"Wei'er...open the door." Aunt Liu was counting her earnings in her own courtyard.
She heard her maid say that Jiang Wei had ordered the servants to establish rules in the flower hall. The important stewards in this mansion only showed her some face because she had managed the household for so long.
Jiang Wei is just a clueless young girl, how could they listen to her? They would definitely scold her.
She hid outside the wall, and at first, she felt extremely comfortable listening to the old women mocking her. The more face they gave Jiang Wei, the happier she became.
Why did the wind suddenly change? Granny Zhang and Granny Liu were beaten, and Granny Zhang even went so far as to say something slanderous about her. This is unacceptable.
Aunt Liu walked up to Jiang Wei and smiled kindly, "Wei'er, if an old woman makes a mistake, a few words of reprimand are enough. How can you be so cruel as to beat her to death?"
As soon as Aunt Liu opened her mouth, she nailed Jiang Wei to the spot, labeling her as cruel and vicious.
"They have toiled for the Jiang family for half their lives, and now that they are old, it is inevitable that they will make mistakes, which is not unforgivable." She played the good person perfectly, with a worried and heartbroken look on her face, like a kind and compassionate elder, a benevolent mistress.
Jiang Wei didn't even raise an eyebrow. "Does Aunt Liu think I can't make decisions? Can just anyone forget their place and criticize their master? Is that disrespectful?"
"The old lady was just teasing you because you're kind. Don't take it seriously. They often joke with your sister and me too!" After saying that, Aunt Liu touched the hairpin that was stuck in her hair at an angle, her movements full of charm and unintentionally alluring.
"Oh...you're kidding?" Jiang Wei's words were devoid of any emotion.
“That’s not true,” Aunt Liu said.
Jiang Wei turned her head, stared at her intently, and smiled. "Someone, drag Aunt Liu away and make her pay twenty jiaos."
Aunt Liu was first shocked, then seemed heartbroken, as if Jiang Wei had done something terribly wrong. If her father were here, Aunt Liu would say, "Wei'er is still young."
Her father would punish her without asking her a single question about right or wrong, and Aunt Liu would pretend to plead for her, making her believe that Aunt Liu was genuinely looking out for her.
Jiang Wei took a step back, distancing herself from Aunt Liu.
Aunt Liu knew she wouldn't dare to really hit her. In this family, besides the master, she was the most respected person. Jiang Wei dared to hit her? What a joke!
"Let's call it a day! The young lady is just learning to manage the household. Although Granny Zhang didn't do anything terribly wrong, if the young lady wanted to hit you, then so be it. Go back now!" Aunt Liu said sarcastically, dismissing the servants.
Jiang Wei glanced at Lian Sang, who stepped forward and slapped down repeatedly. Martial artists are naturally stronger than ordinary people, and she used her full strength. After the slaps, her face was no longer as charming as before.
His face was swollen like a pig's head, blood was flowing from the corner of his mouth, and his hair was all messed up.
Aunt Liu had never suffered such humiliation or loss before. Her eyes were filled with hatred for Jiang Wei, and soon a tear rolled down her cheek. "You've disliked me since I was little, pouring scalding hot tea on me. You put scorpions in my food, but I never held it against you because you were young. How have I treated you all these years? And this is how you treat me now?"
They had to make Jiang Wei bear a bad reputation and make the Marquis's mansion despise her.
At this moment, the servants stood there respectfully with their heads down, as if afraid of being seen by their master.
Only that old woman Zhang, who usually manages the kitchen like a rat, probably eats no worse than Jiang Wei. Even though old woman Li has fainted, she still has a lot of energy, "Young lady, this is unfilial! Taking advantage of the Chang'an Marquis's favor and the fact that they gave you someone you could use, you actually use her to beat your stepmother..."
Dewdrop couldn't stand it anymore and went up to slap Granny Zhang twice. "Old hag, you always skimp on the young lady's food, and she never holds it against you. But you really think you're the master of this house, unable to distinguish between what's important and what's not. You damned thing."
Dewdrop had never hit anyone before. Her hands were trembling after she did it. She wiped her hands with a handkerchief because she felt they were dirty. She was going to help her daughter later, and she couldn't let them get dirty.
Jiang Wei was a little tired from standing for so long, so she walked back to the main seat and sat down. Lu Zhu handed her a cup of hot tea, which she took a sip of slowly. "I suppose some of you joined the manor later. Today I will explain this to you all, and I hope you will remember it."
My father only had one wife, my mother. As for why my father didn't remarry or make Consort Liu his official wife, that's not something a daughter should concern herself with. As for Consort Liu's claims about her care for me, those of you who entered the household years ago should all know what happened by now."
"Mother..." Jiang Rou had just returned when she heard Jiang Wei's voice from the flower hall. She came over to see what was going on and found that her mother's face was swollen even more than her own.
Jiang Rou wore a veil, a long purple dress, and a matching cloak. Her entire headdress was exquisite and luxurious, probably no less so than the attire of the legitimate daughters of noble families.
This outfit was a gift from Jiang Wei's maternal grandfather. Jiang Rou saw it and insisted on having it, so Jiang Wei gave it to her.
Jiang Rou handed the hand warmer to Amei and helped her mother up. "Jiang Wei, have you lost your mind? You even dare to hit my mother. You really are a lowly wretch with no manners as a bride." As she spoke, she was about to slap Jiang Wei.
Dewdrop quickly pushed her aside and stood in front of Jiang Wei.
Jiang Wei patted her shoulder to indicate that she was alright and let her stand beside her.
“Mother is an elder, and you are unfilial for disrespecting your elders. You are also unkind for beating and killing servants at will, and you have made a mess of the house. You are immoral.” Jiang Rou touched her face. “You beat and scold your sisters without any brotherly love or care. You have committed countless crimes.”
"Is there anything else?" Jiang Wei asked, looking at her.
Jiang Rou was taken aback. Had she lost her mind? Why was she acting so unpredictably?
"That's all, is it!" Jiang Wei didn't bother waiting for her reply. "Don't you understand the hierarchy between legitimate and illegitimate children? You came in and not only didn't bow to your elder sister, but you also shouted and berated her. Did you even find out what happened? Look at the fabric of your clothes. How many illegitimate children can dress like this, dare to dress like this? I'd say you're the only one!"
This outfit of yours, was it a gift from your elder sister? You shouldn't have worn such a color. Your elder sister indulges you and lets you wear it in the mansion, but you actually wore it outside. You're just asking for trouble.
"As expected of someone raised by a concubine, she has no manners whatsoever. Today, your elder sister will teach you a lesson. Guards, strip the Second Miss of her clothes and send her to the ancestral hall to kneel as punishment."
Now the servants and old women realized that even though the eldest daughter was about to get married, she was still in charge of the household this month.
Even if they were afraid of Aunt Liu settling scores later, they still had to endure until that time. If they didn't do their jobs properly now, they were afraid their lives wouldn't be easy.
Two old women stepped forward, one of them saying, "Please, Second Miss!"
Jiang Rou refused to go with her. After scolding the old woman, she wanted to scold Jiang Wei, but the old woman was quick and covered Jiang Rou's mouth just as she opened it. The two of them then carried her out of the courtyard.
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