherwise, her position as the main wife would seem too pathetic.
Feng Jinyao nodded. She had come today specifically to speak with her elder brother. Since he was not present, and her sister-in-law wanted to assert her authority by dealing with the servants, she naturally had to use some stern methods. It was not appropriate for her to be present, so she took Yun Xu and others and left first.
After seeing Feng Jinyao off, Madam Wen looked at Concubine Linlang with eyes that were no longer permissive or overly worried, but rather firm, even with a hint of authority.
"Mama Lin, Mama Guan, please help the concubine to rest. Be careful not to let anyone harm her. Otherwise, it will be difficult to explain when the master returns."
"Mistress, rest assured. So many people have witnessed this. The concubine is unharmed now. If she sustains any injuries later, it will be her own doing."
Mamas Lin and Guan were both capable individuals from Madam Feng's side. Fearing that she might not be able to manage alone in her first time in charge, they were assigned to assist her. Little did they know that the first task would be to clean up the mess left by the concubine.
Their words were naturally blunt. One on each side, they took the concubine and led her towards the back courtyard.
How could this be?
Wasn't Madam Wen always weak and easily bullied? Didn't the Madam dislike her? Why would she send her confidantes to help? And the master, would he grow to dislike her because of this? What would she do from now on?
A series of questions flashed through her mind, but unfortunately, there was no one to answer them.
The maid Qiuyue, who had been loyal and protective just moments ago, now wished she could disappear into a crack in the ground. A maid beside Madam Wen, who had been kneeling, whispered a few words to her, and a hint of anger appeared in Madam Wen's eyes.
She could overlook past transgressions; after all, it was her own fault that Concubine Linlang had taken advantage of the situation, and had even bullied her and her child.
But things were different now. She understood the principle that taking one step back would lead to an abyss. For the sake of her son's future, she had to completely abandon her past weakness.
Therefore, she hardened her heart and decided to make an example of the maid Qiuyue.
"Qiuyue, you have served the concubine for several years, haven't you?"
The maid Qiuyue did not understand the mistress's intention, and her words were so calm that no hint of her purpose could be detected. She could only brace herself and answer affirmatively.
"The concubine severely punished the household servants, and you not only failed to stop her but also added fuel to the fire. Since you are so ambitious, you cannot blame me."
Every word was a death sentence for the maid.
"Guards, summon all the maids and servants in the courtyard. Today, in front of everyone, we will beat this two-faced, instigating, and maliciously slandering maid to death. This will also show everyone who is in charge of this courtyard."
Upon hearing these words, cold sweat streamed down the maid's forehead, and she was completely stunned.
Was this still the same Madam Wen from before?
The people around dared not move. Although Madam Wen was the main wife, the master had ignored her for many years, while Concubine Linlang had received much affection. If the master returned and knew they had helped deal with Concubine Linlang's capable maid, would he cause trouble?
Zhu Jin and Yue Gui exchanged glances and saw the thoughts of these maids in each other's eyes. They immediately reprimanded them sternly.
"Are you rebelling? Do you mean Madam Wen cannot command you? Should I report to Madam and have you all banished!"
Zhu Jin, as the head maid, was naturally more severe.
Upon hearing this, the people below thought that Madam Wen had found the Madam as her backing?
Remembering the Madam's formidable methods, they immediately sprang into action and quickly gathered everyone in the courtyard, lining them up next to Qiuyue.
When the plank was brought before Qiuyue, she finally reacted, crying and begging for mercy.
"Mistress, this servant will never dare again, never dare again. Please, Mistress, spare my life."
At this moment, there was no trace of her earlier defiance, but it was all too late.
The seasoned beaters were all strong, and two of them had a grudge against Qiuyue, so they struck even harder. Soon, she was tied to a bench, and the punishment began.
The sound of the plank hitting flesh could be heard from outside, one after another, mixed with many cries of injustice and wails.
Inside the room, Concubine Linlang tried to rush out, but was guarded by Mamas Lin and Guan like gatekeepers, with no chance at all.
"Mamas, please let me out. The Mistress is going to beat Qiuyue to death!"
However, the two remained unmoved, their expressions unperturbed.
The sounds grew fainter, and soon only the sound of the plank remained.
For the first time, Concubine Linlang felt that she was finished. This time, she was bound to suffer a great setback. She began to ponder how she could regain her standing in front of the master.
The maids and wet nurses standing in the courtyard remained silent.
Those who had been friends with the maid now rejoiced inwardly, thinking she deserved to be beaten to death for her arrogance in front of the concubine.
But those who had received favors from the concubine felt uneasy, as if Qiuyue's fate was their own tomorrow, and they were filled with dread.
They felt both admiration and fear towards Madam Wen, the main wife.
It seemed that the eldest branch's courtyard was truly going to change, and they needed to consider whom to be loyal to from now on.