The next morning, Qingzhu shook Bai Chuxiao vigorously, "Miss, it's time to get up, we still need to pay our respects."
Bai Chuxiao reluctantly got out of bed, yawning, "It's so much better in Dingzhou, there aren't so many rules there."
Lanxiang came over with a mouthwash bag and smiled, "Would you like to put on makeup today, Miss, like yesterday?"
Bai Chuxiao thought for a moment, "Wear that light blue outfit today. As for your face, don't make it too pale. After all, we're meeting those concubines today, so we need to maintain a certain presence."
By the time Bai Chuxiao finished getting ready and went out, it was already quite late. When Bai Chuxiao entered the main hall of Furong Courtyard, the room was full of people. Bai Chuxiao bowed to Madam Wei and said, "Xiaoxiao greets Grandmother. My cold has not improved, so I am a little late. Please forgive me."
Before Madam Wei could speak, a woman standing to the side, dressed in a royal blue brocade robe with wide sleeves and adorned with gold ornaments, smiled and curtsied, "This must be the eldest young lady. This servant, Zhao, greets the eldest young lady. The eldest young lady truly resembles the former Madam."
Upon hearing the words "Madam," Madam Xie immediately said coldly, "Madam Zhao, what right do you have to speak like that?"
The old lady merely observed coldly, then addressed the people in the room, saying indifferently, "Yesterday, Xiaoxiao had a long journey and couldn't invite you all over. Yun'er, Die'er, Xin'er, why don't you come and greet your eldest sister?"
Immediately, the girl sitting in front of Zhao, dressed in a pale yellow dress and with a gold and jeweled butterfly hairpin in her hair, stood up cheerfully, smiled, and greeted her, "Chu Yun greets elder sister."
Bai Chuxiao immediately smiled and took her hand, "Third sister, get up quickly. Third sister is so beautiful and well-mannered. Aunt Zhao has gone to so much trouble."
Bai Chuxiao glanced at the two girls sitting on the other side with disdain on their faces and the woman standing behind them, then turned to the old lady and said, "Grandmother, it's not that I'm being nosy, but the Second Madam is far too lax, allowing these dogs of the Prime Minister's residence to be so ill-mannered."
Standing to the side, Madam Lan and Madam Sun, noticing the glance Xie Shi gave them, quickly said, "These servants greet the eldest young lady."
Bai Chuxiao didn't urge them to get up, but simply smiled and said, "No wonder Aunt Zhao is so favored. Aunt Lan and Aunt Sun really should learn some manners from Aunt Zhao. Who doesn't like someone who knows how to be considerate and tactful? Don't you think so, Second Madam?"
Bai Chuwan pressed Xie Shi's hand and waved it, "Fourth Sister, Fifth Sister, why don't you come and greet Eldest Sister?" Bai Chudie then stood up, disdainfully called out "Eldest Sister," and went back to sit down. Bai Chuxin, on the other hand, put on an innocent and puzzled expression and asked, "Sister Wan, you are the eldest daughter of the family, why do you make us call her Eldest Sister?"
Bai Chuwan smiled upon hearing this, "Elder sister, please don't be offended. Xin'er is still young, and you're not in the manor for long periods of time, so Xin'er doesn't really know you yet."
"Oh? How interesting. Yesterday, upon returning to the manor, some unruly servant stopped me outside, making the same excuse that he didn't recognize the eldest young lady. May I ask, Second Madam, is it because you can't control your servants, allowing these insignificant scoundrels to not even recognize their own mistress, or are you instigating them behind the scenes?" Bai Chuxiao asked Xie Shi sternly.
"Yes, I also heard about the eldest young lady's return to the manor yesterday. Those unruly servants are too bold. It's all over the capital now, saying that the second mistress is narrow-minded and can't tolerate the eldest daughter of the first wife," Aunt Zhao chimed in.
Madam Xie glanced at Madam Zhao, wringing her handkerchief. This Madam Zhao was the daughter of the richest family in the capital, the Zhao family. Although she was an illegitimate daughter, she had brought the Prime Minister a lot of money. She was also quite beautiful, and Bai Linan doted on her. He often made things difficult for her, and as a result, that wretched girl Bai Chuyun didn't show much respect to Wan'er.
