Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 12 Chun Ya Has Gone Mad

Turtle Claw Jin Dalang licked his lips and said in a deep voice, "Mother, please step aside for now. I, Jin, will make sure these male prostitutes learn a solid lesson."

As soon as she finished speaking, Chun Ya, who had her back to everyone, suddenly made a move.

Her face slowly turned to the crowd, her eyes unfocused. Like a puppet off its string, she walked straight toward the curtain, gently pushed it forward with her palm, and the curtain immediately crashed onto the wooden floor with a loud thud.

The girls kneeling in the first row screamed and retreated. Then, Chun Ya, barefoot, stepped through the layers of curtains and went straight to Meng Shu's desk. She stared at Meng Shu for a moment, squatted down, picked up the erotic picture, tore it up, and ate it.

"Sister Chun Ya, Sister Chun Ya." Meng Shu was suddenly reminded of Zhao Di's resolute eyes before her death when she saw her like this, and a sense of unease welled up in her heart.

Hearing someone call her, Chunya paused for a moment, then remained oblivious, only stuffing the torn picture book into her mouth.

Faced with this situation, Mother Wei was also horrified. She hid behind the turtle claw, covered her mouth with a handkerchief, and ordered the servants to drag her aside.

Meng Shu stood up, calling Chun Ya's name as she took the sketchbook from her hands. Chun Ya suddenly let out a miserable scream, her withered hands digging into her hair. As the movement became larger, her long hair instantly fell down, and combined with her pale face and the bruises on her bare arms, the other girls below couldn't help but wipe away tears.

The lesson was ultimately forced to end when Chun Ya went mad, and afterwards she was taken to the laundry room.

Huanyun did not restrict Meng Shu's movements, so she had time to visit her. Fortunately, Yingchun took care of her, and Chunya was doing relatively well in the laundry room.

Besides numbly washing clothes, Chun Ya also seemed to have lost the ability to speak. She stopped speaking and often stared blankly at one spot for a long time. When Meng Shu bathed her once, she saw that almost her whole body had marks from being beaten. Fu Zi said that she had tried to escape but was caught and brought back during the three days that Meng Shu was sick.

Meng Shu obtained some ointment from Huan Yun and carefully applied it to Chun Ya. During this process, Chun Ya trembled all over wherever the ointment touched her skin. For the first time, Meng Shu felt a great resentment towards her situation. In just a few days, Zhao Di died, Chun Ya went mad, and Meng Shu and Fu Zi each became two top-tier maids.

Meng Shu stumbled back to Tingyunfang, her fate perhaps already sealed the moment she was sold into Chunfenglou.

On the second day of the Dragon Boat Festival, at Fu'an Residence, Tang Mansion, which is more than a dozen streets away from Chunfeng Tower.

After serving Old Madam Tang breakfast early in the morning, while the ladies and young misses had not yet paid their respects, Suwen finally delivered Zheng Dongjia's letter of greeting to the old lady.

Zheng Shan's wife was originally Qiu Sang, a first-class maidservant by the old lady's side. Ten years ago, she was married to the youngest son of Steward Zheng in the mansion. Three years ago, she was sent to Jinan County. In order to maintain her relationship with her master, Zheng Shan's wife would send a letter to Lin'an every now and then.

Old Mrs. Tang, wearing a thick brocade jacket with eight auspicious floral patterns in black, was reclining on the kang table, gently fiddling with a string of sandalwood prayer beads. Upon hearing that it was a letter from Zheng Shan's family, she smiled and said, "What interesting things did Qiu Sang say in the letter? Read it to me."

After the old lady finished speaking, Guangbai, who was standing by, chuckled, "Sister Qiusang not only sent a letter, but also brought the old lady the finest fried dough twists and various pastries from Tianxianglou in Jinnan County. I heard she also sent ten jars of Lutai Spring Wine to the master."

Guangbai was also a first-class maidservant by the old lady's side. She was neat-looking and had a clever tongue. She was in charge of socializing between the women of Fu'an Residence and Lin'an Mansion.

"It's kind of Qiu Sang to still think of me even after she's married. At yesterday's banquet, the master said that the Lutai Spring Wine from Jinnan County has a mellow taste. When Master Wang goes to Jinnan County on business again, he should pick out some good materials from the private storehouse for Qiu Sang to take with her."

Suwen responded and began reading the letter. When she came to the part about writing about Meng Shu, Zheng Shan's family described her in this way.

“This servant remembers what the old lady said. This child is indeed a good prospect. Not only is she beautiful and skilled in needlework, but she is also literate and clever and knows how to behave.”

The old lady interrupted, saying, "Qiu Sang doesn't praise people easily. Call Meng Shu over here so I can take a look."

Mu Jin, who was in charge of the old lady's needlework and shoes, smiled and said, "Since you are good at needlework, I have also become interested. A while ago, the head of the needlework room in the manor said that she was short of people. Our manor always makes the best use of everyone's talents. This Meng Shu has probably been sent there to work."

Guangbai replied, "After the ladies and young ladies have paid their respects, I will go to Mama Fang's place."

The old lady nodded. She knew what Zheng Shan's family was thinking. Before the New Year, she announced that she would select maids to accompany her granddaughters. There were quite a few servants in the mansion, but not many who were quick-witted, steady, and sensible.

Moreover, the marriage of the eldest daughter of the family is indeed quite troublesome, and the selection of maids to accompany her in the dowry must be more careful than usual.

After this incident, Guangbai went to the needlework room at the second gate to inquire. The maid, Fang, naturally told the truth that there was no such person as Meng Shu. She was quick-witted and immediately realized that the person who went to Jinan County this time was not from the Wang family. She also thought about the incident that happened in the family of Jushang, the deputy steward of the inner courtyard, and guessed that there might be something fishy going on.

Without making a sound or alerting Ju Chang, she first obtained the list of the servants and then secretly sent someone to the estate to investigate. Before the news could be sent back, Granny An, the head of the small kitchen, came to her door.

Madam An was a shrewd and experienced woman. She clearly knew that something had happened at Ju Chang's place, and if she made a mistake, the position of deputy steward of the inner courtyard would be vacant. So she only took Dong Gua (Dunzi) to Fu An Ju to deliver freshly baked pastries.

As luck would have it, Guangbai was looking at the list in the next room. After the two met, An Mama said, "What a coincidence! I was just about to ask Donggua from our little kitchen where her friend Meng Shu from Jinnan County has been assigned. Donggua said that when they first arrived at the estate, Meng Shu and the other three were sent out on separate business by Steward Jushang."

The story of Meng Shu being detained by Ju Chang was told through Dong Gua's words.

Guangbai had a plan in mind. Jushang used to work for the First Madam. Seven years ago, her husband, who was also a servant, died while saving the master. The two only had one son. At that time, the old lady showed her favor by not only promoting her to the position of deputy steward of the inner courtyard, but also giving her gold and silver and releasing her only son from his contract.

Jushang found a marriage for her son and, with her help, bought land and property. Her son and daughter-in-law lived a peaceful life in a small courtyard in the north of the city. Half a month ago, she heard that her only son, Li Da, had become addicted to gambling and was being harassed by creditors. Li Da couldn't pay, so the creditors came looking for Jushang, causing quite a scene at the corner of Tangjia. However, Jushang had not yet returned from Jinan County at that time.

The result was obvious: Meng Shu and the other three were most likely resold.

The next day, the old lady summoned Ju Chang over for questioning.