They've all separated, so what does it matter to me if they get poorer and poorer?

Chapter 450 Teach the Diao slave a lesson
Xu Zhichun's outburst finally intimidated these people, who trembled with fear and dared not even breathe loudly.

While it's not to say that they've been completely subdued from now on, at least for now, they don't dare to cause any more trouble.

Whether Xu Zhichun will revert to his old ways in the future depends on his actions. If someone discovers his mistakes or he suffers a loss, these people will definitely retaliate fiercely.

But if they don't have the opportunity to cause trouble, they will naturally behave themselves and stay quiet.

Xu Zhichun's gaze swept over everyone: "Did you all hear that clearly?"

Yes, yes.

"Listen clearly."

"Get up, and take those who should be taken out."

"Yes."

With a wave of her hand and a wink, Sister Zhang quickly led Qinghe and the others away.

Qinghe looked at Qi Niangzi with fear and pity, moved her lips but dared not say anything more.

Xu Zhichun looked at Granny Feng and said, "Granny, go ahead and do your work. If there's anything I need to decide, then come back to me."

"Yes, ma'am."

Knowing the situation, Granny Feng quickly left with her people.

Xu Zhichun led Qin Qing, Mu Xiang, and Chun Fen into the house. "Xiao Yuan and Xiao Zheng, go do your own things. Dong Xiang and Chun Nan, come in too."

Lady Qi nervously clutched the hem of her clothes, hesitated for a moment, and then hurriedly followed her inside.

Before she could speak, forcing a smile, Xu Zhichun snapped, "Did I let you in? Who gave you permission to act on your own? Get out!"

Lady Qi froze, unable to believe it.

Xu Zhichun chuckled. How dare she say she "couldn't believe it"? How confident she was!

Why?

"go out!"

Madam Qi's face immediately showed a humiliated expression. Suppressing her anger, she fought for justice, saying, "This servant doesn't know where she went wrong. Madam is so angry. This servant is only speaking frankly, even if it's hard to hear, but it's all for Madam's good. Madam, aren't you afraid of breaking this servant's heart?"

Just now, in front of so many servants, Madam Qi was, after all, the head of this courtyard, so Xu Zhichun couldn't do anything to her. Otherwise, the servants in the mansion would gossip about her being mean and ungrateful as the mistress—she was trying to intimidate her by using the head of the courtyard as a show of power right from the start.

Perhaps that's why Madam Qi is so bold now.

There were no outsiders present, so it would be strange if Xu Zhichun were to be polite.

"You keep talking about rules, don't you? It's understandable that I don't know the rules, but don't you know them either? Let me ask you, is this the rule you've learned: disrespecting superiors, being disrespectful to your master, and arguing with your master?"

Madam Qi blushed, "This, this is the same. This servant did it for Madam's own good—ah!"

Xu Zhichun didn't slap her face, but kicked her to the ground and sneered, "You're doing this for my own good? Who do you think you are? Just because you say you're doing this for my own good, I should be grateful and obey you?"

Lady Qi was filled with shame, anger, shock, and indignation, trembling all over: "Madam, you...you..."

"Know your place. This household doesn't need you. What makes you think you can act so arrogantly in front of me? What? Do you think I can't handle you, or that you're so important that I wouldn't dare touch you? Then tell me, who's your backer?"

Lady Qi opened her eyes wide, gasped for breath, and trembled even more violently. She was filled with shame and indignation.

That's so embarrassing.

This lady is tearing her face off and stepping on it.

Xu Zhichun looked at him with disdain. "Get out. If even a single word of what happened just now gets out of your mouth and angers me, not even a god can protect you. Remember that? You don't need to look at me. There are only a few people in the room right now. If anything gets out, I will seriously investigate the source. I can't wrongly accuse anyone."

"Listen up, all of you, don't let this get out of here."

"Yes, ma'am."

Mu Xiang's face was full of admiration, while Dong Xiang and Chun Nan's faces turned slightly pale.

Lady Qi no longer dared to be arrogant in the slightest, and swallowed her anger, lowered her head, and withdrew.

Xu Zhichun told Chunfen to go out as well and sit at the door to keep watch.

As soon as Madam Qi stepped out of the house, she slowed her pace. It was unclear whether she wanted to sneak back and eavesdrop, but it was obvious that she didn't dare to do so now.
Xu Zhichun sat down and said to Granny Qin Qing, "I wonder what kind of bad things this Lady Qi is up to. I don't think she's a good person. I will never allow her to manage my courtyard. Granny, you'll have to keep a close eye on her from now on. I'll get rid of her after a while. In the meantime, please keep a close eye on her and don't let her into my room."

Granny Qin Qing: "Yes, Madam, please rest assured."

Xu Zhichun made no attempt to hide his thoughts from Dongxiang and Chunnan when he said these things, which made the two of them feel somewhat uneasy.

Xu Zhichun glanced at the two of them and smiled. "Since I've kept you here, it means I intend to trust you. You'd better not let me down. In the future, you'll get what you deserve."

Dongxiang quickly knelt down: "Yes, yes, this servant will definitely be loyal to Madam and have no other intentions."

Seeing her kneel down, Chunnan quickly followed suit, saying, "This servant also kneels down."

"Get up."

"Mrs. Xie"

Granny Qin Qing smiled and said, "You don't need to be afraid. If it weren't for the wicked servant trying to deceive his master, our lady would have been the most kind-hearted. Otherwise, the Emperor wouldn't have bestowed upon her the title of Lady of Kindness and Compassion, and the Marquis wouldn't have loved her so much. In the future, you will gradually understand."

Whether Dongxiang and Chunnan believed Qin Qing's words or not, they felt somewhat relieved and readily agreed.

Xu Zhichun then said, "I happen to have something to ask you. If you know the answer, then speak; if you don't, then don't speak carelessly. I have a vague feeling that Madam Qi is hostile towards me, but I can't possibly have a grudge against her, can I? I can't possibly have offended her. Do you know why?"

Granny Qin Qing was taken aback. Was that really the case? She hadn't noticed it at all.

However, since the lady has said so, it must be true.

Dongxiang and Chunnan were also taken aback, clearly not expecting Xu Zhichun to be so perceptive. They exchanged a glance, and their subconscious expressions said it all: Xu Zhichun's guess was correct.

Xu Zhichun smiled and said, "Don't be nervous, we're all on the same side, go ahead and speak."

"Yes"

Dongxiang curtsied slightly, then hesitated before saying, "Madam, you may not know this, but Lady Qi has a niece named Qi Xiu. She is quite beautiful and gentle. It is said that she can read and write, and can also do arithmetic and read account books. Lady Qi originally wanted Qi Xiu to become a concubine of the Marquis, to assist you in managing the household. However, the Marquis ignored Qi Xiu when he saw her several times. Later, when she reappeared, the Marquis complained that she was blocking his way and scolded her a few times. Only then did Lady Qi give up on the idea. Perhaps, perhaps that's why."

Xu Zhichun: "."

She said, "There really is a reason for that!"

Mu Xiang couldn't help but spit angrily, "How shameless! The Marquis doesn't think much of her niece, yet she dares to take it out on the Madam? And she still dares to be sarcastic and mean to the Madam. It's true that birds of a feather flock together."