Li Man'er sat idly in her chair, silent. She appeared drowsy, as if about to fall asleep.
Liu Ya chuckled softly beside her, not daring to make a sound.
Outside the door, Zhu Yu hesitated, then knocked again, her voice growing more respectful. "Miss Li, this servant Zhu Yu, acting on your orders, has brought the presumptuous old woman. She awaits your judgment."
Li Man'er didn't even lift an eyelid.
She wasn't cold, after all.
Zhu Yu glanced at the fool beside her and was furious, reprimanding her in a low voice. "Are there maggots in those two holes you call eyes? You dare to block Miss Li's attendants? How many heads do you have? The Marquis is a vital minister of the state, and has old ties with our Xiao family. Miss Li is the legitimate eldest daughter of the Marquis's manor, a distinguished guest of the Seventh Miss. How dare you slight her maid?"
These words were merely for Li Man'er's ears. If she truly intended to scold a servant, would she do it outside her door? There was no space to discipline anyone within the Xiao family.
Li Man'er remained unmoved, as if she hadn't heard a word.
Zhu Yu gritted her teeth, staring at the closed door, wishing she could kick it open.
She dared not, and could only imagine it. Turning her gaze to the old woman beside her, her anger flared.
"To offend Miss Li is to show disrespect to our young lady as well. You will kneel here until Miss Li forgives you!" After speaking, Zhu Yu gave the old woman a meaningful look, signaling her to beg for mercy and put this matter to rest.
The old woman understood and slowly knelt on the ground, weeping as she kowtowed. "Miss Li, please forgive this servant. My heart was clouded by greed, and I committed a mistake. I beg Miss Li to spare me this time. I was wrong."
As she cried, the old woman kowtowed to Li Man'er, her plight appearing truly pitiable.
Li Man'er still paid her no attention, instead exchanging knowing glances with Liu Ya, as if to say, "I'm avenging you, I'm supporting you."
Liu Ya, basking in the warmth of the fire, felt a deep sense of comfort, both in her body and her heart.
Outside the door, Zhu Yu did not feel the same. The situation had unfolded rather suddenly, and she had come in a hurry, wearing only a padded jacket. The wind now blew through it, chilling her to the bone and causing her to shiver uncontrollably.
"Useless creature, keep kowtowing until Miss Li forgives you." Zhu Yu hugged her arms, leaning heavily against a pillar under the eaves, hoping to block the wind and find some warmth.
The old woman wailed and cried, but Li Man'er remained inside the room, silent.
Zhu Yu could see it clearly now: Miss Li was deliberately making things difficult for her mistress. She had agreed on the surface, but was now seizing on a minor incident. This was clearly an attempt to blackmail their young lady. Did she perhaps want something more?
With this thought, Zhu Yu lost any desire to linger. She intended to return to her young lady immediately and report that Miss Li's temper needed to be managed. If her young lady sent her back, she would at least wear a cloak or wrap herself in a thick coat.
Just as Zhu Yu was about to leave, the door behind her suddenly opened. She inwardly cursed and turned around, offering Li Man'er a deep bow. "Miss Li."
The old woman crawled forward a couple of steps on her knees, reaching out to grab Li Man'er's skirt hem. "Miss, please spare this old servant this once. I dare not do it again."
Liu Ya reacted swiftly, kicking the old woman's arm away. "Look at who you are! Why are you trying to grab our young lady's skirt? The Xiao family certainly has good upbringing. Before the master has even spoken, this wicked servant can't wait to jump out. What do you think you are?"
The old woman, having knelt for a long time, harbored much resentment. She looked up and snapped at Liu Ya, "You little shrew, acting so high and mighty. You're just a servant's spawn yourself, what makes you think you're so precious?"
"Presumptuous!" Li Man'er suddenly roared, startling both the old woman and Zhu Yu.
What was this about?
"You old hag, relying on the fact that you belong to the Seventh Miss's court, you act so lawlessly!"
Zhu Yu was taken aback. "Miss, she knows she was wrong. Our young lady, upon learning of this, sent me with her to kowtow to you."
Zhu Yu tried to maintain a calm demeanor, smiling. "Our young lady said that this old crone offended you, and perhaps should not be allowed to live. However, Miss Li is merciful, and might spare her. That is why we have come."
Li Man'er simply responded with an "Oh," drawing out the sound deliberately, making Zhu Yu's hackles rise.
"I dare not. I am without talent or virtue, and cannot compare myself to your young lady."
This statement relieved Zhu Yu. She feared Li Man'er would dwell on the matter indefinitely.
"However," Li Man'er continued, her voice low as she looked at Zhu Yu, "I detest those wicked servants who constantly try to guess their masters' thoughts. Do they truly know what their masters are thinking?" She paused and asked, "What do you think?"
"Ah?" Zhu Yu waved her hands. "Miss Li misunderstands me. This has nothing to do with me."
"Since she enjoys kneeling so much, let her kneel here for three full hours!"
Upon hearing this, the old woman's body sagged as if she might faint. She tried to plead again, but Liu Ya intervened once more, kicking her hand away.
"Don't touch our young lady's things with your filthy hands." To have someone like her contaminate even a speck of dust on her was a distressing thought.
Zhu Yu interjected, "Miss Li, the climate in Mobei is unlike that of the capital. Kneeling outside for three hours in winter here could be very dangerous."
"Then let her die!" Li Man'er was furious. "I have truly never seen such an arrogant servant. She claims everything is for her mistress's own good. Bah! How could someone like the Seventh Miss use such a dullard as you?"
Liu Ya's lips curved slightly. Her young lady had avenged her, and the old woman had knelt for almost half an hour. This was a fair exchange.
The old woman incessantly kowtowed. "Miss Li, please spare this servant this time! I truly did not do it on purpose."
"Who instructed you? Did your Seventh Miss send you to coerce me?" If she forgave the old woman, she would be considered kind-hearted. If she didn't, she would be seen as malicious?
Wasn't this moral blackmail? She was well aware of such tactics.
"No, no," the old woman quickly waved her hands. "Yes, yes. The Seventh Miss sent this old servant to apologize to you, Miss. Miss Li, I was wrong. Please, for the sake of our Seventh Miss, forgive me this time!"
"You wretched creature, you pick and choose whom to bully. My maid is the one who was wronged. If you truly wish to beg, beg her!" Li Man'er pointed at Liu Ya with her finger, indicating that the old woman had approached the wrong person.
The old woman hastily kowtowed to Liu Ya. "Miss, save me! I was wrong, so wrong."
Liu Ya remained silent.