Chapter 20

Chapter 20: How Could She Humiliate Her So

Everyone knew the Princess adored Heir Apparent Qi, but who could have imagined she would go this far for him!

“Why rush?” Sheng Zhi Wan’s eyes glistened slyly. “There is still another volume.”

The higher one climbs, the harder they fall.

Since Meng Yang wanted fame, she would help her achieve it. She only worried that Meng Yang might climb too high, so high she wouldn’t withstand the fall.

“Oh, there’s another matter,” Sheng Zhi Wan nearly forgot. “Send a message to Imperial Physician Song’s manor. Just say that Qing Ning’s request ends here.”

In the past, she had sacrificed too much for Qi Shu Xian.

Now that she was determined to break away from him, naturally, she had to take everything back, whether wealth or favors.

Whatever Duke Qi’s Mansion took from her, she would reclaim one by one, without hesitation.

“Princess, are you truly going to separate from the Heir Apparent?” Ting Lan’s eyes sparkled brightly as they left the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion.

Sheng Zhi Wan hid nothing from Ting Lan this time. Ting Lan could clearly sense the Princess was genuinely drawing a line between herself and Duke Qi’s Mansion.

“What? Still don’t believe it?” Sheng Zhi Wan smiled at her.

“No,” Ting Lan suddenly reddened around the eyes, “This Maidservant believes you! I’m just so happy for you! My life and An Zhi’s life were both saved by you. Ever since you married into Duke Qi’s Mansion, you’ve never been happy, and I couldn’t help you at all. But now it’s wonderful! Princess, since you’ve finally made up your mind, no one can harm you anymore.”

“Yes, you’re right. In the past, I was the one who handed him the blade that hurt me.”

But never again.

Finally outside, Sheng Zhi Wan took Ting Lan and strolled leisurely through the bustling streets of the Capital. It had been so long since she had enjoyed such liveliness. Whether vendors or commoners, all bustled busily, their faces showing either tiredness or happiness, yet filled with hope.

How different it was from ten years later, when Sheng Kingdom would be troubled by storms, from the Imperial Court down to the common folk, all numb and hopeless.

The two wandered until dusk, returning home just as night settled in.

Feeling weary, Sheng Zhi Wan prepared for rest when suddenly a figure rushed out from the shadows.

Ting Lan instinctively moved to intercept, but paused upon recognizing the person and stepped aside with a frown.

“Princess!” Huan Zhu stood in front of Sheng Zhi Wan, blocking her path, pleading desperately, “Please stop being stubborn and quarrelling with the Heir Apparent!”

“Heir Apparent Qi barely returned from Cangnan alive, yet you caused such trouble over a trivial matter, even disturbing His Majesty!”

“I only speak from genuine concern for your well-being. If you act out rashly now, it might soon be too late to mend the damage. You should quickly plead with His Majesty to withdraw his edict and restore the Heir Apparent’s rightful reward. Only then can you reconcile with him!”

Huan Zhu had been deeply troubled by yesterday’s news, confused by the changes in the Princess.

How could she become like this?

The Heir Apparent had risked his life to earn his merits, but the Princess, driven by petty jealousy, had destroyed it all.

The Princess was never like this before.

Previously, she had always put the Heir Apparent first. In the two years of his absence, the study room filled with countless portraits of him.

Yet, since waking a few days ago, the Princess seemed utterly changed…

Sheng Zhi Wan raised an eyebrow, “Then I suppose I should thank you for your great consideration.”

She hadn’t intended to deal with Huan Zhu so soon; after all, the girl still had uses. But since Huan Zhu insisted on repeatedly testing her patience, she left her no choice.

“This Maidservant dares not! A Maidservant is merely a Maidservant after all!” Huan Zhu missed the warning hidden in Sheng Zhi Wan’s words, mistakenly believing the Princess regretted her actions and was simply repeating her earlier reprimands.

Sheng Zhi Wan smiled faintly. “But you were mistaken about one thing. I might or might not regret this, but you most certainly will.”

“What?” Huan Zhu was confused.

Immediately, Sheng Zhi Wan continued calmly, “Since you have enough spare time to meddle in your Master’s affairs, starting tomorrow, you will clean all chamber pots in Pinglan Residence for the next half-month.”

“Cleaning… chamber pots?!” Huan Zhu froze in shock. Only when the reality sank in did her expression collapse completely.

Cleaning chamber pots?

This was the lowest, filthiest chore assigned to the humblest servants. How could the Princess humiliate her in such a manner?!

Huan Zhu burned with shame and resentment.

“Take her away,” Sheng Zhi Wan dismissed her without another glance, indifferent to her suffering.

“Princess, are you truly going to have Elder Sister Huan Zhu… clean chamber pots?” Ting Lan stammered, stunned by the harshness of the punishment.

She disliked Huan Zhu, especially her constant praises of the Heir Apparent in front of the Princess, but even so, wasn’t this punishment too severe?

“What, do you think I punished her too harshly?”

“This Maidservant dares not… Actually, perhaps a little,” Ting Lan admitted shyly, lowering her head. Deep inside, she feared the same punishment could befall herself someday.

“Have you never noticed that compared to her Master, she cares much more deeply about Qi Shu Xian?”

“The Heir Apparent? Elder Sister Huan Zhu cares about the Heir Apparent…” Ting Lan’s voice trailed off abruptly.