Chapter 5: Endless Greed

After hearing the mournful cry of the autumn lotus, there was a loud "clang," and one piece of the exquisite glazed tea set was missing.

This top-quality glazed tea set was truly well-made, changing with the weather. In spring, it was a riot of flowers; in summer, it endured the pounding rain; in autumn, it was adorned with osmanthus and chrysanthemums; in winter, it welcomed the falling snow with cold plum blossoms. It was truly precious.

When it was first made, there were only three sets. One set was presented as a tribute to the current emperor, another set was sold for a hefty sum to the loyal Marquis's mansion as part of her mother's dowry, and the whereabouts of the third set remain unknown to this day.

If it weren't for the fact that this tea set was a memento of her mother, it would have been given to Su Manjing long ago at the instigation of Autumn Lotus.

When the cup broke, a look of heartache flashed in Su Manjing's eyes, more tragic than losing her own parents.

Encountering such a situation, Su Manjing's eyes blazed with anger, and she slapped Autumn Lotus directly. In her eyes, everything belonging to Su He would eventually be hers, and by breaking Su He's tea set, Autumn Lotus had essentially broken her own tea set.

"Miss, spare me, please spare me," pleaded the dog of Lady Min, knowing full well that this tea set was Su Manjing's favorite. Kneeling on the ground, she begged for mercy, but deep down, she felt a sense of resentment.

She remembered clearly that Miss Su had often tried to please her and Lady Min in order to gain favor in front of the young lady.

"Miss, we servants have tough skin and thick flesh, but please don't hurt your fair and delicate hands," the maid offered a handkerchief to Su Manjing.

Upon hearing the maid's words, Su Manjing felt a sense of relief and said, "Sister, you are truly fortunate to have such a considerate maid. It's a pity that I..."

Before Su Manjing could finish her sentence, she noticed something suspicious on the maid, especially the faint strange smell emanating from her. Her next words were choked back.

"What is your role here with my sister?" Su Manjing asked, trembling, pointing to the suspicious item on the maid's hand, and then realizing that she had just drunk the tea poured by the maid.

She felt a surge of nausea and a sourness in her throat. "Su He, you... you've harmed me!"

Su He blinked her clear and bright eyes, filled with mockery, yet undeniably beautiful, leaving a lasting impression.

"Sister, why do you say that? When did I harm you? Did I push you down the stairs or make you eat something you shouldn't have?" Su He deliberately emphasized the words "shouldn't have eaten."

After hearing Su He's words, Su Manjing felt another surge of nausea and sourness in her stomach. "But you let someone like that serve me tea."

Thinking about how she had just drunk cup after cup of tea, Su Manjing felt a sourness in her throat and couldn't hold back any longer. She covered her mouth and rushed to the spittoon, retching violently.

Finally, she managed to say, "No wonder, no wonder you didn't drink a single cup."

"That's nothing," Su He said lightly, glancing at Su Manjing with a smile. "Sister, do you know that not only the fertilizer for the flowers, but also the vegetables and rice you eat daily, are all grown with that substance, directly poured onto them without any protection."

Unable to bear Su He's heavy words, Su Manjing, who had just regained some strength, couldn't stay any longer. She covered her mouth and rushed out of the courtyard. She didn't want to stay here any longer. If she continued to stay, she didn't know what else Su He would say to disgust her.

Watching Su Manjing's disheveled figure, Su He smirked slightly. It seemed that Su Manjing would be tormented for quite some time. Perhaps for the rest of her life, whenever she saw vegetables on the table, she would think of today's events.

Only when Su Manjing's figure had completely disappeared did Su He say, "Go and see to Second Sister, and send some Emei snow buds over as well."

How could she let Su Manjing off so easily? After sending the Emei snow buds, Su Manjing would probably have another episode.

Autumn Lotus had been worried about not having a chance to flatter Li Min and Su Manjing, and now the opportunity had presented itself. She naturally wouldn't let it slip by and hurriedly followed to take care of Su Manjing.

Afterward, Su He said, "Maid, you will stay in the house from now on!"

The maid was slightly surprised. Was the young lady going to keep her as a personal maid? This was something she had never dared to dream of.

"Miss, what about Autumn Lotus?"

Su He furrowed her brows slightly and said, "Let's not bother with her for now. Keeping her around will be useful."

In the courtyard, Su Manjing had emptied her stomach and felt a burning sensation in her throat and eyes, feeling extremely uncomfortable.

Seeing Autumn Lotus, who had followed her, her eyes blazed even more fiercely, and she gave Autumn Lotus a resounding slap. "Why didn't you warn me earlier and let me drink the tea brewed by that wretched maid?"

Qiuhe was really confused this time. She was the personal maid of the prime minister's daughter and had never been slapped before. But today, she had been slapped twice by Su Manjing, and she couldn't help feeling resentful.

Immediately, she retorted, "I had already signaled to Miss Er with my eyes, but she never looked at me from beginning to end. It's not my fault. I was punished by Miss Da because I spoke up for Miss Er. Have you ever cared about me, Miss Er? I've been in this mansion for so long and have never been slapped before. But today, I was slapped by you twice. It seems that you also look down on me. I'm sorry, I'm afraid I won't be able to help you in the future."

Since Qiuhe started to please Li Min and Su Manjing, they had often used her to deal with Su He, and it had always worked. Therefore, they valued Qiuhe and had given her many benefits.

Qiuhe was also insatiable. For the sake of benefits, she didn't think there was anything wrong with doing those things.

"You..." Su Manjing was speechless. She could tolerate Su He, as she was the legitimate daughter of the mansion, but now, a servant dared to confront her.

She wanted to punish Qiuhe severely, but what Qiuhe said struck a chord. She couldn't do anything to Qiuhe because they still needed her to deal with Su He.

Thinking of this, a coldness flashed in Su Manjing's eyes. She took off a jade bracelet from her wrist and said, "Qiuhe, don't be angry. I'll make it up to you here, and in the future, my mother and I will rely on you even more."

This despicable maid, she said so much just for money. After we get rid of Su He, and you are no longer useful, I will make you regret and wish for death.