Chapter Fifty-Four: A Countermove, The Di Clan Suffers a Setback

Qin Wanru’s words were harsh, leaving Madam Di completely at a loss for a reply.

Nanny Zhou quickly interjected, forcing a smile. “It wasn’t just Second Miss’s maid— even the eldest miss’s maid was sent away as well.”

“Yes, yes, both were sent away. We don’t need such troublemakers in our household!” Madam Di nodded repeatedly, now far too anxious to worry about the maid who had instigated trouble at Qin Yuru’s side.

“All of them were sent away?” Qin Wanru turned her head and asked.

“Yes, of course. They both had to go. If they’ve sown discord between you sisters, neither of these maids can be kept!” Madam Di replied with a look of impartiality.

“That… will do. But Mother, could you have that maid brought back first? There are some things I wish to ask her,” Qin Wanru said after a moment’s thought, nodding her agreement.

“This… that girl… Mother thinks it’s best you not see her. She’s an ill-mannered maid. If you question her too much, it might only anger you further,” Madam Di tried to dissuade her.

“If Mother won’t let me meet her and get to the bottom of this, I can’t agree to having my maid sent away. If this happens again and we’re forced to settle things one for one, my servants are already outnumbered by my elder sister’s,” Qin Wanru replied firmly, her expression turning stern.

The number of maids in Qin Yuru’s courtyard was double that of Qin Wanru’s.

Madam Di still hesitated, but Nanny Zhou surreptitiously tugged at her sleeve, signaling her to agree.

“Very well, then, let that girl come and see you!” Madam Di said, unable to resist, and instructed a matron to fetch the maid.

“Mother, please bring the maid from my sister’s side as well. I’d like to ask them myself what happened,” Qin Wanru added.

Madam Di’s expression grew even darker, but she still ordered the matron to bring both back.

The matron left and returned quickly, soon bringing both Qu Le and another maid. Qin Wanru recognized the other as Xi Huan, a second-class maid from Qin Yuru’s side, who often accompanied her.

“Second Miss, please uphold justice for me! The maid called Qu Le from your side came over and bumped into me, cursing and swearing. I lost my temper and fought with her,” Xi Huan cried loudly, rushing to Qin Wanru and pointing an accusing finger at Qu Le.

In contrast, Qu Le appeared much more timid. Although the person before her was her mistress, she had only recently entered the household and knew little of its ways. Now, she was so frightened her face was deathly pale, barely able to stammer, “Mi…Miss, I…I didn’t…didn’t bump into her!”

“You didn’t bump into me? You did it on purpose! Many saw it at the time. How dare you slander me before Second Miss and Madam herself?” Xi Huan shouted angrily, raising her hand to slap Qu Le.

As a maid from Qin Yuru’s side, Xi Huan had always looked down on Qin Wanru; being only a second-class maid, she never regarded her with any respect, and so now acted as she pleased.

But her hand was seized by Nanny Yu, who stopped her mid-motion. Before Xi Huan could say a word, Qin Wanru’s cold voice came: “Nanny Yu, slap her mouth!”

Nanny Yu released her grip and delivered two swift, resounding slaps to Xi Huan’s upturned face—so quick that even Madam Di didn’t react before Xi Huan had been struck.

“Second Miss, what right do you have to hit me? It was your maid who bumped into me, yet you strike me instead!” Xi Huan protested loudly, utterly unafraid of the Second Miss. The eldest miss had already assured her she’d take responsibility; with Madam present, what could the Second Miss possibly do to her? Buoyed by this, her tone grew even bolder.

“Nanny Yu, slap her again,” Qin Wanru ordered coldly.

This, too, surprised everyone, and Xi Huan suffered another two slaps.

“Second Miss, how could you hit me again? Do you simply despise those who serve the eldest miss? Do you take pleasure in tormenting us?” Xi Huan shrieked, half-mad with anger and pain, her ears ringing as she glared at Qin Wanru, desperate to scratch her face.

“Mother, has this girl received any proper training since entering the household?” Qin Wanru asked coolly, directing her words at Madam Di.

Those unexpected slaps had left Madam Di no time to intervene. Now, her face darkened as she prepared to scold Qin Wanru, but Qin Wanru’s words caught her off guard, stifling her anger and leaving her chest tight and uncomfortable. This girl was truly cunning.

“Madam, please judge for me! Second Miss shouldn’t strike me. I belong to the eldest miss, and it’s for her to discipline me, not the Second Miss! And to be beaten right before you!” Xi Huan cried out indignantly.

