“I know,” Jin Shao said in a low voice, “Mother, don’t worry, your son won’t go out.”

He does want revenge.

But those people were clearly not people he could afford to offend, so he could only grit his teeth and swallow the loss.

However, this injury absolutely cannot be suffered in vain.

"Mother, do you still have Jinming's indenture? I need it."

"Jin Ming's indenture?" Madam Jin asked suspiciously. "What do you need that for?"

“Sell him,” Jin Shao said indignantly. “That bastard actually betrayed his master. I can’t quell my anger if I don’t sell him.”

"What happened?" Madam Jin asked seriously. "Is this related to Jin Ming? Did he cause this trouble?"

Madam Jin was puzzled; she felt that Jin Ming was not such a tactless person.

But it's even less likely that one's own son would lie.

“It was him,” Jin Shao said indignantly. “If he hadn’t offended someone, our son wouldn’t have been hurt. If you don’t believe me, Mother, you can ask Er Gou.”

Jin Ming, you old dog, I don't believe that your mother would still protect you after all this.

"Insolence!" Madam Jin slammed her hand on the table. "Where is he? Bring him here, I will personally teach him a lesson."

For a servant to cause his master's injury is utterly audacious.

"A person?" Jin Shao was stunned for a moment, then immediately realized, "He's hiding, yes, he's hiding."

He suddenly felt that what he was doing was a bit superfluous.

What's the use of a contract of servitude if you don't even know if the person is alive or dead?

He must be dead. He was so badly injured, and he didn't even have any money. He crawled back?

They didn't die of disease, but they starved to death.

“Mother, forget I said anything,” Jin Shao stood up. “I don’t want the indenture anymore, you can keep it yourself.”

She had only taken two steps when Madam Jin called out to stop her, "Wait."

"Bihe, go and fetch Ergou. I have some questions for you."

She always felt that things weren't that simple.

He knows his own son well. If Kim Myung-jin had done something to implicate him, he wouldn't have let it go so easily.

When Er Gou heard that the lady wanted to see him, his legs trembled with fear. "This humble servant greets the lady."

"Ergou, you're not hurt?"

Upon discovering this problem, Madam Jin glared at him as if she wanted to devour him. "Guards, drag this treacherous dog out and give him fifty lashes."

These lackeys aren't here to freeload. They don't even know to protect their master when he's injured; they're ungrateful wretches!

"Madam, spare me! Er Gou didn't betray his master! Young master, please save me!"

“Mother,” Jin Shao said, touching his nose, “it has nothing to do with Er Gou, please let him go.”

"How can it be unrelated?" Madam Jin said coldly. "As a servant, he failed to protect his master. His master was injured, but he was completely unharmed. What kind of logic is this? Drag him out and beat him to death!"

“That’s not how it is,” Er Gou explained with a pale face, “With Steward Jin Ming protecting the young master, I can’t get involved.”

"Where is Jin Mingren?" Madam Jin asked thoughtfully. "Bring him here for questioning."

"Mother, why do you want to see him?" Jin Shao said impatiently. "I don't want to see him."

“My son,” Madam Jin asked with a stern face, “tell me the truth, where is Jin Ming?”

There's definitely something wrong here.

She didn't care about the life or death of a servant, but the restaurant still needed this person, and his family was sensible and easy to use.

“Hell,” Jin Shao said viciously, “being so badly injured and having no money, it would be difficult for you to even survive.”

"What?" Madam Jin asked, clutching her chest. "How could he have died so suddenly? What exactly happened?"

Now that things have come to this, Jin Shao had nothing to hide and explained the situation in a few words.

Of course, the main point is how disobedient Jin Ming is and how much trouble he causes...

Madam Jin knew perfectly well how much of that was exaggerated, but she couldn't possibly reprimand her son for the sake of a servant.

"It's just that Jin Ming wasn't fortunate enough," Madam Jin sighed softly, then instructed, "This matter ends here. If anyone asks in the future, say you don't know anything. Remember that?"

Although a servant's life is worthless, it will ultimately affect the son's reputation, so it's best to stop here.

“I know,” Jin Shao said impatiently. “Mother, I’m tired and want to go back to my room to rest.”

“Go on, go on,” Madam Jin waved her hand, “I’ll have someone wake you up when the doctor arrives.”

After Jin Shao left, Madam Jin rubbed her forehead with a headache, "Neither of these two is easy to deal with."

“Madam,” Bihe said solicitously as she massaged Madam Jin’s shoulders, “the young master is still young, he’ll be fine in a few years.”

"I hope so," Mrs. Jin shook her head. "As long as he's happy, that's all that matters. Oh, and go find Hongying."

Jinming died suddenly and mysteriously. She must handle the situation properly so that her son will not have any reason to criticize her.

"Yes, this servant will go right away."

A moment later, Hongying entered, "This servant greets Madam."

"Hongying, you were my dowry maid. We've been mistress and servant for over thirty years. Do you think I would trust you?"

"This servant is willing to serve you like a slave for the rest of my life."

“Very good,” Madam Jin nodded. “I was right about you. Bihe, go to the storeroom and bring me the things I gave to Hongying.”

After Bihe left, only the master and servant remained in the hall.

Madam Jin took out two indentures and said, "Hongying, these are the indentures of Jin Ming and Jin Yong. You can take them."

“Madam,” Hongying looked up in surprise, “what did I do wrong?”

“No,” Madam Jin shook her head, “your family has done your part, even if you haven’t made any great contributions. It’s time to release your indenture.”

But you are my dowry maid and Ying'er's wet nurse. I secretly can't bear to part with you, so please don't blame me.

“How could I resent you, Madam?” Hongying shook her head. “Everything I have is a gift from you, Madam. I am willing to be your servant for the rest of my life.”

"I knew you were a good person," Madam Jin wiped away non-existent tears with her handkerchief and kindly helped him up. "Take this contract. Once you're a free man, Jin Ming can return to his ancestors and enjoy the blessings of his descendants."

"Incense offerings?" Hongying's heart skipped a beat at these words. "Madam, has something happened to Jinming?"

"Alas, life is unpredictable," Mrs. Jin patted Hongying's shoulder. "Please accept my condolences. I'm here for you."

“Madam Xie,” this matter greatly impacted Hongying, “this servant takes her leave.”

“Wait a minute,” Madam Jin said slowly, “It’s nothing serious, don’t tell anyone, otherwise people will misunderstand the Jin family.”

"This servant understands, Madam, please rest assured."

After Hongying left, Madam Jin took out a stack of indentures and said, "Bihe, go find the steward and tell him to sell these people tonight."

"yes!"

After doing all this, Mrs. Jin sat in a chair, drinking tea and pondering what had just happened.

Hongying has already kept quiet, and everyone at Wuweilou, from the manager to the waiters, has been sold off. After giving the servants in the mansion another warning, this matter should be completely resolved.

Logically speaking, it's just the death of a servant; even if it's for the sake of his son's reputation, there's no need to go to such lengths.