Chapter 386 : Eyes Of A Rat Can Only See An Inch Of Light (2)

Yuxi deliberately asked someone to pass on what Yu Zhi had told her to Master Yang. Yu Zhi was not her subordinate; on the contrary, he was here to help protect her, so there were some things she could not say directly to him. But Master Yang could.

After Master Yang found out about this, he was so angry that he almost vomited blood, and when Yu Zhi returned from outside, he cursed him furiously, “Tell me, how did I accept such a stupid disciple like you? I’ve really lost all my face because of you.” He knew this little disciple was a little foolish, but he didn’t expect it to be this bad. This kid really infuriated him.

Yu Zhi replied, “Out of those a dozen children, I know two of them. Their family was poor, and they had a tough time. It was only after those two children entered the school that they were able to have a full meal. Their family really had no choice but to fall into such a damaging trick.” He also knew that the children’s parents had made some mistakes, but it wasn’t the children’s fault, and there was nothing they could do to change their parents’ minds.

Master Yang looked at Yu Zhi, thinking that taking this disciple was his biggest failure in life. “Are you going to pity all the poor people in this world? You said those children had not eaten before, so whose fault was that? Was it Han Shi’s fault? That Han Girl fed and clothed their children and taught them to read and write, but this is how their parents repay her. Anyone else would have thrown these people out. They’re completely ungrateful people.”

Yu Zhi bowed his head and did not dare to say anything.

With a sigh, Master Yang continued, “You shouldn’t misuse your sympathy. Something is annoying about these people’s acts of showing their compassion. Moreover, this matter is not as simple as you see.”

Yu Zhi looked up, stared at Master Yang, and asked, “Master, what does that mean?”

In order to prevent his silly apprentice from being too kind and disgracing him again, Master Yang patiently explained, “This is the Qin family’s way of fighting with Han Girl! Whatever that girl tells you to do in the future, just do it properly. Don’t get involved in other things. Remember that they are not something you can get yourself mixed up with.” Unlike Yu Zhi, Master Yang had more experience, making him see things thoroughly. He felt that Yuxi had done a lot. No matter what she did, there would be rules. One could not draw the square and circle without using a ruler and compass. It was also because Yuxi was not only kindhearted but also had her own principles and was not doing things just to be on good terms with everyone, making him comfortable enough to leave his blockheaded disciple in her hands.

Yu Zhi nodded. “I know. If something happens in the future, I will talk to Master first.” Yu Zhi was not the kind of person who was so soft-hearted and unprincipled. It was mainly because he had developed a relationship with these two children.

As Yuxi expected, after receiving rice and meat from the Qin family, these parents still sent their children to school as if nothing had happened.

When the children arrived at the school, they met with a closed door. Hao Dazhuang came out and told them they had been expelled, causing several children to be dumbfounded on the spot.

As soon as the parents of these children got this news, they immediately rushed over, begging Hao Dazhuang to leave one side of the net open. After the last fraud incident, Hao Dazhuang was very clear about his Madam’s nature of inability to tolerate even a little sand in her eyes. Therefore, no matter how much these people begged and talked about how pitiful they were, Hao Dazhuang was unmoved.

After a while, Hao Dazhuang said, “Go home, all of you. There is no room for manoeuvring in this matter.” He had a lot of things to do. Where would he have time to spend with them here? After he expressed his stance, he turned around and left. He went into the school hall and asked the concierge to close the gate. With this incident, these parents would have foresight on why it wasn’t good to be greedy for something that had a little bargain. Did they really think his Madam was made of clay and they could do whatever they wanted with her?

The story, manipulated by someone interested in the matter, spread through the streets. Half of the outsiders felt that Yuxi was right to do so; the other half thought these people were somewhat opportunistic but justifiable. They sympathised with the dozen children who had been expelled and felt that Yuxi was being heartless. Even wives of Yu City’s officials discussed this matter.

Da Nainai Zhao also sympathised with the children who were expelled from school as she commented, “Although it is not generous of me to say this, it is really mean to kick the children out just like that.”

Er Nainai Zhao did not like to hear this. She argued, “Dasao, I’m not fond of hearing this kind of comment. Qingming Hall is a school, a place for children to study and learn to be literate, not a charity home. Can they just leave and go back whenever they want? How can it be that convenient?” So to speak, was it good just to do that? It wasn’t good enough for one just to contribute one’s money.

Da Nainai Zhao rebutted, “Those people were not kicked out of school for not coming, but because they are from families that accepted the aid from the Qin family. In fact, these children just did not go to school for a day. Moreover, the adults made the decision, not those children.” This was just the same as making a complete shift of the argument.

In terms of being a glib-talker, even ten Er Nainai Zhao were no match for Da Nainai Zhao. Er Nainai Zhao could not find words to refute and could only say in the end, “This school was paid for by Han Meimei, and she has the right to stop accepting these children if she thinks their action is inappropriate.”

In a way to stifle Er Nainai Zhao, Da Nainai Zhao turned to Madam Zhao. “Mother, don’t you think what I said was reasonable?”

Madam Zhao was speechless. “What is reasonable or not reasonable? You two have been arguing for quite a while yet haven’t still gotten to the main point? Have you two ever thought about why these parents know that they would get rice, noodles and meat after their children quit school? It was entirely a deliberate play by the Qin residence this time.”

