My younger sister insisted on marrying me and made me the Marquis' wife.

Chapter 554 A small favor
Hong Mian continued, "Everyone knows that I am capable. Even if Sister Hongye hadn't introduced me, how could Madam not have seen me? Sister Hongye has been very kind to me, but this is only a small favor. Although a drop of kindness should be repaid with a spring, I don't think it's worth repaying it with my marriage."

Hongye's face became even uglier. Hongmian's words were tantamount to saying that she would demand repayment for any small favors she had done her, and would turn against her if she didn't get what she wanted.

Qin Yuan thought about it and said, "Although this is the truth, it is not what you say, and it is not what you do."

Hongmian remained silent.

Qin Yuan said slowly, "Hongye and Gu Shiliu have already gone halfway through this. Others don't know this, but you do. Although Hongye has done you some small favors, it's not worth it for you to repay her with marriage, but why do people look down on you? Is it just because you offended Hongye? Why don't you think about it carefully?"

Hongmian lowered her head and remained silent.

Cui Ming said, "It's obvious that Hongye and Gu Shiliu have feelings for each other, and the masters have all agreed that they were just waiting for the right time to get married, but you suddenly cut off the fire. Not only did you receive the favor from others, but you also wanted to snatch their marriage away. You also said that you are able to endure others and don't need their little favors. It's not worth using your own marriage to do favors. When we meet someone like you, we despise you very much. It's only because Madam is kind that she broke down the truth for you. If it were someone else, they would have slapped you in the face and taught you a lesson."

After hearing this, Hongmian secretly rolled her eyes, raised her head and said to Qin Yuan, "Madam, you have also heard that Cuiming is speaking up for Hongye. If I work for Cuiming, I will definitely not be able to get any good results. I am afraid that I will not be able to serve the master in the future. The master is in a position to use people, so why should I be dismissed for such a thing? Although I have a thousand faults, I have never made any mistakes in doing things, and my loyalty to the master has never been lacking. I am anxious about the master's worries and think about what the master thinks, so I deserve the word loyalty."

Qin Yuan didn't say anything, just looked at Hongmian without saying anything.

Hongye opened her mouth, but couldn't say anything.

Hongmian mustered up her courage and continued, "If I go to work under Sister Cuiming and am excluded and tortured, everyone will know in the future that they should follow their lead and not dare to offend them in the slightest. Over time, the two of them will have everything under their control. If they don't have any selfish motives, it's fine. But if they do, even if the master is wise, what's the difference between her and others if she only listens to one side? I admire the master's ability and hope to work under her for a long time, but I don't want to be inferior to others. Although it may seem a bit ungrateful to others, ask yourself, which capable person is willing to be subordinate to mediocre people and be controlled by small favors?"

The room was quiet for a while.

Hongye spoke slowly: "It turns out that I was wrong. I showed you some small favors, and I used them to force you to repay me... It's not wrong to say that you are an ungrateful person."

Hong Mian retorted, "I have received your kindness, so I will naturally repay you in other ways. But if I am a worthless person, and you give me a chance but I cannot hold on, then naturally you will not give me another chance. Do you think that you give me one chance and that I should give in to you in everything? If you don't give in once, then I am an ungrateful person? Gu Shiliu is a man of outstanding character. Both of our families are children of the family. I have had feelings for him for a long time. Do I have to give up for you? Other things are fine, but not this."

"You, you, you!" Hongye was very angry, but couldn't say anything to refute. Cuiming said, "They have already fallen in love with each other, what's the point of you interfering?"

Hongmian stiffened her neck and said, "Marriage is decided by parents and matchmakers. I asked my parents to make the decision and the two families decided on the marriage. I never used any mean tricks, nor did I interfere, spread rumors, or alienate you two."

In this way, she is upright.

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "I say you have insight, but you are a bit of a traitor. They have already passed by the master and are waiting to discuss marriage, but you have interfered and created many complications. If I let you succeed, wouldn't it be like you snatched the husband from Hongye, how can Hongye not hate you? Not to mention whether Hongye has done you a favor, just saying that both of you are maids in my garden is very inappropriate. Who would not say you are unkind and unrighteous if they know about it?"

Hongmian lowered her head and said nothing.

There is nothing to argue about this.

Qin Yuan continued, "You are still young, and you think that even if I do something dishonest just this once, you still want to get the person you like. You are smart and clever, and as long as the matter is settled, you are not afraid that Gu Shiliu will not live a good life in the future. But have you ever thought that Gu Shiliu is such an easy person to control? If he is controlled by you, it's fine. If he refuses to be controlled by you, you can only stir up trouble in his family, making everyone unhappy and no one can live a good life. Why do you want to do such a thing that will only lose more than you gain? You think Gu Shiliu is a good person and only you like him. Have you thought of such means? Why don't others do it, but you do it alone? If you can't figure it out for a day, just work in the sewing room for a day. I also listened to your other words, which were from the heart."

Hongmian shed tears, stood up and bowed, trying hard to hold back her sobs, she said, "I have taken note of what Madam said."

Cuiming took her to the sewing room. They were silent all the way. When they saw that they were almost there, Cuiming said, "Don't worry. I just couldn't bear to see you bullying Hongye, so I gave you a little punishment. If you have the ability to gain a foothold in the sewing room, I won't cover up everything. Hongye and I are both personal maids of the Madam. We promised to accompany each other through life and death. Don't waste your time trying to alienate and instigate us. You should show your ability first, and then people will use you well. Don't waste your time on these things. You are like a troublemaker and you are not worth looking down on."

Hong Mian thought for a while before replying, "I will remember Hong Ye's kindness to me, and I will repay you one day. But as for Gu Shiliu, it all depends on our own ability."

Cui Ming sneered several times and said, "Madam is right. Although you are smart, you are doing things that hurt others and yourself. You only focus on the tip of your nose. You should know that in addition to the word "smart", there is also the word "reason". I don't want to say more about other things. You should think about it carefully in the sewing room. When you figure it out, we can talk about it."

Hongmian didn't say anything. Cuiming knew that she didn't hear her, but she didn't want to say another word to her. She led her directly into the sewing room and told Mama Li and Mama Lu to take good care of Hongmian.