Hai Tang and Qiu Kui were startled and quickly descended from the railing. Looking up, they saw it was the Young Lady who had arrived. She wore a crimson satin jacket with ruyi patterns and light makeup, yet her appearance was strikingly beautiful. Her cold gaze fell directly upon them as she stood in the courtyard surrounded by a large group of people.

The two little maids had never faced such a situation before. Recalling what they had just said, they were so frightened their legs went weak. They fell to their knees with a thud, paying respects to Jin Chao and Concubine Luo. The round-faced maid, slightly quicker-witted, said with a trembling voice: “We couldn’t find the Concubine anywhere, so we were just resting for a moment.”

Jin Chao walked up to them. The two only dared to look at her satin shoes embroidered with larks.

“I just asked if you want to become concubines. Who taught you the rule that you don’t need to answer when your master asks a question?”

The two maids immediately began kowtowing, repeatedly admitting their mistake. They were well aware of what had happened to Liu Xiang. The Young Lady was ruthless—no maid or servant in the entire household dared disobey her. They feared being thrown out of the mansion, after which they would have no way to survive even in Shi’an.

“We don’t want to be concubines! We don’t! This servant knows her mistake. Please spare us, Young Lady…”

Luo Su watched in astonishment from the side. Jin Chao hadn’t even scolded these two maids yet, hadn’t said a harsh word, and hadn’t punished them. Yet they were already terrified to this extent.

“Concubine Luo, come here,” Jin Chao beckoned Luo Su over.

Only then did the two maids understand. Concubine Luo had left early in the morning to seek help, and she had invited the Young Lady over!

“These maids are yours. How do you want to punish them?” Jin Chao asked her.

Luo Su hesitated for a moment, then said softly: “Perhaps… they should kneel in the corridor for half… no, one hour…”

Jin Chao nodded and said to Matron Liu standing nearby: “Matron Liu, you heard how Concubine Luo wants them punished.”

Matron Liu quickly replied: “This servant understands and will get a shovel right away.”

Jin Chao nodded in approval. Matron Liu hurried off to find a small garden trowel used for tilling soil.

“Young Lady, why is a shovel needed for kneeling punishment?” Luo Su asked her.

Jin Chao smiled and said: “This is all Matron Liu’s idea. How would I know?”

Meanwhile, Matron Liu chipped ice blocks from the small pond nearby. Together with Matron Chen, they spread the ice on the ground, then said to Hai Tang and Qiu Kui: “Young ladies, we’ve prepared everything. Come and kneel quickly.”

They were to kneel on that pile of cold, prickly ice…

Hai Tang and Qiu Kui exchanged glances, then gritted their teeth and walked to the ice pile to kneel. Kneeling on ice for an hour was still better than being driven out of the mansion…

“It’s quite lively here,” another voice sounded from the doorway. It was Qiao Wei and Zi Ling, who entered with several guards.

Qiao Wei first bowed to Jin Chao: “I didn’t expect to find the Young Lady here. This servant heard that the maids at Jing’an Residence were not serving their mistress properly, so I came specially to discipline them. Who would have thought the Young Lady had already disciplined them? That’s truly for the best.”

Jin Chao turned to look at her, the corners of her mouth lifting in a slight smile: “Heard? From whom?”

Qiao Wei answered neither humbly nor arrogantly: “I heard it from an old woman sweeping outside. Coincidentally, Miss Zi Ling and I were both passing by here.”

“This Jing’an Residence is indeed remarkable—even the sweeping old women and serving maids love to gossip,” Jin Chao smiled and instructed Qing Pu: “Please invite the old woman who was sweeping outside to come in.”

Only then did Qiao Wei’s expression change. The truth was that Song Concubine had ordered her to keep a constant watch on Jing’an Residence, and she knew immediately when the Young Lady arrived. There was no sweeping old woman outside. “She should have left by now. The Young Lady needn’t trouble herself. This servant has already reprimanded them.”

When Qiu Kui and Hai Tang saw Qiao Wei arrive, their pleading gazes naturally turned to her. They were all working for Song Concubine, and if she wouldn’t save them in their time of need, how could she win people’s hearts? The ice had already started to melt after kneeling for a while, soaking through their cotton pants, making their legs so cold they had lost feeling. If they continued kneeling like this, they would surely develop rheumatism in the future…

But Qiao Wei didn’t mention their situation first. Her gaze fell on Matron Liu and Matron Chen: “These two are…?”

“We are matrons from the stables,” Matron Liu answered.

“Since you’re stable matrons, may I ask why you’re in the inner court…”

Qing Pu stepped forward and said coolly: “The Young Lady brought them here to serve. The maids here are ignorant and need someone to discipline them.”

