DDR 58

Chapter 58: Punishing Ruan momo

“Master, Master, this, this was really not this servant’s doing!” Née Zhao wanted to cry but she had no tears. She never would have thought that the medicine she got from the traveling doctor that was originally was supposed to be for treating pregnancy and make her produce more milk would turn out like this. Now it was really difficult for her to speak.

Could she really say that the medicine was for herself? But as a wet nurse, she casually took medicine without the consent of the Master. Furthermore it was this medicine. If she said that, she would be even worse off, right?

Née Zhao was very clear on the status of Shen Zihan in the Shen family. She wasn’t stupid. She knew that she couldn’t say she’d gone to a doctor to buy medicine without permission. What’s more, just now she had found some other excuse, and this medicine wasn’t really for her health. When she had bought the medicine, she’d gone out in secret because she was afraid to be seen by others. Now that she said it, she was afraid no one would believe it.

Née Zhao’s tears fell quickly. She wanted to call for help from Ruan momo, but Ruan momo’s words from just a bit ago reminded her not to make her actions too obvious. She could only cry over being wronged. “Master, this servant really doesn’t have the courage to do this. This servant doesn’t know what’s going on!” Now she could only pretend to be confused. Née Zhao hoped Ruan momo could save her!

“You don’t know? Now the evidence is right in front of us. You’ve acted out of line, and you want to harm the Madam, just to monopolize Hang’er. You are really cruel! Don’t forget your status. You are just Hang’er’s wet nurse. Now you’re unaware of your own position. Before you come up with another scheme, our Shen residence cannot allow you to remain here.” Whether or not née Zhao did it, Shen Wenhua couldn’t let her stay. Driving her out was also a way of expressing his heart to those hiding in the dark!

“Master, Master, don’t do it! Master!”

“Someone come! Strike née Zhao with twenty planks, and send out her entire family. The Shen residence doesn’t need such people with treacherous thoughts. Anyone who dares repeat her crime will definitely be severely punished!” This method was precisely for killing the chicken to warn the monkey. As he spoke, Shen Wenhua’s gaze swept over Ruan momo, startling her with his strange reaction.

“Master, spare my life, Master!” Twenty planks was not a small number. In the end she was just a woman. If she were really hit twenty times, then wouldn’t that put her in bed for several months? Née Zhao was fearful just thinking about it, so she pled with Shen Wenhua for leniency.

Shen Wenhua refused, so née Zhao turned to beg Ruan momo. “Ruan momo, please, this servant has suffered untold hardships to serve the young master! This servant received no credit but worked hard! This servant has been breastfeeding the young master for more than two months but you have worked hard to raise the young master. This servant has been doing her best! Ruan momo, please, I’m begging you to ask the Master to let me off!”

“Impudent! Since you’ve made a mistake, you must be punished! In these days in the Shen residence, we have never treated you unfairly. Taking care of the young master was originally your duty! Now you have made a big mistake, so it is proper to be punished. You’re still not shutting her up and taking her out to beat her with the plank, but rather letting her stay here and agitate the Master?” Looking at née Zhao’s appearance of being unable to endure, Ruan momo was afraid the other would speak out in desperation. Therefore, she had people shut née Zhao’s mouth.

However, Shen Wenhua didn’t allow it. “Don’t obstruct her mouth, just drag her out and strike her with the plank!” He seemed to be deliberately opposing Ruan momo. Shen Wenhua knew that née Zhao had no such courage. He certainly wouldn’t let it go.

“Yes, Master!”

“Master, Master, this servant has been wrongly accused! Everything that this servant did was directed by Ruan momo. This servant did something wrong, but it wasn’t a big mistake. This servant has never hurt anyone, it was Ruan momo, it was Ruan momo! She asked this servant to find ways to prevent the Madam from touching the young master. This servant has no power or influence, and no means, Master spare my life…” Née Zhao felt afraid upon seeing that Ruan momo would not help her. She said everything in desperation, and she hoped that Shen Wenhua would let her go due to not being the main culprit. “Master, this servant has something to say, this servant is willing to make amends!”

