High-class maid

Chapter 269 Execution

"Don't talk about this outside. If someone with ulterior motives uses it against me, I'll be punished too," Shan Tao warned worriedly.

"Don't worry, I spend all day around the shop, I don't have time to gossip with others. Besides, even if I were to gossip, I wouldn't be foolish enough to gossip about the Minister's mansion," Shen Xing'er said.

Yamamoto nodded, then explained somewhat sheepishly.

"Now that the old lady is in a daze all day, it is already unexpected that I, as her maid, can leave the manor for a vacation. If the masters find out that I am on a spring outing with you, they may not say anything, but they will definitely be disappointed in me."

This is the realization of a maid.

“I know, you don’t need to explain anything to me. Now that I know the old lady is not well, I’m not in the mood for a spring outing anymore. I’d better stay in the shop,” Shen Xing’er said.

"By the way, is Brother Wu feeling better?" Shan Tao asked somewhat awkwardly.

“He’s much better. Although he can get out of bed and walk now, his injuries haven’t fully healed. He’s set up a small stall at the alley entrance, helping people write letters, and he’s barely making a living,” Shen Xing’er said.

"I... I want to go see him, is that alright?" Shan Tao asked Shen Xing'er hesitantly.

She hadn't seen Wu Xunzhi for a month. While working in the manor, she couldn't help but think about him. Was his injury any better? How was he managing? Did he still want to take the imperial examinations?

“Follow your heart. If you want to see him, I’ll go with you,” Shen Xing’er said.

The mountain peach tree has already reached the age of budding, which in ancient times was equivalent to adulthood. Since it has reached adulthood, it must take responsibility for its own choices, and all I can do is accompany it.

"Xing'er, you are so kind."

Shan Tao was deeply moved. Ever since her brother got married, her parents' attention had shifted to his family. Her sister-in-law's constant commotion made Shan Tao's family miserable. Only with Xing'er could she find some peace and quiet.

"Silly girl, as long as you don't regret it."

Shen Xing'er was an experienced person, and the more she was stopped from seeing Shan Tao, the more she wanted to see her. Rather than doing that, she thought it would be better to see her more often. Whether she was suitable or not, she would know after seeing her a few more times.

The two sisters drank tea and ate pastries, rested for a while, and then got ready to go to Wu Xun's house.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere at the Minister's residence was far less warm. All the masters gathered together, glaring angrily at the woman on the ground.

"Speak! Why did you plot against the old lady? Why did you poison her?!" The First Madam threw a teacup at her, and the scalding tea landed right on Qianying's forehead. Soon after, the tea stain turned red.

Qianying grimaced in pain, but with her masters all around, she didn't utter a sound, instead shrinking her neck and trembling.

Seeing her like this, the First Madam was even more furious. She slapped her across the face and then shouted loudly.

"Aren't you usually the most talkative? Why aren't you saying anything now? What, have you become mute?"

"This servant did not poison the old lady," Qianying said softly, shivering as the tea grew cold.

"No? The evidence is overwhelming, what do you have to deny?" Xiao Yi'an looked at her coldly. He truly regretted that he had been soft-hearted and kept her. A woman who dared to scheme against her master was a hidden danger!

"That pastry was originally intended for the young mistress, but somehow it ended up being given to the old lady by mistake. I wouldn't dare to scheme against my former mistress even if you gave me ten lives!" Qianying mustered her courage and loudly defended herself.

"What? You're going to scheme against Yu'er? What has she ever done to wrong you? What mistress of any household is as magnanimous as her?"

The First Madam stared in shock. She had thought that Qianying had poisoned the old lady to seek attention, but now it seemed that it was much more than that!

"Ha, this woman is such a hypocrite! What do I lack compared to her? I just don't have a good family background, so why is she so lucky? Not only did she become the head of the household right away, but she also got pregnant after only six months of marriage, and she won't even let the young master into my room while she's pregnant! She's incredibly jealous!"

Qianying roared madly, looking exactly like a complete madwoman.

"You're crazy! It's my fault for not going to your room. What does it have to do with Yu'er? You think she stopped me? On the contrary, she advised me many times. It's because you're too smart. I don't like people who are too smart."

Xiao Yi'an walked up to her in a few steps, looking down at her as if she were a toy.

"Whatever! In your eyes, I'm just a plaything! Even your favored servants can bully me at will! This is your retribution! She's lucky to be alive, hahahahahaha." Qianying laughed as she looked at Xiao Yi'an, but tears welled up in her eyes, making her look very strange.

Xiao Yi'an couldn't hold back any longer and slapped her across the face.

Qianying seemed oblivious to the pain on her face and continued to laugh heartily.

"Father, what should we do?" Xiao Yi'an glanced at her with disgust, then turned to ask Xiao Jiuchuan.

"Report it to the authorities," Xiao Jiuchuan said expressionlessly.

"No!" the First Madam said.

Everyone looked at the First Madam with confusion, and she explained...

“Our young lady is not yet married. If such a thing were to be exposed now, what would outsiders say about our Minister’s Mansion? Sheng’er is about to marry into the royal family. How can we allow her to have even the slightest stain on her reputation?”

“What you say makes sense. Although we can’t report it to the authorities, this viper cannot be allowed to live. Let her die of illness.”

No sooner had Xiao Jiuchuan finished speaking than servants dragged Qianying away. No one knew where she went, only that an unidentified female corpse had appeared in the mass grave.

"My dear child, I'm sorry you had to go through all this trouble. If it weren't for the reputation of our Minister's Mansion, I would never have let her off so easily. Consider it an act of kindness for the child in your womb, okay?"

After everyone had left, the First Madam gently comforted Hou Xinyu.

"I understand Mother's concerns. The bad guys have already received their due punishment, and I won't say anything more. It's just that Grandmother has suffered. I wish I could take the blame for her."

No matter how unwilling Hou Xinyu was, she couldn't retaliate. Her parents-in-law had already made their decision, and she hadn't suffered any real harm. All she could do was let that bitch die a quick death.

"Good child, your parents know about your grievances. As long as Yi'an doesn't mention taking a concubine in the future, your mother will not put anyone in his room. You two can live your lives peacefully. Your parents will take care of the child for you. Let's just live peacefully like this."

The First Madam knew that instead of giving Hou Xinyu jewelry, it would be better to reassure her by making a promise not to send anyone into her son's room. This was more effective than any amount of gold and silver jewelry.

Sure enough, Hou Xinyu's smile became much more genuine. She smiled, bowed, and then said...

"I will listen to my parents. I know you won't let me suffer."