Chapter 123 - 123 How Impressive
123 How Impressive
However, Yu Jianjia couldn’t sit still anymore. “Big Sister, I respect you as my eldest sister, but Hui Xiang is my maidservant. She said something wrong just now and offended you, so I should be the one to teach her a lesson. If you don’t like what she said and want to slap her, that’s overstepping your boundaries. Do you have any intention of asking me?”
Looking at this pale, delicate, and beautiful face in front of her, Yu Youyao suddenly recalled that in that nightmare, even when Yu Jianjia said the most vicious words in the world, she was still so gentle and delicate—
“Third Sister, Hui Xiang said something wrong. It’s also your fault for not disciplining her well. I remember that Zhi Zi, who was in front of you, was beaten and sold out of the residence because she had made a mistake. It’s obvious that Third Sister is too gentle and kind-hearted, but she can’t even manage her maidservants well. She allowed all the servants to bully their masters and not take them seriously. As your eldest sister, I have to be the bad person and teach them a lesson for you. Is that wrong?”
That’s right? Not only that, if anyone found out, they would think that she had deliberately allowed her maidservant to treat Yu Youyao disrespectfully. Yu Jianjia felt an itch in her throat and started coughing.
Yu Youyao smiled faintly. “Besides, Hui Xiang is just a maidservant, but she keeps trying to sow discord between us sisters. This is a huge taboo in the family. If Grandmother finds out, I’m afraid it won’t just be a few strokes of the paddle and selling her.”
As soon as Yu Jianjia opened her mouth, a gust of cold wind suddenly blew into her mouth and down her throat, freezing her heart.
Previously, Zhi Zi had been flogged and sold out of the residence because of Yu Youyao. Now that Hui Xiang had offended Yu Youyao, it could be said that she had been careless. However, one or two of them had offended Yu Youyao, and there were so many old maids watching. How could there be such a coincidence? If this matter really reached her grandmother’s ears, what good could she get?
The nanny from the Education Department was still in the residence. She would teach her the principle of seniority!
Yu Youyao looked at Chun Xiao. “Aren’t you going to slap her?”
The two old maids pressed Hui Xiang to the ground. No matter how she screamed and struggled, she couldn’t move. Chun Xiao stepped forward and slapped her left and right, causing her to scream and cry. After a few slaps, Hui Xiang’s face turned red and swollen.
Yu Youyao said in a low voice, “Chun Xiao’s father used to be Grandmother’s coachman. He used to practice some moves, and Chun Xiao learned them from him since she was young. When it comes to beating people up, her hands never go soft.”
Yu Jianjia sat there with a pale face, clutching her handkerchief tightly in her hand. Every slap was crisp and loud. It was obvious that she had used a lot of strength. It had clearly hit Hui Xiang’s face, but she felt as if she had been slapped.
After ten slaps, Yu Youyao said calmly, “Stop!”
Chun Xiao stopped and returned to Yu Youyao’s side. She received the tea from the maidservant and handed it to Eldest Miss.
Both sides of Hui Xiang’s face were swollen like a pig’s head. Her hair was messy as she crawled on the ground, sobbing softly. Yu Jianjia asked Ai Ye to help her up.
Yu Jianjia pursed her lips and said coldly, “Big Sister, you’re really impressive. She was the one who spoke rudely when the joss sticks were in your hands today. However, I have to ask Big Sister carefully. How did Manager Sun manage to take back the finished clothes? Did everyone else have theirs sent back, or were only mine affected?”
Yu Youyao pursed her lips slightly and glanced at Dong Mei. She had been holding a wooden tray in her hand, and there was a plain brocade dress neatly folded on top of it. It was the style that she had picked out previously. Manager Sun had prepared it and sent it over.
Hence, she said slowly, “If you don’t mind, you can wear this plain dress of mine. My figure is about the same as yours now, and this dress is also plain and elegant. It’s probably suitable for you.”
She had originally planned to do this, but Hui Xiang retorted and changed the topic. Now that she had mentioned this again, she wanted to give both parties a way out.
However, Yu Jianjia did not appreciate it. She was certain that Yu Youyao was just as Hui Xiang had said, deliberately making things difficult for her. She pursed her lips, her expression weak and stubborn. “Even if something goes wrong with my own clothes, I have to know where it went wrong. Isn’t it too much for Big Sister to deal with it privately? I’ll talk to Father and let him comment on this.”
With that, Yu Jianjia stood up to leave.
Yu Youyao did not stop her. She only turned to Xia Tao and said, “Go to the front courtyard and borrow a book called “Ritual Dances to Confucius” from Zhao Da.”
Xia Tao responded and left.
Yu Youyao said calmly, “When Father’s book is here, Third Sister should take a good look at it. Otherwise, Third Sister will think that I’m making things difficult for you and deliberately asked Manager Sun to send your clothes back.”
Yu Jianjia felt that something was amiss. It was just a piece of clothing, so why did it have to do with her father? And why was it related to the “Ritual Dances to Confucius”?
At this thought, she calmed down.
Yu Youyao was even willing to give away the clothes in the house, so it was unlikely that she would do anything bad to a piece of clothing. Something must have really happened to the clothes.
It was Yu Youyao’s first day managing a household, so it made sense for her to be more cautious. After all, if something went wrong with her clothes, it would implicate her entire family, or even the entire clan!
After figuring all this out, Yu Jianjia was in no hurry to leave. She covered her mouth with her handkerchief and coughed lightly as she apologized, “Big Sister, I’m sorry. I was a little rash just now. Mother is still sick. Big Sister helping to manage the household is also helping to share Mother’s burden. It’s not easy for Big Sister to manage the household. My health isn’t good, so I can’t share Big Sister’s burden. I’m already too ashamed. How can I kick up a fuss with Big Sister over such a small matter? I’m the one who’s being insensible. Big Sister, please bear with me.”
She was also furious because of what had happened in the residence. Seeing that Yu Youyao was punishing Hui Xiang in front of her, she lost her composure.
Yu Youyao nodded. “It’s good that you understand. I’m the eldest sister. Since you’ve done something wrong, I naturally have to be more tolerant. Mother is still sick. As her children, even if we can’t help much, we should be careful with our words and actions. Everything should be done properly, in case anything goes wrong and Mother gets worried. How can she rest in peace?”
Her calm words made Yu Youyao purse her lips. She didn’t expect Yu Youyao to take it so seriously, as if she was really wrong. “Big Sister is right. When Mother is recuperating, I’ll have to trouble you to manage the family matters. Thank you, Big Sister.”
With that, she looked up at Yu Youyao with a sincere expression.
Yu Youyao, who was sitting under the magnolia tree, was wearing a red eight-piece dress and a gold-plated veil. Her body seemed to be glowing, and even her eyes were dazzled.
The child’s face was still very young, but when she swept her gaze over them, there was a hint of coldness, like the bone-chilling cold of spring. Her hands couldn’t help but tremble from the pressure!