Chapter 5

The Cheng Family Manor

    Crash!

    The sound of a porcelain cup being hurled to the floor, shattering upon impact, was followed by the furious ranting of a powerful man.

    "You two are utterly foolish! A complete waste of food! You bring no benefit, only engage in pointless endeavors!"

    "Wah...M…Mother," Cheng Fuyuan cowered in her mother's embrace, overwhelmed by fear. Normally, the young girl feared no one, but her father was the ultimate exception, especially now as his rage instilled profound fear in her.

    "Don't be afraid, Yuan'er. Mother is here," Cheng Furen comforted her daughter while holding her tight. Seeing her daughter so terrified broke her heart, but the sight of her husband's menacing face silenced her from saying anything more.

    "Just cry, cry all you want! Why aren't you so bold now? Weren't you brave enough to provoke the Mu family before? Huh?!"

    Governor Cheng berated his daughter mercilessly. He thought of grabbing another teacup to throw but realized he had already hurled more than seven cups across the room. The floor was littered with ceramic fragments.

    "Husband...please calm down. It's true that Yuan'er made a mistake, but she's still young and bound to err..." Before Cheng Furen could finish, a teapot was flung their way. Although they managed to dodge it, the shattered pieces cut her cheek, leaving a bloody mark.

    Crash!

    "Still young? Do you see other families' daughters behaving like this? It's because of a worthless mother like you that your daughter is so undisciplined!"

    Fury surged within Cheng Fuyuan as she saw her mother injured. She recklessly retorted to her father, "How many times have I beaten others before? Did you ever care? Why is it that today, just because I hit that Mu family's brat, you have to scold me and mother, even causing mother to get hurt?"

    Cheng Furen was petrified, unable to stop her daughter in time. She looked at her husband with fear.

    "H...Husband, Yuan’er was just a bit impulsive. Please don’t be too angry…"

    "Good! So good! You've done a great job raising such an ungrateful child! She even dares to talk back to me! Since you can't discipline her properly, I'll do it myself!"

    Governor Cheng's face flushed red and green with anger. He called for his servants and ordered sternly, "The ungrateful eldest daughter has shown no remorse. Take her away and lock her in the ancestral hall for a month! She's only to be fed twice a day! And she must copy a thousand passages on women's conduct! If she hasn't finished within a month, don't bother coming out!"

    Cheng Fuyuan and her mother turned pale upon hearing this. The ancestral hall was dark, cold, and filthy. How could a pampered young lady like her survive there?

    Not to mention copying a thousand passages on women's conduct!

    She refused to accept this punishment!

    She wouldn’t accept!

    But…could she really refuse?

    Even if she wanted to object, her father wouldn't care!

    "Husband! Husband! Please don't take Yuan'er away! I beg you! How will she survive?"

    Cheng Furen collapsed on the floor, clutching at her husband's legs, pleading through her tears. However, Governor Cheng only gave her a cold glance.

    "Take Furen back to her quarters! Without my order, no one is to enter or leave her quarters!"

    Cheng Furen was left powerless on the floor, realizing she was confined to her quarters. What would become of her daughter now…

    As for Cheng Fuyuan, locked in the ancestral hall, she curled up in a corner, her eyes filled with hatred.

    It was all because of that despicable girl!

    Because of the Seventh Young Lady of the Mu family, she and her mother were being punished!

    It was all her fault!

    If she ever got out, she would make her pay!

    Five days after the incident at Shi Miao Temple, Governor Cheng visited the Mu family manor with valuable gifts and a letter of repentance from his eldest daughter. Upon hearing about the punishment meted out to Cheng Fuyuan and the sincere apology from Governor Cheng, Elder Mu Furen decided to let the matter rest. The necessary punishment had been dealt, so the conflict was resolved.

    In the east wing of the Mu family manor, servants from the main house delivered valuable jewelry to the Seventh Young Lady as instructed by Elder Mu Furen, all of which were gifts from Governor Cheng.

    Mu Yingying looked at the dozens of jewelry boxes with sparkling eyes, a mischievous smile spreading across her round face. Pleased with herself for setting the next stage of her plan in motion, she had been waiting for this opportunity. Now that it had arrived, it was time to proceed with the next step of her plan!