Zi Ling beside her smiled and said: “Although the Young Lady means well, but… Song Concubine is currently managing the inner court. Isn’t the Young Lady overstepping a bit? How can stable matrons be qualified to serve a concubine? Shouldn’t you discuss this with Song Concubine?”

Cai Fu coldly said: “Song Concubine is only temporarily managing the inner court. The authority over household affairs lies with the Madam. The Young Lady has the Madam’s authority token, so her words naturally count. Even if someone should question this, it’s not your place to speak up. Who do you think you are!”

Zi Ling fell silent, but anger seethed in her heart. She was a first-class maid, while Cai Fu was only second-class. How dare she speak to her like that!

“Then… you shouldn’t punish the maids like this. They were just resting while their mistress was away. Why punish them so harshly!”

Qiao Wei stepped back, sighing almost inaudibly. Miss Zi Ling didn’t know her place when speaking. She should go back and inform Song Concubine, to see if the Young Lady could be given a different personal maid.

Song Miao Hua had only been managing the inner court for how long? And now she dared to use this against the Young Lady.

Jin Chao walked up to Zi Ling and smiled: “Even if I didn’t have the authority token, so what? Whoever I want to serve, whoever I want to punish—it’s just a matter of saying the word. Didn’t you always think I was domineering? Well, I am just that domineering. Go tell the Young Master in secret if you want.”

Zi Ling was taken aback. What did the Young Lady mean by this?

She bit her lip and said stubbornly: “I didn’t say anything wrong! Young Lady, you punishing servants is proper, but… you should be moderate. The two maids didn’t commit any serious offense.”

Jin Chao didn’t move, but Qing Pu stepped forward. Remembering how Zi Ling had slandered her Young Lady to the Young Master, she unhesitatingly raised her hand and slapped Zi Ling: “Is this how you should speak to the Young Lady?”

The heavy slap caused Zi Ling’s head to jerk sideways. She immediately covered her face and glared hatefully at Jin Chao.

“You say I’m cruel, so let me show you true cruelty,” Jin Chao said calmly. “Do you want to see more of my cruelty? Why don’t I do to you what you’ve been telling the Young Master about me? Tell me, wouldn’t Jin Rong believe it more then?”

Zi Ling took a step back, her hands trembling.

“You’re a loyal servant and should consider your master’s interests. This sacrifice would be worthwhile, wouldn’t it? Are you not willing?” Jin Chao continued. “I don’t provoke those who don’t provoke me. But if I find out again that you’re gossiping, exaggerating these matters, and confusing right and wrong to the Young Master, I will certainly drive you out of the mansion. Do you think your young mistress can save you? You know very well who has the final say in this household.”

Seeing Zi Ling frozen in place, Bai Yun smiled: “I wonder if Miss Zi Ling has a good memory. Can you remember the Young Lady’s words?”

Zi Ling glared at Bai Yun, no longer daring to look at Gu Jin Chao, and retreated from Jing’an Residence. Qiao Wei sighed and also bowed: “This servant has disturbed the Young Lady. Please forgive me.” With that, she left with the guards.

After everyone had left, Qing Pu said in a low voice: “Young Lady, I’ve finally vented some anger for you. That Zi Ling needed to be taught a lesson.”

Jin Chao smiled: “She needed to experience what it’s like to be bullied by someone with power. So she won’t be confused next time and spread rumors everywhere.”

Bai Yun and Cai Fu both smiled with pursed lips.

Jin Chao looked up and saw that the two maids’ eyes were red and swollen, with tears about to fall.

She walked over to them and had the two matrons help them up. They had only been kneeling for a short while, but their feet were already numb. The two maids hurriedly expressed their gratitude, and Jin Chao said to them: “I didn’t want to punish you. I just wanted you to see who could save you in this situation. You understand what to do now, right?”

The rounder-faced one nodded: “This servant understands and will serve Concubine Luo well from now on. Please rest assured, Young Lady.”

Jin Chao made a sound of acknowledgment: “I’m not afraid you’ll have second thoughts. In any case, the two matrons will stay at Jing’an Residence. If you behave inappropriately in the future, they won’t let you off easily.”

The two matrons responded in unison, secretly delighted. They had thought Jin Chao had only brought them over for the show, not expecting that she would have them stay.

Bai Yun led the two matrons to collect their clothing, while Jin Chao entered the inner chamber with Luo Su.

“When you encounter situations like this in the future, handle them this way. Do you understand?” Jin Chao asked her.

Luo Su looked at Gu Jin Chao, a hint of admiration growing in her heart. Her eyes brightened: “This concubine understands.”

Jin Chao had been out for a long time and was tired. She took Qing Pu and Cai Fu to her mother’s place, where she always had her midday meal.