Chapter 45

“What’s wrong?” Lin Wei Xi retracted her smile and looked coldly at Granny Zhao, “does the menu have to follow a golden rule? Even the law of the Dali Temple could be changed. Can the Prince Yan Residence’s feast menu not be changed?”

“But this was something that Princess Consort Shen decided… “

Lin Wei Xi’s eyes turned cold and her voice sounded like ice hitting jade, “Am I not the Princess Consort now?”

Granny Zhao was completely speechless. She looked at Gao Ran and appealed for help, “Shizi Fei, this old slave is lowly and isn’t taken seriously. Please persuade the Princess Consort.”

The estate Granny followed Granny Zhao’s line of sight, only just realizing that Shizi Fei was also there. She burst out into cold sweat and felt incredibly ashamed. She hurriedly knelt down to salute, “This slave greets Shizi Fei. May Shizi Fei be in good health.”

The estate Granny was sweating as she kowtowed. Actually, no one could blame her. Lin Wei Xi sat in the middle of the room and looked gorgeous. The entire room full of rich and luxurious decorations weren’t as dazzling as her. The estate granny was shocked by such a brilliant fairy-like person and didn’t notice the person next to her. In fact, upon closer inspection, one could recognize Gao Ran. She was gorgeously dressed with golden hairpins and jade in her hair, completely different from a maid. But Lin Wei Xi looked too magnificent. The estate Granny was so surprised by the new Princess Consort that she secretly glanced at her multiple times and unconsciously thought that everyone around were her servants. As a result of her negligence, she left out Shizi Fei by mistake.

If this estate Granny had known her place and only responded when questioned, Gao Ran could pretend that this Granny wasn’t able to find an appropriate time to greet her because Lin Wei Xi had prevented her from doing so. However, this woman first looked like she’d seen a ghost, and then hurriedly knelt down to kowtow. Gao Ran was very embarrassed by her actions. In her embarrassment, Gao Ran became increasingly angry. Was this woman so daring that she regarded her as Lin Wei Xi’s maid?

But it was bad for Gao Ran to flare up in front of so many people, so she could only force a smile as she ordered the Granny to stand up, “It’s fine, you’re too nervous. Neglecting your etiquette can sometimes happen.”

The estate Granny started to cold sweat. She got up and smiled, “It’s this old slave who was rude. Please don’t blame me Shizi Fei.”

Granny Zhao also wondered what this country bumpkin was doing. She shot a displeased glare at the estate Granny and changed the subject, “Shizi Fei, the Princess Consort is angry. Please persuade her.”

Gao Ran rolled her eyes slightly. She wondered to herself whether Lin Wei Xi knew that Prince Yan liked freshwater fish. If so, all the more reason she wanted Lin Wei Xi to make this mistake. She changed her course of action and a smile appeared on her face, “Mother, I know you’re angry, but the menu for the New Year’s feast is something that Mother-in-law left behind. It can’t be changed. Besides, it’s been used for so many years. It’s not good for you to change it so rashly.”

Gao Ran knew that Lin Wei Xi took offence to Princess Consort Shen. The more she minded it, the more Gao Ran wanted to mention Shen Shi in front of everyone so that everyone knew who her real mother-in-law was, and who the proper Princess Consort was. Gao Ran wanted to provoke Lin Wei Xi into making a mistake with the menu. It would be even better to make Lin Wei Xi so angry that she insisted on violating the wishes of the deceased. If this happened, multiple crimes would happen concurrently and when it was passed on to Prince Yan and Shizi, she’d be in trouble.

When Shizi Fei mentioned “Mother-in-law” in front of the Princess Consort, the atmosphere in the room froze over. All the maids bowed their heads, and Granny Zhao and those who’d served Princess Consort Shen looked proud of themselves. Lin Shi was only a novelty now, so the Prince would dote on her for only a day or two. In reality, how could she compare to Princess Consort Shen? She was truly ignorant if she dared touch the things Princess Consort Shen left behind.

Lin Wei Xi didn’t get angry when she heard Gao Ran’s words. She paused and said, “you’re right, I’m still young. I’m afraid I won’t be able to properly handle many aspects of this.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, everyone in the room was both happy and surprised. They were happy because Lin Wei Xi had finally agreed to follow their standard procedure, but they were surprised that she gave in so easily. She ignored the various expressions of everyone in the room, and continued, “as a junior, I’m inexperienced, so of course I’ll have to learn from my elders. Someone bring out the New Year’s feast menu when the senior Princess Consort was alive. I will consult Mother-in-law’s things to see how the New Year celebrations ought to be arranged.”