The old lady slammed her hand down. "What exactly happened to Madam Xie? How have you managed the household? Our second and third daughters are almost of marriageable age, and yet such gossip is spreading. What will people think of our Prime Minister's residence?"
Madam Xie quickly stood up, "Mother, it was my oversight that allowed these unruly servants to neglect Miss." She then sternly ordered Caiyue, "Go and fetch Zhou Hai."
Bai Chuxiao sneered, "And that Granny Xu who came to pick me up, I didn't even say a word, yet she walked straight into the mansion, so arrogant."
Aunt Zhao exclaimed again, "Isn't that the Second Madam's wet nurse? How can she be so ill-mannered? The Second Madam can't let someone like that serve her; it would be beneath her dignity."
Madam Xie quickly changed her address to "Mother," and was about to explain when the old lady spoke up, instructing Yingchun, "Go, bring that Granny Xu here."
The old lady naturally wouldn't let go of this opportunity to rebuild her authority, and said calmly, "And Die'er, Xin'er has been spoiled rotten. She's not allowed to go out recently and should stay home to learn manners."
Bai Chudie and Bai Chuxin were indignant and shouted, "Why...?", but before they could finish, they were pulled back by Madam Lan and Madam Sun.
Before long, Zhou Hai and Granny Xu were brought over. Madam Xie immediately said sternly, "What were you two doing yesterday? I trusted you so much all this time!"
Zhou Hai and Granny Xu kowtowed repeatedly on the ground, pleading, "Please calm down, Madam! Please calm down, Madam!" Zhou Hai quickly added, "Please forgive me, Miss. I was truly ignorant yesterday and that's why I neglected you." Granny Xu also quickly protested, "Miss, I was only thinking of reporting first yesterday. I never expected you to be wronged at the gate. It's all my fault."
Seeing this, Bai Chuwan looked at the old lady with a dignified smile, "Grandmother, it's all a misunderstanding. These two are also elders in the household. Why not give them a beating according to family rules so they'll remember their lesson?"
"Second Sister, Grandmother has her own decision on how to punish these unruly servants. We juniors should just watch from the sidelines and not offer any unsolicited advice," Bai Chuyun said with a smile to Bai Chuwan. She disliked her second sister the most; she always put on a dignified and generous act in front of outsiders, which was nauseating.
The old lady looked at Bai Chuxiao and asked kindly, "Chuxiao, this matter is up to you. How do you want to punish them?"
"Grandmother, I think this useless servant should be given a beating according to family rules, and then sold off," Bai Chuxiao said coldly.
Seeing this, Madam Xie realized the situation was dire. This Xu nanny was her wet nurse, and Zhou Hai was utterly loyal to her. "Mother," she said, "why must they be sold off? Both of them are loyal servants of the Prime Minister's household. Such punishment will surely discourage the other elders."
Aunt Zhao sneered again, "Second Madam, you are mistaken. These two unruly servants disregard the reputation of the Prime Minister's residence. Such blind servants, even if they are sold off, will be put to good use. The other servants will naturally behave themselves when they see this, and who would dare to harbor any dissatisfaction?"
Bai Chuxiao had a good impression of Aunt Zhao, and upon hearing her words, she sighed inwardly. Then she said, "Grandmother, Aunt Zhao is right. The sisters in the mansion are all of marriageable age, and it's time to properly rectify the family's conduct."
Since the matter concerned marriage, the old lady did not hesitate any longer and immediately instructed Yingchun, "Do as Xiaoxiao said, give her twenty lashes, and then sell her off."
She then took Bai Chuxiao's hand and said, "Chuxiao, you're still recovering from your cold. Grandmother will arrange for a doctor to take a look at you. Just rest at home for the next few days, and you don't need to come to pay your respects."
Bai Chuxiao forced out two tears, saying emotionally, "Granddaughter thanks Grandmother for her love. It's so good to have Grandmother around."
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