Chapter 41: Rectifying the Jianjia Court

“How could things turn out like this?” Shen Zhifeng felt a headache coming on as he listened to Shen Sisi recount the events. He had thought that if Shen Qingyun were humiliated in public and then rescued by Jiang Lin, she would, by all rights and emotions, be compelled to marry him, as any ordinary girl would. He and Lady Jiang had already made plans: once Shen Qingyun married into the family, the matter of her dowry would be easily resolved. That was why they had orchestrated the whole “hero rescues the beauty” scenario.

But all their calculations had failed to anticipate that Liang Yongcai would suddenly play the gentleman in front of Shen Qingyun.

“Father, what should we do now?” Shen Sisi asked anxiously.

“How are your interactions with that person going?” Shen Zhifeng probed.

A faint blush bloomed on Shen Sisi’s cheeks. Her demeanor as a young maiden spoke more than words could.

Shen Zhifeng nodded. “Do not worry, Sisi. You still have a year before the coming-of-age ceremony. That means there’s still time to maneuver. Your focus now should be on preparing to shine at Her Majesty the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet. Leave the other matters aside for now.”

Shen Sisi nodded, expectation glimmering in her eyes. She bowed and withdrew.

Shen Qingyun herself had not expected to emerge from this ordeal so unscathed. She had braced herself for some elaborate pitfall, yet nothing had happened at all.

Still, she would not grow complacent. A woman’s reputation was as fragile as a cicada’s wing; a single misstep could spell ruin. She was certain Shen Sisi would devise a far more intricate scheme next time.

Before that, she needed to seize this opportunity to purge the people around her.

The next morning, Shen Qingyun began her day as usual, managing household affairs and studying with Mr. Tongxu. It was only in the afternoon that she summoned all the servants of Reed Pavilion.

She had a chair brought to the eaves and ordered plates of chilled fruits and vegetables to be set out. The produce, cooled in well water, was refreshing, and beside her stood a cup of freshly pressed fruit juice. After a few sips, the oppressive heat seemed to dissipate.

Beside her, Yicui gently fanned her, sending a cool breeze wafting by—a picture of leisure.

The servants in the courtyard, however, were not so fortunate.

With the summer heat intensifying and the afternoon sun at its fiercest, they were left roasting, parched and irritable. Barely half an hour had passed before a young maid could no longer bear it and ventured, “Miss, is there something you wish to instruct us?”

Without lifting her head, Shen Qingyun merely ordered, “Granny Jiang, take her away.”

Granny Jiang nodded. At once, two matrons seized the young maid by the arms and dragged her off. The girl was bewildered, struggling and crying out, only to have a handkerchief stuffed into her mouth. In no time, she was handed over to the brokers.

The rest of the servants, seeing this, realized that Shen Qingyun had come with ill intent. None dared utter a word; all held their breath.

Shen Qingyun sipped her drink unhurriedly, and only when her cup was empty did she survey the assembled maids. All of them were sweating profusely. Some furtively shifted their stance or wiped their brows, others stood with shoulders slumped, while a few, like Pearl, stood stiff as a rod.

A glance from Shen Qingyun to Granny Jiang, and the old woman stepped forward. “Chuntao, Dongxue, Yu’er—step forward.”

The three, shocked and trembling in the heat, did as they were told. Granny Jiang signaled, “Drag them away and sell them off.”

“Why, Granny?” Chuntao cried in terror. “We serve Miss diligently every day—why are we to be sold?”

Yu’er broke down in tears. “Please, Miss, have mercy! I’m just a little maid who sweeps the floors and does nothing else. Please don’t sell me.”

Dongxue glanced at her companions, biting her lip, yet keeping her wits about her.

Shen Qingyun’s gaze lingered on Yu’er—a round-faced girl whose dimples appeared when she smiled, usually timid and quiet, diligent in her work, and quite likable.

But it was she who, in the past life, had spread rumors, claiming to have seen the young lady meeting with servants in private. When others doubted her, she would say, “I’m just a little maid—why would I make this up if I hadn’t seen it?” She was indeed making it up, yet many began to suspect Shen Qingyun of improper conduct, thinking she was, after all, not raised in the noble’s household, and thus shallow and base.

See? A face as innocent as hers could so easily utter a venomous lie, leaving its victim defenseless.

Shen Qingyun raised her hand, signaling them not to be dragged off just yet. She addressed the crowd: “I have always acted with reason and never punish or wrong my servants without cause. Lately, there has been much gossip in the air—I’m sure you’ve all heard it. Over the past three days, Granny Jiang has secretly noted those who spread rumors, discussed their masters behind their backs, or slandered maliciously. Such people have no place in Reed Pavilion.”

The three turned deathly pale.

Previously, Shen Qingyun had said she would evaluate everyone after a month, but when nothing happened, they had relaxed their guard, not knowing the true reckoning would come just as they grew complacent.

Dongxue fell to her knees. “Second Miss, we know our mistake. Please, give us another chance.”

Chuntao and Yu’er also knelt, Yu’er’s tear-stained face almost moving Granny Jiang to pity.

Shen Qingyun smiled coolly. “Very well, I will give you a chance. In front of everyone, repeat every rumor you have spread, word for word. Do that, and you may stay.”

Dongxue’s face froze; her mouth opened and closed, but no plea or excuse would come.

Some maids had taken money to slander Shen Qingyun, jealous that a mere country girl had become a highborn lady. They had whispered all manner of filth about her. Now, if they repeated those words, how could they ever remain in the household? If the lady of the house heard of it, she would have them torn apart on the spot.

The three, eyes red and swollen, were at last dragged away to be sold.

Shen Qingyun surveyed those who remained. Her gaze was so commanding that all the maids bowed their heads deeply, not daring to breathe.

“My rule has always been clear rewards and punishments. This time, you did not follow the crowd and spread rumors. Well done—each of you will receive ten taels of silver as a reward.” Shen Qingyun moved to the center. “If you wish to remain in Reed Pavilion, you must understand: only when I am well can you enjoy good days. I will not tolerate any betrayal!”

Her words earned the genuine respect of the crowd. They accepted their rewards and all bowed, “Thank you, Second Miss, for your generosity.”

Shen Qingyun nodded, then praised Pearl for her exemplary conduct and promoted her to head maid. Another was elevated from a sweeping maid to a second-class maid, and the ranks of the pavilion were replenished from the brokers.

After all this was settled, someone came to report, “Second Miss, your birthday banquet attire has arrived.”