Chapter 33: Punishment

Chapter 33: Punishment

When Marquis Wei left in the morning, it was a bit later than usual. Before he left, he instructed Chun Niang and said there was no need to wake up the lady.

His expression when he spoke was as cold as usual. When Chun Niang raised her eyes, she felt that Marquis Weis eye sockets were more sunk than usual. As if he had not slept well last night. His spirit is a bit depleted, but his eyes become brighter.

Before, except for the day he went out too early, Xiao Qiao got up together with him and sent him away. Today was not early anymore. When Chun Niang didnt see Xiao Qiao, she was worried that she might have annoyed Marquis Wei by negligence. She put her mind at ease when she heard him say so.

After he was gone, she went into the inner room and lifted the curtain. She saw Xiao Qiao lying with her face down on the pillow. Her hair is a mess. Her clothes faded to her shoulders, exposing a piece of her snowy back. There were some dirty towels on the floor in front of the bed. The room is warm and stuffy, and one can smell a unique scent from the bed.

Chun Niang is a person who has the experience, and she understands. Last nights affairs are too much. She is suspicious about how the young and powerful Marquis Wei spent the night. Not only sunken his eyes, but the lady has also become like this. She could not bear to wake Xiao Qiao up. She cleaned up the things on the ground and withdrew. She stays outside the door and waits until Xiao Qiao wakes up before serving her.

Xiao Qiao rarely took a bath after waking up in the morning. Last night, although she was spared from the disaster, the workload was not light. She was sweating all over her body. Now she woke up feeling all sticky and uncomfortable. She asked to prepare water for bathing. She was afraid Chun Niang would see the red marks on her two poor lumps in front of her chest. Therefore, she refused to let her serve on the side as usual.

But her two arms are sore. It is a little hard to lift. While she is wiping her body with her head down, the curtain shakes. She looks up to see that Chun Niang has entered. She shrunk down a bit.

Someone from the Old Madams side invites the lady to go there.

Xiao Qiao guessed that perhaps it was related to what happened last night.

I understand. Chun Niang, go out. Ill come out now.

But Chun Niang has already approached. Holding Xiao Qiaos two shoulders, she picked her up from the water like a chicken and said. From the callers tone, it seems there is an important matter. Let this servant serve you to get dressed. It will be faster

Xiao Qiao hurriedly used the bath towel to cover her breasts, but it still caught Chun Niangs eye. She was stunned. She took Xiao Qiaos hand away and looked closer. She frowned and complained in a low voice: This hands of Master is too rough Her tone was laced with heartache and dissatisfaction.

Xiao Qiao did not dare to mention the last nights event. She closed her mouth and did not speak.

Lady, wait a moment.

Chun Niang ran out and back with a box of ointment in her hand. Pick some and gently rub it on for Xiao Qiao. It was very refreshing. After wiping her body and putting on her clothes, Xiao Qiao finished grooming and went to the north house. As soon as she entered, she was greeted by a different atmosphere than usual.

Mrs. Xu is sitting on the couch. Old Zhong is beside her, and the woman who sent the ice last night stands beside her. And there is a servant from the east house kneeling on the floor, who seems to be someone who used to work in Mrs. Zhus room. When Xiao Qiao went to the east house, she met her face several times.

The atmosphere in the room was heavy. Xiao Qiao didnt dare to be slow and kneeled in front of Mrs. Xus couch. Greet her and apologize for her late arrival.

Mrs. Xu smiled and said, Its okay. I want to ask you a few questions.

Then Old Zhong told Old Wang and the servant of the East House to go out, and she also went out and closed the door.

Only Mrs. Xu and Xiao Qiao were left in the room. Mrs. Xu beckoned to Xiao Qiao and asked her to sit beside her, saying, When I got up in the morning, Zhong Lin came to see me. He looked fine. He said a few words before leaving. Afterward, I heard something happened in the east house last night. He was called by your mother-in-law for a meal, but there was an argument. He even broke the door of the room. Old Jiang fainted, and Zheng Shu was involved. I also heard you asked for a lot of ice in your room last night. At this time of year, why do you need so much ice?