Da Nainai Zhao was also influenced by the rumours outside. To add to it, Madam Zhao always praised Yuxi in front of them, thus making her instinctively lash out at Yuxi in her heart. However, for Madam Zhao to pick Da Nainai Zhao as her eldest daughter-in-law was also because Da Nainai Zhao had her own forte. When Da Nainai Zhao heard her mother-in-law’s explanation, she immediately understood. “Mother means that Xu Shi did this on purpose? If Han Shi didn’t care about this matter, it would definitely affect the other children; if Han Shi cared and issued a punishment, Xu Shi would spread rumours to tarnish Han Shi’s reputation? Then, the good reputation she had built up before would be all gone.”

Madam Zhao nodded her head. “Yes, that’s right.”

Er Nainai Zhao coldly snorted. “If that’s the case, then it’s really disgusting. Before, I thought she just wanted to spend money to gain a good reputation for herself, but I had never thought she was actually planning on taking this opportunity to screw Han Meimei! But this time, the Qin residence also put out much of its hard-earned capital. I just do not know whether Xu Shi’s heart is currently bleeding from doing all this.” It wasn’t like she hadn’t dealt with Xu Shi for a year or two. And it was not only Er Nainai Zhao who knew what kind of person Xu Shi was but so did Madam Zhao and Da Nainai Zhao. Xu Shi was a woman who spent money like water and was fond of showing off. But asking her to give her money to someone insignificant would have felt like cutting her meat off.

Da Nainai Zhao said with a smile, “Speaking of which, Han Shi is also capable enough to force Xu Shi to pay such a large amount of money. However, after all the trouble she took to start Qingming Hall, teaching these children to be literate and letting them practice martial arts but ended up with such a reputation. I think Han Shi must be regretting doing it now?”

Madam Zhao glanced at her eldest daughter-in-law and shook her head. Her eldest daughter-in-law’s vision was too narrow. In fact, she was considered pretty good within her age group, but against a Han Yuxi, she wasn’t even that close.

Er Nainai Zhao also agreed with Da Nainai Zhao. “This matter is quite disgusting.” Even a bystander like her was uncomfortable listening to it, let alone Yuxi, who contributed the money and effort.

Madam Zhao had no objection to this point. Even a saint would be uncomfortable in his heart when encountering such a matter. Madam Zhao said, “Madam Yun is currently pregnant. You should pay her a visit tomorrow.”

Er Nainai Zhao also wanted to visit Yuxi, and at Madam Zhao’s words, she answered, “Yes, I’ll go and request a visit.”

As for Xu Shi, her heart was bleeding like what Er Nainai Zhao had expected. That was a lot of money to give away for nothing! Although the money came from the public account and not out of her private pocket, it still belonged to her family!

In response, Mama Gong said soothingly, “Madam, you will never catch the wolf if you aren’t prepared to risk your child. Moreover, the General is now favouring you.”

Xu Shi asked, “Is there any movement from the Yun residence?” Xu Shi was surprised to hear that there was no action from the Yun residence. “How can she be so calm?” If she were in Yuxi’s shoes, she would have vomited blood if she had paid for helping someone and ended up with a reputation of being cold-blooded and heartless. According to Xu Shi’s estimation, Han Yuxi should have been so angry that she suffered a risk of miscarriage! How could there be no reaction at all?

Mama Gong also felt it was somewhat unusual as she guessed, “The Yun residence may have blocked the news before our people could pry it.” Yuxi was very strict in ruling her family. She had once found out that an old woman servant had told others about the news from the residence. Although it was said to be some insignificant information, to Yuxi, this was the same as rebelling against the master. Thus, she immediately sold that old woman servant out. A servant sold out by his master would never end up well. And Yuxi also reminded her people that if such a thing happened again, one who committed it this time wouldn’t be sold out but would be directly beaten to death with a stick. This way of acting also significantly deterred others in residence, so it was generally difficult for people from outside to pry into the Yun residence.

After hearing this, Xu Shi spoke after a moment of silence, “The people in our residence are slacking off, and it’s necessary to make a serious effort to reorganise them.”

Mama Gong advised, “Madam, if you are being too ruthless, the General will lose his temper with you again.” Many husbands of the backyard women servants had perished along with Marshal Qin. With this tie in place, these people had solid support. If Xu Shi dared to touch them, they would definitely run to the General and complain tearfully. And the General was especially keen to save his own face, and the one to be out of luck, in the end, was still her own master.

Xu Shi had already decided this time, saying, “The spectrum has gotten bigger than the master, and I’m unwilling to continue to spoil them.” Seeing Mama Gong’s disapproval, Xu Shi continued, “Yun Qing’s residence is governed like an iron barrel. So our Qin residence can’t be surrounded by any loopholes; otherwise, we will easily be exploited through them. I believe that the General will also agree.”

Mama Gong understood Xu Shi’s intention, so she no longer objected to the idea. “Madam, there is no movement coming from the Yun residence. Do you think we should stop?”

Xu Shi laughed lightly and said, “No, continue to spread the rumours. I’d like to see how long she can avoid this matter.”

Mama Gong said, “Madam, going too far is just as bad as not going far enough; let’s just stop here!” If Han Yuxi were put down too low, it would only make people suspicious.

Xu Shi didn’t want to; if it weren’t for Han Yuxi, she wouldn’t have thrown so much money out for nothing. “If we continue with this matter, I don’t believe she can tolerate it this much.” If she had known that Yuxi could even endure this vengeance, she would have her action immediately.