Chapter 042: Kneeling
There are many rumors about this hostess outside, and the most common two words are: idiot!
None of the managers took her seriously. They thought it was enough to just keep such a stupid master well fed and well-drinked.
But the kitchen manager was too nosy and spread the word early this morning that there would be no breakfast for the Crown Princess's courtyard.
Yu Liang also thought the kitchen manager was too nosy, but the managers in the mansion had complicated interests and no one wanted to get into trouble.
If something happens to one of them, the rest will be implicated to some extent.
On the one hand, he wanted to wait and see, and on the other hand, he wanted to maintain unity, so Yu Liang didn't say anything at that time.
But who would have thought that Jixiang went to the kitchen and started smashing things.
This maid was quite skilled in martial arts, and the old women in the kitchen were no match for her. In the blink of an eye, the whole kitchen was smashed to pieces, even the stove used for cooking was broken.
In this situation, Yu Liang had to step forward.
But he never expected that he would be whipped before he could say anything.
Ever since Yu Liang came to work in the Prince's Mansion, everyone has been polite and respectful to him. No one dares to hit him, let alone say a harsh word to him!
Even the prince himself had to give him some face!
Now he had suffered such a loss at the hands of the Crown Princess. He was filled with rage. Yu Liang held his torn arm and looked straight at Su Qingqing.
The steward next to Yu Liang was in charge of the palace's purchases. He was frightened by the whip and blurted out, "Your Majesty, do you know that Steward Yu has been working in the Prince's Mansion for five years? From the first day the Prince's Mansion was built, he was appointed by the Queen Mother to serve the Prince! How dare Your Majesty do this without asking any questions?"
This statement was blatantly telling Su Qingqing that Yu Liang was the Queen Mother's man!
Just in time.
Su Qingqing asked Jixiang to whip her because of this sentence.
The identities of the people in this mansion are complicated. Only by figuring out the boss behind the scenes can we strike accurately.
What a coincidence today!
"It turns out that Steward Yu is someone close to the Empress Dowager. I was blind to it. It just so happens that the palace will issue an order for me to enter the palace soon.
Then I will take you with me to the Queen Mother, and I will personally apologize to you."
Su Qingqing spoke in a sarcastic tone, and Yu Liangze's eyes darkened.
The imperial edict hasn't come yet, but she knows she will be summoned to the palace?
I'm afraid I've also heard the rumors outside!
Still want to scare me with this?
With a cold snort in his heart, Yu Liang said, "Since the queen said so, then I will not refuse. It has been a while since I went to the palace to pay my respects to the queen mother. It is time for me to go and pay my respects."
It is very clear in my words. I am not afraid of you. I have a close relationship with the Empress Dowager.
Su Qingqing smiled, "I like people like Steward Yu who are strong and unyielding!"
As she spoke, Su Qingqing glanced at the people behind Yu Liang and said, "Who among you still wants to go to the palace to pay respects to the Empress Dowager, the Empress, or any other Empress?
Sign up so I can arrange a carriage for you later."
After she finished speaking, the other managers did not speak, and Su Qingqing's gaze finally rested on the kitchen maid.
"Since there is none, I will take advantage of this free time to teach you about the difference between superiors and inferiors. For example, how a servant should behave when meeting a master. Good luck!"
Jixiang turned his wrist and swung out with a whip.
She swung the whip brilliantly, sweeping across everyone's knees accurately. Then there was a sound like dumplings being dropped into the ground. Except for Yu Liang, everyone else knelt down one after another.
This was all learned from when I was dealing with street thugs in Zhao Country!
The kitchen maid was whipped yesterday and whipped again today. She was so angry that she asked, "Is this how the queen is going to harm the servants who are so dedicated and hardworking in the mansion?"
Su Qingqing suddenly leaned forward and pinched her cheek, "I only harm those who betray me!"
After saying that, he flicked the woman's face and looked at everyone, "I will take a look at the account books you handed in. In three days, if you have anything to say, please tell me in advance. If I find any problems, you will have to think about the consequences.
I am a person who likes to say ugly things upfront before doing anything.
For example, now, you, as slaves, do not take me, your master, seriously. You have done something wrong but still want to find trouble with your master. I will not punish you too much. You just have to kneel here for two hours and then leave after two hours.
As for the kitchen stuff...
I won't pay for you to buy rice, flour, grain, oil, vegetables, meat, fruits and other daily necessities. If you want to eat, you can solve it yourself.
As for tomorrow, if I can't eat the food sent by the kitchen, I'm sorry, whoever should bear the same punishment will bear it!"
"We didn't do anything wrong, why should we be punished?"
A manager was dissatisfied and stood up.
Jixiang stepped forward and kicked him to his knees again, "If you don't obey, just keep it to yourself! I've never heard of a master disciplining a servant without the servant's consent!"
The man was kicked so hard that the 1.80-meter-tall burly man burst into tears in pain. "You guys have destroyed the kitchen, and now you want us to repair it ourselves if you don't replace the things?"
There was actually a hint of grievance in her crying.
Jixiang glanced at him with disdain, "When you were eating alone, why didn't you think about the public funds you were eating? Are you feeling wronged now? Just hold your grievance in!"
The burly manager glared at Jixiang.
Jixiang raised his hand and made a threatening gesture, "Don't cry, or I'll beat you up!"
Strong man manager: ...
Su Qingqing: Poof!
As they were talking, Nanny Xu came over and said, "Madam, someone from the palace came and said that the Empress Dowager has ordered you to enter the palace."
Why on earth was Su Qingqing called into the palace? Everyone kneeling knew it. Although they were kneeling there reluctantly, their eyes were full of gloating.
"Keep an eye on them, and let them go after they kneel for a sufficient period of time." Su Qingqing turned around and left, telling Jixiang something. After a pause, she looked back in the direction of Su Jinghe's room, "Lock up Miss Su Jinghe's yard. There will be no shortage of food supplies, but you are not allowed to let anyone out!"
Jixiang didn't understand what her master meant, but it didn't stop her from loyally agreeing to her promise.
The kneeling people immediately exchanged glances with each other.
What's going on?
This young lady from the Su family was a guest of honor yesterday, how come she became a prisoner today?
Su Qingqing took Yu Liang out of the mansion. As soon as they walked out of the gate of the Prince's Mansion, they were greeted by Rong Que who was standing next to the carriage at the door.
Rong Que's gaze fell from Su Qingqing to Yu Liang and he frowned slightly.
Yu Liang stepped forward and bowed, "It was the Crown Princess who took pity on me for not having come to the palace to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager for a few days, so she specially brought me along."
Rong Que glanced at him and said, "Then let's go together."
Su Qingqing didn't expect Rong Que to go too. As the carriage started, she said to Rong Que, "Your Highness, are you worried about me or have you been summoned as well?"
