Although Old Madam was shrewd and decisive, her advancing age had made her heart extremely soft. Especially after Qin Yongzhou’s death, her health had collapsed all at once. She often spent ten days to half a month at a time fasting and chanting Buddhist prayers, and hadn’t ordered anyone’s execution in several years.
Yet she had ordered Nanny Zhang beaten to death without even a trial—this was unprecedented! No one dared plead for mercy, no one dared speak.
Xu Shi wanted to defend herself, but when Qin Yongtao shot her a fierce glare, she was too frightened to say another word.
Old Madam understood everything, knew everything. Nanny Zhang was merely a scapegoat—the real fury was directed at Xu Shi!
That fool Xu Shi!
Qin Yongtao cursed Xu Shi thoroughly in his heart.
Qin Shuying lowered her eyelids. Telling her not to recount meant she shouldn’t inquire further about what had already been taken. Copying “Women’s Precepts” and “Women’s Instructions” one hundred times was her punishment. Though one hundred times was quite a lot, there was no time limit—Old Madam still showed favoritism. Today’s results were not far from what she had expected.
But letting Xu Shi off like this—there was no choice, after all, she was Lianpin’s birth mother.
Old Madam had no choice but to act this way.
Ostensibly executing Nanny Zhang, actually warning Xu Shi.
“Eldest daughter-in-law, I see you’ve been overworked lately—dizzy, lacking energy—which allowed cunning slaves to exploit you. Rest well for a month. Second daughter-in-law, you’ll manage household affairs this month. We’ll discuss further after eldest daughter-in-law has rested!”
Xu Shi looked up at Old Madam in disbelief. Old Madam’s eyes calmly met hers. Having grown accustomed to being domineering over the years, Xu Shi instinctively wanted to object, but before she could open her mouth, Qin Yongtao said: “Mother is right. It’s all your son’s lack of filial piety that has troubled Mother!”
Old Madam clearly saw Xu Shi’s defiance and felt even more weary. Waving her hand, she said: “Enough, I’m tired. Don’t disturb me unless there’s urgent business these next few days.”
Though Zou Shi was surprised, she still agreed. Xu Shi glared at her fiercely, but Zou Shi merely lowered her head slightly, showing no fear.
The matter was thus settled.
Returning to Spring Garden, Qin Shuying was urged by Nanny Fu to rest on the imperial couch, reviewing the day’s events once more.
After drinking a cup of tea and calming her swirling thoughts, Qin Shuying summoned Nanny Fu: “Nanny, whatever matters you have, you can speak now.”
Earlier, Nanny Fu had been pacing anxiously outside.
Nanny Fu let out a long breath: “Miss, what you did today was far too risky! When news of the morning’s events reached my ears, it was already lunchtime, and I was frantic with worry. If something had happened to you, Miss, how could this old slave face Master and Madam!”
Tears came to Nanny Fu’s eyes as she spoke: “I thought then that I shouldn’t have encouraged Miss to fight with Xu Shi. As long as you kept your life, let Xu Shi usurp Master and Madam’s legacy. Money is external—you can’t take it with you in life or death. What could be more precious than Miss’s life? This old slave truly regrets it!”
Qin Shuying sipped her tea lightly: “And now?”
“Miss, this old slave is still frightened! Miss, Xu Shi isn’t so easily dealt with. Since you’ve already taken this step, there’s absolutely no retreating—one step back is a cliff. Before, Xu Shi might have spared your life, but now if Miss retreats, Xu Shi probably won’t let you live. Though Old Madam supports you, she’s advanced in years. We must be doubly vigilant—we can only win, not lose! Also, Miss, never act alone in such matters again. You must tell this old slave—it’s too dangerous!”
Qin Shuying felt somewhat comforted—Nanny Fu was clearheaded after all. At Nanny Fu’s last words, warmth filled Qin Shuying’s heart, and though she agreed aloud, she disagreed inwardly.
For her sake, Nanny Fu had already placed her entire family in danger. Her milk-brother’s life outside the manor was difficult, and whenever he found better work, Xu Shi would always interfere. If she involved Nanny Fu in everything, who knew if Xu Shi might find ways to transfer Nanny Fu away. However, if she couldn’t turn things around, Nanny Fu’s family would be the first Xu Shi wouldn’t spare.
So she had to win.
After thinking, Qin Shuying asked Nanny Fu: “Nanny, how did you come to serve me?”
Nanny Fu was startled—why was Miss bringing this up?
Still, she answered truthfully: “Before Miss was born, Master and Madam went to offer incense and found this old slave collapsed from hunger on the road. Madam took pity and brought me back, not only saving my life but giving me travel money. When I returned to my hometown with that money, I found my parents had died and my only brother had disappeared. As a weak woman needing to survive, I had to marry—so I wed an honest merchant. When I had a child, by coincidence, Master and Madam were seeking a wet nurse for Miss, so I came to serve you.”
Qin Shuying calculated—Nanny Fu was now in her early forties. According to her account, she was twenty-four or twenty-five when she first met her parents. So she hadn’t married before that age?
As if reading Qin Shuying’s thoughts, Nanny Fu said: “Miss, this old slave entered the palace at ten and was released at twenty-five. When I first met Master and Madam, my travel money had been stolen—I had no money for food and fainted by the roadside. Madam was truly kindhearted, saving not only me but also Lu Ye. When we were in the south, Master and Madam frequently showed charity, and the common people respected them.”
Qin Shuying suddenly understood.
No wonder Nanny Fu had sharper eyes than ordinary servants, plus more calculating and scheming ability—she must have seen or heard of palace intrigues. Many palace maids who left became governesses, but Nanny Fu hadn’t, probably due to her straightforward temperament.
Qin Yongzhou was truly remarkable—he’d gained both good reputation and countless riches. No wonder Old Madam so favored this youngest son!
As they spoke, Lu Ye entered: “Nanny Liu from First Madam’s service is here.”
Qin Shuying nodded: “Let her in.”
Nanny Liu entered. Like Nanny Zhang, she was Xu Shi’s right hand. Nanny Liu rarely visited Spring Garden and had little direct contact with Qin Shuying. Now that Nanny Zhang had been executed, Nanny Liu inevitably felt the sorrow of the rabbit at the fox’s death, her attitude toward Qin Shuying changing from previous contempt to solemnity.
“Seventh Miss, this old slave greets you!”
Qin Shuying unhurriedly sipped her tea, saying coolly: “Nanny is too kind.”
This noble, composed bearing was utterly different from her previous weak appearance, startling Nanny Liu into reflexively stepping back. Suddenly realizing this was inappropriate, she quickly said: “Seventh Miss, here are the indenture contracts of the maids and servants.”
Qin Shuying said: “Give them to Nanny Fu.”
“Yes.”
Nanny Liu handed the contracts to Nanny Fu, who carefully checked them while Qin Shuying slowly drank tea and Nanny Liu stood bowing.
Though she hadn’t attended today’s banquet, she had been present when Nanny Zhang was beaten to death. She would never forget Nanny Zhang’s desperate eyes, never forget the despairing cries of Nanny Zhang’s family.
Though Old Madam hadn’t spoken a single word of blame toward First Madam, merely executing Nanny Zhang showed that First Madam had made a grave error.