Full House Spring

Chapter 6 Fighting
Le Shou Tang is not short of maids, but it is short of capable senior maids.

The old lady would rather have nothing than something less than perfect, so apart from Nanny Xie, the only people who served her closely were Bai Shao and Shi Mi.

Although Xia Li was bought by Nanny Xie, he was not the focus of cultivation, and others were also under consideration.

The old lady noticed that Aunt Xie seemed to be worried, and said calmly:

"Is there something wrong with that girl?"

After these words were spoken, Shi Mi and Bai Shao looked at Nanny Xie at the same time, wanting to hear how she would respond.

Nanny Xie had accompanied the old lady through all the ups and downs. Now that the Duke's position was secure, the old lady could rest easy. Although she had become a little more loving, her shrewdness remained the same and she was still sensitive and suspicious.

Aunt Xie looked calm and said in a gentle voice, "You are worrying too much, old lady. Xia Li is smart and seems to behave well, but after all, he was bought from outside and has no parents to support him. It won't be wrong for us to be more careful."

The old lady smiled and said to Shi Mi and Bai Shao:

"You still need to learn more from Alan. It is because of her caution that nothing has ever gone wrong around me."

Shi Mi and Bai Shao hurriedly bent down and said, "I will remember your teachings!"

The old lady raised her hand, turned to Madam Xie and said, "Send the maid to run an errand and ask Madam Wu to come to me."

They are all people who were very repressed when they were young, and they are bound to feel lonely when they are old. It is understandable that they want to find a channel to vent, but they cannot tolerate anyone reaching under their noses.

Madam Xie agreed softly, and she said respectfully, "I will have someone call you later. Master, please take a short rest first, so that you won't be exhausted when the time comes."

The old lady had a regular schedule and would take a rest at noon every day. She was already feeling a little drowsy at this moment. The three of them helped her lie down. Bai Shao and Shi Mi stayed in the inner room to guard the place. Nanny Xie came out to call a maid to run errands.

Although the old lady was a powerful person, she was very kind to the servants who served her, especially those who had made contributions in their early years.

Even if Mrs. Wu has many faults, as long as she does not threaten the master of the mansion, she will most likely not be severely punished.

Nanny Xie understood the old lady well, so she never took the initiative to offend her. The errand girl went out in the scorching sun to call for help, but she came back empty-handed and she was the only one who came back alone.

When Aunt Xie heard that Mrs. Wu's leg was broken, she was very surprised and went to see what happened in person.

Xia Li had no idea what was going on in the inner courtyard. After watering the flowers and plants, the older woman assigned her some work to do. She was busy until sunset before she could take a break.

When she dragged her tired body back to the house, she saw clothes scattered on the floor as soon as she reached the door. Xia Li took a closer look and found that they were the clothes that Mrs. Wu had given her before. Although she had never worn the clothes, she was sure that they were hers.

A sharp voice came from inside the house, "What kind of filthy thing did you send to live with us? You didn't even go out to ask around, and you even dared to mess with my things. Throwing them away this time is the lightest punishment. If you dare to mess around again, I'll burn them to death..."

Xia Li's eyes were filled with anger. She clearly did not take the initiative to provoke anyone, but these people just wouldn't let her go. She picked up the clothes on the ground, walked in with a gloomy face, and shouted sternly:

"I can hear dogs barking from a distance. Do you own this house alone? Can your things fit in mine?"

Zi Fu was slightly stunned when she heard this. She obviously didn't expect Xia Li to confront her head-on. Not wanting to be suppressed, she stood up and said, "Do you understand the rules? This is the Duke's Mansion, not a rural village. How can you act wildly here?"

Xia Li put the clothes back into the closet and said with a half-smile, "Look at what you said. People who don't know would think you are the master of the mansion. We live in the same room, so how are you more noble than me?"

Zi Fu was furious and yelled at the girls who were watching: "Why are you just standing there watching? I was bullied by this new guy and you didn't even help me."

Man Qing pretended to hold her sister and said in a steady voice, "We are all sisters working together, it would be better if we could talk to each other in a friendly manner. Why are we fighting like chicken eyes?"

Zi Fu was not convinced and said, "I told you long ago that the empty space was for clothes. Everyone knows this. Why did she take it up when she came?"

Man Qing frowned slightly and said to Xia Li like a mature young man:
"You are indeed wrong in this matter. You didn't even say hello and just put the clothes into the closet without saying anything. It's understandable that Zi Fu is so angry. After all, you are new here. Just admit your mistake and make amends, and this matter will be over."

