The Residence of the Princess of State Protection was located right beside the imperial city. The emperor asked Nanny Deng to stay while he himself prepared to return directly to the palace.
"Uncle, won't you come in and sit for a while? I'll have someone prepare your favorite refreshments," said Jiang Ning'an.
The emperor shook his head. "The Chief Minister of the Secretariat is waiting in the imperial study. I can't afford to delay. You go back obediently. If there's anything, just send someone to tell me."
Hearing that the emperor had rushed out leaving his state affairs behind, Jiang Ning'an quickly said, "Then I won't detain you, Uncle. I'll enter the palace in a couple of days to pay my respects to you and Auntie."
The emperor was very pleased. "Good."
As soon as the emperor left, Jiang Ning'an's expression changed.
She turned around and looked at the magnificent Residence of the Princess of State Protection in front of her.
Jiang Ning'an's birth mother had been titled the Princess of State Protection, which showed her importance.
This residence was, of course, the most luxurious in the capital. The pavilions and towers were scattered in an orderly manner, with carved beams and painted rafters. Whatever the palace had, the princess's residence also had.
Even the servants here were all maids and eunuchs trained in the palace.
It had only been half a year since she last saw it, but as she walked through it, Jiang Ning'an felt as if it had been an eternity.
She made her way back to Wutong Residence.
Before she even entered the courtyard gate, she heard a burst of laughter from afar.
"Oh, this dress and jewelry look so perfect on you, miss! I wonder which young master is so thoughtful!"
"Is this dress made of Shu brocade? I've never seen such a beautiful dress! Such a generous gift... Miss, who do you think sent it?"
Jiang Ning'an raised her eyebrows slightly and subconsciously looked at the plaque of the courtyard.
Yes, it was her Wutong Residence.
But with her away, who could be making such a ruckus in Wutong Residence?
As she got closer, she saw a well - dressed young woman in the courtyard. Blushing slightly, she was being flattered by a group of maids and servants.
The woman had a well - proportioned figure and fair, rosy skin. The gorgeous brocade clothes on her looked extremely beautiful, making her seem like a celestial being.
Nanny Deng frowned immediately. "Your Highness, the emperor has long given instructions that all your items should be made in duplicate, one set for the palace and one for outside. It seems that what this woman is wearing are all the items sent from the palace."
Jiang Ning'an nodded.
Of course, she could recognize her own things.
Suddenly, a group of people appeared at the door. A maid tugged at the sleeve of the young woman in the middle.
When the woman looked towards Jiang Ning'an, Jiang Ning'an saw her clearly, and a chill flashed in her eyes.
This woman in front of her was the so - called female lead and also her half - sister, Chu Yu.
Perhaps it was fate. Even if they didn't fight over men, they were doomed not to get along peacefully.
"I didn't know when Wutong Residence changed its owner," said Jiang Ning'an.
In her dream, Jiang Ning'an was forcibly taken back to the palace. Before returning to the princess's residence, she had sent a message to Chu Ming in advance, so she didn't know about this episode.
What puzzled her even more was that all the servants in the princess's residence were from the palace. They would report any slightest disturbance in the princess's residence to the emperor immediately, and once the emperor knew, he would surely intervene.
It was possible that Chu Yu could bribe one or two servants, but how could she, on her own, keep the whole situation in the princess's residence completely secret?
Even with Chu Ming's help, it was impossible.
Before Chu Yu could say anything, a maid stepped forward. "Who are you? Why are you so hostile to our miss when you first meet her?"
Nanny Deng shouted angrily, "Presumptuous! Wutong Residence is the residence of the princess. How dare a young girl of unknown origin occupy someone else's place! And you still think you're in the right?!"
The maid was not to be outdone. "Hey! How can you talk like that! Our miss has had a hard life. She has been wandering since childhood. Now she just wants to live in a better place. Why should she be insulted by you?
Moreover, it was the master's order for our miss to live here. Why are you shouting at our miss?!"
This maid, who often spoke up for Chu Yu, was named Xiaocui. She was the most sharp - tongued.
Jiang Ning'an's gaze swept across, and the air suddenly became more oppressive. "Where is Meng Chun?"
Meng Chun was a maid who had accompanied her since childhood. Before, controlled by the plot, when she entered the palace, she didn't take Meng Chun with her but left her in the residence.
But she had been back for a while, and she still hadn't seen Meng Chun.
"That maid? She didn't obey the master's order, so she was sent to do rough work in the front yard!" Xiaocui snorted proudly. "The master said that if the servants below are disobedient, our miss has the full authority to deal with them!"
Chu Yu looked at Jiang Ning'an, with a hint of scrutiny in her eyes.
This overbearing attitude just because of being born into a good family really annoyed her.
All people were equal at birth. So what if she was a princess? Didn't she also have two eyes and one mouth?
People in this era were really ignorant.
So Chu Yu stepped forward and said, "You didn't send a message home in advance. I didn't know you'd come back so soon. I'm really sorry.
But don't worry. I'll have someone quickly clean up a courtyard for you. You can stay there first."
Hearing this, Jiang Ning'an couldn't help but laugh. "I didn't know when the Residence of the Princess of State Protection started to be under your control. Even where I, the princess, should live has to be arranged by you?"
Jiang Ning'an's imposing manner was overwhelming. Chu Yu subconsciously said, "I've been living in Wutong Residence for half a year. I have too many things. It's not easy to move them out in a short time!"
"I've lived in Wutong Residence for more than a decade. I could move my things away whenever I wanted. Why can't you move yours?
If you've been wandering since childhood, are you more precious than me?"
Jiang Ning'an raised her chin. "If you don't have enough manpower, I'll have someone help you."
As soon as she said this, the palace servants rushed in one after another.
But now Wutong Residence was no longer what it was half a year ago. The courtyard was full of Chu Yu's people, and Jiang Ning'an didn't have an advantage in terms of numbers.
Xiaocui shouted at the top of her voice, "Wherever you live is fine. You're a noble princess. Why are you being so aggressive over such a trivial matter!
Is your magnanimity even less than that of a maid like me?!"
Jiang Ning'an frowned.
She was getting a bit annoyed.
Nanny Deng stepped forward and said, "Presumptuous! This is the imperial - built Residence of the Princess of State Protection. How dare you act so wildly here!"
Xiaocui still refused to yield. "Then are you, the princess, going to disobey your own father?!"
Nanny Deng was so angry that her face turned purple, but she couldn't say a word.
Children naturally had a deep affection for their parents. Since Jiang Ning'an didn't have a mother, all this affection was placed on Chu Ming.
But Nanny Deng didn't know that the current Jiang Ning'an was no longer the previous one.
Jiang Ning'an was too lazy to talk to Xiaocui anymore. She called out, "Lin Ji."
The next moment, a man in black landed steadily beside Jiang Ning'an. "Your subordinate is here."
"Get these people out."
Dozens of men in black appeared silently beside Jiang Ning'an. Without saying a word, they dragged all the servants out.
These were all martial - arts practitioners, and the servants had no power to resist.
While they were taking action, Jiang Ning'an locked eyes with Chu Yu again. "What do you say?"
Chu Yu bit her lip.
She could either live in the servants' quarters or be homeless...
She was silent, as if waiting for something.
After a long while, she turned around humiliatingly and told Xiaocui, "Pack up all our things."
Jiang Ning'an sneered.
In the past half - year, Chu Yu had eaten and used her things and occupied her place. Now she was just asked to give back what didn't belong to her, and she even felt wronged.
This is the so - called female lead?