Chapter 17 Offer an apology
The maid looked at Chen Hui and suddenly smiled disdainfully, “Lady Chen, you don’t know, Lady Jiang’s food and clothing are of very good quality. This hairpin is worth a few hundred silver liang. Can you really afford it? Even if you can afford it, Lady Jiang may not be happy to take this money. Lady Jiang is very nostalgic. This hairpin had stayed with her for two years. It was one of her favorites. How can it be as simple as paying a few hundred silver liang back?!”
Liang: ancient Chinese currencyChen Hui saw that the other party was not polite, she also no longer had the meaning to discuss about this. The smile on her face turned into a fake smile. She glanced once at Xiao Liu and saw that he just had his head lowered and pretended that he didn’t exist. So, she didn’t count on him. She raised her chin and asked, “Then, what do you want?”
That maid said, “Lady Chen, please give way. This slave will teach Xiao Tiao a good lesson to let her always remember this!”
“I can’t do that. I only have this maid. If you ruin her, who would serve me? You?” Chen Hui didn’t give way and grinned.
That maid furrowed her brows, but then smiled lightly. With a disdainful look, she said, “Lady Chen is joking. This slave is unworthy to be associated with you.”
“Oh, you mean that you are worthy of serving Lady Jiang?” Chen Hui asked.
That maid’s expression turned a bit ugly. She glanced once quickly at Xiao Liu. Seeing that he put a non-interfering appearance, she was at ease and shouted, “Xiao San, Xiao Si!”
Xiao San means little three and also means mistress in Chinese. Xiao Si means little four and also means waiter at a restaurant.If it wasn’t for the situation at the moment, Chen Hui would’ve laughed at these two names. However, in a moment, she realized that Lady Jiang was really favored. That exasperating eunuch even drew out two servants from his servants for her.
When Xiao San and Xiao Si came out, they glanced at Xiao Liu. Similarly, they didn’t receive any signal, so, they followed the orders of the maid.
“Xiao Tiao broke Lady Jiang’s hairpin. It is truly repulsive. Slap her on the mouth. First, slap her fifty times and then see if she regrets it,” That maid said arrogantly.
Xiao San and Xiao Si said, “Yes, sister Qingshu.”
The two were about the step forward, but in a flash was stopped by Chen Hui’s body. She stood in front of Xiao Tiao and said with a cold expression, “Who dares to touch her?”
Xiao San and Xiao Si exchanged a glance and couldn’t help but turn their head to look at Qing Shu.
Qing Shu said, “Lady Chen, don’t make it difficult for this slave.”
Chen Hui laughed, “I also ask you to not make things difficult for me. I will thank your whole family.”
Qingshu pursed her lips and her voice turned cold, “Lady Chen, if you insist on being like this, then don’t blame this slave for being disrespectful.”
She was about to give Xiao San and Xiao Si an order when she heard a cold voice behind her, “Qingshu.”
Qingshu hurriedly turned her head and said, “Lady.”
Jiang Bihan slowly walked out. A maid followed her carefully as if she was afraid that she (J) would fall. She walked gracefully like a white lotus on water; noble, virtuous and unable to be touched.
Chen Hui looked at Jiang Bihan with some curiosity. She felt that that exasperating eunuch had good taste. This Lady Jiang was beautiful and elegant. She was really a rare beauty. Of course, matching with that exasperating eunuch was like a bunch of flowers poked in a pile of manure.
A bunch of flowers poked in a pile of manure: when a lovely woman married an odious man.Jiang Bihan slowly moved her gaze and it fell lightly on Chen Hui. Her expression still didn’t fluctuate much and only said calmly, “This must be Lady Chen from Plum Yard, right?”
“It’s me,” Chen Hui said with a smile. “I have disturbed Lady Jiang. I heard from your maid that my maid had broken your hairpin. It is me who didn’t teach her well. I apologize to you. I will definitely find a way to repay for yout hairpin. I hope that Lady Jiang of great moral stature doesn’t bother with the offense committed by one of low moral stature and spare Xiao Tiao. Her figure is only small like this. She wouldn’t be able to withstand a beating.”
Chen Hui knew that it was impossible for this Lady Jiang to not know what was happening in her courtyard. She certainly knew about Xiao Tiao being punished. It was just that now, she the mistress of Plum Yard got involved and she, Lady Jiang couldn’t just sit idly and not bother with this. In the beginning, she had friendly feelings for Lady Jiang because she (J) had “inadvertently” helped her. now, it seemed that those friendly feelings were weaker than a bubble.
