The descendants of the ornamental hairpin clan

  "Alright, stop arguing." Seeing her daughter being bullied, Zhang finally couldn't sit still. She slammed the teapot lid shut, making a crisp sound. Her piercing gaze swept over Yuan Hua, Yuan Yi, and the always silent Yuan Rou, and when she looked at Yuan Yi, there was a hint of helplessness and resentment in her eyes.

  Madam Zhang's gaze, with a deeper meaning, fell on Yuan Yi. She saw that Yuan Yi was respectful and humble, with her head bowed and eyes cast down, but a hint of something unusual flashed in her eyes. "Yi'er is right," she said. "Although the rules in our household are strict, they are never harsh. For the elderly servants, there is always some leniency shown. Since you have already punished Su Mei, I won't intervene any further. Su Mei, get up."

  She paused, observing Yuan Yi's expression, but saw no joy or anger, instead, it was Yuan Hua and Yuan Xi on the side whose faces showed a few points of dissatisfaction. She felt disappointed in her heart, and continued: "However, when a servant makes a mistake, as the master, you can't shirk your responsibility. For these days, don't come to pay respects again, copy 'Nü Jie' and 'Nü Ze' several times more, learn about the principles of women's behavior."

  I've never heard of a servant making a mistake and the master taking responsibility, punishing her by copying "Nu Jie" isn't just a roundabout way to help Yuan Yi save face? Yu Guang caught sight of Yuan Yi's smug expression, and in his heart, he sneered. He smiled slightly at Zhang Shi and said: "My daughter's wind-cold illness hasn't recovered yet, it's really not convenient for her to pay respects to her mother every day, thank you mother for your concern. During my daughter's convalescence in the courtyard, she will definitely review the Four Books for Women, so as not to waste mother's teachings."

  It was clearly a reprimand, but after she said that, it became a show of concern and guidance. Zhang's eyes gleamed with a hint of cold light, but her elegant smile remained unchanged as she spoke warmly: "You can understand my good intentions, and it's not in vain for me to think of you wholeheartedly."

  She looked around again, focusing on several concubines, "Although it has been said since ancient times that there is a distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children, I have not mistreated any of you in terms of food, clothing, and daily necessities. The Zhu family is a family of poetry and etiquette, naturally different from those noble families, regardless of whether they are legitimate or illegitimate, they must have the demeanor and temperament that a noble family should have. Move your body, cultivate your spirit, don't learn to be petty and tarnish the reputation of the Zhu family."

  Her voice was stern and severe, causing everyone's heart to tremble in unison, respectfully saying: "The daughter understands."

  "Rou'er, how's your aunt's body? Nowadays, it's even less common to see her." Zhang Shi shifted the conversation to Yuan Rou, without the previous majesty, with a rare softness in his eyes.

  Yu Rong hastily got up from his chair, bowed to Zhang Shi, and said with a hint of worry on his face: "Auntie's body is getting weaker by the day. Just the other day, her spirit had just started to improve, but she copied some Buddhist scriptures for Mother, saying that she couldn't continue to serve you, and could only pray for your well-being in front of Buddha."

  Madam Zhang's face warmed slightly, shaking her head and sighing: "So many years have passed, and your aunt is still so stubborn. There are many people serving me, she's not in good health, why bother worrying about me?" Aunt Chu was originally Madam Zhang's maid, later becoming a concubine of the old master, and had always been honest and kind. Madam Zhang cherished the bond between mistress and servant, and was quite good to her and her daughter. "Since Aunt Chu has regained her spirits, she can't stay hidden in her room being lazy anymore. Second Mistress, you go back and tell her to come visit me more often when she's free."

  Yu Ruo's eyes flashed with a hint of doubt, but seeing Zhang Shi's face full of smiles, she didn't dare ask more and softly responded with a "yes".

  Yuan Yi, who was sitting on one side, had a flash of unusual color in his eyes and thought to himself: what did Zhang's move mean?

  Until she returned to Meixiangyuan, Lamei ran over and told her that in the past few days, matchmakers had been coming to their door frequently, but she didn't know which young lady they were for. Yuan Yi immediately thought of Yuan Rourou, who was now at the age of 28 and should be getting married soon, no wonder Zhangshi wanted to let Chujiniang go to her place "to sit".