Nanny Lin reported to Madam that the master wanted to stay in Aunt Gu's courtyard for a meal and asked Madam not to wait.
When she arrived at Madam's courtyard, she happened to meet Niu Ma, who is Zi'er's biological mother.
"Nanny Lin."
"Niu Ma, sweeping here, why don't you go sweep the auxiliary yard as well?"
"Thank you, Nanny Lin."
She was sweeping the main courtyard, told to go to the auxiliary courtyard where Concubine Li lives, and her daughter serves there.
Thus, Nanny Lin was hinting that Zi'er was being aggrieved.
This cannot stand!
Niu Ma had only this one daughter, cherishing her like the apple of her eye.
Though she was a maid with a servant's fate, she had never scolded or hit her.
Niu Ma took a big broom to the auxiliary courtyard and indeed saw Concubine Li still scolding her daughter.
Enraged, she immediately swept firmly before Mrs. Li, even sweeping onto her head.
"You lowly servant, how dare you offend me."
