Chapter 22: Servant of the World (Part 2)

  If the silence in the house just now was because they were afraid of Chu Sijia's bare feet and didn't dare to wear shoes, really risking their lives to make a big fuss, then today's deathly silence is because she suddenly pierced through that thin layer of superficial splendor, exposing the most disgusting side.

  Chen Lan had heard about this from Chen Yan before, and at that time, some of the Hou family's generals were living a hard life, and he had thought about finding an opportunity to ask again. But before that chance came, something happened at home, and now the person was standing right in front of him. From her words, he naturally understood that the grudge against the Chu family ran deep. However, choosing this time to cause trouble, just using the two words "making a scene" would be enough for those in charge to make a big deal out of it, and even Zhu's family would inevitably get angry.

  However, the fourth house of Chu seemed to have really let go, and they didn't care about the iron-green faces of the crowd at all. They coldly laughed again: "Just now, the two aunts blocked me outside, but I heard the conversation clearly. The maids' one hundred and twenty taels of silver for making clothes can be taken out, but our family's New Year's money cannot be taken out! In those years, it was Old Master Hou who personally promised that he would not call loyal servants to shed blood and tears. Whoever followed him to guard the town, they would receive seasonal clothing and festival rewards. But now, this money has all fallen into the pockets of those unscrupulous things! My family's eldest son... my family's eldest son has been practicing martial arts since childhood, but now he can't even get a miscellaneous job... Heaven, are you blind? Why do you let our honest and kind-hearted families suffer...

  The voice of the Chu family grew louder and louder, until it was almost frantic, with some people banging their heads against the ground and others clenched fists pounding the blue bricks on the ground. Just then, a loud shout came from upstairs.

  "Get out! How dare you talk nonsense and frame the master, hurry up and get her out!"

  Chen Lan was startled by the voice beside her, and when she turned her head, she saw that Chen Huang had already stood up. Gone was the usual obedient look he had when following Chen Bing, or the pitiful and tearful expression he had in front of her yesterday. His face now had a few hints of ferocity. At this time, the housekeeper and the mothers finally came back to their senses, knowing that if they let Chu Si's family continue speaking, who knows what other things would be revealed. They hastily divided themselves into several groups, some twisting arms and others embracing necks, desperately pulling the sturdy woman out. Just as they were about to drag her away, a cold and clear voice suddenly rang out again.

  "Wait!"

  Chen Yu slowly got up, not looking at Chen Huan's extremely unhappy face, and said slowly: "Wait before driving people away. What she said was indeed a bit extreme, but we must know that our Hou Mansion has always had the tradition of comforting the families of generals who have died in battle. Those who died in battle are first-class, not only do they receive the highest amount of clothing and money every year, but all their children are also assigned to good positions. The wounded are second-class, with a fixed amount of clothing and money every year, and their children are also given priority in assignment. How did it become like this today?"

  In the past, Chen Yu was not hidden in a boudoir, and there was always a seat reserved for her in the main hall of Lianxiang Temple. Everyone knew about her pride, so no one expected her to suddenly stand up at this moment. Seeing the two young ladies staring at each other with hostility, she continued to say a few more words, leaving all the wives and mothers-in-law stunned and unsure of what to do.

  "Fourth sister, fifth sister, what's going on? Let's sit down and talk it over, no need to get angry and fight."

  She nodded slightly to Qing'e, who was still looking surprised. She quickly made a gesture with her eyes towards the women from Chu Sihao's family, and they immediately let go of their hands.

  The four members of the Chu family seemed to have exhausted their energy, sitting on the ground with their heads hung low. Chen Lan spoke up calmly: "We three sisters are old ladies who just started managing household chores today, and some things are naturally not yet clear. However, your husband is a veteran who followed Old Master Hou to guard Gansu, so he should be an elder in the family. Can't he understand even a little bit of etiquette? As soon as he came in, he spoke with a mixture of guns and sticks, not to mention crying out loud, what kind of behavior is this, trying to coerce the master? You keep saying how it was back then, did you also speak to the master like that back then?"