Jiang Bihan slowly reached out her hand. Lying in her palm was that jade hairpin split in half. She lowered her eyes and stared at that hairpin in daze. She said in a low voice, “This is the only thing my mother left for me. It is broken and gone now.”
Chen Hui’s heart sank. Wasn’t the meaning of those words from Lady Jiang that she didn’t want to leave the matter at that?
Chen Hui looked once at Xiao Tiao. After hearing Jiang Bihan, Xiao Tiao shivered even more. Xiao Tiao was timid and she had one characteristic, that is, when she could, she would hide when she sees people and wished that she could shrink herself into a ball, so that no one could see her. Although, Plum Yard and Rely Bamboo Pavilion was next to each other, it was not that you could bump into each other the moment you leave the yard. Xiao Tiao was going in the direction of the kitchen. It was far from Rely Bamboo Pavilion. It was impossible to bump into each other. Obviously, it was the people of Rely Bamboo Pavilion who deliberately schemed against Xiao Tiao. The motive…was naturally directed at her. To put it plainly, Xiao Tiao was just suffering in her stead.
Chen didn’t have many cells for harem scheming and she also doesn’t like the talk in circles. She laughed and said, “Why does Lady Jiang have to be like this? Forget it if you don’t want to have contact with me and exchange the handkerchief, do you have to use someone at my side as killing the chicken to warn the monkey? You are lord’s most beloved person, and I, am someone being locked by lord and isn’t even allowed to have a full meal. What kind of vinegar are you eating?”
Killing the chicken to warn the monkey: punish someone as an example to others. Eating vinegar: be jealous“You, you are saying nonsense. When did Lady Jiang eat vinegar?” Qingshu reprimanded loudly.
Jiang Bihan was pale faced, took a step back and looked at Chen Hui blankly. Her trembling lips moved, but she said nothing.
Chen Hui played with her long hair and said smilingly, “If it wasn’t eating vinegar, then, why make life difficult for my maid? The hairpin is broken, it is broken. Isn’t there a saying that said, break down into pieces is safe and sound? Leaving the object makes one miss its owner more and also makes people feel even more sad. Of course, I won’t renege on how much money have to be repaid.” It was impossible to avenge Xiao Tiao. Without monitor, it was impossible to have a witness on their side. However, she could only suffer the grievance till here. If she had to suffer more, she wouldn’t do it.
“You, you….,” Jiang Bihan finally let out a breath, but she couldn’t complete a sentence. She suddenly took a step back while clutching her chest and had been supported by the maid beside her.
“Lady Jiang!” Qingshu held Jiang Bihan nervously and said hurriedly, “Lady Jiang, you have a weak body. Quickly go rest!”
Chen Hui watched Lady Jiang being supported by Qingshu while they went back, while Xiao San and Xiao Si watched closely at her and Xiao Tiao, not letting them leave Rely Bamboo Pavilion. Xiao Liu had an expression of staying out of this again. She felt anything but reassuring in her heart. Between her and Lady Jiang, that exasperating eunuch would obviously choose Lady Jiang. She didn’t even have a chance. If she still doesn’t do anything, presumably, she would be killed.
When Qingshu came out full of murderous aura, Chen Hui’s heart shivered and she prepared herself.
Qingshu didn’t get angry at Chen Hui and only said angrily to Xiao Tiao, “Lady Jiang’s hairpin had been broken by you. You still don’t know how to repent, causing Lady Jiang to get so angry that she almost fainted! Truly an extremely daring and repulsive maid. Xiao San, Xiao Si, beat!”
Chen Hui once again blocked in front of Xiao Tiao. This time, what the few people didn’t expect was that Chen Hui actually knelt.
Chen Hui said sincerely, “It is my fault for making Lady Jiang angry. I kneel down and apologize to her.”
The few people were dumbstruck.
Xiao San and Xiao Si looked at Qingshu. For a moment, they also didn’t know what to do. Qingshu was also dumbstruck. She had never seen a woman of a yard kneel to another woman. Even if she was not favored, but at least she still has the status in name. Even Xiao Liu who followed Li Youde out from time to time, stared with wide eyes in surprise.
Chen Hui’s expression was very frank. There was not the slightest amount of embarrassment because of the disgrace.
Xiao Tiao looked over in shock and finally courageously wanted to pull Chen Hui up. With tears in her eyes, she murmured, “Lady, lady, you don’t have to do these for Xiao Tiao…”
Chen Hui patted Xiao Tiao’s head where the hair was rough due the chronic malnutrition and smiled softly.
Qingshu calmed down and said in a deep voice, “What does Lady Chen mean by this? Lady Jiang didn’t want this.”
