Chapter 565 Thank you, Prince, for sending me a maid.

Madam Qi never expected that Shen Wantang would dare to come back and complain. You know, no matter how much she secretly wronged Shen Wantang in the past, she never said a word!

She slandered Shen Wantang, but Shen Wantang never explained herself to Shen Guannian, and dared not complain, because if she did, her life would become even more difficult, and she might not even have food to eat!

This time was no different. When Qi heard Shen Wantang complain, she wasn't afraid at all. After all, Shen Guannian only trusted her and never Shen Wantang.

She looked wronged and said, "Master, how can you believe Tang'er's one-sided story? That girl has always been a liar. She never tells the truth. Don't be fooled by her."

"I was extremely careful in my actions at the Prince Ning's residence, afraid of saying the wrong thing and offending the Princess. How could I possibly say such nonsensical things?"

"Since Tang'er is turning the tables and pinning all the blame on me, then I won't cover for her anymore. Actually, Tang'er let it slip herself, saying that she preferred the Duchess and the Second Young Master Gu, and that the Duchess liked and appreciated her so much. She was openly and secretly praising the Duchess and belittling the Princess, which angered the Princess and led to us being kicked out."

Shen Guannian's gloomy gaze fell on Shen Wantang again: "Is this what your mother said? Did you brag to the Princess Consort that the Duchess liked you, thus incurring the Princess Consort's displeasure?"

Shen Wantang shook her head with red eyes: "I didn't say anything. Mother is slandering me. She slandered me at the Prince Ning's mansion, and now that I'm back, she's slandering me in front of Father. I really don't know where I offended you, Mother, to make you want to punish me like this."

Madam Qi sneered, "Tang'er, stop pretending. You're just like your deceased aunt, with a foxy face and a mind as cunning as a fox. But these tricks won't work on your father. He's discerning and righteous, and he won't be fooled by you!"

Shen Guannian had no time to pay attention to Qi Shi's flattery. He stepped forward, grabbed Shen Wantang's collar, and almost lifted her up with one hand: "You little beast! Tell me! Did you offend the Princess?! If the Shen family can't get a marriage with the Prince of Ning's family, I'll drown you with my own hands!"

"Speak! Why did you do this? The Duke's mansion is barely even set in stone, and you dare to offend Princess Ning? Such arrogance! I'll skin you alive!"

Shen Wantang's face was flushed red from being strangled, but she refused to say a word. She just looked at Shen Guannian with her big, aggrieved, and disappointed eyes, and large tears fell down her cheeks.

She was puzzled. Why hadn't Xiao Qingyuan arrived yet? Had her plan failed?

That shouldn't be happening!

Just as they were locked in a stalemate, a blue figure rushed over and shoved Shen Guannian aside.

Shen Guannian stared intently, then exclaimed in shock, "Young Master Xiao?! How... how did you get here?"

Xiao Qingyuan sneered: "Lord Shen, if I hadn't come, would you have strangled your daughter? Even tigers don't eat their cubs, you're more vicious than a tiger!"

Shen Guannian's expression changed several times: "It's a misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding. I've always treated Tang'er very well. This time, I heard she angered the Princess, and in a moment of panic, that's why..."

"When did Shen Wantang anger my mother?"

"Huh? No, nothing?"

Xiao Qingyuan glanced at Qi Shi and saw that Qi Shi didn't dare to meet his eyes at all. He immediately sneered: "No wonder Lord Shen could only be a fifth-rank official, and you even ruined his fifth-rank position. It turns out you really are stupid!"

Shen Guannian was somewhat embarrassed after being called stupid by a junior: "What does the young master mean by this?"

"You can figure out what I mean yourself! You're so stupid that you even have to ask me, the young master, about this. Don't you have a brain? No wonder Shen Mingxuan is both stupid and wicked, she's just like you!"

Xiao Qingyuan cursed impatiently, then turned and walked up to Shen Wantang: "Where are your skills? Why don't you use them to deal with your vicious stepmother? My mother and father are completely under your thumb. They treat you better than their own son, but you can't even handle your own father?"

Shen Wantang looked up at him, speechless, "Your Highness, why are you talking nonsense again?"

Xiao Qingyuan waved his hand: "Alright, alright, I know you don't remember any of that. But I noticed you seem to really like the maids in our Prince's manor. You were even talking to them reluctantly when you left. Could it be that you don't remember me, but you remember them?"

Shen Wantang shook her head repeatedly: "Your Highness misunderstands. I just lost my handkerchief and was thinking of asking them if they had seen it. I only saw them once when I went to the Prince's Mansion last time, and I don't know them well."

"Heh, not familiar with them? You're kidding, you're way too familiar with them!"

"Your Highness, I am truly not familiar with the maids in your household!"

"Enough nonsense! I don't care if you're familiar with each other or not. I just don't like them. Besides, keeping them in the palace makes me think of you, and thinking of you makes me angry! So, I've decided to give them all to you!"

As Xiao Qingyuan spoke, he clapped his hands and said, "Mo Ji, bring everyone in!"

Mo Ji entered in response: "Your Highness, you've arrived!"

Behind Mo Ji followed four maids, all dressed and wearing the same hairstyle.

Upon seeing Shen Wantang, the four of them bowed in unison:

"This servant, Qin Xin, greets the Second Miss."

"This servant, Qiyu, greets the Second Miss."

"This servant, Shuxiang, greets the Second Miss."

"This servant, Huayi, greets the Second Miss."

When Shen Wantang saw Qin Xin and the others, she almost burst out laughing. The tears she had just managed to muster vanished with joy.

Before leaving, she deliberately spoke to Qin Xin and the others in front of Xiao Qingyuan, even ignoring Xiao Qingyuan's displeasure, all to evoke painful memories of his past life in him.

At least her efforts weren't in vain; Xiao Qingyuan had managed to bring everyone over. Although she didn't really want Huayi, as long as Qin Xin and the others could come, having Huayi wouldn't be a problem.

Just as Shen Wantang was secretly pleased, Xiao Qingyuan pulled out four indentures from his pocket and shoved them all into Shen Wantang's hands: "Hey, let me tell you, the first one is that girl named Qin Xin. You used to like her the most, but I hate her the most!"

"She's just like you, not afraid of me at all, and takes advantage of your protection to make me suffer and trip me up every day! I dream of selling her out!"

"But I'm a kind-hearted person, and I won't hold grudges from my past life in this one, so I didn't sell her off. I brought her to you on my own. Aren't you going to thank me?"

Shen Wantang sincerely said, "Thank you, Your Highness, for giving me a maid."

Xiao Qingyuan has a lot of flaws, but he does have one advantage: he doesn't hold grudges. No matter how badly others have offended him, as long as they say a few nice words, he can forget about the hatred.

Hearing her thanks made Xiao Qingyuan feel much better, and he was also very happy that the several annoying maids had been sent away!

He waved his hand casually: "I'm leaving. You family can continue arguing and making a scene. If your father really strangles you to death, send someone to the Prince's Mansion to tell him. I'll collect your body for the sake of our past life as husband and wife, and not let you become a wandering ghost!"