Chapter 503 I'm Here to Collect Interest

Shen Wantang looked at the maids kneeling at her feet, her tone softening, but her words were still as sharp as knives, sending chills down one's spine: "Since the Princess Consort finds you useless, then I can't keep you even if I wanted to. The Princess Consort has always been considerate of her servants. If even she wants to sell you, then it means you should be sold. Our Prince's Mansion doesn't need people who are neither useful nor obedient."

"Granny, let's sell these girls as the Princess wishes! If our palace can't discipline them, the slave traders outside will surely have a way."

The maids turned pale upon hearing this. They were used to the good life in the Prince Ning's mansion. If they were sold to slave traders, how could they survive?

They immediately burst into tears and kowtowed, begging for mercy. Some even crawled to Qin Xin's feet, pleading with her to say a few kind words for them.

Qin Xin, annoyed, kicked the person away: "Now you know to beg your aunt? You know my words carry weight with the Crown Prince's wife? Too late!"

"When you were cursing me before, why didn't you think about the fact that I'm the Crown Princess's person? How could you not give the Crown Princess any face at all?"

"Does she think she can rise to prominence just by clinging to Huayi's coattails? Does she think she can look down on everyone? Who does she think she is? She's not even worthy to carry the Crown Princess's shoes!"

"Hmph, how dare you not even put the Crown Princess in your eyes? You're so shallow! I'll make you all pay!"

For the past two weeks, Qin Xin and the others in Wutong Garden have suffered a lot from these maids. They even made sarcastic remarks, saying that Shen Wantang was a barren hen, occupying the position of the Crown Prince's wife but unable to have a child, and was far inferior to Huayi.

Qin Xin dared not repeat these words in front of Shen Wantang, lest she upset her again.

The confidence of these maids did not come solely from Huayi, the so-called concubine. More importantly, they were actually the princess's people, which is why they did not take Shen Wantang seriously.

Now, the princess has abandoned them, and Huayi, the concubine, is finished. They are going to be sold off. It's truly gratifying!

Shen Wantang naturally knew that Qin Xin had actually suffered a lot of anger, so he let her vent her anger for the time being. Only after she had vented did he ask Granny Chai to take them away.

Besides the maids, the two nannies who served Huayi were also taken away.

Because Huayi's child died young, the princess took her anger out on everyone in her courtyard.

Shen Wantang could have protected them, but she didn't want to protect any of them. They weren't her people to begin with, so kicking them out of the manor was the best option.

Everyone was taken away. Shen Wantang lifted her foot and went into the inner room.

In broad daylight, the inner room was cold and dark, with only Huayi's pale face being glaringly obvious.

"Princess Consort, have you come here to see Hua Yi make a fool of himself?"

Shen Wantang's tone was indifferent: "She's just a maid, is she worth me coming to laugh at?"

"Since the Crown Princess doesn't think much of Huayi, what is she here for?"

"I'm here to collect interest."

"What interest? I don't remember owing the Crown Princess any money."

"It's not the interest on silver, it's the interest on human lives."

"Human life? What human life? What do you mean by that, Princess Consort?"

"It's nothing. Just now, I sold off all the maids and nannies who served you. Of course, this was all at the Princess's request. If you have any complaints, just go to her. However, you just gave birth, and your condition doesn't seem to be very good. It's not good if you're not alone. I'll assign one of my maids to you for now!"

As Shen Wantang spoke, she called out the name of a maid: "Liu Xu, come here and greet the young master's concubine. From now on, you will be the one to serve the concubine."

Liu Xu stepped forward silently: "This servant greets Consort. I am clumsy, please do not find me unworthy."

Hua Yi recognized Liu Xu's voice, but when she looked up after Liu Xu finished speaking, she froze the moment she saw Liu Xu's face!

She exclaimed, "No, you're not willow catkins! You're a cicada!"

Liu Xu suddenly smiled at her: "Your memory is so good, Consort! You still remember me! But since Chun Die died, I was given a new name by the Crown Prince's wife, and my name is now Liu Xu. Please don't call me by the wrong name, Consort, or people will easily think of that silly girl Chun Die again. By the way, with such a good memory, Consort, do you still remember how Chun Die died?"

Hua Yi's already pale face turned even paler. She looked at Shen Wantang in horror, her voice trembling: "Are you here to avenge that Chun Die?"

Shen Wantang's expression was cold: "Huayi, you admit that you killed Chundie? When Xiao Qingyuan was alive, you pretended to be innocent."

Hua Yi gritted her teeth and said, "I didn't kill Chun Die, Princess Consort, you've misunderstood! However, I would like to ask you, Princess Consort, what is Chun Die to you? Why did you avenge me on her behalf?"

"Chundie is no one to me, and I did not seek revenge on her behalf."

"Then why did you send Xia Chan to my side? You clearly know that the two of them are close. When Chun Die died, Xia Chan cried for a long time! You are clearly taking revenge on me!"

"If you have nothing to hide, why should you be afraid of Xia Chan serving you?"

Shen Wantang said expressionlessly, "Xia Chan is known for being honest and simple-minded, a maid as innocent as Chun Die. You're not satisfied with a maid like that? Then I'll send Qin Xin instead?"

Hua Yi gritted her teeth so hard they almost broke: "I wouldn't dare. Everyone knows that Qin Xin is the Crown Princess's most trusted maid. How could I dare to let her serve me?"

If Qin Xin were to serve her, she probably wouldn't even know how she died!

Before she could finish speaking, Qin Xin spat at her: "Pah! Do you think I want to serve you? Don't you even know your own limitations!"

"Qinxin, I never thought of asking you to serve me. We used to be the Crown Princess's maids, and we were like sisters. You are different in my heart."

Qin Xin sneered: "Alright, you're putting on an act again. I was fooled by your pretentious face before. I thought you were a good person!"

"I'm not pretending. Look at me now, what's there to pretend about?"

Hua Yi burst into tears. She looked at Shen Wantang and said, "Your Highness, Hua Yi is still the same Hua Yi as before, still a servant. Why do I need others to serve me? You should take all the maids back. I can take care of myself."

Shen Wantang's expression softened: "How can this be? How can you expect me to take care of myself? Don't go back and complain to the Princess Consort that you've been wronged. It just so happens that you and Xia Chan are old acquaintances, so her service will be more to your liking."

Hua Yi hurriedly shook her head: "No, no, no, Your Highness, I know I was wrong! Please, for the sake of the time I served you, take everyone away!"

When Shen Wantang heard her use the word "servant" again, a cold smile appeared on her lips: "Liu Xu, I'm entrusting the concubine to you. Take good care of her!"

Liu Xu lowered her head: "Yes, please rest assured, Your Highness."