  Chen Lan's tone suddenly turned severe, and he immediately shouted: "Without reporting, you broke into the Shuijing Hall, and your words were outrageous and arrogant. Take him out and give him twenty slaps!"

  As soon as these words were spoken, the group of women in charge around them immediately revealed expressions of relief. Someone quickly came forward to support Chu Si's family. However, before they could drag him away, Chen Lan continued: "The board is blaming you for not following rules and discipline, but what you said about rewarding money and clothes was an old tradition that didn't explicitly state it would be abolished. Therefore, it shouldn't be withheld. After the beating, go to the accounting room and take out the amount according to the records. If there's even a slight deduction, come directly to me to complain! As for what you said about your son practicing martial arts from a young age, now that he's grown up but has no decent job, I'll report back to Old Lady and reason with her later. In any case, it can't be that those of you who have made contributions in the past are now inferior to others."

  Chu Si's family had already lost all hope upon hearing that they would be punished, and with a dejected heart, they were prepared to face ridicule and revenge after returning. But unexpectedly, there was still this arrangement to come. Taken aback for a moment, she immediately shook off the two people who were holding her arms, took a few steps forward on her knees, and knocked her head against the ground three times with a loud thud.

  "Thank you, miss! Thank you, miss!"

  "You're welcome." At this moment, Chen Lan felt the two people beside him looking over, but it seemed like they hadn't seen anything, and just lowered their heads to cover their hands with a hand warmer. Then, they lightly let out a sigh, "Those who make mistakes should be punished, those who achieve merit should be rewarded, that's the rule."

  Two old women came forward, as if waking up from a dream, and dragged the Chu family away. Hong Luo felt her heart drop suddenly. At this moment, she suddenly saw Chen Lan look over at her and nod, and her heart skipped a beat. After thinking for a moment, she quietly slipped out of the house. Seeing the two old women dragging the Chu family away while muttering curses, she quickly caught up with them a few steps.

  Hearing a noise behind her, one of the women turned around and saw Hong Luo. She immediately stopped in her tracks and smiled obsequiously: "Miss, why have you come out?"

  "Miss is worried, let me come out to supervise." Seeing the two women eating in surprise, they both showed embarrassed expressions. Hong Luo glanced at the Chu Sihai's house and said faintly, "Twenty years on the east bank of the river, twenty years on the west bank of the river, who can guarantee that nothing will happen? Although she broke the rules today, there is still something pitiful about her. You are busy with heavy work every day, it's not worth offending those who shouldn't be offended. After all, things in the mansion are unpredictable now, and we should accumulate some virtue."

  The two old women were somewhat hesitant, but thinking that Hongluo was not only Chen Lan's personal maid, but also someone who had been in front of the old lady before, and now that the second master was out of prison, they didn't know what to do after all. They gradually gave up their original intention - before coming out, a familiar housekeeper's wife on the other side had signaled them to teach this Chu Si family a lesson. When Hongluo subtly handed them two silver corners, they were even more speechless, only smiling and repeatedly agreeing.

  In the courtyard, two wooden benches were set up, and then they went to fetch bamboo boards. When they started hitting, they naturally held back a bit, and in a short while, twenty boards were finished. Chu Sihua's family heard Hong Luo's words clearly, she was not a fool either, knowing that these boards were actually hit lightly, without hurting her bones or muscles. As a result, when she was helped to stand up, her eyes looking at Hong Luo were full of gratitude.

  Just now, something suddenly happened, and the two ladies were at odds with each other. In the end, Chen Lan suddenly spoke up and quickly resolved the matter. Now, seeing the return of the Chu family to kowtow and thank them, all the wives and mothers in the house are holding their breaths and dare not say a word.

  When the four families of Chu had limped away, the household chores that followed were naturally in order. Everyone who came forward to report matters and waited for orders was thinking again and again, afraid of making mistakes. As for the housekeeper mother who wanted silver to make spring shirts at the beginning, she didn't know when she slipped away without a trace.

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