Nara originally intended to ignore the commotion below and simply observe from the sidelines with Li, but this was the main courtyard. If something happened in her courtyard, she would always be held responsible for her poor management, which would not be appropriate in the master's eyes.

"You?" Hearing her words, Wu Shi seemed to have been hit where it hurt, her face flushed with anger. She dared not, yet didn't want to lose face. She looked up at the Fujin (the wife of the deceased), and seeing that she had no intention of intervening, she exchanged a glance with Song Shi, a cold glint in her eyes. She couldn't deal with Tong Shi, but disciplining a maid was a piece of cake...

"You little brat, you dare to talk back to your master! Lan Yuan is so arrogant because she's favored, even her servants are outrageous. I don't dare to do anything to the Consort, but I have to say something to you, a servant. Today, the Consort and the other sisters can all testify that a servant has talked back to her master. What should we do?" Wu stood up and looked at the concubines who were all dissatisfied with Tong.

“Just like with Sister Tong, I’ll give her a good talking-to so she doesn’t break the rules of the household,” Madam Song sneered. She couldn’t afford to offend Madam Tong, so it was good to use her maid as a scapegoat.

She finally understood. The Fujin was just as dissatisfied as Li Shi, but because of her status, she didn't participate. However, she also disliked Tong Shi. Perfect, today everyone could put their dissatisfaction on her personal maid and severely dampen Tong Shi's arrogance. Even if the master came back, they wouldn't be afraid, because the law doesn't punish the masses.

“If that’s the case, Granny Wang, Granny Zhou, wash this girl’s mouth to clean up her disrespect for her master,” said Madam Wu.

Granny Wang was one of her own people, while Granny Zhou was one of Song's people. Granny Wang was instructed to go and bully Yiren.

Zhou Mama glanced at her mistress, Song Shi's eyes darkened, thinking to herself that Wu Shi was not stupid, trying to drag her into the mess, but so what, she was not afraid, so she nodded slightly to Zhou Mama.

The mistress felt indignant on behalf of her mistress. She originally thought that she could just talk her way out of trouble in the main courtyard, but she didn't expect them to actually take action. They were all a bunch of crazy women.

She looked at the Fujin, not believing that the Fujin would tolerate someone running wild in the main courtyard. Nala noticed her lover's gaze, pondered for a moment, and said, "You silly girl, just listen to what your mistress says. If there is anything wrong, your mistress will explain it. You shouldn't talk back. Apologize to Song Gege and Wu Gege, and let's let this matter go."

Upon hearing this, the lover became even more furious, demanding an apology from her. He argued that this would be tantamount to admitting that she and her master were seductresses, and if such a thing were to spread, how could the master maintain his position? He accused the princess of being cunning and treacherous.

She straightened her chest and said righteously, "This servant has done nothing wrong, so why should I admit to it? You have fabricated something out of nothing, yet you expect this servant to admit it. I beg Your Highness to investigate thoroughly."

Madam Song interjected, "You're complaining that the Fujin (principal wife) is unfair in her dealings."

The mistress said arrogantly, "I dare not. I really do not know where I have gone wrong. My life belongs to the concubine. My mistress has been unjustly framed. If I ignore her, it will only make my mistress feel disheartened."

Song was speechless.

What a loyal maid! Lady Nara thought to herself, but it was a pity that she was determined to make her admit her mistake and acknowledge her reputation as a vixen today.

She said slowly, "I only know that you have disobeyed your two masters and committed the crime of insubordination. Why do you not admit it?"

The lover said, "Gege Song and Gege Wu are slandering my master, which is also an act of insubordination. May I ask how the Fujin (madam) intends to deal with them?" Lady Song and Lady Wu's expressions changed slightly, and they both looked at the Fujin.

Nara covered her mouth and said sarcastically, "That's not something a servant like you should concern yourself with."

"My lady, if you ask me, don't say anything more to her. This girl is extremely unreasonable and deserves to be taught a good lesson," Madam Song said impatiently, lest the lady change her mind.

