Liu Tinglan saw this and her anger flared up again, speaking sarcastically, "Cousin Lu, every ti you see , you act like this. To the unaware, they might think that I, as your elder cousin, am wicked to the extre, tornting you so. Since seeing causes you such distress, from now on you need not co again, so as to not upset yourself."
Lu Zhu’s face turned white as if she had suffered a huge blow. She looked at the impatient Liu Tinglan, tears streaming down her face, "Sister Lan, do you still refuse to forgive Zhuzhu?"
Without waiting for Liu Tinglan to respond, she continued to cry and plead, "Sister Lan, Zhuzhu really didn’t an it, that wicked servant embezzled the silver taels and clothes sent by Zhuzhu’s uncle and aunt. Zhuzhu was starving every day and had to endure the wicked servant’s bullying. She also said those words; Zhuzhu mistook it as Sister Lan disliking her and ordering her to act so. Zhuzhu didn’t do it on purpose, really not at all..."
Liu Tinglan looked coldly at the theatrically crying Lu Zhu, her disdain growing deeper, "Whether it was intentional or not, you know very well! However, since father and mother have already punished that wicked servant, let’s consider the matter closed. I don’t plan to fuss over it with you, a guest living in our household. If you insist on holding onto it, then so be it. Just don’t bring it up in front of again, otherwise, I will take it as your dissatisfaction with father and mother’s handling, and I must discuss it with the elders, asking them to bring that wicked servant back so you can deal with her personally."
Lu Zhu, caught in her own trap, stared at Liu Tinglan, montarily speechless, forgetting even to cry. She thought Liu Tinglan would be angry, either scolding her fiercely or directly driving her out. That way, she would have an excuse to complain to her uncle and aunt, getting them to detest this woman completely.
But now, she had inadvertently given this woman ammunition to use against her. If she really took this issue to her uncle and aunt, they would think she was dissatisfied with the way they dealt with the wicked servant; if they thought about it more deeply, they might believe she was heartless and wanted to kill the servant.
That day, in front of all the servants, the Shen family couple had the servant who embezzled Lu Zhu’s items severely beaten with fifty strokes on a bench and then sold out of the household. Such punishnt was already extrely harsh.
Looking at the expressionless Liu Tinglan, Lu Zhu suddenly felt afraid. She dared to challenge this woman because she relied on the love and care of her uncle and aunt. If they thought she was cruel and ruthless, their affection for her might diminish significantly.
This woman was pregnant and highly valued by her uncle and aunt; Lu Zhu’s position in their hearts was already under threat. If she allowed this woman to spread lies before her uncle and aunt, they would surely believe them.
At this thought, Lu Zhu’s face changed. Under the shocked gazes of Liu Tinglan and Mother Lv, she slapped herself hard across the face, turning her previously fair and delicate skin red and swollen.
"Sister Lan, you misunderstand, Zhuzhu is not dissatisfied with the punishnt from uncle and aunt, you can’t wrong like this!" Lu Zhu cried with tears streaming down her face, her swollen cheek appearing even more pitiful as tears washed over it.
Liu Tinglan had not expected Lu Zhu to be so ruthless, inflicting such violence upon herself. If she let her leave her courtyard in such a state today, her reputation for being unable to tolerate others would spread throughout the household again.
This woman really was relentless, ti and again trying to sully her good na. Did she truly believe that if her own reputation were tarnished, she would have a chance to be welcod as a true mber of the family? Wishful thinking!
Liu Tinglan, too tired to watch her act any longer, said to Mother Lv, who also saw through Lu Zhu’s ploy, "Please escort the young lady out yourself. Oh, and take her directly to father and mother to report the situation. I have no intention of being saddled with this bla again."
"Yes, this old servant will do so imdiately." Mother Lv did not hesitate, moving forward to drag Lu Zhu outside.
"No, Sister Lan, you’re misunderstanding Zhuzhu, you’re misunderstanding!" Lu Zhu struggled, refusing to leave. She had never expected Liu Tinglan to play such an unexpected card, aiming to beat her to the punch in reporting the situation. Without the advantage of striking first, wasn’t her slap in vain?
But what could a weak young girl do against Mother Lv, who had developed a strong physique from doing physical labor? Pulling her away was as easy for Mother Lv as carrying a small chicken. As she dragged her out, she persuaded, "Young mistress, you should just co with this old servant and speak to the lady. The mistress should rest now, being with child."
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