“What nonsense are you speaking? Someone come, stop her mouth quickly, don’t tell me you can let her babble like this?” Ruan momo never expected née Zhao to have such guts. Twenty planks had completely frightened her into confessing. She hastened to shout at née Zhao to stop her, and then gave her a meaningful warning glance. Ruan momo didn’t handle her business in a roundabout manner. “Master, this old servant saw that that one’s mouth was full of crazy and unfounded ravings, and framing others. The witnesses and physical evidence are here; she cannot refute it. Master, do not listen to her lies. She just wants Master to spare her, so she concocted these falsehoods, that’s all!” She was afraid Shen Wenhua would believe her, in which case wouldn’t all of her efforts over the last year have been in vain?

She had restrained her temper with great difficulty and pretended she did not mind anything, which won everyone’s trust and good will. She would not be easily destroyed!

“Master, this old servant is the Old Madam’s person. This old servant has followed the Old Madam for many years and has served the Old Madam conscientiously. She’s always valued ​​the Masters more than anything. How could this old servant really do this?” Ruan momo argued reasonably, contrasting with her status in the Shen residence, and also pointing out Shen Wenhua’s identity, but Shen Wenhua didn’t seem to buy it.

“Momo, don’t worry, let her talk. I want to see how she will wrongly accuse Ruan momo!”

Ruan momo‘s eyes looked a bit cold, and she abruptly felt an unease rise up within her, “Master…”

“All right, stop talking. Née Zhao, speak, in the end, what’s going on here?”

“Master, this servant, this servant was ordered by others, this servant is helpless…” Née Zhao was anxious and nervous, and her words were incoherent. However, she still managed to roughly outline the whole story. For example, when Ruan momo recruited her to be a wet nurse, she asked her to take good care of Shen Zihan, and to think of ways to make Shen Zihan rely on her, while not letting Dan Yuerong be intimate with him. Furthermore, after the first time Dan Yuerong carried the child into her room to take care of him herself, Ruan momo hinted at her. The more née Zhao said, the more he felt that his suspicion was justified.

“Master, how could this happen so coincidentally? As soon as the Madam starts taking care of the young master, she becomes ill? And from the beginning never seemed to get better? Ruan momo is in charge of everything in the inner residence, and it’s not difficult for her to change the medicine. This one hopes the Master will return this servant’s innocence! This servant, this servant is helpless, what this lowly servant thinks accounts for little, and has no choice but to be manipulated by others!” Née Zhao cried, her face aggrieved, and admitted her wrongs, “This servant knows that she has no face to stay in the Shen residence, but hopes that the Master will consider this servant exposing Ruan momo, and consider that this servant breastfed the young master for two months and put her heart into looking after him, and consider that this servant still has a six month old child, spare this servant! This servant’s family is poor and has many children. If this servant is really hit twenty times, this servant will be ruined for a lifetime! Master, I beg you, show mercy!”

Playing the family card at this moment, née Zhao really wasn’t foolish. She cried and sniveled very miserably. It seemed that if Shen Wenhua really punished her, her family would be unfortunate from now on. Some people who were looking on couldn’t bear to see it.

Indeed, if this née Zhao’s story were true, then not everything was her fault. In the end, she was still the mother of a child. Her body was also weak. If she were really to be beaten so many times, how could her family be all right? And if her family were also driven out by the Shen residence, who would dare hire any of them in the future?

Some of the people present couldn’t bear to see it. Ruan momo listened to née Zhao’s statement, and her face turned a little white. She really didn’t expect that this née Zhao could talk really well. In order to save herself, she dared speak out against her! She really didn’t attach any importance to Ruan momo’s words!

“Master, this née Zhao is just saying anything that comes to mind, she’s full of nonsense! Master cannot believe her! She must be punished severely to serve as a warning to others!” She had already hinted a warning at née Zhao, but she had not expected the other party to be so uninterested! In that case, she couldn’t be blamed!

