Qu Fulan was studying the medical books of this era. She didn't think that her medical skills were that great. As the saying went, there was no end to learning. One would learn as long as they lived, so it was always right to learn more when they had the time.
She had just found an unknown herb in the book and was about to note down some of its characteristics when she heard a voice from outside the door.
"Hai Tang, the old lady is looking for you."
The moment Qu Fulan entered the old lady's room, the first thing she saw was Hai Yue, who had her hands behind her back, and her apologetic expression.
At first, Qu Fulan felt that it was strange, but after Yue Yuan explained the reason, she knew the reason.
After Yue Yuan finished speaking, everyone looked at Qu Fulan, waiting for her to explain.
When a servant made a mistake, no matter how big or small it was, they would be punished. However, the punishment was different. Therefore, once something happened, the first reaction of the servants was to shirk responsibility or defend themselves. In short, they would not admit their mistake until the last moment.
As the master, she was most disgusted by this. Being honest might not necessarily be lenient, but resistance must be strict.
Qu Fulan's eyes looked at the old lady without any hesitation. "It's this servant's fault. This servant is willing to accept punishment. I will definitely not make such a big mistake again."
Even Yue Yuan was stunned. She had thought that Hai Tang had some reason and would at least explain, but in the end, she had admitted it so easily...
Granny Fang smiled smugly. At least this servant girl was tactful and didn't dare to explain herself. Otherwise, she'd see how she would deal with her!
Of all the people present, the old lady's expression changed the most. If Hai Tang had explained, the old lady would have thought that she had not taken responsibility, but she had admitted it directly, which made her feel much better about this matter.
"It's fine. It's good that you know you're wrong. Don't do this again next time. A happy event is coming soon in the residence, and it's not good to be lazy. In the future, you will take over Hai Yue's work. Her hands are like this now, so she can't do anything."
"Thank you, old lady, for your magnanimity. This servant will do as you command."
When they left the old lady's Fushou Hall, Hai Yue even apologized to Hai Tang.
"It's my fault for not thinking things through and causing you to be misunderstood. It's fine if it's others, but even the old lady misunderstood. It's really my fault."
"You're just being kind, I won't take it to heart."
"You really don't mind?"
"I don't mind. Your intention was for my own good, wasn't it?"
"...Yes, I'm glad you can understand."
Qu Fulan suddenly stood still with a smile on her face and looked at the other party without blinking.
Hai Yue was a little flustered. "Hai Tang, why are you looking at me like that?"
The smile on Qu Fulan's face became even gentler. "I just thought that Sister Hai Yue was very pretty, so I wanted to take a few more looks. I'm going to do my work."
It was clearly a compliment, but Hai Yue felt apprehensive.
Hai Xia was the most aware of the whole incident. She had seen Hai Tang trying to help but was rejected at the door twice. Each time, it was Hai Yue who said she didn't need help and pushed her out of the door without any explanation. She asked her to continue preparing the medicine for the old lady and not to be careless.
Knowing was one thing, but Hai Xia could not say anything. What else could she say?
Hai Yue's actions were out of good intentions, but her good intentions ended up making things worse.
"It's a pity that I'm not the old lady's personal maidservant. Otherwise, I could go to the old lady and explain it to her."
At times, pillow talk was very useful, but not everyone had the right to do so.
"It doesn't matter. Just treat it as something that I didn't have time to do before. I've made up for it now."
Qu Fulan was referring to the remaining paper-cutting and purse.
The others were almost done, so Hai Yue was left in charge of the rest.
"Why did you do so much by yourself? Let me help you."
Hai Xia was very enthusiastic. Qu Fulan refused and said that there was no need for it, so Hai Xia took over and helped her without a care.
Qu Fulan would remember this favor in her heart.
There are always gains and losses in life. For example, the original owner had always been an honest low-ranked maidservant, but there were not so many troubles coming to her door. Now that she wanted to climb up and achieve freedom, she had to pay a price.
Qu Fulan did not have any complaints.
She was never one to do things without preparation.
On the other hand, on the third household's side, the Third Madam was still not satisfied with the old lady's decision.
"The old lady is too soft-hearted. If it were up to me, I would have made that girl kneel under the sun for a few hours and slapped her mouth a few times. I'm sure she won't dare to be lazy in the future. This way, it can also serve as a warning to the other servant girls and serve as a warning to the others."
"This servant also thinks the same way, but that maidservant is not from our courtyard. If the old lady does not punish her, we can't do anything about it."
The Third Madam rubbed her brows impatiently and said, "Go and check on Lan'er's condition. Ask her what she wants to eat for dinner and get the kitchen to do it."
Granny Fang acknowledged and retreated.
The Second Miss was still plagued by rashes and was on the verge of death all day long. However, the family was preparing for a happy occasion everywhere. Her mood was getting worse and worse. She did not think about food or tea all day long and was extremely irritable.
As long as the rashes on her body and face didn't go away, she wouldn't be able to return to her husband's house. If this continued and the half-year period passed, it would be bad if that foxy woman got pregnant first.
The Second Miss nagged about this matter all day long, and the Third Madam also became worried. On the other hand, she still had to raise her spirit to prepare for the happy event, so it was inevitable that she would be anxious. Therefore, when someone came to look for bad luck, the Third Madam naturally did not want to let it go.
Fortunately, she was a servant girl from the old lady's courtyard. Otherwise, if the servant girl from the third branch was so unruly, she would have ordered her to be beaten to death.
Because the happy event was approaching, many things in the manor had been changed. The potted plants in the old lady's room also needed to be changed.
After Hua Hao left, she went to Hai Yue to get some potted plants. Hai Yue brought Hua Hao to the backyard to pick some plants. She pointed at one of the pots and introduced it, "This bonsai is best placed indoors. It can emit a fresh fragrance at night and make people feel comfortable."
After comparing the two, Hua Hao felt that what she said made sense. "Let's go with this pot."
"Then I'll move it over for sister."
Her outstretched hands were immediately seen by Hua Hao. "What's wrong with your hands? They're so red and swollen."
Hai Yue was a little embarrassed as she hid her hand behind her. "It's my fault for being stupid. I only need to sew a few pouches and this is it. But it's not a problem. It's more than enough to move a potted plant."
Hua Hao didn't think too much about it, and she didn't ask any further. When she was sewing clothes for the old lady, she would often get pricked by needles, but it wasn't as serious as Hai Yue's.
"Your hand is already like this, I'll carry it myself, you go back and rest."
On the other hand, although the old lady had let Hai Tang take over Hai Yue's work, she still had some complaints about Hai Tang.
"Maybe we've been too indulgent to her, so she's not doing anything else just because she's been brewing medicine for me. She can't be so unruly. Later, you can tell her to correct her attitude and do things properly. She can't commit such a thing again."
Yue Yuan agreed. Although she wanted to put in a good word for Hai Tang, Hai Tang had personally admitted her mistake. She didn't know what exactly had happened, so she couldn't blindly put in a good word for her. She was afraid it would cause the opposite effect.