Chapter 473: Miss, You Should Apologize to This Servant

Chapter 473: Miss, You Should Apologize to This Servant

Everyone in the courtyard stared in shock at the beauty who had just walked in.

"This is..." someone asked in surprise, thinking she was a young lady from a prestigious family invited to the Shen residence.

The person next to him quickly elbowed him. "Are you blind? Didn't you hear what she said? This is that country bumpkin."

Before he could finish, he felt Su Youyue's gaze on him and immediately fell silent, too afraid to continue.

Seeing Su Youyue arrive, Qingluo felt a sense of grievance well up from her heart. She wanted to rush back to Su Youyue for support but remained rooted to the spot, continuing to argue with the group. "It was you who broke the bowl, don't try to falsely accuse me!"

Since Madam Su had already helped Miss and her enough, how could she dare to cause more trouble for her?

Ma Chuniang, the cook who had broken the bowl, avoided answering Su Youyue and started to quibble. "Miss Qingluo, this is unfair. Everyone saw it. You broke the bowl. If your miss can't eat, it's not our fault."

Looking around, she continued, "Everyone, am I right?"

These people had worked together in the Shen family's kitchen for many years and had just bullied Qingluo. How could they not stand by each other now? One by one, they chimed in.

"Yes, Miss Qingluo, you can't accuse someone without evidence just because you're the senior maid next to Miss."

With so many people speaking, Qingluo turned red with anger but could not argue back. Just then, Su Youyue slowly walked towards the group.

Her steps were slow and deliberate, yet she carried herself with an air of unshakable confidence.

Ma Chuniang felt a bit uneasy watching her but soon comforted herself. She had already inquired that Master Shen and Madam Fang didn't like this newly arrived eldest miss. The young masters were no different. It was said that as soon as she arrived, the fourth young master gave her a severe warning. As for Miss Zhu Yu, though usually generous, she certainly wouldn't like someone who had taken her title of eldest miss.

Moreover, the servants in the Shen family all adored Miss Zhu Yu, so they naturally resented this new eldest miss, wanting to give her a warning and curry favor with the young masters and Miss Zhu Yu.

As for what this new miss thought?

That wasn't their concern. She was a country bumpkin with no backing. Even if she was unhappy, what waves could she make?

Convinced, Ma Chuniang steadied her nerves and regained her smug expression. "Miss, you can't blame us. In this mansion, which courtyard needs meals must be notified in advance. You didn't say anything and just sent your maid to ask for food. We weren't prepared, that's all. I..."

Before Ma Chuniang could finish, Su Youyue had stepped in front of her and, with a raised hand, delivered a resounding slap across her rough, plump cheek.

The loud slap echoed through the courtyard, causing everyone to stare in shock. Even Ma Chuniang's chubby cheek rippled from the force of the slap. All the servants of the Shen family were dumbfounded, their eyes wide with astonishment.

Qingluo stood like a statue. "Miss..."

Had she seen wrong? The gentle Miss Su actually slapped that hateful cook?

Qingluo didn't even know that Su Youyue was implicated in the deaths of Lai Po Zi and Zhu Po Zi, so in her mind, Miss Su had always been gentle and resilient.

Ma Chuniang's face burned with pain, like she had been splashed with a pot of chili water, but her shock surpassed the physical pain.

Master Shen placed great importance on his reputation, and Madam Fang, following his lead, always presented herself as dignified and magnanimous. Thus, she would never personally strike a servant.

The four young masters, needless to say, would never strike a servant themselves if they wanted to punish someone. They had plenty of ways to torment people.

As for Miss Zhu Yu, renowned for her beauty, it had never been heard that she struck a servant.

In the Shen family, no master had ever hit a servant out of anger.

Shocked speechless, Ma Chuniang stood frozen for a while before gradually coming to her senses. As soon as she did, she screamed, "Miss, what is the meaning of this!"

Su Youyue winced as the scream pierced her ears, and her brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

Beside her, Jin'er's face was filled with displeasure.

The servants here have no sense of propriety at all—how dare they shout at their superiors!

If this were at the Su Mansion or the Xie Mansion, you'd have been dragged out and punished by now!

"What am I doing?" Su Youyue arched a brow. "I'm hitting you. Do I need to demonstrate it again?"

As she spoke, she raised her hand once more.

Startled, the previously furious Ma Chuniang quickly stepped back before daring to speak. "Miss, what did I do to deserve this? Why did you hit me?"

Being slapped in front of her longtime colleagues made Ma Chuniang feel like her dignity was being trampled on.

Who does this country bumpkin think she is, hitting me on her first day back? A nobody like her has no right!

Su Youyue lowered her gaze, as if considering her next move.

When she didn’t respond, Ma Chuniang took it as a sign of weakness, and her anger grew even hotter. "Miss, I've been serving in the mansion for twenty years and am considered an elder here. To be beaten without reason on your first day back is truly disheartening! If I take this to Master and Madam, they won’t stand for your unreasonable behavior!"

Su Youyue watched Ma Chuniang's performance quietly and only nodded when she had finished.

Seeing her nod, Ma Chuniang thought she was afraid of being reported to Master and Madam. Though she felt a bit of relief, the slap still stung, and she decided this couldn't be let go.

"Miss should apologize to me today; otherwise, I'll report you to Master and Madam immediately. If word gets out, it won't be good for your reputation. If people outside hear that you're so unreasonable, which respectable family would want to marry into this mess?"

The more Ma Chuniang spoke, the more satisfied she became. For a young lady, reputation was the most important thing. This brat had rushed back from the border because of the rumor that she could marry the Marquis of Ding'an and join a prestigious family. She didn't believe this girl would dare to ruin her reputation at this time.

Ma Chuniang believed she had found Su Youyue’s Achilles' heel.

Qingluo was so furious she could barely keep herself from fainting.

What kind of world is this where a Miss has to apologize to a servant, especially one who started the trouble? These people were pushing their luck way too far!

Seeing Su Youyue nod again, Ma Chuniang thought she had acknowledged her point and immediately puffed out her chest, lifting her chin proudly. "Miss should quickly apologize to me, and we'll call it even today..."

Before she could finish, Su Youyue whipped her across the face, cutting her off mid-sentence.