Chapter 95: Isn’t This Their Duty?

Chapter 95: Isn't This Their Duty?

Su Rong and Little Xing had initially thought that these people would stubbornly refuse to confess, leaving them with no choice but to accept it. After all, even if Little Xing testified, they would surely argue that she was the Third Young Lady's person, thus naturally biased in her favor.

However, before the two of them could even say a few words, these individuals had already confessed.

Su Rong couldn't help but glance at her eldest sister.

The young lady had an enchanting appearance, with bright and smiling eyes that seemed to hold a constant mirth. At this moment, the subtle amusement in her gaze felt like a gentle knife – she might be warmly smiling at you one second, only to stab you in the heart the next.

She could see the demeanor of a grand matriarch in her eldest sister, and ordinary people wouldn't dare to deceive someone like her.

Su Youyue's gaze swept over the two kneeling maidservants. Instantly, the pressure on them multiplied, sending chills down their backs as they trembled, barely able to maintain their kneeling posture.

"You dared to make false accusations against your mistress after committing a mistake! How dare you!"

"Eldest Miss, please spare us!" Baolan and Bao Hong hurriedly cried out for mercy. Previously, with the two matrons by their side, their courage had swelled, and they hadn't realized the enormity of their actions. Now, hearing Su Youyue's words, they were nearly terrified out of their wits.

Yes, it was already a grave offense for a servant to accuse their master, let alone falsely implicating them and turning the tables...

In any other household, this would warrant a beating! Didn't Qiao'er suffer the same fate before?

Su Youyue, however, turned to look at Su Rong beside her: "Pleading with me is of no use. Rong'er, it is you they are falsely accusing. You should speak up, how should we deal with them?"

Su Rong, who was standing by and observing, was taken aback for a moment. Was the eldest sister inquiring about her thoughts?

The two maidservants promptly knelt before her again. "Please spare us, Third Young Lady! We truly know our mistake..."

Su Rong observed the two maids, their foreheads swollen from kowtowing, and couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. To speak of anger, she had been quite angry before, but now her attention had long since shifted to Su Youyue.

She listened to the maids' pleadings with indifference, her thoughts instead lingering on how impressive her elder sister was!

If she were to handle this matter today, she would likely be at the mercy of these cunning servants.

Furthermore, Elder Sister must have sent these two maidservants her way to consider her feelings, to give her an outlet for her frustration.

Su Rong's nose suddenly felt a little sour.

In this household, no one has ever stood up for her.

At this moment, she only wanted to be close to Su Youyue and her resentment towards these wicked servants had lessened. After some thought, she said, "Whether or not I sue them is irrelevant, but they insulted Elder Sister, so I can't let them off that easily."

"I want each of them to receive twenty strokes of the cane! Let's see if they dare to curse Elder Sister again in the future!"

In truth, she had initially wanted to expel the two from the mansion, but since her anger had subsided and they had admitted their mistakes, she decided to lessen their punishment.

Su Youyue nodded slightly and said, "According to our family rules, such maidservants should receive fifty strokes and be sold if they survive. However, for Third Young Lady's sake, we'll spare them from being sold, but increase the number of strokes to forty as a warning to others!"

Hearing that they would receive forty strokes, the two maidservants gasped in horror. They might lose half their lives after enduring such punishment! They dared not beg for mercy now. Being allowed to remain in the Su Mansion was already the best outcome.

The two hurriedly thanked both Su Youyue and Su Rong, but their expressions were more miserable than someone crying.

The two old women standing nearby exchanged glances, their faces even paler than a withered vegetable. The two of them had caused much trouble, which was on a different level compared to the mistakes made by the two maidservants.

Lai Pozi couldn't hold back any longer and spoke, "Eldest Miss, this old servant knows her mistake, but considering how this old servant has worked tirelessly for the Su Family for so many years, please forgive me this once... Madam even praised my management skills before..."

Wang Pozi quickly followed, "Eldest Miss, it's the same for me. Lord mentioned last time that the meals I arranged were good..."

Su Youyue looked at these shameless old women and sneered. "The mansion treats you well, and even if you don't know how to show gratitude, you should remember your duties and do your work diligently. Isn't doing your tasks your responsibility? Haven't you received monthly allowances all these years while working here?"

Lai Pozi choked, quickly searching for another excuse, "This old servant has served the Su Mansion for many years. If Miss Eldest spared my life, it would also be to her own credit..."

Indeed, she spoke the truth. Generally speaking, although servants were indeed at the bottom of the hierarchy, if a master constantly mistreated a long-serving servant, it would harm their reputation.

But Su Youyue was not an ordinary person. Her reputation was already tarnished, so she didn't care about this small matter. Moreover, the offenses committed by these two women were intolerable to any master.

They dared to falsely accuse their master without evidence - who would dare employ such a disrespectful servant? They clearly held no regard for their superiors.

Seeing Lai Pozi still trying to talk her way out, Su Youyue's gaze turned sharp, "Reputation? If I, Su Youyue, had a reputation, would you, this cunning old tongue, dare to slander me behind my back? At this point, you still dare to be sharp-tongued. Do you think you're fit to take over as the head of the Su Mansion?"

"I'll tell you this, regardless of whether I have proof of your misdeeds or not, and simply because you dared to accuse your master and bully the Third Young Lady as mere servants, I will not let you off lightly!"

Lai Pozi dared not respond to that. Even with ten thousand times the courage, she wouldn't dare claim to become the head of the Su Mansion. At this moment, she finally realized that the Eldest Miss was not the incompetent fool she had imagined, but someone capable of managing the household!

It was her own fault for underestimating the Eldest Miss. She hadn't expected her to possess such ability, easily ensnaring her, Wang Pozi, and the maids Baolan and Bao Hong with just a few words.

She could hardly believe that the Eldest Miss would stand up for the Third Young Lady! Weren't they at odds? When did their relationship become so amicable?

While Lai Pozi regretted her actions, Su Rong beside her haughtily huffed and gazed intently at Su Youyue with shining eyes.

How impressive, Elder Sister!

Su Youyue swiftly made her final decision. "I'm already showing you the last vestige of dignity by not lashing you here and now. Both of you abused your power for personal gain, deceived your superiors, and even dared to accuse your master. Your crimes are unforgivable!"

"Chunya, hand them over to the steward. Have him retrieve all the belongings they've pilfered from the Su Mansion over the years and return them. Then, give each fifty strokes of the cane and sell them into hard labor!"

No sooner had her words faded than a voice came from outside, "Elder Miss, someone from the palace has arrived. They say that Empress Qi requests your presence..."