After Madam Guo finished speaking and pulled Fangsi to leave, a young maid suddenly entered saying, “The Madam wants you in her room.” Hearing this, Madam Guo had to go to Madam Song’s bedroom. Upon entering, she saw Madam Song had already risen, her face still flushed from sleep, indicating she had just awakened. Song Ke sat in the left chair, Song Tanchai on the right, while Xiang Lan stood beside them serving tea.

Madam Guo’s heart began to pound, but she smiled and said, “Why didn’t you tell me when Madam awoke? The kitchen has freshly made heat-relief soup – would Madam like a bowl?”

Madam Song waved her hand, seemingly unable to look at Madam Guo, her eyes fixed on her son’s expression. Madam Guo thought to herself, “This is bad.” Sure enough, Song Ke spoke: “There’s not much to say today, except that Fangsi has grown older now. She has served before Madam for many years, and her hard work deserves recognition. It’s time to release her from service to be married. Though our household isn’t what it used to be, we can’t treat her poorly. Later, takes fifty taels of silver from the accounts, along with a set of gold and silver hairpins and jewelry, and two bolts of fabric as a reward for her years of service. When she marries, the Song family will provide an additional dowry.”

Although Madam Song had vaguely anticipated this, hearing these words from Song Ke still made her heart tighten. She pleaded, “Young Master, how can you say such things? No matter how inadequate my daughter is, please ask the Madam and masters to guide her more, don’t drive her away. Consider my years of loyal service to Madam, please let me keep some face!”

Madam Song felt sympathetic but glanced at Song Ke, seeing his face as cold as water, she moved her lips but lowered her head without speaking.

Song Tanchai said coldly, “Sending her away respectfully now is already considering your face, Madam. Just ask Fangsi what she did, and you’ll understand why I say this.” It turned out Song Ke had already told Song Tanchai about how Fangsi had instigated the Lin young ladies to cause trouble. Song Tanchai, having grown up reading “Collection of Virtuous Ladies” and “Biographies of Exemplary Women,” was full of proper etiquette, and most despised such improper servants who brought shame to the family. No matter how well Fangsi had treated her before, this incident had turned everything to ashes. Now she only wished to drive Fangsi away and be done with it, hence her discourteous tone.

Madam Guo knelt and said, “Miss, please say something good for my daughter. Since childhood, she has combed your hair, made your silk braids and pouches, and kept you company in conversation to lift your spirits. When you were young and studying, she stood beside you tending to your ink and brushes. In cold weather, she made you thick quilts, in hot weather, she made you sour plum soup. Miss, please consider our past relationship…” As she spoke, she began to choke up. Though these words were directed at Song Tanchai, every word was meant for Madam Song.

Sure enough, Madam Song couldn’t sit still. Being soft-hearted, Madam Guo’s words reminded her of Fangsi’s years of devoted service, moving her to speak, “Ke’er…”

Song Tanchai said angrily, “This was her duty as a maid. Even if she didn’t do these things, at worst she would just be considered lazy, but why would that cause the masters to drive her away? Madam, go ask her what exactly she did!”

Before she finished speaking, the curtain in the side room lifted, and Fangsi rushed in like a gust of wind. She knelt beside Madam Guo, face covered in tears, and begged hoarsely, “I know I was wrong, please don’t drive me away. If you drive me away, I might as well die…” She kept kowtowing repeatedly.

Seeing Madam Song’s eyes reddening, Song Ke quickly spoke, “Madam Guo, please rise. We’re not driving Fangsi away. She’s grown older now, and as they say, ‘A grown woman shouldn’t be kept.’ Seeing her thoughts becoming more complicated, it’s time to let her marry. If she misses Madam in the future, she can always come back to visit. Just now, Madam mentioned giving Fangsi a proper set of jewelry for her dowry – you should thank Madam for this kindness.”

These words left Madam Guo speechless. Indeed, they weren’t driving Fangsi away but sending her off with gifts. Besides, Fangsi had reached the age of marriage.

Fangsi sobbed, “I’m willing to serve Madam, I’ll never marry!”

Madam Guo quickly said, “Yes, since my daughter hasn’t been promised to anyone yet, let her serve Madam for a few more years. We can wait until she’s engaged before she leaves.”

Song Ke felt quite troubled. Madam Guo was a respected elder, and because of her deep relationship with Madam, he still showed her some respect, which made it difficult to deal with Fangsi as well. He had originally planned to send Fangsi away with some valuables, but these mother and daughter were shamelessly persistent, refusing to leave. Looking up, he saw his mother’s sympathetic expression and his sister’s stern face, as if someone owed her money. At this crucial moment, no one could speak up effectively.

By now, Fangsi was crying and kowtowing, “Don’t drive me away! I’ll correct all my faults in the future!”

Song Tanchai stood up angrily, saying, “You’ll correct yourself? You’re just talking! You scheme against your masters for your selfish interests. If you refuse to leave today, I might as well leave this house for peace of mind!”

Madam Guo beat her chest and wailed, “Why must Miss Tan speak so harshly? How are we mother and daughter supposed to live? After serving our masters so diligently, we’ve become enemies. Heaven is truly blind and heartless…”

Seeing the situation becoming unseemly, Xiang Lan pulled Song Tanchai, saying, “Miss, please sit down.” Noticing the worry in Song Ke’s eyes, she knew he was considering his mother’s feelings and couldn’t speak too directly. After thinking briefly, she gave Song Ke a meaningful look. Song Ke immediately understood and said, “Xiang Lan, speak for me.”

