Chapter 24: A Farce in the Small Courtyard

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“There are two maids in the princess’s quarters. One is the wet nurse maid Zhao, who came from the Duke of Wei’s residence and takes care of matters close to the princess. The other is the senior maid Zheng, who was left behind by the late princess. She later married but was kept by the prince to serve in the main residence, overseeing the affairs within the princess’s quarters.

Around the princess, there are four senior maids, all born within the prince’s household: Qiu Yue, Qiu He, Qiu Xiang, and Qiu Ye. They have only served the princess for a few years.

There is an unwritten rule in the residence that maids must be married off when they turn eighteen, so the maids serving their masters are generally quite young. Only those who remain unmarried for life can stay to serve continuously. The others are second- or third-tier maids, totaling ten in all.”

Yuan Shan was well-informed about the main residence’s situation. Having often accompanied the prince, he was familiar with the daily comings and goings there.

“Before the princess married into the prince’s residence, who managed the inner quarters?” Yu Yuanzheng asked.

The late princess had passed away long ago, so there must have been a new mistress in charge.

“Mainly the Second and Third Ladies jointly managed the inner residence. It was just the two of them running things until the princess entered the residence. Then the late prince, with a single command, had them relinquish their control,” Yuan Shan explained. As a son born into the household, he had a clearer understanding of some of the residence’s past.

Hearing this, Yu Yuanzheng’s thoughts began to wander. The prince was forty-one this year, and the late princess died when he was three. So the two ladies had managed the household for at least seventeen years. It was impossible they hadn’t consolidated some power and gathered loyal followers during such a long time.

The next day, Yu Yuanzheng reported again to the princess, planning to see where her dowry’s separate residence was located.

The princess was very tolerant of her and agreed as long as she clearly stated her purpose.

“Don’t come back as late as last time,” the princess cautioned.

“Uh, mother princess, I might still be a bit late. Your daughter-in-law wants to visit her natal home; there are matters she wishes to discuss with her parents. They recently moved out of the Bo residence, and I want to know the situation there,” Yu Yuanzheng said.

Facing an elder close to her own age, she felt no awkwardness, sometimes unconsciously acting a little coquettish. Being unmarried was a blessing—it allowed her to preserve a childlike innocence.

In her previous life, her parents had already passed, but now they were alive again—a feeling she found quite comforting.

It was still the group of four she had met a few days ago.

The Qi Ya residence was looked after by Maid Ye.

They used a very low-profile carriage.

Passing by the little shop on Minyue Street, Yu Yuanzheng saw it was already being renovated.

Chasing Cloud and Pursuing Moon were busy inside. The moment they saw Chun Lei, they immediately came out.

“Greetings, Princess Consort,” the two saluted simultaneously.

“You’re busy; I’m just passing by. How many days will it take to get this place ready?”

“At most two days. We’ll buy a few cabinets this afternoon, and it’ll be done,” Chasing Cloud replied.

“That’s good. The back area also needs to be prepared to be livable. I plan to assign someone to watch the shop.”

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She didn’t have much money—only two thousand taels of silver left from her savings. The prince had already given her a thousand taels as a gift.

If the shop could open properly, it might earn some money.

Fortunately, these subordinates didn’t expect wages from her.

“Understood.”

The carriage moved on.

Following the address on the deed, they finally found the place.

It was at the very end of a narrow alley barely wide enough for a carriage.

She wondered how the Bo residence came to possess such a property.

Could it be for relatives who came to collect autumn wind debts? (Note: “Autumn wind” is a metaphor for borrowing money.)

Arriving at the small courtyard, the door was ajar, and she could hear voices arguing inside.

“Young master, we agreed to pay rent every six months. There’s still over a month left. Why do you want us to pay now, and raise it by fifty taels?” a middle-aged woman’s voice demanded.

“This is the big madam’s order. I’m just here to collect the rent. Don’t ask me questions. If you don’t pay, move out today,” a young man’s voice replied.

“Who is your big madam?” the woman asked.

“Don’t concern yourself with who she is. In any case, you must pay today or move out,” the young man grew impatient.

“This is a breach of contract. We signed a lease. Do you think I won’t report you to the magistrate? This is the emperor’s capital,” the woman was fierce.

“Go ahead and report. Do you know who owns this property?”

“Who?” the woman’s voice lowered.

“It’s the princess consort of the Prince of Rong’s residence. Can you afford to offend the Prince of Rong’s household?” the young man said proudly.

“You’re talking nonsense. The Prince of Rong is our greatest general guarding the Wei Kingdom. How could he allow his daughter-in-law to bully common folk like us? Who are you, are you a fraud? Jiang, quickly bring the broom and chase this imposter out!” the woman suddenly shouted, ready to strike.

“Exactly, the Prince of Rong is the protector of the people. There’s no way his household would mistreat us.” Yu Yuanzheng strode into the courtyard with the four others.

“Second Aunt!?” The once arrogant young man was suddenly flustered upon seeing her.

“You recognize me? Who sent you here?” Yu Yuanzheng asked coldly.

“Servant, servant...” The young man’s eyes darted, then he bolted for the door.

Chun Lei’s leg swept horizontally, tripping him to the ground. Then she pressed her foot on his back.

“Speak. Who sent you?” Yu Yuanzheng asked again.

“Second Aunt, I was wrong. I was just following orders. Please have mercy,” the young man begged.

“Will you speak or not?” Yu Yuanzheng lost patience.

“Master He sent me,” he said.

“You dare lie? Master He, the steward of the Bo residence, would he be so petty over this money? Tell the truth,” Yu Yuanzheng kicked him.

“I… I was sent by the big madam,” he confessed under the increasing pressure.

“Hmph, I knew it was the eldest aunt. Just a Bo residence madam—what a narrow mind,” Yu Yuanzheng said, already understanding the situation.

This was deliberately meant to vex her.

“Go back and tell your madam that a woman should have dignity. If her petty actions bring ruin to the Bo residence, she’ll become its disgrace. I won’t stoop to argue with a servant, but now you must apologize to this young sister-in-law, or I’ll break your legs,” Yu Yuanzheng warned firmly.

Chun Lei withdrew her foot, and the young man slowly got up, walking over to apologize to the woman.

“Liu Sister, I’m sorry.”

The woman called Liu Sister had been watching silently and finally came to her senses.

“Greetings, madam. May I ask your name?” Liu stepped forward with a bow.

Behind her was a boy about twelve or thirteen years old.

“I am the princess consort the servant spoke of,” Yu Yuanzheng smiled.

“Oh, what luck to meet a noble! I am Liu Ruan, a humble woman. Greetings, Princess Consort,” Liu bowed again.

“No need for formalities, Liu Sister. Thankfully, I arrived just in time, or you could have been falsely accused.”

“The princess consort is so kind-hearted. We don’t believe those lies,” Liu Ruan said cheerfully. “Please come inside.”

“Is this your son?”

“Yes, Jiang, quickly greet the princess consort,” Liu immediately pulled the boy forward.

“Boy Liu Jiang greets the princess consort,” the child said shyly.

“He looks strong. Does he know some martial arts?” Yu Yuanzheng observed the boy’s youthful vigor.

“Yes, his father works at a security bureau in the capital escorting valuables, but, well...” Liu sighed deeply.

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