Jiang Luoxue saw the two maids crying so sadly, knowing that these two were the people the original owner had spent the most time with and trusted the most.
Worried about being exposed, she could only reassure them by repeating the way the original owner of the body had treated them in her memory: "Alright! Don't worry, you two. I just ran into a friend and had a great time chatting with her, so I forgot to go home for a moment. I'm back now, so stop crying... Ah!"
Chunhe wiped away her tears and pleaded, "Miss, next time you go to meet your friends, you must tell us, otherwise Qiuju and I will worry."
"I understand, I'll definitely tell you next time. But I'm a little hungry now, is there anything to eat?" Jiang Luoxue was worried that she would give herself away if she kept talking, so she changed the subject.
Upon hearing her say she was hungry, the two maids immediately stopped crying.
Qiuju ran to the table and brought over a plate of pastries: "Miss, this is your favorite chestnut cake. I always keep some on hand."
"Have a couple of bites to tide you over, and I'll go to the kitchen to get you your dinner in a bit."
"Thank you, Qiuju!" Jiang Luoxue apologized politely, as was her habit.
Qiuju couldn't help but glance at her: "Miss, why are you being so polite all of a sudden today?"
Jiang Luoxue choked up, only then realizing that it was perfectly natural for a servant to fetch things for her master here, and there was no need for thanks.
She chuckled awkwardly and made an excuse: "Well... I feel bad because I made you worry today, so I wanted to be polite."
Chunhe laughed when she heard her explanation: "Miss, you don't need to be like that. Just remember to take us with you wherever you go next time."
"Alright, next time I go somewhere, I promise I won't leave you all behind again."
It's a deal.
"It's a deal!"
The three of them talked for a while, then one went to get her food and another prepared a change of clothes for her.
Jiang Luoxue ate chestnut cake while looking around the house she was staying in.
Judging from the exquisite decoration and layout of the house, the Minister's Mansion did not mistreat the original owner of this body, the legitimate daughter.
However, Jiang Luoxue knew that this was just an illusion; the original owner's stepmother was always good at pretending to be virtuous.
All the methods used to torment the original body are done in secret, and cannot be seen at all on the surface.
She made those who didn't know the truth believe that she was a good stepmother.
Jiang Luoxue had only eaten two pieces of pastry when a woman's voice, feigning anxiety, came from outside.
"My dear child, Luoxue, where have you been playing? You've been gone all day without sending a word home. I've been so worried about you that I haven't been able to eat a single bite, fearing that something might have happened to you."
"Thank goodness you're back, or your mother would have cried herself to death!"
Chu Lianxin held up a handkerchief, wiping away her tears as she spoke loudly, as if afraid that others wouldn't hear her.
Jiang Luoxue sneered inwardly. This stepmother claimed to be worried about her, but her words implied that she was playful and immature, and that she would go out to play all day, causing her family to worry and showing a lack of filial piety. She was not a good girl.
Damn it, they're not worried about me, they're just afraid my reputation isn't bad enough!
She really is a woman with a wolf in sheep's clothing.
It seems that the woman in front of me probably played a part in causing the original owner's troubles.
Just as she was about to retort, a long-faced old woman suddenly appeared behind Chu Lianxin and began to lecture Jiang Luoxue.
"Young Miss, you're not a little girl anymore, how can you be so willful!"
"You've already come of age and are about to marry the heir of the Duke of Anguo's mansion. Not only do you not restrain your words and actions, but you also go out all day and don't come home. What kind of behavior is this?"
"This old servant will teach you a lesson today on behalf of the late Madam, so that people won't say that the young ladies of our Minister's mansion are unruly!"
Jiang Luoxue looked coldly at the cursing Granny Zhou.
This old hag was an old woman from the original owner's mother Liu's household. After she got involved with Chu Lianxin, she bullied the original owner a lot by taking advantage of Liu's name, at Chu Lianxin's behest.
It can be said that this old woman played a significant role in shaping the original owner's timid and submissive personality.
Now they actually want to use their age and seniority to lecture me.
Looks like I need to give her a good thrashing and let her know who's in charge.
Let's also make an example out of her.
Jiang Luoxue secretly gathered her strength, and the moment Granny Zhou attacked, she suddenly stretched out her foot and kicked her out of the door.
Undeterred, he went up and slapped her several more times, leaving the old woman dizzy and disoriented, with blood streaming down her nose.
Granny Zhou could hardly believe that the usually weak and easily bullied young lady would dare to hit her.
She glared angrily with her sclera bulging: "Young Miss, I'm your mother's wet nurse! How dare you hit me!"
Jiang Luoxue curled a sarcastic smile at the corner of her lips and said coldly, "Since you are my mother's person, then I might as well send you to the underworld to meet my mother now, and let her teach you a lesson in the rules of being a servant."
Granny Zhou's legs went weak with fear at the cold killing intent in Jiang Luoxue's eyes.
The young lady's eyes really looked like she wanted to kill her!
Seeing her cowardly appearance and remembering how badly she had treated the original owner, Jiang Luoxue slapped her several more times, knocking out Zhou Pozi's front teeth.
"You dog of a servant, who gave you the audacity to lecture your master!"
"My mother left you in the Jiang family to take care of her children and protect their safety, not to abuse them under her name."
"A disloyal and unjust lackey like you doesn't deserve to live in this world."
"However, I am kind-hearted today and do not wish to kill, so I will spare you for now."
"Someone, find me a slave trader and sell Granny Zhou off."
"You dare!" Granny Zhou shouted in fear.
Jiang Luoxue moved her wrist and curled the corners of her lips: " To sell you out or beat you to death, you choose one!"
Granny Zhou panicked completely and hurriedly begged Chu Lianxin for help: "Madam, save me!"
"Xue'er, no!"
Chu Lianxin was initially frightened by the girl's violent demeanor. She felt as if her stepdaughter was openly beating Granny Zhou, but actually beating her!
Upon hearing Granny Zhou's plea for help, she didn't have time to think and immediately spoke up to stop her.
All this time, Granny Zhou was her henchman in dealing with Jiang Luoxue in the mansion. If she were sold or killed, who would she be able to order around in the future?
Jiang Luoxue looked at Chu Lianxin with a half-smile: "What, do you think I, the eldest daughter of the Minister's mansion, cannot punish someone my mother brought from the Liu family, a disreputable and treacherous servant?"
"Are you going to get involved too?"
Chu Lianxin saw those eyes that seemed to see right through people, and the words of advice she wanted to say stuck in her throat.
She had a vague premonition that this little bitch seemed to know that she had secretly instructed Granny Zhou to mistreat her.
Jiang Luoxue continued, "Chu Lianxin, strictly speaking, this Granny Zhou isn't a member of the Minister's household. Her indenture lists her as a member of the Liu family from Jiangnan. Are you sure you want to stop me?"
The girl smiled slightly, her tone carrying a hint of threat: "I heard that my maternal grandfather's family will be coming to the capital to meet the emperor soon. I think they will definitely not forget their granddaughter."
"If they knew that I, the legitimate daughter of a high-ranking official, had even been stripped of my right to punish the servants of the Liu family by you, chu lianxin, it would be a great shame."
Do you think that in their anger, they might speak ill of my father to the Emperor?
"If the Emperor is to inquire about our family affairs, not only would Father, as Minister, lose face, but your reputation for virtue and gentleness... would also be ruined!"
Chu Lianxin's heart skipped a beat, and her usually smiling face was now devoid of any smile.
The Liu family is going to the capital. If they listen to this brat's slander and insist on investigating the cause of Liu's death, then I...!