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Steward Luo not only oversaw Tangyuan but also held the title of Second Steward at the noble’s residence in the capital, yet he had no official position at the General’s Mansion. However, as the Master Lingxuan’s trusted confidant, all the servants at the General’s residence respected him.
Unable to overstep his authority, junior Steward Luo had Mama Luo inform Madam Feng about Young Master Lu’s mistreatment. This presented an excellent opportunity for Madam to rectify the behavior of the servants who dared to overstep their bounds.
Upon hearing Mama Luo’s words, Chen Feng felt a sharp pain in her chest. Despite arranging a carriage for Chen Lu, those despicable servants had secretly made him ride a donkey cart. She wondered how else they had mistreated Chen Lu.
Their audacity towards Lu stemmed mainly from looking down on her as a rural person.
She blamed herself for not realizing that Chen Lu, despite being older and her own brother, bore his grievances in silence…
Chen Feng instructed Mama Luo, “Please convey my gratitude to junior Steward Luo for his insight. I appreciate it.”
Approaching midday, she suppressed her thoughts and decided to visit Gui Courtyard later in the day.
In the afternoon, Dabao and Lu arrived in the main courtyard holding hands.
Chen Feng pulled Lu aside and asked, “Are you doing well here? Are the servants attending to you properly?”
Chen Lu shyly smiled and replied, “Yes, everything is fine. The servants are attentive.”
Chen Feng pinched his cheek in frustration, causing his face to flush even more red.
Pretending all was well, Chen Feng had lunch with the children and then sent them back to their respective courtyards to rest.
After the afternoon break, Chen Feng, accompanied by Qing Feng, Mama Li, and Xiaohuang, headed to Gui Courtyard, considering it was time for Chen Lu’s lessons.
The back door of Gui Courtyard was slightly ajar, and the voices of the maidservants inside could be heard clearly despite their hushed tones.
One maid said, “… we can’t compare to the ones serving the eldest miss. They serve the legitimate masters, and we can only watch from the sidelines. Look at Chaohua Courtyard, Dabao is like a tag-along brought in by Madam, not even her biological son, yet the people in that courtyard have more benefits than us. I heard that Mama Luo exchanged two taels of Dabao’s monthly silver for two guan, and everyone in their courtyard received a share, getting a few hundred wen each. But in our courtyard, not a single person received even a morsel of food… Oh, back when Steward Liu sent me to Chaohua Courtyard, I was reluctant, thinking that serving Dabao was more important than serving Young Master, as Young Master is Madam’s own brother. What a pity!”
Another maid chimed in, “It’s just that we, doing the rough work, don’t have that privilege. The young servant girls and boys by Young Master’s side, as well as the useful junior stewards, have been generously rewarded by Young Master. If not rewarded, they wouldn’t be as diligent or efficient. Young Master is discerning, he knows who to appreciate.”
The first maid continued, “Dabao leaves uneaten steamed egg custards, pea cakes, crystal dumplings, and so much more, all shared among the people in their courtyard. But the young master we serve always finishes his meals cleanly, except for leftover porridge. I heard he often sends Sanquan to buy him snacks. Honestly, growing up in the countryside, how can he eat so much…”
Infuriated, Chen Feng’s blood boiled, and Mama Li scolded, “You two gossiping hags, did you also speak ill of the master?”
Seeing Chen Feng enter, the two maids knelt down, repeatedly begging for forgiveness.
Not wanting to waste words on the gossipy maids, Chen Feng instructed Xiaouang, “Go, summon Steward Yang, Steward Liu, and Mama Luo.”
Upon hearing these names, the two maids broke into louder sobs.
Inside, Lanhua and Lancao rushed over.
Seeing Chen Feng’s stern expression, even they knelt down in fear.
Chen Feng sat down on a chair, maintaining her silence, waiting for the managers to arrive.
Shortly after, Steward Yang, Steward Liu, and Mama Luo hurried into the room.
Steward Yang bowed and said, “Madam, these two servants have blundered, and I will reprimand them immediately.”
Chen Feng coldly remarked, “As a rural woman who doesn’t reside here often, I am not qualified to discipline them. I must wait for you, the senior stewards, to handle this.”
Upon hearing this, the group all knelt down in fear.
Chen Feng instructed Qing Feng, “Tell the senior Stewards what these two maids were saying.”
Qing Feng relayed the maids’ words to the senior Stewards.
The senior Stewards, now terrified, repeatedly apologized, “Madam, please forgive us for our negligence…”
The two maids, now even more frightened, pleaded tearfully for forgiveness.
Mama Li snapped, “Stop crying and wailing, you’ll disturb the unborn child in Madam’s belly.”
Chen Feng turned to Lancao and Lanhua, saying, “Speak up. Why was Young Master’s breakfast insufficient? Why weren’t you rewarded? Speak the truth, or face harsher consequences. Send for Sanquan as well.”
Usually sharp-tongued Lancao was too terrified to speak, having often received rewards and gifts from Chen Lu. Lanhua, usually well-behaved, shared everything she knew with precision.
The kitchen sometimes provided Young Master Lu with less than other masters, occasionally lacking delicacies like bird’s nest or pigeon soup. Over time, Lancao grew bolder, occasionally sneaking snacks to share with her siblings. Young Master Lu would also reward the servants with treats during meals… When Young Master Lu went out, he’d tip the coachmen and gatekeepers… When ink and paper ran out, they had to ask someone for more, which also required tipping… If no tips were given, their attitudes would sour…
Sanquan arrived and tearfully confessed, including his own actions…
He sobbed, “Forgive me, Madam, I didn’t take it on my own accord, it was the reward from Young Master, and I accepted it.”
Overwhelmed, Lancao also knelt, crying, “Please forgive me, Madam. The reward was from Young Master, I didn’t ask for it…”
Disgusted with the gossiping servants, Chen Feng addressed Steward Yang, Steward Liu, and Mama Luo, saying, “You’ve turned a blind eye to the mistreatment of my brother all this time. If you think I’m unworthy of being your mistress, find another position. I won’t force you to stay. If you believe you have the support and prestige of the Marquis and my uncle, I will seek forgiveness from them on my behalf and that of my husband.”
Steward Yang and the others bowed profusely, expressing their servitude and loyalty to the family.