Second Madam Shi did not make things difficult for her, and after the necessary pleasantries, she quickly got to the point. Sang Wan did not withhold any secrets and instructed Liu Ya to seriously teach Rou’er. Intentionally and at the same time, she jokingly said to Second Madam Shi with a smile, "This girl has a good memory; coincidentally, her previous household also raised such a white parrot. While serving at their side, she managed to pick up a thing or two! Who would have known that it would come in handy today?"
Liu Ya came to the Sang family when she was ten years old, and indeed she had previously served other households. She was also from out of town, so Sang Wan made up stories with a mixture of truths and lies, guessing that Second Madam Shi wouldn’t mind.
What Sang Wan meant was only one thing: Liu Ya is only good at this; she knows nothing else! Don’t treat her as an all-rounder! Even this skill is just built on a bit of memory; if she messes up, don’t blame her!
By rights, this should’ve been the end of it. Sang Wan could breathe easy, and Liu Ya could also avoid repeating the tragic fate of her past life. The mistress and servant had an escape from danger without incident.
However, Rou’er turned out to be exceedingly nimble and clever, with a touch of talent as well. After instruction from Liu Ya, she actually managed to tame the proud and troublesome little white!
Second Master Shi was extremely delighted and showed even more affection towards Rou’er.
Logically, this should have no impact on Liu Ya, but there’s a saying: the friend of my enemy is my enemy, and by the same logic, the friend of my enemy is also my enemy.
Once Rou’er gained favor, she overshadowed the maid and concubine Qiu Ju, who had been equally matched and fiercely competing with her. Qiu Ju was originally a personal maid of Aunt Fang, and together they managed to wrap Second Master Shi tightly around their fingers. Naturally, as her master received favor, the slave felt a rise in spirit.
Aunt Fang’s status was much higher than Rou’er’s, and she did not pay much attention to Rou’er’s rising popularity. However, Qiu Ju found it intolerable and, out of jealousy, intentionally sought trouble with Rou’er. But Rou’er, at the height of her popularity, would not let her do so. After a series of complaints, it was instead Qiu Ju who ended up suffering!
Envious and resentful, in a hurry and in anger, Qiu Ju did not dare to provoke Second Master Shi’s bottom line and incite Rou’er for fear of courting death. She could only vent by creating voodoo dolls in her bed at night and redirected her full rage towards Liu Ya, finding an excuse to severely chastise and scold her one day, and even slapped her twice.
Remembering the teachings of Grandma Shi, and already harboring an inexplicable fear for Second Master Shi, Liu Ya did not dare to retaliate against his maid and concubine, and soon returned to Ningyuan with her face covered, crying.
When everyone asked her the reason and learned of it, they all knew the cause of the grievance and suddenly did not know what to say.
Sang Wan was both shocked and angry, her body trembling slightly with rage.
Rou’er was Second Master Shi’s maid and concubine, but Liu Ya was the accompanying maid of Grandma Shi and, although it was unspoken among everyone, in reality, she was already considered to be the "maid and concubine" of the young master. When it came down to it, she was not of lesser status than Rou’er.
Sang Wan knew well that it was because she, as Grandma Shi, was known for being too meek and compliant on a daily basis, which led others to use Liu Ya as a stepping stone, clearly probing her intentions and slapping her face.
Qiu Ju might be clueless, but her master, Aunt Fang, was a cunning woman; otherwise, among one Second Madam Shi and two mistresses, she would not have been without a son, nor did she have the most outstanding looks, yet she was the most favored, and even the daughter she bore, the Fifth Miss, was the child most doted on by Second Master Shi. And after her, though Second Master Shi had a pile of maid and concubines, no more mistresses were made, showing that she was a person with profound thoughts and strategies.
If Qiu Ju had hit Liu Ya, she certainly could not have been uninvolved with the instigation behind the scenes.
Sang Wan had an indignant heart; whom had she provoked? Aunt Fang was unreasonably sending a message by putting her foot down!
On second thought, she understood. Aunt Fang was making a scapegoat out of Liu Ya to warn the other maids in the household not to harbor illusions about Second Master Shi or dream of a slave becoming a master. Otherwise, just look at Liu Ya, who seemed about to become a mistress, yet ended up gaining nothing in the end and was taught a lesson by her maid for nothing!
Once Sang Wan made up her mind, she reached out to Liu Ya, firmly pulling her to sit beside her, commanded some to bring over water to wash her face, and others to fetch the swelling-reducing ointment, while personally lifting a handkerchief to wipe away Liu Ya’s tears, softly coaxing with a smile, "Alright, stop crying. Just make sure to do things properly next time, and don’t let people find any faults, that’s all!"
As she spoke, Sang Wan secretly pinched Liu Ya’s wrist and, without showing a trace, glanced at Mrs. Li from the corner of her eye.
Having rehearsed their understanding countless times, Liu Ya understood upon hearing her, and with red-rimmed eyes, she pitifully protested, "Grandma Shi, you know the truth. When have I ever dared not follow the rules of the household? I’m afraid of embarrassing the young master and Grandma Shi! But if someone insists on making groundless accusations and nitpicking faults where there are none, what can I..."