On the morning of the 29th, the cold wind howled.
The door of Feng Mansion creaked loudly due to the wind.
The servants in the house raised their heads and talked about Aiju. Some people said that Aiju's parents, some said that Aiju was short-skinned, and some said that she was getting close to the third lady.
Some people even say stones...
"Aiju, you're here!" Uncle Ping said when he saw Aiju walking into the door of the house:
Aiju replied: "Uncle Ping, it's so cold outside and the wind started just now. Why don't you hide in the house and warm yourself by the fire!" What are you doing out here?
Uncle Ping responded: "These days, I sit in the house and warm myself by the fire every day. I feel so bored that I want to go out for a walk."
Aiju took a step forward and said, "You have to go out for a walk. Sitting for a long time will make your body sick."
Uncle Ping called out: Aiju, you are in a good mood!
Aiju replied: Could it be that I am going to cry in despair!
Ping Bo shouted: Stop talking nonsense! I'm telling you the truth.
Aiju responded: I didn't tell you lies, what I told you is also true.
Ping Bo ran to Aiju and whispered: Aiju, I don't have the patience to talk to you. I heard some rumors this morning. Some of them said that you were magical and fabulous, and some said that you were evil and stinky. Not audible.
Aiju smiled and said: Human! Let them say it, we can't interfere with other people's mouths, and no one can interfere.
Ping Bo argued: Even so! But the old criminal in my heart muttered, maybe tomorrow!
Aiju said: "Uncle Ping, you are worrying too much. I think you should be at peace with yourself now that you have come." It makes sense. We can't escape anything. We can only accept it and face it calmly.
Ping Bo praised: Aiju, you are a courageous person, and you are methodical when dealing with things. I hope this "methodicality" can help you turn danger into safety and help you stay safe step by step.
Aiju replied: What a step-by-step plan! I will only do things according to my heart, and leave the rest to God.
Ping Bo said: Aiju, I admire your kindness, I admire you from the bottom of my heart.
Aiju walked inside and said, "Uncle Ping, let's talk when we have time. I'm going to work."
Uncle Ping shouted: Go quickly, go quickly.
"Third Madam, Third Madam, have you gotten up?" Aiju stood at the door of the Third Madam's room and shouted:
The third lady replied: Sister Aiju, you are here.
Aiju responded: The weather is cold during this period, so I came here late on purpose.
The third lady opened the door and said, "Sister Aiju, please come in!"
Aiju stepped into the back room and said: Sister, do you blame me for coming too late?
The third lady then said: Sister, I just got up.
Also, I went to wash my face...
"I'm sorry, sister! I came a little late today, so you poured water to wash your face yourself." Aiju interrupted:
The third lady called out: Sister Aiju, are you out of sight? My sister can still pour out the wash water.
Aiju shouted: These menial tasks should be done by servants.
The third lady responded: Sister Aiju, not to mention, you are my sister. Even if you are someone else, if I wash my face and pour myself a basin of wash water, I won’t be so stingy and desperately look for it. The fault of others.
"My sister is kind-hearted, tolerant, generous, and never cares about others..."
"Sister, am I that good!"
"Sister, what I'm talking about is just superficial. You can tell it better than me."
"It's really that exaggerated."
"Sister, I'm worried that others won't think so. I don't want to cause you any more trouble."
The third lady said: Sister Aiju, you are thoughtful and impeccable in your work. It is your sister who causes trouble many times. No matter before or after, your sister should be more tolerant.
Aiju replied: Third Madam, what are you talking about! I am your maid and your sister. It is my duty and my responsibility to help you solve your problems.
However, we will have to think twice before we act in the future.
"Sister, when you are in front of me, don't mention the word slave again, okay?" The third lady stared at Aiju and shouted:
"Sorry, I spilled the beans." Aiju responded:
"Sister Aiju, come over and have a cup of tea." The third lady called:
Aiju replied: I won’t drink anymore.
"Sister, do you want it?" Aiju asked:
The third lady said: I am not thirsty either.
Aiju said: Sister, let’s go to the backyard.
The third lady stroked her hair and said: Okay!
Aiju stepped forward and helped the third lady out of the room.
"Sister Aiju, the air in the corridor is so good!" The third lady closed her eyes and sighed:
Aiju replied: Third Madam, there is a charcoal fire burning in the house all day long, and the charcoal gas will naturally be heavier. You should come out more for some air.
The third lady then said: I think so too!
However, it's too cold outside.
Aiju responded: "Of course it will be cold on a snowy day."
The third lady took a breath and said: My sister likes to play in the snow, but I can't play as much as others can. Sometimes I feel like that! My life is worse than that of an ordinary person.
Aiju called out: "Third Madam, please don't say that!" You have food and shelter now. If others hear what you just said - not good!
"Good morning, Third Madam!" Afeng (the old lady's maid) came slowly carrying a bird.
"Okay! Okay! Okay!" The third lady took two steps back.
