Instantly, everyone present was stunned!

Liang Yuan was the first to react. “Father, you’re still here, yet Sister-in-law completely disregards you! She orders people beaten just like that—how outrageous!”

Liang Yunshan was already feeling ashamed and angry, because Qin Shuying’s words were implicitly accusing him—accusing him of being unable to distinguish right from wrong, of indulging Old Madam Liang and Luo Meixiang in harming Zhao Wanniang and then Liang Zhen, of failing to seek justice for them.

But regarding Zhao Wanniang’s matter, Qin Shuying knew nothing, yet she dared to repeatedly use it to provoke him. It was infuriating!

Liang Yunshan angrily rebuked, “Eldest daughter-in-law, what madness has possessed you!”

Qin Shuying sneered, “Father, you don’t punish such a servant who knows no hierarchy, and instead ask what madness has possessed me? Do you want the censors to say that our Earl’s mansion is now worse than a destitute household?”

Then she extended her right hand, pointing at Jinxiu. “What kind of thing are you? Did I give you permission to speak? Coming up to lecture me right away? Slapping you twice is only because you serve in Old Madam’s courtyard. If not for Old Madam’s sake, I would immediately have you sold off, you unruly creature!”

Lu Ye had used considerable force, and Jinxiu already tasted the metallic sweetness of blood in her mouth.

She swallowed that mouthful and looked at Liang Yunshan with tears in her eyes. “My lord, this servant is just a slave, and the First Madam is the master. If the master wants to beat this servant, this servant has no complaints. It’s just that this servant doesn’t understand something. My lord, may this servant ask the First Madam a question?”

Qin Shuying sneered. Indeed, this was a fine dog trained by that old woman—quite stubborn and clever too, so quick to counterattack, every word containing a trap.

Liang Yunshan was also quite angered by Qin Shuying’s words. Although her words had some merit, the people from Old Madam Liang’s courtyard—what did Qin Shuying think she was to threaten to sell them off at will?

Liang Yunshan said coldly, “Ask!”

Jinxiu straightened her back. “First Madam, this servant is a slave, and if you want to beat this servant, this servant can only let you beat her. However, this servant serves at Old Madam’s side, and the First Madam probably doesn’t have the authority to sell this servant off. This servant kindly reminds you to save you from people talking behind your back about your hands reaching too far into your grandmother’s quarters.”

Qin Shuying smiled and said, “Jinxiu, Old Madam has been instigated by ungrateful slaves like you to the point where she can casually insult even the First Miss. Our Earl’s mansion dares not employ such slaves, nor can we afford to! Go out and ask around—which family’s grandmother would insult her own legitimate granddaughter in front of so many people like this? So those words you just spoke weren’t Old Madam’s words at all, but your own words as a lowly slave who recognizes no master, meant to humiliate the First Miss! Should such a lowly slave be kept around to humiliate even more masters? What prevents me from selling you off? Which family’s First Madam doesn’t manage the household upon entering? Only in our Earl’s mansion—I don’t know what kind of rules we have—I’ve been married for several months and haven’t even touched the edge of household management! If I were to discuss this with Her Majesty the Empress in the palace, tell me, should I be managing the household, or should the First Madam be managing it? Do I have the right to sell you off or not? Recognizing no master, sowing discord—Lu Ye, hit her again!”

Lu Ye was still standing nearby, and upon hearing this, she raised her arm again.

“Stop!”

“Stop!”

Liang Yunshan, Luo Meixiang, Liang Yuan, and Liang Qiong all shouted in unison.

Having learned from the previous experience, and being quite perceptive to begin with, Jinxiu immediately dodged Lu Ye’s hand. When Lu Ye missed the first time, she reached out to strike again.

“Stop!”

Liang Yunshan was furious beyond measure and grabbed his teacup to throw at Lu Ye.

Lu Ye was completely unprepared and was struck in the back. Liang Yunshan had used considerable force, and Lu Ye immediately staggered with an “Ouch!”

Qin Shuying stepped forward to support Lu Ye and sneered, “The Earl truly has impressive authority! Lu Ye is just a commoner, not even a servant of the Earl’s mansion, yet Father strikes at will! Now the Earl’s mansion truly disregards even national law!”

National law, national law…

Liang Yunshan was so angry smoke seemed to pour from his seven orifices as he pointed at Qin Shuying. “Qin Shuying, you, you, you are truly going too far! You show no respect for your elders, you’re cunning…”

Ever since Qin Shuying had continuously confronted Liang Yunshan at Songtao Residence last time, she had never intended to endure silently again, nor did she plan to be that submissive little daughter-in-law who smoothed ruffled feathers.

Now, how could she give Liang Yunshan a chance to scold her? She seized the conversation: “The Earl is so angry simply because you think I was wrong to discipline Jinxiu, simply because you’re certain those words weren’t spoken by Jinxiu but by Old Madam. However, I really want to ask the Earl something: would other families’ grandmothers humiliate their own legitimate granddaughters like this? My lord, can you tell me? Which family would do such a thing? If the Earl can find just one such household among the noble families in the capital, I’ll say nothing more!”

Liang Yunshan looked around.

Over a hundred people suddenly felt chilled to the bone. Yes, would a legitimate grandmother humiliate her own legitimate granddaughter like this?

Of course not.

Everyone knew the weight of those sixteen characters.

Curiosity killed the cat. The somewhat clearheaded servants began exchanging glances—should they leave? Then, several servants edged toward the door, and finding no one stopping them, they reached the entrance and slipped away like smoke.

Then more people began to slip away. Before long, all who could leave had departed. The entire courtyard, aside from the masters, contained only Jinxiu, Lu Ye and her companions, plus Nanny Peng and Qiao’er who were still kneeling on the ground.

Luo Meixiang was completely oblivious to the servants’ actions, having been shocked by Qin Shuying’s unrelenting tirade.

This was truly the first time she had witnessed Qin Shuying’s formidable eloquence. She had only heard about it before, and their previous confrontations hadn’t been this intense. Now she truly experienced Qin Shuying’s ability to both argue and dissemble.

The entire courtyard of servants had fled, including her own servants, yet Luo Meixiang said nothing.

Nanny Peng and Qiao’er looked at each other, uncertain whether to stay or go.

At this moment, Liang Zhen looked at Nanny Peng and spoke: “You may go as well. Be more careful in your future actions, and don’t let people use you as weapons without your knowledge. Furthermore, I’ll remind you of something: after you return, pay attention to your own lives. You’ve seen things you shouldn’t have seen and been exposed by me. The mastermind behind this probably cannot let you live. Years ago, all the people who served at my side died this way, and all the people who served at my mother’s side also died this way. After my grandmother gave birth to Father and the steward concubine in the mansion gave birth to children, all the people at their sides also died. Do you understand what I mean?”

Nanny Peng was already in her sixties—how could she not understand? She immediately collapsed to the ground, unable to remain kneeling.

Qiao’er also understood. She was so frightened her whole body trembled as she stammered incoherently, “First, First, First Master, please, please spare this servant’s life…”

Liang Yunshan stood frozen in place, unable to move.