Volume One, Chapter 12: Punishing the Wicked Servant

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Every item in Orchid Garden had been cleared away, swept clean to perfection.

Meng Tingfeng traced the grain of the wooden table with her fingers, her eyes reddening.

If only her mother were still alive, how wonderful that would be.

But her mother had long ago been forced to death by Meng Lan, and she herself had met a tragic fate—betrayed and burned alive.

Since Heaven had granted her a second chance at life, she vowed never to repeat the same mistakes.

Suppressing the emotions welling within her, she smiled and said to Meng Xueyi, “The courtyard is so spotless; it must have been you who prepared everything for me. Thank you, sister.”

Meng Xueyi tenderly touched her withered hair, “Tingfeng, we are family. There’s no need for such formalities.

“This is what I should do. If you ever need anything, just come to me.”

Her gentle eyes and soft hands had ultimately become the very instruments of Meng Tingfeng’s demise.

At this thought, Meng Tingfeng shuddered involuntarily.

Mistaking her tremble for a chill, Meng Xueyi hurriedly led her inside and summoned two clever maids.

“This is Xiangju, and this is Furong. From now on, they will take care of your daily needs.”

Such considerate treatment was something Meng Tingfeng had only enjoyed for a few days in her previous life.

Yet, even in that short time, she had already learned the temperaments of these two maids quite well.

Xiangju, taller with a mole by her lip, had served Meng Xueyi the longest. Proud and aloof, she had always responded to Meng Tingfeng’s words with indifference.

Furong, shorter and plump with a round face, was newly arrived at the household. She was kind-natured but, like Meng Tingfeng herself in the past, easily bullied.

Meng Tingfeng smiled, “Thank you, sister, for your thorough consideration.”

Seeing her pleased, Meng Xueyi said no more.

“You must be tired. It’s late; rest early tonight. Tomorrow, come to my courtyard to choose your clothes. Once you’ve learned the proper etiquette, you may go see the mistress. How does that sound?”

“My foster sister has arranged everything for me; I will follow her instructions.”

Meng Xueyi nodded gracefully and departed.

Meng Tingfeng then looked at the two maids her foster sister had “carefully” assigned to her.

“I’m a bit hungry. Go get me some food.”

Xiangju and Furong both froze at her words. They had not expected the newly arrived second young mistress to adapt so quickly to her role. No sooner had the eldest young mistress left than she was already issuing orders.

Xiangju curled her lips, lazily staring at her nails, saying nothing.

Furong glanced timidly at Meng Tingfeng before heading to the small kitchen.

Raising an eyebrow, Meng Tingfeng confirmed that Xiangju, like in her past life, remained proud and considered herself superior to the other maids, having served Meng Xueyi longest. She never wished to do tasks for Meng Tingfeng.

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Even when she did, it was often just for show, done perfunctorily.

But Meng Tingfeng had been given a second chance. She could not let the maid she was assigned to push her around as before. She was no longer the submissive second young mistress of the past.

“Xiangju,” Meng Tingfeng said calmly, “do you not want to serve me?”

Her bluntness nearly made Xiangju blurt out “Of course,” but she quickly remembered the orders from the young mistress and swallowed her words.

“Second young mistress, how could your servant be unwilling?” Xiangju forced a smile.

“Oh?”

Meng Tingfeng strolled through the courtyard, surveying the surroundings before casually breaking off a slender, dry branch.

She held the twig in her palm, lightly tapping it.

“If you are willing, then why did you not respond when I asked you to work earlier?”

By right, Xiangju had been in the household longer than Furong and should be Meng Tingfeng’s personal maid.

Seeing Meng Tingfeng’s half-smiling expression, Xiangju felt a flicker of fear and stammered, “Your servant only ate too much spicy food and has a sore throat…”

Meng Tingfeng chuckled, then, using the practiced strength she had learned in the mountains, flicked the thin branch against Xiangju’s calf.

“Ouch!” Xiangju screamed, eyes wide and furious.

How dare this second young mistress strike her! She was...

Another lash followed.

At this moment, only the two of them were in Orchid Garden. The steward would only send cleaning maids the next day. Taking advantage of this, Meng Tingfeng intended to teach this disrespectful maid a lesson.

She swung the thin twig again and again, the slender branch striking Xiangju’s body, leaving her crying out in pain.

“Second young mistress, please stop! I know my fault! I know my fault!”

Xiangju fell to her knees.

Meng Tingfeng withdrew her hand, smiling, “Will you respond promptly from now on?”

“Yes! I will definitely respond! I will do anything the second young mistress asks!”

That was good enough.

Meng Tingfeng glanced coldly at her, unconcerned whether Xiangju would report today’s incident to Meng Xueyi or Meng Lan. Meng Xueyi might believe it, but Meng Lan likely would not.

Because of the skillful force she used, though painful, the lashes only left fine red marks that would disappear overnight.

She was just a poor orphan who had just returned from the mountains; there was no reason to beat maids harshly.

Furong entered the courtyard carrying a tray laden with food and pastries.

“Xiangju, I want to bathe.”

“Your servant will fetch water immediately,” Xiangju hurried out.

Furong remained, puzzled. When had she ever obeyed the second young mistress so readily?

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Late at night, under the quiet moon hanging in the sky, Meng Yuhong’s courtyard was in disarray.

Meng Xueyi had just stepped inside when a vase shattered at her feet, fragments scattering everywhere.

“Get out! All of you, get out!”

Following behind, Yin Shuang cried out, “Miss! Are you alright?”

Meng Xueyi touched the cut on her finger caused by the shards and shook her head, saying she was fine.

Hearing the commotion, Meng Yuhong turned around with concern, eyeing the bleeding finger.

“Sis, I’m sorry.

“You told me not to lose my temper so easily, but I couldn’t help it.”

He muttered, his eyes increasingly filled with grievance.

Meng Xueyi gently comforted him, “It’s alright, I understand. After all, Black Lion has been with you for many years…”

At the mention of “Black Lion,” Meng Yuhong’s eyes blazed with fierce hatred.

“Why is she unharmed while my Black Lion is dead? Why can she live so carefree in the Meng household, with father even aiding her?”

Yin Shuang’s eyes flicked as she said, “People say those who live in the wilderness have the purest hearts, but I don’t think our second young mistress is like that. Since arriving in the capital, she has befriended powerful figures and transformed into their benefactor. The entire household caters to her because of this. With Master Shi behind her, she will only become more arrogant and dismissive of us.”

“No other young lady is like her. Before marriage, she’s already acquainted with several notable figures in the capital. A girl with no shame at all. Remember that Miss Zhang? She was caught in disgraceful acts and was long ago expelled by her clan.”

At these words, Meng Yuhong suddenly stood, his eyes shining with determination.

He gritted his teeth, “Yes, it’s one thing that she saved Miss Shi, but standing there soaked in front of Young Master Liu and so many others—she showed no shame at all!

“To me, she is clearly a fickle, unchaste woman. What right does she have to enter the Meng family gates?!

“Even if father protects her, he will not tolerate a scandalous daughter in the Meng residence. I will drive her out of the household!”