Once I thought about it that way, my thinking became completely clear.
Light footsteps sounded outside the courtyard; it was the maids who had "abandoned their posts" returning.
Chen Mianmian looked at Han Rong, who was still in shock, and said, "Alright, this is none of your business. Go back to sleep."
"No!" Hanrong hurriedly said, "Please don't think I'm being a nuisance, Aunt. From now on, as long as you're in the Princess's residence, I'll stay by your side every step of the way. What just happened... was too terrible..."
Chen Mianmian laughed and said, "That's one way too. Why didn't I think of that before? Hanrong, you're so smart. Don't you have my money? Just take out five taels as a reward."
Hanrong blushed and shook her head in shame, "This servant doesn't want it, this servant doesn't want a single copper coin!"
She always felt guilty towards her aunt.
Although her aunt did not claim to have done her any great favors, she treated her very well. She never criticized or scolded her and often told her not to stay by her side and to go home and rest early.
And what about her? She betrayed her aunt.
If she weren't the concubine's maid, then taking the young mistress's money and doing her bidding would be perfectly acceptable. But she was clearly the concubine's maid, yet...
Seeing that Hanrong looked like she was about to cry, Chen Mianmian guessed what she was thinking and interrupted with a smile, "Go and get me some water to wash my feet. This scare and running away has made me sleepy. Soaking my feet will help me sleep better."
"Yes, Auntie." Hanrong went to pour water.
After Hanrong left, Chen Mianmian sat on the edge of the bed, her small white feet dangling, quietly thinking—originally, she kept Hanrong by her side in the hope that things around her would be under control. With Hanrong as an "open" stake, there was no need for Jiang Yinjin to plant any "dark" stakes.
Who knew that Jiang Yinjin was so unethical, wanting both overt and covert agents? Since that's the case, there's no need for her to leave overt agents for Jiang Yinjin.
The dim light shone on Shen Mianmian's stunningly beautiful face. Although the light should have been warm, her delicate face only showed coldness and seriousness.
After thinking for a while, he sighed deeply, "We really can't keep her, but if Hanrong leaves, where can we find another maid? Buy one from a servant and train her from scratch? What if Jiang Yinjin interferes and plants an even bigger spy? Even if it's not a spy, how long will it take to train a new maid to reach Hanrong's level? I'm not afraid of having spies around me, I'm afraid of having incompetent teammates!"
...
At the same time, in another location.
Jinyuyuan.
Princess Ryan did not rest. She sat on a soft couch by the window, gazing out the window, but it was unclear whether she was admiring the scenery or using it as a springboard for other thoughts.
Suddenly, I heard voices coming from the doorway.
"This servant greets Madam Bai."
"Has Her Highness the Princess rested?"
"Not yet. Does Madam wish to see His Highness? Shall I go in and inform him?"
"Thank you for your trouble."
Before the maid could enter, Princess Ruian called out, "Is this A-Xuan? Come in."
At the doorway, Ding, her face pale, secretly wrung out her handkerchief, then a resolute glint flashed in her eyes.
Granny Li grabbed Ding's sleeve in a panic and pleaded in a low voice, "Madam, please reconsider! Please, Madam, reconsider!"
Ding said resolutely, "I've thought it over. Even if the princess is unhappy today, I will definitely explain things to her."
Ignoring Li Mama's attempts to stop him, he strode into the room.
Princess Ryan smiled as she saw her friend arrive, pointing to the other end of the comfy couch. "Sit down. Why are you still up so late? Something on your mind?"
Instead of taking a seat, Ding knelt down.
Princess Ryan was startled and quickly stood up, pulling Ding up with her. "Let's talk this out. Why are you kneeling?"
Ding originally intended to kneel down to speak, but she was no match for Princess Ruian in terms of strength. The princess lifted her up like a chick and shoved her onto the soft couch.
A servant brought in ginseng tea and placed it on a small table in the middle of the soft couch.
Princess Ryan asked with a worried expression, "Tell me, what exactly happened? Is it about Qingzhou?"
"...No, it's my own business."
"You want to divorce Marquis Anning? I think it's fine. Leave this matter to me."
Lady Ding was both amused and exasperated. She hurriedly said, "Your Highness misunderstands! I do not want to divorce the Marquis. When we got married, there were many noble ladies who wanted to marry the Marquis. My family was not noble enough, and I thought it would be good enough to be the Marquis's concubine. Who knew that the Marquis would actually marry me as his wife? I am flattered and overwhelmed."
After the marriage, the Marquis did not take a concubine for the time being, saying that he would wait until his wife gave birth to two children. His wife was extremely grateful, but who knew... Later, the Marquis was injured and never mentioned taking a concubine again.
Seeing that the young master was not suited to learning martial arts, the Marquis wanted to adopt a few children from the clan to train. I was reluctant to give up Qingzhou, but in the end the Marquis agreed.
Indeed... since his injury, the Marquis's temperament has changed drastically, becoming harsh and tyrannical. But... he is also afraid that he will have no successor. The Marquis has Qingzhou in his heart. If the Marquis did not care about Qingzhou, he could have simply adopted her from the clan, and there would be no need to force Qingzhou like this.
"My lord has been so kind and devoted to me. I would give my life for you. How could I betray you? I... I only wish to spend the rest of my life with you."
As she spoke, her sobs turned into loud wailing.
Princess Ryan felt guilty as she watched her friend cry.
Unfortunately, the princess was a favored daughter of heaven. In the past, others had always coaxed her, but she had never coaxed anyone before and had no experience. All she could do was hand over her handkerchief.
Ding did want to cry, but she remained rational—the princess was a friend, but more importantly, she was in a higher position.
The pity of those in power is fleeting, and their patience is limited. Once it exceeds their patience, even the greatest grievances become sins.
Thinking it over, Lady Ding took the princess's handkerchief, wiped away her tears, and barely managed to hold back her sobs. "Your Highness, please understand. There is another reason why I refuse Your Highness's kindness: these male concubines belong to Your Highness, and they belong to Your Highness. I will never lay a finger on them!"
Take the opportunity to show your loyalty.
Princess Rui'an laughed heartily, "Ah Xuan, after all this fuss, you're afraid of this? Are you stupid? Do you think I would give you my own male concubines? I haven't touched any of the male concubines I've offered you. Not to mention anything else, when have you ever seen me offer Ruyue to you?"
Mentioning Young Master Ruyue, Madam Ding's expression changed drastically, and she hurriedly said seriously, "Your Highness, please don't joke like that!"
Everyone knows that Young Master Ruyue is a rare and unparalleled beauty, and the princess's darling. Other women would stay as far away from Young Master Ruyue as possible to avoid any suspicion!
Princess Ryan waved her hand. "Alright, alright, it was just a joke. What are you afraid of? But can you guess what task I sent Ruyue to complete?"
"This humble woman does not know."
Princess Rui'an's smile faded, her eyes sharpening. "I sent Ruyue to the Shen family. I want to see if they will betray Qingzhou."
Madam Ding was taken aback—how could that be? She had met Young Master Ruyue once, and he was an exceptionally handsome and elegant man. She couldn't believe that any woman would reject him without knowing his identity.
Princess Ryan's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Qingzhou has had a rough life, and it breaks my heart, so I absolutely cannot let him get hurt again. That Shen woman is beautiful, but she's probably a menace, so I'll test her as soon as possible. If she's unreliable, I'll get rid of her tonight."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com