Why not just drive them out of the mansion?

Aunt Wu tried to resist, but her body was held down tightly, and all she could make were muffled sounds.

Jiang Shuwan ignored her, sitting down to crack sunflower seeds and sip her tea.

After a long while, there was complete silence.

“Miss, Aunt Wu is dead,” a servant reported as he stepped forward.

Jiang Shuwan set down her cup and glanced coldly at Aunt Wu not far away.

Her lower body was drenched in blood, flesh mangled beyond recognition.

Her mouth was smeared with blood, some of which dripped onto the ground.

“This body isn’t up to the task; it can’t take such beating,” Jiang Shuwan remarked, then ordered those nearby, “Take her to the mass grave and just toss her there.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Three of the strongest men dragged Aunt Wu away like a dead pig, heading toward the burial ground.

The other servants who had been beaten watched in terror. Though their bottoms still ached fiercely, the pain now seemed insignificant.

After all, life was more precious than pain.

They stared at Jiang Shuwan in utter fear.

A faint smile curled on Jiang Shuwan’s lips. “Why are you all staring at me like that? Do you think I was too lenient on Aunt Wu?”

The servants nodded their heads like toy tops.

“In unison, “Everything Miss has done is justified.”

Jiang Shuwan smiled gracefully. “Since you all think so, I’m relieved. Honestly, I never intended to punish you so severely. But since you wouldn’t obey, for the sake of the household, I have no choice but to let you suffer a little.”

No one dared to speak.

“Alright, I’m not unreasonable. You’ve all been with the Yongbo Manor for many years. I won’t throw you out. Your original monthly wages will be restored. If you do well in the future, you’ll receive bonuses. If you want to stay, go register with Liusu later.”

Upon hearing this, the servants stared at her in disbelief. Moments later, they all said in unison, “We want to stay.”

In Yun Chao, those servants who were dismissed and sold off by their masters usually had committed grave offenses. Even if sold to another household, their lives would be miserable.

After all, no one knew what they had done in their former household, and no one trusted them anymore.

Some couldn’t even find a buyer.

Thus, as servants, their greatest fear was being sold off.

---

“You can stay, but there are rules in this household. I’ll explain them clearly to Liusu. Follow the rules. Do well and you’ll be rewarded; do poorly and you’ll be punished accordingly. Are you willing?”

“Everything is up to Miss,” they replied.

Hearing about rewards, they felt staying was the right choice.

“But don’t rejoice too soon. I don’t care who sent you before, but from now on, you must be loyal to me and obey my orders. If you betray me, Aunt Wu will be your fate tomorrow.”

Thinking of Aunt Wu’s horrific state, they realized Jiang Shuwan was using her as a warning to keep them in line.

Recalling their masters’ reactions at Yong’en Hall, they quickly understood their choice.

“Yes. From now on, we obey Miss entirely.”

Jiang Shuwan turned to Liusu beside her. “Liusu, go fetch the manor doctor to treat their injuries.”

“Yes,” Liusu replied promptly and left.

The servants didn’t expect Jiang Shuwan to treat their wounds, and their fear of her lessened slightly.

They shakily returned to their rooms.

Soon after, Liusu returned with the manor doctor and, after tending to the servants’ rooms, came back to Jiang Shuwan.

Curious, she asked, “Miss, why didn’t you throw them out? Why treat their wounds as well?”

Jiang Shuwan smiled warmly. “Silly girl, I’m about to marry into the Pingning Marquis’s household. If I sell them all off now, what reputation would I have? Today was just to make an example, to warn them to behave, and to show others I’m no longer the submissive girl I used to be. From now on, anyone who bullies me will have to think twice.”

Liusu hadn’t expected Jiang Shuwan to think so far ahead and smiled. “Miss, you’re so thoughtful.”

“Did you hear anything on your way back? Has second cousin’s messenger come with the goods?” Jiang Shuwan asked, having quietly instructed Liusu earlier.

On her way back, she had asked the gatekeeper. No outsiders had come today, but she heard the servants had caused a ruckus at Yong’en Hall, which was why she rushed over herself.

She brought the servants back to Orchid Garden to quickly clean up this mess and settle accounts with them.

If she had stayed at Yong’en Hall, they would have many excuses, and she’d have to deal with them.

“Miss, we just returned from Yong’en Hall when the second young master’s men arrived, but they’ve already left.”

“That’s fine; if they’re gone, they’re gone. Let’s go get our things back.”

With that, Jiang Shuwan and Liusu headed for the main hall.

---

Spring was a time when flowers competed to bloom, and even the cold wind could not stop them from flourishing.

On the main hall’s table lay seven or eight boxes, each about seven or eight centimeters tall and ten centimeters long, embroidered with a peony on the outside. Next to the boxes were roughly ten finished garments in various colors.

All the boxes were open.

Jiang Xueyu excitedly touched the jewelry. “Father, did all these jewels come from the Shen family?”

“Today, Xue’er came up with a brilliant idea,” Jiang Xunian said with a smile, picking up a silver hairpin and pinning it into Jiang Xueyu’s hair. “This one is for my Xue’er.”

Jiang Xueyu touched it and beamed.

“Thank you, Father.” Suddenly serious, she said, “Father, about Jiang Shuwan accompanying the burial—don’t let the Shen family find out. Otherwise, her uncles and cousins won’t continue sending money and jewelry monthly.”

“Yes, all the household’s expenses over the years have been sustained by the Shen family’s monthly remittances. We can’t let them know,” Jiang Xunian agreed.

Lady Li picked up a double-flower hairpin and placed it in her hair. “Husband, do I look good with this?”

Jiang Xunian embraced her with a smile, doting on her. “Of course, you look the most beautiful.”

Lady Li shyly buried herself in his arms.

Looking at the woman he loved, still so delicate and tender, Jiang Xunian’s heart softened.

She clung to him even tighter.

“Trouble! The eldest miss is here!” Lady Li’s personal maid hurried in.

Their expressions changed drastically. They scrambled to hide the items, but the rooms were empty with nowhere to conceal anything.

All they could do was clutch the boxes and look around anxiously.

They hurriedly covered the boxes and each carried three towards another courtyard.

But just as they lifted the boxes, Jiang Shuwan appeared at the entrance. “Too late.”

They were panic-stricken.

“Oh dear, what’s going on? Why are you all standing here clutching boxes?” Jiang Shuwan’s voice rang from the doorway.