“Master, what this servant said, there’s not even half a lie! This servant sees that Master is a good official, and hopes that Master can let this servant go, this servant really knows her wrongs.” It was impossible for her not to be afraid. Née Zhao also knew that Ruan momo had given her warnings and hints just now, and originally she didn’t plan to say anything. However, those twenty planks were no trivial matter. She didn’t want to end up disabled and sick for a lifetime. Now, she could only summon up the courage to speak, and maybe she could still seize the opportunity to live!

“Master, this née Zhao is too despicable, don’t be deceived by her, Master!” Seeing Shen Wenhua not talking, Ruan momo felt a growing uneasiness and could now only deny everything, otherwise all her previous efforts would have been in vain!

“Master, this servant does not dare to say any false words. If they are not true, this servant is willing to be struck by lightning!” This cruel oath was serious. As a believer in Buddhism, naturally she would not swear such an oath easily. If she broke it, then she would really be punished by the heavens in the future. That would certainly be miserable!

“Née Zhao, you…” Ruan momo didn’t expect that this née Zhao would fight with her back to the river.[1] She had even issued that oath, what else did she want to say? But Shen Wenhua already put a stop to it. “All right momo, I will come to my own conclusions. I don’t need you to teach me how to do it!” These words were to remind Ruan momo that she was overstepping her authority.

Ruan momo looked at Shen Wenhua’s ice cold expression, and knew that he believed née Zhao. She couldn’t help but lose a little confidence. “Master, this old servant…”

“I have not yet reached a decision, but Ruan momo, you remind me.” Seemingly unwilling to let Ruan momo speak again, Shen Wenhua looked at née Zhao. “Née Zhao, are you serious in what you’ve said?” Although it was already confirmed, Shen Wenhua still wanted to make sure again.

“Master, this servant does not dare deceive you! Hoping Master will pardon this servant!”

“Since you were incited by others, you are not the principal culprit, but you have an errant heart. Now these twenty planks will be replaced with five planks, letting you remember this lesson. In the future you must not harbor such thoughts again, and conduct yourself in an upright and honest manner. Do you accept?” Five planks was much better than twenty. Although it would still hurt, at least she wouldn’t face the threat of paralysis. In the end, relying on oneself when the time came would lead to the best conclusion.

Seeing that Shen Wenhua had spared her, née Zhao immediately rejoiced, “This servant accepts wholeheartedly! Thank you Master for sparing this life!”

“Very good, go receive your punishment, then take your family and leave the Shen residence. Considering you fed Hang’er, I will not pursue this matter any further. In the future, you are on your own!”

“Yes, yes, yes, thank you Master, thank you Master! This servant will certainly conduct herself well in the future, and never do these wicked things again!” This was already the best ending. Née Zhao did not expect that summoning the courage to accuse Ruan momo would result in this conclusion. Shen Wenhua did not delve into this matter, and she was much better off. Otherwise, when her reputation spread, who would dare to hire her?

At the time, it was like she had been possessed, being so easily persuaded by Ruan momo. Thinking about it now, she had really embarked on a path of no return. Receiving such an ending was just reaping what she’d sown.

Had she known earlier, she would have been a good wet nurse to the young master, and maybe the Madam and the young master would’ve been grateful to her in the future, and when the young master had grown up, she may have lived comfortably.

It’s just that it was too late to regret it now.

Née Zhao patted her clothes back into place and stood up. She looked at Ruan momo glaring at her, as if she wanted to tear her to shreds. Née Zhao knew that the degree to which she had offended Ruan momo was not little. But what was she afraid of? The Master was already not going to pursue it. This Ruan momo had made such a mistake. How could she fail to finish it?

Thinking about it this way, née Zhao was no longer afraid of Ruan momo. In any case, she was leaving now. She simply gave Ruan momo a look of ‘you should pray for blessings,’[2] and then went with jolting buttocks to receive her punishment.

