Chapter 26: Making Things Difficult (1)

Yu Qingyan clapped her hands and turned to leave.

"Wait."

"It is almost time for lunch; let us eat together." Chu Yuchuan stood up and straightened his robes.

"..."

"Your Highness."

Yu Qingyan and Chu Yuchuan both looked toward Zuo Xuan, who had just entered.

"What is it?"

"...Lady Rou has sent someone to request your presence."

Yu Qingyan raised an eyebrow. "I shall take my leave then."

Chu Yuchuan watched her retreating figure, his expression darkening.

Yu Qingyan returned to the Bamboo Garden with Meixiang and Luju. Only Magpie was busy about the place, but Cuier was nowhere to be found. At first, she assumed the girl had gone to the backyard for her training, but she was not there either.

"Where is Cuier?"

"Cuier was called away by Lady Yin early this morning to assist her."

"Why did you not say so sooner?" Yu Qingyan frowned. "Meixiang, Luju, come with me."

"But Your Highness, you are still under house arrest—"

"I will take responsibility for whatever happens. Let’s go."

As soon as Yu Qingyan stepped into Lady Yin’s Ruiyue Pavilion, she saw Cuier kneeling in the shadows of the courtyard, surrounded by unmelted snow and ice.

"Cuier!"

"My... Your Highness, why are you here?"

"Get up," Yu Qingyan commanded coldly.

Cuier hesitated, but Lady Yin, dressed in ostentatious finery, had already stepped out.

"So, the Princess has arrived."

Yu Qingyan ignored her, focusing only on Cuier. If she was to be one of her own, she would not be bullied so easily!

After much hesitation, Cuier limped over to Yu Qingyan’s side.

Yu Qingyan watched coldly as Meixiang stepped forward to support the girl.

"What is the meaning of this?"

"This girl is far too insolent. I merely asked her to help with a small task, and she flew into such a rage that she smashed my favorite winter plum blossom vase. Does she think that just because she is the Princess’s maid, she can behave without regard for the rules?"

Yu Qingyan looked at Cuier. "You tell me."

"It is not like that, Your Highness. It was Lady Yin’s maid, Fang’er, who smashed the pot, not me."

"Lady Yin, did you hear that?"

Lady Yin, with her slender, arrogant eyes, glared at Yu Qingyan. "How can you listen to only one side of the story, Your Highness?"

"She is my personal maid; if I do not listen to her, should I listen to you? Since you question her words, are you also suggesting that I am intentionally shielding her?"

"You—" Lady Yin turned red with fury.

Yu Qingyan looked from Cuier to the maid standing behind Lady Yin. "Is she Fang’er?"

"Yes."

"Sowing discord and inciting trouble—give her a slap for me."

Lady Yin was stunned, and Fang’er was caught completely off guard. Yu Qingyan looked at Cuier; if this girl could only be bullied, she was truly unfit to follow her.

"Yes!"

Yu Qingyan raised an eyebrow, watching as Cuier walked past Lady Yin, approached Fang’er, and struck her. At first, she was hesitant, but the slaps grew louder and more firm with each strike.

"Your Highness!"

"What, Lady Yin? Do you have an objection?"

Lady Yin choked on her words. She had heard that the Prince had been visiting this new Princess quite often, and she was not as neglected as everyone had assumed. In this estate, the Prince’s favor was everything, and she was the Princess, after all. Lady Yin had intended to make things difficult, but she did not want to blow the matter out of proportion.

"That is enough." Yu Qingyan called Cuier back. "Cuier is my dowry maid. Lady Yin, it would be best for you to be clear about that in the future and refrain from making false accusations against others."

Yu Qingyan brought Cuier back to the Bamboo Garden and called her into her room alone.

"I am sorry."

"My Lady, please do not say such things!"

"There is medicine in the kit; go apply it yourself. Do not go to training this afternoon."

"It is fine, I am alright!" Cuier replied with a bright smile.