The young maid was startled, practically leaping in front of Shen Mingtang in a single bound.
The maid first glanced at Shen Mingtang, then mustered her courage to speak, "Does Madame have no regard for propriety, barging into the young lady’s courtyard like this?"
Zhou Yiniang glared at the maid with dagger-like eyes, looking as if she would tear her apart if she dared say another word.
The little maid was frightened but stood her ground.
From behind, Shen Mingtang spoke calmly, "If I recall correctly, Father has placed you under house arrest. How dare you make such a scene by coming out like this?"
Zhou Yiniang narrowed her eyes at her but did not respond immediately.
She had changed.
She truly had changed.
Zhou Yiniang had "personally" raised Shen Mingtang and cultivated her temperament—she knew her better than anyone. That day, when Shen Mingtang returned from the palace and provoked the master’s anger with just a few words, Zhou Yiniang had thought it was merely a coincidence.
But now, it was clear: she was no longer the same.
The timidity and pettiness that had been deliberately instilled in her were completely gone. The Shen Mingtang standing before her now seemed to exude an innate dignity and authority.
"How dare you speak to your own mother like that?" Zhou Yiniang glared at her and took two steps forward.
But she quickly composed herself.
No matter how much Shen Mingtang had changed, as long as she remained her daughter, Zhou Yiniang could always find ways to control her.
In the days to come, she would have to put more thought into reining Shen Mingtang back in.
"Mother?" Shen Mingtang blinked. "Aren’t you just a concubine?"
A mocking smile curled at the corner of her lips. "Yu Momo from the palace said that a concubine is merely half a servant in the household, while the young lady is the mistress. Or are the rules of the Shen family different?"
Zhou Yiniang cursed the old woman inwardly for stirring up trouble and then played her trump card. "How can you believe what others say? Don’t forget, you’re nothing but the child of a concubine—a mere illegitimate daughter."
Seeing that Shen Mingtang remained silent for a moment, a flicker of triumph gleamed in Zhou Yiniang’s eyes.
Her illegitimate status had always been Shen Mingtang’s greatest weakness since childhood!
"Concubine?" Shen Mingtang’s gaze darkened as she looked at her.
Zhou Yiniang stared back. "Have you realized your mistake?"
Shen Mingtang lowered her head, seemingly hesitating for a moment. But when she looked up again, her eyes were as terrifying as a venomous snake.
She spoke softly, "Concubine, why do I feel that I am the legitimate daughter, and Shen Mingyue is the illegitimate one?"
The room fell so silent that only the sound of their breathing could be heard.
Zhou Yiniang’s breath hitched slightly. Could this wretched girl have found out about what happened back then?
Or was she simply delusional with desire to be legitimate?
Soon, Zhou Yiniang concluded it was the latter. After all, she hadn’t carried out the deed herself—someone else had handled it meticulously, leaving almost no trace behind.
"You’ve gone mad with longing to be legitimate. You’ve only lived in Jinxiu Courtyard for two days, and it’s already driven you insane." Zhou Yiniang sneered. "Mingtang, tell me now—where has your legitimate elder sister gone?"
With a wave of her hand, she commanded, "Come, take my unruly daughter back."
She had not come alone but had prepared in advance.
As soon as Zhou Yiniang spoke, four stout, fierce-looking matrons appeared behind her and stepped forward to seize Shen Mingtang.
The maid beside Shen Mingtang hurriedly stepped in front to shield her, but was shoved aside by the old woman’s arm, letting out a pained groan.
Four old women closed in on Shen Mingtang, rolling up their sleeves as they sneered viciously.
"Second Daughter, let’s obediently listen to Yiniang and go back."
Shen Mingtang stood unmoving, her eyes unable to conceal the hatred within. Half the injuries she had suffered since childhood were inflicted by these four old women.
They were Zhou Yiniang’s 'confidence' in maneuvering through the Shen family’s inner quarters—and also Shen Mingtang’s nightmare.
Just as one of the old women reached out to grab Shen Mingtang’s arm, she finally spoke, "If you dare lay a finger on me, Shen Mingyue will never return to the Shen family."
