Chapter 260

Chapter 260: Peerless Virtue

A woman who could support her household clearly had more say than a woman who could only live by relying on her husband. If women’s status rose in one home, it was nothing. If it rose in a hundred homes, it was still nothing. But what about a thousand, ten thousand, millions?

When more and more women could feed themselves and feed their families with their own hands, this world would no longer have only men’s voices. Women could be embroiderers and laundry women, but they could also become hostesses, female accountants, and female shopkeepers. Sheng Zhi Wan knew it would be hard, but even the hardest things still needed someone to start.

In Sheng Zhi Wan’s Needlework Workshop, the wages she offered matched the current hourly pay for men. Compared to ordinary female workers, it was several times higher. The notice also made it clear that only women would be hired. Excellent embroidery, bookkeeping and arithmetic, talent for trade, outstanding cooking-anyone who dared to come and could pass the hiring test could become part of the Needlework Workshop. But perhaps because the pay was so high, some people did not even dare to step inside.

Sheng Zhi Wan told Xin He to take it slow.

A woman’s voice came from outside: “Was this shop Princess Qing Ning’s?”

Sheng Zhi Wan paused slightly, a chill flashing in her eyes. So she had only just gained a bit of power, and she could not wait to come flaunt it in front of Sheng Zhi Wan?

Sheng Zhi Wan did not even turn around. Sheng Zhi Wan kept giving instructions to Xin He. Since Sheng Zhi Wan did not speak, the people around Sheng Zhi Wan naturally did not remind her either.

Meng Yang waited behind them like that, smugness in her eyes. One breath, two breaths, three breaths…

Sheng Zhi Wan seemed not to hear. Someone beside Sheng Zhi Wan lifted their eyes to glance once, then lowered their gaze again.

The smugness in Meng Yang’s eyes froze along with the fake smile on Meng Yang’s face. Meng Yang realized Sheng Zhi Wan was doing it on purpose. Even the maidservants beside Sheng Zhi Wan were doing it on purpose.

But why? What right did Sheng Zhi Wan have?

Meng Yang was now the daughter of Prince Huai and his consort. Meng Yang was a real noble lady of a prince’s household. Even if Meng Yang’s status could not compare to Sheng Zhi Wan, a Princess, Meng Yang still had Prince Huai’s manor supporting her.

So why did Sheng Zhi Wan still act so high and mighty in front of Meng Yang?

Meng Yang bit her lower lip, humiliation surging up.

Meng Yang raised her voice again: “Princess Qing Ning, could you not hear people speaking?”

Only then did Sheng Zhi Wan stop talking to Xin He. Sheng Zhi Wan slowly turned around, frowning at Meng Yang and the group of noble ladies around and behind Meng Yang.

Today, Meng Yang wore a brocade outfit that faded in shades of rich red. A cloak trimmed with fox fur draped over Meng Yang’s shoulders. Meng Yang’s black hair was gathered into an exquisite, lavish bun, and the pearls and jade ornaments hanging from it glittered in the light.

Sure enough, after her status changed, even her style had risen to a new level.

Sheng Zhi Wan’s voice stayed calm: “After living in Prince Huai’s manor for a few days, did Prince Huai’s consort not have someone teach Miss Meng proper manners?”

Meng Yang’s expression changed.

Sheng Zhi Wan did not care how Meng Yang reacted. Sheng Zhi Wan asked directly: “Miss Meng rudely interrupted me, so you must have something to say to me.”

Remembering why she had come, Meng Yang clenched her fingers and forced a smile as Meng Yang stepped forward: “I do. First, I want to apologize to Princess Qing Ning for what happened before.”

Meng Yang continued: “I know that although the divorce decree was something the Princess personally asked His Majesty for, if it had not been because of me, the Princess and the Heir Apparent would not have ended up like this. I never intended to shake the Princess’s status as Principal Wife, but the Princess could not tolerate me…”

Meng Yang sighed as if full of regret: “In the end, I still feel sorry that the Princess and the Heir Apparent divorced. Thankfully, the Princess now has a new consort. I hope the Princess has forgotten the past, and that from now on, the Princess and Young Master Shang Er will love each other and live in perfect harmony.”

It sounded like Meng Yang was truly apologizing. Yet between the lines, Meng Yang kept pointing out that Sheng Zhi Wan could not tolerate Meng Yang and had a petty, narrow heart.

Sheng Zhi Wan raised an eyebrow: “If that is all, Miss Meng did not need to come. In fact, I should be the one thanking Miss Meng.”

Meng Yang frowned: “Thanking me?”

Sheng Zhi Wan replied evenly: “Yes, thanking Miss Meng for jumping into the fire pit for me. Before Miss Meng arrived, I had to use my own money to support the Duke Manor’s whole family, and I had to serve the Duchess through her illness. After Miss Meng went there, I realized how light and easy life felt when I did not have to worry about any of that.”

Sheng Zhi Wan went on, as if speaking sincerely: “When I think about how Miss Meng carried a child and still had to earn silver for the Duke Manor, I truly felt heartache. If Miss Meng had not been so exhausted, that child probably would not have died.”

Sheng Zhi Wan glanced at Meng Yang’s belly.

Meng Yang’s face went dark.

Sheng Zhi Wan seemed to remember something else: “Oh, right. I remember that after the Duchess became paralyzed, it was Miss Meng who personally cleaned up her feces and urine. Now that Miss Meng is no longer at the Duke Manor, would there not be no one to serve her?”

Feces and urine?

Several noble ladies standing closest to Meng Yang stiffened. They were noble ladies who had attendants even for the toilet. Those filthy things were never supposed to have anything to do with them.

Yet now, without meaning to, they all looked at Meng Yang’s hands.

Meng Yang’s face flushed red. Meng Yang wanted to explain, but Meng Yang did not even know what to say.

Sheng Zhi Wan still spoke with an earnest tone: “So I truly am grateful to Miss Meng. Thankfully, Miss Meng earned silver for the Duke Manor. Otherwise, even the dowry I subsidized might never have been recovered.”

Meng Yang said nothing.

Meng Yang had come to show off in front of Sheng Zhi Wan, but a few sentences from Sheng Zhi Wan left Meng Yang so angry and ashamed that Meng Yang almost lost her composure. Meng Yang took several deep breaths before Meng Yang could force herself to speak calmly.

Meng Yang forced a dignified smile: “The Heir Apparent fought at the front and earned merit. As wives and concubines, it was my duty to manage the inner household well for him.”

Sheng Zhi Wan nodded casually: “Mm. Miss Meng was a peerless, virtuous woman indeed. I hoped the Heir Apparent, Qi Shi, would soon raise you to Principal Wife.”

They were words of praise, yet they made Meng Yang even angrier.