Dealing with Mrs. Thompson

The story of Cynthia Wu fainting from anger at May Parker quickly spread through the village.

But May Parker and her family's reputation was so bad that hardly anyone believed her words. Mrs. Thompson, however, was so excited by the gossip that she was practically bouncing with joy, happier than if she'd found money on the road.

"I think Cynthia Wu is nothing but a shameless flirt!" Mrs. Thompson leaned against the old locust tree at the edge of the village with a few gossiping women, gesturing animatedly as she spat out her words. "Cynthia Wu lost her mother young and followed her father around practicing medicine, showing her face everywhere. What kind of modest woman is that? She's obviously using the fact that she saved Howard Liu's life to climb up the social ladder! I heard that Howard Liu's family owns a thousand acres of good farmland and is loaded. Cynthia Wu saved such a rich young lord—do you think she'd let that chance slip by so easily?"

One of the women nearby was skeptical and said, "I think Cynthia Wu is pretty decent, not that kind of person at all. Besides, May Parker claimed Cynthia Wu gave Howard Liu a medicine pouch as a token of love, but that pouch is something the Wu family sells. I've bought some for my husband and son, and everyone has one. You can't really call it a love token, can you?"

"Exactly! If we're talking about love tokens, it should be something like a handkerchief or an embroidered pouch. Why would she give a medicine pouch her family sells? They only cost a penny each—hardly worth anything," someone chimed in.

"Oh, you just don't get it! That's called strategy! If Cynthia Wu gave him an embroidered pouch, it would be obvious she was chasing after Howard Liu. He's from a wealthy family and has seen plenty of flirts. Cynthia Wu gave a medicine pouch to show she's not materialistic, that she's different—just to catch his attention! Cynthia Wu is smart, you know. Remember when Mark Hunter was poor? She barely paid him any mind. When he became successful, that's when she married him. It's so obvious! How can you not see it? Honestly, you're all clueless." Mrs. Thompson put on an air of mystery as she analyzed the situation for the villagers—unaware that Lily Evans was already standing behind her, her face frosty.

"Mrs. Thompson, what are you gossiping about?" Lily Evans suddenly spoke up, startling Mrs. Thompson.

Mrs. Thompson turned to see Lily Evans and pouted, "How am I gossiping? I'm just chatting with everyone. Can't a person talk anymore?"

Lily Evans glared at Mrs. Thompson. "You can talk all you want, but why are you spreading nasty rumors about Cynthia Wu? That medicine pouch wasn't some token of love. Mark Hunter hesitated to propose before because he was poor, but he waited until he made something of himself before going to Cynthia Wu's family! How did it end up being Cynthia Wu chasing after Mark Hunter's money in your story?"

Mrs. Thompson huffed stubbornly, "You never really know what's in someone's heart. Who knows what Cynthia Wu really saw in Mark Hunter?"

Lily Evans, furious, raised her voice: "Cynthia Wu was knocked out cold by May Parker's perfumed sachet, and you still dare to slander her? If I catch you spreading rumors about her again, you'd better watch out!"

Mrs. Thompson, always brash, shot back, "What, you think you can hit me? Go ahead, if you've got the guts!"

"Hit you?" Lily Evans sneered, then slapped Mrs. Thompson hard across the face. "Looks like you've had it too easy for too long and forgotten your place! You're my servant—so what if I hit you? Even if I beat you to death, it's a household matter for the authorities! Mrs. Thompson, don't forget who you are. You dare defy me? You must be tired of living!"

Mrs. Thompson stiffened, wanting to retort, but then remembered she'd signed a servant contract with Lily Evans. Lily usually let her be, but if Lily really wanted to deal with her, she could crush her like an ant.