Chapter 727 Leave a Window
Du Juan and the others all fell silent.
Normally, the second young master and his master were very affectionate. Although the people in the mansion secretly looked down on the master's background, they still managed to be polite on the surface because they had to give the second young master face.
But today, the guards of the second young master let the eldest young mistress into the second young master's study, but blocked the master outside. Even the eldest young mistress's maids and nannies were allowed to enter the first two doors of the study, but the master couldn't even enter the first door.
Those unaware of the situation might think that this was at the behest of the second young master.
So their past affection seems like a joke, like an act.
It's no wonder the master was angry and wouldn't even let the second young master in, because this matter couldn't be resolved simply by the second young master apologizing to the master in private.
The window was still open, letting in cold wind and moisture, which made people feel a chill.
In fact, as maids, they were often harassed by the people of the Duke's mansion, especially since they were from the Shen family and no one respected them.
But in order not to cause trouble for their masters, they would endure as much as possible, and only speak to their masters when they could no longer bear it.
Their master had previously advised them to wait a little longer, that things would get better in time. But they didn't know exactly how long "a little longer" meant—half a year? A year? Or five or ten years?
That's good! The master has finally stopped tolerating it, and the maids no longer have to suffer!
"What do you think I should do to break this deadlock? I can't manage the household or be a proper lady of the house, and I don't have a powerful family or a reliable father. Even a dog can step on me. How can I turn this unfavorable situation around?"
Du Juan and the others looked at each other, none of them able to answer. It sounded like a dead end!
A smile returned to Shen Wantang's face: "The answer is simple, yet not simple: become stronger yourself. Expand your strength in every way—networks, influence, and wealth."
The maids fell silent. This was too difficult. A man might be able to turn the tide by passing the imperial examinations, but for a woman... was that even possible?
Only Granny Yan, who had remained silent until now, felt that Shen Wantang was not joking or boasting; she genuinely intended to expand her strength.
Shen Wantang knew that the maids still had doubts, but she didn't say anything more.
She waved her hand: "Alright, you've all had a long day, go and rest!"
"yes."
"Chess Language, you stay."
Dujuan and Shuxiang left with Granny Yan, leaving Qiyu behind alone.
She was puzzled. In the past, it was always the cuckoos that stayed, so why was it her today?
But the next moment, she knew why.
She clearly heard Shen Wantang ask, "How is your brother? He killed someone, what crime was he charged with?"
Qi Yu's heart skipped a beat, and his face turned deathly pale.
She knelt down with a thud: "Young Madam, I didn't mean to keep it from you! I was just afraid that you would feel bad if you found out and would kick me out! I have never served such a good master as you before, and the reward money is much more than elsewhere. I don't want to be kicked out. You can punish me however you want, Young Madam, just please don't kick me out!"
Shen Wantang looked at her quietly for a while, then asked calmly, "Do you want to rescue your brother?"
Qi Yu was taken aback, then overjoyed: "I do! You're willing to help me? But my brother killed an official's son, and he... he's been sentenced to death and will be executed in the autumn. Do you... do you think there's any hope for him?"
After saying that, she quickly added, "That son of an official was humiliating the neighbor's daughter at the time. My brother acted out of anger. He didn't kill innocent people indiscriminately; he was trying to help that girl!"
"He didn't mean to kill anyone. The man was pushed and hit his head on a rock, which is why he died!"
"But that girl was later bribed by the family of an official, and she turned around and accused my brother, which led to my brother being sentenced to death!"
The cause, process, and outcome of the matter had already been thoroughly investigated by Shen Wantang, and she had been waiting for Qiyu to take the initiative to confess to her and ask for help.
But she seemed to never dare to speak the chess language, for fear of losing her job.
Or perhaps, Qi Yu felt that although her master had some ability, he didn't have the ability to save her brother who had been sentenced to death, so it was better not to say anything.
But Shen Wantang felt that now was the perfect opportunity.
If you want people to respect and admire you, start with the people around you. Coincidentally, after Qiyu's younger brother was rescued, she could use that skill.
Her answer was firm and reassuring: "I can save him, I can save him openly and honestly, and I can help him return to his former life."
Qi Yu's tears welled up instantly, and she kept kowtowing, saying, "Thank you, Madam! Thank you, Madam! My brother and I will repay your life-saving grace by serving you like cattle and horses!"
Shen Wantang believed that she would repay the favor, because in her previous life, she had also been a steadfast spy by her master's side to repay Gu Qianhan's kindness.
"Get up, don't hurt your head. I don't want silly girls around me, only clever and smart ones."
Qi Yu wiped away her tears, got up, and smiled at Shen Wantang: "Don't worry, Madam, I'm very clever!"
"Alright, you can go now!"
"But, young mistress, don't you need us to keep watch at night? At the very least, shouldn't you leave someone to guard the door? Otherwise, what if the second young master breaks in?"
Shen Wantang chuckled: "It seems you're not so clever after all. Do you really expect me to keep our Second Young Master out forever?"
"Huh? You're not going to stop them anymore?"
"Of course I won't stop him. It was fine to just pretend to stop him before, but I can't keep him out forever. Wouldn't that be like what Qin Xin said, falling into Meng Yunlan's trap of sowing discord?"
A hint of helplessness appeared in Shen Wantang's eyes: "Besides, there's really no way to stop him. Just because he didn't force his way in just now doesn't mean he won't force his way in when he comes back later."
“He’s a smart man. He knew I would be unhappy if he forced his way in, so he left first and dealt with his men.”
“If he comes back and still stands outside like a block of wood, not coming in to apologize to me in person, I will be unhappy. So this time he will definitely force his way in.”
I'm completely confused by the chess terminology; how can I force my way in without knowing when to do it?
It's a good thing the second young master is smart; otherwise, how could he have gotten past the young mistress? If it were her, she would have died countless times!
However, she understood one thing: the young mistress didn't really intend to argue with the second young master. She was indeed as she had said before, very measured and wouldn't act impulsively.
She curtsied and said, "Then this servant will take her leave first. Please call this servant if you need anything."
"Go ahead, and remember to close the door tightly."
"Ah? If the door is closed, how will the Second Young Master get in?"
Shen Wantang chuckled: "Didn't we leave a window open for him?"
"Yes, this servant understands!"
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