Chapter 16: A Well-Intentioned Reminder

“Yingxia, go and take a look.”

Yingxia put down the towel in her hands, lifted the curtain, and stepped outside.

The courtyard was surprisingly bustling. Yingxia hurried forward to bow to Xiao Tuyou, and then to Madam Xiao standing behind him.

“How is Yueyue? Is she feeling better?”

Yingxia cautiously glanced at Xiao Tuyou’s expression before respectfully responding to Madam Xiao, “Miss’s fever has gone down; she’s feeling much better now.”

“That’s good. But I never expected the Champion Marquis to arrive so early.”

Xiao Tuyou cast a cold glance, his thin lips parting slightly. “Not as diligent as Madam. After such a huge commotion last night, she acted as if nothing had happened.”

Madam Xiao’s face momentarily clouded over but quickly returned to normal. “Li Yang also had troubles. The entire household was busy until midnight. Perhaps she was asleep too deeply to hear anything.”

“Then Madam must properly discipline the servants. When the mistress is in trouble and nobody reports it, such insolent slaves who defy their master will surely bring disaster.”

Madam Xiao’s composure faltered completely. Xiao Tuyou was clearly undermining her, and she had no way to retort. Could she admit that she had deliberately stayed out of sight last night to teach her a lesson?

“The people in my household are naturally trustworthy. No need for the Marquis to worry.”

Xiao Tuyou handed a small bottle to Yingxia. “Very well. As for those servants in the ancestral hall who insulted the mistress, I will deal with them on behalf of Madam. No thanks necessary.”

A sweet fragrance wafted from the wooden stopper. Yingxia’s face brightened—this was lychee syrup.

Yet this was not the season for lychees, and no one knew where the Champion Marquis had obtained them.

“Your servant thanks the Marquis for this.”

Amid her joy, Yingxia did not forget to bow to Madam Xiao, clutching the bottle like a precious treasure as she entered the small kitchen.

Madam Xiao ignored her, her full attention fixed on what Xiao Tuyou had just said—that he had handled the servant in the ancestral hall.

“You, Champion Marquis, wield quite the authority. That woman was once my dowry maidservant. How could you bring yourself to lay a hand on her?”

She was hardly a dowry maidservant, merely someone who had come with her when she married into the household. She had been assigned a quiet, easy role, occasionally earning a little extra. Yet now Xiao Tuyou had dealt with her without even consulting her.

This was not merely punishing a maidservant—it was a blatant slap in her own face!

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“She did wrong and must be punished.”

“May I ask what wrong she committed? Yueyue was already sent to the ancestral hall to repent as punishment. Are you saying that because she failed to notice Yueyue’s illness promptly, you took her contract and threw her out of the mansion?”

Xiao Tuyou stood tall beneath the pear blossom tree in the courtyard, radiating authority. “Insulting imperial officials is wrong. Insulting martyrs who died for the country is even more disgraceful. This lowly servant insulted his mistress and accepted bribes—Madam, the perceptive lady of the house, what say you? Should he not be punished?”

Madam Xiao had not expected that in just one night, Xiao Tuyou would uncover all the despicable deeds this woman had committed over the years.

The thought that she was overshadowed by Xiao Tuyou filled Madam Xiao with stifling frustration.

Truly, an incompetent fool who only makes trouble and can’t even clean up after herself.

“If Madam doubts me, I can have Xuanqing copy the evidence and send it over. We can also consult the Chief of the Capital Police to determine the proper punishment for such a household servant.”

“No... no need. I trust the Marquis. Making a fuss over a mere maidservant before the Chief of the Capital Police would ruin the reputation of the Marquis’s household.”

Not just the household’s reputation—this woman was someone Madam Xiao had brought from her own family. If others found out, it would be difficult for her daughter to find a match. Outsiders might think the Marquis’s household was full of uncouth fools.

“The current Emperor governs through filial piety and values propriety. If he learns that the descendants of loyal ministers who sacrificed for the country live in misery, Madam must consider whether she can withstand the Emperor’s wrath.”

Madam Xiao’s face changed. “Are you threatening me?”

“I’m merely offering a friendly reminder.”

No sooner had Xiao Tuyou finished speaking than a careless voice came from outside: “Who are we impeaching? I can help.”

Bai Jin, carrying an exquisite lunchbox and dressed in white, strolled leisurely into the courtyard.

Madam Xiao’s head nearly swam. This scoundrel was a terror throughout the capital—reckless and unable to distinguish friend from foe. Anyone who annoyed him would have their faults dug up no matter where they hid.

His father and grandfather spoiled him. His father was a censor and a favorite of the Emperor, his aunt the Empress, backed by a powerful family. Every day he was either fighting crickets outside or obsessively digging up dirt on current officials.

He had become such a menace that anyone passing by his house would bolt their doors, fearing this second-generation troublemaker.

“Well, Zishu, you and I are close. This little favor is easy enough. I’ll have my father write a memorial, and by tomorrow morning, the matter will be settled swiftly.”

A glint of amusement flickered in Xiao Tuyou’s eyes. “Did Madam take note of my earlier reminder?”

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Madam Xiao nearly bit through her silver tooth. “I took note!”

“Madam, bad news, bad news!”

Nanny Wang rushed hurriedly into the courtyard, her face etched with anxiety. Madam Xiao’s heart sank, her eyelids twitching fiercely.

“What’s all this fuss? Can’t you speak calmly?”

Nanny Wang glanced discreetly at Xiao Tuyou, then swallowed her words and hesitated. “Madam, something has happened in the front courtyard. Please come quickly.”

The ominous feeling in Madam Xiao’s chest only deepened. If even Nanny Wang was so alarmed, it must be serious.

Her face pale, she struggled to maintain composure. “There’s so much chaos in the mansion. I won’t disturb you two any longer.”

Xiao Tuyou ignored her. Bai Jin called after the departing Madam Xiao, “If you need anything, just ask. I’ll give you a twenty percent discount!”

Madam Xiao’s knees nearly buckled. This fellow was no help—he just wanted to watch the show.

After repeated refusals, she hurried out with her attendants.

Bai Jin rubbed his chin with interest. “So, have you two completely torn each other apart now?”

Xiao Tuyou replied, “It was only a superficial peace to begin with. These people are wolves in sheep’s clothing.”

Bai Jin nodded thoughtfully. “By the way, have you been living in the mansion lately?”

“The old master is gravely ill and specifically requested my care.”

“Interesting. When young, he treated you badly. Now that he’s older, he seeks family. You must be soft-hearted. If it were me, I’d have quit long ago.”

Xiao Tuyou clearly didn’t want to dwell on the topic and glanced at the lunchbox Bai Jin was carrying. “What did you bring?”