Chapter 107 You're right, you handle it.

Mrs. Zheng was tied up and taken back, her hair disheveled and clothes in disarray.

Inside the flower hall of the Marquis's mansion.

Song Yi sat at the head of the table, her pretty face as cold as ice.

With a rag stuffed in her mouth, Zheng's mother, pale-faced, kept kowtowing and making terrified whimpering sounds.

Song Yi gestured for Tao's mother to come forward and remove the rag from her mouth.

Madam Zheng cried out, "Please spare me, Your Highness! I... I know I was wrong!"

Song Yi's pretty face darkened slightly.

"Tell me, what was the task I gave you before the rain?"

Mrs. Zheng avoided eye contact, not daring to respond.

"Yes...yes..."

What is it?

Song Yi suddenly raised her voice, startling Zheng Mama, who then said, "It is to send this servant to Changyuan to collect grain from the ancestral estate."

Did you go?

“I…I went, but those farmers…they wouldn’t cooperate.”

"You're lying!"

Song Yi pointed at her and whispered a cold rebuke.

"The next day, Tao's mother went to Changyuan to urge the farmers to collect the grain. The farmers had never even seen you before."

"If I hadn't sent Madam Tao over again, this torrential rain would have flooded the entire Jitian Manor, and you would have squandered our entire year's worth of food!"

Mrs. Zheng shrank back, not daring to refute.

"This servant knows her mistake and begs the young master's wife to give her a chance to make amends."

Song Yi gave a cold snort.

“I have said that there must be no delays in the grain collection. If there is any delay, I will punish you severely.”

You, on the contrary, not only ignored my words but also committed such a disgraceful act outside. How can I forgive you?

Zheng's mother was so frightened that tears streamed down her face, her expression filled with panic.

"It's all a misunderstanding, I... I was just confused for a moment."

"A moment of confusion? Listen to what others saw."

Song Yi nodded to the women in charge around her.

Everyone immediately started talking at once, recounting what had happened.

"Because Zhang Hai's family lost their purse, we were originally chasing after the thief who stole it, but who knew we would end up breaking into Madam Zheng's house."

"I never expected to see Madam Zheng and two men in the corridor, their clothes disheveled... Oh dear, she has the nerve to do such a thing, I am truly ashamed to say anything."

"Mother Zheng's husband died young and she had no children, so no one said anything even if she remarried. I never expected that she would be so promiscuous behind the scenes, despite her constant talk of chastity."

"Oh dear, at your age, you're still doing these things. Keeping men is one thing, but keeping two is another. If word gets out, no one in our household will be able to hold their heads up high."

“She forces us to send her money every month as a form of filial piety, and it turns out she uses it all to support men.”

Zheng Mama usually helped Sun Shi manage the household. Because she was Sun Shi's confidante, she was arrogant and often forced the servants to show her respect.

These busybodies flattered her outwardly, but inwardly they were seething with hatred.

Having witnessed Zheng's mother's absurdity firsthand, everyone was now eager to reveal all of her misdeeds.

Amidst the accusations and criticisms from the crowd, Zheng's mother turned ashen-faced and collapsed to the ground.

Song Yi said, "You, a mere servant, dare to acquire private property outside. I suppose this money was squeezed out of the manor and given as tribute by the stewards."

Putting all that aside, just for the fact that you missed the grain collection duty and for this disgraceful act, the Marquis's mansion can no longer tolerate you.

"Guards, drag him away immediately and beat him to death with clubs!"

Zheng's mother shuddered.

Suddenly remembering something, she struggled to stand up straight, her voice panicked.

“I am the maidservant of the second young mistress. The young master’s wife cannot dispose of me without authorization.”

"Where is the Second Young Mistress? I need to see the Second Young Mistress."

Song Yi snorted coldly.

“Even if my second sister-in-law were here, she would still beat and kill a wicked servant like you. Mama Tao, immediately take some men and drag her away.”

