Chapter 27: Are You Planning to Undermine My Authority?

“Attracting too much attention too early would make people want to investigate my background. It could also… cause Madam Wei to do things that interfere with my imperial examination,” Shen Shilang explained. “That’s why I’ve always planned to truly test my abilities in this provincial examination.”

“If I make a name for myself during the exam, no one will dare to trouble me easily,” Shen Shilang continued. “By then, I’ll be a prominent figure in Chong’an, and even the magistrate would have to ensure my safety.”

Wei Zhaoxian fell silent.

So Shen Shilang had been quietly considering all of this.

If Madam Wei hadn’t made things difficult for him, he wouldn’t have had to think so much.

Wei Zhaoxian didn’t bother to test Shen Shilang’s scholarly knowledge further. Since Shen Shilang was confident in standing out in the provincial examination, he must be exceptional.

Wei Zhaoxian felt both guilt and relief. At least Shen Shilang hadn’t tarnished the Shen family name.

“I have some other matters to attend to, so you stay in the mansion and focus on your studies these days,” Wei Zhaoxian said. “Don’t worry, no one here will dare trouble you anymore.”

“I heard from Jianlang that you don’t like having servants around in your courtyard. But without someone attending to your daily needs, it won’t do,” Wei Zhaoxian added. “So, I’ll arrange for two people. They’ll only stay long enough to take care of your meals and daily needs, and then they’ll leave your courtyard without lingering.”

Shen Shilang didn’t refuse this time and thanked Wei Zhaoxian.

Wei Zhaoxian shook his head. “Shilang, stop saying things that make me feel ashamed.”

After leaving Shen Shilang’s courtyard, Wei Zhaoxian headed to Madam Wei’s quarters.

As soon as he entered, he heard Mama Liu wailing: “Madam! Madam, save me! I can’t go back! If I return, I’m finished! Madam, please save this old servant!”

She knew that being sent back to Madam Wei’s maiden family meant she was guilty of doing something wrong.

What would become of her?

But she had only been following Madam Wei’s orders!

“Madam, I’ve looked after you since you were little. Please don’t abandon this old servant!” Mama Liu was being dragged by two maids.

Strangely enough, the two maids didn’t seem to be able to drag Mama Liu far, or maybe they didn’t dare to really drag her out, and instead she managed to take a few steps towards the main room where Madam Wei was.

Madam Wei had just returned from seeing Wei Jianming.

She hadn’t even had time to rest and had just sat down when she heard Mama Liu ‘s cries from outside.

Madam Wei rushed out to see Mama Liu being restrained, her hair disheveled, her face streaked with tears. The maids were carrying her belongings on their backs.

“What’s going on?” Madam Wei exclaimed, hurrying to embrace Mama Liu.

“Madam! The general wants to send this old servant back to the Xu family!” Mama Liu clung to Madam Wei like a drowning person grasping at a straw, holding her tightly. “How can this old servant leave with a carefree heart? I can’t leave you here all alone! I can’t go! Madam, I can’t bear to part with you!”

Madam Wei had never been separated from Mama Liu since childhood and couldn’t bear to part with her now.

Pushing the maids aside, she declared, “Mama Liu , you can’t leave! What will I do without you?”

The mistress and servant clung to each other, crying.

Wei Zhaoxian frowned, striding into the courtyard, and said to the coarse-looking servant woman standing by watching without daring to move, “What are you standing around for? Separate them and take Mama Liu out of here!”

“If you can’t even restrain Mama Liu, then you have no place in this residence!”

The servants flinched and, emboldened by Wei Zhaoxian’s orders, moved forward to pull

Madam Wei clung desperately to Mama Liu, making it difficult for the servants to act.

“Separate the madam!” Wei Zhaoxian ordered coldly. “Madam, don’t make a spectacle of yourself in front of the servants!”

“General!” Madam Wei rushed to Wei Zhaoxian, clutching his arm. “Why are you sending Mama Liu away?”

“Because when she knew you were wrong, she didn’t stop you but instead joined you in your foolishness. What good is a servant like that?” Wei Zhaoxian replied coldly.

Madam Wei knew it wasn’t just about that. Mama Liu had also treated Shen Shilang poorly. The servants had all taken cues from her.

When she showed hostility towards Shen Shilang, naturally, the servants wouldn’t treat him kindly either.

“When we got married, your parents warned me that you were spoiled from a young age and could be willful at times. They said that Mama Liu, who had looked after you since childhood, could restrain you when needed,” Wei Zhaoxian took a deep breath. “They also said that if Mama Liu ever failed to restrain you or encouraged your whims, she should be sent back, and they would send someone else who could control you.”

“Don’t worry, Madam. I won’t leave you without anyone by your side.” Wei Zhaoxian said in a deep voice, “Mama Liu will be sent back, and she can be replaced by Mama Zhang or Mama Li.”

Hearing this, Mama Liu realized her fate upon returning and cried out in panic, “Madam! Madam, save me! Please don’t send this old servant back!”

Wei Zhaoxian immediately instructed a servant boy, “Gag her and take her to the carriage.”

Madam Wei felt a chill in her heart, realizing the carriage had been prepared long in advance.

Mama Liu’s mouth was stuffed with a cloth, and she was carried away, sobbing.

Without sparing Madam Wei a glance, Wei Zhaoxian walked into the house.

Madam Wei hesitated, then, wiping her tears, followed him inside, supported by her maid, Jinxiu.

Wei Zhaoxian sat down heavily, his imposing presence silencing everyone in the room.

“Gather all the servants in the mansion,” Wei Zhaoxian commanded.

After the order was given, Madam Wei finally asked, “General, what are you planning to do?”

Wei Zhaoxian ignored her.

Soon, the courtyard was filled with the mansion’s servants.

Only then did Wei Zhaoxian step outside, his gaze sweeping coldly over the assembled crowd. “Is everyone here?”

“Yes, General. Everyone is present,” replied Manager Yue, the interim steward brought in to replace Steward Zhou. He bowed deeply behind Wei Zhaoxian. “Those who were punished with beatings last night have also been brought here.”

Manager Yue was the most capable manager in Wei Zhaoxian’s businesses, known for his skill in handling military supplies. He had been summoned as soon as Wei Zhaoxian decided to remove Steward Zhou. Only he could quickly restore order to the Wei residence and give Wei Zhaoxian peace of mind.

“You all must have seen that Steward Zhou has been dismissed, and Manager Yue is temporarily in charge until a new steward is appointed,” Wei Zhaoxian announced. “Mama Liu has also been sent back to the Xu family.”

“Those who were involved in last night’s altercation have already received their punishment,” he continued. “You should all be clear on how to conduct yourselves from now on. Anyone who dares to mistreat Young Master Shen will be sold off without mercy!”

This final statement sent a shiver through the gathered servants.

After dismissing the servants, Wei Zhaoxian returned to the house. Madam Wei, unable to contain her dissatisfaction, complained, “General, how do you ex

pect me to maintain my authority in the mansion after this? Are you… are you trying to undermine me?”