Chapter : 07
Then Show Them No Mercy
Apa flinched, but as though she had no interest in Shen Fu’s internal affairs, she quickly put on a calm smile.
No matter how powerful the Shen family was, they were still nothing more than a merchant family. Doing business with the Eldest Miss might earn her Shen Fu’s displeasure, but she was not afraid. She was close to the senior maid who served the Lady of the Shen Residence, close enough to handle the household’s servant transactions herself. More than anything, the thought of turning that detestable Sheng Apa’s insides upside down filled her with satisfaction.
“Anyway, you came to the right person. I’ll take care of everything perfectly, so don’t worry.”
One sharp-eyed guard watched the two women walking away. He hurriedly found Steward Wu and told him what had happened.
“What? The Young Lady wants to sell off the servants?”
Steward Wu was utterly shocked. He had a bad feeling about this. Wasn’t she planning to disregard Madam Shen Xue’s reputation and get rid of the people she had planted around the Young Lady?
“She’s acting however she pleases without worrying about the consequences. What a temper.”
His wrinkled face became even more creased with worry. But he couldn’t simply sit back and do nothing. Steward Wu hurried toward Yingyun Courtyard, where he happened to run into Senior Maid Xu, who was stomping around angrily after coming to look for Madam Shen Xue.
Most of the servants working in Shen Hui’s courtyard had been planted there by Madam Shen Xue. In other words, even though they worked in Shen Hui’s courtyard, they were not actually Shen Hui’s servants.
For Shen Hui to dispose of them at will meant that she no longer cared about Madam Shen Xue at all.
The snowfall did not weaken. Instead, as time passed, the snowflakes grew larger, as though they intended to cover the entire city of Fengzhou in white.
Shen Hui’s face grew even paler as she coughed softly. Her throat felt parched, as though it were burning dry. Just then, Yichui entered the room, quickly poured her some warm tea, and gently patted her back, but the coughing showed no sign of easing.
Yichui looked at Shen Hui, who was resting her head against her chest and trying to catch her breath, then spoke cautiously.
“Miss, just as you instructed, I brought Apa, who works near the embroidery shops in the eastern alley. She’s waiting outside right now. I also deliberately let one of the guards overhear what was going on.”
Then it would only be a matter of time before Shen Gu heard about this.
Shen Hui nodded.
“Other than you, there’s no one in this residence I can trust. If I don’t place my own people here quickly, Yingyun Courtyard will force more people on me again.”
Shen Hui dragged her exhausted body outside with Yichui’s support.
“Greetings, Eldest Miss.”
Apa hurriedly bowed and then discreetly looked Shen Hui over.
Everyone in Fengzhou knew that the Eldest Miss of the Shen family was sickly. Indeed, the woman standing before her seemed terribly weak, panting for breath as she walked.
The servants lined up in the courtyard did not pay the slightest attention to their mistress, Shen Hui. Their faces seemed to have the two words contempt and disdain written all over them.
So the rumors are true.
Apa sneered inwardly, but naturally did not let it show.
The servants shoved and jostled one another before one of them finally stepped forward.
“Our servant contracts are with the First Madam, and Senior Maid Xu has gone to retrieve them. You summoned Apa as well just to intimidate us, didn’t you? Even if you are our mistress, you still have to follow the proper procedures.”
Shen Hui actually hoped that the foolish Madam Shen Xue would come running over herself, so she merely smiled without the slightest hint of fear.
Above all, Shen Gu cared deeply about his reputation. He would certainly come.
Yichui brought over a chair and helped Shen Hui sit down before speaking to Apa.
“I’ll give you the servant contracts later. And we’ll pay you generously, so select several servants who know their place and send them over. Once the Young Lady has seen them and is satisfied, she’ll make sure you’re well compensated.”
As she spoke, she handed Apa a gold ingot.
Apa’s eyes lit up when she felt the considerable weight of the gold in her hand.
“Of course. Why would I refuse? I’ll bring some decent candidates soon. The Young Lady can look them over herself and choose whichever ones she likes.”
Apa quickly tucked the gold into her clothes, then placed both hands on her hips and shouted at the servants.
“Tsk, tsk. How dare these lowly servants be so insolent? That Sheng Apa woman is really something else. How could she send such useless trash to serve a noble lady?”
Apa’s shoulders shook with delight.
Once I’m done with today’s business and get away from the Shen residence, I should spread this news immediately. After that, which prestigious family would ever want to do business with Sheng Apa? This is my chance to crush that old woman. How could I possibly let it slip away?
Apa turned to Shen Hui and said,
“It seems these servants have become arrogant because our kind-hearted Young Lady couldn’t bring herself to punish them. I should take these worthless things away and beat them. They’ll only understand once they see blood. I’m sure they’ll become obedient within a few days.”
In a situation like this, she had to say as many pleasing things as possible.
Shen Hui looked Apa straight in the eyes and calmly said,
“Then show them no mercy.”
At that moment, hurried footsteps could be heard from a distance.
Shen Hui tensed slightly and turned her head.
The person leading the group was none other than Shen Gu.
He was dressed in the same mourning clothes as before. His appearance was ordinary and unremarkable, but the quality of his clothing gave him an air of refinement and nobility.
Originally, Shen Gu had been promised to a fiancée chosen by Shen Zhu, the mistress of the Second Branch. Of course, Shen Zhu had no affection for Shen Gu, a concubine-born son. She was also afraid that her own children would be overshadowed by Shen Gu because of his exceptional scholarly abilities, so she had deliberately chosen an insignificant match for him.
However, Shen Gu was later adopted by the First Branch, and that marriage naturally became a thing of the past.
In her previous life, however, Shen Gu had completely lost sight of his own station and become overly ambitious. He wanted to marry the daughter of an official. Ordinary women were beneath his arrogant gaze.