Hmph! Since this person had abandoned her, why should she take the blame for her? She still had children to raise, she can’t just be schemed against like that!

Ruan momo really never expected that née Zhao, who had always behaved like a yes-man towards her, would dare to treat her like this. Her chest was full of anger, but at this moment there were still bigger problems waiting for her. Ruan momo didn’t have the time to bother with née Zhao. Without any other option, she knelt down with a straight back. “Asking Master for punishment!”

“Momo, what do you mean?” Ruan momo was no longer young, and she had previously also raised Shen Wenhua. Although she was a servant, but the Shen family was an influential literary family, where is such a person who does not know how to be grateful? What’s more, Ruan momo represented the Old Madam, and her position in the Shen residence was not ordinary. Today, Ruan momo‘s kneeling immediately made Shen Wenhua’s heart sink. “Are you trying to force me?”

“Master, this old servant doesn’t mean that, it’s just that Master listened to the words of née Zhao and so naturally believes it’s this old servant’s doing. This old servant is guilty, and hopes the Master will punish severely!” Retreating in order to advance. Ruan momo no longer came up with excuses. In any case, Shen Wenhua’s attitude was already as such, so Ruan momo knew it was useless to say more. Therefore she straightforwardly confessed her mistake. She knew that Shen Wenhua would not easily deal with her anyway.

In the end, she the Old Madam’s person, and she could also be considered half an elder. Unless Shen Wenhua wanted to mistreat others and have a reputation of being ungrateful, he would not dare to punish her!

Ruan momo, secure in the knowledge that she had strong backing, simply knelt down. Thinking clearly, if Shen Wenhua really disregarded Old Madam Shen this time, and punished her in spite of the fact she’d raised him when he was young, she still wasn’t afraid. In any case, even if she left, others would come, and perhaps Old Madam Shen would dislike Dan Yuerong even more because of this and use more tricks. Ruan momo believed Shen Wenhua was very clear on this point, so even if it was for Dan Yuerong, Shen Wenhua would not punish her severely!

How could Shen Wenhua not know how Ruan momo was thinking? Seeing Ruan momo kneeling there without a hint of guilt on her face, Shen Wenhua suddenly smiled. “Momo, I never thought about it before, but momo is actually so clever. Momo is now using more and more methods, and has now mastered ‘retreat in order to advance’? Do you really think I dare not apprehend you?” One had to admit that with Ruan momo so certain of her backing, Shen Wenhua was indeed afraid of the consequences, including the consequences for Dan Yuerong. What’s more, Ruan momo was Old Madam Shen’s person. As a son, it would really not be good for him to punish excessively, else others would say he was unfilial.

“This old servant doesn’t understand what Master is talking about. This old servant is now admitting her mistake, hoping Master will punish severely. This was all due to this old servant’s negligence. This old servant never would have thought née Zhao was such a person!” Although she was admitting her error, Ruan momo’s manner of speaking implied she had done nothing herself, but instead it was all done by née Zhao’s hand. As Shen Wenhua listened, his expression grew colder. “Momo, don’t think I dare not punish you. Since you have made a mistake and still feel so secure, do you even see me as the Master?”

“This old servant didn’t! This old servant is aware of her status, so please, asking the Master to punish severely!” Severe punishment? She would like to see if he would really punish her for a woman?

Could he easily disregard the mother and child relationship?[3] Disregard his own reputation? Hehe, think she would be scared? She’d eaten more salt and drunk more water than anyone present. Who was scared?

“Good, since you want to be punished, I will fulfill your wishes! Ruan momo, I have always respected you, so I let you support the Madam and manage the house. But now that this thing has happened, you’ve really disappointed me. Since you think you’ve managed the house poorly, from now on, you can take a good rest in your room. In the future, you don’t need to manage these things. Now that you are older and your health is not as good, you can look after your health now.”

