Chapter 243: Killing the Chicken to Warn the Monkey

 Chapter 243: Killing the Chicken to Warn the Monkey

In the past couple of days, Daohua had been extremely busy taking care of the three sick people: the Old Madam, Madam Li, and Wu shi. At the same time, she was preparing to go to Xingyun Prefecture and handling the affairs of the household. She was completely overwhelmed.

During this time, there were some undercurrents stirring within the Yan family, and private discussions had begun to circulate.

One noon, Daohua returned to the main courtyard under the scorching sun after visiting the Third House.

"Madam woke up for a bit earlier," Ping Tong reported, as if anticipating Daohua's question. "She seemed to be in better spirits than before and ate a bowl of bird's nest porridge before going back to sleep."

Hearing this, Daohua's mood lifted. "It's good that Mother has an appetite. Once someone starts wanting food, it means they're getting better."

Ping Tong nodded with a smile. "Exactly."

Daohua rubbed her stomach; after such a long day, she was starting to feel hungry. "Is there any more bird's nest porridge left? I'll have a little, and when Jing Wan comes over with the supplies, I'll go meet her."

Ping Tong hesitated, her expression faltering as she didn’t answer immediately.

Daohua noticed her reaction and grew puzzled. "Ping Tong, what's wrong? Is there no more bird's nest porridge?"

Ping Tong glanced at her, unsure of how to bring it up. In recent days, the eldest miss had been running around tirelessly, and Ping Tong didn't want to burden her with any more trouble regarding the household.

Moreover, since Daohua was in charge of the kitchen, complaining about the kitchen would also reflect poorly on her.

Reluctantly, Ping Xia spoke up. "The kitchen has been a bit odd lately. The food they send over has either been too little or late."

"I went to the kitchen early this morning and asked them to prepare bird's nest porridge since Madam was going to wake up, but when it was almost noon, they only brought one bowl."

"If Madam wakes up in the afternoon and wants more, she might have to wait until tomorrow."

Usually, the bird's nest porridge was cooked in a pot and sent to the main courtyard in its entirety. The main courtyard had a small stove where the porridge would stay warm, so the masters could have it whenever they wanted.

But now, the kitchen staff had started to neglect the main courtyard.

Daohua’s brows furrowed. She had heard the rumors circulating in the family these past few days but had been too busy to deal with them.

Suppressing her rising anger, Daohua turned to Wang Man'er. "Go call over Aunt Ren. I want to ask her what's going on."

Soon, Aunt Ren arrived, panting. When she saw Daohua's expression, she felt uneasy. "Miss, you called for me?"

Daohua’s voice was cold. "I haven’t eaten yet today. Since bird's nest porridge was made this morning for my mother, you should bring the leftover porridge here so I can eat some."

Aunt Ren's heart sank, and she nervously fiddled with her clothes, hesitant to respond.

Daohua’s eyes narrowed, her voice colder. "By the looks of it, you seem troubled. Did you eat the bird's nest porridge?"

Aunt Ren's body trembled, and with a sudden kneel, she said, "Miss, it wasn't me. It was Concubine Lin’s maid, Xiyun. She came to the kitchen around noon and insisted on taking the bird's nest porridge."

Daohua’s eyes flashed with anger as she spoke coldly, "So, as the kitchen Steward, you let a concubine’s maid take my mother’s bird's nest porridge?"

The Yan family had been wealthier recently, but things like bird's nest were rarely eaten by the Old Madam or Madam Li except when they were sick. It was meant to nourish their health.

Aunt Ren trembled in fear. "Please, Miss, understand. I didn’t dare to stop her."

"Bang!" Daohua slammed her hand on the table.

"Dare you not stop her?! In your eyes, who is the real master? My mother wanted to eat the porridge, but you allowed a concubine's maid to take it? And now you dare to come here and make excuses!"

"Aunt Ren, I thought you were capable when I entrusted you with managing the kitchen, but it turns out you’re just a weathercock, shifting with the wind."

Daohua could guess what Aunt Ren’s motivations were. She probably thought that since the Old Master and Fourth Master weren’t coming back, the family would eventually fall under Yan Wenbin's control. So, she was trying to curry favor with whoever she thought would be in charge.

"Since you can’t manage the kitchen properly, you don’t need to oversee it anymore."

Aunt Ren’s face changed dramatically, and she begged repeatedly, "Miss, I was wrong. I won’t dare to do it again."

Daohua ignored her and turned to Wang Man'er. "Go get Wei Niangzi from the kitchen."

While Daohua was still new to managing the household affairs, she had her own ideas about handling people.

When she took over the kitchen, she had entrusted Aunt Ren with its management, but she had also kept an eye on the other staff. Long ago, she had identified Wei Niangzi and had been grooming her for the role.

This decision was twofold: first, in case Aunt Ren became unreliable and there was no one to take over, causing the kitchen to fall into chaos; second, it would also put some pressure on Aunt Ren, making her realize the kitchen didn’t revolve around her.

Daohua hadn’t expected it would come to this so soon.

"Yes, Miss!"

Seeing Daohua so angry, Wang Man'er was also a little afraid and quickly left to bring Wei Niangzi.

It wasn’t long before Wang Man'er returned with Wei Niangzi.

Daohua’s brows furrowed. "Why did it take so long?"

Wang Man'er’s expression wasn’t good either. She stepped forward and said, "Miss, Concubine Lin’s maternal relatives arrived, and the kitchen was preparing a lot of dishes to send to Shuangxin Courtyard. By the time I arrived, the kitchen was tidying up, and Wei Niangzi, who was in charge of cooking, had some stains on her clothes. She changed and that’s why she’s late."

Hearing this, Daohua’s anger surged. Her voice was icy. "Why wasn’t I informed when Concubine Lin’s family arrived at the manor? Who allowed them in without permission?"

Daohua looked around. "Where is Aunt Fang? Go bring her to me!"

This time, Daohua didn’t have to wait long. Aunt Fang hurried over, and as soon as she arrived, she dropped to her knees without saying a word and pleaded, "Miss, it’s my fault for not guarding the gates properly. Please punish me."

Daohua coldly fixed her gaze on Aunt Fang. "Aunt Fang, you are my mother’s right-hand, and Steward Sun is my father’s. Uncle Sun and Aunt Sun have always cared for the Old Madam and watched me grow. Our family has always trusted yours."

Aunt Fang trembled, kneeling on the ground, repeatedly nodding her head. "I have failed the family’s trust. I promise, this will never happen again."

Daohua’s expression remained unchanged, and she spoke calmly without any sign of softening, "Remember what you said today. In my house, there will be no second chances. Go and find out who opened the door and let people in. I want to know today."

"Yes, I will investigate immediately."

Aunt Fang shakily stood up and glanced at the formidable Daohua, who sat on the main seat radiating authority. She quickly turned and rushed out of the room. Just before she stepped out, she heard Daohua's voice once more.

"Wei Niangzi, from now on, you will be in charge of the kitchen. Do you think you can handle it?"

"Yes, I will not disappoint the young miss."

"I was wrong, I won’t do it again, please give me one more chance!" Aunt Ren cried out loudly in her plea.

"If I gave everyone a chance when they made mistakes, would that mean anyone could recklessly make mistakes and then beg for mercy? Aunt Ren, you and your son are leaving Yan House today!"

When Aunt Fang heard this, she trembled. She hadn't expected that Daohua would not only remove Aunt Ren from her position but would also kick her and her son out of the household.

Is this Miss planning to "kill the chicken to warn the monkey"?

(End of Chapter)