Chapter 128 Coming to the Door

Chapter 128: A Visit of Reckoning

Upon hearing Madam Yang's words, Nanny Yu dropped to her knees with a thud. "Madam, please calm your anger. Our young lady is young and thin-skinned. She is too lenient with her servants, which led to this maid acting out of line. We beg your indulgence. Once we return, our young lady will certainly punish this maid severely!"

Madam Yang raised an eyebrow as she looked at Nanny Yu. "And what is your relation to Sixth Miss Qiu?"

"This lowly one is the young lady's governess..."

"Governess? Hah." Her lips curled in a mocking smile.

Qiu Heng said mildly, "Nanny Yu, this Madam said that my maids are a reflection on me. You are my governess, so you also represent my face. Since this Madam doesn't wish to argue with a young girl like me and wants to send someone to speak with Grandmother, your desperate begging is pointless."

"Sixth Girl—" Qiu Heng's composure completely flummoxed Nanny Yu.

Fang Zhou was at fault first, and she had offended the First Lady of the Prime Minister's stewardess at that. If this were brought before the Old Madam, who knew what punishment Sixth Miss would face.

For Sixth Miss, the best course was to show proper contrition now and quietly let this matter pass.

Nanny Yu couldn't understand Qiu Heng's thoughts, but hearing her speak thus, she could only silently rise to her feet.

Qiu Heng turned her gaze to Madam Yang. "Madam mentioned sending someone to my home to discuss this. Might I ask whom you've assigned to accompany me back?"

Madam Yang stared at the composed young girl, disgust simmering in her eyes.

A young girl who allowed her servant to lay hands on someone directly—where did she get the confidence to remain so calm?

This type of girl—those of ordinary background yet ignorant and fearless—was what she detested most.

"Mother," Fang Rui spoke up.

Madam Yang looked at her daughter.

"You don't know, Mother. Sixth Miss Qiu is silver-tongued and very persuasive. If we send Nanny Su and the others to the residence of Earl Yongqing, she might talk her way out of it with just a few words."

Nanny Su was the stewardess who had been beaten by Fang Zhou. Hearing this, she glared fiercely at Qiu Heng.

Catching her daughter's drift, Madam Yang pondered briefly and said, "Since it's not far out of our way. We'll go directly to Earl Yongqing's residence then."

As she said this, she watched Qiu Heng, hoping to catch the expected panic, but instead saw eyes as calm as autumn water.

On the way to Earl Yongqing's residence, Nanny Yu's heart was heavy. She couldn't help but scold Fang Zhou. "Fang Zhou, how could you be so impulsive? That stewardess may have been arrogant, but was it necessary to rush forward and hit her..."

Accompanying Sixth Miss on a single outing had led to such trouble. As the governess, what was she to do now!

Fang Zhou leaned against the carriage wall, silent.

"Nanny Yu, everyone has moments of impulse. Let Fang Zhou collect herself."

Qiu Heng sensed something was off with Fang Zhou, but now was not the right time to inquire.

Hearing Qiu Heng's voice, tears welled up in Fang Zhou's eyes. She murmured, "Young lady, I'm sorry..."

"It's alright." Qiu Heng patted Fang Zhou's arm. "It's really alright."

She had been worrying about how to establish a connection with Chancellor Fang, and now an opportunity had presented itself.

A bad relationship, for her, was still better than no relationship at all.

Seeing Qiu Heng gently comforting Fang Zhou, Nanny Yu sighed inwardly.

Sixth Miss was so magnanimous, no wonder a maid like Fang Zhou was so hot-headed.

But as servants, who wouldn't want to encounter a mistress like Sixth Miss?

However, she, as the governess, probably couldn't continue in her position. She didn't even dare to imagine the Old Madam's reaction upon learning that Fang Zhou had beaten the Prime Minister's Madam's stewardess.

The journey, so torturous for Nanny Yu, soon ended.

The Old Madam was taking a stroll in the courtyard when a maid hurried over with a message. "Old Madam, Sixth Miss has returned!"

The Old Madam's eyelid twitched at the maid's flustered appearance. Displeased, she said, "If Sixth Miss has returned, then she has returned. Why are you so panicked?"

