Madam Lu sat in the main hall’s seat of honor, smiling as she watched two well-dressed steward women walk in with their heads lowered. But as soon as they knelt and greeted her, her smile vanished.
The people before her were neither her usual ones, nor any stewards from the mansion or the manor’s stores, but rather strangers she had never seen before.
The woman wore a low bun with a golden hairpin inserted in her hair, her face round and plump, with a flat nose and triangular eyes, and her ears adorned with silver earrings.
Beside her stood a middle-aged steward with a calm demeanor and eyes that seemed to shine with intelligence.
"Madam, please be informed, this old servant and my husband are stewards from the Song Mansion in Datong. This is my husband, Zhang Chengda. As for me, Madam can simply summon me as Zhang Chengda’s wife or Mrs. Zhang," she explained with a smile.
Madam Lu’s expression turned icy, and her hand resting on her lap curled up, while her thin lips pressed tightly together.
Nanny Zhou, noticing this, stepped forward and shouted sternly, "Nonsense! The steward of the mansion is Li Mu. Where have you swindlers from a backwater come from, daring to deceive your way into the Prime Minister’s Mansion?"
Immediately, Mrs. Zhang cried injustice, "Madam, this old servant wouldn’t dare, not even with a thousand courage! This old servant and my husband only started working at the Song Mansion in Datong a month ago. As for the previous Li Mu and his family, it’s said they committed an offense and were sold off."
Nanny Zhou’s face darkened too, and she glanced instinctively at Madam Lu.
Mrs. Zhang added, "By the way, this old servant has a letter personally written by the master. If Madam doesn’t believe, the letter will clarify this servant’s authenticity."
As she spoke, she turned her back and took out a letter from her bosom, presenting it with both hands.
Nanny Zhou looked at Madam Lu, and seeing her nod, she stepped forward to take the letter. After glancing at it, her expression changed slightly.
"Madam, it is a letter from the master."
Madam Lu’s breathing paused momentarily as she took the letter and indeed saw Song Zhiqing’s handwriting.
Upon opening, the letter explained from the start why Zhang Chengda’s family was delivering the gifts. The previous steward’s family was sold off due to offending colleagues, and thus this new steward was in place.
Madam Lu didn’t read any further and asked, "Where is the gift list?"
Mrs. Zhang presented the gift list again.
Madam Lu casually asked, "Who prepared the gift list?"
"Naturally it was Bai... Miss Qiu Chan who prepared it," replied Mrs. Zhang with a smile.
Madam Lu’s eyes narrowed slightly.
"Nanny Zhou, take Mrs. Zhang and settle them in, get some good food and wine to refresh them after their long journey."
Nanny Zhou’s eyes flickered rapidly, and she complied.
But Mrs. Zhang said, "Madam, I was also ordered by the master to pay respects to the esteemed Madam."
"I will pay respects in mother’s place. You can rest with Nanny Zhou now," Madam Lu said coolly.
"Leave!" Madam Lu ordered coldly.
Mrs. Zhang’s neck shrunk, fearful to make a sound, and her dress was gently tugged by her husband, prompting her to force a smile and say, "Then I will take my leave first."
The two kowtowed, bowed, and retreated back a few steps before turning to leave.
"Prepare more wine and question them thoroughly," Madam Lu finally said to Nanny Zhou.
What nonsense about offending colleagues and being sold, she definitely didn’t believe such a story. Something must have happened at the mansion, and she was unaware of it.
Once they left, Madam Lu threw the teacup by her hand forcefully onto the ground, shattering it.