Gao Ran, Granny Zhao and the others instantly turned quiet. The late Princess Consort was the first Prince Yan Consort, Prince Yan Gu Hui Yan’s mother. They could bully Lin Wei Xi because she didn’t have any status as the second wife, but even if the three of them were to gather all their daring and courage, they’d never dare to find fault with the senior Princess Consort. Lin Wei Xi’s gaze swept across the hall and chuckled when she saw that everyone bowed their heads, like they knew their place, “why is everyone so quiet? Shizi Fei, do you have any more wisdom to share?”

Gao Ran could only lower her head and said, “no. This daughter-in-law has overstepped.”

Lin Wei Xi’s gaze was cool like water. Were you the only one with a mother-in-law? If Gao Ran dared to use Princess Consort Shen to control her, Lin Wei Xi could also use her own mother-in-law, the senior Princess Consort, in kind. Let’s see who could suppress the other.

By chance, Wan Xing returned with the menu at that moment. Lin Wei Xi stood up and motioned for Wan Xing to follow her with the menu. Lin Wei Xi walked to the centre of the hall and the surrounding maids kneeled to salute. Even Granny Zhao had to step back and bow. Everyone in the crowded room was one head lower than Lin Wei Xi. She stopped in front of the estate Granny. Seeing the delicate skirt stop in front of her, the estate Granny became frightened about the impending disaster and firmly knocked her head against the ground by Lin Wei Xi’s feet.

“Since the harvest in Daxing estate this year isn’t good, the collection of rent at the end of the year will be deferred. The hundred acres of farmland wasn’t tended to properly. Since your family can’t properly manage the estate, then don’t manage it. There are many in the Prince Yan Residence who can do it.”

The estate granny was extremely astonished. Had Lin Wei Xi taken away her family’s managerial position? The estate Granny wanted to get up and explain but she didn’t dare touch Lin Wei Xi’s exquisite and alluring dress, so she could only watch her walk away, “Princess Consort, please listen to this old slave’s explanation. It’s not like that… “

Lin Wei Xi ignored her and left. After she left, the estate Granny sat on the ground and looked at Granny Zhao in a panic, “Granny Zhao, what should I do?”

It was the end of the year and their family wanted to save some silver for the New Year, so they directed those intentions towards their master. Of course they knew it was wrong, but other farmers had done it before. The estate Granny’s family had been tempted and thought that perhaps it wasn’t an issue. Why would the mistress of Prince Yan Residence care about a trifling hundred taels of silver? If it was just their family, they wouldn’t have been so greedy even if they were beaten to death. They only had the confidence to ask for money because they’d given ten taels of silver to Granny Zhao earlier. Granny Zhao had the backing of Granny Bu, the manager of the inner courtyard. As long as she closed one eye, their behaviour could continue unchecked.

But who would’ve expected the Princess Consort to get angry and command that they be replaced next year! The estate granny’s whole family lived on and relied on the estate. Every year, they saved a lot of money by reselling farm produce generated by the estate. If they were kicked out, how could their family survive?

The estate Granny never expected that in her quest for more money, not only did she not make any money, she faced a dead loss. After Lin Wei Xi left, everyone else in the room left in succession. With so few people in the room, the estate granny took advantage of it to grab Granny Zhao. She refused to let Granny Zhao leave no matter what, “Granny Zhao, you received something this time, so you should help me.”

Granny Zhao couldn’t free herself even after pulling several times. She became flustered and exasperated, lowered her voice and said angrily, “Let go, there are so many people here. What are you trying to do by saying this?”

The estate Granny wasn’t stupid. She wouldn’t let go even if she died and her expression said ‘you ought to help me since you accepted my money’. Granny Zhao had no choice but to secretly signal to her, “how can I covet your ten taels of silver? There’s no use pestering me here. I’m not someone who can make decisions in the residence.”

The estate Granny picked up the hint, “Granny Zhao means… “

Granny Zhao glanced meaningfully at Gao Ran’s back, “The new Princess Consort wants to contest Princess Consort Shen. Of course, us servants have to obey her orders. But Princess Consort Shen is Shizi Fei’s rightful mother-in-law. How can she idly sit by? Besides, Granny Bu is here.”