Mrs. Xu paused for a moment.

What happened last night, do you know?

Xiao Qiao hesitated.

As expected, Mrs. Xu found out about last nights commotion quickly. It was unclear whether she knew that Mrs. Zhu had given Wei Shao an aphrodisiac.

She remembered that last night she had mentioned twice in front of Wei Shao to ask Mrs. Xu for help, but he had refused.

It was true. This kind of thing was too personal. Naturally, Wei Shao didnt want his grandmother to know. Xiao Qiao felt, judging from the tone of his voice last night and the way he behaved in front of Mrs. Xu this morning, Wei Shao seemed reluctant to let his grandmother know that Mrs. Zhu had done this to him.

He seemed to want to protect Mrs. Zhu in front of his grandmother to stay honorable.

He was reluctant to speak, but Mrs. Xu came to ask her.

If she told her, and he knew it came from her mouth, it would be an offense to his filial sons heart.

If she did not tell with Mrs. Xus control of the family, she would know eventually. At that time, is her fault in front of Mrs. Xu.

Xiao Qiao lifted her eyes and saw Mrs. Xus one eye looking at her. She thought for a moment and answered, Grandmother, granddaughter-in-law does not know what happened in the east house last night. My husband did not mention a word when he was back. As for getting ice, I know about it. At that time, he went straight into the bathroom. He asked me to get ice. When I hesitated, he urged me with urgency. I did not dare to be slow and asked someone to get the ice, then I realized he was going to immerse the ice in the water to take a bath .

Mrs. Xu frowned.

Xiao Qiao lowered her head.

Mrs. Zhu had no choice but to agree. She choked up and said, Zhong Lin, I was wrong about this, Im sorry Her tears dried and wiped all over again.

Wei Shao looked at Mrs. Zhu. He seemed to want to say something, but in the end, he didnt. He said, I only hope Mother will remember this lesson, and will not act foolishly in the future. It would be a blessing for me as a son.

After Wei Shao left, Mrs. Zhu was alone for a long time. At noon, she asked the servants and was informed that Zheng Shuyu was still in her room, without eating or drinking since morning. She went there and told her what she had agreed to this morning.

Zheng Chuyu had cried so much that her eyes were red and swollen, saying: Aunt, I regret I should not have been stupid and done such a thing. Even if my cousin said nothing, I cant stay in this house anymore. I see my cousin has resentment toward my aunt, and this is not my intention. I have decided. I will leave.

Mrs. Zhu saw her so considerate of her and was more reluctant to give up. She comforted, said: Dont worry. The North House did not know, and Zhong Lin also promised not to say anything. Although Im sending you out, it was only temporary. After some time, Aunt will see the situation and bring you back.

Zheng Chuyu wipes her tears: Aunt, after I leave, you must not use force with cousin. Cousin is a filial son, and he is sincere to Aunt. Aunt must do what you have done before. Be reasonable and sympathetic. I believe my cousin will soften his heart. As long as my cousin protects Aunt, Old Madams side shall take care of my cousins face, and Aunts life will not be too difficult in the future

Chuyu, only you who cared for Aunt that Qiao girl. If she had been half as thoughtful as you, I wouldnt have to be so humiliated in front of my son!

Aunt

Good! What a pair of affectionate aunts and nieces! Even I, an old person, feel empathy when I see them!

Suddenly, a voice came from behind.

Mrs. Zhu turned around. She saw Mrs. Xu had arrived and was standing at the door with a cane in her hand. Her expression looked the same as usual, but the piercing aura radiating from her only eye was directed straight at her. She was shocked. She let go of Zheng Chuyu in a panic and kneeled down to greet Mrs. Xu. She said, How come Mother-in-law has come personally? If you need anything, ask someone to call me.

