Chapter 5: Expelling the Wicked Servant

Mu Xiaoxue looked at Xiao Zi's malicious gaze toward Huan'er and knew immediately that she must have pushed all the blame onto Huan'er. To be unrepentant and shift the blame onto others—you truly are beyond saving. In that case, you can't blame me for taking you out in the name of Heaven. Although I am no ruthless figure, I am certainly no saint; at the very least, I cannot allow myself to be bullied...

"You're not going to admit it, are you? Then let me tell you."

"First: You knew full well that I dislike being disturbed while dining, yet you willfully disregarded it."

"Second: I told you yesterday that you are not permitted to enter my room without my permission, yet you entered today."

"Third: Is there any maidservant who speaks to her master with such self-righteousness?"

"Fourth: Is there any maidservant who refers to herself as 'I' in front of her master?"

"Fifth: In this manor, Concubine Liu's status is higher than mine, the legitimate eldest young lady, is that right?"

"Sixth: Nanny Ye's status is high. Then may I ask, in this manor, is Nanny Ye's status higher or is my status as the eldest young lady higher? Or do you believe that I, the eldest young lady, am not even equal to a nanny serving a concubine?"

Listening to Mu Xiaoxue count these points one by one, Xiao Zi felt like she wanted to die! She could barely keep herself from collapsing onto the floor.

Heavens! It seems you intend to destroy me today! Her resentment toward Huan'er grew even deeper. *Just wait until today is over and see how I deal with you. To think I actually wanted you to follow me and serve the Second Young Lady; I never expected you to spread rumors in front of the Eldest Young Lady just to get me into trouble.*

*And you, Mu Xiaoxue, just you wait. Once the Second Young Lady becomes the Crown Princess, see how I deal with you then. But the problem is, I have to survive today!*

"Eldest Young Lady, I beg you... I beg you to spare this servant! I will never dare to do it again!" She pleaded while grabbing at Mu Xiaoxue's legs.

*Next time? You'd dare do it again? Heh!! You truly don't know when to die!* Mu Xiaoxue saw through her intention and deliberately took a step to the side, sitting back down in the chair she had just used for dining.

"Next time? You mean there will be a next time! Then I certainly cannot let you stay." Mu Xiaoxue sat back in her seat. "Huan'er, I am thirsty."

Huan'er assumed a standard posture. "Yes, Eldest Young Lady, please have some tea."

Mu Xiaoxue used her slender, fair hands to lift the tea Huan'er had just brewed. She slowly lifted the lid and held it to her nose to catch the scent. It wasn't bad; although she didn't understand tea, the aroma suggested it was likely high quality. It made sense; in the prestigious residence of the Prime Minister, how could there be inferior things?

Mu Xiaoxue continuously rubbed the lid against the teacup, the silence of the surroundings broken only by the sound of the cup being manipulated.

"Huan'er, tell me, how should I deal with Xiao Zi?" Huan'er and Xiao Zi both looked at Mu Xiaoxue at the same time; neither had expected her to suddenly say such a thing. The shock caused Huan'er to kneel on the ground, not even daring to speak, her head bowed as if she were the one who had done something wrong instead of Xiao Zi.

"Hmm! Huan'er, I am asking you. Do you intend to defy me as well?" In truth, Mu Xiaoxue asked this because she knew Huan'er would plead for the lightest possible punishment, allowing Xiao Zi to owe Huan'er a favor.

Mu Xiaoxue also wanted Xiao Zi to know that her actions today were not Huan'er's fault; if she wanted revenge in the future, she should come for her, and it would have nothing to do with Huan'er. As expected, Huan'er did not disappoint her.

"Eldest Young Lady, please spare Sister Xiao Zi this time! I promise she won't do it again."

*Promise? Oh, Huan'er! Do you realize she just wanted your life? And yet you still plead for her. I really don't understand people from ancient times. Sigh! A pitiful person truly has hateful qualities! I can shield you this time, but next time you'll have to rely on yourself!*

"Fine! For Huan'er's sake, I shall waive your death penalty."

