Xie Yunxiao was stunned, until Wen Qianyue walked over. "Stop staring. Go and help support him."
She rubbed her sore wrist.
It had been a long time since she last practiced, and she was really a bit rusty.
Xie Yunxiao swallowed hard and immediately stood up straight, afraid that he would be the next one to get beaten.
"Sure, sure. I'll go right away."
He trotted over and helped Wang Xi, who was lying on the ground, up. After a careful examination, he felt relieved.
Thank goodness. He was still intact. His arms and legs were not broken.
Wang Xi was in so much pain that he couldn't say a word. It took him a long time to feel better.
Xie Yunxiao asked worriedly, "How do you feel now?"
He hoped he hadn't damaged the man's brain.
Wang Xi was filled with bitterness. "I feel a bit rash..."
In fact, it was good to live alone. Why did he have to get married?
Wen Qianyue guessed that Wang Xi must have completely given up on her.
She returned to the banquet and just sat down.
Wang's concubine mother let out a soft laugh. "Shuyao, our Xi'er has reached the age for marriage discussions, hasn't he?"
Shen Shuyao casually glanced at Wen Qianyue at the banquet and smiled even more amiably. "Indeed. His elder brother and I have been worrying about this matter."
Wang's concubine mother sighed. "In my opinion, family background and appearance are not the most important. One should value virtue and behavior more. It's better to be kind and good at running a household."
As she said this, she glanced at Wen Qianyue from time to time, obviously implying something.
Shen Shuyao understood. "You're right. But it still has to be what the young master himself likes."
"Although that's true, we elders still have to keep a closer eye. Otherwise, what if he's deceived by someone with ulterior motives?"
She chatted with Meng Ruxue, trying to get information indirectly. Although Meng Ruxue didn't dare to say it explicitly, her words revealed that Wen Qianyue was not easy to get along with.
She lived in the prince's mansion but still dreamed of marrying into their Wang family. It was simply wishful thinking.
Wen Qianyue found it rather boring listening to this.
Xie Yunxiao supported Wang Xi back. When Shen Shuyao saw him limping, she was shocked.
"What happened?"
Wang Xi said, "...I sparred with the young prince Xie for a few rounds and got a bit injured."
Everyone was surprised.
When did Xie Yunxiao become so good at martial arts?
Previously, they were evenly matched, and neither was better than the other. They were negative examples among the young men in Lingzhou.
Shen Shuyao was a bit embarrassed. "Then, then quickly take your seat."
Wen Qianyue tried hard to hold back her laughter.
She didn't feel the slightest bit of guilt after beating someone.
Wang Xi accidentally met her gaze and immediately lowered his head in fright.
Until the banquet ended, Wang Xi didn't dare to look at Wen Qianyue again.
On the way back to the mansion with Xie Yunxiao, they passed by a pastry shop.
Xie Yunxiao suddenly said, "Ruxue loves the pastries from this shop the most. I'll go buy some. You go back first."
He also wanted to go out and have some fun. For Wang Xi's sake, he had endured reading books for several days. He was almost bored to death at home.
Wen Qianyue didn't stop him and just let him go.
In the carriage behind, Qin Yao lowered the curtain and looked at Meng Ruxue in disappointment. "Tell me, how can you let others ride roughshod over you?"
Meng Ruxue lowered her eyes. "Forget it."
"Xie Yunxiao's life was saved by you. Why should you let others take advantage?" Qin Yao thought for a moment and came up with an idea. "Anyway, you're in charge of most things in the prince's mansion. Can't you make her suffer a bit?"
...
It had only been a few days since she returned, but Wen Qianyue found that the food sent to the mansion was getting worse and worse, completely different from before.
Once, the bedding in her room was deliberately splashed with water.
Lihong said indifferently, "It should be that some old woman accidentally did it while tidying up. It's so late now. Why don't you just make do for now, miss."
The weather in Lingzhou was so cold. If she really covered herself with a wet quilt, she would surely catch a cold.
Obviously, someone had done it on purpose.
Wen Qianyue didn't lose her temper that day. She just went to her previous room and slept there for the night.
The next day, she called the chief steward and asked for the list of all the stewards in the mansion.
It was a joke. If she really let it go, she would really become a sick cat...
The chief steward had always served in the front yard. Although he didn't know Wen Qianyue's identity, judging from the prince's attitude towards her, he knew she was someone not to be provoked. Without hesitation, he gave her the list.
Wen Qianyue took the list and asked Yue Heng to find some reliable people.
Since the servants in the mansion all listened to Meng Ruxue, she would just replace the stewards. It suited her perfectly.
Meng Ruxue had lived in the prince's mansion for so long. She probably already regarded it as her own territory.
Today, she would let Meng Ruxue recognize the reality.
"Are all the stewards in the mansion here?" Wen Qianyue raised her eyes. "No one is shirking and not coming, right?"
She guessed right. The person who replied rolled his eyes and said with a smile, "A few are really busy with work and can't come. Please forgive them, miss."
It wasn't that they were busy. They just thought she wasn't a proper master in the mansion and ignored her orders.
"Then forget it." Wen Qianyue waved her hand and asked someone to bring up the tray that had been prepared.
As soon as it was opened, everyone's attention was immediately drawn.
The purses inside were bulging, but no one knew what was inside.
Seeing everyone's reaction, Wen Qianyue said, "I've been in the mansion for many days, disturbing everyone. These are just a little token of my appreciation. Don't be offended."
The stewards below lit up with excitement.
Some people sent by the stewards to find out what was going on rushed back secretly to report as soon as they saw this.
Wen Qianyue saw it and smiled quietly.
After a while, the stewards who hadn't come before rushed over in a hurry.
Wen Qianyue didn't say much. She also asked someone to give them purses like the previous stewards.
The stewards weighed the purses and opened them happily. The shiny silver was revealed, and they all started to say flattering words.
Wen Qianyue had heard all kinds of words in the palace. Hearing those words again really made her feel a bit nostalgic.
"The Prince of Huainan still has a few manors. They need manpower. Since you've taken the money, someone will send you there tomorrow."
Everyone around tightened up. The stewards looked at Wen Qianyue. Her face showed no expression. One hand was placed on the armrest of the chair, and she calmly ordered, "Take them away."
The stewards were stunned. Before they could react, they were taken away by a group of guards who came up.
In the Bingqing Courtyard.
"What did you say?"
Meng Ruxue suddenly stood up, not even having time to pretend her usual gentle and delicate demeanor.
Nanny Liu was extremely anxious. "It's true. Several of our capable stewards have all been sent to the manors. The new stewards have already arrived at the mansion."
Meng Ruxue couldn't believe it.
It was impossible. Without Xie Yunxiao's consent, how could things be done so quickly? She wasn't even given a moment to react.
"Does the prince know about this?"
"I don't think so. The prince left the mansion early this morning."
Meng Ruxue's eyes darkened.
That good-for-nothing Xie Yunxiao only knew how to drink and have fun all day long and act recklessly. If it weren't for the Crown Prince, why would she stay by his side...
"Tell the prince that I'm not feeling well when he comes back." She added, "There's no need to call a doctor."