Chapter 10: The Troublesome Servant Must Go

“Miss, will Tiandong really tell everything you said to them?”

“She can’t help but talk. Since Yun Moyi told her to say that, she’ll definitely report back my reaction.”

After Tiandong left, Bai Jinxi had someone bring in breakfast. When only she and Banxia were left in the room, they talked about Tiandong’s reaction just now.

Since she had already decided to let Banxia join her, she needed to seize the opportunity to help Banxia grow. At the very least, she needed to make her able to see through obvious schemes and tricks.

Banxia was once again looking at her mistress with admiration. Miss had become so smart and capable since she woke up. It was so great…

“Miss!” A slightly anxious shout came from the direction of the courtyard gate.

“What’s all the shouting for? Don’t scare Miss with your loud voice!” Banxia frowned and scolded.

At this time, Zhang Ze rushed in from outside, carrying a food box. He was sweating slightly because he had been in such a hurry.

He was the son of the steward, Uncle Zhang, and he had been childhood sweethearts with Banxia. To protect Bai Jinxi, Bai’s uncle had taught him a few martial arts moves.

However, Zhang Ze was very honest and had often been “bullied” by Banxia.

After Banxia’s incident in her previous life, he held her body and cried uncontrollably. No one could pull him away. It was then that Bai Jinxi realized that Zhang Ze had always secretly admired Banxia…

Well, he was a good person. Maybe she could bring them together. Bai Jinxi was lost in thought…

“Miss, the food from the kitchen is cold!” Zhang Ze blushed, as if he was angry.

“What?!” Banxia immediately took the food box and placed the dishes on the table one by one.

“Miss, it’s really cold! They’re going too far!!”

“Are you a piece of wood? They gave you cold food, and you just brought it back? Don’t you know to ask them to heat it up?!”

Banxia was furious. She scolded Zhang Ze without holding back.

Zhang Ze, a tall and strong man, was actually scolded by Banxia, who was only up to his chest, and didn’t dare to say a word.

“Cold food? Hmph, using such petty tricks is truly boring!” Bai Jinxi sneered, a flash of coldness in her eyes.

“Zhang Ze, tell me what happened.” Bai Jinxi frowned at Zhang Ze.

“Yes, Miss.”

“When I went to the kitchen, there was only this one dish left on the table, with only a little bit of warmth. So, I asked Mother Li …”

“She said that Madam Yun got up early, so breakfast time was moved to seven o’clock. I went later today, so the food got cold.”

Zhang Ze recounted the incident in detail.

“It was cold, couldn’t they heat it up? How can they make Miss eat cold food?!” Banxia interjected indignantly.

“Banxia!” Bai Jinxi turned her head and gave her a light reprimand, interrupting her rambling.

Then she looked at Zhang Ze, signaling him to continue.

“I said the same thing, to ask Mother Li to heat it up. But she said that the stove had been put out, and it would take half a day to start a new fire. Miss would have to go hungry…”

Zhang Ze shrunk his neck, having been scolded by Banxia, and then continued to answer in a low voice.

As Bai Jinxi listened to his response, her thoughts drifted back to her previous life.

In her previous life, Yun Moyi had also cut back on her food and clothing after she took over the mansion, but that was a year after she moved into the Bai Mansion, after she completely controlled her and everything in the Bai Mansion…

Why was it happening earlier this time?

She had initially thought that the incident with Tiandong this morning was just a temporary arrangement by Yun Moyi, but these things happening one after another couldn’t be ignored.

Had something she did in the past few days been inappropriate, causing her to be wary?

Was this her test?

Should she endure it?

Or should she just… throw a tantrum?

“I told you, Madam is very generous. Look, a five-tael silver ingot. You’ve probably never touched one in your life, right?!”

In the kitchen, Mother Li was showing off the silver ingot she had just received last night.

“Madam said that as long as we all work for her wholeheartedly, she won’t treat us badly!”

At this moment, Mother Li’s expression was simply flattering, constantly praising how kind and generous Madam Yun was.

“Bah, our Bai Mansion’s mistress is now lying in the Bai family’s ancestral grave! Some unknown cat or dog doesn’t deserve to be called Madam?!”

Perhaps Mother Li was showing off too much, causing envy, or perhaps it was truly out of sympathy for the deceased Lady Bai. Granny Sun, who was picking vegetables by the wall, looked at Mother Li with disdain and spat.

“You old woman, you can’t get on Madam’s good side, so you’re jealous of me! Watch out, I’ll have Madam kick you out!” Mother Li looked down her nose and shouted arrogantly.

“Heh, wait until your Madam Yun takes over the mansion before you say that. A woman who comes here to take care of Miss, she’s out of line!” Granny Sun didn’t bother arguing with her. She picked up her washbasin and was about to go outside…

“Miss, Miss!”

Standing outside the door were Bai Jinxi and the other two.

Granny Sun quickly put the washbasin aside and bowed respectfully.

Mother Li heard the commotion and turned around. She was startled when she saw Bai Jinxi. She rolled her eyes, then calmed down.

“Oh, Miss, why are you in such a dirty place as the kitchen?” Mother Li didn’t know how long they had been there, but she assumed they hadn’t heard the previous conversation. Otherwise, the little girl would have already made a fuss.

Seeing Mother Li, Bai Jinxi’s eyes flashed with hatred.

This hateful old shrew!

In her previous life, Yun Moyi took her to attend a flower-viewing banquet hosted by the Wuwei Princess.

Before going out, she ate breakfast prepared by Mother Li, which contained a small amount of laxative. As a result, she made a fool of herself in the middle of the flower-viewing banquet…

It was only after that that she realized the importance of medicine…

The Bai family was originally a medicinal herb family, and medicine and medicine were inseparable. Naturally, there were many medical books in their home.

It was impossible to learn medicine and treat people on her own, but it was possible to learn about medicinal properties and identify whether food was problematic by referring to medical books.

Bai Jinxi was very talented and quickly memorized the medicinal herbs and their properties mentioned in the books in her family.

“You are Mother Li?” Bai Jinxi put on a haughty air and looked her up and down.

“Yes, it’s this servant. Is there anything you need, Miss?” Mother Li was an old hand. Even though she had already joined Yun Moyi’s side, she still put on a flattering face when facing Bai Jinxi.

Slap!

Bai Jinxi raised her hand and slapped her hard. The greasy feeling on her hand made her feel disgusted. She took out her handkerchief and wiped it hard.

“You! What did this servant do wrong?! Why are you hitting me, Miss?!” Taken aback, Mother Li’s face was slapped to the side. She turned her head angrily and glared at Bai Jinxi.

“Why?! Because you gave me cold food. Hitting you is a light punishment!” Bai Jinxi didn’t back down. She glared back with wide eyes. “You dare to glare at me? Who gave you the courage?!”

Banxia and Zhang Ze, afraid that the old shrew would bully their mistress, quickly stepped forward and stood in front of Bai Jinxi.

Mother Li was being stared at by three people. Her arrogant demeanor gradually subsided.

“It’s true, the fire in the stove went out, and it takes half a day to start a new fire. Miss, you got up late and missed breakfast time. You’re coming to find fault with this servant…” Mother Li said, looking at the others in the kitchen. “Ask everyone, isn’t that how it is?”

Several maids who were close to Mother Li quickly stepped forward, nodding and bowing in agreement. “Miss, Mother Li is right. You don’t know the value of firewood when you’re not in charge. It takes a lot of materials to start a fire, so the kitchen only has fire when we’re cooking.”

Bai Jinxi looked at these people, raised her eyebrows slightly. They’re quite united. It saves her the trouble of checking them individually. This time, she’ll get rid of all of you!