The Truth

"I heard that you, girl, beat up the maids and Matron around Yun Jiao?"

Lin Huabin was somewhat displeased. "Now that we're back in the manor, we have to abide by the rules of the household. It's different from when you were in the countryside. Sisters should talk things out properly; how can you order the servants around!"

Zheng Shi quickly replied, "This household cannot tolerate outsiders. If you want to keep this girl, I won't object. Have her sign a contract of indenture now."

"Nanny Fan, get the inkpad so she can put her fingerprint on it."

Nanny Fan brought over the written indenture and had Xiruo put her fingerprint on it.

Xiruo motionless, neither hiding behind Lin Yunwan.

The master and servant were both as hard as bones.

Standing beside them, Nanny Fan was at a loss for what to do!

She looked at Lin Huabin and Zheng Shi, and said with a troubled expression, "Master, Madam..."

Lin Yunwan said calmly, "Master, there's no need for such trouble as signing an indenture. Xiruo back."

Lin Huabin raised an eyebrow at her.

He knew this girl's character and way of dealing with people to some extent. The fact that she said that... suggested she didn't want to send the maid away? And he was certain he couldn't send her away!

It's fine if they don't send him away, but they can't break the rules and beat up the people around his daughter.

He frowned and said, "If you can't bear to part with her, then let her learn the rules of an academy."

Lin Yunwan and Xiruo said, "Tell Master, why did you fight with the people around the Second Miss?"

Xiruo stepped forward and said loudly, "Master, the Second Miss is going to strip the Eldest Miss's maid of her clothes in public. Although I am uncouth, I know that such a thing cannot happen in the manor. I had no choice but to do it."

"What?! Stripping the maid's clothes off?!"

Lin Huabin was shocked.

He couldn't believe his daughter would do such a thing. Yun Jiao was just a little lazy and loved dressing up more than others; how could she possibly do something like this!

He coldly ordered Nanny Fan, "Go and fetch all the maids who were present that day!"

Ah... do we really have to go and call them?

Nanny Fan looked at Zheng Shi.

Lin Huabin gave a cold laugh, "Looks like my words no longer carry any weight?"

Nanny Fan was so frightened that she knelt down.

Zheng Shi quickly tried to cover for her servant. "No, no, sir, you still have to go to the yamen today, wouldn't that delay your duties? Besides, this is an internal matter, there's no need for you to worry about it."

Lin Huabin slammed his fist on the table, throwing a tantrum. "I don't need to worry about this! Look at Yun Jiao now..."

Not wanting to embarrass his daughter in front of the servants Lin Yunwan, he hesitated for a long time before finally ordering, "Summon Nanny Zhao! If I don't see Nanny Zhao within a quarter of an hour, every single one of these people is to be thrown out of the manor!"

The servants scattered in fright, rushing to find Nanny Zhao.

"Amitabha! When has the master ever been so angry!"

"Stop wasting time, go find Nanny Zhao!"

Less than fifteen minutes later, Nanny Zhao arrived.

Lin Huabin's face was devoid of his usual gentle demeanor. He decisively instructed Nanny Zhao, "Investigate thoroughly and completely. I want to hear every single word from beginning to end!"

"Have someone from the Front Courtyard tell me I'm on sick leave today!"

If the Inner Residence are like this, why would he even bother going to the government office!

"Yes."

Nanny Zhao turned and left.

She is usually a bit arrogant and looks down on people, but when it comes to getting things done, she is impeccable. She understands the master's instructions clearly and assigns tasks in an orderly manner.

Zheng Shi's heart pounded, and she quietly tugged at her husband's sleeve.

Lin Huabin brushed her hand away, his face extremely grim.

Zheng Shi dared not act rashly, but she was also angry and sat down to the side, puffing out her cheeks.

"Yun Wan, you can sit and wait."

Lin Huabin regained his composure and didn't forget to ask Lin Yunwan to sit down.

If his daughter is really that spoiled, then Xiruo maid, has done a great service! If Yun Jiao really ordered someone to strip Yun Wan's maid of her clothes, not only would he offend Zhao Jingyi, but he also wouldn't be able to explain it to his mother and Elder Brother!

