Wang Manwen was startled by her imposing manner. She took a step back and said, "It's... it's silver. So what?"
"Silver?" Su Mingyu raised her eyebrows. "If I remember correctly, Second Aunt got married into this family about three years ago, right?"
"Yes... yes. So what?" Wang Manwen was forced to retreat step by step by Su Mingyu. "What on earth are you trying to say?"
"Judging from the age of this hairpin, it's at least twenty years old, if not ten!" As she spoke, Su Mingyu pursed her lips and continued, "Fine. Let's assume this hairpin was made just when you got married into this family three years ago."
Su Mingyu stepped closer to Wang Manwen. "Three years ago, the silver - smelting technology wasn't as refined as it is now, so there were many impurities in the silver. So this hairpin in my hand..."
Suddenly, Su Mingyu exerted force and snapped the hairpin in her hand. The crisp sound startled Wang Manwen.
Su Mingyu calmly threw away the hairpin and then gave Wang Manwen a cold smile. "A hairpin like this shouldn't break so easily. But a hairpin made with the craftsmanship of three years ago shouldn't be something I can break with just my own strength."
"I wonder what's the point of Second Aunt telling such a lie. Is it just to frame a maid? Or is Second Aunt trying to take this opportunity to strike at me while getting rid of the maid?
"I'm about to get married. If such a scandal breaks out at this time, does Second Aunt not want me to get married? Are you reluctant to part with me?"
Su Mingyu looked down at Wang Manwen. There was a cold glint in her clear eyes. "Second Aunt, Zhizhu wasn't feeling well today. So when she was tidying up your room, she didn't notice your things in her basket and accidentally took them. Do you think the silver I'm going to compensate you with is enough?"
As she spoke, Su Mingyu took out the silver she had just taken out and added another ingot. "I think this silver should be enough to compensate for your hairpin. If Second Aunt insists on pursuing this, then we'll have to find someone who can solve this problem."
At the mention of someone who could solve the problem, Wang Manwen subconsciously thought of Gu Ruobai. Her face darkened.
Su Mingyu seemed to be giving her a way out, but in fact, she was forcing her to make a big issue small and a small issue disappear!
Not bad! This little Su Mingyu actually had such skills!
Wang Manwen gritted her teeth and said angrily, "Fine. I'll spare your maid this time. If I catch her stealing again, I'll break her hands and feet."
Su Mingyu was too lazy to argue with her. She threw the silver on the table. "Second Aunt, Zhizhu is one of the dowry maids my mother brought back from the Ye Mansion. Her indenture is still in the Ye family. It's not appropriate for you to order her around like this. At least, no one can order her around without my permission."
After saying that, Su Mingyu didn't bother to look at Wang Manwen's ugly face anymore. She turned around and left the main hall.
Wang Manwen watched Su Mingyu's departing back and tightly clenched her fists. "Zhizhu, huh? I'll make sure you die a horrible death one day!"
When Su Mingyu had someone carry Zhizhu back to the courtyard, the doctor and the steward were already waiting there.
After two basins of bloody water were carried out, the doctor finally walked out, wiping the sweat off his forehead. "Thank goodness the bones weren't injured. It's just some superficial wounds. Apply some medicine and she'll be fine in a few days."
Su Mingyu gratefully stuffed some small silver coins into the doctor's hand. "Thank you."
Then she turned to the steward and gave him some small silver coins too. "Thank you for your help with today's matter. This is just a small token of my appreciation."
The steward smiled and took the silver. "Where, where. I didn't do much. It's all thanks to you coming back in time, Miss."
Su Mingyu waved her hand, signaling him to leave first. The steward was very sensible. He nodded as he left and even closed the door for her.
Turning around to look at Zhizhu, whose face was pale on the bed, Su Mingyu tightened her fists. "It seems I can't keep you in the Su Mansion anymore!"
Thinking of this, Su Mingyu immediately got up and climbed out of the window.
She climbed over walls and rooftops all the way and soon arrived at the Ye Mansion. Su Mingyu quietly sneaked into the Ye Mansion. Then, following her memory, she came to Qingfeng's door and knocked. "Qingfeng, are you in? I have something to talk to you about."
As soon as he heard Su Mingyu's voice, Qingfeng immediately went to open the door. "Miss Su?"
Su Mingyu glanced at Qingfeng's dressing. His clothes were half - undone. It seemed he was about to go to bed.
"My maid is injured, but I'll be busy in the next few days and can't take care of her all the time. Can you send a few secret guards to keep an eye on her for me?"
"What!" Qingfeng's face suddenly changed. "Who did you say was injured? Zhizhu? How is she?"
Seeing Qingfeng so nervous, Su Mingyu raised her eyebrows. "It's not very serious. She'll probably recover in ten days or half a month. You don't need to be so nervous, Young Master Qingfeng."
Hearing that Zhizhu was so badly injured, Qingfeng didn't even have time to put on his outer robe. He picked up his sword and was about to go out. "Please lead the way, Miss Su."
Seeing his flustered look, all of Su Mingyu's suspicions were confirmed.
She pushed Qingfeng back into the room and forcefully fixed him in his seat. Then she looked down at him. "That purse was given by our Zhizhu, wasn't it?"
Knowing that he couldn't hide it anymore, Qingfeng could only nod. "Yes."
After thinking for a while, Qingfeng wanted to explain something, but Su Mingyu raised her hand to stop him. "I don't want to hear why you think you're not a good match for Zhizhu, and I don't want to know your difficulties. I just want to ask, do you still like Zhizhu?"
Qingfeng pursed his lips. After a long time, he nodded almost imperceptibly.
He really did like her. Otherwise, he wouldn't have worn such an ugly purse.
Su Mingyu was too lazy to care about his helplessness. "If so, I'll entrust Zhizhu to you. As for her resistance to you, I can solve it. But during this period, I need you to protect her well until I marry into the Rui Prince's Mansion."
As she spoke, Su Mingyu lowered her eyes and stared at him intently. "Can you do it?"
Qingfeng clenched his fists. After a long time, he shook his head painfully. "Sorry, I can't. My duty is to protect the master."
She had seen stubborn people, but never one as stubborn as this.
Su Mingyu was so angry that her face turned ugly. Now she understood why Qingfeng and Zhizhu had ended up like this.
The problem was all on Qingfeng's side.
Such a loyal man would be an excellent subordinate, but he would be a disaster as a life - long companion.
"Really?" Su Mingyu's eyes were cold. "If so, I'll go find someone else."
After saying that, she turned around and was about to walk out. Just as she was about to reach the door, Qingfeng suddenly called out to her. "Miss Su, is Zhizhu really that badly injured?"