Chapter 14 I'm too lazy to argue. Not everyone can bark like a dog!

Madam Qian's face looked as if she had seen a ghost in broad daylight. She stammered, barely managing to suppress her trembling, "Ling Shuang came to deliver the news, and I didn't believe it at first, but..."

"But I went to Qinghan Courtyard myself and saw it, and the scene was truly..."

Mrs. Qian shuddered violently and dared not say another word.

Madam Song glanced around quickly, then stood up with Qian Mama's help and said, "No one is allowed to say a word to the adults!"

Lord Song detested supernatural and superstitious things the most.

If word gets out, at best you'll get a scolding, at worst it'll cause a bigger uproar.

This matter must be kept completely under wraps!

Madam Qian, her face filled with fear, repeatedly said yes, her eyes darting around: "What about the second young lady..."

"I'm coming right now!"

Madam Song found an excuse to go straight to Qinghan Courtyard.

As night deepened, the inner courtyard of the Song family was brightly lit, and the people coming and going all looked tense.

Three members of the Song family made mistakes in one day, and no one dared to speak loudly, for fear of being reprimanded.

Autumn Moon and Autumn Frost, fearing trouble, had long since disappeared.

Once Lai's mother was sure that Si Niannian was just asleep, she went out of Jiuyou Hall and peeked around for a bit, asked a few familiar people about her, and then went back to dutifully guard the door.

The next day, around noon, Lai's mother brought in the warmed medicine for the third time and was pleasantly surprised to find that Si Niannian had woken up!

Without a second thought, Lai's mother blurted out, "May the Bodhisattva protect us!"

Yesterday's many misfortunes were all directed at Si Niannian.

Fortunately, Si Niannian was able to withstand it.

Someone else who couldn't withstand the torment would probably have been summoned by the King of Hell long ago!

Si Niannian reached out and wiped her face, a trace of weariness remaining in her eyes.

Song Mo had learned her lesson, but she was tormented all night by the red spots that seemed to burn through her flesh and bones, and only managed to get some sleep near dawn.

Si Niannian let out a weary sigh and asked listlessly, "Does the place where I was kicked still hurt?"

Despite the mere gift of a gold bead, Lai's mother was surprisingly kind and honest.

Such honest people are truly rare in the Song family.

Lai's mother was both surprised and delighted: "It doesn't hurt anymore, it hasn't hurt for a long time!"

"The thing you fed me, young lady, is extremely effective. After eating it, I feel completely better!"

She thought about it over and over last night and felt that it must be the pill that had worked. Then she said, a little embarrassed, "Such a good thing, you should keep it for yourself."

Her life is cheap; it would be a waste for her to eat it.

Si Niannian couldn't help but laugh upon hearing this: "It's good that it doesn't hurt anymore."

That pill is worth ten gold beads. If it doesn't work, she should go find some quack doctor and ask for a refund.

Si Niannian threw off the covers and got out of bed. Lai Mama quickly put down the tray to get clothes: "Although the young lady is awake, she is still not feeling well. Why don't you stay in the room for a few more days to rest?"

Si Niannian paused, then asked in surprise, "Song Mo is dead?"

It's just a broken leg, meaning he won't be able to kick people for three to five months, which certainly won't kill Song Mo.

But what if fate intervenes and Song Mo suddenly falls seriously ill last night, and all treatments fail?

"Pah, pah, pah!" Lai's mother said with a wry smile, "Children's words are innocent, but they're just words that shouldn't be said!"

Lai Mama lowered her voice mysteriously: "I've inquired around, and it seems there's been another problem at Qinghan Courtyard!"

Song Qinghan has always been physically weak, so it's only natural that she would struggle a lot after falling into the water.

But if he was feeling unwell, why didn't he call a doctor instead of sealing off the courtyard?

This whole thing is strange in every way.

Madam Lai swallowed hard: "Qinghan Courtyard has been guarded both inside and outside. Madam went there to keep watch last night at midnight, and there hasn't been any other movement since!"

In these turbulent times, the faster Si Niannian recovers, the more she becomes an eyesore.

It's better to just stay indoors and rest; at least you can find some peace and quiet.

