Looking at Wu, who sat there, wiping away tears, Meng Qi frowned and said, "I know Jinzhi is useful to you, but now that she's made a mistake, she won't stay with you anymore. Just ask Madam Liu to find you someone else. If there's no one you like in the mansion, I'll find a human trafficker in a few days and keep her by your side for a year or two."
Wu put down her handkerchief. "Please tell me, Princess, what crime did Jinzhi commit? She usually only serves the maids and concubines and rarely even enters other courtyards. As the saying goes, even if a case is judged in the government office, a reason must be given."
Meng Qi snorted coldly, "I didn't know you and Jinzhi had such a deep bond as master and servant. Why? As a princess, I want to deal with a maid, and I have to ask for your opinion? And I have to hold a three-court trial, and then announce the results to everyone?"
Upon hearing this, Wu looked up in surprise and met Meng Qi's cold gaze. "That's not what I meant, but there must be a reason. Otherwise, there will be no way to explain it to Jinzhi's family."
"What a joke! A maid sold into the palace has her life and death decided by the palace. What's there to explain to her family? During her mother's illness, the palace allowed her family to send money and medicine. It was already a favor from the palace." Meng Qi finished speaking, and her tone softened slightly. "You don't need to ask more about Jinzhi. I can only tell you that she made a big mistake, and she knows it in her heart. I'm not telling you more for your own good. Sometimes knowing too much is not a good thing. Okay, let's end this matter here. I don't want to hear you say anymore, and I don't want to hear anyone else discuss it. Do you understand?"
When Mrs. Wu heard this, she stood up, pulling her handkerchief, knowing that she could not get anything out of Meng Qi.
After returning to Yinyan Pavilion, he looked at the west wing where Jinzhi lived and sighed softly. Jinzhi had been by his side for so many years, and she was very useful. She always thought of him and saved him a lot of trouble.
Now she's been quietly taken away by the princess, without even a reason. What kind of thing is this? They'd talk about finding someone for me, but how could that be satisfactory? And what about a year or two? Jinzhi has been with me for so many years. I was originally thinking of finding her a husband this autumn, and I even had someone in mind: the son of Song Nongyu's wet nurse, Mrs. Hu. But now, all that's just empty talk.
The door to the east wing was pushed open, and Mrs. Hu came out with a small cloth bag in her hand. "Concubine, you're back. Did you find out?"
Mrs. Wu shook her head. "She told me not to ask any more questions, saying I had made a serious mistake. Humph." Mrs. Wu snorted coldly, "I don't know how a maid in my courtyard could have caused such trouble in Jing'an Garden."
Mrs. Hu thought for a moment and said, "Isn't it related to Baochun's incident?"
"She is good friends with Baochun, and everyone will know if she goes there more often. And you know that eight out of ten times she goes there is to help me get information. I am a stupid person, and there is not even a single useful person in the outer courtyard. If I don't let Jinzhi go to Baochun and learn some half-knowledge, won't she be more passive in the inner house?" He said as he went upstairs.
Mrs. Hu followed behind, "Yes, you are right. Besides, Luo Lan from Jinmoju is also close to Baochun. Why didn't the princess take her away? This is obviously bullying you."
Wu stood still, a trace of anger flashing across her face. "That's right, you can't bully people like this. Are you going to the outer courtyard?"
Mrs. Hu nodded. "The eldest young lady and the second young master are painting over there with the eldest young master. They got their skirts dirty. I'll take one over."
"How is it going? Miss, you've been going to the outer courtyard frequently since the New Year. It's been almost three months now. What have you learned?"
Mrs. Hu looked around and lowered her voice, "This old servant has been getting along very well with a maid lately. She used to serve Madam Hai, but now she does menial work in the eldest young master's courtyard."
"Oh? Is it available?" Wu said softly.
Mrs. Hu nodded. "Yesterday, she heard that her youngest son was getting married, and I gave him two taels of silver as a gift. She was so happy that she wanted to take me in as her godsister."
Mrs. Wu smiled and said, "When the day comes, please bring two more batches of cloth over."
Mrs. Hu bowed, "Yes, this old servant thanks the concubine. The youngest son of that woman works in the stables in the outer courtyard, and he is quite close to Hu Changsheng."
Wu was satisfied. Hu Changsheng was a big shot in the prince's eyes, second only to Zhang Decheng. If she could make friends with him, she would have someone who could speak for her around the prince in the future.
"Very good, you did very well. As for Jinzhi's family, I'm afraid the news has already been brought back by now. Although they are not servants of the palace, they have been there for so many years. I will find an opportunity for you to go out and contact them to see if you know why Jinzhi offended the princess."
Mrs. Hu agreed and followed Mrs. Wu into the main room. "I'm afraid the golden branch is just an excuse."
Wu turned around and asked, "What do you mean?"
Mrs. Hu looked embarrassed. "This old servant has only thought of this. Whether it is true or not is just for the concubine's consideration. Ever since the princess became pregnant, her attitude towards you and the other people in the palace has changed drastically."
Wu sat down, frowning as she thought, "Yes, when Meng first came in, she was incredibly warm and welcoming to everyone, especially me, and even assigned her tasks. She was especially doting on the eldest daughter, sending all sorts of goodies to Yinyan Pavilion. Every time she brought the eldest daughter into the palace, she always brought back gifts galore."
But since the beginning of the twelfth lunar month last year, Meng had changed. Not only had she reclaimed everyone's power, but she had also tightened her control over the inner chambers. Thinking about it now, perhaps she had already figured out that she was pregnant, and that gave her the confidence to do so?
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