"Good morning, Sister Afeng!" Aiju said politely:
The third lady said: Sister Ah Feng, you are here to walk the birds again...
"Third Madam, don't call me that! I can't bear this! I am a servant, you are the master..." Afeng replied:
The third lady said: Sister Ah Feng, you are the old lady’s maid and my senior. In terms of seniority, I should call you aunt. Today I call you sister!
Afeng said: "Third Madam, you have a kind face and a kind heart. No wonder Master Feng is so attached to you!"
But we are masters and servants. Please respect your identity, Mrs. Three!
The third lady smiled and said: Ah Feng, let's go over there and sit down.
Ah Feng then said: "I won't sit down anymore, I have to wait for the old lady."
The third lady responded: "Since Feng has something to do, I won't bother you. We'll talk next time."
Ah Feng bowed and said: Thank you, Third Madam!
Aiju asked: Sister Afeng, wait a minute! I have something to ask you!
Ah Feng replied: Aiju, what's the matter with you!
Aiju asked: Sister Afeng, what happened to the bird last time, is there something wrong with it?
"What's the problem? No problem! I never knew there was something wrong with the bird!" Ah Feng quickly withdrew.
Ah Feng walked in the corridor, looking very scared.
"Third Madam, there must be something wrong with that bird last time." Aiju looked at Ah Feng who was walking away and said:
"Sister Aiju, you can't talk nonsense without evidence." The third lady replied:
Aiju responded: Yes! We have no evidence.
It's breakfast time.
Aiju supported the third lady as soon as she walked into the hall.
"Xiaoya, come over and eat quickly. Everyone is waiting for you. The weather is cold in winter and the food will get cold as soon as it comes out." Feng Caizhu shouted:
The third lady hurriedly stepped forward and said politely: Mother! well!
The old lady replied: Xiaoya doesn’t need to be polite! Sit down quickly.
Mr. Feng quickly went to help the third lady...
"Damn slaves, what are you shouting about!" The second lady shouted deliberately:
Qiaoer glanced at the servants and said: Second Madam!
The second lady raised her left hand and called out: Old madam, sir, I wonder if you have heard that we have a talented servant in our house.
"No, it should be said that she is a genius maid. Her name is: Aiju." The second lady continued:
The old lady said: Fen'er (Second Madam), if you have something to say, just say it, why are you hesitating!
The second lady said: Mom, how can I start talking about something that I haven’t witnessed with my own eyes!
"You don't even know where to start! What nonsense are you talking about!" the old lady continued:
"Mom, there's no smoke without fire. The whole house is buzzing about the incident. In my opinion, it's not groundless." The second lady shouted:
The old lady responded: Please explain the matter clearly, what exactly is it!
The second lady said: Didn’t the third sister not have dinner at the house at noon the day before yesterday?
The eldest lady argued: So what!
The second lady replied: Sister, listen to me!
"Old madam, the bird was very happy this morning. It jumped up and down as soon as it came to the corridor. It made the slave happy for a long time." Afeng interrupted:
The second lady shouted: Ah Feng, get out of here! Can you please let me finish talking about it - again!
Ah Feng lowered his head and did not dare to say a word.
The second lady called out: Third sister went to Aiju's house at noon the day before yesterday, and she even ate lunch at Aiju's house.
The eldest lady rushed to say: What's wrong with this! Aiju is Sanmei's maid, and it is not surprising that Sanmei has a meal at Aiju's house.
The second lady praised: Sister is right! The important thing is that Sanmei went to Aiju's house - not only did she have a meal, but there was also a man in Aiju's house at that time.
The old lady slapped the table and shouted: What nonsense!
The second lady was so frightened that she trembled all over and replied: Mom, these are not what I said! Ask the servant below.
Aiju stood up and said: Old madam, what the second madam said is true.
However, the man the second lady mentioned did appear in the slave's house.
The second lady shouted: Mom, I'm not talking nonsense, Aiju is too bad, she is leading her sister to make mistakes.
The third lady said: Second sister, you are talking nonsense, Brother Gu and I are innocent.
The old lady said: Aiju, I punished you to be a servant last time because I hated you for being restless. After a period of experience, I thought you had repented!
I didn't think about it: You let me down.
Aiju replied: Old madam, please listen to the servant's explanation. This man is not someone else. He is my slave's brother.
The second lady sneered: Brother, you have another brother!
Aiju said: He is not my biological brother, he is my sworn brother whom I met at the market when I was buying sacrifices for my late husband.
The second lady shouted: What a big brother, he speaks in a high-sounding way, I can say it too! He is my big brother.
The third lady argued: He is Aiju’s eldest brother, who doesn’t believe it? You can go find him and confront him!
The second lady responded: "Third sister, you are good and bad, I am helping you. Aiju, this dead servant, is trying to induce you to make mistakes."
The third lady called out: Second sister, your kindness - I can't bear it.
