Chapter Sixteen: Who Schemes Against Whom
The old lady slightly frowned and glanced at Su Mu Jin with a hint of annoyance, her voice low.
"What's going on? How did Jin Garden's little girl end up here? Big girl, the people around you should be taken care of properly."
Su Mojin nodded silently in agreement.
The old lady waved her hand at Song Ayi, "Get that maid out of here, a mere sweeper maid dares to come to the main courtyard, no matter what the matter is, it's already not in line with the rules. If there's something to report, why did she skip over the head maid and run all the way here? Just this one point alone is enough to show that this maid can't be tolerated!" The old lady glanced at Su Mu Jin, who was hanging her head in shame, thinking that even a sweeper maid by her side dared to be so presumptuous. She didn't know how she had been bullied before, but yesterday her eldest son had punished Liu Shi, thinking it would intimidate the servants. Who would have thought that after just one night, someone would stir up trouble again? If this matter were to spread, would the Su family still have any face left?! Thinking of this, the old lady's expression grew even colder, and she ordered, "Song Ayi, send this maid back to Jin Garden, whether to beat her to death or sell her off is up to the head maid to decide."
Song Niang put down the beautiful shoulder massager for Old Lady and smiled, "Still, Old Lady is heartbroken over Big Miss."
Su Mojin lowered her eyes, sneering in her heart. Liu Shi had calculated everything, but she hadn't anticipated that the old lady would put the reputation of the manor above all else. How could the old lady tolerate such a servant who was so arrogant and disobedient?
Liu's eyes widened in alarm, and she hastily straightened her back, feigning calmness as she said, "Song nurse, wait a moment."
Seeing the whole house full of people looking over in confusion, Liu said softly, "Mother, how could a lowly maid not know the consequences of causing trouble in the main courtyard? In my opinion, perhaps that maid really has something important to report, it's just that this matter is inconvenient to tell to eldest miss."
Everyone thought about it and couldn't help but look at Su Mochen with suspicion.
Su Mu Jin raised her head and exchanged a glance with Liu Shi before looking at the old lady, pursing her lips and saying, "Grandmother, I also find it strange. Logically speaking, as a lowly slave, how could Green Bamboo enter your main house?" Seeing the old lady's face suddenly sink, she continued, "Why don't you call Green Bamboo up to ask her clearly?"
Liu's face also sank, the reason why Green Bamboo could enter Old Lady's main house was because she had arranged for someone to be in Old Lady's house. Being said by Su Mu Jin like this, Old Lady would definitely interrogate everyone one by one after the event and expose her, wouldn't all these years of currying favor with Old Lady be in vain?! She secretly hated it in her heart but didn't dare show any expression towards Su Mu Jin because there were too many people around. She clenched the silk handkerchief tightly in her hand, her eyes cast downward full of sinister intentions.
Su Mojin, wait till Lü Zhú comes later, I want to see how clear you can speak with your few mouths!
Thinking of this, she felt relieved again. It didn't matter if the old lady suspected that someone by her side was an insider. In recent years, the old lady had become more and more muddled. As long as Green Bamboo accused Su Mu Jin, at that time she would deceive her with a few words and give Song's wife some benefits to let her say some good things in the old lady's ear. The old lady wouldn't care about it anymore!
"It seemed like Mother knew what that girl was going to say to Grandmother." Su Mu Jin covered her lips and smiled lightly, looking as if she were joking.
The second lady's eyes narrowed slightly, and she said with a hint of meaning, "It's not certain that your mother really knows what people want to say, or maybe she doesn't know how to say it!"
"Brother and sister, what do you mean by this?!"
"Oh dear, no need to get angry, Second Mistress." The second mistress waved her handkerchief and took a sip of hot tea, "Your younger sister-in-law was just joking with you."
Su Mo Jin smiled and pursed her lips.
She, this second aunt of mine, is not a good person to get along with. She was the legitimate wife that my second uncle married when he was in Yunzhou Prefecture. At that time, Father had not yet been appointed as an official, and with the Su family's abilities, they could only marry into families that were equally matched. This second aunt of mine, Madame Fang, was one of those whom they married at that time. She doesn't have even a bit of the gentle and quiet nature of a Jiangnan woman; instead, her personality is extremely bold and forthright.
The first wife, however, was extremely disgusted with the concubine, and had little respect for her elder sister who had brought the concubine into the family. For years, she had been at odds with Liu, not only that, but she was also very skilled at winning people over, even pulling in the simple-minded and naive third aunt, and over the years, her struggles with Liu had their ups and downs.
"Grandma, you'd better let Green Bamboo come in quickly, or else Second Aunt and Mother will start fighting." Su Yunjin said with a smile, her eyes teasing.
One sentence eased the tense atmosphere in the room.
Su Mu Jin couldn't help but raise her head, narrowing her eyes to glance at Su Yun Jin, who happened to look over as well. Their gazes met in mid-air, touching briefly before parting ways.
"Alright, alright, you two elders don't know how to restrain yourselves, making the younger ones laugh! The old lady lovingly patted Su Yunjin's hand and said kindly, "If you two lead my dear granddaughter astray, see if I'll let you off easily." Seeing Liu Shi and Fang Shi not speaking again, the old lady instructed Song Mama, "Bring that girl in, I want to see what she has to say to this old woman."
Green bamboo was soon led into the house by Song's nanny, accompanied by a slightly gloomy Sheng Xiao.
Su Mochen exchanged a glance with Sheng Xiao, who nodded imperceptibly. Su Mochen leaned back in his chair, waiting to see the show.
"What's going on here? Who can tell me clearly?" The old lady glared at Green Bamboo and Sheng Xiao with a stern face. Green Bamboo, in a panic, suddenly knelt down to the ground with a "thud", thinking that she was still afraid of framing her elder sister, clenching the brocade pouch tightly in her hand, but unable to utter a complete sentence from her mouth.
Liu's warning glance made her even more frightened.
Qingqiu slowly knelt down on the ground, her voice calm and collected. "Since Green Bamboo can't explain herself, I'll speak first." She paused for a moment before continuing in a soft tone, "This morning, Big Miss got up early to pay respects to Old Madam, and she left me to watch over the garden at Jin Garden. It's usually just Qingqiu and I who take care of Big Miss's daily life. I had just finished making Big Miss's bed when I saw Green Bamboo enter the room with a broom and dustpan. She's always been in charge of cleaning Miss's room, so I didn't think much of it. But then she started wiping down the treasure shelf for Big Miss, holding onto a vase for a long time without putting it down. I grew suspicious and went over to take a look. To my surprise, this servant girl actually pulled out one of Miss's silk pouches from the vase and secretly hid it in her sleeve! I was about to punish her when she suddenly ran off to Chunhui Garden like a madwoman, saying she had an urgent matter to report to Old Madam."
"Qing Xiao gave Green Bamboo a stern look and continued, 'As it happens, I also need to report this matter to Old Madam, so I followed Green Bamboo here to Chun Hui Garden. Old Madam, Green Bamboo, a mere servant girl, dares to steal the young lady's belongings. Such audacity is beyond comprehension! Please, Old Madam, do justice for the young lady and uphold her rights!'"
