Chapter 550: Chapter 550: Who is Loyal and Who is Treacherous
Qiu Ye, who had come with the intention of offering her loyalty, had not anticipated such an outcome. She knew all too well what it meant to be sent to the estateâwas there any future left for her there?
Yet no matter how she pleaded, Wufu remained unmoved and directly called for Purple Jade to drag her out.
After sitting down, Wufuâs face was as dark as gathering storm clouds, too ghastly to describe.
Jadeite brought tea for her, and seeing Wufuâs expression, she said, "Miss, itâs not worth getting angry over a maid, take a sip of water to soothe your lungs."
Wufu accepted the tea and took a sip, her lips pursed slightly. She was angry, not because Madam Zhou was duplicitous, but because the people of the Zhou family did not take her words seriously. Did they think she was just a young girl speaking out of temporary anger?
Furthermore, there was Qiu Ye. Daring to come forward and snitchâdid she really think that Wufu would be pleased? Where did she get the confidence that Wufu would use someone who had betrayed her master?
Ridiculous.
It was not long before Purple Jade returned, knelt with one knee, and said, "Miss, Madam asks you to come over and talk."
Wufu frowned slightly but soon got off the couch, and Jadeite, half-kneeling, helped her with her shoes.
Just now, Qiu Ye had left in tears from Wufuâs presence; the house was not big, the number of people not too many, Madam Zhou was sure to find out.
Indeed, as soon as she entered Madam Zhouâs room and before Wufu could greet her, Madam Zhou immediately pulled her and asked about Qiu Yeâs offense.
"They say you want to send her to the estate, whatâs going on? Why so sudden?" Madam Zhou asked.
"She betrayed her master," Wufu said indifferently.
Madam Zhou was startled. Betrayed her master?
Luckily, Madam Zhou had Qiu Xiang by her side, who had likely also served a great family before and knew the rules of noble households. She had heard plenty about such betrayals and naturally knew it was no light accusationâwith penalties ranging from death to being sold off.
Now, Wufu was saying Qiu Ye betrayed her master?
"Wufu, our family hasnât known many people to be involved in such matters. How did Qiu Ye betray her master?" Madam Zhou cautiously asked.
Wufu looked at her and said, "She came to me saying she wanted to serve at my side."
Madam Zhou paused slightly, furrowing her brows and feeling somewhat uneasy.
The implication of Qiu Yeâs wish was that she was unwilling to serve beside Madam Zhou, but Madam Zhou did not think it was a big deal and said with a light laugh, "Itâs natural for people to aspire to improve their station, and I canât blame her for that."
Wufu snorted coldly, "If she simply wished to serve by my side, that wouldnât necessarily constitute betraying her master. But do you know what else she said, Mother?"
Madam Zhou, hearing her cold tone, felt her heart skip.
"She mentioned that some days ago someone from the Zhou family came and said that you met with them, Mother, and even gave five taels of silver and other gifts to Madam Luâs family..."
Upon hearing this, Madam Zhouâs face turned ugly, a mix of embarrassment and discomfort, and she instinctively looked at Wufu, pleading, "Wufu, about this matter, I can explain it to you, please donât get upset... "
"Mother," Wufu interrupted her, "Does Qiu Yeâs acting behind your back in such a manner count as betrayal?"
"This..."
"Qiu Ye said Qiu Xiang also knew about it," Wufu turned to Qiu Xiang and continued, "Whatever the Zhou family members told you, Qiu Xiang was present throughout and knows it even more clearly."
"Miss," Qiu Xiang bit her lip and knelt down, bowing her head, yet she remained silent.
"You donât have to kneel, stand up," Wufu told her with a faint smile, then turned to Madam Zhou and said, "Mother, Iâm not bringing this up to question you or blame Qiu Xiang. I just want to show you that even though Qiu Xiang, as your First-class Chief Maid, was by your side and knew the details of your meeting with the Zhou family, she never uttered a word to me about it upon my return. On the other hand, Qiu Ye, a Second-class maid, came to me with accusations. When comparing the two, itâs clear who is loyal and who is the traitor."