Whenever matters involved Sixth Girl, she couldn't help but let her thoughts run wild. This was just frightening her.

The maid kept her head bowed, but her voice was not low. "Old Madam, accompanying Sixth Miss is also the Prime Minister's Madam from Chancellor Fang's residence!"

The Prime Minister's Madam?

The image of a certain lady immediately flashed in the Old Madam's mind.

In recent years, Earl Yongqing had been single-mindedly currying favor with Chancellor Fang. The Old Madam had some understanding of the Fang household. This Madam's surname was Yang; she was a woman who prized her status and was stern and unsmiling.

Why would such a person come to Earl Yongqing's residence? And together with Sixth Girl?

Her heart pounding, the Old Madam went to the drawing room and met the solemn-faced Madam Yang.

"Madam Yang's visit to our humble abode is an honor. We failed to welcome you properly; please forgive our discourtesy."

In response to the Old Madam's polite greeting, Madam Yang gave a slight tug at the corner of her lips. "My abrupt visit today is due to your Sixth Miss."

The Old Madam's heart skipped a beat, but she maintained a courteous smile. "Did my granddaughter disturb Madam Yang?"

Madam Yang glanced at the stewardess.

Following her gaze, the Old Madam saw the well-dressed servant woman with disheveled hair and several cat-scratch-like red marks on her face. Darkness nearly swam before her eyes.

Heaven is merciful. Please don't tell her Sixth Girl did this!

"Nanny Su, explain clearly to the Old Madam."

The stewardess bowed to the Old Madam, her tone aggrieved. "At that time, our Madam was offering incense in the hall. When I saw Sixth Miss Qiu about to enter, I asked her to wait a moment. I never expected—"

The stewardess pointed at Fang Zhou, who stood behind Qiu Heng, and said bitterly, "I never expected Sixth Miss Qiu's maid to rush out without a word and beat me into this state!"

The Old Madam stared at Fang Zhou in shock. "Fang Zhou, did you really hit someone?"

Fang Zhou knelt down. "It was a moment of impulse on my part. It has nothing to do with the young lady."

"You audacious, lowly wretch!" The Old Madam angrily slapped the table, then apologized to Madam Yang. "This lowly maid is from the countryside and hasn't learned proper manners. It's entirely her fault for angering Madam Yang. Whether Madam Yang wishes to beat or execute her, I will have not a single word of objection."

Madam Yang gave a faint smile. "A little maid—beating or executing is your household's affair. Nanny Su is my personal attendant from my maiden home; even in the Prime Minister's residence, everyone respects her. Yet, unexpectedly, she was beaten by your granddaughter's maid. If the Old Madam has no explanation for this, it would be difficult for me to save face as well."

The Old Madam shot Qiu Heng a fierce glare, then had no choice but to lower her head and offer an apologetic smile. "This girl was lost outside for many years; she cannot compare to those gentle and refined young ladies from good families. Madam Yang, please don't let this child affect your mood. Later, I will punish her by making her kneel in the ancestral hall for three days and three nights!"

Madam Yang raised an eyebrow slightly. "Old Madam, please don't put me on a pedestal. Going to Lingwei Temple to offer incense was originally for seeking peace of mind. Encountering such an incident, who wouldn't be upset?"

She had gone to the temple to pray for her son's health and longevity. This unexpected disturbance signified inauspiciousness. How could she swallow this anger?

"Indeed, it is truly my granddaughter's fault for not restraining her maid properly." The Old Madam raised her voice. "Chun Cao, go fetch the ruler."

Soon, Chun Cao brought the ruler.

The matriarch picked up the ruler, glanced at Qiu Heng, then suddenly thrust it into Madam Yang’s hands. “Madam Yang, go ahead and strike her. Let this wretched girl learn a proper lesson!”

Madam Yang’s expression twisted for a moment before she returned the ruler to the matriarch. “You must be joking, madam. I have never struck or scolded even my own children; how could I strike someone else’s?”

The matriarch’s heart sank.

Kneeling in the ancestral hall wasn’t enough, nor was a beating. What would it take to make this Madam Yang happy?