Stewardess Lin Shan and Stewardess Peng Hu quickly entered Bright Virtue Hall.

Both stewardesses’ faces were clouded with gloom, mixed with irrepressible fear and undisguisable darkness.

After all, the household rumors had spread with vivid detail. These two stewardesses naturally couldn’t have avoided hearing them. Only because Seventh Miss hadn’t spoken did they have nowhere to defend themselves, even if they wanted to proclaim their innocence. Having occupied these positions for over ten years, how could they be completely clean? Naturally they could only spend their days in constant anxiety. The moment Seventh Miss summoned them, they entered Bright Virtue Hall uneasily, both thinking: Given our backgrounds, even if such matters exist, they’ll probably overlook it for the sake of many years’ service and let it pass in confusion.

Seventh Miss showed no courtesy to the two stewardesses. As soon as they entered the western secondary room, she gave Lixia a meaningful glance. The two maids immediately withdrew from the room, gently closing the door. Her own face was grave as water. She pointed to the small tables. “Both stewardesses, sit!”

How could these two stewardesses dare sit? Stewardess Peng Hu ultimately had less composure. Before Seventh Miss’s bearing, she couldn’t help but drop with a thud to her knees. “Young Madam, we’ve worked conscientiously for many years and never thought improper thoughts. Ever since following at your mother-in-law’s side…”

Seventh Miss frowned slightly and waved her hand, her expression still cold and distant.

“Don’t speak yet.” She nodded toward Accountant Zhuang. “Accountant Zhuang, please explain the account books again for the two stewardesses to hear.—Stewardesses, sit.”

She was immune to both soft and hard approaches. Stewardess Peng Hu could only wipe her tears and sit on a low stool together with Stewardess Lin Shan. Each concentrated as Accountant Zhuang patiently explained the problems in these account books to them again.

Seventh Miss remained impassive, grabbing a handful of rose-flavored melon seeds to slowly crack open in her hand, occasionally lifting her eyes to observe the two stewardesses. She saw that as Accountant Zhuang’s narration continued, both their faces gradually darkened. Stewardess Peng Hu had less composure and had already revealed a face full of indignation. Stewardess Lin Shan bit her lower lip, her eyes rolling rapidly, apparently already thinking hard, actively planning methods to prove her innocence.

But when Accountant Zhuang began methodically analyzing the discrepancies behind the accounts based on the itemized records in the ledgers, both stewardesses fell silent. According to the records in the account books, procurement and storehouse having improprieties was an ironclad fact.

Of course, they could produce the real accounts for face-to-face confrontation and detailed examination…

But having occupied these positions for over ten years, such thorough investigation—even if there were no problems, problems would emerge.

This move by Fifth Young Madam calculated precisely this ruthlessness. If Seventh Miss was slightly inexperienced and wanted to prove the two stewardesses’ innocence by sending people to investigate, she would instead place these two stewardesses in an even more disadvantageous position and thoroughly offend them.

When Accountant Zhuang finished, the room fell completely silent. Seventh Miss’s face was covered with frost. She stared coldly at the two stewardesses for a long moment before asking softly, “Do you two have any explanations?”

Stewardess Lin Shan and Stewardess Peng Hu exchanged glances, both seeing despair in the other’s eyes.

This account book was done far too meticulously.

Just from the ledger surface, there were only some vague data discrepancies. But combining it with capital prices over these years, one could see the problems. It was as if the person keeping accounts wasn’t experienced, merely directly recording the numbers reported from below into the books without much questioning.

Through all the twists and turns, the ultimate target still pointed directly at themselves, yet they had no room to defend themselves. To defend themselves, they’d have to produce the real accounts for thorough examination. But just from their exchanged glances, they understood each other… Even if forced to accept this bucket of dirty water, those real account books absolutely could not be produced.

When Stewardess Lin Shan looked at Seventh Miss again, her heart trembled.

Though this Young Madam was only in her teens this year, not even past the twenty-year threshold, and normally cautious in word and deed, never saying an extra word or rarely doing unnecessary things, she had quietly achieved everything over this half year. Usually the Heir showered her with favor and affection, and the two young masters were reportedly quite close to her as well. Having just taken over household management, she’d obtained the hereditary signet ring. Just by managing affairs for a few days during the Grand Madam’s birthday, she’d already won over several influential stewardesses. Even she herself had unconsciously developed thoughts of attachment…

This was a true expert! You simply couldn’t fathom her methods. You could only see her walking so smoothly step by step, but couldn’t see beneath this smoothness how much planning and scheming this Young Madam had invested.

If she believed what the account books said, would she still summon herself and Stewardess Peng Hu for confrontation?

Stewardess Lin Shan’s mind suddenly cleared. She realized this was an opportunity Seventh Miss was giving her.

Without the slightest hesitation, she immediately knelt down, shuffled forward on her knees several steps closer to Seventh Miss, and kowtowed several times with force.

