Volume One, Chapter 13: They Came to Cause Trouble!

“Miss Third has been coming to the old madam’s courtyard these past few days. Could it be that she’s speaking ill of our lady?” the senior maid said with a dark expression.

Another senior maid held back her temper. “Shang Yinqiong is just a little maid for now; she can’t stir up any trouble. I don’t understand why the lady sent us to follow her.”

She was puzzled.

“Whatever the reason, today this is the only way to report back to the lady,” the first maid said quietly.

The two of them slipped away into the shadows.

After a few peaceful days, rumors began to spread throughout the capital.

Shang Yinqiong had changed into a lotus-pink dress, her hair half let down. She had been eating much better these days; her face was fuller and more radiant, a stark contrast to the gaunt appearance she had before.

Ling Yu smiled brightly. “Miss, you’re starting to look like a noble lady of a great family.”

She glanced at the few maids in Shang Runyu’s courtyard, wondering if they would dare continue to gossip about Miss Third.

If she heard any more of those slanders, she would make sure to drive them all out.

Shang Yinqiong held the teacup lightly between her thumb and forefinger, sipping delicately as the fragrance of tea filled the air. “Could this tea have come from grandmother’s courtyard?”

“How does Third Miss know?” Ling Yu had been by Shang Yinqiong’s side for some time now and found her master exceptionally clever. Many things didn’t require investigation—she could guess them just by intuition.

Shang Yinqiong only shook her head. “Such fine tea, surely it wouldn’t be sent to me by the household.”

Only the old madam, who cherished her deeply and kept her in her heart, would do such a thing.

“Shang Yinqiong, come out here!”

A sharp shout from outside the door shattered the pleasant atmosphere.

The voice was unmistakably Shang Runyu’s; it seemed grandmother’s plan had succeeded.

“If you’ve got the guts, come on out! What kind of skill is hiding inside?” Shang Runyu’s maid stopped the few who had blocked the door, and at that moment, Shang Runyu rushed inside.

She pointed a finger at Shang Yinqiong’s face. “It’s you, isn’t it? You want to ruin me?”

Shang Runyu had run all the way and her carefully styled hair was now somewhat disheveled.

Shang Yinqiong calmly finished her tea and spoke in a measured tone. “Second Sister, I really don’t understand what you mean. I haven’t even stepped outside my own courtyard these past few days. How could I possibly ruin you?”

“Don’t play dumb with me! In this household, you’re the only one eager for me to be driven out.”

Shang Runyu sneered.

“You won’t admit it? Don’t blame me for being rude then.”

She took two quick steps forward, raising her hand as if to slap Shang Yinqiong.

Ling Yu was quick and agile, pushing Shang Runyu aside immediately.

She stood firmly in front of Shang Yinqiong with a defensive stance. “Second Miss, please control yourself.”

Shang Runyu stumbled. If her maid hadn’t come to steady her, she might have truly lost control.

Shang Yinqiong never left her seat, looking at Shang Runyu’s tantrum with a faint expression. “Second Sister, if there’s nothing else, I must take my leave.”

“Hmph.”

Shang Runyu’s dark eyes shifted rapidly. “I know it’s you. You deliberately spread rumors to ruin my reputation? How did I never know you had such tricks?”

Shang Yinqiong gave a faint, ironic smile. “There are still many things you don’t know.”

“Shang Yinqiong, I will never let you off.”

Leaving those words behind, Shang Runyu swept her sleeve and left.

Only then did Shang Yinqiong stand and grasp Ling Yu’s arm. “Are you hurt?”

She had seen clearly that the slap had full force and had landed on Ling Yu’s arm.

“Miss, I’m fine.”

Ling Yu hid her injured arm behind her back as she spoke.

Shang Yinqiong’s sharp eyes caught the slight movement. She held Ling Yu’s wrist and gently rolled up her sleeve, revealing a large bruise. “Someone, fetch the house doctor.”

“No need, Miss.”

Ling Yu spoke sincerely. Since she had practiced martial arts, bruises were common for her. This small injury was nothing unusual.

But seeing her mistress’s worried expression made the pain seem a little sharper.

The house doctor arrived quickly, prescribed some medication for the bruise, and left.

Shang Yinqiong warmed Ling Yu’s hand, gently dabbing the medicine onto the injury. “Don’t rush in to protect me next time.”

“No, Miss. You are my mistress. The old madam specifically instructed me to protect you,” Ling Yu said earnestly, her bright eyes free from any scheming or calculation.

Having endured the coldness and fickleness of palace life for years, Shang Yinqiong rarely saw such genuine innocence and momentarily felt dazed.

Ling Yu glanced around, making sure no one was near, then lowered her voice. “Second Miss is so angry today probably because those noble ladies originally invited her to attend a banquet. For some reason, they all suddenly changed their minds and sent servants to tell her to rest at home instead.”

Hearing this, Shang Yinqiong understood.

What Shang Runyu cared about most were not just her reputation, but the benefits it brought. With her talent as a gifted woman, she had made connections with many officials’ daughters across the capital.

Now, due to the rumors, those ladies were avoiding her altogether, hitting her at her most vulnerable spot.

Just as Shang Yinqiong was about to speak, another unexpected visitor arrived at the door.

“Third Miss, Lady requests your presence for a talk.”

Shang Yinqiong glanced at her, recognizing the maid as one of Yu’s close attendants. “I’ll get ready and come right away.”

She intended to delay, but the maid quickly responded, “Third Miss, there’s no need. Lady’s matter is urgent. Please come with me now.”

Shang Yinqiong’s expression darkened.

Yu’s summons surely meant no good. She wondered if it was related to the rumors about Shang Runyu circulating in the capital.

Regardless, there was no way to avoid it today.

“Lead the way,” she said.

Standing, Shang Yinqiong accepted a cloak Ling Yu offered and followed the maid, Ling Yu trailing behind.

…

Passing the kitchen, they overheard a stream of vulgar insults.

“You little shameless wretch, you refuse to learn anything good and only know how to steal all day.”

“If we keep you here, the kitchen will get dirty sooner or later. I think it’s best to report this to Lady and sell you off as a servant.”

Shang Yinqiong frowned slightly and stopped. “What’s going on up ahead?”

Though the distance was a bit far, Ling Yu could roughly guess the situation. “Looks like someone’s being bullied.”

Such things were all too common in these large, wealthy households.

The maid leading them suppressed her impatience. “Third Miss, we must hurry. If we’re late, Lady won’t be able to explain.”

Listening to the scolding, Shang Yinqiong felt as if her feet were weighed down by lead, making it hard to move.