Exile with Storage Space: Family Fortunes in the Barren Lands-Chapter 713 - 666: A Thorough Sweep (2)

How could Madam Baili not know the result?

But what can be done now?

The Old Madam has spoken, the Second Madam strikes first. If she opposes, it would mean going against the Old Madam, not considering the Second Madam.

The Old Madam will surely suspect her.

At this moment, she should set an example and wholeheartedly support it.

Facing the maidservants’ complaints, Madam Baili irritably said, "In the next few days, keep a low profile, avoid other courtyard people, don’t let others catch any faults, how can they falsely accuse you?"

The maidservants exchanged glances, got no response, and had to reply, "Yes, Madam."

Before it was even lunchtime, Baili Dalang and Baili Ju entered the room, asking if lunch was to be served.

Madam Baili was already annoyed, hearing this, she immediately got angry, "There is still half an hour to noon, and you already want to eat?"

Baili Ju, rubbing his belly, cheerfully said, "The new chef at the Four Happiness Restaurant in the city makes an excellent roast lamb. Since lunch isn’t ready yet, why don’t we eat out?"

How could Madam Baili have the mood to eat out? She still had to keep an eye on matters in the mansion!

"No, you go by yourself." She turned her head, retorting unkindly.

"I tell you, that lamb is really well roasted..."

Madam Baili burst into anger, "Eat, eat, eat, all you know is to eat! Can’t you have some ambition? You’re not even as good as my two sons!"

Her two sons were both outstanding, skilled in letters and martial arts, especially the eldest; as strong as an ox, not even fifteen, and could knock down two grown men.

If her husband were the Envoy, her eldest son could inherit the position.

But alas, her husband was a useless person who only knew how to indulge!

A useless person who couldn’t even wield a knife!

Clearly, their branch should inherit the Envoy position, but because her husband was inferior to Baili Huang, the old man gave the position to the second branch.

Yet her son was more capable than the second branch’s son. Why couldn’t the old man see it?

Thinking of the unfair treatment, she became angry.

Ten years ago, she pulled countless strings, even contacted people in the Capital, reached out to the Emperor, yet she could not make her husband the Envoy.

Blame it on Prince Luling’s interference, helping the old man and the second son.

What infuriated her most was her efforts, her hard work, which her husband saw as worthless. Baili Ju never cared about becoming the Envoy, focusing solely on gourmet food.

"It’s good that they surpass me, the sons are more promising, you should be happy, why are you angry?" Baili Ju was quite puzzled by Madam Baili’s anger, criticizing her.

"You...get out, I don’t want to see you!" Madam Baili grabbed a teacup and hurled it at Baili Ju.

Baili Ju, though plump, had a nimble body.

He lifted his robe and leaped aside, dodging the flying teacup, "Ah, these teacups are a pair, you broke one, how to match the other?"

Such callous words infuriated Madam Baili, who grabbed another teacup and hurled it at Baili Ju, "I’ll break them all!"

This time, Baili Ju ran even faster, like a gust of wind out the door, "Madam, I’m going to eat roast lamb, don’t be angry, I’ll bring some back for you."

"Eat, eat, eat, why don’t you choke!" Madam Baili stomped and cursed.

Every time, it was like this, asking him about serious matters, and he would run.

Baili Ju dashed to the courtyard gate, and upon noticing his wife not following, he exhaled in relief, called the waiting Chang Sui at the door to prepare the carriage, hands behind his back, leisurely left the mansion.

.

The Second Madam Baili requested all servants in the house to report on each other, and suddenly, everyone was panicked.

Those normally dishonest feared others would turn them in.

The honest ones worried about being framed.

Some who considered themselves smart took the opportunity to quietly transfer their belongings.

Unexpectedly, the Second Madam had anticipated this, increasing the number of servants at the gate when she started checking them.

All servants leaving the mansion were thoroughly searched regardless of status.

This search indeed found over ten servants taking valuables out of the manor.

These people usually only earned a monthly wage of a thousand coins, plus holiday tips, saved nothing all year round, and could at most gather around twenty taels of silver, yet today they carried jewelry worth a hundred taels of gold and silver.

It simply didn’t add up.

The gatekeepers immediately reported the situation to the Second Madam.

The Second Madam smiled slightly, "These people were all managed by the First Madam, it’s better to let her decide."

Upon learning these actions, the First Madam was furious and her vision darkened.

Wasn’t this just falling into a trap?

Besides those caught moving money without success, there were those reported for hoarding a large amount of money and valuables, and those inserting relatives into the manor without the owner’s consent.

By the next day, only half a day had passed when more than fifty disorderly servants were identified.

In the evening, the Second Madam and the First Madam sat in the main hall again to interrogate these servants.

"Sister-in-law, with all the evidence, how they’re to be punished should be arranged by you." The Second Madam said apologetically, "I am frail. To interrogate one by one, I fear I cannot endure till the end."

Full of spirits during the search, but can’t bear the punishment?

Madam Baili sneered secretly, the second daughter-in-law was cunning! Was she tossing this hot potato into her hands?

With these fifty or so people, all brought into the house by her, now exposed with problems, she had no choice but to grit her teeth and punish them.

"Each will receive twenty lashes and be locked up! I will further arrange after reporting to the Old Madam!" Madam Baili came up with an idea, shouting at the kneeling servants.

All these people looked at her, hoping for leniency.

The First Madam remained cold-faced, saying nothing and left to find the Old Madam.

The Second Madam didn’t leave immediately; she leisurely finished a cup of tea before leaving the main hall.

Madam Baili reported the results to Old Madam Baili.

She initially thought, considering the New Year’s proximity and the large number of people, Old Madam would show mercy and let them go.

"Every one has been fined twenty lashes, and the money of unknown origin has all been confiscated. Old Madam, is it okay if..."

Old Madam Baili sneered, "Release them today, and tomorrow comes another batch. Can this manor have a peaceful year?"

"..."

"Brave enough to steal Erlang’s herbs, dare to take Xinxin’s bracelets! Even argue and slander guests. Our Baili Mansion has not faced such disgrace in generations!"

"..."

"If the Baili Mansion is not severely rectified, it might not survive a hundred years. In the future, after I’m gone, how will I face the ancestors underground?"

Old Madam Baili admonished with righteousness, and Madam Baili dared not retort a single word.