The estate granny suddenly understood and got up with a grunt, pleasantly surprised. She held Granny Zhao’s hand and said, “may I trouble Granny Zhao to put in a good word for me. I’m too uncultured to meet Shizi Fei. I’ll have to trouble Granny Zhao to say a word or two to Shizi Fei and Granny Bu for me.”

Granny Zhao looked awkward. The estate Granny understood and immediately took out a piece of silver from her sleeve, stuffing it into Granny Zhao’s hand. Granny Zhao hid it in her sleeve, weighed it in her hand, and immediately beamed, “Since you asked me to, I’ll have to do a favour for you. Wait at the guardhouse first. I’ll call you when I have information.”

The estate granny nodded with a smile. She felt distressed when she thought of the piece of silver she just gave away. That was no less than three taels! But then she thought about her job at the estate. If she could keep it, wouldn’t she earn more than that in a year? It was worth the money.

The estate granny sighed as she looked in the direction that the fairy-like Princess Consort left in earlier. Why did problems suddenly appear without rhyme or reason? Things used to go so well, but why was the new Princess Consort so stingy.

Gao Ran followed Lin Wei Xi back to the side room. Lin Wei Xi deliberated over the menu and after a while, allowed Gao Ran to return to her courtyard.

Once Gao Ran returned to her courtyard, Ning Fu and the other maids felt distressed for her, “Shizi Fei, the injury on your hand hasn’t healed yet. Not only did the Princess Consort not spare you from morning and evening greetings, she also made you stand all morning. Her bullying is too much.”

“That’s enough, stop talking about it.” Gao Ran said, “After all, she’s my mother-in-law in name. Society considers her my parents, got it? Shizi should be returning from his studies in a while. Don’t mention this to him.”

Ning Fu pouted and refused to give in. Only after Gao Ran glared at her did the maids unwillingly agree. Before leaving, many were distressed by the Shizi Fei’s misfortune. When she was in her maiden family, her di older sister stole her marriage. After much difficulty, she and Shizi finally became husband and wife. But now she was having a hard time because of her evil mother-in-law.

Gao Ran heard the maid’s whispered gossiping, but she didn’t bother with them and acted like she didn’t hear them. Gu Cheng Yao returned from his studies in the front yard’s study room. Sure enough, no one told him about what happened that morning. Gao Ran gently and carefully served him his meal. He looked at the shaking chopsticks in her hands and said, distressed, “sit down. You’re hurt so you ought to rest. How can I let you serve the food?”

Gao Ran smiled softly at him, looking moved, “Thank you for your kindness Shizi .”

He was looking at her, but his thoughts drifted to another person for some reason. Gao Xi never said such pleasing words. Moreover, she refused to serve her husband or follow any of the feminine virtues. His mood suddenly cooled and he was surprised with himself. Why had he thought of Gao Xi? She was a malicious woman who’d deliberately ruined another person’s destined marriage. Why would he suddenly think of her voice and smile a year after her death?

Gu Cheng Yao suppressed the curious feeling. Fortunately, a maid was blocking Gao Ran’s line of sight, so she didn’t notice. He looked at her and thought about their family’s other mistress, his head suddenly aching, “you went to pay your respects to her today. Did it go well?”

Gao Ran naturally knew who “her” was referring to. They would address Lin Wei Xi as Mother in front of Gu Hui Yan, but they refused to do that in private. It was too uncomfortable. Ning Fu moved as if to say something, but was stopped by Gao Ran. She smiled sweetly and naturally, “the Princess Consort was very kind and didn’t make things difficult for me.”

It was fine for Gao Ran not to say anything. Gu Cheng Yao would be even more suspicious when she acted like this. He frowned helplessly, but when he saw her expression, he sighed inwardly and didn’t mention it again.

In the afternoon, after he left, Ning Fu was furious, “Shizi Fei, why didn’t you say anything when Shizi asked you about it earlier? The Princess Consort purposely made things difficult for you.”

Gao Ran smiled disapprovingly, “only the incompetent make the complaint themselves. A truly smart person never enters the fight themselves.”

Ning Fu didn’t understand and Gao Ran didn’t elaborate. As they sat, the sound of activity came from outside the door and there was a chorus of “Granny Bu” as people greeted her one after another. Gao Ran smiled as she stood up and said, seemingly innocent, “isn’t she here?”

There was no need for her to be the bad guy. Wouldn’t it be better if Shizi heard her grievances from the people around him?