Chapter 267: Chapter 267: Don’t Take Yourself So Seriously
The wet nurse’s face flashed with annoyance.
She held Xuanyao in her arms, the gold bracelet on her wrist shining brilliantly in the light, its value evidently substantial.
It was a gift from Princess Consort Guo. With this in mind, she felt bolstered, and her attitude turned assertive as well.
"I am a servant, but also a person of Princess Consort Guo, specifically to attend to Miss Xuan. Commandery Princess, our Miss Xuan calls you cousin, and thinks of you day and night, but you treat her with such indifference, and now you even join outsiders to bully her. Are you trying to chill the warmth between sisters?"
These words conveyed too much information.
Shen Hua quickly guessed Xuanyao’s identity. She was somewhat surprised.
Watching Cui Rong stomp with anger, the young lady lifted her hand, pinched the corner of Cui Rong’s clothes between her forefinger and thumb, and pulled the little ghost behind her.
She lazily leaned back in her wheelchair.
"You still remember that you’re a servant?"
Shen Hua’s comment floated lightly: "Seeing you posture with such airs, acting as a wet nurse really sells you short. Maybe with some effort, your Princess Consort might even abdicate in your favor. You might as well take her place."
Shen Hua was quite unfamiliar with the wet nurse.
"You! How dare you speak so disrespectfully of the Princess Consort!"
Shen Hua gave her a reprimanding glance.
"Seems like you can’t understand human speech. I’m actually praising you here."
The wet nurse fell silent, secretly delighted.
She did indeed... have a fair appearance. The Princess Consort was getting on in years, how could she compete with her? Not long ago, the Prince had been eyeing her intently as well.
But Shen Hua suddenly turned cold.
"This is Marquis Yangling Mansion, not your Prince Guo Mansion, and she is Princess Rui’an, personally bestowed by His Majesty. Rui’an signifies divine protection from the Emperor, so what backing are you using to intimidate others just now?"
"Sisters may share deep affection, but I fear someone might be playing smart tricks in secret."
These were the grievances Cui Rong had been holding inside, unable to articulate.
Cui Rong lifted her chin proudly.
"Exactly!"
By now, Xuanyao’s chubby hands covered her face: "Wuuu wuuu."
Shen Hua actually watched her for a while.
"Look at how Miss Xuan is crying, why not bring her over."
Yingwu silently stepped forward, her strength great; with a simple gesture, she separated Xuanyao and the watchful wet nurse and easily brought her before Shen Hua.
Xuanyao struggled, her eyes wide: "Let go of me! I’m calling for help!"
"Go on, scream. Let’s see who comes to save you after you’ve lost your voice," Shen Hua taunted.
Cui Rong: ...
Xuanyao’s crying grew even more pitiful.
In the past, her tears would have been met with comforting words, but now, this unfamiliar girl before her simply toyed with the kite on her lap.
The kite in her hands was exquisitely beautiful.
Shaped like a cat, it even had a long tail.
Shen Hua pressed a button lightly, and a long tongue protruded from the cat’s mouth; she retracted her hand and the tongue slowly withdrew back in.
She pressed again, and the cat’s tail flirtatiously flicked.
Xuanyao was stunned, then stopped crying: !!!
Cui Rong also stared fixedly.
She leaned in closer and closer.
Shen Hua pressed once, Xuanyao exclaimed: "Wow!"
Shen Hua pressed again, and obediently Xuanyao shouted: "Wow!"
"Do you like it?"
"I like it."
Shen Hua poked her cheek and passed the kite over. Xuanyao quickly embraced it.
The young lady’s almond eyes curved: "Yingwu, take Miss Xuan to fly the kite."
Yingwu: "Yes."
Watching Xuanyao being easily coaxed away, the wet nurse’s expression turned ugly. She forced a laugh.
"Miss Xuan can’t be without me for even a moment, and she’ll cry again if I leave. I’m worried, I need to go check on her."
No sooner had she spoken, than the bell-like laughter of Xuanyao reached them from not far away. The little girl held her cheeks, admiring the kite floating in mid-air.
"It’s flying!"
She let Yingwu put her down, refusing to join in the thrill of chasing after, delighting in unbridled joy.
Wet nurse: ...
Shen Hua: "Ha."
"Don’t overestimate yourself."
"If the little princess doesn’t allow you to rise, you must kneel. Continue to kneel for 15 minutes, for two hours, even if your legs become disabled."
Cui Rong was quite pleased: "Exactly!!!"
All of the servants looked at each other in dismay. Not daring to speak any further.
————
Yongchang Marquis Mansion.
Xuan E received the news and was furious.
She got up in a rage, ordering the old woman to prepare the carriage. But before she could leave, she saw the new bride Wen Yiran standing quietly at the entrance.
Wen Yiran approached Xuan E in a hurry.
"Mother-in-law, I will go too."
Xuan E looked at her for a moment: "Do you know why Yao is at the Cui family’s place?"
Wen Yiran looked down, twisting her fingers: "To embarrass me and to show their power."
"You know this and still you want to go? I have never seen anyone so naïve!"
"Who do they think they are? As if the Yongchang Marquis Mansion and Duke Wen’s Mansion are dead and unresponsive? Embarrassing you?"
"Brother Chen and your father have already discussed this. Yaoyao... She is still very well-behaved, and those servants by her side will naturally be sent back."
But... this matter must be dealt with gradually.
If it were with the people from Prince Guo Mansion, they could dismiss them without a reason too.
But they had to consider Wen Yiran.
Fearing that people from Prince Guo Mansion might stir up trouble again and maliciously spread words that the new bride is intolerant of others.
Xuan E: "I will take care of this trip.
She patted Wen Yiran’s hand: "You wait at home. You have already been wronged enough by this incident."
"I’m not wronged."
Wen Yiran: "I should go as well."
Seeing her insist, Xuan E found it hard to say more. The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law got into the carriage together and hurried towards Marquis Yangling Mansion.
Upon arriving at the Marquis Mansion, they coincidentally ran into Cui Xuan and Qiao Si, who were also hurrying back.
The group, without time for pleasantries, rushed toward the garden.
At this moment, Dowager Cui had already arrived at the garden.
She had thought that Cui Rong would have torn the whole garden apart, that there would be chaos and turmoil. Yet unexpectedly...
Xuanyao was hopping and jumping: "Yaoyao’s kite is so pretty, higher! Even higher!"
Cui Rong watched on: "So annoying!"
Dowager Cui stood beside a rockery, her face showing a rare hint of surprise.
"Dowager, why don’t you go over there?"
The gaze of Dowager Cui fell upon Shen Hua, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully: "No rush, there’s no trouble at the moment, let’s just watch for a while."
Meanwhile, Cui Rong was indifferent: "It’s just a kite!"
"Why make such a fuss over it!"
Seeing Shen Hua ignoring her, Cui Rong couldn’t take it anymore, her anger flaring up: "I... I want one too."
"Why did you only give it to her?"
"I don’t care, I want one exactly the same."
Shen Hua: "You think I’m giving them away for free? You have to pay for them."
She pondered for a bit: "I won’t ask for much, just 40 taels."
Cui Rong: "What a rip-off! You can buy them for a few cents outside, your kite might look different, but it doesn’t make sense for it to be this expensive. I knew you were trying to make a fortune!"
Shen Hua sneered: "Originally, I was thinking of splitting it with you."
Cui Rong: "My uncle is rich! Don’t be shy with him!"