Muddled

"Grandmother."

When Lu Zhengliu heard that Lin Yunwan had come to the Hall of Longevity, he hurried over at once.

Old Madam Lu frowned and demanded, "Did you have Qiao Da tied up so you could beat him?"

She really had gone everywhere to lodge complaints.

Lu Zhengliu glanced at Lin Yunwan and walked inside. "Yes. If we indulge a servant who bullies his masters, outsiders will surely laugh at the Lu family for having no one capable of managing the household."

Lin Yunwan smiled.

His words were plainly meant for her.

"What are you laughing at? Do you think that because you had Mother stop me, I wouldn't dare touch him?"

Lin Yunwan said mildly, "It seems to me that the heir has been away from home for several years and has grown muddled out there."

"Is that so? I'd be glad to hear the details."

Lu Zhengliu gave a cold smile. He clearly wasn't asking in earnest.

"When the Old Master was alive, Qiao Da followed him through life and death. You've heard how highly the Old Master valued him, haven't you, heir? And you shouldn't have forgotten how his son died, either."

Lu Zhengliu was taken aback. He really had forgotten.

Lin Yunwan reminded him, "Seven years ago, the marquis escaped death and returned, thanks to the protection of several loyal subordinates and Qiao Da's son, Qiao Xiaoda. Some of the marquis's subordinates were crippled, and others died. Qiao Da's son was among the dead."

But because he was a servant's son, Lu Zhengliu really hadn't paid him much attention. The Lu family had also been in turmoil at the time, and the emperor had wanted to strip the Marquis's Residence of its title, so he had given Qiao Da's situation even less thought.

Now that the wind had died down and the waves had grown calm, it really wouldn't do to ignore it.

Lin Yunwan continued, "Qiao Da's son died, and his grandson also died young, leaving him alone and without support. He also rendered meritorious service to the Wuding Marquis Residence. It doesn't matter if you want to beat him, heir. Even beating him to death wouldn't matter."

"However..."

"If the Old Master were alive, and if the marquis were still clearheaded, they would never treat a loyal servant as you have, heir."

After that reasoning, Lu Zhengliu had no answer.

Even Old Madam Lu said nothing. Let alone Wei Shi sending someone to dissuade him—even if Wei Shi hadn't, she would have sent someone to stop Lu Zhengliu herself.

"According to you, then, if a servant like that throws his age around and bullies his masters, his masters can only put up with it?"

"You believe Qiao Da bullied his masters, heir? Then let me ask you, why would Qiao Da bully his masters? Do you know?"

Lu Zhengliu was struck speechless.

"I don't know."

Lin Yunwan said calmly, "His son and grandson both passed away. The residence did give him compensation silver back then, but after giving his children a respectable burial, there was little left. He was old and could no longer do much, so the residence arranged an easy job that paid him silver, to provide for him in his old age."

"But after Cousin Miss came, the residence cut the job he originally had. Naturally, he was angry."

Lu Zhengliu frowned. "If that's the case, you shouldn't have cut his job."

No sooner had he spoken than Wei Shi arrived. She heard his last sentence and, as soon as she entered, launched into a scolding of Lin Yunwan. "Why on earth did you cut Qiao Da's job? If the heir had really beaten Qiao Da badly over this, do you know how outsiders would curse the marquis and the heir, and how they would curse the Wuding Marquis Residence?"

Old Madam Lu snapped at her, "Be quiet!"

"Old Madam, I..."

Wei Shi's face and neck were red with anger. Having also received a dirty look without knowing why, she grew even angrier.

Old Madam Lu said coldly, "I was the one who decided to cut his job."

Lu Zhengliu: "..."

Wei Shi: "..."

That was true. In the seven years Lin Yunwan had managed the household, when had she ever done anything so outrageous?

"Greetings, Mother."

Lin Yunwan slowly rose to her feet.

Wei Shi said awkwardly, "Sit." She stepped forward and paid her respects to Old Madam Lu.

