Chapter Twenty: Beating and Scolding the Maidservant

Su Lilu stood leisurely to one side, occasionally glancing beyond the courtyard, as if she cared nothing for these servants. Noticing Su Lilu’s indifference, Su Baizhi’s gaze darkened; it seemed Su Lilu was well prepared.

“That’s enough—no more questions. Just bring Liuzhu in at once.” Jinling immediately left and ordered the old maid to drag Liuzhu inside. Liuzhu stood in the middle of the room. The old maid, seeing her just standing there, stepped forward and gave her a vicious kick. Liuzhu cried out in pain, her knees buckling as she collapsed to the ground.

Liuzhu glared fiercely at the old woman, who was momentarily unsettled by her look. But recovering herself, she forced a menacing expression, nearly cowed by this young girl, and barked, “What are you staring at? Stare again and I’ll gouge your eyes out!”

“Old Li, the young miss hasn’t spoken yet, and you’re already putting on airs. Who gave you such nerve?” Jinling, Su Baizhi’s head maid, rebuked her. Old Li shrank back at once, hands raised, body half-bowed. “I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare! Jinling, you are right to scold me. I only thought this girl was too unruly and wanted to teach her proper manners for the young miss. I won’t do it again.”

Liuzhu hung her head low. Su Baizhi, looking weary, waved her hand, and Old Li hurriedly withdrew, not daring to remain and offend Su Baizhi further.

Noticing her mistress’s poor complexion, Jinling whispered, “Miss, about this maid…”

“Liuzhu, answer me—have you been with the eldest young lady all day?” Su Baizhi watched the tea in her cup rise and fall, never once glancing at Liuzhu. Liuzhu remained silent.

Jinling immediately snapped, “Liuzhu, don’t make the young miss angry, or you’ll suffer for it.”

“I have been with the eldest young lady all day,” Liuzhu answered, head bowed so her expression was hidden, her hands clenched at her sides, heart pounding in her chest.

“Very well. Since you were with my elder sister, you must know what happened when Third Miss fainted today. Tell the truth—why did she faint, and why did she wake in my sister’s courtyard? If you lie, the rods outside won’t spare you.”

Liuzhu shook her head, answering in a low, muffled voice, “I only saw Third Miss faint outside the courtyard, then the eldest young lady brought her back. When Third Miss woke, she left.” Liuzhu repeated what Su Lilu had instructed her to say, and no matter how Su Baizhi pressed, she only shook her head and claimed ignorance.

Su Baizhi, seeing her stubbornness, exchanged a glance with Jinling. Jinling stepped forward and pinched Liuzhu’s waist and abdomen with hidden force—enough to leave red marks if her clothes were lifted.

Tears of pain fell silently to the floor, but Liuzhu dared not make a sound. Su Lilu, who had been quietly observing with a faint smile, watched to see how long Su Baizhi would continue this charade.

When she noticed Liuzhu trembling and Jinling’s hands constantly at work, anger flared within Su Lilu. She strode forward and kicked Jinling sharply in the chest.

Blood appeared at Jinling’s lips as she clutched her chest, whining in pain, “Miss, you must uphold justice for your servant!”

“You vile maid, how dare you use such cruelty—you deserve death!” Su Lilu helped Liuzhu up, gently touching her waist and abdomen. Liuzhu flinched away, and Su Lilu immediately understood what had happened.

Pulling out her own handkerchief, Su Lilu tenderly wiped the tears from Liuzhu’s face and comforted her, “Don’t cry, Liuzhu. I won’t let you suffer in vain. Liuying, take her to rest.”

Su Baizhi looked even more displeased and asked sternly, “Sister, what do you mean by this? That maid has not yet been fully questioned—why are you letting her go? Are you afraid of what she might say?”

Su Lilu called another little maid over and whispered instructions. The girl left to carry them out. Su Baizhi wanted someone to stop her, but Su Lilu thwarted her at every turn.

Refusing to let Su Baizhi leave her seat, Su Lilu’s brow furrowed, her eyes cold and clear with anger. “What is it you intend, sister? I merely sent the maid to invite Grandmother and Madam over, so they might see justice done. Do you think I am in the wrong?”

Hearing that Yao Ruoshui would be summoned, Su Baizhi’s anxiety eased, and she forced a smile. “Of course not. I must thank you for being so fair, sister. I shall wait here for Mother and Grandmother to arrive. But the maid should also remain and wait.”

A mocking smile touched Su Lilu’s lips as she retorted, “You’ve caused such a scene today, but what have you discovered? My maid has already been pinched black and blue by your servants—shall we have Mother and Grandmother see her injuries as well?”

Using the Old Madam’s authority to suppress her, Su Lilu left Su Baizhi only with a face full of resentment. She did not insist Liuzhu remain.

Yet Su Lilu had no intention of letting Su Baizhi off so easily. She asked with a trace of puzzlement, “Sister, do you look down on me? Why, when your servants are impertinent, do you come storming into my courtyard ready to beat and kill? Is this the custom in any respectable household?”

Su Baizhi’s face stiffened, turning pale. Thinking of Susannah, she quickly defended herself, “You misunderstood, sister. Third Sister said she saw you and your maid hurt her, so I came to inquire.”

“If it was only to ask, why resort to the rods at the slightest dissatisfaction? Do you mean to kill everyone in my courtyard?”

Flustered, Su Baizhi realized Su Lilu would not let the matter drop. She took Su Lilu’s hand, feigning sisterly intimacy, “You misunderstand me, sister. I merely see that you are kindhearted and have not disciplined your servants strictly enough. This was a chance to redress Third Sister’s grievance and clear your name as well—why not do both?”

Su Lilu slowly withdrew her hand, her tone cold. “I thought you did not care for your legitimate elder sister, but it seems you are too quick to believe others. You should not cause a scene in my courtyard on Third Sister’s word alone, lest people think you are quick-tempered and unkind to your servants.”

This heavy accusation forced Su Baizhi to back down. She hurried to explain, “You are right, and I am grateful for your teaching. I was simply flustered, worried for Third Sister…”

But Su Lilu was not about to let her wash her hands of blame. Walking forward a few steps, she said, “Third Sister has been ill all along, yet you thought her mind was clear. In truth, after she awoke, her thoughts were muddled, her memory of earlier events vague.”

Su Baizhi did not believe a word of this and asked suspiciously, “If Third Sister is ill, why did you not call a doctor for her first?”