C19 Concubine Lau Was Punished!

Hua Xiangxue didn’t feel like she was taking advantage of the situation at all. She shifted her legs a bit and gave them a little squeeze before asking softly, “Is your grandson running a fever or feeling sick?”

Granny Lee quickly shook her head and replied, “No, he’s not sick. We took him to the doctor during the day, and everything checked out fine.”

Xiangxue nodded in understanding and smiled, “I can teach you a little trick to help with that.”

Granny Lee's eyes lit up with hope as she eagerly asked, “What’s the trick?”

Xiangxue spoke gently, “He’s just been startled. You’ll need a bowl of water, a cup, and eight sheets of paper. Place the paper in the cup, then use a pair of chopsticks, holding one in each hand. Stand one chopstick upright in the cup—”

After explaining everything, Xiangxue looked at Granny Lee and said, “If you’ve done all this and he’s still not better, come find me at the Snow Reflection Pavilion!”

Granny Lee’s eyes welled up with tears. She knelt down and bowed her head to Xiangxue, “Miss, if my grandson truly gets better, I will definitely come to thank you.”

Xiangxue quickly helped her up, waving her hand dismissively, “It’s nothing, really!”

Seeing Xiangxue’s willingness to help, Granny Lee whispered, “In that case, I’ll sneak you a bun. Just hang tight for a bit.”

Xiangxue’s eyes brightened, and she made an OK gesture before kneeling back down obediently.

Granny Lee quickly went out to get some buns. Hua Xiangxue blinked her eyes, grateful that she remembered a few tricks she had learned from her master. Otherwise, she would have gone hungry today. Not only did she earn trust, but she also earned some buns!

She swallowed hard, hearing footsteps outside, and quickly knelt down. "Concubine Lau, you're here," Granny Zheng said, pushing the door open and entering the ancestral hall with Lau Yuemei.

Hua Xiangxue frowned. What was Mrs. Lau doing here so suddenly? Could it be that she was here for revenge because her daughter was bullied today? But judging by Mrs. Lau's demeanor, she seemed like a deep thinker who wouldn't do anything rash.

Seeing Hua Xiangxue kneeling there, Mrs. Lau finally entered gracefully. "Miss Hua," she greeted. Hua Xiangxue nodded at Lau Yuemei with a slight smile, as if she had forgotten their previous unpleasantness. "Oh, it's Concubine Lau. Are you here to be punished too?"

Lau Yuemei was taken aback, her expression puzzled. Hua Xiangxue smiled and reminded her, "Weren't you supposed to receive punishment from the Duke? Or did you forget? The Duke seems like someone not to be trifled with..."

Lau Yuemei's face froze. She had indeed forgotten about that!

She quickly masked her expression and nodded. "Thank you for the reminder, Miss. I'm willing to copy scriptures for three days."

Hua Xiangxue secretly scoffed, thinking, how much can you really copy in a day?

Lau Yuemei nodded at Granny Lee. "I'll light an incense stick for my sister—"

Hua Xiangxue raised an eyebrow. Was she here to pay respects to Mother?

Her brow furrowed slightly as she watched Lau Yuemei hold the incense, bowing perfunctorily.

"Concubine Lau, isn't it customary to kneel?" Hua Xiangxue gently reminded her, her demeanor as innocent as could be.

Lau Yuemei's face stiffened, but she nodded calmly. "Thank you for the reminder, Miss."

With that, she knelt down, maintaining a devout expression.

This Lau woman is not easy to deal with!

Hua Xiangxue watched her finish the ritual, then stood to leave. After a step, she turned back. "Miss, please don't hold a grudge against Yun Jin for her earlier rashness."

Hua Xiangxue's lips curled into a smile, and she gave Lau a big grin. "Don't worry, Concubine Lau. Yun Jin and I are sisters. Why would I hold a grudge?

Yun Jin has always been so kind to me, and I'll treat her well too!"

Lau Yuemei's expression stiffened slightly, but she nodded and quickly turned to leave.

As they reached the doorway, Yuemei finally spoke, "Granny Zheng, I'm counting on you to stay here and keep watch until midnight. Don't leave your post."

It was clear that Granny Zheng was loyal to Yuemei. Xiangxue's expression shifted, feeling a pang of nostalgia for Granny Lee, who had gone to fetch some buns.

When Granny Lee returned and saw Granny Zheng standing there with a stern face, she didn't dare say anything. Granny Zheng stood like a guardian, unmoving, and even during dinner, she didn't step away. It was obvious she was determined to ensure Xiangxue didn't slack off.

Xiangxue felt a bit speechless but had no choice but to endure. The hours dragged on, and by midnight, she was dizzy from hunger. Adding to her misery, her face was swollen from a slap earlier, making her look even more pitiful.

"Miss, it's time," Granny Zheng said coldly, her voice tinged with mockery.

Xiangxue tried to get up, but her legs were numb and unresponsive, as if they weren't hers anymore.

"Granny Zheng, why don't you grab something to eat? I'll take over," Granny Lee nodded to Granny Zheng.

Only then did Granny Zheng turn and leave.

Once Granny Zheng had left, Granny Lee stepped forward to help Hua Xiangxue up. "Miss, I had no choice. Granny Zheng is with Mrs. Lau, and I can't afford to offend her."

Hua Xiangxue understood and replied, "It's alright, but my legs—ouch!"

Having stayed in one position for too long, Hua Xiangxue's legs were stiff and painful when Granny Lee helped her stand.

"Sit down for a bit, please—quickly," Granny Lee urged, guiding Hua Xiangxue to a seat before starting to massage her legs.

Seeing Hua Xiangxue's pained expression, Granny Lee remembered something. She quickly pulled a small handkerchief from her pocket, revealing two small pieces of cake.

"It's just two pieces. I couldn't take more—"

Hua Xiangxue's eyes welled up with tears at the sight of the food, and she nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Granny Lee. I'll remember your kindness!"