"Thank you, Eldest Young Lady! This servant will certainly not do it again," she said, kowtowing incessantly. Mu Xiaoxue almost wanted to ask, *Is your head made of iron?* While they were still basking in the joy of the previous sentence, Mu Xiaoxue's next words sent Xiao Zi falling into a black hole.

"But... the death penalty can be waived, but the punishment cannot. Someone, drag this insolent wench away, cut out her tongue, and send her to the lowest part of the manor. Do not let me see her again." *Eldest Young Lady, can you please finish your sentence all at once? Is it fun for you to make me kowtow so many times?!*

Mu Xiaoxue did not know that by failing to eliminate Xiao Zi today, she would bring immense trouble upon herself—but that was a matter for later.

After dealing with Xiao Zi, Mu Xiaoxue remembered Nanny Ye, who served beside Concubine Liu.

"Huan'er, go and invite Nanny Ye in."

Nanny Ye had actually been outside the courtyard gate the whole time. Relying on Concubine Liu's control over the manor and her status as Concubine Liu's wet nurse, she usually acted overbearing and looked down on everyone.

However, she had heard everything regarding Mu Xiaoxue's handling of Xiao Zi just now, and she was puzzled. *Is this the usual Eldest Young Lady? Although she used to beat and scold servants, that was always based on her mood!*

*When she was in a bad mood, she would strike or scold regardless of whether the person had offended her or was simply an eyesore. She was never as logical and reasoned as she was today. It seems I must speak to Concubine Liu about this.*

"Nanny Ye, the Eldest Young Lady requests your presence." Huan'er's voice rang out, pulling Nanny Ye back from her thoughts.

"Oh, alright. Huan'er, what happened with the Eldest Young Lady just now? Why such a temper so early in the morning?"

"Please come in, Nanny Ye! Don't keep the Eldest Young Lady waiting."

Huan'er deliberately avoided the topic. She had never been one for idle talk, and she knew that the private matters of her master were not for her to discuss. This was also why someone as timid and kind as Huan'er had managed to survive under the previous Mu Xiaoxue. Though Nanny Ye felt some displeasure, she followed Huan'er's footsteps into the inner chamber.

"This servant greets the Eldest Young Lady."

"Nanny Ye! Come, come, sit. Is there something you need, Nanny Ye?" After what had just happened to Xiao Zi, who would dare to sit!

"No, thank you, Eldest Young Lady. Concubine Liu sent me to inform you that the Prime Minister will be returning to the manor soon, and she requests that you dress up to dine in the main hall tonight."

"Mm, I understand. It's just Father coming back; what is there to dress up for?" Sensing Mu Xiaoxue's displeasure, Nanny Ye feared the young lady might make things difficult for her.

"Then Concubine Liu is waiting for my reply. I shall take my leave now. Please rest well, Miss."

*Tonight I can finally see the predecessor's father. I wonder how he will react when he returns from his trip to find that his daughter is no longer the daughter he once knew?*

"Huan'er, prepare the clothes for tonight's appearance. Let me take a look."

"Yes, Eldest Young Lady." Huan'er brought out all of Mu Xiaoxue's clothes, but none were to her liking. In the end, she could only pick one that was passably decent.

Meanwhile, upon leaving Mu Xiaoxue's courtyard, Nanny Ye headed straight for Concubine Liu's Hibiscus Garden. "Madam, Madam..." Usually, in her own courtyard, Concubine Liu had the servants call her "Madam."

"Nanny Ye, you're back. Why so hurried? Did that wench make things difficult for you? Tell me."

"Madam, she did not make things difficult for me. It is just that... after that wench fell and woke up, I feel as though she has become different."

"Oh? What happened? Come in and tell me properly."

Nanny Ye supported Concubine Liu as they sat at the round table, then picked up the teapot to pour her a cup of water.

"That wench just dealt with Xiao Zi."

"I thought it was something major, Nanny Ye! Have we had so few maids dealt with by her in this manor? What is there to find strange about that?"