It had been drizzling all night, relieving the sweltering heat of the previous few days. When Chu Qing looked out of the window, the ground was still damp.
In the past few days, Xu Xin had been coming to pay her daily respects obediently and then leaving, without any wild ideas. Chu Qing finally had some peace.
Maybe she thought the prince wasn't around, so there was no one to appreciate her coquettish acts.
Or perhaps she was brewing some big move against Chu Qing.
However, Chu Qing didn't really care.
Using the excuse that she didn't want to get her shoes wet, Chu Qing declined Luoluo's suggestion that she go out for some fresh air. She just wanted to stay in the room, brew a pot of tea, enjoy some snacks, and read a book.
She suddenly found herself missing the days in her past life when she was accompanied by the green lamp and the ancient Buddha. Occasionally, she could drink alone in front of the Buddha. After getting drunk, she would talk about the scriptures with the Buddha in her dreams.
Seeing that Chu Qing had been listless recently, Luoluo asked worriedly, "My lady, are you feeling unwell?"
"I'm fine. It's just spring fatigue."
"My lady... what are you going to take me to do today?"
Chu Qing glanced at the excited Luoluo and replied slowly, "You'll know when the time comes."
Seeing that Chu Qing didn't want to say more, Luoluo wisely kept her mouth shut.
After lunch, Chu Qing took a nap. Then she asked Luoluo to do her hair in a neat bun and prepared to go out.
Seeing that Chu Qing wasn't heading towards the garden, Luoluo was a bit puzzled. But since they weren't in their small courtyard and she knew there were many eyes and ears around, Luoluo obediently didn't ask anything and was ready to follow her lady's orders at any time.
When they reached the old steward, Wei Ju, Luoluo's heart skipped a beat.
No way! Her lady wouldn't pick on the old steward of the mansion, would she?
Everyone knew that Wei Ju was an old-timer in the mansion. He had been the steward of the Ning Mansion since the time of the Guangling Prince. And the Ning Prince had always held him in high regard!
Thinking of this, Luoluo quickly caught up with Chu Qing, afraid that she might accidentally say something shocking.
Noticing Luoluo's nervousness, Chu Qing gently patted the hand holding hers, trying to calm her down.
"Greetings, Princess."
Seeing Chu Qing from afar, Wei Ju came forward to greet her. His attitude was neither overbearing nor humble.
"Steward, there's no need for such formalities."
...
Before Wei Ying left, Chu Qing had specifically told him that she might need to use Wei Ju.
Wei Ying agreed and informed Wei Ju in advance that in his absence, the princess's words were his commands.
However, although the order had been given and Wei Ju would follow it, whether he would be convinced by Chu Qing from the bottom of his heart would depend entirely on her.
"I've come today to ask the steward about the affairs of the mansion. After all, I've been wasting my time and haven't managed anything. Everything has been left to the steward to worry about. I really feel bad about it."
"Your Highness is being too modest. It's my duty to share the burden for the master. Now that Your Highness finally intends to manage the affairs of the mansion, I can finally take a break." Wei Ju replied respectfully, his face showing no expression.
"Shall we talk as we walk?" Chu Qing said with a smile.
Wei Ju replied yes and followed Chu Qing around the mansion casually.
The well-behaved Luoluo beside them seemed to understand something and quietly followed behind the two.
After wandering around for a while, Chu Qing casually led Wei Ju to the garden.
Sure enough, there were several figures chatting and chattering in a pavilion not far away.
Chu Qing slowed down her steps and approached quietly, a meaningful smile on her lips.
Wei Ju beside her sensed something was wrong. Frowning, he also slowed down his steps.
The voices of the people became clearer and clearer.
...
"The princess has been in our mansion for so long, but the prince has never spent the night with her. Is there something wrong?"
"Tsk tsk tsk, there must be. Either she doesn't know how to be charming or she has some chronic illness!"
"Look at the princess. She always looks sickly. She only has the title of princess but doesn't do anything! I think it won't be long before she loses her position as princess!"
"Xiaocui, has the prince ever spent the night in your mistress's courtyard?" someone suddenly turned the topic to the girl who had just spoken.
"Of... of course he has! Our mistress is so outstanding. It's a pity she came late and can only be a concubine! Otherwise, with our mistress's looks and character, how could the position of princess go to someone else?"
"Exactly! In my opinion, our princess looks like a fox spirit. Who knows if she has already had an affair with someone else!"
"Shh! Keep your voice down!" someone reminded them when they saw that they were becoming more and more out of line.
The maid named Xiaocui curled her lips and snorted:
"A person with a clean conscience is not afraid of being gossiped about. If you haven't done anything wrong, you don't have to worry about what others say. Otherwise... it's just a guilty conscience!"
But her voice was much lower than before.
...
Every word of theirs was heard clearly by Chu Qing and the other two. Chu Qing lowered her eyes and played with her fingers, then said calmly:
"Steward, do you recognize these people?"
"I recognize them, Your Highness. I'll go and teach them a lesson right away!" Wei Ju's eyes were filled with coldness. He didn't know that the maids in the mansion had reached the point of gossiping about their master!
It was really slapping him in the face.
"Don't be in a hurry, steward. Go and tell everyone in every room to go to the front yard. Say that I have something to say. Remember, everyone, including the cooks, kitchen maids, and laundry maids. Not a single one should be left out. If anyone dares not to go, deduct their monthly allowance for five months. Oh, and invite the concubines too. Tell them that I'm going to help them establish their authority in the mansion."
Wei Ju replied yes and left to give the orders one by one.
Luoluo was a bit puzzled and said:
"My lady, why don't you just go over and slap those ill-mannered little hoofs? That would be so satisfying!"
"Slap them?" Chu Qing turned around and said softly:
"It's just a light punishment. It won't hurt."
...
When Chu Qing arrived at the front yard, only a few people had come. They were all unfamiliar faces, probably people who had always worked in the front yard.
These people greeted Chu Qing respectfully. After that, they stood still and waited for her orders.
They didn't say a single extra word, which made Chu Qing quite satisfied.
Luoluo frowned and whispered, "My lady is already here, but those servants dare to keep her waiting!"
Chu Qing just smiled and didn't say anything. She just asked someone to bring out a chair and sat down, waiting silently.
As the sky gradually darkened, it started to drizzle again. Luoluo held an oil-paper umbrella and stood beside Chu Qing to prevent her from getting wet and catching a cold.
Wei Ju soon arrived and stood respectfully beside Chu Qing, waiting with her.
Although he didn't say a word, there was a dark cloud on his face.
The rules in the mansion really needed to be tightened up.
It wasn't until Xu Xin came slowly that all the people in the Ning Mansion finally arrived.
By this time, Chu Qing had already lost her patience. Her eyes were cold and intimidating.