Si Niannian knew roughly what had happened without even guessing. She nodded as if she understood, and compromised, saying, "That's fine too."

"However, two of my fellow villagers are coming to deliver something today, so you can go and pick it up later."

Si Niannian considers herself easy to feed, but she is not willing to compromise on food and clothing.

She could pretend to be indifferent and accept the rags from Song Qinghan, and she didn't mind wearing old and tattered clothes to parade around, but she couldn't stand that the clothes she wore underneath were also worn by others.

This is truly unbearable.

Lai's mother readily agreed and busied herself making the bed and fetching hot water for washing up.

After Si Niannian finished packing, she noticed that Lai's mother was constantly looking outside, her eyes filled with anxiety.

Si Niannian wiped the water droplets off her hands: "What's wrong?"

“This servant is waiting for Qiu Shuang and the others,” Madam Lai explained. “This morning, Madam instructed that there is no need to eat in the main courtyard for the next few days. The servants in each courtyard should go to the main kitchen to fetch their meals.”

She originally wanted to go by herself, but Qiuyue and Qiushuang insisted on taking the job.

However, it has taken the two of them a full hour to find anyone, even though they were just carrying a food box!

Madam Lai couldn't wait any longer: "Miss, please rest. I'll go find her right away..."

"It's a little late, why is Mother in such a hurry to stir up trouble?"

Qiu Shuang walked in carrying a food box, her face full of displeasure: "Those who know the truth will praise Mom for being dutiful, but those who don't will think Mom is deliberately stirring up trouble!"

Lai's mother choked and her face turned red. She smiled apologetically and explained, "You've misunderstood."

"I was just worried the girl would go hungry, so I..."

"Why is Mother so considerate?" Qiu Shuang said unhappily. "We are both people who serve young ladies. Do you think Qiu Yue and I are heartless?"

Lai's mother opened her mouth in bewilderment, but before she could utter a sound, she was startled by Si Niannian's actions and gasped!

Whoosh!

"ah!"

"presumptuous!"

Si Niannian's eyes turned cold. She slammed down the teacup she had spilled and sneered, "You dare to yell at your master like this? Is this how you behave as a servant?"

She was too lazy to bother with it.

But not just anyone can bark at her like a dog!

"Young lady!"

Qiu Shuang hastily wiped the water from her face and said sharply, "I'm Madam's woman! You..."

Slap him in the face.

Si Niannian raised her chin at the dumbfounded Lai's mother, picked up the kettle again, and poured herself a glass of water: "Beat her until she knows what she did wrong."

Qiu Shuang, her hair and face still dripping wet, tried to shout, "If Madam finds out, then..."

Snap!

Lai's mother mustered up her courage and raised her hand to hit him!

Qiu Shuang covered her face, her eyes red with anger: "You old hag, how dare you hit me..."

Slap! Slap!

Lai's mother was used to doing rough work, and she slapped Qiu Shuang so hard that tears flew out.

Despite her hands trembling, she forced herself to maintain the air of a head steward and said, "The master has given the order to punish you, you insolent little hussy!"

"The lady sent you here to serve the young lady, not to show off your power!"

"You dare mention Madam?" Lai Mama said angrily. "If Madam finds out how you serve her, she'll sell you all off tomorrow!"

Even if Si Niannian is not favored, she should not be so arrogant as to bully her master!

Even if the matter really reaches the madam's ears, it will definitely be these two maids who get punished!

At first, Qiu Shuang could bear it, but unfortunately, her mother's mouth was really sore.

She hadn't even been hit a few times before she knelt on the ground, crying and begging for mercy: "This servant knows she was wrong, please spare this servant's life, young lady..."

Qiu Yue arrived a step late and was startled by the commotion inside. She immediately abandoned her frivolous demeanor and bowed respectfully to Si Niannian as she entered, saying, "This servant greets the eldest young lady."

Si Niannian nodded with a smile, her gaze falling on the hairpin in Qiuyue's hair, and the faint smile on her lips deepened.

This girl can't keep good things to herself.

I just got the hairpin yesterday, and I couldn't wait to wear it out and show it off today.

But it's better if the treasure can't be hidden...

That kind of temperament is excellent.