tallest building

Chapter 8 Turbulence Begins

Hongxing and Zhuizi spent a lot of time going back and forth. When they returned to Yunfengzhai, they saw Zhang Ma standing in the doorway, looking at them with a half-smile.

"Aunt Zhang, we've brought back breakfast," Hongxing said with a smile.

She always smiled when she was with Zhang's mother, and there was no obvious disrespect in her words.

Aunt Zhang opened the food box with her hand, then snorted and threw the lid back: "You only brought it back after it had cooled down completely, you're really capable!"

"Don't be angry, Aunt Zhang. I didn't mean it. This place is quite remote, and the people in the kitchen were busy preparing breakfast for the master, so no one paid any attention to me. That's why I had to wait a little longer." Hongxing had already prepared her excuse.

These days, she keeps making excuses, thinking that Zhang Ma can't do anything to her.

"Ha, if it's remote, can't you walk faster?! How big is this mansion anyway? Did you turn into a maggot and crawl there? Besides, if you're worried about getting your hooves stuck, just go earlier." Zhang Ma didn't buy her argument. "It's not like we have a lot of guests who can't be entertained. There are only a few masters here, why are we serving these leftovers?!"

"How would I know?" Hongxing said aggrievedly. "They just ignore me and say they're busy whenever I ask. I don't know what kind of breakfast they've prepared for Madam and Fourth Young Master, and I don't dare... I don't dare to touch anything."

"You're acting all aggrieved!" Zhang Ma's eyes darkened. "You're making such a fuss over asking me to fetch breakfast? Does that mean Madam can't order you around anymore?"

“If the food gets cold, I’ll go to the kitchen and ask them to heat it up. I’m not worried about running around,” Hongxing said, choking back tears. “Mom, don’t put so much pressure on me. I’m just a little girl, I can’t handle that. I only have two legs, and I have to walk one step at a time. My mother didn’t give me wings!”

Hongxing knew, of course, that Zhang Ma was a shrew, but so what? Wasn't she just a servant too?
Meixiang's sworn brothers are all lowly servants, let alone the lady behind her who is nothing but a clay idol, so what is there to be afraid of?

It's not a big deal if they make a fuss; it just lets everyone know how unruly and shameless they, master and servant, are, and how disrespected they are.

"Oh ho, you little brat!" Zhang Ma raised her hand and slapped her across the face, the blow landing squarely. "Your mother didn't give you wings, but she did give you a sharp beak! Stop trying to talk back to me. Your great-grandmother has eyes that can see right through you, I've seen right through your deceitful nature."

You don't serve the madam and young master properly, and you still have the nerve to complain? Let me tell you, give up your wicked thoughts now! If you're not afraid I'll kill you, then keep causing trouble!

Hongxing was knocked to the ground by her, her face burning with pain, and she was completely stunned.

Zhui Zi, Gao Ma, and Aunt Tian, ​​who were standing nearby, were all frightened.

They knew Zhang Ma was shrewish, but they never expected her to be this shrewish; she was practically a madwoman!
Once Hongxing recovered, she burst into tears, repeatedly shouting that she didn't want to live anymore: "Why did you hit me?! I wasn't bought by you! If you're so capable, call a slave trader to sell me off and buy another obedient one to do as you please!"

While this commotion was raging, someone had already gone to the Song family to deliver a message.

“Young mistress, what did I tell you? In just a few days, that old firecracker Zhang Ma will explode.” Granny Yang had a smug look on her face. “Let them make a scene, the bigger the better! Let everyone in the capital know what kind of person our second wife really is.”

“Let’s go and see! We can’t let them keep making a scene.” Madam Song stood up and said, “After all, I’m the one in charge of the household now, and it’s not right of me. I’m partly to blame.”

When Song arrived at Yunfengzhai, she saw Hongxing crying and wailing, as if she wanted to die.

Seeing this, Granny Yang asked, "What happened?" Upon hearing this, Hongxing felt as if she had been struck by lightning, and she ran over crying, complaining, "Granny Yang, I can't live like this!"

"What's going on here? Let's talk this out! When has our household ever been in such an embarrassing situation?" Granny Yang began to play along, "What happened to your face?"

“It was Zhang Ma who called me!” Hongxing cried. “She sent me to the kitchen to get breakfast, and then complained that I came back late. I didn’t mean it, it’s just that the road is a bit far, and the kitchen is too busy.”

She aggressively accused me of deliberately neglecting her, and I had no choice but to defend myself. She then slapped me, called me a concubine, and threatened to kill me.

I was indeed a servant bought by the manor, but the laws of the country clearly state that even servants are not allowed to be beaten or killed at will, let alone what kind of master she is!
Even if I did something wrong, it wouldn't matter if you hit me a couple of times or scolded me a couple of times. Why do you have to say such nasty things to humiliate me? Even if I am a servant, I am still a human being.

They may not have much else, but they're tough enough to back up. They're not like prostitutes singing in brothels, devoid of any dignity.

Besides, even if she's older, it wouldn't hurt to criticize me a bit. There's no need for such a sarcastic tone; I don't even know if she's insulting me or someone else.

"Alright, stop crying. It's so embarrassing to make such a scene." Madam Song finally spoke up. "Zhang Ma is old and works for Madam. She'll say whatever she says to you. If you've done something wrong, correct it; if not, keep it in mind. Why do you have to argue with her? It only disturbs Madam's peace."

He then stepped forward and greeted Wen Mingqian, saying, "I have been ill these past few days and have not been able to come here to pay my respects to Madam. I am truly sorry for the neglect."

“You should rest properly while you’re sick,” Wen Mingqian said with concern. “I’ve thought about visiting you, but I also thought that you’re the most law-abiding person. If I went, I would definitely disturb you. It’s better for you to rest properly.”

"Thank you for your understanding, Madam. This girl is ignorant. I will take her back and discipline her properly, and then send another obedient one later," said Madam Song.

"You naturally want to make things easier for me, but it's best to resolve this matter here and now." Wen Mingqian said casually, yet his tone left no room for argument. "Since we've already started arguing, we have to discuss it. After all, there are big and small matters, but no big or small reason."

“What you say makes a lot of sense, so let’s handle it here!” Of course, Madam Song wouldn’t directly refute Wen Mingqian, after all, she wanted to protect her reputation as a virtuous woman.

Because she knew how important this thing was to her, even though the name was just an empty title, people still valued it.

And this is especially true for people of higher status.

She was unwilling to be a concubine, so she tried her best to protect her reputation.

"Hongxing, stop crying. Come over and talk things out with Zhang Mama." Granny Yang knew how to read the situation.

At this moment, Yunfengzhai was crowded with servants watching the excitement. The stage was already set up, shouldn't they put on a show?

Hongxing, covering her swollen cheek, walked over looking aggrieved.

Zhang Ma remained fearless, showing no regard for Song Shi and the others.

(End of this chapter)