Upon hearing from the gatekeeper that a fifth concubine had come to visit, Madam Fan knew that Fan Tong was having an affair again.
He was furious. He asked Shi Taishou and learned the whole story. He was even more indignant.
Despite her anger, she couldn't object since Fan Tong had agreed to take her into the room, so she could only nod in agreement.
Seeing Chen Ruolan in her bright red wedding dress and with her exquisite makeup, she looked like a little vixen, and I couldn't help but want to go up and scratch her face.
Seeing her so arrogant, daring to talk back to him,
Madam Fan's eyes were full of laughter, but there was a sinister undertone mixed in with the laughter.
She stood up, walked closer, and suddenly raised her hand, slapping Chen Ruolan hard across the face.
"You dare to mention a joyous occasion when you're just a concubine? Do you even deserve a joyous occasion? If we don't teach you some rules, you'll never know your place."
Chen Ruolan was so struck by the sudden slap that she saw stars, and a clear handprint instantly appeared on her fair face.
She covered her face, glaring defiantly at Madam Fan, "How can you humiliate me like this? Although I am a concubine, I was still allowed to enter the family by the master's permission!"
“Once you’ve entered this door, you have to abide by the rules here. If you continue to be so ungrateful, you’ll suffer a lot in the future!”
As she spoke, Madam Fan waved to the maids on both sides, and the maids obeyed and stepped forward to hold Chen Ruolan down. In a few quick movements, they stripped her of her wedding dress.
Chen Ruolan's eyes reddened with grievance, and she was about to cry when she heard Madam Fan warn her sternly, "If you don't want to be beaten again, you'd better hold it back."
Chen Ruolan was filled with resentment, but she knew she couldn't be forceful at this moment, so she could only lower her head and whisper, "Madam, I know I was wrong."
Madam Fan snorted coldly, curling her lips in disdain. "You're just the master's new concubine. You look so ordinary, yet you managed to keep him so exhausted that he can't get out of bed. Looks like you've got some tricks up your sleeve!"
Chen Ruolan wished she could devour Madam Fan alive. She cursed inwardly, thinking, "That damned old woman dared to lay a hand on me. One day I'll make her pay double."
She gritted her teeth and forced a smile.
"Please don't take offense, Madam. Master Fan is fond of my daughter, so he put in a lot of effort. My back feels like it's broken now."
Mrs. Fan clenched her fists tightly; it was a blatant provocation, a naked display of arrogance.
She glared fiercely at Chen Ruolan, "Hmph, the master has many women he likes, don't take yourself too seriously."
No sooner had Madam Fan finished speaking than Shi Taishou hurriedly walked in.
"Madam, everything is ready."
"Hurry up, I have other things to do later!"
"Yes, begin immediately." Shi Taishou called out towards the door, "Everyone, come in!"
Upon receiving the order, several servants carrying trays entered one after another.
Shi Taishou then said to Chen Ruolan, "Fifth Aunt, quickly serve tea to the Madam. Once you kowtow, you will be a true member of the Fan family."
Chen Ruolan was unwilling, but she had no choice but to submit to the circumstances.
She carefully picked up the teacup, knelt down in front of Madam Fan, and respectfully offered the tea with both hands, saying, "Please have some tea, Madam."
Madam Fan didn't answer, but slowly said, "As the legal wife, I have to tell you the rules of the Fan family. Now that you are a member of the Fan family, remember them."
"From today onwards, you shall rise early to serve me tea, prepare my foot bath water before I go to bed each night, and you shall not speak loudly, cause trouble, beat or insult servants at will, leave the Fan family premises without permission, or anger the master..."
Mrs. Fan rambled on and on, talking about all sorts of random things without end.
Half an incense stick had passed, and Madam Fan showed no sign of stopping. Chen Ruolan could no longer kneel and began to tremble.
He cursed inwardly, "That damned old hag! Not only is she ugly, but she also has such a foul mouth, chattering on and on. It's so annoying!"
At that moment, she really wanted to splash the tea in her hand onto Mrs. Fan's face and then slap her hard across the face.
But Chen Ruolan wasn't stupid. She knew Madam Fan's position in the family. If she angered the first wife, she would never have a good life in the future.
Thinking of this, she gritted her teeth and knelt there.
Madam Fan glanced at Chen Ruolan with disdain, inwardly scoffing, "Shameless little vixen, I'll teach you a lesson today, so you know that being a concubine in a wealthy family isn't so easy."
She paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Today is your first day at the Fan family, so you'd better hold the teacup carefully. Breaking it is bad luck. There's one more thing I forgot to tell you: anything damaged by human intervention must be compensated for at its original price. Don't lose money."
After saying that, she started talking about something pointless again.
Chen Ruolan's knees went numb from kneeling. The teacup and saucer she was holding kept clattering together due to her trembling arms. She swayed and the teacup fell to the ground and shattered.
She was startled and hurriedly explained, "I'm sorry, Madam, I didn't hold it properly. Please don't be angry."
Madam Fan shook her head and smiled, "How could you be so careless? I just told you that whoever damages something has to pay for it, so you have to pay for this teacup."
Upon hearing this, Chen Ruolan panicked. "Madam, I have no money!"
"No rush, no rush," Madam Fan said, looking at Shi Taishou. "Settle Fifth Concubine's monthly allowance first."
"Yes, yes, yes, someone come here and bring the money quickly." Shi Taishou took three taels of silver from a servant's tray and handed it to Chen Ruolan. "This is your monthly allowance. Please keep it safe."
"Thank you, Steward Shi." Chen Ruolan accepted the three taels of silver, her heart filled with joy. She had thought her parents were just saying it casually, but she didn't expect the Fan family to actually give her money. This was wonderful! With this money, she could buy her favorite cosmetics and dress up beautifully. She was sure she could win over Fan Tong.
Just as she was feeling pleased, she heard Madam Fan say sternly, "Butler Shi, what are you standing there for? Hurry up and get to work!"
"Yes, yes, as you command." Shi Taishou then snatched the three taels of silver from Chen Ruolan's hand.
Chen Ruolan was taken aback. "Butler Shi, isn't this my monthly allowance? Why did you take it away again?"
"I'm sorry, but let's keep things separate. This amount of silver is just enough to compensate for a teacup."
"What? A teacup is worth three taels of silver?"
"That's right, these are all rules set by Madam."
"You're bullying me!" Chen Ruolan could no longer control her emotions, and tears of grievance flowed uncontrollably.
Seeing this, Madam Fan gritted her teeth in anger and glared at him.
"Shut up! You really don't know any manners. Crying and making a scene for no reason, what kind of behavior is this? If I don't punish you today, it will be hard to convince everyone. Guards, drag her outside and make her kneel for two hours before she comes to see me again."
......
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