Xiang Lan stepped forward and said, “Madam, please dry your tears. Take Fangsi out first, then come back to talk. What place is this? This is Madam’s bedroom – how can you wail and cry here? Aren’t you just causing Madam distress? Madam, you’ve handled matters for so long and served Madam for so many years, have you forgotten this principle? Moreover, letting Sister Fangsi leave to marry was decided by Young Master and Miss, with Madam’s approval. Madam, you must think highly of yourself to directly reject Madam’s decision. Even Young Master’s repeated explanations didn’t work – you’re now trading on your seniority. You kept talking about your loyalty, but now you’re only thinking about your daughter’s interests, not even considering Madam – how can this be called loyalty?”

These words came out like rapid gunfire, with her clever tongue and clear voice, leaving Madam Guo dumbfounded.

Xiang Lan stepped forward again, saying, “Secondly, although Young Master had long thought about letting Fangsi leave to marry, why did he bring it up today? There’s a reason. I’m sure Madam has heard about the commotion in the study this morning – ask Fangsi who caused it. Young Master wanted to save your face, which is why he hasn’t spoken plainly, yet you accuse him of not giving you face!” Then looking at Fangsi, she continued, “When you did such things, breaking rules and proper conduct, you should have expected consequences. Now that Young Master has spoken and Madam has agreed, this is no place for you to linger. Madam, please take her back.”

These words brightened Song Ke’s heart, and he nodded repeatedly at Xiang Lan. Even Song Tanchai showed approval.

Madam Guo secretly harbored hatred, wiped her tears, and said with a cold laugh, “Miss, you put on such airs – even Young Master wouldn’t dare speak to me in such a tone, how dare you? Is this knowing your place?”

Xiang Lan replied, “Though I may not know proper etiquette, I do know one shouldn’t instigate trouble behind others’ backs for personal gain.”

As Madam Guo was about to speak again, Song Ke interrupted, “The old house in the capital needs someone reliable to look after it. Madam, you’re getting older and should go enjoy your retirement. I’ll have another fifty taels drawn from the accounts to send you to the old residence in the capital to rest! Pack up tomorrow and leave – there will be a carriage waiting at the gate.”

Madam Guo felt as if struck by lightning, looking at Madam Song in disbelief. But Madam Song kept her eyes closed, fingering her prayer beads and chanting.

Song Tanchai went to support Madam Song, saying, “Mother, stay with me tonight.” They left directly, ignoring Madam Guo and Fangsi kneeling on the ground.

Behind them, Madam Guo wailed, “Madam, Madam say something, please say something!” She rushed out but was caught by servants waiting at the door and pulled back.

Xiang Lan sighed, “Though Fangsi is detestable, Madam Guo has served for so many years…”

Song Ke said, “Don’t pity her. My mother is generous, but over these years of service, she has stolen countless silver and jewelry. Once I saw Fangsi wearing a pearl and jade-inlaid ornament that was a birthday gift I had specially made for my mother years ago. I quietly asked my mother if she had given the ornament away, and she said no, yet it had simply disappeared. Mother wanted to keep the peace, so the matter was dropped, but since then I’ve kept watch and discovered Madam Guo’s dishonesty. This incident provides a good opportunity to send her away.”

Speaking thus, they reached Song Tanchai’s chamber door. Song Ke rushed forward to help Song Tanchai support Madam Song to sit on the bed. Song Ke respectfully said, “Mother, I’ve discussed with sister – you need someone reliable by your side. From now on, sister will give you Juan Hua to serve you, and I’ll give Junxi to sister. After this summer, we’ll add two more maids… if you don’t like Juan Hua, I can choose someone else.” It turned out that Fangsi had dominated in Madam Song’s quarters, refusing to train young maids, fearing new maids would take her position. Now that she was expelled, Madam Song’s quarters had no capable maids left.

Madam Song, looking exhausted, waved her hand and said, “You decide everything. I’m old now and can no longer make decisions. The people around me can be driven away at will – what more can I say?” She closed her eyes.

Song Ke said, “Mother, Madam Guo was dishonest, and Fangsi was too…”

“I know,” Madam Song opened her eyes to look at Song Ke, “But at my age, what do I seek? Just someone by my side who can chat with me and make me happy. How much could she steal? Can’t I just spend money to buy some happiness?”

Song Ke quickly knelt, and Song Tanchai hurriedly followed suit. Song Ke said through gritted teeth, “Your son is unfilial, causing mother distress. However…”

Madam Song waved her hand again and closed her eyes, saying, “Enough, I can’t argue with all your grand principles. I just want peace. Treat them well, and find a proper way to send them off. They served us after all – we can’t be ungrateful people.”

Song Ke repeatedly agreed. Seeing that Madam Song didn’t want to deal with him anymore, he had to withdraw, giving his sister a look to take good care of their mother before leaving.

Time passed quietly.

The next morning, a sharp scream suddenly came from the main house, followed by Madam Guo’s loud wailing: “My child, how could you be so foolish? Leaving me behind – how am I supposed to live!”

Xiang Lan hurriedly followed Song Ke to investigate. They found that Fangsi had hanged herself. Only her embroidered shoes could be seen slightly protruding from beneath her skirt, swaying back and forth in the air.