The people hadn’t changed, but their mindsets had completely transformed.
Yet when they spoke, they were still equally direct.
“After working so hard for so long, rest more when there’s nothing to do. Go back to your courtyard and take good care of yourself,” Madam Xie said slowly.
“Yes, I was just coming to tell Mother about this,” Qi Yue said with a smile.
Madam Xie lifted her eyelids to glance at her.
“What is there for you to tell me? Don’t you make all the decisions about household matters?” she said with a half-smile.
Qi Yue smiled and was about to speak when another maid’s report came from outside.
“Madam, the Prince is here.”
What a coincidence—they met again.
Qi Yue looked at Chang Yuncheng entering the door with a smile as a greeting.
Chang Yuncheng’s gaze swept past her and settled on Madam Xie.
“Mother, what did you call me here for?” he asked while casually sitting down.
“How was the steamed pigeon I had sent to you last night?” Madam Xie asked with a smile.
“Just a bit too sweet,” Chang Yuncheng replied.
Madam Xie looked toward Nanny Su.
“Remember to tell the kitchen staff,” she said.
The mother and son asked and answered each other, completely ignoring Qi Yue in the room.
Qi Yue pursed her lips.
“I was saying…” she began speaking without courtesy.
Madam Xie looked at her first.
“Since you’re both here, perfect,” she interrupted Qi Yue. “I have something to say.”
Both Qi Yue and Chang Yuncheng looked at her.
“That maid of yours should be taken as a concubine. After all, she’s the first to serve you—she should be given the proper respect,” Madam Xie said to Chang Yuncheng.
Both Chang Yuncheng and Qi Yue showed surprised expressions.
“What are you talking about, Mother?” Chang Yuncheng asked with a slight frown, instinctively glancing at Qi Yue.
Qi Yue frowned momentarily—it was always about chamber maids and concubines. Women, how tedious—then regained her composure.
“Qiu Xiang,” Madam Xie said.
Chang Yuncheng immediately felt uncomfortable.
“Her? What about her?” he said.
“What about her? Is there anything you can’t tell me? Since you like her, you can naturally take her as a concubine. You’re already so old, and still no heir,” Madam Xie said with a sigh.
“I don’t intend to take her,” Chang Yuncheng shook his head, unconsciously glancing at Qi Yue again. Seeing this woman standing there with a smile, watching them talk—was she enjoying his embarrassment? “I just rewarded her with a room to live in.”
Madam Xie’s expression darkened as she glanced at Qi Yue.
“Daughter-in-law, what do you think of this girl Qiu Xiang?” she asked.
“She’s quite good,” Qi Yue replied with a smile, looking at Chang Yuncheng. “Very nice.”
Chang Yuncheng’s expression didn’t change; instead, he showed a knowing smile.
This woman was indeed still the same, relying on power, relying on the promise he had made to her, preparing to watch the show.
What show was there to watch?
“Alright, Mother, you’ve misunderstood,” he stood up and said. “I just thought she served well, and since there are many empty rooms in the courtyard, I let the maids avoid crowding together. There’s no other meaning.”
Madam Xie looked up at him with a surprised expression.
During the conversation, he kept looking at that woman…
Did he care about her…
So…
“Even if it’s not her, you should add someone to your quarters,” Madam Xie said with a darkened expression, looking at Chang Yuncheng.
“Mother, I don’t want to discuss this now,” Chang Yuncheng said.
“Then when do you plan to discuss it?” Madam Xie said, looking at him with a face full of insistence.
If it were anyone else, Chang Yuncheng would have already stormed out with a flick of his sleeve. Although this impulse kept surging in his heart, looking at Madam Xie, he still forcibly suppressed it.
Qi Yue coughed, seeing that Chang Yuncheng was really in an awkward position, so she stepped in to help.
“Mother, this matter isn’t urgent. We should at least find someone who appeals to the Prince’s heart,” she said with a smile.
“Someone who appeals to your heart, right?” Madam Xie directed all her resentment at her, saying coldly.
“This has nothing to do with her,” Chang Yuncheng said hurriedly.