Qiuhé was the Princess Consort’s senior maidservant and held quite a respectable position in the estate.
Over at Qingfu Pavilion, the little maid Ali came in to report, “Concubine, Sister Qiuhé from the main courtyard has arrived.”
Afraid the cucumber slices on her face might fall off, Zhu Xinyan leaned sideways on the couch and slightly raised her head.
“I’m doing an essential-oil cucumber SPA right now, so I won’t get up to greet you. Ali, bring a small stool for Sister to sit on.”
Qiuhé frowned slightly.
What a strange name. Sticking cucumber slices on one’s face and calling it an “SPA.”
This Concubine Zhu was rather interesting.
She bent slightly in greeting and said, “Thank you, Concubine, but there’s no need to trouble yourself. This servant is only here to relay a message from the Princess Consort. Those two servants confessed. They said that seeing you currently favored, they wanted to transfer over to serve at Qingfu Pavilion, so they staged the incident.
“The Princess Consort considered it their first offense, and since no great disaster was caused, she dealt with them leniently. Each will forfeit one month’s allowance. As for Mingyu—”
Qiuhé wanted to observe Zhu Xinyan’s expression, but the woman’s face was covered in cucumber slices, making it impossible to tell what she was thinking.
Smelling the faint fragrance drifting through the room, Qiuhé unconsciously swallowed.
“The Princess Consort said Mingyu belongs to the front courtyard, and His Lordship is used to having her serve him. As for her punishment, that must wait until His Lordship returns to decide. But after all, she did offend you, so she’s been ordered to kneel in the main courtyard for two hours.”
Handling Mingyu so lightly and keeping herself completely uninvolved—the Princess Consort really was a white lotus through and through.
As for those two servants, Zhu Xinyan didn’t believe that explanation one bit.
Still, the Princess Consort had personally dealt with the matter and even specially sent someone over to inform her. That already counted as giving her face.
Since it was inconvenient for her to rise and bow, Zhu Xinyan merely cupped her hands from where she reclined on the couch.
“Please thank the Princess Consort for seeking justice on my behalf! What happened today was also due to my own lack of consideration, disturbing the Princess Consort’s midday rest. I ask Sister to apologize to her for me.”
Though she hadn’t stood up, her tone was humble. Coupled with the timely purse Ali presented, Qiuhé naturally took no offense.
Slipping the pouch into her sleeve, she smiled warmly and said, “Our Princess Consort also said that if Concubine Zhu encounters any problems in the future, you may go directly to the main courtyard. The Princess Consort will support you.”
“My thanks to the Princess Consort, and to Sister as well.”
After leaving Qingfu Pavilion, Qiuhé didn’t immediately return. Instead, she detoured behind the vacant Baihua Pavilion and took out the pouch to inspect it.
Good heavens—five whole taels.
If one were to speak of the wealthiest person in the manor, it would undoubtedly be Concubine Lin. But all her living expenses were supplied by her natal family, so there was no need for her to bribe the Princess Consort’s servants.
Not a drop of profit to squeeze from her.
As for Concubine Wei, she herself had little money and occasionally even needed aid from the Princess Consort.
Forget silver—she couldn’t even spare a single copper coin.
Qiuhé, meanwhile, as a first-rank maidservant, received only one tael a month. These five taels amounted to half a year’s wages!
How could she not be delighted?
Of course, taking silver inevitably meant trouble might follow.
But Zhu was merely a concubine; she couldn’t stir up much of a storm.
So Qiuhé decided she might as well keep the money and spend it.
Though she thought this way, the balance in her heart had already tilted slightly toward Zhu Xinyan.
She first returned to her own room in the main courtyard to hide the silver away before going to report back to the Princess Consort.
“Concubine Zhu said to thank Your Highness for your care. Disturbing your midday rest was her offense.”
Shen Wangshu was quite satisfied with Zhu Xinyan’s humble attitude. “From the looks of it, she’s a sensible one. At the very least, she hasn’t become arrogant because of favor.”
“How could she?” Qiuhé replied. “She’s only a concubine. Once trouble arises, naturally she must rely on Your Highness to make decisions for her.”
