Jing Rong seemed in the mood to tease her until she was flustered. After bickering back and forth a few more times, she gave up. Fortunately, due to the Emperor’s birthday approaching, he had to spend time preparing the gifts, thus he didn’t stay long. Before his departure, he didn’t forget to grab her tender hands and reminded her, “Don’t run everywhere and stay here. Imperial Father’s birthday is coming soon which is in a few days. During this time, you cannot stir up any new troubles. I will also be busier in the meantime, but I will still come see you when I can.”
“Oh.” She nodded.
After she sent off that great ancestor, she resumed to her tasks.
At the General Mansion.
Ji Muqing was in a room, hands on her waist and ordering the maidservants. “Be careful when you place that thing! Put it lightly over there. If you break it, I will make all of you pay for it.”
This braindead woman actually brought with her more than a dozen of jade vases during their long journey from Jinjiang to the capital, and every single one of them was a good piece of craftsmanship.
The poor servants suffered the most, have to move the vases around the entire morning. Wasn’t Ji Muqing only here to participate in the Crown Princess selection? Why did it feel like she was moving her whole house instead?
Crash!
As soon as Ji Muqing told them to be careful, one of the jade vases fell onto the ground and shattered. The little servant girl was scared, and her whole body was covered in cold sweat. She quickly kneeled, kowtowed many times.
“Eldest Miss, this servant didn’t mean to. This lowly one really didn’t mean to. Please have mercy!”
Ji Muqing’s anger flared up looking at Yu Ping, who was prostrated on the floor. She went forward with her hand raised and heavily slapped her face.
“Cheap wench! Do you know how expensive this vase was?”
“This servant didn’t mean to. I really didn’t mean to.”
“You didn’t mean to? It looks like I have to teach you a good lesson today.” As soon the words were uttered, she grabbed the servant girl’s hair and raised her other hand, about to give the other party a round of beating.
Yet, the next moment, Ji Wanxin’s voice was heard. “Stop!” She quickly trotted to them and pulled back her sister while trying to reason with her. “Eldest Sister, it is only a flower vase, why should you get angry for that?”
“This was a high quality vase! All thesese cheap servants can’t afford to pay for it even after working an entire lifetime!”
“Don’t tell me you want to beat her to death until you are satisfied?”
Ji Muqing sneered with her eyebrows raised. She shook off Ji Wanxin before glaring at the maidservant. “It’s just one servant less. We can always buy another one with a few silver, so what’s wrong with beating her to death?
Ji Wanxin coughed several times, then she walked to the trembling little servant. She supported her up and whispered in a calm tone, “Don’t be scared. You should go out first.”
“Second Miss…”
“It’s fine.” Ji Wanxi patted the girl’s hand and hinted at the other girls, “All of you should leave as well.”
“Yes, Miss!” The maidservants present hurriedly withdraw.
Ji Muqing watched the scene, with both arms folded. Her voice was tinted with cold sarcasms. “I really don’t understand why you are so kind to them! They are mere cheap servants. What did they do to deserve your sympathy?”
Ji Wanxin didn’t change her expression, although she coughed quietly a few times. “Servants are still people. They also have parents. Can’t you be more magnanimous?”
“Magnanimous? Ji Wanxin, are you lecturing me?” Her expression darkened immediately.
Her anger flourished.
Ji Wanxin gently said, “It’s only a reminder.”
Paf!
A resounding slap was heard and a red handprint appeared on Ji Wanxin’s pale cheek.