Chapter 53: Light Punishment

  She threw back what Hongyu had said word for word.

  Hong Yu's face turned red and then white, white and then red again, it was extremely wonderful.

  The maidservants who were watching the commotion all turned to look at Ye Qinglan. They had thought that the tenth young lady was just a spoiled brat, and wouldn't dare to speak out even when her own maidservants were causing trouble. But they hadn't expected the tenth young lady's words to be so sharp!

  Ye Qinglan still had that weak and frail appearance, even the smile at the corner of her lips hadn't changed: "Don't say I'm being inconsiderate as your mistress. Since you're feeling numbness in your legs and feet, you can't help but rest for a couple of hours before doing anything. Guirong, you stay here and keep Red Jade company while she 'rests'. You can return to He Feng Yuan after two hours."

  "The maid replied, 'Yes, I understand.' The summoned Gu Yuan puffed out her chest and responded loudly, 'Please don't worry, miss. I will definitely accompany Sister Hongyu to rest for two hours before returning.'"

  At this time, Guī Yuán's brain was actually turning quite fast.

  Ye Qinglan's smile deepened slightly at the bottom of her eyes, and she glanced at Hongyu with a somewhat distorted face before turning around and walking away.

  Rui Xue gave Hong Yu a disdainful glance, then quickly followed up. Hong Juan hesitated for a moment, then awkwardly made eye contact with Hong Yu and left.

  Leaving behind a red jade with an awkward expression and a round osmanthus with a straightforward face.

  The onlookers, mostly maids and servant girls, lingered around, reluctant to disperse. They stood in their original positions, pointing fingers at Hong Yu and whispering among themselves. Some of them were gloating over her misfortune, intentionally saying some unpleasant and hurtful words loud enough for Hong Yu to hear.

  Hongyu's face was burning with anger and shame. She gritted her teeth and turned to enter the mansion.

  Longan immediately blocked Hongyu in front of her: "Sister Hongyu, where are you going? Miss said that you have to rest here for two hours before you can go back."

  Hong Yu's face turned red with anger, and she glared fiercely at Gui Yuan: "You're quite bold, daring to block even me. Get out of my way! I'm fine now, I need to go into the mansion."

  Kuiyuan was born with a straightforward and honest temperament. Although Hongyu's prestige still existed, as soon as she thought of her mistress's orders, Kuiyuan gained confidence and responded with reason and dignity: "We slaves should follow our master's orders, it's the natural order of things. Do you want to disobey Miss's command?"

  The usually eloquent Hong Yu was also left speechless. Her face changed color several times in an instant.

  Longan didn't take advantage of the situation to launch a counterattack, and instead stood still in front of Hongyu. He stood there for half a day, although it wasn't enough time to make two incense sticks burn out, but it was indeed not a short period of time.

  It's a lovely spring day, with warm sunshine and gentle breeze. Even the air is filled with the faint scent of flowers. Standing here isn't too tiring after all.

  It's just too embarrassing.

  The maidservants who had come to watch the commotion left in batches, and new ones arrived. In just half a day's time, Hongyu's name spread among the lower-ranking servants in the Changyuan Bo Fu estate.

  At this time, Ye Qinglan had already returned to He Fengyuan and was leisurely sitting in the house drinking tea, eating snacks and reading a book.

  Hongjuan was driven out to decoct medicine, and only Rui Xue was left in the house. Rui Xue said excitedly: "Miss, today is really refreshing."

  This red jade has always been trying to make Miss uncomfortable. But today she was turned around and defeated. Thinking about it is really too pleasant.

  Ye Qinglan smiled casually. Hongyu relied on Mrs. Xue. But now that Mrs. Xue is gone, she still dares to be so arrogant, does she think she's made of dough? Just a small punishment earlier. If she doesn't know to restrain herself, there will be plenty of bitter consequences later.

  "Miss, is it okay to leave Guī Yuán alone there?" Ruì Xuě said with some worry: "Hóng Yù isn't someone who listens to reason, if she gets into a dispute with Guī Yuán, I'm afraid Guī Yuán will be at a disadvantage!"

  Ye Qing's eyes flashed and she said lightly: "Don't worry, Guigui won't be taken advantage of."

  Hong Yu used to make a big fuss on purpose, trying to humiliate herself. But now the one who's losing face is herself, and she doesn't know what kind of expression she has on her heart.

  No matter how angry she was, she didn't dare to disobey the master's orders in front of so many servants. Otherwise, once it reached the ears of the masters of Changyuan Bo, this maid would be finished. If Hongyu still had some brains, she wouldn't have made trouble with Guirong.

  Besides, even if they quarrel for a few sentences, with Guiyuan's strong and straightforward personality, she won't lose out.

  Rui Xue thought for a moment and also felt that Ye Qinglan's words made sense, couldn't help but laugh: "Miss is really formidable, even guessing Hong Yu's thoughts."

  This is just the beginning, her real skills are far more than this.

  Ye Qinglan smiled slightly and pursed her lips.

  At noon, Hongyu and Guirong finally returned together. After being exposed to the sun for two hours, Guirong's skin was not noticeably darker. However, Hongyu's pale face had turned bright red from the sunburn.

  Ye Qinglan felt a bit heartache for Guigui, and hastily beckoned her to come over and have a cup of tea, take a rest. She personally poured a cup of tea for Guigui.

  The osmanthus suddenly felt honored and delighted, and drank the tea poured by the master with relish. The fatigue of standing for half a day was instantly swept away under the nourishment of this cup of tea.

  Hong Yu watched this scene and was furious.

  That detestable osmanthus, usually looking so innocent and gentle, but today she got herself into big trouble. Hmph, next time I get the chance, I won't let her off lightly.

  And then there's Ye Qinglan, who isn't someone to be trifled with. Don't be fooled by her constant smiling, she has a lot of schemes going on in her mind. Her words seem gentle and soft, but they actually hide sharp needles that can pierce you accurately.

  In short, she was really frustrated today.

  Ye Qinglan seemed to see what Hong Yu was thinking, and slowly asked: "Hong Yu, you look dissatisfied, are you scolding me in your heart for being a harsh master?"

  Hong Yu didn't dare show her temper anymore and replied in a humble tone: "This servant doesn't dare."

  "How dare you? So, that's what you really think in your heart?" Ye Qinglan's face turned cold, and her usual warmth was replaced by a few hints of chilliness in her bright eyes.

  Hong Yu's heart skipped a beat, and she didn't dare raise her head to look directly at Ye Qinglan: "I didn't think that."

  Ye Qinglan raised an eyebrow and asked, "Then what's your take on it? Don't be shy, tell me."

  Hong Yu gritted her teeth secretly and lowered her head in silence.

  "Your mother gave you to me as a maid, but you deliberately oppose me everywhere, trying to make things difficult for me. I can't tolerate such a maid." Ye Qinglan said coldly: "Today, let's just talk it out and consider the matter settled. If there is a second time, I will go and report to my grandmother, and ask her to dismiss you. I don't think my mother would turn against me for the sake of a mere maid!"

  Hong Yu's face completely changed upon hearing this.

  This last sentence struck Ruyu's weak point. After all, she was just a maid. If Ye Qinglan sent her away while Xue Shi was not around, would Xue Shi still make things difficult for Ye Qinglan because of her?

  Hong Yu's legs softened unconsciously and she knelt down.