"Let's see who dares to lay a finger on Mother Zheng!"

Sun hurriedly stepped into the flower hall, lifting the hem of her skirt.

Mother Zheng's eyes lit up, and she stumbled over and knelt down at Sun's feet, crying with snot and tears streaming down her face.

"Second Young Mistress, please save me! I did delay your duties, but my crime doesn't warrant death!"

The Crown Prince's wife is determined to beat me to death. My death is no loss, but I cannot bear to part with the Second Young Mistress.

Sun bent down to help Zheng's mother up, personally untied the ropes binding her, and comforted her.

"You are my roommate and my wet nurse. No one can touch you."

She stepped forward, shielding Zheng's mother behind her, her voice carrying a hint of sharpness.

"My sister-in-law has been so arrogant since she took over the management of the household. She even tried to beat up my maid. This isn't just about beating up Zheng Mama; it's a slap in the face to our second branch of the family."

"If you, sister-in-law, can't tolerate our second branch of the family, just say so. I'll take my two children and move out. Even if I have to beg on the streets, I won't let anyone bully me like this."

Sun was always quick-witted, and she immediately accused Song Yi of bullying the second wife.

Song Yi wasn't good at arguing with people, and her face turned pale with anger.

She took a deep breath to calm herself before speaking, "Second sister-in-law, won't you ask what Zheng Mama did wrong?"

Sun pursed her lips, "It's just that she didn't collect the grain as you instructed, and she didn't complete her task. It's not like you have to beat her to death, is it?"

"When did our Marquis's mansion become such a strict household? Aren't you afraid people will gossip about you behind your back if word gets out, sister-in-law?"

Song Yi frowned.

"So you know that Zheng Mama didn't go to Changyuan and is hiding in Cuihua Hutong?"

Mrs. Sun secretly regretted her slip of the tongue and subconsciously said, "How would I know?"

"Since my second sister-in-law didn't know, why did she send Chunlan to Cuihua Hutong to look for Zheng Mama? These stewardesses happened to run into Chunlan in Cuihua Hutong."

Sun's expression changed, and she suddenly turned her head to look.

Chunlan stood at the door, shrinking her neck and trembling.

Song Yi continued, "My second sister-in-law knew perfectly well that I had assigned important tasks to Mother Zheng, but she deliberately allowed her to shirk her duties and enjoy herself outside."

So, it turns out my second sister-in-law only superficially handed over the management of the household to me; she actually didn't want it at all, which is why she deliberately made things difficult for me? Does my second sister-in-law not want the Marquis's mansion to prosper from the bottom of her heart?

Sun instinctively opened her mouth to defend herself.

"I didn't! I didn't! I... I genuinely handed over the management of the household to my sister-in-law, and I sincerely hope for the best for the Marquis's mansion."

But Madam Zheng has served me for many years; even if she hasn't done anything particularly meritorious, she has certainly worked hard. If we were to beat or kill her just because she didn't handle a task well, it would make our Marquis's mansion seem too harsh on its servants.

Song Yi smiled slightly and nodded.

“I believe my second sister-in-law is sincere. You are right, Zheng Mama is your wet nurse and your roommate.”

If I were to overstep my bounds and do it myself, that would be inappropriate. So, Mother Zheng, you can handle it."

Sun's eyes lit up, and a smug look appeared in them. She thought to herself that Song Yi was still the same simpleton. After being teased by her a few times, she changed her mind.

Mother Zheng was her confidante; without Mother Zheng, it was as if she had lost an arm.

How could she possibly stand by and watch Song Yi deal with Zheng's mother?

Just as they were about to find an excuse to take Zheng's mother away, Song Yi suddenly changed the subject.

"Your wet nurse, Zheng Mama, is keeping two men outside the marriage. Did you know that? Was she like that when she was young too?"

"Second sister-in-law, why did your family choose such a promiscuous wet nurse for you? What did you see in her?"

Sun's eyes widened suddenly.