When Fu Zhen arrived, Yuanbao was dragging the struggling Hemiao outside.
Hemiao's hair was in disarray, and there were bloodstains on her face. She looked extremely disheveled.
Fu Zhen watched coldly. By chance, she caught a glimpse of Hemiao's eyes, which were bright with determination, like an unwilling she - wolf.
If there were no grudges between her and Hemiao, Fu Zhen would quite appreciate such a person.
Arrogant, ruthless, ambitious but lacking in brains. She would have been a very useful pawn.
What a pity.
Fu Zhen walked over with Cuihuan. "Yuanbao."
Yuanbao turned around and saw Fu Zhen walking over with a pale face and knitted eyebrows, as if she couldn't bear to watch. He quickly explained, "This girl is not well - behaved. She tried to get involved with the heir. That's why I'm dragging her out. I didn't mean to startle the Second Miss. Please forgive me, Second Miss."
Then, he waved his hand and scolded, "Hurry up and drag her away!"
Several people worked together, holding Hemiao down forcefully, and quickly dragged her away.
Yuanbao bowed to Fu Zhen again and was about to follow them when Fu Zhen called him back. "Wait. After that girl is dragged away..."
She looked extremely reluctant, obviously thinking of Hemiao's fate.
Yuanbao smiled, his words rather casual. "Naturally, the only outcome is to be sold."
He was a servant born into the family. His father was the chief steward beside the marquis. He had been traveling with his master all year round and was already used to such things.
When the heir was just coming of age, there were many fearless maids who wanted to sleep with him. It was only after the madam severely disciplined them that things calmed down. Who would have thought that there would be such a maid again.
All ambition and no brains. People like this didn't even know how they died.
Yuanbao saw that although Fu Zhen looked reluctant, she didn't stop him in the end, and he felt relieved.
It seemed that although the Second Miss was soft - hearted, she still knew the rules.
He was most afraid that the Second Miss would break the rules of the marquis's mansion out of pity. Then he would be in a difficult position.
After bowing in a hurry, he turned and trotted away.
Since Hemiao was going to be sold, he had to contact the matchmaker himself. After the sale, he also had to report back to the heir. If he delayed any longer, he would have to face the heir's cold look again.
After his figure disappeared from sight, she slowly removed the expression on her face and gradually became expressionless.
Cuihuan looked at Fu Zhen's expression and whispered, "Miss, don't be soft - hearted."
She had witnessed many things by the madam's side, so she couldn't feel sorry for these over - ambitious maids.
But Fu Zhen had never seen such a scene. She was afraid that this plan would be ruined by Fu Zhen's untimely soft - heartedness.
It didn't matter if she was punished, but she couldn't let the miss's reputation be damaged.
Fu Zhen smiled and walked back with Cuihuan. The rising cold wind blew away her soft words.
"Of course I won't be soft - hearted."
After Hemiao was dragged away, someone cleaned up the study.
Chen Tingfeng went back to his bedroom to take a bath. With his slightly damp long hair, he returned to the study.
The mess on the ground had already been cleaned up. He stared at the floor for a moment and called out, "Qian Tong, go and investigate."
A young servant slipped in from outside. He had an ordinary appearance, the kind that would be lost in a crowd. He bowed and said, "Yes."
Then, he slipped out again, his steps light, as if he had some martial arts skills.
Chen Tingfeng's eyes were deep. He sat quietly in front of the desk, his right index finger gently tapping on the desktop.
The people in his courtyard were all hand - picked by him. For a maid to suddenly sneak in, there must be something fishy.
At this time, Yuanbao rushed in. Still out of breath, he said, "Heir, the matter is taken care of."
Chen Tingfeng didn't look at him. His right hand kept moving. "Did you find out anything?"
Yuanbao scratched his head. "That girl only said that she wanted to be a mistress. The maids who shared a room with her egged her on. For a moment, she lost her head, bribed the woman in the kitchen, took over Orchid's job of delivering tea, and then sneaked into our courtyard."
"What about Orchid?"
"She said she had eaten something bad and was bedridden."
Chen Tingfeng sneered.
Yuanbao didn't dare to say a word. In his heart, he imitated Chen Tingfeng's cold tone and cursed "despicable".
To step on others to climb up for her own ambition, such a ruthless maid was not welcome in the mansion.
"You don't need to investigate this matter anymore. Go down."
What Hemiao said was true, but not the whole truth.
Chen Tingfeng lowered his eyes and played with the jade thumb ring on his hand. For a moment, his curiosity was piqued.
The mansion had been peaceful for too long. Suddenly, there were ripples again.
Interesting.
Hemiao struggled fiercely when she was being sold. By accident, she spat out the gag in her mouth and shouted loudly.
The maids in the main courtyard heard her voice. Although they saw Yuanbao quickly stuff the gag back into her mouth and drag her out of the door, they still hesitated and reported the matter to Madam Bai.
Madam Bai was drinking tea. When she saw Nanny Li leading a cleaning maid in, she asked, "What's going on?"
Nanny Li bowed. "It's a matter in the heir's courtyard. This maid is smart and has found out everything."
Then, she stepped aside.
The maid knelt on the ground and kowtowed. "At that time, I was cleaning outside the courtyard wall. I heard a shout. Out of curiosity, I quietly followed. I saw Steward Yuanbao, who serves the heir, dragging a maid out of the door. There was a matchmaker waiting at the door."
Madam Bai gradually frowned. "Is that maid from Shaochuan's courtyard?"
The maid on the ground shook her head. "Reply to the madam. That maid was a cleaner in the garden. I don't know whose backer she found. She took over the job of Orchid, the maid who delivered tea in the heir's courtyard, and sneaked in secretly."
Madam Bai paused. She immediately understood what had happened. A cold smile appeared on her face. "Don't worry about it. The heir will handle the matters in his courtyard himself."
The maid knew that she had been too talkative. She was afraid that she wouldn't get a reward. She was a bit annoyed in her heart, but she didn't dare to show it on her face. She kowtowed and then backed out.
Nanny Li came out right after. She called the maid over. "Come here."
The maid quickly followed her to a corner and was stuffed with a silver bracelet.
"Nanny?" The maid was shocked.
A little smile appeared on Nanny Li's serious face. "You did a good job. Just because the madam doesn't care doesn't mean we servants can ignore it. In the future, if there are such things, just come and report them to me."
The maid showed an excited smile and bowed cheerfully. "I remember, thank you, Nanny."
Nanny Li watched her run away and then walked back into the main room by herself.
The heir was mature for his age and did things in an orderly manner. The madam usually didn't interfere much in ordinary matters. But regarding concubines and maids - in - waiting, although the madam didn't say anything, Nanny Li knew that the madam still cared.
The marquis's mansion was peaceful because the marquis was not interested in women. Over the years, there had only been one concubine by his side. Although the heir seemed not to understand much about matters between men and women for now, it was better to be safe than sorry. They couldn't let those villains take advantage.
Madam Bai saw what Nanny Li had done just by glancing at her wrist. She said helplessly with a smile, "Shaochuan is already grown - up. He knows his limits. Why did you waste a silver bracelet? That was just made for you during the Chinese New Year last year."
"If the madam is so kind - hearted, I should keep a closer eye on things for the madam. If the madam feels sorry for this old servant, how about giving me a few more silver ingots during the Chinese New Year this year so that I can make a bigger one?" Nanny Li said with a smile.
"I'll give you a reward. Of course, I will. I'll give you a few big silver ingots then, so that you can make ten or eight silver bracelets to weigh down your wrists." Madam Bai said with a smile as she tapped Nanny Li.