Chapter 42: The Troublesome Servant

Chapter 42: The Cunning Servant

Jiang Wan casually touched the soft whip at her waist. Nanny Fu, sensing the implied threat, instantly changed her expression.

This eldest young lady was not to be trifled with. If she actually lashed out with that whip, her old bones would have no recourse for justice!

The frail, elderly woman quickly stepped forward and knelt on the ground. Adaptable and quick-witted, she immediately began to defend herself.

"Miss, you’ve truly wronged this old servant. Ever since I entered Baosong Hall to serve the Elder Madam, I have been utterly devoted and loyal, never harboring a single improper thought! I beg you, Miss, to show mercy and spare this old servant’s life."

Clearly, the woman was skilled—pleading as she kowtowed. Though no tears fell, her face was etched with the anguish and helplessness of one unjustly accused. At a glance, she appeared the very picture of a pitiful soul wronged by her masters.

Even simple country folk could see her feigned innocence. How could Xu Shi, educated in the finest arts of household management, fail to see through this charade?

Her expression turned icy.

Nanny Fu had been recommended to her only recently by Lady Yuan of the Ji family during a social gathering.

She was said to be an experienced servant from the household of the Wu family’s matriarch—a branch of a prince’s lineage—and had been praised for her impeccable conduct. After bringing her into the household, Xu Shi had observed her for several days with no concerns, and only then assigned her to serve her mother-in-law.

So what was happening now?

Xu Shi raised her hand and slapped the table. The matriarch’s mere presence, without a trace of visible anger, was enough to silence the cunning old servant, who immediately ceased her attempts to undermine the young mistress.

"Stop your underhanded schemes! I’m not blind—I can clearly see if someone’s been stirring trouble here!

My in-laws have always been reasonable and kind to the younger generation, especially my mother-in-law, who has been nothing but compassionate. For years, she has treated me like her own daughter, caring in every way. If no one had been whispering poison in her ear, she would never have turned against me!"

Xu Shi was indeed a master of household politics. With just a few words, she had elevated her in-laws to paragons of kindness, leaving Old Jiang and Old Wang Shi flustered and unable to respond. Then, she fixed her sharp gaze on the cunning servant kneeling before her.

"Speak! Why are you trying to stir up discord in the Jiang household?"

"I haven’t! Madam, please don’t misunderstand. I truly have no ulterior motives. Elder Madam, say something—haven’t I served you faithfully all this time?"

"Yes, yes! Daughter-in-law, you’ve misunderstood. Everything I said earlier was entirely my own idea—it has nothing to do with Nanny Fu!"

Seizing the chance to speak, Old Wang Shi nodded vigorously, like a pestle pounding garlic. Nanny Fu was easy to talk to and, unlike the village women back home, never talked back. She was quite pleased with her.

"I came to this realization on my own. Yaozu said his schoolteacher taught him about the ancient rules—the 'Three Bonds and Five Constants' (san gang wu chang). It means juniors must obey elders; otherwise, people will mock my son!"

This time, the old woman was telling the truth—her grievance was unmistakable.

"I told you a few days ago to send someone to buy several large, long vats.

Other families buy three or five—ours should buy seven or eight! It’s not like we can’t afford it. Why are you being so stingy?

Are you only satisfied if my Lock (Suozi) is ridiculed by others? You heartless woman!"

Though her words were scattered and rambling, both Xu Shi and her daughter understood. Jiang Wan rubbed her forehead helplessly, wanting to sigh.

"Is Jiang Laosan’s skin itching again?"

"What do you think you’re doing?!"

Old Wang Shi’s eyes widened instantly, reverting to her usual role of fiercely defending her son. She launched into her familiar tirade.

"My precious eldest grandson has done nothing wrong! If you dare beat him again without cause, I’ll have your father punish you when he returns!"

Jiang Wan bared her teeth slightly and retorted coolly, "Whether my father punishes me or not is beside the point. But Grandma, let me make one thing clear: the 'Three Bonds and Five Constants' don’t apply much in our family. Stop clinging to them! And in the future, don’t believe every rumor you hear…"

"Why not?"

The old woman bristled, ready to cause more trouble.

But she didn’t dare confront her notoriously ruthless eldest granddaughter directly, so she turned to her more reasonable daughter-in-law and unleashed a string of accusations.

"You heartless woman! My son has been utterly devoted to you, never straying outside. He works tirelessly to support you and your children. And now you won’t even spend money on a few vats? If he’s mocked because of this, will you, as his wife, feel proud?"

Her mother-in-law couldn’t read a single character and couldn’t articulate the refined principles of the "Three Bonds and Five Constants." But after years of dealing with her in-laws, Xu Shi knew exactly how to respond. She nodded firmly.

"We’ll buy them! Of course, we’ll buy them! Didn’t I already agree a few days ago—"

"You agreed, but I haven’t seen them! That’s why I thought what Nanny Fu said made sense. Tell me, in which wealthy household isn’t the mother-in-law in charge? Even the village head’s family back home was run by his mother!

Why should our family be different? Not only am I, as the mother-in-law, being managed by my daughter-in-law every day, but you won’t even buy me a few vats. Doesn’t that seem unreasonable?"

Though muddled, her words carried weight. With just a few sentences, she turned Nanny Fu pale.

If it came out that she had been badmouthing the madam to the elder madam, she’d be finished—unless ghosts existed! Sure enough, a furtive glance revealed that both the madam and the young lady had changed expressions.

"Mother, do you need my help?"

"No, it’s not yet time for you to learn household management. Take Laosan and the others out to play. I’ll handle this."

"Alright."

Jiang Wan stood up, refusing to even glance at the trembling old woman on her knees. In the future, she intended to be a noble who sympathized with the poor—but she had no intention of being a fool manipulated by a cunning servant.

"Grandma, I’ll take my second and third brothers out for riding and archery practice. When I return, I hope this Nanny Fu has been sent back where she came from. Otherwise…"

She curled the corner of her mouth.

No need to spell out the threat—those who understood, understood.

"Don’t try to scare me!"

The old woman declared she would not be intimidated. By now, she had figured out her eldest granddaughter’s patterns. Since the girl wouldn’t dare lay a hand on her grandmother, the worst she could do was throw herself in front of her grandson during a beating.

"Daughter-in-law, I’m telling you—you are not to punish Nanny Fu! I can’t do without her!"

"Oh? If that’s how you feel, Grandma, fine. You don’t need to explain yourself to my mother. I’ll give you a solution directly."

The Jiang family’s eldest granddaughter raised an eyebrow, utterly devoid of filial virtue.