The Shuixin Pavilion has been quite joyful recently; everyone serving has received rewards, and everyone is dedicated to serving Miss Rou as well.
Zhen Rou’s fetus is not too stable, and needs careful nurturing, many things must be avoided, and she should spend more time in the sun.
Today the sun is shining brightly, and the maids are crowding around Zhen Rou as she basked in the sun in the courtyard.
Zhen Rou caressed her belly, which had not yet protruded, and with a light smile, she showed a trace of maternal glow.
However, the calculation in her eyes was too much, quickly overshadowing that maternal glow.
"Miss Rou, His Highness is quite worried about you, you know, sending people to check your pulse daily and bringing you so many good things, showing how much he cares for you."
The maid was flattering Zhen Rou.
Zhen Rou smiled a little, "Oh, you sweet talker. Go and pick out a piece of jewelry you like later, as my reward to you."
The maid was delighted, "Thank you, Miss Rou."
The title "Miss Rou" made Zhen Rou feel slightly uncomfortable, her gaze darkening by two shades.
"Let’s take a walk outside."
The maids promptly supported Zhen Rou as she walked outside.
Just as they walked out of the courtyard gate, they saw several servants carrying things towards them.
Because the boxes they were carrying appeared rather valuable, Zhen Rou couldn’t help but notice.
Usually, those coming this way are delivering things to the Shuixin Pavilion...
So Zhen Rou naturally stood still and waited for them.
"Greetings, Miss Rou."
The servants carrying things all stopped and saluted.
Zhen Rou nodded slightly, "What are you carrying?"
"Replying to Miss Rou, it’s ginseng, bird’s nest, deer antler..." The servant recited a list of items, all being fine goods.
"Miss Rou, it must be His Highness sending them to you," the maid immediately supported, "His Highness really treasures Miss Rou."
Changsun Hang indeed sent many good things, Zhen Rou didn’t think much and went along with the maid’s words.
"Thanks for His Highness’s concern, you may carry the items inside. Give them some silver as a reward."
The last sentence was directed to the maid.
However, the servants looked at each other, even a little frightened.
But they had to respond under pressure, "Miss Rou... this... wasn’t sent by His Highness."
"Not sent by His Highness?" Zhen Rou was puzzled, "Then who sent it?"
"..." The servants hesitated, "It was... the Prince’s Consort, who asked us to deliver them to the kitchen."
Zhen Rou’s facial expression almost slipped, it was as if she’d been slapped twice, the heat was scorching.
What did she just say?!
Zhen Rou turned her head and glared angrily at that maid.
If it hadn’t been for her starting it, how could she have spoken without asking first?!
The maid shivered from the glare, her body trembling slightly, daring not to look at Zhen Rou.
How was she to know it wasn’t sent by His Highness...
The servants, sensing that the atmosphere was off, quickly paid their respects and ran off with the items.
Later, Zhen Rou heard that those items were taken to feed the chickens.
At the time, Zhen Rou was drinking bird’s nest soup and, upon hearing, threw over the bowl.
The things that were taken to feed the chickens, she was actually eating now.
What was she?
Like a chicken?!
"Get out! All of you, get out!!"
The maids frantically exited, leaving Zhen Rou alone in the room to vent.
-
Meanwhile.
Ying Xiang heard about this news, finally feeling pleased.
"Feel better?"
"Feel better!" Ying Xiang replied, suddenly realizing something was off, "Miss, aren’t you angry?" That Zhen Rou was flaunting herself, taking advantage of her pregnancy.
"Why would I be angry?"
"She... she she..." Ying Xiang stammered for a while, ultimately failing to articulate the reasoning.
Chuzheng’s tone was gentle, "An insignificant person isn’t worth my anger." Better use that energy to entertain myself with my cards.
Ying Xiang: "..."
Ying Xiang stared at the person in front of her in a daze.
The Miss had really changed.
From then on, whatever Zhen Rou ate, Chuzheng would purchase the same to feed the chickens, infuriating Zhen Rou almost to the point of disturbing her pregnancy.
When Changsun Hang heard the rumor, he came running to find trouble with Chuzheng.
Chuzheng ignored him, waited until Changsun Hang was alone, and then beat him up.
The next day, when people discovered Changsun Hang, they were almost scared to death.
Changsun Hang’s head had swollen up like a pig’s.
"Miss, if you had seen the Third Prince’s appearance... And who would have the audacity..."
Chuzheng placidly drank tea, straightened her back slightly.
It was me!
It’s everyone’s duty to rid evil for the people, no need to thank me.
[...]
Changsun Hang getting beaten up led to another upheaval in the residence.
Changsun Hang ordered people to find the culprit, but they didn’t even know when Changsun Hang got beaten, let alone catch the culprit.
Somehow, this matter spread outside, even Yann Qin sent people to inquire.
Chuzheng casually replied, and Yann Qin, seeing she was alright, didn’t ask further.
After all, he didn’t quite like Changsun Hang as a son-in-law... No, brother-in-law.
Ultimately, Changsun Hang found nothing, angering him to sleepless nights—due to the pain.
"Miss." Shi Yi actively appeared before Chuzheng, "I’ve helped you cover it up with Lord Yann, but I hope next time something like this happens, Miss can let me do it."
"You?"
Chuzheng scrutinized him from top to bottom.
Shi Yi seemed quite normal, showed no sign of having turned dark.
But there certainly must be some problem...
In Shi Yi’s slightly puzzled gaze, Chuzheng continued, "Such things don’t require you to do them, it’s unnecessary."
Shi Yi: "My purpose in life is to protect Miss."
"Your purpose in life is for me."
Only two words less, but the meaning completely differs.
Shi Yi felt somewhat peculiar internally, but remained calm outwardly, "If Miss doesn’t need me, she can tell Lord Yann..."
"I need you." Chuzheng hurriedly waved her hand before Shi Yi could say anything else, "Without my permission, you’re not allowed to go anywhere. Alright, go ahead, step down."
Shi Yi: "..."
Pushing Shi Yi away, Chuzheng sighed in relief.
Find an opportunity...
Chuzheng clenched her fist internally.
-
With Changsun Hang having been beaten into a pighead, the mansion remained quiet for a few days.
That night, deep in the night, Chuzheng heard sounds, pitch dark without any clear visibility, Ying Xiang would occasionally check in at night, but that sound was familiar to her, not like this...
Someone had broken into her yard!
Chuzheng lay still without movement.
Shi Yi should be outside, but until someone pried open her room door, Shi Yi didn’t show up to handle it.
Chuzheng: "..."
Sure enough, unreliable!
Depending on anyone is inferior to depending on oneself!
There was some distance between the door entry to her bed, separated by a folding screen, Chuzheng quietly got up, formed the quilt into a human shape, then slipped into the dark corner...
No, why am I hiding?
Am I afraid I can’t win in a fight?
Chuzheng thought this way, grabbed the jacket beside her, draped it over herself smartly, directly bypassed the screen to go out.
Outside the screen, three shadows carefully probed in, Chuzheng suddenly appeared behind the screen, and the other party was all stunned.
What the hell!
Three people against me, a frail young lady, impressive! Really think highly of me!
Chuzheng’s gaze swept across them, "Trespassing someone’s boudoir at late night, really don’t know manners."