Chapter 011: Taking Retreat as Progress

Xue Qiandai was about to speak, and the old lady said, "Eldest girl, it's your turn."

Xue Qianwu smiled and replied, "How could Qiange punish the maid of the third sister? It was just that there was no one to attend to in the room, so I asked Huamei to serve the medicine. As a result, Huamei spilled the medicine on the quilt that grandmother rewarded, and the third sister got angry and hit Huamei."

The old lady looked at Xue Qiandai again and said, "Third girl, is that true?"

Xue Qiandai couldn't argue, her eyes turned and she said with grievance, "What Eldest sister said is true. It was Qiange who ordered Huamei to be punished."

The old lady frowned and scolded, "As a girl, how could you punish the maid so severely? Is this the behavior of a young lady? If the maid did something wrong, you should tell your mother, and your mother will handle it for you. If news of you punishing the maid harshly spreads, it will ruin your reputation."

"Grandmother is right, I know I was wrong," Xue Qiandai's eyes suddenly misted, "But I didn't want to do it. I was afraid that if I didn't, my two sisters wouldn't forgive me."

Lushi quickly interjected, "What's going on? Are Eldest Miss and Second Miss forcing you to punish the maid? Tell your mother quickly!"

Xue Qiandai hesitated for a moment before timidly saying, "I really didn't mean to accuse Second sister. I was standing behind and only saw Second sister take the bowl from Huamei, and then the medicine spilled on the bed. I thought it was Second sister's carelessness, but Eldest sister thought I was covering for the maid and scolded me harshly. I regretted speaking wrongly and making my sisters angry, and I was also angry that Huamei ruined grandmother's rewarded quilt, so I punished Huamei in a fit of anger."

After Xue Qiandai finished speaking, she turned to Qianwu and Qiange, and said pitifully, "Eldest sister, Second sister, I really didn't mean it. I really didn't see clearly at the time, so I misunderstood. I have already punished Huamei. Please don't be angry with me anymore."

If the roles were reversed, Qiange would have applauded Xue Qiandai. What a clever way to turn the tables! Not only did she appear innocent, but she also gained a reputation as a beloved sister. Meanwhile, she and her sisters seemed to be bullying their younger sister, forcing her to punish her own maid, and even intentionally spilling the medicine to frame Huamei.

"My silly Third Miss!" Lushi exaggeratedly exclaimed, looking at Qiange and Qianwu with accusing eyes, as if they had committed some unforgivable offense. "Eldest Miss, Second Miss, Third Miss is young and doesn't understand. Even if she accidentally said something to offend you, you should be more lenient with her as her sisters. Why are you pressuring her like this!"

"Whether Third Miss forgives us or not, we can't bear it," Qiange said slowly. "Third Miss didn't see clearly what happened and mistakenly thought it was me, not Huamei, who spilled the medicine. It shows that she trusts Huamei more than me, and believes that I made the mistake. She felt wronged and tried to please me by blaming Huamei. How can I bear this as her sister? It should be me asking for Third Miss's forgiveness."

Xue Qiandai's voice choked, and she shook her head in distress, "No, Second sister, that's not what I meant, really!"

"How can Second Miss say that about Third Miss!" Lushi couldn't help but scold, "Third Miss just spoke without thinking, why are you interpreting it this way? I see that you are bullying Third Miss, who is kind and gentle. Not only did you force her to punish the maid, but you also blame her in return. You..."

"Enough!" the old lady interrupted, glaring at Lushi. "I've understood the situation. It's Third girl's fault."

"Grandmother!" Lushi called out, but was silenced by a stern look from the old lady.