Chen Hui smiled, “I know. Lady Jiang is generous and doesn’t bother with these trivial matters. However, I cannot lack in etiquette. Since it is my maid who is wrong, I naturally have to apologize to Lady Jiang on her behalf.”
Qingshu couldn’t decide for a moment and hurriedly went back. It was probably to ask Lady Jiang what to do next…Encountering an opponent who doesn’t play by the cards according to common sense, would naturally be a great test to people’s coping ability.
Qingshu didn’t return for a long time after she had left. Chen Hui also didn’t mind. Maybe that Lady Jiang vented her anger by seeing her like this and just let her continue to kneel like this for a while. Anyway, that Lady Jiang has that exasperating eunuch’s love. Naturally, she (J) was not afraid of anything.
Chen Hui knelt for a while and felt some pain in her knees. Seeing that Xiao Tiao was sweating on her forehead, she couldn’t help but feel heartache.
After a while, Qingshu finally came out. At this moment, there was no panic on her face. She said as if she was in a difficult position to Chen Hui, “Lady Chen, Lady Jiang had already fallen asleep from the fright. This slave also doesn’t know what she means. Why don’t we wait till Lady Jiang wakes up?”
Chen Hui smiled generously, “Okay.”
Qingshu looked at Xiao Liu again with smile and said with an intimate smile, “Xiao Liu, why don’t you go in for a cup of tea? Presumably, it is tiring standing like this. Lord still needs you to serve him.”
Xiao Liu hesitated for a moment, but still nodded and said, “Thank you, miss Qingshu.”
Xiao Liu entered the side room. Qingshu followed. After a while, she came out and stood in front of Chen Hui, not sure whether she was staring at her or not.
Chen Hui seemed to have remembered something suddenly and raised her voice, “Aiya, kneeling alone is not really enough to express my and Xiao Tiao’s apologies to Lady Jiang. This Lady Chen must give a big courtesy!” While she spoke, she turned to look at Xiao Tiao, “Xiao Tiao, quickly, follow me. Prostrate oneself in admiration is the greatest apology and respect towards another.”
Xiao Tiao, “…?”
Qingshu, Xiao San and Xiao Si looked stunned at the two people who were doing the courtesy of “prostrate oneself in admiration”.
Chapter 17 Offer an apology
The maid looked at Chen Hui and suddenly smiled disdainfully, “Lady Chen, you don’t know, Lady Jiang’s food and clothing are of very good quality. This hairpin is worth a few hundred silver liang. Can you really afford it? Even if you can afford it, Lady Jiang may not be happy to take this money. Lady Jiang is very nostalgic. This hairpin had stayed with her for two years. It was one of her favorites. How can it be as simple as paying a few hundred silver liang back?!”
Liang: ancient Chinese currencyChen Hui saw that the other party was not polite, she also no longer had the meaning to discuss about this. The smile on her face turned into a fake smile. She glanced once at Xiao Liu and saw that he just had his head lowered and pretended that he didn’t exist. So, she didn’t count on him. She raised her chin and asked, “Then, what do you want?”
That maid said, “Lady Chen, please give way. This slave will teach Xiao Tiao a good lesson to let her always remember this!”
“I can’t do that. I only have this maid. If you ruin her, who would serve me? You?” Chen Hui didn’t give way and grinned.
That maid furrowed her brows, but then smiled lightly. With a disdainful look, she said, “Lady Chen is joking. This slave is unworthy to be associated with you.”
“Oh, you mean that you are worthy of serving Lady Jiang?” Chen Hui asked.
That maid’s expression turned a bit ugly. She glanced once quickly at Xiao Liu. Seeing that he put a non-interfering appearance, she was at ease and shouted, “Xiao San, Xiao Si!”
Xiao San means little three and also means mistress in Chinese. Xiao Si means little four and also means waiter at a restaurant.If it wasn’t for the situation at the moment, Chen Hui would’ve laughed at these two names. However, in a moment, she realized that Lady Jiang was really favored. That exasperating eunuch even drew out two servants from his servants for her.
When Xiao San and Xiao Si came out, they glanced at Xiao Liu. Similarly, they didn’t receive any signal, so, they followed the orders of the maid.
“Xiao Tiao broke Lady Jiang’s hairpin. It is truly repulsive. Slap her on the mouth. First, slap her fifty times and then see if she regrets it,” That maid said arrogantly.
Xiao San and Xiao Si said, “Yes, sister Qingshu.”
