Chapter 412
Cao Momo's fruitless return enraged Yao Zhenyi, causing her to smash her favorite set of blue and white porcelain teacups. Her face, with its overly rigid lines, was contorted with the fury of being offended. "Just a lowly village girl, how dare she be so unappreciative!"
Cao Momo quickly tried to placate her, gesturing for Qiao Yun to clear the shattered porcelain from the floor. She then poured fresh tea and handed it over. "Why should Madam bother getting angry with a wretch? She's just an uncouth, low-class girl. She thinks she's superior just because Scholar Gu is her teacher. Hmph, if Scholar Gu truly intended to take her as a disciple, why didn't he bring her to the capital? In terms of status, who in Longyou Prefecture is more noble than Madam?"
"That's right, Madam, you are a grandniece of the current Emperor. Several princes in the palace are your uncles. It's just that Madam married far away; otherwise, in the capital, what young man of standing wouldn't show you some respect?" Qiao Yun, not wanting to be outdone, fawned. Old woman Cao Momo had already gained so many benefits from Madam. In terms of seniority, she was Madam's head maid, and these benefits should rightfully come to her.
Yao Zhenyi, her fingers stained with henna, took the teacup and drank a few sips. Her anger subsided somewhat, but she remained displeased with the unappreciative Zhan Feiyu. "If she understood the respect due to bloodlines, she wouldn't have dared to drive Cao Momo out. The title of Scholar Gu's disciple has indeed made her arrogant."
"Madam speaks the truth. She's just a yellow-haired girl who becomes arrogant when she gains a little success. I heard that officials, big and small, in Suzhou Prefecture are all fawning over her. These officials are all short-sighted," Cao Momo said with a face full of disdain and contempt, then shot an annoyed glance at Qiao Yun.
Originally, after snatching this task from the lowly maid Qiao Yun, Cao Momo had thought she might gain some favor from Zhan Feiyu. After all, the young girl was wealthy and could easily produce three thousand taels of silver. If she acted on behalf of Madam, Zhan Feiyu would surely try to curry favor with her and ask her to put in a good word with Madam.
However, Cao Momo hadn't expected Zhan Feiyu to be so unyielding. He Nuan had crushed a silver ingot into a ball right in front of Cao Momo, scaring her into fleeing the inn like a frightened rat. Now, she was naturally embellishing the story to blacken Zhan Feiyu's name in front of Yao Zhenyi.
"Madam, Zhan Feiyu is ungrateful. I fear this register will not be handed over easily," Cao Momo lowered her voice, her wrinkled old face showing worry. Looking at Yao Zhenyi, who also had a stern expression, she continued, "Although Madam has a blood connection with the palace, Madam has married far away. If this register could be delivered to the palace, the princes would surely be grateful to Madam. Then, Madam could not only return to the capital, but Young Master would have any official position he desired."
Upon hearing the topic of returning to the capital, Qiao Yun no longer argued with Cao Momo. She quickly chimed in, "Yes, Madam. The Eldest Master is only a fourth-rank prefect. When the Young Master is promoted, the people from the main branch will probably regret it to their core. See if any of them dare to slight Madam then!"
"Since that dead girl Zhan Feiyu refuses to appreciate a toast and prefers a penalty, don't blame me for being impolite!" Yao Zhenyi slapped the table. Her slightly hoarse voice sounded resentful. "Cao Momo, go to the Jin family. Tell Master Jin Jiu to bring his men and teach that slut a good lesson."
The Jin family was notorious in Minhe Prefecture for engaging in all sorts of sordid businesses. It was said they kept a large number of thugs and dealt in capital offenses.
Cao Momo's fruitless return enraged Yao Zhenyi, causing her to smash her favorite set of blue and white porcelain teacups. Her face, with its overly rigid lines, was contorted with the fury of being offended. "Just a lowly village girl, how dare she be so unappreciative!"
Cao Momo quickly tried to placate her, gesturing for Qiao Yun to clear the shattered porcelain from the floor. She then poured fresh tea and handed it over. "Why should Madam bother getting angry with a wretch? She's just an uncouth, low-class girl. She thinks she's superior just because Scholar Gu is her teacher. Hmph, if Scholar Gu truly intended to take her as a disciple, why didn't he bring her to the capital? In terms of status, who in Longyou Prefecture is more noble than Madam?"
"That's right, Madam, you are a grandniece of the current Emperor. Several princes in the palace are your uncles. It's just that Madam married far away; otherwise, in the capital, what young man of standing wouldn't show you some respect?" Qiao Yun, not wanting to be outdone, fawned. Old woman Cao Momo had already gained so many benefits from Madam. In terms of seniority, she was Madam's head maid, and these benefits should rightfully come to her.
Yao Zhenyi, her fingers stained with henna, took the teacup and drank a few sips. Her anger subsided somewhat, but she remained displeased with the unappreciative Zhan Feiyu. "If she understood the respect due to bloodlines, she wouldn't have dared to drive Cao Momo out. The title of Scholar Gu's disciple has indeed made her arrogant."
"Madam speaks the truth. She's just a yellow-haired girl who becomes arrogant when she gains a little success. I heard that officials, big and small, in Suzhou Prefecture are all fawning over her. These officials are all short-sighted," Cao Momo said with a face full of disdain and contempt, then shot an annoyed glance at Qiao Yun.
Originally, after snatching this task from the lowly maid Qiao Yun, Cao Momo had thought she might gain some favor from Zhan Feiyu. After all, the young girl was wealthy and could easily produce three thousand taels of silver. If she acted on behalf of Madam, Zhan Feiyu would surely try to curry favor with her and ask her to put in a good word with Madam.
However, Cao Momo hadn't expected Zhan Feiyu to be so unyielding. He Nuan had crushed a silver ingot into a ball right in front of Cao Momo, scaring her into fleeing the inn like a frightened rat. Now, she was naturally embellishing the story to blacken Zhan Feiyu's name in front of Yao Zhenyi.
"Madam, Zhan Feiyu is ungrateful. I fear this register will not be handed over easily," Cao Momo lowered her voice, her wrinkled old face showing worry. Looking at Yao Zhenyi, who also had a stern expression, she continued, "Although Madam has a blood connection with the palace, Madam has married far away. If this register could be delivered to the palace, the princes would surely be grateful to Madam. Then, Madam could not only return to the capital, but Young Master would have any official position he desired."
Upon hearing the topic of returning to the capital, Qiao Yun no longer argued with Cao Momo. She quickly chimed in, "Yes, Madam. The Eldest Master is only a fourth-rank prefect. When the Young Master is promoted, the people from the main branch will probably regret it to their core. See if any of them dare to slight Madam then!"
"Since that dead girl Zhan Feiyu refuses to appreciate a toast and prefers a penalty, don't blame me for being impolite!" Yao Zhenyi slapped the table. Her slightly hoarse voice sounded resentful. "Cao Momo, go to the Jin family. Tell Master Jin Jiu to bring his men and teach that slut a good lesson."
The Jin family was notorious in Minhe Prefecture.
Yao Zhenyi, her fingers stained with henna, took the teacup and drank a few sips. Her anger subsided somewhat, but she remained displeased with the unappreciative Zhan Feiyu. "If she understood the respect due to bloodlines, she wouldn't have dared to drive Cao Momo out. The title of Scholar Gu's disciple has indeed made her arrogant."
"Madam speaks the truth. She's just a yellow-haired girl who becomes arrogant when she gains a little success. I heard that officials, big and small, in Suzhou Prefecture are all fawning over her. These officials are all short-sighted," Cao Momo said with a face full of disdain and contempt, then shot an annoyed glance at Qiao Yun.