A step behind Shen Gu, Madam Shen Xue entered the courtyard. Her face was twisted unpleasantly, and a faint anger lingered around her eyes.
Behind her came Steward Wu, Senior Maid Wang, Senior Maid Xu, and a procession of servants.
“First Madam! Young Master!”
The servants standing in the courtyard rushed toward them as though they had found their savior, respectfully bowing.
“First Madam, please save us!”
“What happened was…”
The servants began pouring out their grievances, but contrary to their expectations, they met Shen Gu’s cold, emotionless gaze and instinctively fell silent.
Shen Hui remained seated without the slightest tremor.
Leaning lazily against the chair as though she had no bones, crossing her legs and resting one arm on the armrest, she displayed an unmistakable air of arrogance and insolence.
“Yangyang, the snow is falling so heavily. Why are you outside instead of staying in your room and resting?”
Shen Gu approached Shen Hui with a worried expression.
The closer he came, the tighter Shen Hui gripped the armrest.
“I heard you suffered from a high fever last night. This elder brother of yours has been so busy that I simply couldn’t find the time to visit. That’s why I’ve come to apologize. Yangyang, why aren’t you saying anything? Are you sulking and deliberately being difficult?”
As he spoke, Shen Gu raised his hand as if intending to touch Shen Hui’s forehead.
Shen Hui was still young and sickly, and she had not yet developed the mature beauty that could stir a man’s heart. Therefore, Shen Gu had not yet developed any improper thoughts toward her. He was genuinely worried about her.
Smack!
Shen Hui recoiled in disgust and slapped Shen Gu’s hand away.
The crisp sound rang through the courtyard as clearly as a slap to the face.
Her eyes were clear and transparent.
“Brother, I’ve never liked other people touching me. Especially someone like you.”
It was an extremely rude remark.
But to the people of the Shen residence, who knew very well that the Eldest Miss had been arrogant and untouchable since childhood, it was an all-too-familiar sight.
Madam Shen Xue felt as though her chest were being squeezed tight, but Shen Gu remained completely composed.
He was like a hypocritical snake.
He continued smiling as though he could generously tolerate Shen Hui’s willfulness.
“It’s fine. It doesn’t hurt at all.”
Shen Hui smiled sweetly and retorted,
“Ah, of course it doesn’t. Your skin is so thick, after all.”
Madam Shen Xue was so dumbfounded that she wondered if she had heard correctly.
But she remembered Shen Gu’s warning on the way here and could only swallow her anger.
She was so frustrated that she felt like smashing her head against a wall.
With great reluctance, Madam Shen Xue approached Shen Hui and slowly raised her hand.
The servants facing the threat of being sold became extremely excited at the sight.
First Madam, hit her! Hurry! Slap that bitch across the face!
The Young Master has only just joined the First Branch, so it may be difficult for him to punish the Young Lady. But you, First Madam, can discipline her as much as you want!
However, Madam Shen Xue bit her lip tightly, pulled a bundle of papers from her sleeve, and threw them onto Shen Hui’s lap.
They were none other than the servant contracts Shen Hui had wanted.
Shen Hui had no intention of entertaining Madam Shen Xue’s anger. Humming softly, she leisurely checked the contracts.
There were fifteen in total, and not a single one was missing.
Shen Gu suppressed his anger and spoke gently.
“Weren’t these people sent by Mother to serve you in the first place? If you’re dissatisfied with them, then dismiss them. What’s so difficult about that? You’re still young, but surely you’re capable of making a decision like this yourself. As long as this elder brother and Mother are here, you’ll always be the most cherished young lady in our family.”
Shen Gu still believed that Shen Hui had some use to him, so he coaxed and placated her with pleasant words.
If she can remain mentally and physically at ease, perhaps she’ll live a few more years. It would be troublesome if she died early from anger.
Madam Shen Xue tightly clenched her handkerchief and forced a smile.
“Yes, Gu’er is right.”
Shen Gu wanted to show everyone how close the bond between him and Shen Hui was, so he deliberately refrained from showing any anger in public.
Shen Hui, however, paid neither of them any attention and leaned back against the chair again.
“Ah, how touching. I’m moved to tears.”
Anyone could tell that there wasn’t the slightest bit of sincerity in her words.
This time, even Shen Gu’s expression stiffened slightly.
Madam Shen Xue’s eyes trembled with fury.
That damned girl! Fine, go ahead and act as arrogant as you please. Before long, I’ll make you cry your eyes out!
Just when the suffocating silence seemed to settle over the courtyard, desperate pleas for mercy and miserable cries suddenly filled the air.
The situation had completely reversed in an instant.
Those who had been acting boldly only moments ago because they believed they had Madam Shen Xue’s protection were now suffering the backlash.
The fifteen terrified servants hurriedly dropped to their knees or prostrated themselves on the ground.
Snow that had already accumulated on the ground seeped into their clothes, but they seemed completely oblivious to the cold.
“Young Lady, please! Please forgive us just this once! We won’t do it again!”
“First Madam! Aren’t we your people? We’ve worked hard for you all this time, so how could you…”
Madam Shen Xue’s eyelids trembled violently.
Simply handing the servant contracts over had already amounted to bowing her head to Shen Hui.
And now these worthless creatures dared to bring up their past service in front of everyone.
She was so humiliated that she could barely raise her head.
Madam Shen Xue abruptly turned around, ground her teeth, and shouted furiously,
“Do you all want to die? Guards, bind these people and gag them!”
“Yes!”
The steward standing behind her quickly nodded and gestured to the other servants.
Several servants approached with ropes and tightly bound the fifteen servants who were lying on the ground, tying them together in a single line.
Miserable cries rang through the courtyard.
Yet a smile slowly spread across Shen Hui’s lips.
