14 Confrontation Among the Servants

“You still have the nerve to come back.”

Recalling the troubles Jiang Shuwan had caused over the past few days, coupled with her recent withholding of the servants’ wages, Jiang Xunian pointed at her angrily across the table.

“Father, this is my home. If I don’t return, where else could I possibly go?” Jiang Shuwan replied with an innocent expression.

Jiang Xunian was momentarily speechless, his face turning ashen.

The matriarch of the Jiang family pointed at the kneeling servants and asked, “Shuwan, what is this about you withholding their monthly wages?”

Jiang Shuwan turned, her gaze sweeping over the kneeling servants. For some reason, those people felt as if they were being stared down by a venomous snake, a chill spreading down their backs.

Turning back to the matriarch, Jiang Shuwan spoke calmly, “Grandmother, these are the servants in my courtyard. Shouldn’t everything here be under my management? If I recall correctly, the household rules state that for the servants assigned to each courtyard, aside from the standardized monthly wages set by the estate, the mistress can withhold or reward wages if displeased.”

The matriarch was at a loss for words, caught off guard by Jiang Shuwan’s sharp retort.

Mrs. Li smiled gently, “Shuwan is right. However, in the Yongbo Marquis estate, it’s rare for servants’ wages to be withheld. Suddenly cutting their pay must have some reason, right? Otherwise, if this matter spreads, it could affect our household’s reputation.”

“Second Madam is right,” Jiang Shuwan said, turning to the kneeling servants. “Tell me, why do you think I withheld your wages?”

The servants lowered their heads guiltily and answered in unison, “We don’t know, Mistress.”

Watching them bow their heads one by one, Jiang Shuwan’s lips curled into a cold smile.

“If you don’t know, then I’ll tell you. Last night, I asked you to come to my room because I wanted to accumulate some merit for the Marquis of Pingning in the afterlife and planned to increase your wages. Yet, you ignored me completely. Only Aunt Lin, Uncle Qi, and Nurse Wu showed up. They listened attentively, but you clearly don’t recognize me as your mistress. Fine.”

“I’ve always stayed out of courtyard affairs, expecting only that you fulfill your duties so you could have freedom. But last night, I inquired and found that most of the courtyard work was done by those three. Since you’re slacking off, why shouldn’t I withhold your wages?”

Jiang Shuwan’s well-reasoned words made the servants even more ashamed, their heads bowed lower.

The matriarch frowned deeply. “Is what the eldest miss says really true?”

The first to speak earlier, Nurse Ru, suddenly raised her head to object, “Grandmother, it’s not true. It’s those three wretches.” Realizing something, she paused a moment before adding, “Those three are slandering us.”

Jiang Shuwan sneered at her.

She remembered that this woman had been sent to her courtyard by the matriarch herself.

In her previous life, every move Jiang Shuwan made was reported back by Nurse Ru.

Seeing Nurse Ru speak so boldly, the others also gained courage and chimed in, “Yes, yes. We all work hard. The Jade Orchid Courtyard is so large; if all the work was done by them, how could they remain so good-tempered without getting angry? They slander us for their own benefit.”

Jiang Shuwan looked down on them with disdain.

“In that case,” she said, turning to Liusu standing nearby, “Liusu, bring those three here for a confrontation. Let’s see who’s lying.”

Everyone was stunned. No one expected the former fool Jiang Shuwan to arrange such a confrontation. Their faces paled.

Jiang Shuwan adjusted her padded jacket and slowly approached the matriarch. “Grandmother, soon the truth will be revealed. I ask that whatever the outcome, you let me handle it. After all, this concerns my courtyard. Since I’m to marry into the Marquis of Pingning’s household, I must learn how to manage and govern the estate.”

Mentioning the Pingning Marquis estate, the matriarch clenched her fists but relaxed them a few moments later. “It will be as you wish.”

Jiang Shuwan smiled, “Thank you, Grandmother.”

She sat beside her and poured herself a cup of tea. After drinking, she felt her throat ease considerably.

Just as she finished her second cup, Liusu brought the three suspects in.

Jiang Shuwan set down her cup and stood. “Tell me, how is labor usually divided in the Jade Orchid Courtyard?”

The three exchanged glances.

Uncle Wu respectfully replied, “Mistress, there are thirteen servants in total, divided into four teams—east, south, west, and north—with three people assigned to each area. Miss Liusu is responsible for your personal care and daily needs.”

“And which group are you responsible for?”

“The old servant and two others take care of pruning and cleaning the eastern flowerbeds.”

“Have any of you been shirking your duties over the years?”

At this, Uncle Qi lowered his head, hesitating.

“Speak openly, no need to hold back. Today is about settling courtyard matters. As long as you tell the truth, no one will seek revenge. I will make the final judgment,” Jiang Shuwan said firmly.

Uncle Qi remained silent.

Suddenly, Aunt Lin kowtowed and said, “Mistress, Grandmother, please uphold justice for us. Though it seems there are many servants in the Jade Orchid Courtyard, in reality, most of the work falls on me, Uncle Qi, and Nurse Wu.”

“What’s going on?” Jiang Shuwan’s expression darkened.

“They’re lying. Please don’t believe them, Grandmother and Miss,” Granny Wu retorted, tilting her head and glaring fiercely at the three.

Long years of threats made the three tremble.

Jiang Shuwan observed everything carefully. “Whether it’s true or false, I will decide. Continue.”

Realizing the situation was dire, and that silence would not ease their plight, Uncle Qi spoke with resolve, “They isolate us, forcing us to do the dirty and exhausting work while ordering us around. But because we care for the Mistress and don’t want her to suffer or live in a filthy environment, we have endured and taken on the tasks that should be theirs.”

“How dare you! You lazy servants think I’m blind? I’ve been lenient, yet you come to disturb Grandmother’s peace?” Jiang Shuwan scolded loudly, her gaze icy as it swept over them.

“No, old servant—” one tried to explain.

Jiang Shuwan cut her off sharply. “Still want to deny? I asked Liusu to summon you last night. Did you come or not?”

Heads bowed in silence.

“You don’t even obey my summons. I wonder how you’ve been bossing around the Jade Orchid Courtyard. Others might think you’re the real masters here, but clearly, you don’t regard me as yours.”

They all said together, “Mistress, we dare not.”