Chapter 46: Chapter 46: Disciplining the Servant

Tingnan never dreamed that the young lady would reprimand her so mercilessly, leaving her stunned as she knelt on the ground, staring blankly at her mistress seated on the step, her eyes glistening with tears.

Shanmoi quietly led the servants carrying the toiletries out, closing the door from the outside.

Lin Youning’s gaze was as cold as ice as she looked at the tearful eyes before her, recalling the agony of betrayal in her previous life.

Tingnan was her head maid; after her accident, Kong Tianru made the decision for her to become Gu Yixuan’s concubine.

At first, she was quite naive and blamed herself for Tingnan’s misfortune, as Tingnan married Gu Yixuan seeking reputation for her sake.

It wasn’t until she’d experienced more that she gradually understood the circumstances. If Tingnan hadn’t led her to that bamboo grove, how would Kong Tianru have staged the scene of her secret meeting with Gu Chaoxuan?

Eventually, word spread from the Marquis Mansion that the Second Young Master admired a maid, and coincidentally, the ladies of the manor stumbled upon the scene.

With so many madams present, how could anyone believe such an excuse? It was merely an act of self-deception, casting further disgrace upon Lin Youning.

Lin Youning understood, Tingnan acted at Kong Tianru’s behest, merely coveting the position of Gu Yixuan’s concubine.

She betrayed her master for personal gain.

How could Lin Youning not hate such a wicked servant?

However, thinking of living another life, as long as she no longer trusted such servants, she could turn a blind eye. With Tingnan’s level of intelligence, her Aunt would replace her sooner or later without her needing to intervene.

Taking a deep breath, Lin Youning’s gaze softened slightly.

“You studied and learned to read with me from a young age; you’re not some rustic villager. Though you were bought from outside as a maid, you grew up in the Gu Mansion and often visited the Marquis Mansion; you should be worldly. How can you just blindly shift blame onto others?”

“Aunt has treated me with the utmost kindness, almost like her own child. Must Aunt cause a scene at the Duke Mansion to stand up for me? Those are merely tactics of shrewish women from the marketplace. According to your thinking, should Aunt call off the marriage with the Duke Mansion to stand up for me?”

Lin Youning’s face turned colder, “If one cannot thrive without trust, the marriage between the two mansions was arranged in childhood. Regardless of who’s right or wrong, my second brother cannot shirk responsibility. I merely suffered a slap; Aunt truly views me as her own daughter, thus didn’t immediately defend me. Or do you believe those superficial gestures are truly good?”

“Now we’re guests at the Marquis Mansion, receiving care everywhere; gratitude is necessary. Although young, I know I lack the authority of a mistress among you. I don’t demand much from you, I only hope you observe the dignity and generosity my Aunt showed you while at the Gu Mansion and act properly here. When the time comes, find suitors you fancy and marry off. Or before then, I can speak to Aunt and let you seek higher positions elsewhere.”

“My lady… the servant was blinded by greed, after hearing madam’s words, I am filled with regret and seek punishment. I dare not harbor such thoughts again; it’s all my fault.” Tingnan heard of her impending dismissal and was frightened into admitting her faults, without daring to feel wronged.

Tingnan didn’t know why she was so scared at this moment.

But she remembered clearly that since serving the young lady, she hadn’t seen her lose temper, especially like today; it was the first time witnessing such.

Even in the Gu Mansion, there was only an instance when some servants got drunk and burned the chairs in the Buddhist Hall, which made Madam angry. She remembered Madam’s expression being exactly like this, eyes capable of freezing lives.

Then the servants were made to kneel in the courtyard for punishment; Madam, usually kind and unwilling to harm lives, did not permit them to get up, and by the next day, those servants froze to death.

Afterwards, the courtyard became quiet, with no servants daring to slack off or disrespect Madam ever again.

Seeing the young lady act this way today, Tingnan couldn’t help but think of Madam and shivered involuntarily.

Lin Youning was unmoved by her admission, barely glancing at her, as she peered through the window into the courtyard, “The sky’s no longer blue; you and Suyi prepare the meal, I’ll chant scriptures afterwards.”

Tingnan wanted to plead a little more, but Shanmoi outside seemed to overhear and just at that moment, pushed the door open and walked in, “Miss, Miss Suyi’s arrived from the front courtyard, saying the Duke Mansion’s old madam wishes to see you. Miss Suyi said the old madam instructed you to visit after your meal.”

“Where’s Sister Suyi?” Lin Youning asked.

“Sister Suyi saw you talking with Tingnan inside and told the servant to return to Shi’an Garden first.” Shanmoi stepped forward, looking at Tingnan still kneeling on the floor, sighed inwardly, yet gave her a chance, “The old madam waits in Shi’an Garden, it’s best you don’t kneel here, get up and prepare Miss’s meal quickly.”

Only then did Tingnan respond repeatedly, standing up.

After the meal, Lin Youning donned a robe of blue silk outside, underlaid with a cross-collared white cotton gown with black chrysanthemum-edged skirt, and went with Shanmoi towards the front courtyard.

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