Nara stopped speaking. Knowing he couldn't escape the beating, the lover ignored the two vicious old women and was pinned to the ground. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of Huan'er's little head behind the flower bed outside the gate. The gatekeepers were all watching the commotion in front of the gate and hadn't noticed Huan'er. She shook her head slightly at Huan'er outside the gate. Fortunately, she had brought Huan'er with her when she came out.

Huan'er was so anxious she was about to cry. She wanted to go in and help, but when she saw her lover shaking her head, she stomped her feet and ran back to Lan Courtyard to get reinforcements.

Lanyuan East Warm Pavilion

"Xiao Shunzi, take this paper and find Xiao Xi. Have her copy two hundred copies of the 'Admonitions for Women' in this handwriting. Give her this too," Nan Yi said, handing Shunzi a piece of paper and two silver notes.

"Master, if Miss Xiao asks about..." Shunzi hesitated.

Nan Yi chuckled, "Just say it directly, there's no need to hide it from her. Just say the money is for her and Qiaoqiao to buy clothes."

She couldn't write well, but Xiao Xi probably could. He could only rely on her. Fortunately, she had the calligraphy left by her predecessor, so copying the style was always a good idea.

Shunzi looked at the silver notes with a pang of heartache and said, "Master, isn't this too much?" He was worried that his master was too extravagant and that she wouldn't have enough money to spend.

Nan Yi raised her hand and tapped his forehead, rolling her eyes and saying, "Don't worry, you'll get your share. If you can write, I'll ask you to copy for me." Given her troublemaking nature, she'll probably have to copy books to learn the rules in the future.

Shunzi's face lit up with joy. He would have to go back and practice, which would provide him with another source of income.

Nan Yi found Shunzi's greedy nature utterly perplexing; everyone around her seemed to love money—her personal maids, the mother and daughter in the kitchen… However, thankfully, they were all kind-hearted.

"Master, something terrible has happened, boohoo—" Huan'er cried and stumbled in.

Shunzi quickly helped her up.

"What happened? Tell me quickly!" Nan Yi got off the couch and grabbed Huan'er, asking urgently.

Huan'er wiped away her tears and cried, "Master, hurry to the main courtyard! My lover is about to be beaten to death!"

"What?! Hitting a lover? How is that possible?" Nan Yi was extremely surprised. The Fourth Master's mansion was always very strict about rules. How could those women dare to hit someone? Weren't they afraid of being punished by the Fourth Master?

"Master, hurry and save them!" Shunzi exclaimed. At this moment, his master was still in a daze. He was so worried. The people in Lan Courtyard were all kind and treated him well. He genuinely liked the place. When he heard that his lover had been beaten, he naturally became worried too.

The others in Lanyuan also heard Huan'er's cries and gathered at the entrance of the East Warm Pavilion.

Nan Yi came to her senses, her face cold, straightened her robes, and ordered, "Aunt Qiu and Granny Zhao, Yiren and Qingfeng come with me, Huan'er also go, Qingyun stay and watch the courtyard, Shunzi go find your master."

It would be best to let him see the true colors of his seemingly delicate but actually vicious wives and concubines.

The Lan family members rushed to the main courtyard in a rage. As they entered, they could still hear the shouts of two women. The two rough-looking maids they brought blocked the gatekeeper who wanted to deliver the message, and the group forced their way in.

"Granny, use a little more force. Look, she still shows no remorse whatsoever." Seeing her lover still glaring at her fiercely, Madam Wu felt a little guilty but also resentful. What could a mere maid like her possibly do to her?

"Did you hear what Sister Wu said? Be a little harder," said Madam Song.

Everyone else watched the spectacle with amusement. The lover's cheeks were swollen, her lips were cut and bleeding, and her hair and clothes were disheveled. As she looked at the person who came in through the door, tears immediately welled up in her eyes. She had remained silent while being beaten, but when she saw her master crying, she knew that her master would not abandon her and would help her get justice.

Those seated in the hall fell silent upon seeing the people from Lanyuan. Nan Yi calmly glanced at the two women who had spoken.