"As for the other relevant personnel, you can handle it yourself."
The Duke's wife then gave instructions, giving Wen Zhu a certain degree of freedom to handle the matter.
After receiving the instructions, Wen Zhu left the room, returned to his yard, called all the people involved in the matter, and walked towards the direction where Yu Lu was imprisoned.
When they got there, Wen Zhu ordered the guards around him to stuff a piece of cloth into Yu Lu's mouth to prevent her from crying for help or making provocative remarks, and then he personally supervised the punishment of beating her with a stick thirty times.
Yu Lu didn't exercise much on a daily basis, so after being beaten, she felt unbearable pain all over her body. Fine beads of sweat soon appeared on her forehead, and it was even difficult for her to stand up straight.
Even though her mouth was sealed, she still struggled to make sounds of pain and unwillingness.
Seeing this scene, Wen Zhu asked the people next to him to take off the cloth that was blocking Yu Lu's mouth.
After finally being able to speak again, Yu Lu gritted her teeth and roared at Wen Zhu with anger, "I'm Madam Zhao's personal maid! How dare you attack me! I'm telling you, you won't end well if you do this!"
Her eyes were red with anger, filled with deep resentment and threats towards Wen Zhu.
Wen Zhu didn't answer her immediately, but asked, "Then let me ask you, have you ever considered the possibility that I was actually following the young mistress's instructions?"
This question sounds ordinary, but it hits the nail on the head and tries to reveal the truth hidden behind it.
"impossible!"
Faced with this sudden questioning, Yu Lu was obviously very surprised. "Young Madam still needs me by her side to help her with many things. I can't let you hurt me! I want to see Young Madam!"
In a state of excitement, Yu Lu blurted out, as if only by seeing the young lady could she prove her innocence and seek justice for herself.
"I'm afraid this is impossible to achieve."
In response to this answer, Wen Zhu simply indifferently signaled the people around him to cover Yu Lu's mouth again, and then ordered her to be dragged out of the mansion.
Her actions were so decisive and resolute that no one around her dared to question them at all.
Then, turning to the remaining people, she announced in a serious yet polite manner, "According to the rules, my salary will be deducted for three months due to my poor supervision. I also plan to copy the Auspicious Sutra one hundred times as a sign of reflection and to express my inner guilt. Steward Qi, what are your thoughts on this matter?"
After hearing this, Manager Qi secretly glanced in Wen Zhu's direction, as if weighing something, and then responded, "Since Miss Wen Zhu has made such a decision, I believe I should also bear the same punishment for the same mistake: a three-month salary deduction and the requirement to copy the Auspicious Sutra one hundred times."
“Your attitude is truly admirable and respectful.”
Wen Zhu expressed his affirmation with a smile, but this smile did not alleviate the heaviness in the atmosphere at the moment.
Then, she turned to look at Granny Guan and asked, "So, what do you think of this incident? What kind of punishment do you think is appropriate?"
After a moment's hesitation, Granny Guan spoke cautiously, "I think... maybe deducting one month's salary would be enough. That would be enough to serve as a warning to me about my inappropriate behavior."
"Don't hesitate any longer!"
Wen Zhu, who was usually gentle and polite, now sounded extremely stern. Her unquestionable voice was like a cold wind in the winter, instantly making people feel an unprecedented sense of urgency. "Although I am not in charge of this family affairs now, you have been here for a long time. How can you possibly evade your responsibilities?"
In response to Wen Zhu's sudden accusation, Grandma Guan rolled her eyes in disdain.
Wen Zhu smiled slightly, "Your idea makes sense, but to be cautious, Hongyu, please ask the young lady if she has any special opinions or suggestions on this matter."
Upon hearing this, Granny Guan's face immediately lost its smug expression. She immediately put on a flattering smile and said, "Miss Wen Zhu, there's really no need to bother the Young Madam. Please leave all the decisions to you. Regarding how to handle this matter, everything will be handled according to your opinion."
"Then I will punish you with twenty lashes of the board, deduct one month's wages, and forbid you from interfering in other people's affairs. Also, hand over the five taels of silver that Yu Lu gave you."
Wen Zhu issued this harsh order without mercy.
There was a cold authority in her tone, declaring her decision without a doubt.
Granny Guan has several maids who help with daily chores. On weekdays, she basically just gives orders to others with her mouth and does not do any work herself.
In this case, what right does she have to interfere in other people's affairs?
Besides, the family's financial situation is not good to begin with. If a large amount of her salary is deducted, she will probably be forced to take other measures to compensate.
Wen Zhu made this decision after careful consideration.
"this……"
After hearing this, Mrs. Guan frowned tightly, her face looking somewhat unwilling and aggrieved, but in the end she nodded helplessly, reluctantly accepting Wen Zhu's punishment arrangement.
Ever since Zhao Manxiang took over the management of household chores, there has been no news of such severe punishment in the family for a long time.
Although being beaten with so many sticks was not an easy thing for anyone, thinking of another more severe fate - if he was sent to work on the farm, such a life would be as torturous as hell.
In comparison, accepting these twenty strokes of the cane was a relatively tolerable outcome.
Wen Zhu then turned his gaze to Butler Qi and said in a gentle voice, "Everyone has truly put in a lot of effort and hard work these past few days. It's been very hard. After the chrysanthemum viewing banquet is over, please use the five taels of silver you didn't collect earlier to buy some delicious food for everyone as a reward."
Upon hearing this suggestion, Manager Qi nodded in agreement and seemed moved by Wen Zhu's considerate approach to his employees.
Then, Wen Zhu slowly turned to face Xiao Mo, the little maid standing in the corner with her head bowed and silent, and asked, "You actually fell asleep while on duty. As part of the punishment, I will have someone gently tap your hands twenty times. Can you accept this punishment?"
"I can accept that."
Xiao Mo lowered her eyes and said this with great remorse. She knew in her heart that as a novice maid, if her salary was reduced due to a work mistake, she would face many inconveniences in her future life. Compared with the difficulties brought by the fine, a few small blows on the palm of the hand seemed much more bearable.
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