Jiaoyue said somewhat bashfully, "How could this maid be jealous? I'm more than happy! With one more person to protect the young lady, she'll suffer less harm! Just like yesterday, if this maid had been more capable and protected you better, you wouldn't have gotten hurt."
"Besides, who are Linghua and the other one? They were sent by the second young lady. It's obvious they have ill intentions. They're lazy and have bad tempers. Naturally, this maid doesn't like them. But Mingyue and Hanyue are different. They were sent by the eldest young master to protect the young lady."
Jiaoyue paused for a moment and smiled cheerfully. "Moreover, this maid understands all of the young lady's intentions!"
"What do you understand? I've said nothing!"
"Although you haven't said anything, this maid can tell just from their names. Mingyue and Hanyue were named following my name. It's obvious what you mean, young lady. No matter what, they can't compare to this maid!"
Jiaoyue raised her chin proudly.
"Oh? Really?" Shen Li rolled her eyes and had the idea of teasing her on purpose. "Jiaoyue, I'm afraid you're overthinking. I named them casually. Alas, I didn't expect you, a young girl, to be so narcissistic."
Jiaoyue stamped her foot angrily. "Young lady, you're making fun of this maid again. I... I won't talk to you anymore!"
"Hahaha! Good Jiaoyue, don't be angry!"
Shen Li apologized repeatedly before Jiaoyue forgave her.
In the Jingchun Hall where Shen Miao lived in the East Courtyard.
"Smack!"
Looking at her still swollen cheek in the mirror, Shen Miao angrily threw down the hand mirror.
"Are those doctors all good-for-nothings! I've drunk several bowls of medicine, and it's been a whole night, but the swelling hasn't gone down at all. Go! Find me another doctor!"
Furious, Shen Miao kicked a maid in front of her. She kicked a few more times before barely calming down her anger.
At this time, a young maid came to report. Looking at the situation in the room, she stammered, "Reporting... M... Miss, the Princess Heyuan sent an invitation, asking you to go to the Princess Mansion to enjoy the flowers tomorrow."
"Useless thing, can't even speak properly!"
Shen Miao walked over, took the invitation, glanced at it, and the anger she had just suppressed flared up again.
"Get out! Get out of here! This young lady won't go! Just say this young lady is not feeling well and can't go!"
How could she go out looking like this? Besides, the Princess Heyuan looking for her was undoubtedly asking her for advice on how to pursue the Fourth Prince!
Why did the men she liked all want to be snatched away from her one by one? And she had to help her rival pursue the man she admired.
In terms of everything but status, she was no worse than those people! Yet she had to endure their looks all day long.
Fortunately, she was smart, and the Princess Heyuan was stupid. She had easily coaxed her with just a few words.
It was a pity that she didn't expect Shen Li to be so cunning. She had been deceived by her on a daily basis. Now they had fallen out.
Shen Li had her weakness in hand, and with Wang Ze as an uncertain factor, how could she sleep soundly?
In any case, she wouldn't let Shen Li control her.
Calling Chunxi who was guarding outside the room, Shen Miao ordered, "You go and send a message to the Fourth Prince, asking him to meet me at the old place in two days!"
Chunxi was also a maid who had grown up with Shen Miao since childhood. The lives of her whole family were in the hands of Lady Shen.
She was most trusted by Shen Miao and knew most of her secrets. Usually, it was she who was responsible for the contact between Shen Miao and the Fourth Prince.
Watching Chunxi leave after receiving the order, Chunnuan, who was also guarding outside the door, had a thought.
She was originally a second - class maid in the Jingchun Hall. She was promoted after Chunya died a few days ago. She couldn't compare with the maids around Shen Miao who had served her since childhood.
Although she was now a first - class maid, she had not been valued. She couldn't serve Shen Miao closely and could only wait for orders outside the room.
There were originally four first - class maids around Shen Miao. Chunxi was the most important one. Shen Miao would entrust many private matters to her.
Chunxu and Chunmian were responsible for Shen Miao's daily clothing and food, but they were not easy to get along with.
The former Chunya, who was executed, was responsible for following Shen Miao out on a daily basis. Now it was also her job. Of course, in some special cases, it was Chunxi who accompanied her out.
She was also a proud person. Although she had been promoted in the past few days, she had been excluded by the other three and had suffered a lot of grievances.
Moreover, Shen Li's words the day before had awakened her. No matter how hard she tried to show her loyalty, she couldn't compare with Chunxi and the other two.
Rather than ending up with a tragic death in the end, it was better to find another way out for herself.
Two days later in the afternoon, Shen Miao went out on the pretext of going to choose jewelry.
The two slaps Shen Li had given her really made her suffer.
Her face was swollen like a pig's head every day. It was not only ugly but also itchy. She always wanted to scratch it. Fortunately, she had protected it well and hadn't scratched it.
Even so, on the third day, there were still some red marks on her face. So when she went out today, Shen Miao hung a layer of light gauze in front of her face to cover it.
The Ruyi Pavilion was the place where Shen Miao and the Fourth Prince secretly met.
The shopkeeper had already received the order. When he saw Shen Miao coming, he led her to the inner room. The Fourth Prince, Xiao Hanzhi, was already waiting inside.
Although the inner room was small, it was decorated exquisitely and elegantly. In front of the bright window, Xiao Hanzhi stood with his back to the light.
Looking at the man who seemed to be gilded all over and looked like a god descending to the mortal world, Shen Miao's admiration was evident in her eyes, but it only lasted for a moment.
The next moment, before Xiao Hanzhi turned around, she put on a gentle and virtuous expression.
"This little girl pays respects to the Prince!" Shen Miao knelt down to pay her respects gracefully and generously.
"A Miao is here! No need to be so polite! Why should we care about those formalities between us!" Xiao Hanzhi quickly walked towards Shen Miao and pretended to support her.
Shen Miao insisted on finishing the salute. "Your Highness, formalities cannot be discarded!"
Looking at Shen Miao in white, with a graceful figure and bright eyes, Xiao Hanzhi secretly regretted that the light gauze covered the beauty's face, although he thought it added a touch of mystery.
"A Miao! I've thought of a solution to the last chess game! I still want to ask you for advice today!"
Xiao Hanzhi always appreciated Shen Miao's talents. They often played chess and the piano together in private, so he valued her very much.
When they were together in private, they both referred to themselves as "I" instead of "this prince".
Next, they played two more rounds of chess. Then Shen Miao got up to leave on the pretext that it was getting late.
Although Xiao Hanzhi was not satisfied with the chess game, he had no choice but to get up and see her off because Shen Miao had been out for too long and might arouse suspicion.
When Shen Miao got up, unexpectedly, the corner of her skirt caught on the table. She lost her balance and fell to the ground.
Seeing this, Xiao Hanzhi quickly got up to support her.
"A Miao! Your face?"
Lying in Xiao Hanzhi's arms, Shen Miao "surprisingly" reached out to touch the light gauze on her face but only touched her own face.