Mrs. Xu ignored her. Her eyes were directed at Zheng Chuyu, who was kneeling behind Mrs. Zhu.

Zheng Chuyus face turned pale, and she did not dare to look up.

Mrs. Xu looked at Zheng Chuyu for a moment and said, Send Zheng Shu out of the house immediately. Dont let me see her again in the future.

After she said that, two women came in and pulled Zheng Chuyu out.

Zheng Chuyu burst into tears.

Mrs. Xus heart was in turmoil, and she said, Mother-in-law Before she said anything, she saw Mrs. Xus eyes sweeping toward her. She couldnt say anything at once.

I know you have been with her for many years. You have strong feelings for her. Dont worry, she will not be mistreated. Although her parents are dead, she still has uncles. She will be sent back, and I will also send the dowry. The Zheng family can find a good family and marry her. This arrangement, do you have any dissatisfaction?

Mrs. Zhu murmured, I will listen to my Mother-in-laws arrangements.

Outside, Zheng Chuyus voice could no longer be heard. All the servants in the room also went out. Only Mrs. Zhu was left kneeling on the floor with her head bowed.

After a long time, she looks up. She heard Mrs. Xu tone down her cane with great force, which caused a crack in the green brick in front of her feet. She said in a stern voice, Did I give you permission to raise your head?

Mrs. Zhu shivered. She raised her eyes and saw Mrs. Xus face full of anger. Mrs. Xu looked straight into her eyes, and the light from her eyes was as harsh as a knife.

She had been married to the Wei family for 20 to 30 years. Although she always blamed Mrs. Xu for being cold to her, she had never seen such a stern look like this before. Her heart was pounding. She held her composure and boldly said, I didnt know what I did wrong to make my Mother-in-law so angry. Please let me know so I can change my ways.

Mrs. Xu spat at her: Where did you get the nasty drug for my grandson last night? How dare you do such an evil deed in order to put that good niece of yours into my grandsons room? It was an aphrodisiac! What if someone with evil intentions gave it to you, and it turned out to be poison? Would you, a stupid woman, want to give it to your son as well? Zheng Shu is your niece, but my grandson is not your son who crawled out of your belly?

Mrs. Zhus face paled, and her forehead perspired. Mrs. Xu had known this matter. She dared not defend herself further and touched her forehead to the ground, sobbing, I made a big mistake because of a moment of confusion! Fortunately, it did not lead to any bad consequences. I beg Mother-in-law to punish me. I wont dare to do it again!

Mrs. Xu was so furious. She admonished the words that she said and gasped for breath. After a moment, she gave in and said coldly: You often communicate with the shaman, I turned a blind eye to it. Now you dare to do such a thing to your own son. I can see that your mind has been crooked to nowhere! You are my grandsons birth mother. I cant do anything to you, lest my grandsons face is disgraced. Fine. Since you asked for punishment, you can go to the ancestral temple and repent yourself! When you have thought clearly, you can come back!

After Mrs. Xu finished speaking, she did not look at Mrs. Zhu again and turned around to leave. When she reached the door, her body swayed. Old Zhong, who was standing by, hastened to help her.

Mrs. Xu closed her eyes and settled her mind. Seeing Old Zhong looking at her with a worried expression, she shook her head and said, Im fine. Old Zhong helped her all the way out and back to the north house.

Old Madam, when the master came in the morning, he mentioned nothing about last night in front of Old Madam, so he didnt want Old Madam to know what Madam did. Old Madam is punishing Madam in this way. The master is ferocious. If he knows Old Madam has called the lady, he will be angry

She paused.

Mrs. Xu looked ahead with one eye and said indifferently, It depends on the Qiao girl. If she cant even get through this, how can she married to Zhong Lin until the end of her days?

Old Zhong was silent for a moment, nodded, and said yes.