    "Nanny Su...Are all these for me?" she asked innocently, hiding her cunning smile.

    "Yes, Miss."

    Her eyes widened in feigned shock before she inquired further, "With so many jewels, what am I to do with them all? Can I do anything I want with these, Nanny Su?"

    Su Ming suppressed a smile, charmed by the young miss's adorable manner. "Since Elder Furen has given them to you, they are yours to do with as you please. She wouldn't object to whatever you decide."

    "Ah...then please thank Grandmother on my behalf, Nanny Su!"

    Mu Yingying smiled broadly at the person in front of her. Once the servant from the main house had left, she turned around to peruse the jewelry laid out on the table.

    Su Su, who had been standing by her side all along, was stunned by all the lavish jewelry before exclaiming, "These are truly invaluable! Look, Miss, all these pieces are beautiful. Elder Furen is so generous to give you so much. She must love and cherish you greatly."

    "Indeed, they are valuable..."

    Mu Yingying replied softly, her round face revealing a mysterious smile. These jewels were indeed precious and greatly beneficial to her plans!

    The more valuable they were, the more they would sway people's hearts!

    "Su Su, could you call all the servants in our quarters together? I have an announcement to make," she said to Su Su. Although puzzled, Su Su didn't question her but simply nodded and left the room to carry out the task. “Yes, Miss”

    As Mu Yingying waited for Su Su's return, a visitor arrived at her quarters – none other than Cheng Liting, who was staying in the adjacent quarters.

    Earlier, when Governor Cheng visited, Mu Yingying had pleaded with Elder Mu Furen to allow Cheng Liting to stay at the Mu family manor a bit longer as her companion, to which Governor Cheng readily agreed, allowing his daughter to stay as per the Seventh Young Lady's wishes.

    Mu Yingying wasn't surprised by this outcome. She had anticipated it, knowing that Governor Cheng would see his adopted daughter as a means to forge closer ties with the Mu family, and would therefore support Cheng Liting's extended stay at the Mu manor.

    And, of course, Mu Yingying wanted Cheng Liting to stay longer at the Mu manor for her own preparations, to ensure a brighter future for Cheng Liting once she returned to the Cheng manor...

    "Yingying,"

    Cheng Liting entered and greeted the little girl with a smile. The fragile and pitiful girl from before, after being well-cared for at the Mu manor, her appearance had greatly improved.

    As her spirits were lifted, her once sorrowful face became bright and cheerful, looking appropriately matched with her age, and her inherently gentle nature made her eyes always seem warm.

    "You've come at the perfect time, Sister Liting. My Grandmother has given me some new jewelry. Why don't you pick a few pieces you like? I'll give them to you!"

    Mu Yingying led her to the table to choose some jewelry. However, Cheng Liting only glanced briefly, her face showing discomfort. "Elder Mu Furen gave these to you. How can I take them? I don't need any..."

    "But I want to give them to you. Please accept them."

    "But..."

    "No buts, Sister Liting," Mu Yingying interrupted, pushing a box of jewelry towards Cheng Liting. "Consider it a gift from your younger sister...Please, take it."

    Cheng Liting hesitated, wanting to refuse, but the pleading look in Mu Yingying's eyes made it hard for her to say no. Her heart refused because she could tell how valuable they were by looking at them, and she didn't feel entitled to accept such valuable items, given they belonged to someone else, and she hadn't earned them.

    How could Mu Yingying not know what the other party was thinking. She knew Cheng Liting's kind nature well enough, so she smiled broadly and affectionately hugged her, saying, "Sister Liting...please accept it. I truly want to give it to you."

    Looking up into Cheng Liting's eyes, her big, round, sparkling eyes conveyed such earnest pleading that it was irresistibly endearing...

    Cheng Liting finally relented, overwhelmed by Mu Yingying's insistence. "Alright, then. Thank you very much."

    Mu Yingying beamed with satisfaction, helping Cheng Liting select two or three pieces of jewelry she liked. She actually wanted to give Cheng Liting even more but feared she wouldn't accept it.