“Young Madam!” Her voice was hoarse, condensing all the indignant emotions of being wronged into this one cry. “Young Madam, this servant has been wronged!”

Seventh Miss raised one eyebrow and said lightly, “Oh?”

Stewardess Lin Shan bit her teeth, glanced at Stewardess Peng Hu, and said hoarsely, “Today this servant will speak the truth. Young Madam, this servant isn’t that clean either… Over these years, bit by bit, I’ve skimmed off one or two thousand taels of silver. This can’t escape Young Madam’s notice. But this servant is after all Duke’s Madam’s person. How could I ever forget her kindness? How would I suddenly go curry favor with the Grand Madam and Fifth Young Madam? Young Madam is wise, Young Madam sees clearly—this servant has truly been wronged!”

Stewardess Peng Hu suddenly awakened as if from a dream and immediately echoed Stewardess Lin Shan’s wailing. “Young Madam, even if this servant wanted to embezzle money, I wouldn’t necessarily do it together with Fifth Young Madam. Kitchen procurement coming and going—how many places are there to manipulate? Would this servant need to coordinate with those above?”

Though her words were crude, they made good sense. Seventh Miss’s expression gradually softened, though she still pondered in silence. After a long while, she sighed deeply.

“If I’d believed this account book, I wouldn’t have called you in for confrontation today. Both of you rise.”

The two stewardesses immediately showed grateful expressions, rising one by one and sitting at the small tables again.

Only now as they looked at Seventh Miss, their expressions showed even more boundless respect and gratitude.

Seventh Miss casually flipped through the account book again before waving to Accountant Zhuang, actually dismissing even this trusted accountant, making the atmosphere even more mysterious.

After Accountant Zhuang left the room and closed the door, she lowered her voice and said softly, “You both know who made this account book.”

Stewardess Lin Shan and Stewardess Peng Hu exchanged glances. “Accountant Zhang’s wife!”

Their minds raced. In an instant, they suddenly understood everything.

Accountant Zhang’s wife was trying to force the Young Madam to make this matter blow up, forcing her to investigate this account book, forcing her step by step to point the spearhead toward themselves… forcing them both to step down!

A ball of fire immediately blazed in Stewardess Peng Hu’s eyes. “That damned whore! I have no grievances with her, old or new, yet she pushes us toward a dead end—”

She was about to rise and fight Accountant Zhang’s wife to the death. Stewardess Lin Shan quickly embraced her around the waist. “Sister Peng, this is before Young Madam! At least don’t make a scene first!”

Seeing the performance had reached its peak, Seventh Miss also stood up to persuade Stewardess Peng Hu. “Stewardess Peng need not be like this. Matters have escalated to this point—it cannot be resolved with a sentence or two.”

She then revealed portions of her conversation with Duke Pingguo to the two stewardesses.

“This bucket of dirty water was thrown so well. If Xiaoqi hadn’t separately found someone to examine the accounts, I’d probably still be obliviously in the dark, truly misunderstanding you two stewardesses.” Her expression contained some worry. “However, now that Accountant Zhang’s wife has made such a desperate scene by hanging herself, the matter has blown up. I just went to see Duke Pingguo. The old gentleman is also very displeased, quite inclined to investigate thoroughly to the end.”

Now even Stewardess Lin Shan wanted to jump up and fight Accountant Zhang’s wife to the death.

Seventh Miss looked at the two middle-aged women with fire blazing in their eyes and sighed again. “Though I have intentions to defend you two stewardesses, this evidence is arranged so cleverly that even defending is impossible… You stewardesses also said that investigating deeper would not only create great commotion but also be quite inconvenient.”

She paused, then continued, “Xiaoqi also knows of you stewardesses’ hard work over many years, and you’re both Mother’s old servants. I very much want to preserve your entire families and reach a good conclusion.”

She selectively revealed her arguments to Duke Pingguo. “I simply said that the person behind this matter must be Fifth Sister-in-law. Even if it’s true, for Fifth Sister-in-law’s sake, the matter must be covered up. Of course, being so, you two stewardesses couldn’t very well be punished for anything. In the end, before Duke Pingguo, I managed to temporarily protect you both.”

“Young Madam truly has excellent methods!” Stewardess Peng Hu’s face filled with gratitude. She couldn’t help kneeling again, tears streaming down her face. “This servant will be grateful for your kindness all my life!”

Even Stewardess Lin Shan couldn’t help moistening her eyes. “Thank you Young Madam for your grace!”

“However, Duke Pingguo also said we must wait until matters settle down before handling it at leisure.” Seventh Miss’s words took a turn. “Xiaoqi also can’t bear to see you two stewardesses suffer this unjust grievance…”

Now, without her needing to hint further, both stewardesses hastened to guarantee, “Once the storm passes, we’ll immediately resign from our positions on some pretext and absolutely won’t put Young Madam in a difficult position.”

