Facing the puzzled looks of the crowd, Song Zhiyu explained in a good mood, "It is said that if the name of a person with great merit is engraved on a Buddha statue, the name can be connected with the Buddha, and the Buddha will protect the person's peace, health, and longevity."
Since this is a congratulatory gift for the old lady, it must bear her name engraved on it. If Fourth Sister still doesn't believe me, she can simply send someone to invite the master engraver from the Treasure Pavilion, and she'll know for sure.”
She completely blocked Shen Jinhua's path.
The Buddha statue was respectfully presented to Madam Ling by the butler. The three characters engraved on the back of the Buddha statue in gold leaf were not conspicuous, but they were enough to show Song Zhiyu's care.
The truth is now clear.
Shen Jinhua's face turned ashen; she clearly hadn't expected Song Zhiyu to have this trick up her sleeve, and she had lost completely.
But no matter how hard she racked her brains, she couldn't figure out when Song Zhiyu discovered that the congratulatory gift had been switched, or how she found the Buddha statue.
Shen Jinhua was filled with confusion. Her plan was flawless, yet she still failed because of Song Zhiyu.
Seeing that the situation was not good, Shen Feng hurriedly pulled Shen Jinhua to Old Madam Ling, kicked her in the back of the knee, and scolded her angrily: "You shameless thing, how could you do such a shameless thing? Hurry up and apologize to the old lady."
Shen Jinhua's knees slammed heavily to the ground, but she seemed oblivious to the pain. She looked pitifully at Old Madam Ling, on the verge of tears, and said, "Old Madam, Jinhua knows she was wrong. Please forgive me."
"The person you should apologize to is Zhiyu, not me." Madam Ling's gentle expression turned cold the moment she saw Shen Feng and Shen Jinhua, as if she had seen something dirty.
"Lord Shen, you should take him back. The Duke of Ling's mansion does not welcome people who are full of lies."
This Chengen Marquis's mansion is truly a case of the upper beam being crooked and the lower beam being crooked; no wonder it gets worse with each generation.
Upon hearing this, Shen Jinhua's face stiffened, tears still clinging to her eyes, her expression of wanting to fall but not quite so comical.
But she wasn't blind to the situation. With a determined look, she forced out a few words through gritted teeth, "Second sister, I..."
She was interrupted by Song Zhiyu halfway through her sentence, "Just now, Second Sister made a promise in front of the Old Madam and all the guests that if I could produce evidence, she would be at my disposal. Does that promise still stand?"
Song Zhiyu looked down at Shen Jinhua with an inscrutable expression. A simple apology would be too lenient on her.
“Of course it counts.” Shen Jinhua shrank her shoulders, a hint of fear unconsciously showing in her eyes.
She had witnessed Song Zhiyu's methods of punishing people, which could be described as ruthless.
But she was, after all, the fourth young lady of the Marquis's mansion, unlike those servants. If Song Zhiyu cared about his reputation, he wouldn't have gone too far.
Even if she dared, her uncle wouldn't let it go unchecked.
Thinking this way, Shen Jinhua inexplicably regained some confidence.
She's really messed up this time, but she'll never repeat the same mistake again.
Shen Jinhua's ulterior motives were too obvious, and Song Zhiyu saw through them at a glance. "According to the laws of the Lintian Dynasty, thieves should be imprisoned in a water dungeon and severely punished..."
"You want to send me to jail?" Shen Jinhua's eyes widened as she impatiently interrupted Song Zhiyu.
Song Zhiyu's voice was calm and unhurried, unaffected by Shen Jinhua's tone, "According to the law, I should indeed send you to prison."
But since we are both sisters in the Cheng'en Marquis's household, I am willing to make this a small matter. I believe Father knows what to do.
She threw the question to Shen Feng, which would both allow her to punish Shen Jinhua and preserve her reputation for magnanimity.
Shen Feng has always been concerned about his image. For the sake of his hypocritical face and to give an explanation to the Duke of Ling's mansion, he will certainly not be lenient.
Under the mocking gazes of all the guests, Shen Feng and his entourage slunk away from the Duke of Ling's mansion, missing the momentous occasion of Old Madam Ling publicly announcing that she had recognized Song Zhiyu as her goddaughter.
After today, the Marquis of Chengen's residence will once again become the laughing stock of the people of the capital.
*
After the banquet, Song Zhiyu bid farewell to Madam Ling and boarded a carriage to return to the Chengen Marquis's residence.
As soon as Song Zhiyu stepped through the gate, she sensed the unusually oppressive atmosphere in the mansion. The guards all lowered their heads and dared not look at her, keeping their distance from her.
"Miss, I heard that the Fourth Miss was taken to the ancestral hall by the Marquis to be punished, and it caused quite a commotion." Lu Bai told him all the information she had found out, her puffed-out cheeks looking particularly amusing.
Song Zhiyu chuckled, knowing Shen Feng's plan; he had to put on a convincing act.
"Let's go, let's go collect the debt." With that, Song Zhiyu took the lead, her purpose clear.
If we don't take advantage of her misfortune now, we'll be letting down her carefully laid plans.
"Coming." Lu Bai quickly understood Song Zhiyu's meaning, smiled and responded loudly, then followed her with small steps.
*
When the master and servant arrived at the ancestral hall, Shen Jinhua was being punished, and the crisp sound of being slapped echoed throughout the empty hall.
The thin bamboo stick, about a foot long and two fingers wide, struck Shen Jinhua's palm repeatedly with undiminished force.
Especially when Song Zhiyu walked over, the old nanny who was slapping her hand became even more energetic. With each slap, she said, "Since Miss Jinhua has made a mistake that has implicated the Marquis's mansion, it is only right that she be punished. This old servant was just following orders. If you want to complain, then complain about the person who caused you to be punished."
In no time, her hands were red and swollen, with red veins appearing on her palms, making her look extremely pitiful.
Madam Shen felt a pang of pity and frowned as she said to Song Zhiyu, "Even if Jin Hua is at fault, this punishment is enough. A woman's hands are so important; if you keep hitting her, they'll be ruined."
Song Zhiyu was taken aback, then laughed out loud, "Madam Shen has come to the wrong person. It was the Marquis who ordered the punishment of Shen Jinhua. There's no use in telling me anything more."
She paused, then, meeting Madam Shen's surprised gaze, continued, "I had no idea that Madam Shen valued a woman's hands so much."
Song Zhiyu's words were full of mockery, and the sarcasm in his eyes made Shen's mother feel embarrassed.
She glanced unconsciously at Song Zhiyu's hands placed in front of her, as if recalling some unpleasant memories, and a hint of guilt flashed in her eyes.
“You are different from Jinhua. You grew up in the countryside and are used to doing manual labor…”
The mother's voice grew softer and softer, and she managed to swallow her last few words.
"Enough! Jin Hua has made a mistake and should be punished so that she can learn from it in the future. Keep hitting her, and don't stop until she has been hit a hundred times."
Shen Feng was not as soft-hearted as his mother. Shen Jinhua made him lose face in front of his colleagues and completely offended the Duke of Ling's mansion. It was already too lenient for her to only give him a hundred slaps on the hand.
Besides, if he doesn't act ruthlessly, who knows what people outside will say about him.
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