Mai Dong found it funny and said in a clear voice:
"Sister Manqing, what you said is totally unreasonable. There are a certain number of beds and cupboards in our house. It's obviously Zi Fu who wants to occupy them..."

Before she could finish her words, she was pulled aside by Xiangru beside her. Manqing gave Maidong a warning look, and then looked at Xia Li.

Xia Li was not afraid. After all, there was a girl with a positive outlook in the room. She glanced at Man Qing with contempt and said slowly, "You have the final say on the principles of love. If I don't apologize, what will you do?"

Zi Fu rolled up her sleeves and was about to rush forward, but Man Qing grabbed her and said with an unpleasant expression:
"Why do you have to offend us two sisters? You are not a family child, right? My father is the big shopkeeper of the old lady's shop. You can't afford to offend me."

Xia Li laughed in anger, "Your father is the chief shopkeeper, what does it have to do with me? Can he control me? This is Le Shou Tang, I was brought back by Grandma Xie, I am here to serve the old lady, it is not the chief shopkeeper's turn to make the decision here, if you don't like me, you can move out."

After she finished speaking, she climbed onto the big bunk and sat cross-legged as if no one was around. She had been doing manual labor for half a day and was so tired that her back and waist ached, so she didn't want to pay any attention to them at all.

Although Manqing was a third-class maid, she had some reputation in the mansion. She didn't expect Xia Li would not buy it. When she met her meaningful gaze, she instinctively felt that she was not someone to be trifled with.

Zi Fu was so angry that she jumped up and down, and screamed at Xia Li: "You shameless bitch, we don't want to live with you, get out of this house right now, or I'll make you pay."

Xia Li raised her eyebrows and curled the corners of her lips slightly.

"I don't know when it will be the turn of the third-class maids to take charge of Leshou Hall. Why don't I go ask Grandma Xie how the rules of the Duke's Mansion are set."

Man Qing slapped Zi Fu in the face with her backhand, glared at her fiercely, and then asked with a droopy face, "What is your relationship with Aunt Xie?"

Xia Li took out a fruit from his pocket and took a bite. He said slowly, "I was brought in by grandma. What do you think is our relationship? You sisters and I should go to grandma to seek justice. This matter must be explained."

Manqing was unsure of Xia Li's background, but if she brought the matter to Nanny Xie, the old lady would surely know. Not only would she be in trouble, she would also not be able to explain to her father.

Man Qing didn't want to be implicated by Zi Fu, so she quickly adjusted her expression as if nothing had happened and said with a smile:
"We are all maids of Le Shou Tang. It's not worth making a fuss over such a small matter. Zi Fu doesn't have bad intentions. She was just spoiled by her family and is a little impulsive. I'm watching over her and she won't do it again. It's better to make a big thing into a small thing." Her words made Mai Dong drop his jaw. Xia Li caught a glimpse of Mai Dong's little expression and couldn't help laughing.

Xia Li did not respond to her immediately. After slowly finishing his fruit, he reluctantly said, "I am not being unreasonable, but the clothes that Granny Wu gave me were soiled, and I don't even have a change of clothes. You must give me some compensation, otherwise I will feel bad."

Zi Fu said aggrievedly: "The clothes are just dirty, not torn and unwearable. Why should we compensate you?"

Xia Li ignored her and looked at Man Qing with clear eyes. Man Qing felt an invisible pressure coming and just wanted to get this over with quickly. She said carefully: "I have an old set of clothes at home that are 80% new. I wore it two years ago. Your size is just right. How about I take it and give it to you?"

In the past, Xia Li would not even look at it, but now she is penniless and has no decent clothes, and she still has to save up money slowly.

She wiped her hands slowly, raised her eyebrows and chuckled:
"Since it's a kind gesture from my sister, I have no choice but to accept it. We got to know each other after a fight, and we will spend a long time together in the future. My maiden name is Fang Xiali, and you sisters can just call me Xiali."

The smile on Manqing's face could no longer be maintained. She pulled Zifu's wrist and said coldly, "Then let's go to our sister's house and you two can chat slowly."

Zi Fu was dragged forward by her and said reluctantly: "Sister, why should we be afraid of her? She is just a maid bought from outside..."

The voice gradually faded away until it could no longer be heard. Mai Dong then stepped forward excitedly and said:

"Xia Li, you are really amazing. You can make Zi Fu and Man Qing lose face. We are often bullied by these two sisters."

Xia Li had a good impression of Mai Dong. She patted the seat beside her and motioned Mai Dong to come over. Mai Dong was about to go over without any preparation, but Xiang Ru quickly pulled her aside and said, "We are both too dirty, so let's not go to the bed yet. Let's sit on the round stool and talk."

