The crying from within Qiu Tong’s courtyard could be heard from far away.
“There’s no way to live anymore…”
“Even if we die, we must die with understanding…”
Mixed with various complaints, attracting countless onlookers.
“You didn’t see Que Zhi’s behavior…”
“Now she’ll get what’s coming to her…”
“Exactly, treating a chicken feather like an imperial decree…”
“Oh my, Qin’er, you’ve become capable! Those words sound so refined—your service grinding ink in Third Young Master’s study wasn’t wasted…”
A group of little maids gathered on the road, talking, laughing, and craning their necks to look.
“All idle, are we?”
Someone behind them said indifferently.
The little maids hurriedly turned around to look, then scattered in fright.
It was Nanny Jin. Looking at this commotion, A’Jin didn’t like those scattered maids and said in a low voice to Concubine Zhou beside her, unable to hide some anxiety on her face, “Young Madam was too hasty this time…”
Concubine Zhou slowly fanned herself, a faint smile playing at her lips.
“Then let’s see if she can weather this crisis,” she said.
A’Jin’s face showed a flash of anxiety.
“Young Madam is still young after all. How can she maintain control? Concubine…” she couldn’t help but say in a low voice.
Concubine Zhou glanced at her, and A’Jin’s words gradually grew smaller until she fell silent.
“A’Jin,” Concubine Zhou lifted her foot to walk slowly, “are you thinking in your heart that I’m truly heartless and cruel, watching Young Madam suffer while refusing to help, truly disappointing Old Madam’s former affection for me…”
A’Jin’s face went pale. Regardless of being outside, she dropped to her knees with a thud.
“This slave doesn’t dare. This slave just thought that since Concubine is alone, having one more person to help…” she said tearfully.
“So,” Concubine Zhou didn’t tell her to rise, saying leisurely, “I need to see if she has the ability to help me. If she can, naturally I can too. If she can’t, what method do I have?”
A’Jin kowtowed.
“This slave is confused, this slave is confused,” she said repeatedly.
Only when her forehead was bruised from kowtowing did Concubine Zhou tap her shoulder with her fan.
“Get up. What are you doing?” she said with a smile.
Only then did A’Jin dare to rise. She didn’t dare say another word all the way until they reached Third Young Master’s courtyard.
Just as Concubine Zhou was about to enter, a maid rushed out headlong and collided with her.
Concubine Zhou raised her hand and slapped her.
The maid covered her face and knelt to kowtow.
Only then did Concubine Zhou see clearly that this person was actually Cai Juan, a second-class maid close to Third Young Master.
“What are you doing? Why so clumsy?” she scolded with raised eyebrows. “Are all the people around Third Young Master like this?”
Cai Juan kowtowed repeatedly to apologize.
“Concubine, I sent her on an errand and urged her too hastily,” Chang Yunqi said with a smile as he emerged from the room upon hearing the commotion, glancing at Cai Juan kowtowing on the ground. “Go quickly.”
Cai Juan rose to leave but was called back by Concubine Zhou.
“Don’t play dumb with me. It’s because you’re too good-natured that you’ve spoiled the people below you into having no proper behavior,” she said, shaking her head. “Tell me, what errand were you going on?”
Cai Juan indeed looked flustered.
While they were talking, another maid came crashing in from outside.
“Third Young Master, I saw Young Madam go to the Lord’s courtyard…” she said hurriedly. Before finishing her words, she stared wide-eyed with mouth agape, frozen in place.
Concubine Zhou looked at her, her usually serene and gentle face suddenly turning iron-blue.
“Drag her out and beat her to death,” she pointed at the maid and shouted sternly.
The maid was so frightened her soul left her body, and she collapsed on the ground.
“You shut your mouth,” Concubine Zhou pointed at Third Young Master who was about to speak and shouted, her willow-shaped eyebrows standing on end as she looked at A’Jin. “Are you waiting for me to do it myself?”
A’Jin came to her senses and immediately called the maids.
“Concubine…” The maid had just opened her mouth to say one sentence when A’Jin stuffed a handkerchief in her mouth. Other maids held her down firmly and dragged her out.
“Kneel here for me. Without my word, you’re not allowed to get up,” Concubine Zhou looked at Cai Juan nearby and commanded coldly.
Cai Juan had already knelt when that maid spoke. Now she dared not say another word, kowtowing in response and kneeling properly with her head bowed.
“Concubine,” Chang Yunqi couldn’t help but call out, “What are you doing!”
“What am I doing? You understand. What you’re doing—is your heart clear about it?” Concubine Zhou turned to shout at him.
“I haven’t done anything,” Chang Yunqi shook his head.