100 What Happened Before Was... 6 (1/2)
If Yao Ling knew what inside Liu Li's mind was, she wouldn't know whether to laugh or cry. She indeed only acted and wanted to put on the act until the end as to not making the matriarch feel suspicious of her too. But well... if it put out a little bit of Liu Li's grudge, then it would work out just fine for her.
*Pa*
*Pa*
Liu Li lost the energies to talk, but she still continued slapping herself until her face was swollen. When Yao Ling saw the expression on the matriarch's face, she knew that the matriarch didn't intend to stop her anytime soon. Yao Ling could also see how the other servants flinched everytime the slap touched Liu Li's face. Liu Li really didn't dare to fake-slapped herself.
The matriarch wasn't stupid. She knew that Liu Li slapped herself because she wanted to avoid heavier punishment such as flogging. The matriarch wanted to see how long she would persist and try to look pitiful.
When Liu Li finally had no energy left, her hands fell beside her and she started to sob. The matriarch asked her, ”Are you done?”
Liu Li answered meekly, ”This servant doesn't have any energy left.”
”Good! You've finished your own punishment, but I haven't given you my decision. Now, it's time for your punishment from me,” the matriarch said lazily.
Liu Li's eyes widened. She thought by doing this, she would gain the old matriarch's pity. But who was the matriarch? She had been living enough to know this petty trick. She had seen various tricks her whole life. How could a mere maidservant try to manipulate her? It might work to Yao Ling because of her naivety, but it wouldn't work on her.
The matriarch looked at Zhang Mo Mo and the latter nodded, telling the old matriarch that everything was ready.
”Listen! Liu Li will serve as an example to you all. I will let all of you know about her mistakes. One, she went to a hua lou. If outsiders know that a first rank maidservant of a concubine went to a hua lou, it would ruin this Wang Fu's reputation. Two, trying to sow discord by letting Young Mistress know about Young Master's whereabouts in the hua lou without confirming anything. Fortunately, the young mistress already knew about it beforehand and Young Master has his own reasons. It means Liu Li was trying to incite a fight between masters. Three, worrying about Young Master. Let me ask you all a question whether Liu Li's behavior is correct or not. Young Master is new in this household and maidservants already have the guts to covet what shouldn't be coveted. You... let me ask you a question!”
The matriarch pointed at one of the maidservants who worked at Yao Ling's outer courtyard. If Yao Ling wasn't mistaken, her name is Qiu Ling.
”Do you know Liu Li?”
”This servant knows.” Qiu Ling answered the matriarch question quickly, afraid to offend the Old Madam.
”Who does she serve?”
”Concubine Wan.”
”Then where are we now?”
”Young Mistress Yao Ling's courtyard.”
Then, the matriarch turned to Yao Ling. ”When you arrived here, has she been here all along?”
Yao Ling nodded. ”Yes, Grandmother. It seems like she has been waiting for me here.”
The matriarch asked Qiu Ling once again, ”What do you think of this?”
Qiu Ling felt like crying. Everyone here wasn't supposed to be offended or else she would have a difficult life. Everyone knew that Liu Li was scary when she was angry at someone. Once she put an itchy powder at a maidservant's rouge when the latter offended her, and the result? The maidservant was disfigured because she kept scratching herself. However... she knew that she couldn't lie.
”Liu Li jie was waiting for Young Mistress to come. I actually asked her about it, because I was sweeping the yard when she arrived. She indeed confirmed that she was waiting for Young Mistress.” Qiu Ling admitted.