Xiangru lowered his eyes while speaking and did not look at Xia Li's expression. Maidong looked down at his clothes and found that they were indeed not very clean.

Xia Li said calmly, "Do these two sisters usually like to bully others?"

Mai Dong frowned slightly and told the truth: "It can't be considered bullying, it's just that the two of them always like to take advantage. When assigned tasks, they want to do the easiest ones, and take the biggest share of benefits. The two sisters are of one mind, and they work together when there is something going on, so it's hard for outsiders to get the upper hand."

No matter what social background, there is always bullying. Sometimes, there is really not much difference between humans and animals in nature. It is just a matter of survival of the fittest.

Xiangru glanced at Xia Li inconspicuously, and seeing that she didn't care about the Wang sisters at all, he couldn't help but ask, "What is your connection with Aunt Xie?"

Mai Dong obviously wanted to know the answer as well. He blinked his big eyes and looked at her. Xia Li raised her eyebrows and chuckled, "I bought it myself. Is this a deep enough connection?"

Maidong's eyes widened, Elsholtzia swallowed and kindly explained:

"Manager Wang is the old lady's confidant. He controls eighteen businesses. The old lady thinks highly of him. The two sisters of the Wang family have the capital to be arrogant and domineering. Once they know that Aunt Xie has nothing to do with you, I'm afraid they will not let you go."

Xia Li felt a little annoyed. No wonder the old lady asked Grandma Xie to go out and buy servants. It showed that the family was not so satisfied with the child they had.

She said calmly, "Thanks for the reminder. I'm not a pushover. I'm tough."

Mai Dong felt that Xia Li was particularly attractive, and she was happy to get along with such a girl, and said with a smile:

"Don't worry too much. My father is the manager who looks after the old lady's farm in the suburbs of Beijing. He has some reputation in front of the old lady. If something happens, I will ask him to intercede for her."

Xia Li did not doubt the intention behind her words, but she was used to solving problems by herself. She did not want to trouble anyone and did not like others to trouble her.

She smiled and said, "It's normal for children to fight and play with each other. It won't alarm the old lady."

Mai Dong was a simple-minded person. After hearing her say that, he did not continue the topic. He said enthusiastically, "Then you can play with Xiangru and me in the future. We should be closer since we live in the same room."

After she finished speaking, she looked at Xia Li eagerly, afraid that she would refuse. Xia Li couldn't bear to refuse seeing her likable appearance, so he nodded and agreed. As for the displeasure in Xiangru's eyes, she pretended not to see it.

Although the third-class maids did rough work during the day, there was nothing important to do at night. Xia Li and Mai Dong had dinner together and then went back to their rooms to rest.

Manqing kept her word and went home to bring back her old clothes, which made Xia Lina feel at ease.

At dusk, Xia Li was just about to lie down to rest when a slightly older maid came and said that Nanny Xie wanted to discuss something with her.

The two Wang sisters were in the room, which just proved that she had a close relationship with Madam Xie.

Xia Li guessed that the reason why Aunt Xie called her must be related to that Mrs. Wu. The injuries on her body were not fake, so even if she brought the incident to Aunt Xie, she would be justified.

Man Qing looked at Xia Li's leaving back with deep eyes, Zi Fu whispered:
"Sister, didn't mother say that Aunt Xie has neither distant relatives nor old friends? Who is this Fang Xiali?"

Man Qing said irritably, "How would I know? Let's wait and see. The truth will come out sooner or later."

Xiangru was also a little surprised, and whispered to Maidong: "We should be more careful when dealing with Xia Li in the future. She must not have told the truth before."

Maidong was eating candied fruit. Hearing this, he said nonchalantly, "Everyone has some secrets that cannot be told to others. We haven't told her everything either. You are just too worried."

Xiangru was choked by her words and simply stopped talking.

Xia Li followed the maid to Nanny Xie's room. When they reached the door, the maid turned around and left, leaving Xia Li alone.

The door was half open, and the candlelight was flickering inside. Xia Li stepped over the threshold and looked up to see Aunt Xie sitting on the bed. Seeing her, she said coldly, "Close the door."

Xia Li's eyelashes trembled slightly, and she obediently closed the door. As soon as she turned around, Aunt Xie said with a fierce face: "You are so bold that you dared to kill Mrs. Wu. Did you turn a deaf ear to my words?"

Xia Li looked aggrieved, and she said in defense:
"Grandma, please understand. It was Granny Wu who asked me to pour the water. I didn't have enough strength, so an accident was inevitable. I feel really guilty that Granny hurt her leg. If you say I did it on purpose, that would be a huge injustice."

(End of this chapter)