"Thank you for your understanding, sir."

Lin Yunwan sat to the left of Master Lin.

Xiruo followed and stood beside her.

Half an hour later, Nanny Zhao arrived, having selected several articulate maids, some from Lin Yunwan's side and some from Lin Yunjiao's side.

She instructed the maid, "Say the same things you would to the master."

The maids were very nervous and kept their heads down.

Once one of them took the lead, the others followed suit.

When Lin Huabin heard that his daughter had actually instructed the maid to strip off his clothes, his face darkened, and he waved his sleeve with his eyes closed, saying, "Enough! Get out of here."

Maids, please be quiet.

Nanny Zhao waved her hand gently, quietly dismissing them. She then withdrew herself.

Lin Yunwan said, "... At that time, the manor had already prepared a carriage to the Prince's manor, but due to the urgency of the situation, Xiruo to deal with the Second Miss first."

Lin Huabin didn't say anything.

If Zhao Jingyi's daughter is treated like this in his household, how can he explain it to Zhao Jingyi without keeping a maid like Xiruo to protect her?

He said gently, "Alright, don't be afraid. Yun Wan, you should take the maid back first."

Lin Yunwan stood up, intending to take her leave.

Remembering something, she said to Lin Huabin, "Master, when I went to Prince Huan's Residence, someone asked me to give my regards to the Old Madam."

Does this mean she should pay her respects to the Lin family's Old Madam?

Lin Huabin thought for a moment before gently saying, "The Old Madam doesn't usually see anyone. After a while, when you've recovered a bit, have Madam take you to see your Eldest Aunt and your Third Aunt. If the Old Madam has some free time, you can go see Old Madam then."

Lin Yunwan curtsied. "Yes. Yun Wan takes her leave."

I finally have the chance to meet the renowned Old Madam of the Lin family.

After she left, Lin Huabin and Zheng Shi naturally started arguing.

Lin Huabin was furious. "Take off her clothes? Your spoiled daughter! With this kind of behavior, you still want her to marry into the Prince Huan's Residence! Don't even think about it!"

"Go out and see for yourself, which respectable family in Jiangqian would dare to marry a girl like this!"

Zheng Shi burst into tears, saying aggrievedly, "Master, Jiao'er was just confused for a moment. Don't you think about it? You've spoiled her for over ten years, and as soon as Yun Wan came back, you gave her the best of everything. How could Jiao'er bear that?"

Lin Huabin got even angrier. "It's all for a Kesi tapestry! So what if Yun Wan wears it? She could afford to wear ten of them!"

"The three prefectures are so close together, aren't you afraid that if word gets out, my Elder Brother and Third Younger Brother will laugh at me!"

"Don't forget, the Old Madam is just old and too lazy to manage things, she's not deaf or blind! You have a mother-in-law!"

Thinking of that strict and cold Old Madam, Zheng Shi shuddered in fright.

We've been having so much fun that we've forgotten about that old hag on our heads!

Zheng Shi wiped away her tears and said, "My lord, I know I've changed." Then she said softly, "You've had liver problems since you were little, please don't get angry."

Lin Huabin sat down, his complexion improving.

Lin Yunjiao came over, and seeing the situation was not good as soon as she entered, she hesitated Yu Region called out, "... Father, Mother."

Lin Huabin glared at her.

As he left, he told Zheng Shi, "Tomorrow, take Yun Wan out to offer incense and light the Eternal Light Lamp. Let Yun Jiao reflect on her actions at home."

Lin Yunjiao very dissatisfied, but fortunately Zheng Shi pulled her daughter aside and said to her, "Don't talk back to your father now."

"Why should I be punished by copying books after Yun Wan made me suffer?"

"Mother, doesn't Father love me anymore?"

She sobbed.

Zheng Shi comforted her, saying, "How could that be? Your father is only doing this for your own good. You're destined for a high position, so you can't do anything so disgraceful again, understand?"

Lin Yunjiao snort.

She refused!