tallest building

Chapter 32 Speaking of Fairness

Butler Chen naturally wanted to resist, but he was no match for Zhang Ma.

Zhang Ma rode on his back, her slaps flying out of the wind and leaving afterimages.

Steward Chen was beaten unconscious and had no power to fight back; he could only let out pig-like screams.

Some people came up to persuade him, while others tried to pull him away. Several people who tried to take sides were also slapped.

They finally managed to pull Zhang Ma away and help Butler Chen up as well.

"You...you old shrew!" Butler Chen's half-goatee trembled like a withered leaf in the wind, while the other half was clutched in Zhang Ma's hand.

"Bah! You heartless scoundrel! If I don't rip out your precious bezoars today, you've wasted your time knowing your Aunt Zhang!" Zhang Ma stood with one hand on her hip, blocking the way. "Old Zhu's family was transferred back by Madam. What right do you have to send them away?!"

The butler was both angry and ashamed, in pain and annoyed, but his mind was still relatively clear. He said, "I won't talk to you. Let's go to the master and settle this!"

Zhang Ma threw a tantrum and hit people. She felt she had suffered such injustice and that the master and mistress had to see it.

Zhang Ma retorted without backing down, "What? You think I'm afraid to see the master? Then please invite the madam over as well, and we'll have a three-way interrogation!"

Although Steward Chen didn't say it aloud, he cursed inwardly that Zhang Ma was courting death by leading her master into a fire pit.

However, he was happy to see it happen. When Wen Mingqian and his servant were scolded and punished, the young mistress would surely reward him, and even the master would comfort and console him, and he would never let him suffer this beating for nothing.

"Aunt Zhang, let it go! It'll get out of hand if this gets out of hand." Seeing how things had escalated, Zhu Xi was terrified and stepped forward to advise Aunt Zhang.

“I’m not afraid,” Zhang Ma said, flicking her sleeve. “Black can’t be made white, and white can’t be made black. I refuse to believe there’s no justice in this world!”

Several people helped Chen, the housekeeper, with Zhang Ma following closely behind. The Zhu family members naturally followed, along with many onlookers.

In the courtyard of Ruixiang Residence, Huahong was making knots under the eaves.

Butler Chen feigned extreme weakness and said, "Miss Hua Hong, please go in and tell them that I have been beaten and beg the master to do justice."

Hua Hong was also surprised, but before she could ask any questions, she hurriedly went inside.

At this moment, Gong Xu was drinking tea at the table, while Song Shi was doing needlework beside him.

"Who's making such a racket outside?" Madam Song asked before Hua Hong could speak.

“It’s Steward Chen. He brought a lot of people to ask the master to take action, saying that he was beaten by someone.” Hua Hong added, “This servant thinks Steward Chen is really badly injured.”

"Who did this?" Gong Xu asked in surprise. "Bring them in."

At this moment, Granny Yang had already crept in from outside, saying as she walked, "This is truly outrageous! I've lived to this age, and this is the first time I've ever seen such an absurd thing!"
So the lady brought back wasn't a maid, but a thug! That Zhang Ma almost beat Steward Chen to death! Ouch, blood's coming out of his mouth and nose! Poor Steward Chen, he's getting on in years.

"Zhang Ma did it?! Why would she hit Steward Chen?" Madam Song asked in surprise.

“This old servant doesn’t know,” Granny Yang shook her head, “but we have to find out the truth about this matter, otherwise things will get out of control.”

Gong Xu was already furious, and when he saw the scene after Steward Chen came in, his face turned even darker.

Butler Chen's clothes were torn in several places, one eye was black and blue, blood was seeping from his nose and mouth, and only half of his beard remained. He looked both pitiful and ridiculous.

"Master, you must do me justice!" Butler Chen cried, collapsing to the ground. "Otherwise, I'll have no face to live in this world!" "Don't cry, let's talk this out," said Madam Song. "Who hit you for no reason?"

"It's her!" The housekeeper pointed at Zhang Ma, tears streaming down her face. "That old shrew! She asked me why I was driving the Zhu family away, and I said it was the master's order. She wouldn't listen and started hitting me right away. Look what she did to me!"

"Zhang Ma, is that what happened?" Madam Song asked Zhang Ma.

"I hit him," Zhang Ma said without hesitation. "He deserved it!"

"Insolence!" Gong Xu's pent-up anger burst forth with these two words. "This unruly country bumpkin, get her out of here immediately!"

He didn't want to ask Zhang Ma any questions, and he didn't want to see her either. What was he waiting for if he didn't get rid of such a wicked servant?!

"Master, if you really kick me out, I'll go to the yamen to complain." Zhang Ma was really shrewish, even daring to challenge Gong Xu.

Gong Xu's eyes widened involuntarily; this old woman had simply reached a point of utter lawlessness!

For a moment, he even forgot his anger and only felt disbelief.

"Zhang Ma, how dare you talk back to the master like this? Get out of here! How did Madam teach you all this time?" Madam Song rarely scolded anyone, but in order to protect Gong Xu, she naturally chose to put on a stern face.

Her last words reminded Gong Xu, who then directed all his anger and resentment at Wen Mingqian: "Call the madam over! Look at her good servant!"

"Why is the master so angry?" Wen Mingqian's voice came from outside, calm and unhurried. "There's no need for anyone to invite me; I came myself."

This was the first time she had been present with Gong Xu and Madam Song since returning to the manor. The atmosphere in the room immediately became subtle, and even Steward Chen's groans became much quieter.

"You've come at the right time. The servants you brought back beat up Steward Chen without cause. What do you suggest we do?" Gong Xu questioned Wen Mingqian.

Wen Mingqian first looked at Butler Chen, then turned to Zhang Ma and asked, "Did you beat Butler Chen without cause?"

Aunt Zhang shook her head: "I did hit him, but it wasn't without reason."

"What is the reason for that?" Wen Mingqian was neither anxious nor annoyed; the more she acted this way, the angrier Gong Xu became.

Unaware that they have done something shameful, they still acted arrogantly and recklessly. They are utterly foolish and extremely rude!

I've been far too kind, allowing such a scoundrel to stay in my mansion!
“Madam, I was ordered by Master to have the Zhu family leave,” the butler said, his lips twitching. “But she stood up for the Zhu family and beat me up like this. People who don’t know better would think it was Madam’s doing!”

“Butler Chen, I’m asking about Zhang Ma,” Wen Mingqian said, his eyes cold and imposing. “We need to get things sorted out now. When will things ever be cleared up if they’re in such a mess?”

Steward Chen was speechless at Wen Mingqian's words and looked helplessly at Madam Song.

Song, naturally wanting to appear virtuous in front of Gong Xu, remained silent.

"Because Chen Youde is a scoundrel who steals from our house!" Zhang Ma said directly through the passageway, "With a menace like him around, the mansion will never have peace!"

"You're slandering me! I'm loyal and honest, heaven and earth can bear witness!" Steward Chen completely forgot his pain and angrily argued, "I think it's clearly you who have ulterior motives and are trying to smear others."

"The sixth house from the east in Huazhi Alley," Zhang Ma said with a half-smile, "is home to an eighteen-year-old prostitute named Chen Youde. Why haven't you been there these past few days?"

One sentence made Butler Chen turn ashen-faced and stare blankly.

(End of this chapter)