Taking away Ruan momo’s authority and putting her under house arrest, how could Ruan momo be willing? “Master, does the Old Madam know you’re punishing this old servant like this?” She really did not anticipate Shen Wenhua taking this step. Ruan momo’s complexion changed. Just now she had felt secure, but now she was a little worried.

“Mother sent you here to look after the Madam. If your attending her harms her, I will punish you. It may be assumed Mother would also have no objection!”

“Then does the Master also want to send this old servant to the countryside to recuperate?” She sneered. She knew about the matters of the previous servants. Was it her turn now?

“Momo knows your health isn’t good, so it’s best to recuperate in your room. Rest assured, I will have someone take good care of you. You don’t have to worry about other things.”

“Master, would the Old Madam agree to you doing this?”

“Right here and right now, I am the master, and my mother would have no complaints. You have made a big mistake. Punishing you this way is already light, and momo, I hope you will behave. Don’t forget, this is Jiangnan, not the capital. I’m also not Mother!” His tone was firm and cold. Shen Wenhua looked at Ruan momo, his eyes filled with warning. Ruan momo looked at that expression and knew that this time, Shen Wenhua was afraid of hiding this matter. The sky was high and the emperor was far away.[4] Old Madam Shen wanted to control this place. Now that her power was taken and she’d been placed under house arrest, that would be impossible!

Unfortunately, Shen Wenhua was now determined, and she feared her situation could not now be easily changed. Ruan momo immediately urged, “Master, this old servant is in good shape, no need to rest!”

 “What are you saying, momo? This time it must be the case that your mind is not well, otherwise, how could momo behave so disgracefully in this matter?”

“Master…” Indeed, if Shen Wenhua really wanted to investigate this matter, even if she was the Old Madam’s right hand, she would not be able to avoid this easily. In the end, she was just a servant, and the person in front of her was the Old Madam’s biological son. Although the Old Madam was a bit biased, she would not fall out with her son because of this matter. So if she continued to insist, she’d be the one to suffer losses. Nevertheless, she…

Thinking about how née Zhao was originally to be hit twenty times, Ruan momo also now knew fear. She was no longer young, and née Zhao was also afraid of the beating. How could she not be afraid?

After thinking about it, Ruan momo didn’t continue resisting. Shen Wenhua saw this and was satisfied immediately. “Okay, send momo back to rest. Look after her well. If anything happens to momo, you’ll receive fifty planks, understand?” In this way, Ruan momo would be closely monitored. Even if she wanted to send word to Old Madam Shen, it would be impossible.

In this way, it would be a long time. Even if she waited until returning to the capital, it would be a long time after the matter had passed. How would one come back to investigate then?

The more Ruan momo thought about it, the more she felt that Shen Wenhua was not simple. He not only restricted her, but also suppressed her. If she wanted to do something in the future, it would be impossible.

“Yes, these servants understand!”

“Momo, I hope you behave yourself! For today’s matter, momo should know what is best for yourself!”

“This old servant naturally knows!” Originally, she still had some confidence, but now Shen Wenhua had come out with it, Ruan momo no longer had any more methods. Now, she could only pretend not to know about what happened. Otherwise, she would be the one who suffered!

“It’s good that momo knows. Momo should take care to recuperate in the future. Don’t worry, momo, there’s no way I will treat you unfairly. After all, momo once raised me, isn’t that so?” He smiled, but why did Ruan momo feel that Shen Wenhua’s smile made one panic? Thinking about the days ahead under house arrest, Ruan momo immediately sighed in her heart.

Old Madam, in the end, was sending this old servant right or wrong? Now the Master doesn’t even care about your face, how can the future be good?

Taking a deep look at Shen Wenhua, Ruan momo really didn’t understand why Shen Wenhua drew a line here like this because of a woman. She wanted to ask, but in the end she chose not to. In this confrontation, she’d lost completely, as did the Old Madam. Now the Master was completely on the Madam’s side. When the Old Madam acted again in the future, she feared it would affect the mother-child relationship.