Seventh Miss smiled. She kindly helped up the two high-ranking and powerful stewardesses. “There’s no need to resign from your positions. After all, you both have families to support and need that income to supplement household expenses. In my view, those positions that are both respectable and leisurely—select ones with less profit and arrange for you two stewardesses to transfer there. To outsiders, you’ll still have face. It preserves Fifth Sister-in-law’s face and satisfies Duke Pingguo’s concern for household affairs. Wouldn’t that be the best of all three outcomes?”

Being able to avoid idleness at home and withdraw through respectable means—what more could the two stewardesses say? Stewardess Peng Hu prostrated herself on the ground again, kowtowing loudly several times. “Young Madam is merciful, Young Madam is merciful! Young Madam is Guanyin reincarnated, rescuing the suffering!”

Stewardess Lin Shan was also full of gratitude. “Thank you Young Madam for preserving us both. In future if Young Madam has any need, we two will absolutely not refuse even unto death!”

Only then did Seventh Miss finally relax.

Every aspect of this entire matter had finally been resolved.

She personally went out to call Lixia and the others back into the room, wrung out hand towels for the two stewardesses to tidy their appearance, had them drink a few sips of tea, before indicating they should sit and talk.

“Though this matter can only be settled this way for now, you two stewardesses are after all Mother’s capable subordinates. To suffer such unjust grievance for no reason—not to mention Mother, even I won’t accept it.”

Seventh Miss’s face took on a faint layer of deadly intent. “Our own people may have faults—they can be beaten or punished—but it’s not others’ turn to throw dirty water on our own. This anger is swallowed for now, but one day, it must be recovered from the instigator.”

She paused before asking casually, “You both are clear that Accountant Zhang’s wife has someone behind her, aren’t you?”

Stewardess Lin Shan and Stewardess Peng Hu exchanged glances, both feeling an evil fire rising from their hearts. Stewardess Peng Hu said through gritted teeth, “Fifth Young Madam usually appears so refined—who’d imagine she’s actually so vicious! Framing us for no reason… She deserves to never bear a son in her life!”

Stewardess Lin Shan unexpectedly hesitated again. No matter how malicious Fifth Young Madam was, she was ultimately a master. As a servant, even wanting to deal with her—how could one deal with her—

Seventh Miss nodded. “Fifth Sister-in-law is indeed malicious in intent. However, those under her command are far from just Accountant Zhang’s wife alone. You stewardesses have forgotten—if I wanted to cover this matter up, Accountant Zhang’s wife couldn’t actively expose it. Then who spread the rumors, making this matter boil over so tumultuously…”

Since entering Bright Virtue Hall, the two had been thrown into chaos by Seventh Miss’s words, their emotions激动 and volatile, only following Seventh Miss’s words up and down without thinking carefully. Now awakened by Seventh Miss’s hint, Stewardess Lin Shan recovered first. After pondering silently in her heart for a moment, she suddenly had an epiphany, already breaking out in cold sweat that dripped down.

Fifth Young Madam’s thinking was truly too meticulous!

This false account book had probably been prepared long ago, just waiting for when the Heir’s Wife managed household accounts for the accounting office to point out the flaws. If the Heir’s Wife took the bait, step by step, even if she and Stewardess Peng Hu exhausted themselves proving their innocence, their secret dealings over the years would likely be exposed. Then not only would they themselves be ruined, even Duke’s Madam would lose face…

Just to oppose the Sixth Branch, using herself and Stewardess Peng Hu as scapegoats—Fifth Young Madam truly calculated well! Seeing the Heir’s Wife didn’t take the bait, she immediately instructed Accountant Zhang’s wife to blow matters up, trying to force Duke Pingguo to investigate. If not for the Heir’s Wife’s decisive action, Duke’s Madam’s faction’s respectability in the household would sooner or later be utterly destroyed!

And how could the Heir’s Wife tolerate Fifth Young Madam’s loyal hound lurking in the accounting office… This person, she absolutely had to remove!

Stewardess Lin Shan’s expression turned cold. Thinking how her conscientious work over a dozen years, the small family fortune she’d built, would nearly be destroyed in an instant, anger burned in her heart. With genuine emotion and gritted teeth, she said, “Please Young Madam indicate—is this accountant Stewardess Cai Le or Stewardess Wu Xun?”

Seventh Miss saw comprehension gradually appear on Stewardess Peng Hu’s face as well, immediately followed by gritted teeth. She smiled faintly.

“Speaking of coincidences, the old stewardess is a cautious person. She wanted both accountants to review all the accounts completely to eliminate fraud as much as possible.” She said slowly, “Stewardess Cai is an expert. She reviewed that account book but said nothing. The discrepancies in the accounts were pointed out to me by Stewardess Wu.”

With just this statement, she had already established two great enemies full of fury with nowhere to vent it for Stewardess Wu Xun.

Digging up her background would now be much easier.