After being reborn, I stole the female lead's cheat ability and raised the empress.

Chapter 5 Bribery

Ah Li couldn't help but sigh, no wonder she could become the head nanny, her methods and efficiency were quite good.

She pushed open the door and saw six people kneeling in the courtyard. Granny Cui was standing to one side with several servants, and a group of servants were watching the commotion in the distance.

Ah Li knew perfectly well what was going on, but pretended not to know anything and asked, "Granny Cui, what have they done wrong? Why are they causing trouble here?"

Granny Cui put on a show of politeness: "I am grateful for your trust, Miss, in entrusting me with all the affairs of the estate. However, this matter is too great, and I have no choice but to trouble you."

That cunning woman! Everyone knows she doesn't usually get involved.

However, it wasn't because she trusted Granny Cui, but because the original Ali had no power, so she simply stopped caring.

The old woman simply brushed it off with a casual remark.

Ah Li hummed inwardly, but now was not the time to dwell on such things.

This would also be a good opportunity to establish authority.

So Ali immediately adopted the air of someone in charge, squinting as she looked everyone in the courtyard and asked:

"Oh? What exactly happened?"

So Granny Cui recounted what had happened: "Just now, Miss said she wanted to eat bird's nest. I went out and saw no one in the front yard, so I thought I'd go get it myself. But on my way to the kitchen, I bumped into these maids hiding things. And when I looked, they were all Miss's valuable jewelry. A huge amount! These traitors! Bah! Shameless, lowly things! How dare you take your mistress's things as you please?"

After saying that, he cursed a few more times to show his loyalty to Ali.

When Ali saw that the box contained almost all of her jewelry, she smiled sarcastically: "Heh, what a bunch of traitors, they don't even know who their master is."

She glanced sideways at the box of jewelry and at Granny Cui, who was holding the box.

Well, you little rascal, Granny Cui, I never expected you to be the biggest thief!

I'll deal with you properly when I have the chance.

Ah Li finally realized that she hadn't come to borrow jewelry from her before.

The origin of these items is self-evident; the fact that someone could produce so much jewelry without hesitation suggests that they must have even more valuable pieces hidden away.

Moreover, Cui Mama's words implied that she was using her own name to subtly assert her authority over her master.

A-Li asked calmly, "Granny Cui, how should we deal with the person who stole the master's jewelry?"

Granny Cui was startled, feeling as if the young lady was talking about her. No, that couldn't be. The young lady never cared about gold and silver; she would only think that these servants had stolen the things.

Thinking this through, Granny Cui forced herself to say, "These shameless servants have stolen too much; they should be severely punished. This old servant thinks they should each be given a cup of poisoned wine as a warning to others!"

Stealing isn't a capital offense, but since they belong to the Second Miss, they have no choice but to die.

Oh? This old woman is indeed ruthless.

However, Ali had her own plans, so she said, "What Granny Cui said is very true, but I am kind-hearted, so please spare me from execution."

Granny Cui was shocked and immediately objected: "Young Miss, no! These people deserve to die!"

"Granny, please calm down. Although the death penalty has been waived, I still need to punish these people as a warning to others."

Granny Cui was still somewhat uneasy, but Ali gave her a reassuring look.

He then said, "You may escape the death penalty, but you can't escape punishment. Let's give each of you thirty strokes of the cane, then throw you into the woodshed in the backyard. Whether you live or die depends on your fate."

Before Granny Cui could say anything more, Ali said in an unfriendly tone, "Granny, don't forget who you are."

Granny Cui was startled. She was so used to being domineering that she almost forgot she was just a servant.

She quickly retreated behind the young lady and bowed low.

Ali looked at the onlookers and beckoned them to come closer.

But those people looked at each other, unwilling to step forward and risk trouble at this moment.

Only a few people came forward.

Ali touched her nose: ...Is she really that fierce?

Alright, Ali carefully examined the few people who had come in front of her.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, these will all be her personal guards.

So Ali instructed Granny Cui to distribute the jewelry to them.

Granny Cui exclaimed in surprise, "Young Miss, this..."

Ali waved her hand: "I don't want the things that others have used, so I'll give them to them. Of course, the rest are all yours, Granny."

Granny Cui then distributed the portions to these people, but at first none of them dared to accept them.

Ali said, "Take them, this is a reward for you."

Granny Cui was envious, but she still shouted, "Do you think you can disobey the master's orders?"

She was furious. To get those people sentenced to death, she had brought out the most valuable treasures she had collected over the past year.

These people got a free ride.

The person who stepped forward happily accepted the gift, while the others envied and regretted not having stepped forward.

Any one of those pieces of jewelry could be worth several years' worth of their wages!

Ali glanced at the entire audience and said, "Remember who your master is! What is mine, I am willing to give to you, and it is yours."

But I refuse to give it away, and none of you are allowed to covet it! Anyone who disobeys will be given thirty lashes and expelled from the compound!

In wealthy households, maids were all registered, and the reasons for their dismissal were recorded.

Other families wouldn't want a maid with such a dirty hand; they might even take the opportunity to torment her.

Not to mention the various pointing fingers and whispering.

It's fair to say that being driven away is worse than being beaten to death.

In that instant, everyone inside and outside the courtyard changed their view of Ali. Everyone knelt down and said in unison, "Yes! Young Miss."

Ali nodded, clearly satisfied with their reaction. "Alright, everyone go do your own thing."

Looking at the four girls and two boys in front of her, she smiled and asked, "What are your names?"

"Servant, little table."

Ali frowned, and the more she listened, the more her brows furrowed.

"Servant's stool."

"This servant is Pan'er."

"This servant is Die'er."

"This servant has a bowl."

"This servant is Kuai'er."

She asked, puzzled, "Why are they all such common names?"

Granny Cui stepped forward and explained, "They were unwilling to serve the Second Miss. Perhaps the Second Miss was sitting in the pavilion eating fruit at that time, so she gave them this name and made things difficult for them in various ways. In the end, she sent them to the other courtyard."

So that's how it is. It seems these people are indeed good and loyal.

She sat up straight and looked at the group: "Are you willing to follow me?"

While everyone was still confused, she continued, "I will be loyal to you to the death, and I won't even listen to my parents."

Even Granny Cui was stunned: Was the young lady going to... rebel?