Zheng Xiao said to Qiao Jinniang, "Jinniang, although Mammy Bai is only a mammy, she was given to you by the Empress Dowager. If you lock her in the firewood room, the imperial censors may impeach you again for not being filial to the Empress Dowager."
Qiao Jinniang knew what Zheng Xiao worried about. "Mother, although Mammy Bai is the Empress Dowager's mammy, when the Empress Dowager gave her to me, she said that she was just a maid.
"Punishing her doesn't mean I'm not filial to the Empress Dowager. Besides, look at my wrist…"
Qiao Jinniang rolled up the sleeve on her wrist.
Seeing that Qiao Jinniang's wrist was all red and swollen, Zheng Xiao burst into tears. "How dare she! Don't worry. Even if the Empress Dowager blames you, I will protect you!"
Qiao Jinniang put down her sleeve and said, "Thank you, Mother. Don't worry. It doesn't hurt."
Zheng Xiao didn't believe her. Qiao Jinniang's wrist was all red. How could it not hurt? She said,