The two were about the step forward, but in a flash was stopped by Chen Hui’s body. She stood in front of Xiao Tiao and said with a cold expression, “Who dares to touch her?”
Xiao San and Xiao Si exchanged a glance and couldn’t help but turn their head to look at Qing Shu.
Qing Shu said, “Lady Chen, don’t make it difficult for this slave.”
Chen Hui laughed, “I also ask you to not make things difficult for me. I will thank your whole family.”
Qingshu pursed her lips and her voice turned cold, “Lady Chen, if you insist on being like this, then don’t blame this slave for being disrespectful.”
She was about to give Xiao San and Xiao Si an order when she heard a cold voice behind her, “Qingshu.”
Qingshu hurriedly turned her head and said, “Lady.”
Jiang Bihan slowly walked out. A maid followed her carefully as if she was afraid that she (J) would fall. She walked gracefully like a white lotus on water; noble, virtuous and unable to be touched.
Chen Hui looked at Jiang Bihan with some curiosity. She felt that that exasperating eunuch had good taste. This Lady Jiang was beautiful and elegant. She was really a rare beauty. Of course, matching with that exasperating eunuch was like a bunch of flowers poked in a pile of manure.
A bunch of flowers poked in a pile of manure: when a lovely woman married an odious man.Jiang Bihan slowly moved her gaze and it fell lightly on Chen Hui. Her expression still didn’t fluctuate much and only said calmly, “This must be Lady Chen from Plum Yard, right?”
“It’s me,” Chen Hui said with a smile. “I have disturbed Lady Jiang. I heard from your maid that my maid had broken your hairpin. It is me who didn’t teach her well. I apologize to you. I will definitely find a way to repay for yout hairpin. I hope that Lady Jiang of great moral stature doesn’t bother with the offense committed by one of low moral stature and spare Xiao Tiao. Her figure is only small like this. She wouldn’t be able to withstand a beating.”
Chen Hui knew that it was impossible for this Lady Jiang to not know what was happening in her courtyard. She certainly knew about Xiao Tiao being punished. It was just that now, she the mistress of Plum Yard got involved and she, Lady Jiang couldn’t just sit idly and not bother with this. In the beginning, she had friendly feelings for Lady Jiang because she (J) had “inadvertently” helped her. now, it seemed that those friendly feelings were weaker than a bubble.
Jiang Bihan slowly reached out her hand. Lying in her palm was that jade hairpin split in half. She lowered her eyes and stared at that hairpin in daze. She said in a low voice, “This is the only thing my mother left for me. It is broken and gone now.”
Chen Hui’s heart sank. Wasn’t the meaning of those words from Lady Jiang that she didn’t want to leave the matter at that?
Chen Hui looked once at Xiao Tiao. After hearing Jiang Bihan, Xiao Tiao shivered even more. Xiao Tiao was timid and she had one characteristic, that is, when she could, she would hide when she sees people and wished that she could shrink herself into a ball, so that no one could see her. Although, Plum Yard and Rely Bamboo Pavilion was next to each other, it was not that you could bump into each other the moment you leave the yard. Xiao Tiao was going in the direction of the kitchen. It was far from Rely Bamboo Pavilion. It was impossible to bump into each other. Obviously, it was the people of Rely Bamboo Pavilion who deliberately schemed against Xiao Tiao. The motive…was naturally directed at her. To put it plainly, Xiao Tiao was just suffering in her stead.
Chen didn’t have many cells for harem scheming and she also doesn’t like the talk in circles. She laughed and said, “Why does Lady Jiang have to be like this? Forget it if you don’t want to have contact with me and exchange the handkerchief, do you have to use someone at my side as killing the chicken to warn the monkey? You are lord’s most beloved person, and I, am someone being locked by lord and isn’t even allowed to have a full meal. What kind of vinegar are you eating?”
Killing the chicken to warn the monkey: punish someone as an example to others. Eating vinegar: be jealous“You, you are saying nonsense. When did Lady Jiang eat vinegar?” Qingshu reprimanded loudly.
Jiang Bihan was pale faced, took a step back and looked at Chen Hui blankly. Her trembling lips moved, but she said nothing.
Chen Hui played with her long hair and said smilingly, “If it wasn’t eating vinegar, then, why make life difficult for my maid? The hairpin is broken, it is broken. Isn’t there a saying that said, break down into pieces is safe and sound? Leaving the object makes one miss its owner more and also makes people feel even more sad. Of course, I won’t renege on how much money have to be repaid.” It was impossible to avenge Xiao Tiao. Without monitor, it was impossible to have a witness on their side. However, she could only suffer the grievance till here. If she had to suffer more, she wouldn’t do it.
