Tian Yuan's found it uncomfortable to speak. The truth was, she felt extremely dissatisfied with preparing food for Jiang Miao. She did not think of Jiang Miao as a Master. She thought of Jiang Miao whose prospects were worse than her, someone who was inferior to her. If not for making certain that Jiang Miao took the medicine daily, she would have long forsaken the duty of cooking her meals.
"Young Lady knows this residence is lacking in provisions." Tian Yuan used the same excuse she had thrown she had tossed toward Zu Yu when she came complaining. "Master intended for Young Lady to cultivate her nature and not indulge in luxuries."
Thus, in her words, Tian Yuan pinned the intentions on Master Jiang, dusting off her hands from dirt and all the while framing Jiang Miao as 'unfilial' for not going in accordance with her Father's orders by refusing to eat simple dishes.
If it was the previous Jiang Miao, she would have felt ashamed and bowed down her head and accepted her punishment without any complaint. But it was not the previous Jiang Miao.
Jiang had to admit that the servant her stepmother so thoughtfully sent to look after her was rather sharp in wits. Yet, Jiang Miao was not lacking in this regard either.
"Yet, I'm also aware that Father commissioned the servants to transport weekly provisions to the residence." Jiang Miao smiled, nullifying Tian Yuan's words and shocking her into a stupor with just one sentence.
How did Young Lady know this? Tian Yuan made sure to keep it hidden!
Not only Tian Yuan, but both servants were also shocked. They did not know this. Otherwise, they would not have let them bully their Young Lady!
"I'm also aware that those carts arrive at the residence every week loaded with all sorts of necessities a young lady from Prime Minister manor would need to live comfortably. I might have committed a mistake but I'm, after all, Prime Minister Jiang's biological daughter, his blood and flesh. He might punish me, but he would not compromise on my health and living conditions. If others were to know that Prime Minister Jiang, who is renowned for being just and fair had his daughter living under such debilitating conditions while the other daughter baths in luxuries in the capital, wouldn't that put the whole Jiang household in shame?"
Tian Yuan felt a chill sweep through her. There seemed to be something off with Fourth Young Lady, something different.
"This servant..."
"Aunty Yuan has been sent by Mother to look after me. Yet the provisions from the capital are unable to reach me," Jiang Miao said, "Sice Aunty Yuan was selected by Mother, it couldn't be you are acting on Mother's order to deliberately make me live like this? Mother is known for her benevolence in the entire capital, she wouldn't treat me as such." Jiang Miao each word dug a deeper grave for Tian Yuan, "So the fault lays with the servant. Xiang Qiao, remind me what is the punishment according to the residence of Prime Minister Jiang rules for servants who lay claim their master's possessions behind their back?"
Xiang Qiao walked forward with a smile. "Replying to Young lady, the punishment is flogging, thirty hits for these crimes."
"Oh, so it's that severe? Who knew but then Prime Minister Jiang residence has always been strict when it comes to managing servants." Jiang Miao smiled at Tian Yuan as if sincerely pitying her fate.
Tian Yuan's heart shuddered. She was not given any way out!
What was she supposed to say? If she still refused, wouldn't that be admitting she was acting on Furan's wishes? Jiang Miao might not have the power but if even a bit of dirty water splashed on Li Shuren, Tian Yuan would not be able to escape alive.
And on top of that, Prime Minister Jiang's family rules were brought into this matter; things could not be taken trivially.
If Jiang Miao went back home and complained, Tian Yuan was done for. Thirty hits were enough to claim her fragile life, the servants who delivered punishment back at the Manor were not light at hand.
She kowtowed at once, her delusions shattered like broken glass. After today, she would remember no matter what, Jiang Miao was still the master and she the servant. "Seeking Fourth Young Lady forgiveness for this servant negligence."
"Now you know how to respect our lady!" Zu Yu couldn't hold her tongue. Looking at the haughty and condescending Tian Yuan finally lowering herself, Zu Yu felt extremely satisfied.
She still remembered the rough beating she suffered at the hands of Zhang Madam servants when Tuan Yuan told on her. She had fought with Tian Yuan for not taking proper care of her lady meals. As her temper was rather short, she had engaged in a brawl, unknowing breaking discipline rules and having no choice but to accept the punishment because Madam Zhang was partial towards Tian Yuan.
"Fine. I won't be petty and dwell into the matters. After all, you have been selected carefully by Mother. I don't have any reason to believe that she would want anything bad for me, you must have been a bit negligent, that's all." Jiang Miao's words were full of double meanings. With a small gesture, she dismissed Tian Yuan. "You can leave. From now onwards, my personal maids will take care of my meals."
Tian Yuan was too terrified to have any bit of reluctance left in her bones. She discarded the thought of making Jiang Miao take the poison and left at once, running away as if Jiang Miao was some demon capable of devouring people as a whole.
In the back of her mind, she thought it was alright if she could not poison Young Lady through her meals. She could still think of plenty of ways to make her take that drug.
The first and foremost thing was to preserve her life!