She sighed. Ruan momo could basically foresee the days to come. But maybe this was not a bad thing?

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Ruan momo had now essentially lost all her power and authority. Not only was her power to manage the household revoked, even her freedom had been restricted. Shen Wenhua was also greatly determined this time. Old Madam Shen’s behavior this time really chilled him. Now, Shen Wenhua could only dearly love his wife.

However, this matter was tightly sealed up by Shen Wenhua. The last time he had sent those people to the countryside, the result was the arrival of Ruan momo. If Old Madam Shen were to know of this mater, one didn’t know who would she send next?

Shen Wenhua believed that Ruan momo was an intelligent person, and knew what to do and what not to do. After beating Ruan momo a bit, Ruan momo could be regarded as well-behaved, making no unnecessary actions. Shen Wenhua was relieved.

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When Dan Yuerong came to know of this matter afterwards, she couldn’t help but sigh, and her face revealed a touch of worry. “Wenhua, you acting like this, won’t Mother blame me more? We’re about to celebrate the New Year. When we return, won’t Mother punish me for it?”

“No she won’t. Right now Hang’er is still young, so we will not go back. Ruan momo also will not speak of this; she will let it rot in her stomach,[5] you can rest assured! “

“But Ruan momo is Mother’s confidant. How could it be? “

“Even if she is Mother’s confidant, but the person who is the master of the family is me. Moreover, this matter is greatly related to her. She won’t dare to speak of it unless she no longer wants to live.”

“Wenhua, really?” If it was so, she could be more at ease.

“This time I’ve fully prepared. I won’t let you be wronged anymore, rest assured. I have already dealt with Ruan momo. She understands what is in her best interests!”

“That’s good. Wenhua, it’s always me that causes you trouble and makes things difficult for you, I’m sorry!” Dan Yuerong knew that Mother Shen didn’t like her, but she never thought that she would treat her like this!

Could it be she hated her to such a degree?

“Silly, you are my wife. If I don’t protect you, who will protect you? At that time I made an oath in front of my master. How can I destroy my vow?”

“Wenhua…” She felt so touched. With a husband like this, how could she ask for another?

“All right, now that this matter has been dealt with, the most important thing for you right now is to improve your health. If you still want to look after Hang’er later and you get tired again, I won’t allow you to look after him!”

“Wenhua, are you telling the truth? You promise?” She didn’t expect that Shen Wenhua would suddenly agree. Dan Yuerong was so happy she didn’t know what to say.

“Will it be ok if I don’t promise? I know Hang’er’s position in your heart, how can I let you be sad?” In fact, Shen Wenhua didn’t tell her everything. Shen Wenhua had learned about what Ruan momo did, and also thought about Mother Shen’s possible actions. That’s why he promised Dan Yuerong she could raise the child personally, otherwise when the time came…

Ai, Mother, why do you want to make things difficult for me?

Dan Yuerong didn’t think about it too much, other than that she would be able to personally raise her child. She was very happy, and she was talking and laughing with Shen Wenhua. Because of this matter, the affection between the couple increased.

If Old Madam Shen knew that not only did she fail to drive a wedge between her son and daughter-in-law, but instead made the two of them even closer while pushing her son farther and farther away from her, how could she not regret?

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Translator’s Notes

[1] Fight to win or die.

[2] From the Book of Songs, meaning you will achieve more happiness asking yourself for help than asking others (sort of like, ‘God helps those who help themselves’), but it can also be said ironically (like, ‘you’re on your own, buddy’).

[3] I believe she’s referring to Master Shen and Old Madam Shen, not Dan Yuerong and Hang’er.

[4] Remote places are beyond the reach of the central government, or in this case, Old Madam Shen.

[5] Meaning, she’ll never tell anyone.

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I felt like I was translating the same sentence over and over again this chapter (⊙_☉)
Anyway, next chapter we return to focus on Shen Jingshu, and the ML will be making an appearance soon!