Chu Qing instantly abandoned her original thought of making money in a harmonious way. She looked up at the Madam Shangshu, who was still sitting in her seat without any sign of moving. Chu Qing smiled, but a cold glint flashed in her eyes.
"Madam, it seems your sense of propriety has been left behind in the Shangshu Mansion?"
It was clear that this woman didn't take her seriously at all.
Did she think Chu Qing was still the timid and submissive woman who never made use of her status as the Princess of Ning?
Madam Wang of the Shangshu Mansion had intended to intimidate the Princess of Ning as she had done in the past. But to her surprise, this woman seemed to have changed completely. Instead of showing any fear, she even calmly mocked Madam Wang for lacking propriety!
Madam Wang looked at her daughter in surprise, wondering why this woman's personality had suddenly changed.
After all, in the past, Chu Qing would always treat her with respect and courtesy!
Unfortunately, Xu Xin was also standing there, stunned, not knowing why Chu Qing was so blunt in her criticism.
Seeing that neither of them responded, Chu Qing leisurely walked to the main seat and sat down, calmly waiting for Madam Wang to speak.
"Sister used to treat Mother as an elder. What's come over you today, Sister?"
Afraid that Madam Wang would feel embarrassed, Xu Xin tentatively said in a soft voice, pretending to be puzzled as to why Chu Qing had suddenly become so unkind.
Hearing this, Chu Qing slightly raised her eyebrows. She took the teacup handed over by Luoluo and took a small sip.
"In the past, this princess didn't really care about such things. But His Highness the Prince of Ning said that the rules of the Prince's Mansion should be enforced. This is to prevent some people from overestimating their own status and doing improper things without realizing it."
Madam Wang and Xu Xin immediately blushed with anger upon realizing that Chu Qing was insinuating something. But since she had used the Prince of Ning as a shield, they couldn't refute her even if they wanted to.
Chu Qing continued, "This princess has carefully considered. The Supreme Emperor, the Prince of Guangling, and the Grand Empress Dowager have all passed away." Ignoring the discomfort of mentioning herself, Chu Qing gathered her spirit and continued, "So, in terms of seniority, in our Great Chu, there is probably no one who can be regarded as an elder of His Highness the Prince of Ning, right?"
Humph, now only I can be considered his elder! Although the identity of an elder no longer belongs to her, the person inside this body is still her!
Chu Qing's tone remained calm, showing no emotion. But these simple words made Madam Wang tremble with fear.
The thought that since her daughter had become the concubine of the Prince of Ning, her own status had also risen was truly fatal.
If the Prince of Ning doted on her daughter enough, he might not care. But now, it seemed that their whole family had thought too much!
Chu Qing took in the expressions of Madam Wang and Xu Xin.
"It was I who overstepped my bounds. Please forgive me, Princess of Ning!" Suppressing her dissatisfaction, Madam Wang stood up and curtsied slightly towards Chu Qing.
When Xu Xin wanted to say something, Madam Wang silenced her with a look.
Chu Qing smiled and pretended to support Madam Wang. Then she said unhurriedly, "This princess is not being unreasonable. It's just that I'm afraid Madam might not be able to bear it. This princess is still injured and not fully recovered, so I won't be able to accompany Madam. Fortunately, Madam can have a heart - to - heart chat with my sister."
After finishing the tea in her hand, Chu Qing was helped up by Luoluo and prepared to leave.
Madam Wang and Xu Xin exchanged a look. Having lost the mood to say anything, they curtsied and respectfully saw Chu Qing out.
...
As soon as she returned to her courtyard, Luoluo said to Chu Qing with a beaming smile, "Your Highness has finally stopped being so good - tempered as before!"
Seeing the little girl's excited look, Chu Qing smiled helplessly.
"Even a cornered rabbit will bite. How could your highness always be so good - tempered?"
Unconsciously, Chu Qing had become closer to Luoluo.
In the past, in the palace, there was always a clear distinction between the master and the maid. But now, this little girl would often get a bit too physical with her when she was excited. Although Luoluo would retract her over - familiar actions when Chu Qing gave her a look, she would still do it the next time. Although they were all equally loyal, their personalities were worlds apart. This kind of personality was probably spoiled by the previous Chu Qing.
As soon as she entered the room, Chu Qing collapsed on the couch like a boneless person. After being injured, she had really lost a lot of energy. She had only been out for a short while, but she already felt extremely tired.
She must discuss the matter of learning martial arts with Wei Ying as soon as possible!
...
After Chu Qing left, Xu Xin took Madam Wang to her room. Along the way, neither mother nor daughter said a word.
It wasn't until Qiangwei left the room and closed the door that Xu Xin couldn't hold back any longer. She threw herself into Madam Wang's arms and cried out in不甘, "Mother, look at how that bitch has bullied your daughter! She doesn't even take you seriously! What kind of status does she have? Just because her family has a bit more money, she has become so arrogant!"
Seeing her daughter on the verge of hysteria, Madam Wang pushed Xu Xin away from her arms and said with a look of disappointment,
"Xin'er, you're so impatient! The medicine I gave you before was for you to find the right opportunity and slowly administer it to her! I wanted her to die quietly and unnoticed! But what did you do? You gave it all to her at once! If she had really died, it would have been fine. But the scary thing is that she didn't die, and we don't know if she has found out anything! What should I say about you!"
After saying that, Madam Wang couldn't help but tap Xu Xin's forehead with her finger. Although she controlled her strength, Xu Xin's forehead still turned slightly red.
The words Xu Xin wanted to retort were blocked by her mother.
"Although she doesn't come from a famous family, we can't underestimate the Chu family. Being the richest family in the Yan Kingdom is not something anyone can achieve."
"Humph! She reeks of money!" Xu Xin grumbled discontentedly.
Looking at her daughter, Madam Wang felt a pang of pity. She gently patted her on the shoulder and comforted her, "Xin'er, you need to learn to be patient. Mother will definitely make you the Princess of Ning. But before that, don't act rashly. Your father has some things to do recently. Don't cause any trouble and hold him back."
"What is Father busy with recently?" Xu Xin asked curiously.
Madam Wang looked out of the door, then looked at Xu Xin meaningfully and said helplessly, "Your father didn't tell me in detail. He just told me to tell you that you should be obedient recently and don't do anything to make the Prince of Ning angry."
"How could I make the Prince of Ning angry!" Xu Xin said discontentedly. She liked him so much that there was no way she would make him angry.
Madam Wang didn't mention these things anymore. She changed the subject and chatted with Xu Xin about other things. She didn't leave until it was dark.