Chapter 159: Chapter 159: Driven Out and Sold Overnight
People say like attracts like.
Just look at the friends around Heir Pei, with Prince An and the others being Demon Lords of Mayhem, one can see that Heir Pei is not a person who would stick to rules.
Not to mention the one who can make Prince An and others submit, it wouldn’t be too much to call him the leader of the Demon Lords of Mayhem.
Before going to the battlefield, he acted even more recklessly. After becoming an official, he had to follow some rules and regulations, otherwise, the Imperial Censors would frequently submit reports against him. He didn’t mind, but the emperor certainly did, eventually forcing him to restrain himself somewhat.
"Do you want her to leave? Letting her leave for no reason will surely lead to gossip." The old lady didn’t like Master Lu, but she didn’t directly talk about expelling people.
Pei Ji’an smiled innocently, "How could we be so rude? Ancestor, you’re underestimating me. Master Lu is ’highly respected,’ it’s really a grievance to have her teach. We should hold her in high esteem to show our sincere gratitude from Pei Mansion."
"What do you mean by this?" The old lady was confused.
Pei Ji’an tidied his sleeves and said leisurely, "Isn’t our family temple empty? It just needs a ’highly respected’ person to reside there, and I think Master Lu is perfect."
Sending her to the family temple? Isn’t this forcing someone to become a nun?
Pei Ji’an seemed to guess what the old lady was thinking and chuckled, "Master Lu has been living in Pei Mansion for many years, feeling guilty and unworthy of Pei Mansion’s protection, she requested to go to the family temple to pray for blessings, such a benevolent deed would also make for a good story."
As expected, that evening Heir Pei took action, personally visiting Mr. Lu, with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, he stated some grand statements, saying that he appreciated her years of hard work and couldn’t bear to let her continue laboring, hence the education of the young ladies would be entrusted to the new female tutor, among others, implying she had to either leave or settle quietly in the family temple.
Master Lu, a lone woman, without Pei Mansion’s protection, would surely face doom outside.
Even with resentment in her heart, she had no choice but to stay at the family temple.
Having resolved the matter with Master Lu, Pei Ji’an looked towards Hai Yue.
Hai Yue saw the Heir looking at her, her heart pounding furiously, not knowing if it was nerves or excitement, she hastily paid her respects to the Heir.
Pei Ji’an said calmly, "Have this impudent servant sold off overnight."
Hai Yue was shocked and hurriedly knelt to plead for mercy, but she was forcibly dragged away by the guards, unable to say another word.
The other servants watched, taking it all in and remembering.
It is clear how important it is for someone to have self-awareness, for offending those who shouldn’t be offended due to selfish desires.
Even though Qu Fulan is just a maid, she is Heir Pei’s maid, and the Heir’s current influence rivals his father’s. How could anyone easily meddle with his people?
As for Master Lu, if it weren’t for that favor, she likely wouldn’t even qualify to enter the family temple.
Being the daughter of a criminal, how could she still regard herself as a marquis’s daughter, acting as she pleases?
She has never truly suffered, thinking the world still revolves around her.
Eating and dressing provided by Pei Mansion, yet becoming choosy, not content with abiding by rules and expressing gratitude, talking about lacking appetite? Wanting people around the Heir to make delicacies?
Once she enters the family temple, her meals will be bland every day, and if she doesn’t eat, she’ll have to go hungry. After a few missed meals, her appetite will surely return.
Qu Fulan didn’t know about this matter that night because after Heir Pei returned, he spoke with her briefly before going to rest.
She only heard about Heir Pei dealing with Master Lu overnight the next morning when she met Hai Xia.
"Just desserts!" Hai Xia had seen Master Lu a few times before, contemptuous and dismissive towards the maids, now things have changed, she has become a nun in practice, without people to serve her, having to do everything herself, let’s see if she can still act high and mighty.
"Now, it’s being said in the mansion that you are the favored one next to the Heir, besides the old lady, no one else is qualified to order you around, the Heir treats you exceptionally well." Hai Xia said enviously.
Yesterday, she was fortunate, having left just before the Heir returned to Lixiang Courtyard, she knew something good was about to happen, otherwise, she wouldn’t have such luck.
Sure enough, after one night, those she disliked got what they deserved.
"And Hai Yue, she has already been sold off, those who don’t acknowledge their master or know their place, will be sooner or later dealt with by their master." Hai Xia commented.
Douya was also listening, becoming more mindful to abide by rules, ensuring not to make a wrong step.
"What are you worried about? The Heir only deals with those who lack rules, as long as we stay honest and compliant, naturally, we’ll be fine." Hai Xia, noticing Douya’s nervousness, comforted her.
Although she feared the Heir, she also knew he wasn’t a person prone to mistreating servants without reason.
Qu Fulan, after hearing Hai Xia, was initially surprised but soon understood.
Things were not as others in the mansion assumed, that Heir Pei acted because of her.
She, as a maid, wasn’t worth the Heir making such a fuss, even dealing with someone beneficial to the Marquis.
It was mainly that Master Lu’s usual demeanor had long displeased Heir Pei, not to mention the old lady was also not fond of Master Lu, and Master Lu’s actions lacked discretion, relying on being the teacher of the mansion’s young ladies and becoming presumptuous.
Such a person wasn’t qualified to continue teaching or nurturing, it would be disastrous if she made the young ladies conceited.
Both Heir Pei and the old lady had long intended to deal with Master Lu, but they just couldn’t find a cause, now that one had appeared, they naturally wouldn’t let it pass.
As for Hai Yue, a maid without awareness, previously in the old lady’s courtyard, she had no opportunity to show herself as a second-class maid. Now as a first-class maid, the chance arises, but unfortunately, she lacks the propriety, first-class maid privileges are not for her to be arrogant with.
After discussing others, Hai Yue mentioned yesterday’s coffee.
"Though when drinking yesterday, I rejected it both with my mouth and heart, after returning, thinking of that taste, I miss it dearly, why is that?"
Douya felt similarly, "Me too, even though I found it unpalatable, on recollection, I wanted more, what’s more, it left a deeper impression than milk tea."
"That’s the charm of coffee, it leaves a lasting impression." Qu Fulan simply explained.
Then she finished eating and went out.
First, she went to check on personnel rehearsals, and singing sessions, lastly reviewing promotion progress, once it was almost done, she returned to the mansion.
She brought back promotional flyers.
The old lady and Third Miss enjoyed Journey to the West, naturally needing to see the flyers, whether they would attend was another matter.
Upon entering Pei Mansion and arriving at the old lady’s room, she saw Third Miss, Fang Yuan, and Cheng Ru were all present.
It was Miss Cheng who spoke first.
"Master Lu came from a noble family, and with her capabilities, it’s natural to be somewhat proud. Besides, being our teacher means she should have some dignity, she means no harm, I kindly ask the old lady to let her return to continue teaching us?"