Meng Yanzhi simply smiled somewhat apologetically and then led them back to her small courtyard.
The Meng family did not treat their daughter well, so her residence was actually more remote than that of a slightly respectable elderly servant. The room was almost completely bare, and the courtyard was overgrown with weeds.
Several maids could hardly believe their eyes, especially since they usually served in the Crown Prince’s Residence and had never witnessed such a scene.
Meng Yanzhi could clearly see the confusion and shock on these young maids’ faces. Blushing with embarrassment, she whispered, “My humble courtyard is very simple.” I’m sorry to have you all suffer here with me!”
“This is too much!”
“How can they bully someone like this?”
The leading woman gritted her teeth in anger.
“Lu Huan, be quiet!”
The older one scolded.
She walked over to Meng Yanzhi’s side, looking at her with pity. “This servant is Lu Ping. The remaining three are my younger sisters: Lu An, Lu Huan, and Lu Xi. We all serve by the Crown Prince’s side. His Highness assigned us to you, miss, to take good care of you and attend to your needs.”
Lu Ping was clearly the oldest and most composed among them. Based on Meng Yanzhi’s observation, she seemed to be the one with the most authority.
“Since I returned, I’ve only had Mingchu as my sole maid. Having so many people now truly makes me uneasy.”
“Perhaps, sister, you could speak with the Crown Prince and have you all return.”
Meng Yanzhi sighed helplessly, appearing oppressed and evoking sympathy.
Seeing this, Lu Ping’s voice softened as she spoke to her.
“Miss, rest assured. We will definitely take good care of you.”
“As for other matters, there’s no need to worry too much. Everything will come in time.”
After speaking, Lu Ping performed a proper bow and then led her three sisters out to clean the courtyard.
Watching these maids, who were accustomed to a life of comfort in the Crown Prince’s Residence, now doing manual labor in her place, Meng Yanzhi felt deeply apologetic.
However, she didn’t say much and simply sat quietly in her chair, pondering what Xiao Ce’s intentions really were.
At the banquet, Meng Yanzhi had deliberately acted pitiful to win Xiao Ce’s sympathy, but now he had given her far too much, leaving her momentarily uncertain.
Xiao Ce appeared gentle and refined, but in reality, he was a sophisticated egoist who never suffered losses and only acted in his own interest. Yet, Meng Yanzhi couldn’t understand what use someone of her status and position could be to him.
Was it merely for the sake of a virtuous reputation?
As she was lost in thought, a commotion erupted outside. Soon after, Meng’s Mother entered with a large group of dozens of elderly servants. The moment she stepped into the courtyard and saw the four maids from the Crown Prince’s Residence squatting and weeding, her face darkened. She immediately exclaimed, “Yanzhi, come out quickly! How can you be so thoughtless? Even if they are maids from the Crown Prince’s Residence, you shouldn’t make them do such rough work!”
“Mother.”
Meng Yanzhi hurried out from inside, wearing an expression of trepidation. Without even attempting to defend herself, she immediately admitted fault: “Yes, Mother, please don’t be angry. Everything is my fault. I’ll have the young ladies rest right away!”
“Madam Meng, if there were anyone else working in the eldest young lady’s courtyard, it wouldn’t have fallen to us.” Lu Huan tossed aside the small hoe in her hand, looking coldly at Meng’s Mother. “What a fine mother you are, having your own daughter live in this godforsaken place? Moreover, Eldest Young Lady Meng is our Crown Prince’s savior!”
At this point, Lu Huan looked Meng’s Mother up and down and sneered, “Do you look down on Eldest Young Lady Meng, or do you hold our Crown Prince in contempt?”
Meng’s Mother had originally come to reprimand them, but she never expected this sharp-tongued young girl to immediately slap such a serious accusation on her?
Her face changed color, then she said somewhat displeased, “Young lady, you can eat carelessly but you mustn’t speak carelessly. When have we ever disrespected the Crown Prince? It’s just that Yanzhi’s courtyard needs proper renovation, so she’s only staying here temporarily for a few days.”
“Hmph, how laughable. Such a large Meng family, yet there’s no place for the eldest young lady?”
“What, is your Meng family so intolerant of the Crown Prince’s savior!”
Lu Huan wasn’t buying it at all, mainly because this excuse was indeed too flimsy. Renovating a courtyard shouldn’t require banishing someone to such a place.
“Yanzhi, why don’t you say something? Don’t tell me you also think Mother is mistreating you?” Seeing she was no match for Lu Huan, Meng’s Mother immediately shifted the focus to Meng Yanzhi.
Naturally, Meng Yanzhi wouldn’t join in the accusations at this moment. She just smiled and said, “Yes, I understand Mother’s thoughtful intentions. Actually, this place is quite nice—much better than where I lived in the countryside before.”
Hearing this, Meng’s Mother’s face grew even more uncomfortable.
She stepped forward, took Meng Yanzhi’s hand, and with an affectionate, concerned expression, said, “Mother knows you suffered in the countryside before. It’s alright now that you’re back—Mother will definitely cherish you properly. Everything I give you will be the best. Qinghe Courtyard is a fine courtyard. You can move there now. These maids and matrons were all carefully selected by Mother—use them for now. If there’s anything unsatisfactory, just come and tell Mother!”
With that, Meng’s Mother led Meng Yanzhi out hand in hand.
However, since Meng Yanzhi’s return, she had been largely overlooked. Apart from a few pieces of clothing, there was nothing much to pack. As the large group marched toward Qinghe Courtyard, Meng Anxian watched, her face pale with anger.
“Mother actually gave that little wretch such a fine courtyard!”
“Qinghe Courtyard has the largest area, the finest furnishings, and most importantly, it’s closest to the main courtyard. I begged several times but was never given it, and now she gives it so easily to that little wretch!”
“After all, I’m not the Meng family’s biological daughter—they clearly care more about their own flesh and blood!”
As she spoke, Meng Anxian actually began to cry.
The maid Hongzhu at her side quickly spoke up to console her: “Second Young Lady, you mustn’t overthink this. Actually, this isn’t such a big matter. No matter how luxurious it is, it’s just a courtyard after all—merely for show to outsiders. But Madam has given you the position of Crown Princess Consort! This is the genuine proof of her sincere care for you!”
Originally, Meng Anxian had felt quite discontented, but upon hearing these words, she instead grew bashful.