“You, you….,” Jiang Bihan finally let out a breath, but she couldn’t complete a sentence. She suddenly took a step back while clutching her chest and had been supported by the maid beside her.
“Lady Jiang!” Qingshu held Jiang Bihan nervously and said hurriedly, “Lady Jiang, you have a weak body. Quickly go rest!”
Chen Hui watched Lady Jiang being supported by Qingshu while they went back, while Xiao San and Xiao Si watched closely at her and Xiao Tiao, not letting them leave Rely Bamboo Pavilion. Xiao Liu had an expression of staying out of this again. She felt anything but reassuring in her heart. Between her and Lady Jiang, that exasperating eunuch would obviously choose Lady Jiang. She didn’t even have a chance. If she still doesn’t do anything, presumably, she would be killed.
When Qingshu came out full of murderous aura, Chen Hui’s heart shivered and she prepared herself.
Qingshu didn’t get angry at Chen Hui and only said angrily to Xiao Tiao, “Lady Jiang’s hairpin had been broken by you. You still don’t know how to repent, causing Lady Jiang to get so angry that she almost fainted! Truly an extremely daring and repulsive maid. Xiao San, Xiao Si, beat!”
Chen Hui once again blocked in front of Xiao Tiao. This time, what the few people didn’t expect was that Chen Hui actually knelt.
Chen Hui said sincerely, “It is my fault for making Lady Jiang angry. I kneel down and apologize to her.”
The few people were dumbstruck.
Xiao San and Xiao Si looked at Qingshu. For a moment, they also didn’t know what to do. Qingshu was also dumbstruck. She had never seen a woman of a yard kneel to another woman. Even if she was not favored, but at least she still has the status in name. Even Xiao Liu who followed Li Youde out from time to time, stared with wide eyes in surprise.
Chen Hui’s expression was very frank. There was not the slightest amount of embarrassment because of the disgrace.
Xiao Tiao looked over in shock and finally courageously wanted to pull Chen Hui up. With tears in her eyes, she murmured, “Lady, lady, you don’t have to do these for Xiao Tiao…”
Chen Hui patted Xiao Tiao’s head where the hair was rough due the chronic malnutrition and smiled softly.
Qingshu calmed down and said in a deep voice, “What does Lady Chen mean by this? Lady Jiang didn’t want this.”
Chen Hui smiled, “I know. Lady Jiang is generous and doesn’t bother with these trivial matters. However, I cannot lack in etiquette. Since it is my maid who is wrong, I naturally have to apologize to Lady Jiang on her behalf.”
Qingshu couldn’t decide for a moment and hurriedly went back. It was probably to ask Lady Jiang what to do next…Encountering an opponent who doesn’t play by the cards according to common sense, would naturally be a great test to people’s coping ability.
Qingshu didn’t return for a long time after she had left. Chen Hui also didn’t mind. Maybe that Lady Jiang vented her anger by seeing her like this and just let her continue to kneel like this for a while. Anyway, that Lady Jiang has that exasperating eunuch’s love. Naturally, she (J) was not afraid of anything.
Chen Hui knelt for a while and felt some pain in her knees. Seeing that Xiao Tiao was sweating on her forehead, she couldn’t help but feel heartache.
After a while, Qingshu finally came out. At this moment, there was no panic on her face. She said as if she was in a difficult position to Chen Hui, “Lady Chen, Lady Jiang had already fallen asleep from the fright. This slave also doesn’t know what she means. Why don’t we wait till Lady Jiang wakes up?”
Chen Hui smiled generously, “Okay.”
Qingshu looked at Xiao Liu again with smile and said with an intimate smile, “Xiao Liu, why don’t you go in for a cup of tea? Presumably, it is tiring standing like this. Lord still needs you to serve him.”
Xiao Liu hesitated for a moment, but still nodded and said, “Thank you, miss Qingshu.”
Xiao Liu entered the side room. Qingshu followed. After a while, she came out and stood in front of Chen Hui, not sure whether she was staring at her or not.
Chen Hui seemed to have remembered something suddenly and raised her voice, “Aiya, kneeling alone is not really enough to express my and Xiao Tiao’s apologies to Lady Jiang. This Lady Chen must give a big courtesy!” While she spoke, she turned to look at Xiao Tiao, “Xiao Tiao, quickly, follow me. Prostrate oneself in admiration is the greatest apology and respect towards another.”
Xiao Tiao, “…?”
Qingshu, Xiao San and Xiao Si looked stunned at the two people who were doing the courtesy of “prostrate oneself in admiration”.
