Chapter 005 Lessons for the Slave and Maid

Qian Ge's words were neither light nor heavy, but they were filled with an unprecedented sense of authority, naturally exuding the aura of someone in a higher position. This frightened Hua Mei, who quickly denied, "No! I didn't, I was just acting out of desperation, wanting to help Miss..."

"You dare to address me in such a manner in front of the Second Miss," Qian Ge's gaze turned cold, "Are you implying that I have wronged you?"

"N-no, I dare not!" Hua Mei trembled and knelt to the ground, seeking help from Xue Qiandai, only to see her mistress looking stunned and bewildered.

Xue Qiandai was momentarily at a loss. How could this be? These two foolish women were supposed to be questioned about some "difficult-to-speak-of" matter, but the reality was different from what she had anticipated.

Hua Mei looked towards Xue Qianwu, "Young Miss, please speak up for me. I did not disrespect the Second Miss, nor did I have any ill intentions..."

"What is your status that you dare to command the Young Miss!" Qian Ge reprimanded sharply.

Xue Qianwu observed the scene before her. Initially, she had intended to question Hua Mei about the situation, but Qian Ge had beaten her to it. Seeing Qian Ge's stern demeanor, she hesitated, realizing that there was something suspicious.

She was naturally astute, and although her worldly experience was limited and her thoughts were still quite innocent, it did not mean she was foolish. She surmised that Qian Ge's outburst must have had a reason, so she hesitated and did not speak up for Hua Mei.

"Second Sister is so furious, how can younger sister handle this," Xue Qiandai's expression turned unpleasant. This had disrupted her plans and she was being reprimanded by her sister. Wasn't this embarrassing for her? "It's because younger sister did not educate her maid properly. When you have such a noble status, why bother with a servant? It will only harm your health, and it's my fault."

"Look at what Third Sister is saying," Qian Ge chuckled lightly, "Taking the blame for the maid's mistake. Those who know will say that Third Sister is kind and forgiving, but those who don't will think that Third Sister's maids are unruly and that the mistress has to bear the consequences. You can't spoil them like this. Hua Mei disrespected the mistress, but considering Third Sister's sake, I will punish her by making her serve me the medicine. What do you think, Third Sister?"

Xue Qiandai gritted her teeth inwardly. This despicable person was really treating her as nothing. Fine, she wanted to punish her maid, didn't she? Xue Qiandai's eyes flashed with malice.

"Second Sister is too lenient. Younger sister thinks the punishment is too light. I will have to discipline her again when she returns," Xue Qiandai walked to the table and tested the temperature of the medicine bowl with her hand, "This medicine has cooled down. Hua Mei, go and reheat it in the kitchen, then come back and serve Second Sister the medicine properly."

"Yes, I obey." Hua Mei quickly got up from the ground, still unsteady on her feet. She had always been pampered and favored by the Third Miss, and had never been punished like this before. She felt both resentful and hateful towards Qian Ge.

Hua Mei took the bowl from Xue Qiandai, their eyes met for a moment, and she nodded slightly before quickly leaving the room.

Qian Ge observed their interaction and smiled, "It's quite troublesome for Third Sister's maid to run errands."

"Not at all," Xue Qiandai replied, "Previously, Third Sister saw that it was Eldest Sister who brought in the medicine. I assume the maids in the Mingyu Pavilion are so busy that they don't even have time to bring in the medicine. It's only right for Third Sister to ask for some help."

"Indeed," Qian Ge looked at her and smiled, "Mother is caring, and she sent a few maidservants over to attend to me. But I never see them around, I don't know if they are slacking off somewhere or being ordered around by someone else. Out of respect for Mother, I can't scold or punish them, I can only tolerate them."

Xue Qiandai was speechless. Whether they were slacking off or being ordered around, it all had to be attributed to Mother. She couldn't say anything in response.