Having accepted the silver, Qiuhé naturally spoke in Zhu Xinyan’s favor.
Shen Wangshu turned to look at Concubine Wei.
“Now that this attempt has failed, it’ll be difficult to plant more people by her side. Leave Zhu alone for the time being. As for those two servants…”
Concubine Wei’s heart trembled.
The Princess Consort always played the good person, making the servants think she was kind-hearted and gentle, the most amiable mistress of the household.
But none of them knew that every time, it was Wei who had to clean up the mess behind her.
Though seated on a round stool, Wei only perched on the very edge of it. Hearing herself addressed, she hurriedly stood to answer.
“This concubine will quietly deal with those two.”
“Sit down. No need to stand while speaking. It makes me tired just looking at you.”
Shen Wangshu had just finished some sweets. A maid handed her tea to rinse her mouth. She spat the tea into the rinse cup.
Then she took a handkerchief from the tray and dabbed her lips before continuing, “That girl Mingyu is getting older, and her thoughts are becoming more restless. Whenever His Lordship isn’t in the estate, she starts causing trouble.”
Since Mingyu had ruined the Princess Consort’s plans, she naturally had to be taught a lesson.
Concubine Wei immediately understood and volunteered, “Leave this matter to me. There’s no need for the Princess Consort to trouble herself.”
“Very well. I’m tired too. You may go.”
After leaving the main courtyard, Wei walked back while Qiushui asked, “Mistress, what do you plan to do about Mingyu?”
Aside from the “Ming”-generation maids of the front courtyard, the “Qiu”-generation maids had served in the manor the longest.
And Qiushui had begun serving Wei back when Wei was merely a bedwarming maid.
Having spent so many years together, Wei already regarded her as a confidante.
So when asked, she didn’t hide anything.
“You know, back when I was still serving in His Lordship’s chambers, that Mingyu constantly gave me attitude and secretly sabotaged me. Since the Princess Consort has given the order this time, there’s no need for me to show mercy. I’ll just consider it settling old debts.”
At this point, a trace of disdain appeared on her usually placid face, growing stronger as she spoke.
“Hasn’t she always liked His Lordship? Then this time, I’ll grant her wish.”
Qiushui immediately understood her mistress’s meaning and continued, “This servant has a fellow townsman working in the front courtyard. I’ll pass along a message.”
Though Mingyu was only a servant, she had always attended His Lordship and thus lived a rather pampered life.
After kneeling for two straight hours, night had already fallen completely.
Her waist ached, her knees were swollen, and full of pent-up fury, she returned to her room in the front courtyard baring her teeth in pain, immediately smashing things around and venting her anger on the little maids.
“Are you all dead?! Didn’t you see me come back? Not one of you thought to bring hot water?”
The little maid trembled in fright and hurried out to fetch some.
A moment later, instead of the little maid returning, another maid named Qing’er entered.
She was responsible for boiling tea in the outer room and had a bit of beauty, so Mingyu had always been wary of her. Even after several years, she had never promoted her.
Seeing it was Qing’er, Mingyu became displeased, her mouth twitching. “Why are you here?”
Qing’er set down the basin of hot water and curtsied properly. “She’s still just a child. What does she know? I was afraid she might accidentally hurt Sister, so I thought I’d personally come serve you.”
Mingyu was hurting too badly to care about anything else and allowed Qing’er to help wash her feet.
Once her feet soaked in the hot water and warm towels were applied above her knees, the pain truly eased quite a bit.
Mingyu’s mood improved, and she began dangling promises before Qing’er.
“You’re good at serving people. When there’s an opportunity, I’ll recommend you to His Lordship.”
Qing’er lowered her head, the curve of her lips revealing a trace of contempt.
She had already been in the front courtyard for five years, and for those same five years Mingyu had guarded against her like a thief. Yet now she spoke of recommending her.
No one was a fool. Only after Mingyu was gone would Qing’er have a chance to rise.
She let out a heavy sigh.
Mingyu knowingly asked, “What, you don’t believe me?”