The second lady frowned and shouted: Third sister, you have regarded my kindness as a donkey's liver and lungs. I will no longer care about your affairs. What happened that day - the news spread all over the house, and Aiju became a celebrity in our house.
I think: Third sister will also become a celebrity in the house.
Third sister doesn't want to be famous this time.
It’s also difficult!
The old lady turned her face sideways and shouted: Aiju, you go to Wang Ma (a servant of Feng Mansion) to get your wages, and you leave immediately.
Aiju knelt on the ground with her legs and begged: Please don’t drive this slave away! The slave knows that he is guilty and cannot be forgiven! Please ask the old lady to give this slave another chance!
The third lady knelt down and said: Mother, please spare Aiju! The fault of the whole thing lies with Xiaoya, who is ignorant - giving others the power to bring shame to the whole government...
"Mom, don't get angry! Be careful of hurting yourself, your health is important, these little things!" Feng Caizhu advised:
The old lady replied: Silly son, this matter is not trivial. It is related to your reputation. We must be careful.
Financial Master Feng then said: Mom, I can trust Xiaoya as a person.
The old lady responded: If you can trust me, so can I.
But it can't stop others.
Caizhu Feng replied: We just need to believe in Xiaoya...
"Aiju, I hired you here because I wanted you to supervise the behavior of the third lady. Not only did you fail to guide her properly, but you allowed the third lady to do those stupid things. Get out of the house immediately." The old lady shouted:
"Old madam, please spare me! I can't live without this job. I have several children waiting to be taken care of..." Aiju lay on the ground with both hands and cried.
"You're blaming me for being cruel, right?" the old lady said:
"I don't dare, I'm guilty." Aiju cried:
The third lady burst into tears and cried: Mother, old madam, please spare Sister Aiju, but please punish Xiaoya.
The old lady shouted: "Don't think that I dare not blame you. I just think about my son and try not to argue with you. If you talk to me again, I will definitely let you go!"
"Old madam, please spare Aiju!" Uncle Ping, Uncle Fan, and Ma Wang knelt down and said:
"You are not allowed to plead for her regarding today's matter." The old lady said:
Xueer burst into tears when she saw Aiju and the third lady.
She walked up to the old lady, pulled her sleeves, and said: Grandma, please spare Aunt Aiju and Sanniang! What should they do if their eyes are swollen from crying and their bodies are broken from crying! Sanniang also wants to give birth to a little brother for me, and I want to play with him.
The old lady smiled at Xueer.
Afeng called out: Old madam, you love children the most. Xueer is interceding for the third madam and the other two...
"Mom, Xue'er is right. Xiaoya's body is thin. What if she bursts into tears because of this incident..." Feng Caizhu whispered:
The old lady was stunned and said: This!
The eldest lady said: Mom, it is precious for our family to be in harmony. You have made the house like a prison, making people afraid of you!
The old lady said: It’s okay if Aiju doesn’t leave the house, but she still needs to be punished.
"Aiju goes out and beats 50 carrying poles hard, and the third lady goes out and beats 30 carrying poles hard. They must beat hard so that they can remember each other for a long time." The old lady continued:
Aiju got up and thanked: Thank you, madam! Thank you, Mr. Feng! Thank you, madam! Thank you! Thanks······
The third lady wiped her tears and said thanks: Thank you, mother! Thank you sister! Thanks······
Huang Quan (a servant of the Feng Mansion) and Li Ji (a servant of the Feng Mansion) dragged Aiju out.
Aiju shouted: Old madam, I am willing to be punished for the third madam.
"Sister Aiju, Xiaoya has hurt you, you can't do this!" The third lady said hoarsely:
Aiju shouted: Old madam, the third madam's body is already weak, she can't bear these heavy punishments.
The old lady replied: Okay, the third lady’s 30 carrying poles will be recorded for now.
"Wang Ma, please heat up these meals again." Master Feng saw everyone walking outside the house and ordered:
Huang Quan and Li Ji took Aiju and beat her hard.
A few poles later, Aiju's butt was covered in blood and flesh.
The third lady rushed to Aiju and protected Aiju tightly.
She lay on Aiju and cried loudly.
The old lady gestured and muttered: Xiao Pingzi (Uncle Ping), Xiao Wenzi (Uncle Wan), please pull away from the third lady.
"Mom, please spare Sister Aiju!" the third lady shouted:
Uncle Ping and Uncle Fan held back their tears and pulled the third lady away in person.
Mr. Feng ran forward and hugged the third lady.
The third lady threw herself into Mr. Feng's arms and burst into tears.
The old lady shouted: Fight quickly.
Huang Quan and Li Ji beat Aiju's butt hard.
After a while, Aiju fainted.
After finishing the 50 carrying poles, Aiju lay motionless on the ground.
At the execution ground, the crowd gradually dispersed.
Uncle Fan and Uncle Ping walked home slowly carrying Aiju.
