100 What Happened Before Was... 6 (2/2)
”A maidservant came her without the knowledge of her own master and she deliberately waited for Young Mistress to tattle about Young Master's whereabouts. It implied that she indeed has bad intention toward the new masters. It's not a maidservant place to care about this matter and even ask Young Mistress not to blame Young Master. Her intention is very clear!”
The matriarch chose another maidservant from Yao Ling's courtyard. ”You! Tell me her intention!”
The maidservant who was being called trembled in fear. It was Qiu Qiu. Qiu Qiu knew Liu Li's personalities better than anyone else and it seemed like her coming days would be eventful. She stuttered, ”She wants to make Young Mistress angry at Young Master to affect their relationship.”
”Why?” The matriarch once again asked.
”She... she probably wants Young Master for herself?” Qiu Qiu could only whisper the answer, but loud enough for everyone to hear. That was what the people had been guessed all along.
”Hmpf! All of you should think clearly before trying to make a stupid move just like this. Even this maidservant understands your thought, Liu Li.” The matriarch glared at Liu Li. Her swollen face looked unpleasing to the eyes.
”Zhang Mo Mo... flog her thirty times!”
Everyone gasped in surprise. Thir...thirty times?! For a person to be hit that many times -- especially a woman, that would certainly cripple her for good or worse -- death. Concubine Wan also gaped in astonishment. Even though she was planning to punish her, but she was still her person so she wouldn't let her being flogged until she became a cripple; she would punish her with another method. However... the matriarch already opened her mouth and she didn't dare to say something for Liu Li, even her position as concubine was at stake due to Liu Li's deed!
Yao Ling jumped in surprise. She didn't want Liu Li to be dead -- yet. Yao Ling needed her to find out about her real master! ”Grandmother... this...”
Before she could plead on Liu Li's behalf, the matriarch stopped her. ”I know that you want me to be lenient, but in the future... you will thank me. If she is still alive after the beating, then she can stay in this household. But remember! Know your place, Liu Li! However... if she is dead, then you know what to do.” The last sentence was directed at Zhang Mo Mo who quickly answered yes.
Two servants quickly dragged Liu Li and one maidservant gagged her mouth. Zhang Mo Mo led them to the punishment bench. Yao Ling was scared shitless. She wanted Liu Li to learn a lesson, but she didn't know it would escalate to this point.
The matriarch held her hand and said, ”Come with me! Let's go inside your room. I don't want your eyes to be tainted.”
To the matriarch, it was only a simple matter of punishing a servant. However... to Yao Ling, it's the first time she sees such brutality. She could only helplessly follow the matriarch. After they arrived inside the room, Yao Ling ordered Xiao Yu to prepare hot tea for the matriarch. Both of them sat down.
The matriarch sighed and asked, ”Do you want to say something?”
Yao Ling hesitantly asked, ”Is it really neccessary, Grandmother?”
”Child, you are still new in this household. There are so many tricks and treacheries in the inner courtyard, you can't be too lenient toward a maidservant like that. I only heard a little bit of your conversation and I already knew about her intention. I suppose... you also know about it, right?”
”Yes, Grandmother.”
”I help you set an example for the others, but from now on, you also have to learn to harden your heart a little bit. This isn't a simple household. Love and harmony between a noble household like ours aren't going to happen. That's sad but it's actually the truth. Each of concubines has their own want and need. They bound to fight each other and it includes your mother, Madam Wang. Now, you have become a part of this fight. I can't always help you, Girl. Do you understand?”
Yao Ling nodded, thanking the matriarch for her kindly reminder. She showed her that she really cared about her and Yao Ying. They talked to each other for a little while. The matriarch went to her courtyard, in fact, only for a little chat. She missed Yao Ling because they could rarely talk. Yao Ling was too busy with her lesson and the matter of Fu Rong.
The matriarch quite satisfied with Yao Ling. She paid attention to her every move and gesture, whether she was sitting, walking, her hands and feet movement, and also every smile and frown. She improved a lot and already emitted a noble aura. Her motions and looks induced a pleasant feeling to the onlookers. She secretly praised Yao Ling in her mind.
When the matriarch left, Yao Ling told Xiao Yu to ask around about Liu Li's condition whether she survived the ordeal or not. She told Xiao Yu, ”If she survives, give her medicine to show that we care.” Xiao Yu nodded and quickly as she was told. Yao Ling ordered other maidservants to prepare their dinner.
She sighed tiredly. Really... she would have to ask Yao Ying what happened to him today. Why did he go to hua lou? Didn't she enough for him? She felt the insecurities gnawing inside her mind, making her feel sad. She didn't want to lose her husband!