The Small Hall suddenly grew much quieter. No one said another word against Lin Yunwan.

"Let the past stay in the past. Don't discuss it anymore."

Old Madam Lu looked at Lin Yunwan and said, "Your mother-in-law has a point. The Marquis's Residence cannot gain a reputation for being heartless. We must make proper arrangements for Qiao Da. Think of a way to make him behave himself from now on."

"Old Madam, I have already thought of a good place for him, but... it is still for you to decide."

"What place?"

"When Qiao Da was young, he learned carpentry and masonry. Why not let him work repairing the residence in the Front Courtyard? It's something he enjoys, and he can earn more silver. He'll behave himself from then on, and everyone can live in peace."

Old Madam Lu did not immediately agree.

Lin Yunwan had reported this matter to her before, but repairing the residence required tiles, timber, flowers, and plants, with plenty of profit to be skimmed along the way.

It was inevitable that the servants would line their pockets, and their masters turned a blind eye to it, but they would certainly leave such a position for someone close to them.

The people in charge of it were the husband and son of one of her dowry servants.

Wei Shi chimed in, "That's a good idea!"

Lu Zhengliu also nodded slightly.

But Old Madam Lu said, "No. He's old. What if he falls and comes to harm...? Think again. Is there another way?"

"Please advise me, Old Madam. What other good way is there?"

"There's no need for him to do any work. Let him go quietly to the estate and be provided for in his old age. Everyone will be happy."

The estate was the steward's domain. If someone like Qiao Da went there, never mind being provided for in his old age—old and frail, with no sons or grandsons, it was anyone's guess whether he would be bullied.

How could Qiao Da possibly go "quietly"?

After all was said and done, Old Madam Lu still wanted to force her to drive Qiao Da away.

Lin Yunwan nodded in agreement. "All right. I'll go and pass on the message at once: you have graciously sent Qiao Da to the estate to enjoy his old age."

She made as if to leave.

"Wait!"

How could they say that she was driving Qiao Da away? If Qiao Da heard that, wouldn't he go mad all over again?

Old Madam Lu's face darkened.

Lin Yunwan turned back. "Do you have any other instructions, Old Madam?"

Old Madam Lu could give no explanation. After a long while, she finally said, "Forget it. Let him repair the residence after all."

"Yes."

"Wait." Old Madam Lu stopped Lin Yunwan and said to Nanny Yan, "You go and pass on the message."

Nanny Yan nodded.

Lin Yunwan, for her part, did not mind.

It was nearly dark, and Old Madam Lu dismissed everyone.

Lu Zhengliu's feelings were somewhat complicated.

The small matter of a troublesome servant throwing a fit had unfolded at a furious pace, yet Lin Yunwan had emerged unscathed.

And for some reason, he actually... didn't dislike the feeling of crossing swords with her.

Ge Bao'er had bathed no fewer than ten times that day, scrubbing until she had rubbed her skin raw. She kept asking Wu'er, "Do I still smell?"

Wu'er sniffed and said, "No."

Ge Bao'er still felt deeply wronged and sent Wu'er to find out what had happened to Qiao Da.

When Wu'er returned, her eyes darted about.

"How did Old Madam and the heir punish that old thing?"

Wu'er said, "...They didn't. They didn't punish him."

"What?!"

"Not only did they not punish him, they transferred him to repair the houses. That's a lucrative job."

Ge Bao'er's eyes widened.

How could this be?

It was completely dark.

Qiao Da was still whittling wood. Someone who shared his courtyard urged him, "Get some rest early!"

Qiao Da chuckled. "Once I finish this stool."

He still had a pile of wood beside him. Besides making stools, he also planned to make a chaise longue for Madam and paint it with the prettiest lacquer. Summer was coming, and soon Madam would be able to lie on the chaise longue he had made.

By daybreak, Qiao Da had finished a pair of small stools.

Mr. Zhang, Zhang Feng'an, also moved into the Wuding Marquis Residence and stayed in a guest room, where he first came face-to-face with Lu Chang'gong.