    "Yingying, this is a money pouch I just finished embroidering. Do you like it?"

    Cheng Liting took out an embroidered pouch that she carefully made from her sleeve, offering it to Mu Yingying, who accepted it and smiled genuinely, "I love it, thank you so much, Sister Liting."

    She was truly grateful; the pouch was exquisitely embroidered. Cheng Liting, who was only nine years old, managed to embroider this beautifully in just two days. It must have taken a lot of focus and care for sure.

    Such a heartfelt gift was gladly received!

    Cheng Liting was happy seeing the little girl like it. She had done her best for two days and two nights and had been worried the young miss might not like her humble offering. But seeing Mu Yingying's delight, Cheng Liting felt warmly fulfilled.

    "I'm glad you like it…Now, I'll go embroider a pouch for Elder Mu Furen."

    "Alright."

    Mu Yingying smiled and walked Cheng Liting out, her gaze following the slender figure until it disappeared. Her innocent-looking eyes momentarily became thoughtful. Such a good person shouldn't have to endure any cruelty!

    She promised herself to protect and care for Cheng Liting to the best of her ability!

    Honoring the kindness Cheng Liting showed her and her elder sister in their previous life and the sincerity she offered in this one!

    When Mu Yingying came back to her senses, she noticed Su Su had already gathered over ten servants who worked in the east wing. They all knelt, looking at each other in confusion about why the young miss had summoned them.

    "Everyone is here, Miss," Su Su whispered to her mistress before stepping to stand behind her back.

    Mu Yingying briefly surveyed the servants, "I've called you all because there's something I need to say."

    "Before, you all know that life in the east wing wasn't very comfortable, and you must have faced many hardships..."

    The servants sitting and listening all pursed their lips inwardly upon hearing the earlier statement. It wasn't just a little hardship they faced; it was quite significant!

    As servants, they naturally aspired to a comfortable life by serving a master with a promising future. However, they were assigned to serve a young miss who was not favored in the household and was even targeted by the Second Furen, making them feel even more uncomfortable about serving in this quarter.

    However, due to the selection order from the central department, they couldn't refuse and had no choice but to reluctantly work in this quarter.

    Regardless of their dissatisfaction, they remained silent and didn't voice any complaints, but the disdainful looks they occasionally showed were not unnoticed by Mu Yingying, who smirked inwardly and continued with her next statement.

    "However, today I must thank everyone for their dedication and good care of this quarter. Consider this a reward for all of you."

    Mu Yingying picked up a box of jewelry, randomly selected a piece, and handed it to one of the maids in front of her, "For you."

    "Fo...for me?"

    The maid looked up at the valuable jade bracelet in front of her in shock, swallowing hard before asking with a trembling voice. Mu Yingying gave a faint smile and repeated, "For you."

    "Th…thank you, Miss! Thank you so much!"

    The maid gratefully accepted the bracelet and stored it away before bowing deeply with enthusiasm. Such a valuable bracelet could fetch a significant sum if sold, probably more than what she would earn in three years!

    Seeing the young miss genuinely gave a valuable piece to one maid, the rest became excited, eyeing the jewelry box with greedy and joyful anticipation, waiting for their turn.

    After all the servants received their precious jewelry piece, their dissatisfaction and disdainful looks towards the young miss changed completely. They all began to reconsider their long-held views over the years.

    Maybe...serving the Seventh Young Lady wasn't so bad after all, as they might have the chance to receive such rewards in the future.

    Mu Yingying observed these changes with sparkling eyes and a sly smile. She despised the fickle and self-serving nature of these people. She knew about their malicious deeds. Even though they were supposedly servants of the east wing, they all acted like double agents, serving other masters to harm the master of this residence!

    They embezzled the residence's property!

    They were lazy, neglected their duties, and even acted as spies!

    Hardly anyone genuinely dedicated themselves to their work here. But...this was quite beneficial, as such people could easily be swayed by rewards. Whoever offered them more would gain their loyalty.

    Such people...were easy to manipulate!

    Soon, people from the capital would return to Qingyun City, and she needed to be well-prepared. The more assets she had at her disposal, the better.

    The grand show was about to begin...