97 What Happened Before Was... 3 (2/2)

The matriarch saw Yao Ling's teary eyes and felt a pang[1] in her heart. Her granddaughter looked like she was suffering a grievance. What did this maidservant do to her beloved granddaughter? She didn't believe for a bit that this Liu Li had a good intention.

She probably tried to create a misunderstanding by going to Yao Ling's courtyard. She wasn't a maidservant in this courtyard and she came here to find trouble. The matriarch didn't know whether Concubine Wan was involved or not, but an ex-brothel girl's mentality must not be a good thing. Even though she was a first rank maid of a concubine, but she knew better what kind of concubine... Concubine Wan was. She could never erase her past.

The matriarch knew Yao Ling was kind enough to let this maidservant go by not investigating it further, but she also didn't want her new granddaughter suffered a grievance. As long as she lived, she will protect this granddaughter. Besides, she hated the most women who tried to steal another woman's man.

The matriarch patted Yao Ling's hands and smiled, ”Don't worry! I know that you are a kind girl, but I also need to uphold the rules in this household. If you let a wild girl go once, in the future... there will be a lot of wild girls that show up and try to take away your husband.”

Yao Ling smirked inwardly. 'This is it! This is what she has been waiting for! Hah! Liu Li... look at this! Do you want to act? I will accompany you to act like a white lotus until the end!' Yao Ling was clever enough not to punish Liu Li by herself, otherwise, she would be seen as a fickle person. She would be branded as a jealous main wife while Liu Li got the benefit of being pitied by others. After all, she did nothing wrong... but instead, she only gave her information about her husband.

”But... Grandmother!”

”There's no but!” The matriarch sternly said. ”This grandmother will always give you protection. So when you suffer a grievance, don't hold it inside. Just let this grandmother knows next time! Okay?”

Yao Ling felt happy and nodded. ”En... This granddaughter will listen to Grandmother. Thank you, Grandmother.”

With this statement from the matriarch, the servants who surrounded them knew that it was a declaration. A declaration that Yao Ling was under her protection. No matter what kind of background that she had, she was currently the beloved granddaughter of 'Wang Fu'. Who decided to go against her would also be against the matriarch.

Yao Ling smiled inwardly. She probably should thank Liu Li for this. Without her act just now, there would be no guarantee that the matriarch would give a clear declaration about her intention to protect Yao Ling. She really gains a lot today!

”Liu Li... what do you want to say? Did Concubine Wan know beforehand that you are here to wreak havoc?” The matriarch asked sternly.

Liu Li bit her lower lip indignantly. 'She is being framed!' She shouted inwardly. Even though she had the intention to seduce Young Master before, she hadn't acted on it yet! So how could they blame her and punish her for something that she hadn't done yet? Wasn't this called bullying?

”This... this servant has nothing to say, but it's really a misunderstanding. Please give this servant justice, Old Madam!” Liu Li boldly said.

”Justice?” The old matriarch laughed. ”You want justice? Then, I will give you one.”

The matriarch gave Zhang Mo Mo a signal to prepare herself. Zhang Mo Mo had been serving Old Madam since Old Madam was only a maiden. She already knew Old Madam's thought and behavior like the back of her hands. She nodded, showing that she understood. The matriarch wanted her to prepare ahead ---- she wanted to punish this stupid young girl.

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[1] A pang: a sudden feeling of mental or emotional distress or longing.