"The prince and princess are newly married, and they've already done such a thing. They're truly shameless!"
The maids stood in rows, one of them with her head bowed, wishing she could disappear into a crack in the ground.
Today, she wanted to deliver the cakes, imbued with tender feelings, to Jin Jinzhi's study.
She trembled all over, terrified that she would be dragged out and beaten to death.
“I don’t care whether you are acting under someone’s orders, being coerced, or having your own ideas.”
Qingdai spoke slowly and deliberately, pacing back and forth in front of everyone as she spoke.
"Today, His Highness has given the order that only married maids, old women and servants in the Jibei Prince's Mansion may remain."
"ah?"
"What?"
Upon hearing this, all the maids looked up at Qingdai in surprise. They had never heard of such a rule in wealthy families in the capital regarding the use of maids.
"If you already have someone you love, tell Sister Dongshuang about their family background and life, and Sister Dongshuang will write it down on this paper behind closed doors."
Qingdai pointed to Axiang sitting at the table.
"The prince and princess will definitely prepare a dowry for you. After the wedding, you will have a ten-day leave before returning to the prince's mansion to serve the prince and princess."
"Will they also provide a dowry?"
"There are still ten days of holiday left, so that means I can go back to my hometown to get married!"
The maids whispered among themselves, pondering Qingdai's words, while a few of their fellow villagers chatted quietly.
"If you do not have someone you love, but are willing to stay in the Prince's Mansion, the Prince and Princess will find you a suitable husband."
"After you are all married, you can serve in the inner courtyard. Before you are married, you can only serve in the outer courtyard."
"If you don't want to get married yet, the household will give you three months' worth of monthly allowance. Go find another job!"
After Qingdai finished speaking, she looked at the reactions of the maids. Some of them had already excitedly gone to Dongshuang to register, while a few of the younger ones looked a little confused, but they were willing to stay in the palace and listen to the mistress's arrangements.
Some women enter the mansion hoping to climb into the prince's bed and rise to prominence, which puts them in a dilemma, unsure of what to do.
"Furthermore, today's arrangements were made by the Prince, and the Princess was unaware of them."
"If I ever hear anyone talking behind the princess's back about her discomfort or labeling her as jealous, I'll tear your mouth apart!"
Ah Xiang looked at the several maids with their flirtatious eyes and seductive expressions, and said loudly.
The maids who had looked disdainful immediately deflated, realizing that marrying into a wealthy family was probably out of the question with the Prince of Jibei's mansion.
Most of the maids were willing to stay, and Dongshuang made arrangements for them. As for those who were unwilling to stay, Qiuju took them to the accounting office to collect their silver, and they would soon move out of the Jibei Prince's Mansion to find better jobs elsewhere.
...
Summer arrived quickly, with cicadas chirping and frogs croaking. The sun scorched the earth, and there were few pedestrians on the streets of the capital. The few people walking through the alleys home were already drenched in sweat. People said that this summer was especially hot.
On this day, Jin Jin returned from court and saw Qiu Ju taking red bean shaved ice into Yun Duoduo's courtyard. Behind Qiu Ju was a servant carrying a basin filled with shaved ice.
"stop!"
Qiuju was startled by Jin Jinzhi's shout.
"Your Highness?! What are your orders, Your Highness?"
"When the princess had her period, how did you take care of her?"
Jin Jinzhi frowned as she looked at the red bean paste with ice in Qiu Ju's hand and the large block of ice in the servant's hand.
"What if I get a stomachache from eating so much cold food?"
He had seen Yun Duoduo writhing in pain on the bed during her period, her face pale with pain.
"Take all this ice away!"
"Your Highness, we've already told her, but...the Princess...the Princess feels hot..."
"Your Highness, this is ice that the Princess ordered me to retrieve from the ice cellar."
Qiu Ju had a tearful face. She was serving Yun Duoduo right next to her, and she knew all too well that Yun Duoduo was menstruating.
But Yun Duoduo said she was feeling unbearably hot and wanted to eat ice.
"From now on, ice should not be used during the Princess's menstrual period. I have other methods!"
Jin Jin waved his hand, and Qiu Ju, seeing his unyielding and serious expression, had no choice but to turn around and prepare to take the red bean smoothie back to the kitchen.
Just as she turned to leave, Jin Jinzhi called her back.
"Don't send it back to the kitchen, give it to me, I'm a little thirsty."
Qiu Ju stared in disbelief as Jin Jinzhi took the bowl of red bean shaved ice and sat down on the stone bench to eat it.
Qiuju had no choice but to return to her bedroom empty-handed.
When Yun Duoduo saw Qiu Ju return empty-handed, she couldn't help but ask in surprise, "Qiu Ju, where's the shaved ice? And the ice cubes?"
Yun Duoduo waved her fan and leaned against the soft couch. She was only wearing a sundress, which was very cool and refreshing.
"Your Highness, the Prince ate the shaved ice..." Qiu Ju pouted, looking somewhat aggrieved.
"ah?"
Yun Duoduo was stunned. Why did he take her food? Couldn't he just have the kitchen make another bowl?
"The shaved ice is gone, so where's my ice?"
"They were also detained by the prince."
Yun Duoduo was stunned for a moment. What was wrong with Jin Jinzhi today?
Did she do something these past few days that angered her?
Just then, Jin Jinzhi walked in. He saw Yun Duoduo wearing only a sundress, revealing her fair skin, delicate collarbone, and smooth, rounded shoulders.
He felt a bit hot and quickly looked away.
"Duoduo, you can't use ice these next few days."
"What if you develop a chronic illness later?" Jin Jinzhi poured her a cup of brown sugar water.
"I have already instructed the kitchen to prepare some red date soup for you."
Ah, I see.
Yun Duoduo realized that she had found a "daddy-like" boyfriend. He was afraid that she would have menstrual cramps, so he didn't let her use ice.
At this moment, she misses air conditioning, fans, and big watermelons terribly.
"I have already asked Uncle Fu to make the preparations. Just bear with it a little longer, it will be cooler tonight."
After saying that, Jin Jinzhi left without looking back before Yun Duoduo could speak.
"Hey, why are you walking so fast!"
Qingdai covered her mouth and laughed, "In my opinion, it must be because the Princess is dressed too revealingly!"
"Hey, Qingdai, you're getting more and more mischievous!"
Yun Duoduo poked Qingdai's face.
"Anyway, the servants in the inner courtyard can't come in without orders, and it's so hot, there's no need to wear so much."
Yun Duoduo lay on the cool mat, thinking that she should go to Jinxiu Silk Shop another day to make a few summer clothes with cool and refreshing fabrics to wear.
Night finally fell, the moon hung high in the sky, and a gentle evening breeze blew.
Footsteps sounded from the inner courtyard, and Qiuju came in to say that the steward, Uncle Fu, had brought in several people.
Qingdai helped Yun Duoduo put a cloak over her sundress.
"Uncle Fu."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