At these words, the old woman’s hand froze mid-air.
The group turned to look at Zhou Yiniang.
Zhou Yiniang was indeed frantic about Shen Mingyue’s prolonged absence, but she didn’t truly believe Shen Mingtang had hidden her away.
After all, as a mere shu daughter, what capability could Shen Mingtang possibly have?
She was only worried that the schemes she had taught Mingyue to carry out at Liu Jia had been exposed by Qin Shi, and that Qin Shi had therefore confined Shen Mingyue.
Her intention to take Shen Mingtang away was also to make her the scapegoat.
"Do you really know where Mingyue is?" Zhou Yiniang asked.
Shen Mingtang nodded and began fabricating wildly, "Of course I do. She offended the Yuchang Marquis Heir and was taken away by him."
"What?" Zhou Yiniang’s brow twitched. Quickly, she thought of Qin Shi again. "Does Madam know?"
"Yiniang instructed Di Sister to harm Madam using the Yuchang Marquis Heir. Madam was so enraged she developed a severe headache and went to bed as soon as she returned." Shen Mingtang took a step forward and said softly, "So, only I know Di Sister was taken by the Yuchang Marquis Heir. Yiniang must also be aware… that Yuchang Marquis Heir, ah…"
The Yuchang Marquis Heir, relying on the Empress Dowager’s favor, was especially lustful. What if he had his way with Shen Mingyue…
Zhou Yiniang’s face indeed paled.
She had dared to teach Shen Mingyue to set a trap for the Yuchang Marquis Heir to teach Qin Shi a lesson because she had a cousin who was the Yuchang Marquis Heir’s concubine and could exert some influence.
But how could she let Shen Mingyue fall into the Yuchang Marquis Heir’s hands? That beast was worse than an animal.
Zhou Yiniang didn’t dare dwell on it. She shot a fierce glare at Shen Mingtang and turned to leave.
But Shen Mingtang’s voice drifted leisurely from behind her, "Does Yiniang have a way to rescue Di Sister? If not, I could beg Prince Rui to personally demand her release."
Zhou Yiniang’s steps halted abruptly. She turned back and declared firmly, "Go beg Prince Rui now!"
The only method she could think of was to seek help from her cousin—she had even considered using Shen Mingtang to exchange for Shen Mingyue.
But in terms of speed, nothing compared to Prince Rui personally demanding her release.
"I have conditions too," Shen Mingtang said unhurriedly.
This time, it was Zhou Yiniang’s turn to grow anxious. She stepped forward and grabbed Shen Mingtang’s arm sharply. "You dare set conditions?"
Shen Mingtang looked at her, her smile unwavering, her body unmoving.
Only when Zhou Yiniang had calmed down did she narrow her eyes and say, "Speak."
"I want Hua Sui from Yiniang’s courtyard, along with her deed of sale, given to me." Shen Mingtang looked at her. "Now, immediately, at once."
A mere maidservant?
Had she offended Shen Mingtang somehow?
But now, Zhou Yiniang couldn't care less about why Shen Mingtang wanted a lowly maid. She glanced at the matron beside her.
The matron immediately scurried away.
Not long after, a young maid of about fourteen or fifteen was dragged over, arms twisted behind her back, and shoved in front of Shen Mingtang.
Shen Mingtang looked at the deed of sale handed over by the matron, reached out to take it, and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
To say she wasn't nervous would be a lie.
What if, while she was making this 'deal' with Zhou Yiniang, Shen Mingyue returned? It wouldn't matter much for her, but Hua Sui would likely suffer terribly.
"Go beg Prince Rui now," Zhou Yiniang pointed at her, already frantic. "Go now!"
Just as Shen Mingtang was about to agree, she saw Zhou Yiniang's personal maid running over from a distance.
The maid shouted as she ran, "Yiniang, Da Guniang is back, Da Guniang is back! She was brought back by a noble!"
Zhou Yiniang whipped her head around, glaring at Shen Mingtang with a murderous gaze. "Well done, you've played me for a fool."