03 The clever use of identity
"Sister, I don't think anyone is trying to sow discord. On the contrary, it was your maid who not only injured someone but also tried to drive a wedge between us sisters. Such a lowly servant should be beaten to death. Otherwise, people will think that our manor has no rules, that the servants are all ignorant of etiquette, and that even a lowly maid can ride on her master's head at will. This will not be good for your reputation." Liu Hanxue downplayed the seriousness of the matter and lectured in a self-righteous manner.
“Sister, Chunxiang’s matter needs to be investigated. However, I really didn’t expect the backyard of the Prince’s mansion to be so chaotic. As servants, we should have our own principles and be most careful with our words. Is there no order in the Prince’s mansion now, and anyone can insult me at will?” Liu Hanruo knew exactly what Liu Hanxue was thinking and steered the conversation back to the main point with a few words.
"Sister, I am very curious. Logically speaking, you have been in charge of the inner palace for three years, and there should be such an obvious oversight. May I ask how you manage the inner palace and how you have raised such audacious servants!"
“Sister, I’m not trying to find fault, but think about it. The Prince is busy with many affairs of state and has no time to attend to the inner court. He entrusted the management of the inner court to you because he trusts you. If this servant girl slanders me today, what will happen if she slanders the Prince one day? It will be too late then. We are all the Prince’s concubines and should think about the Prince’s interests. You should deal with this kind of servant seriously.”
Seeing Liu Hanruo bring up the prince, Liu Hanxue panicked, worried that if the matter reached the prince's ears, he would question her abilities and take back control of the inner court. Wouldn't that be a loss? Thinking of this, she slightly pursed her lips and sighed helplessly.
“Sister, you don’t know this, but the backyard of the Prince’s mansion is divided into many areas, and each area has a person in charge. Each person in charge has their own duties, and for the past three years, everything has been peaceful. I really didn’t expect this to happen. It was my dereliction of duty, and I ask for your forgiveness. If it is found out who is so audacious, I will punish them severely.”
"Oh, sister, haven't you been here the whole time? How come you don't know who it is? Are you intentionally covering for someone?"
"Sister, you've wronged me. From the beginning, I've been worried about your health and haven't paid attention to the people and things around me, so I really don't know. But don't worry, sister, I will definitely investigate and give you an explanation! However, sister, your maid did insult me and even beat me when things didn't go well. Everyone present can testify to that. Sister, what do you think we should do?" These few words brought the topic back to Chunxiang.
"Sister, I said from the beginning that if Chunxiang has really made a mistake, I will not tolerate it as long as there is evidence. But if someone did it on purpose, I will not let it go either, and I will definitely give Chunxiang justice!"
"Sister, so many maids and servants are here to testify, yet you still demand evidence? Your actions make one suspect that you are intentionally protecting this lowly servant Chunxiang." Liu Hanxue was not about to let Chunxiang off so easily, and she pressed on aggressively.
“Sister, all I saw was my maid Chunxiang being beaten to the point of near death. If Chunxiang had struck you, how could you be completely unharmed, without even a red mark, and with your skin still so smooth and fair? On the other hand, these people were brought by you, sister. How could they dare to disobey your wishes? Using them as witnesses would be unfair. If you can provide substantial evidence that Chunxiang committed insubordination, I will leave immediately. If you cannot prove it, I beg you to give Chunxiang justice.”
"Isn't my sister being a bit unreasonable?"
"His Majesty is wise and has established various laws. Everything he does is based on reason and evidence. How could I have ever argued unreasonably?"
"Since you say that the testimonies of so many people cannot be considered evidence, isn't it rather arbitrary to conclude that a treacherous servant insulted you based solely on your one-sided account? What evidence do you have, sister?"
“Sister, as a first-rank princess bestowed by the Emperor, I have status and position. Do you think I would make trouble for no reason and arbitrarily frame a lowly servant? My words are the most direct evidence!”
Again, it was about identity, that damned identity. Although Liu Hanxue was furious inside, she still had to pretend to be generous and could only flatter him.
“Sister is absolutely right. Since you are a first-rank princess, you would not stoop to lying. It must have been some foolish servant who did it, which is why you told the truth. I was mistaken!”
“Sister, if you cannot produce solid evidence, as compensation, I demand that you apologize to Chunxiang. An apology in exchange for dozens of lashes is a win for you.”
"Of course, if you feel it's too much to ask, then you can. You just had Chunxiang beaten with sixty strokes of the cane, so you can go and take the punishment too."
"Sister, please don't be anxious. We can answer this later. Now, let's investigate and see which audacious servant dared to insult me."
Realizing that the topic had circled back several times, Liu Hanxue was somewhat surprised by Liu Hanruo's aggressive questioning. If it were the Liu Hanruo of the past, she would never have acted this way. With just a slight detour, she would immediately forget what she had agreed to do the moment before. Foolishly, if someone was even slightly nice to her, she would believe everything she said, thinking it was truly a deep sisterly bond. She would foolishly fall into the trap set up step by step, becoming a tool for sacrifice. She just didn't expect this fool to be so lucky, and unexpectedly, she would climb up to the carefree prince.
"Sister, we have no clue how to interrogate her?" Liu Hanxue was seething with anger, but she had no choice but to ask with a forced smile.
“Sister, I have always lived a secluded life, detached from worldly affairs. For the past three years, you have been managing the inner quarters. You must have some skill. I believe you will be able to get to the bottom of this matter in the shortest time. If you cannot do so, then, as the saying goes, ‘the capable should be in charge,’ I will have to consider speaking to the Prince to see if it would be better to change the person in charge.”
Although Liu Hanruo smiled brightly, it made Liu Hanxue feel cold inside.
Judging from Liu Hanruo's expression, she wasn't planning to let the matter rest. If someone wasn't handed over, things would likely get worse. Although the prince might not listen to Liu Hanruo, it wouldn't be good if this got back to him. Her eyes darted around, and after a moment's thought, Liu Hanxue made up her mind. She patted her head lightly and said, feigning helplessness:
"Oh dear, sister, I'm so sorry. Lately, I keep forgetting things and then suddenly remembering them. Look, I remember now! Someone did insult you just now, it was that rough maid in the pink dress. Don't worry, sister, I'll definitely punish her severely!"
"Guards! Drag that vile maid who insulted the princess away and give her a hundred strokes of the cane. If she's still alive, sell her to slave traders."
After dealing with the matter, Liu Hanxue changed the subject, trying to find an excuse to leave, but Liu Hanruo abruptly cut off her escape route with a single sentence.
"It seems my sister has something to do. Where is she in such a hurry to go? Perhaps she feels she is not up to the task and wants to ask the prince to choose another capable person? If that is the case, I will not stop her. Just go and come back soon."
Making a concubine apologize to a mere maid was, undeniably, a ruthless move by Liu Hanruo. If Liu Hanxue bowed her head, she would cease to exist in the Prince's mansion's inner court. If she didn't, the disparity in status between the principal wife and concubine, coupled with the pressure of the Emperor's bestowed title of First Rank Second Grade, meant she wouldn't fare well either way; she would undoubtedly be punished. It was a dilemma, and neither option would benefit her.
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