Chapter 125: The Slap

Chu Bing tidied herself up, changed into clean clothes, and immediately went to Li Mohan’s courtyard. Before she even got close, she heard a soft, plaintive crying.

“Tsk.” Chu Bing rubbed her arm, quickly guessing what was happening inside the courtyard—it had to be Xiao Tao running to Li Mohan to tattle!

She stealthily approached and stood at the gate, taking in the scene within the courtyard.

Li Mohan stood in the center, surrounded by a circle of kneeling maidservants and elderly women. At his feet knelt Xiao Tao, prostrated and weeping bitterly, her tears flowing like rain. “Young Master, just yesterday you said I was your chief maid in this courtyard. But this morning, when I saw that little maid you brought sleeping in the room and refusing to work, I couldn’t help but say a few words to her. Who knew she slapped me? Young Master, you must stand up for me!”

The high-pitched crying sent a shiver down Chu Bing’s spine. Did all these ancient girls really speak in such shrill tones?

But when had she slapped her? She only pushed her lightly.

Just then, Xiao Tao raised her head, revealing a pale face marked by a bright red slap print—looking quite pitiful, in fact.

“Such a scheming wench—hitting herself to frame me!” Chu Bing rolled up her sleeves, ready to confront her.

The system watching quietly grew curious. “How do you know she hit herself? Couldn’t it have been someone else?”

Chu Bing snorted coldly. “Look at the slap mark on her face—it’s from a careless hand. When someone slaps properly, the thumb faces the face. Hers points toward the neck!”

Did she really think others were blind?

Then again, perhaps living in the manor without much worldly experience made her extraordinarily foolish.

“Young Master…”

“Calling for help?” Chu Bing lifted her foot and strode forward.

At his voice, Xiao Tao trembled, inching closer to Li Mohan.

A trace of disgust flickered in Li Mohan’s eyes as he silently stepped back a few paces.

Old Zhao, standing behind him, caught the subtle movement and couldn’t help but smile briefly before suppressing it.

“Don’t come any closer!” Xiao Tao pushed herself backward with her hands.

Chu Bing grinned fiercely and advanced. Just as Xiao Tao braced for an attack, Chu Bing suddenly turned around and bowed gracefully to Li Mohan, even mimicking her shrill soft voice. “Good morning, Young Master.”

Li Mohan gave her a strange look.

Chu Bing continued in the same shrill tone, “I did not slap her. It was she who disturbed my peaceful sleep early this morning and even insulted me outright. I simply couldn't bear it...”

“Enough.” Li Mohan rubbed his forehead. “Stop this nonsense.”

He reached out to grab Chu Bing, but she dodged skillfully, turning to look down at Xiao Tao.

Xiao Tao realized Chu Bing had been mocking her moments ago. Her anger still fresh, she suddenly caught Chu Bing’s gaze and froze.

Chu Bing slowly crouched and pressed a finger to Xiao Tao’s cheek. “This slap… did I give it?”

“Of, of course you did!” Xiao Tao’s eyes darted nervously, trying to keep calm. “Who else but you? You bully me just because you are close to the Young Master!”

She suddenly turned to Li Mohan, tears blurring her vision as she cried, “Young Master! I am a maidservant sent by the master himself to serve you. I truly only want what’s best for you…”

Such acting. Chu Bing was impressed.

She shook her head helplessly. “Sister Xiao Tao, when you lie, could you at least use some sense? How would my hand have to be shaped to leave this mark? If you don’t believe me, I’ll give you another slap and we can compare.”

Before Xiao Tao could react, Chu Bing slapped the other side of her face. Two red handprints glowed side by side, accentuating Xiao Tao’s stunned expression, making the scene almost comical.

Rubbing her aching wrist, Chu Bing straightened, looking down coldly. “If you want to slander me, at least make sure you have the brains for it.”

She snorted and turned toward Li Mohan.

Li Mohan’s gaze just lifted from her hand.

“Young Master, she is slandering me. You must do me justice.” Chu Bing smiled slyly at him.

She had only wanted to quietly serve as a maid beside Li Mohan, but now that they had pushed her too far, she wasn’t willing to endure any longer.

Li Mohan’s lips curled faintly as he turned to the kneeling Xiao Tao, his gaze icy. He spoke to the guards beside him, “Take her away.”

“No, Young Master, you can’t do this to me—I belong to the master…”

Xiao Tao’s eyes widened in terror, but no matter how she struggled, she was no match for the guards and was dragged away.

The other maidservants in the courtyard bowed discreetly and quickly left, leaving only Chu Bing, Li Mohan, and Old Zhao.

“Miss Red Sleeve, you were so fierce just now!” After everyone left, Old Zhao clapped his hands, grinning at Chu Bing.

Though he had once suspected Chu Bing's intentions, compared to the openly ambitious Xiao Tao, it was clear Chu Bing was far more likable.

Chu Bing snorted. “I get it now. You deliberately sent me over to handle this Xiao Tao, didn’t you?”

A bad mood from Li Mohan? Chu Bing thought he was perfectly fine!

Old Zhao chuckled. “Xiao Tao was sent by the master. If the Young Master dealt with her personally, the master might suspect resentment. But since you stepped in, it’s just two maids quarreling, and the Young Master values his own maid more anyway.”

Would the master really care which maid Li Mohan favored?

“So this morning’s scene was staged too?” Chu Bing narrowed her eyes, looking at Old Zhao dangerously. Was he the mastermind behind this?

Old Zhao looked up innocently and hurried inside. “Young Master, I suddenly remembered some matters to attend to. I’ll leave you to talk with Miss Red Sleeve.”

Chu Bing clenched her fist with a fierce smile.

“All right.” Li Mohan caught her fist gently, his voice tinged with a faint smile. “Thank you.”

“Huh?” Chu Bing was stunned.

Li Mohan was thanking her!

She opened her mouth wide, then quickly waved her hand, “No need to thank me. It’s what I should do.”

Scratching her head, Chu Bing smiled brightly, feeling unexpectedly pleased.

Li Mohan shook his head lightly, a trace of helpless fondness in his eyes. “But this matter may attract my father’s attention. Are you ready?”

He had not wanted Chu Bing to be seen by everyone, but after Old Zhao’s push, Chu Bing was likely already known by his father.