Minister Liu lowered his gaze, scrutinizing A Cha, without rushing to reprimand her.
However, his expression remained grim, clearly showing his anger.
Given his official position, his wife’s connection to the Wang family, and the fact that his daughter was bumped into by a servant, he was understandably furious.
Yun Shu did not rush forward, quietly observing from the side.
It was not yet her time to intervene.
She trusted A Cha’s intelligence to handle the situation.
A Cha once again witnessed the shamelessness and arrogance of their family, no, the audacity of those relying on others’ power! Especially Minister Liu, who, empowered by the Wang family's influence, had become a minister but was so utterly contemptuous!
During her time at the General's mansion, she had witnessed firsthand the General’s character. Despite his numerous battles and decorated military achievements, he treated everyone in his household with utmost kindness.
He never displayed such overbearing authority.
"Impossible," A Cha replied coldly.
Her words held no hint of retreat, only a chilling resolve.
She did not fear the three people before her.
She gently touched the concealed weapon on her hand, recalling Jing Heng's words.
However, to let them die so easily would be too lenient. Moreover, they were in the palace, and she could not cause trouble for her mistress.
"What did you say?" Liu Qianxiao raised her voice in disbelief. "A mere servant dares to be so righteous! Speak, whose maid are you? You are outrageously bold! Today, I shall discipline you on behalf of your mistress!"
She raised her hand, intending to slap A Cha.
Had it been anyone else, they would have already suffered the blow.
But.
A Cha caught Liu Qianxiao's hand and flung it away fiercely, "Only my mistress has the right to discipline me. You are not qualified!"
Madam Wang, witnessing this, was shocked. "Who exactly are you a maid to? You're quite audacious, daring to resist!"
Having learned martial arts in the past, she immediately seized A Cha.
A Cha tried to retreat but found that Madam Wang was skilled in combat, causing her to frown deeply.
"Mother, quickly teach her a lesson! Let her know our family's might. Perhaps her mistress will even kneel and apologize to us! In any case, this matter will not end easily today! I have never been so humiliated by a servant!" Liu Qianxiao grew increasingly angry, her eyes glinting malevolently.
Minister Liu did not stop the mother and daughter. He merely stood with his hands behind his back. Was it an illusion, or did the maid seem to recognize him when she first saw him?
"This is the palace. Believe it or not, if you hit me, I’ll throw myself against a tree? And then cry out to the Emperor?" A Cha looked at the three of them with a half-smile, a hint of bloodthirsty coldness in her eyes.
She wished she could skin them alive!
And then throw them into prison to truly experience a life worse than death!
Madam Wang and Liu Qianxiao were startled by A Cha's gaze.
"This girl..."
Minister Liu also knitted his brows, coldly stating, "A mere maid, with such an arrogant tone! You wish to lodge a complaint with the Emperor? Do you think you will succeed?"
"Why not?"
Suddenly, a clear, resonant female voice echoed from behind them. The chilling coldness and oppressive aura emanating from this voice caused the hearts of Minister Liu's family of three to lurch violently.
They all turned to look at Yun Shu, who was walking towards them.
Upon seeing Yun Shu, their complexions changed drastically.
How could it be Yun Shu?!
Could it be...
"Mistress," A Cha called out softly.
Mistress had arrived.
She had actually made Mistress intervene.
"She is your maid?" Liu Qianxiao asked incredulously. She had initially thought that a woman with such an ordinary appearance could not possibly be a maid from an influential family, perhaps the maid of a minor official's household.
Who would have thought she belonged to Yun Shu!
Everyone knew that Yun Shu's father was General Yun! If it were the Yun Shu of a few years ago, a mere fool, she would have been easily deceived. But the current Yun Shu, who at the banquet did not fear the Regent, nor even her maternal family, the Wangs.
For a moment, Liu Qianxiao and her mother, Madam Wang, exchanged glances.
Minister Liu's expression turned even graver.
Yun Shu's sharp gaze swept over Madam Wang's hand gripping A Cha, "Madam Wang wishes to discipline my person for me?"
Madam Wang was about to release her grip but instinctively felt she should do something for the Wang family. After all, the Wang family had lost considerable face because of Yun Shu. It was the Thousand Autumn Banquet, yet Wang Yiyuan could not enter the palace, all of which was related to Yun Shu!
She let out a cold laugh and said, "Your servant is ill-mannered and bumped into us, not only refusing to apologize but also attempting to smear us and threaten to report us to the Emperor. Such ill-mannered behavior naturally warrants discipline. Considering you are a junior, you likely don't know how to discipline servants. As your elder, I am helping you teach your servant proper conduct, which is for your own good."
"Yes, we are helping you. Your servant is not only ugly but also ill-mannered. You should just discard her. How about I pay to buy you a new one?" Liu Qianxiao pretended to be magnanimous.
Looking at the arrogant mother and daughter, and the nonchalant, indulgent Minister Liu beside them, Yun Shu smiled.
A Cha coldly curled her lips. She had once again witnessed their shamelessness!
Yun Shu clapped her hands, "Well said."
"Then I will take this maid away. Don't worry, tomorrow I will send two maids to the General's mansion! I guarantee they will be well-trained, absolutely not ill-mannered like this one." Liu Qianxiao quickly said.
She had already decided that once she brought A Cha back to the Minister's mansion, she would teach this brat a lesson!
Minister Liu was preparing to lead his wife and daughter back to the Thousand Autumn Banquet. "Let's go back."
"Did I say you could leave? My person, who gave you the right to discipline her?" Yun Shu's voice suddenly deepened, sharp and piercing.
Startled, the three opposite her faces changed dramatically.
"You!" Liu Qianxiao exclaimed in shock.
Yun Shu walked up to them.
She raised her hand and slapped Madam Wang and Liu Qianxiao each once.
With two sharp cracks, they both saw stars.
"Ah, you dare to hit me!"
"Second Miss Yun, you are too audacious! Are you mad?"
"Second Miss Yun!"
Father and daughter questioned her almost simultaneously.
A Cha was also greatly alarmed that Mistress had hit them for her. "Mistress."
Yun Shu gave A Cha a reassuring look, then coldly regarded the three of them.
"To dare to bully my person, and even try to take her away in front of me, you have quite the nerve. Minister Liu, as a minister, is this how you govern? Kidnapping innocent women?" Yun Shu's words struck like blows.
The three were so stunned that they forgot to blame Yun Shu.
Minister Liu realized something and broke out in a cold sweat. "When did this official kidnap innocent women?"
"Just now, Minister Liu allowed his wife and daughter to take me away, and that too in front of my mistress. If this is not kidnapping, what is it?" A Cha questioned.