Chunyu listened, her face changing once more.
Xiqiu, however, smiled sweetly and said, "Nanny, no need to be modest." She then looked at the other older women. "It’s getting late. If you have finished your tasks, why not stay a while longer and have a cup of tea before you leave?"
The older women were momentarily taken aback by Xiqiu’s demeanor, and then, fearing that Tong Minzhi might pass his illness onto them, they had long wanted to leave this place of conflict. Now that Xiqiu had invited them to stay, one quickly replied, "We dare not impose on Sixth Miss and Seventh Young Master; our duties are not yet completed."
Xiqiu nodded, glanced at Siliu, and Siliu took out some coins from her pocket. "Nannies, please use this to buy some wine to ward off the cold." The women accepted the money with some trepidation: "Thank you, Sixth Miss." They then looked at Nanny Qian’s expression.
During this time, Nanny Qian’s eyes quickly scanned the inner room, and a hint of surprise appeared in her eyes. She then bowed slightly. "The weather is cold; Sixth Miss, please take care of yourself. If there’s anything you need, just send someone to call me. I will return to my duties now." Throughout this time, Nanny Qian did not spare a glance at Chunyu.
Chunyu nearly ground her teeth to powder. Seeing Nanny Qian about to leave, she hurriedly stopped her: "Since you’re here, Nanny, would you not sit a little longer? Sister Qiuyun said she has something to discuss with you."
Nanny Qian gave a half-smile and pushed Chunyu’s hand aside, her tone no longer as amiable as before: "If Maid Qiuyun has something to discuss, she can find me in the inner courtyard. Please don’t hold onto me; unlike you, I am not as leisurely." With that, she left without looking back.
"You!" Chunyu was furious, her face turning red. After Nanny Qian and the others disappeared beyond the doorway, she spun around, unwillingly glaring at the inner room, as if hoping for a miracle that would show Xu Tianqing stepping out from inside.
Siliu, arms akimbo, sneered, "Maid Chunyu, you truly are devoted, scurrying around for Seventh Young Master so late at night."
With Nanny Qian gone, Chunyu felt utterly isolated. But with the situation as it was, she could only risk it all. She turned and smiled, saying, "Indeed, Seventh Young Master is ill, and I am very worried..." As she said this, she strode toward the room. "Sixth Miss has tended to him all night; allow me to relieve you so you don’t tire yourself out."
Siliu raised an arm, blocking her path. "No need for Maid Chunyu!"
"What is this all about?" Chunyu halted and looked at Xiqiu. "Sixth Miss, are you saying I can’t even see Seventh Young Master..." Before she finished, she involuntarily froze, seeing Xiqiu standing there calmly, a faint smile on her face, as serene and gentle as ever. Yet Chunyu’s body shivered involuntarily.
Like she didn’t recognize Xiqiu, she stood there in a daze!
"Tie her up and have someone watch over her," Xiqiu said indifferently, not sparing Chunyu a glance as she turned to enter the room.
"Yes!" Siliu smirked; she had long wanted to deal with her.
Chunyu’s face changed, not believing Xiqiu would really dare act against her: "On what grounds does Sixth Miss tie up a servant? Even if I made a mistake, it’s not your place to punish me! Or has Sixth Miss done something scandalous and is feeling guilty, afraid I’ll spread the word, and thus is angry?!"
Xiqiu utterly ignored her, stepping into the room already. Siliu had already grabbed her arm. Chunyu, panicked, exerted all her strength to push Siliu away, overturning a round table in the process. The tea tray and china shattered on the ground, and tea splashed onto Xiqiu’s skirt, leaving the room in disarray: "You’re just an unwelcome concubine’s daughter, living off flattering Lady; the influential girls in this house all surpass you! What gives you the right?" She stared at Xiqiu’s back like a trapped beast. "I did nothing wrong. I wish to see Lady."
Xiqiu had already turned into the room, having not spared her a glance. Siliu, having been pushed by Chunyu, grew angry. Although she had slept earlier, she had seen enough through the night to understand and was already fuming. She immediately rolled up her sleeves and pressed down on Chunyu’s hand, giving her a slap: "Since you call yourself a servant, you should know your place. Affairs of the masters are not for you to comment on." Finished, she swiftly took Chunyu’s waistband and tied her hands behind her back, slapping her twice more: "Stop spouting nonsense!"
"Sixth Miss is going to kill me, kill me!" Chunyu’s face quickly swelled up, blood oozing from the corner of her mouth. Teary-eyed, she shouted, causing the maids and women in the courtyard to peek their heads out and steal glances.
At this moment, Tong Shen Zhi stepped out from a side chamber, frowning. Seeing him, Chunyu rushed over as if clutching at a life-saving straw, kneeling on the ground: "Young Master, please save me. I’ve served Lady since childhood, working hard despite no achievements. Sixth Miss ties me up without understanding the situation—I refuse to accept this!" She, changing from her earlier sharpness, cried helplessly, as if Xiqiu were the villainous master incapable of tolerating a capable and effective servant.
Siliu looked towards Xiqiu, hesitating whether to drag Chunyu away.
Xiqiu, composed, turned and walked out, greeting Tong Shen Zhi: "Elder Brother!"
For a moment, silence reigned within the room. The maids in the courtyard all knew Chunyu was Lady’s person, and aside from Lady, no one dared to deal with them. This allowed her and Qiuyun to act freely in the Seventh Young Master’s quarters without anyone daring to intervene.
They speculated silently, worried for Sixth Miss, who they feared was overstepping, given that neither the Elder Master nor Lady could be offended.
Chunyu looked at Tong Shen Zhi hopefully, believing he would surely consider Lady’s dignity and save her, even their eyes exchanged glances hinting at some unspoken sentiment.
Contrary to her expectations, Tong Shen Zhi stepped back, displeased, and looked at Siliu: "What are you waiting for? Drag this kind of servant away so as not to disturb Seventh Brother’s rest." He then called over his shoulder: "Yishan!"
Everyone was stunned, Chunyu most of all, staring at Tong Shen Zhi blankly, not understanding why he would not uphold Lady’s dignity and instead side with Sixth Miss. But before she could voice her surprise, Yishan, who had followed Tong Shen Zhi out, emerged holding Qiuyun, who was similarly bound and gagged.
Siliu, seeing this situation, felt her hesitation dissipate instantly. She stepped forward, dragged Chunyu, gagged her like Yishan had done to Qiuyun, and together they dragged both Chunyu and Qiuyun out the door.
Chunyu looked at Qiuyun, their eyes full of hopeless terror.
Once they were gone, the room fell quiet.
"Elder Brother, have some tea!" A maid entered to tidy up, righting the table and bringing new tea sets. Xiqiu herself poured a cup of tea for Tong Shen Zhi, standing respectfully to one side.
"I will explain the situation to Mother." Tong Shen Zhi accepted the tea but did not drink it. There was hardly any space left to stand in the room, and he could only remain where he was, looking at Xiqiu, brow slightly furrowed as if contemplating deeply, but ultimately swallowing his words.
Xiqiu said nothing, she merely bowed slightly, "Thank you, Elder Brother." After a pause, she added, "Seventh Brother just woke up. Would Elder Brother like to go in and take a look?"