Lady Zhang froze for a moment and asked, "Madam Situ is here?"

She deliberately ignored Lin Kong, perhaps because her first impression of him was poor, and she couldn’t bring herself to like him. Although the Fourth Prince’s earlier words made her regret a bit, at this point, regret was useless. In her heart, she automatically attributed all of Celestial Master Zhang’s misfortunes to Lin Kong. If it wasn’t for his arrival in the Capital, many unfortunate things wouldn’t have happened to the Old Master. Ultimately, it was all Lin Kong, this jinx’s fault.

The steward nodded, "Yes, madam."

Lady Zhang was displeased and said, "Oh dear, Madam Situ is a distinguished guest. Now that she’s here, why report it only now?"

The steward felt rather exasperated. He had told her long ago, but she refused to listen. How could she blame him now? He pitifully said, "I did mention it, madam wouldn’t listen."

Lady Zhang furrowed her delicate brows and said, "What’s the matter? A few words and you’re upset."

The steward stood properly beside her, head lowered, and said softly, "I wouldn’t dare."

Ever since he betrayed the madam, his days at the Celestial Master’s Mansion were walking on thin ice. Seeing the madam was like a mouse seeing a cat; he dared not speak loudly, walked hunched over, his heart filled with grievance. However, his monthly silver was plentiful, so he was reluctant to leave.

The maid glared at him and said, "If you can slander the madam, what don’t you dare to do?"

Bringing up this matter made the steward furious. He couldn’t understand why, without any animosity, the maid would frame him.

Steward: "You...!"

The maid, emboldened by Lady Zhang’s presence, said loudly, "You what? Isn’t it true? Last time, you even accused the Doctor of having relations with the madam. You are so wicked, daring to slander even the Master."

Lady Zhang glared at the steward and turned to leave. This evil servant, if it weren’t for the Old Master stopping her, would have been long kicked out.

Seeing the madam walk away, the steward hurriedly stretched out his hand, grabbing the maid’s arm, and asked fiercely, "Why are you framing me? What good does it do you?"

The maid struggled continuously, "Let go of me quickly. I need to catch up with the madam."

The steward held on tightly, "You won’t leave until you explain everything today."

Wrongly accused and not knowing the reason why, the steward felt very aggrieved.

No matter how she tried, the maid couldn’t break free from the steward’s grip. In a fit of anger, she blurted out, "I just don’t want you to be the steward anymore. So what."

The steward said angrily, "Why? I bear no grudge against you, why harm me like this?"

Held tightly by the steward, the maid couldn’t escape. With a hardened resolve, she said, "The madam promised me that as long as you are gone, she’ll make my fiancé the steward."

Like a bolt from the blue, the steward froze, "What? What did you say? Is everything you’ve done instructed by the madam?"

The maid forcefully pulled back, looking at her reddened wrist from being pinched, said angrily, "Of course. Think about it, I’m just a maid. Without a Master’s backing, how would I dare to slander you, a steward?"

The steward couldn’t believe his ears and asked, "Why would the madam do this? If she didn’t want me to be the steward, she could simply dismiss me from the mansion."

The maid sneered and said, "Do you think the madam didn’t want to? She’s wanted to kick you out for a long time, but Honorable Celestial Master wouldn’t allow it. The madam had no choice but to come up with this plan."

Understanding the truth, the steward’s face turned pale, and he quickly asked, "Was the matter with the Doctor arranged by the madam too?"