She had thought this would be a simple matter, one that would please both Madam and the eldest miss. Never had she imagined she’d end up being struck by the Second Miss’s servant, and she simply couldn’t swallow this humiliation.

“Mother, to you and my sister she calls herself ‘your servant,’ but to me, she refers to herself as ‘I.’ It seems that, in their eyes, I am no mistress at all,” Qin Wanru said calmly, seizing on Xi Huan’s words.

She had long known that Qin Yuru’s maids looked down on her, holding no respect. A little provocation was all it took for their true nature to show.

With things at this point, even if Madam Di wanted to help Xi Huan, she couldn’t. Her face grew sullen as water.

Nanny Zhou, ever attuned to her mistress’s wishes, immediately ordered a matron, “Take her away and send her to the broker woman later.”

This stunned Xi Huan, who for a moment didn’t understand. When the eldest miss had instructed her to create trouble, she’d never said anything about this outcome.

Was this just a performance, or was it real?

“If this maid is such a troublemaker, then let her be sold off. As for my maid, I’ll keep her,” Qin Wanru said.

Her words reminded Xi Huan, who struggled desperately, turning back to plead: “Madam, it was the eldest miss who told me to bump into Second Miss’s maid. She said nothing would happen to me…”

Before she could continue, the matron wisely stuffed a handkerchief into her mouth and dragged her off.

“Mother, what do you think of my suggestion?” Qin Wanru asked, her gaze falling on Qu Le, who knelt trembling before her.

“Both maids caused trouble. They should both be dealt with!” Madam Di nearly exploded with anger, but forced herself to suppress it.

“Then Mother might as well send both to Father’s study and let him question them. If it’s true that the eldest miss ordered her maid to run into mine, I’d very much like to know,” Qin Wanru said lightly, her tone unbothered.

Madam Di’s face changed drastically.

Nanny Zhou, quick to act, tugged at her sleeve and interjected, “Second Miss, please don’t be angry. It’s only a little maid, hardly worth all this fuss. Since you wish to keep her, Madam will certainly allow it. Just be careful, Second Miss—she may look timid but she’s quite bold. Don’t let her ruin things for you.”

At this point, if Madam Di did not yield, the matter would have to be brought before Qin Huaiyong.

She dared not let that happen, and after weighing her options, replied through gritted teeth, “Then let this maid stay with you for now.”

“Thank you, Mother!” Qin Wanru smiled slightly, shifting her position on the bed.

Qu Le immediately bowed deeply to Madam Di, her voice sincere. “Thank you, Madam! Thank you!”

Now that her schemes had completely unraveled, Madam Di had no desire to linger. Rising to her feet, she forced a smile. “Since the matter is settled, Wanru, you should rest well. I have other affairs to attend to, so I’ll take my leave.”

“Forgive me for not seeing Mother out,” Qin Wanru replied respectfully, sitting up straight.

Madam Di shook her head and stormed off with her entourage, afraid that if she stayed any longer, she would not be able to restrain herself from slapping the girl.

So young, yet already so crafty. Clearly, she would have to be even more cautious in dealing with her in the future.

“Madam, what if we can’t get rid of that maid?” Nanny Zhou hurried after her, whispering, for she understood exactly why Madam Di wanted the girl gone.

“If she can’t be sent away, we must at least keep her from saying anything dangerous,” Madam Di replied resolutely.

“But she has a mouth of her own, and after this, Second Miss will surely question her. If she finds anything out, things could get complicated,” Nanny Zhou warned softly.

“Spread some gossip about that maid—true or false, let’s see if the wretch can tell the difference. Besides, the real problem is Liu Xue’s matter being exposed, not anything from years ago,” Madam Di said, stopping to take a steadying breath.

She had been so infuriated by Qin Wanru just now, but was calmer now.

“True and false all mixed together—Second Miss will never know which is which!” Nanny Zhou’s eyes brightened, her voice low in admiration. “Madam, you are indeed wise. How can Second Miss compete with you?”

“Are you from Jiangzhou?” Qin Wanru reclined against her cushion, her gaze settling on the still-pale Qu Le, studying her quietly.

A maid alone was not worth Madam Di’s personal attention—so her presence must have a deeper reason.

“Yes, I was born in Jiangzhou,” Qu Le replied, relaxing now that Madam Di had left. She sat limply on the ground, her mind reeling from the ordeal. She had been so frightened she nearly fainted, but with the Second Miss’s help, her eyes now shone with gratitude.

“You were born in Jiangzhou, but where is your family from?” Qin Wanru asked, detecting another meaning in her words and knitting her elegant brows.

Born in Jiangzhou, yet not a native—this meant the girl’s roots were elsewhere.