Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Maidservant is Only Thinking of You

“Mm.” Madam Cui felt deeply pleased.

At this moment, someone outside announced, “Madam, Miss Huan Zhu is here.”

“Young Master,” Huan Zhu’s voice echoed from outside, “Princess ordered Maidservant to deliver medicine.”

Qi Shu Xian’s chopsticks froze mid-air.

Qi Fei Yan immediately sneered. “Didn’t I tell you? Such a cheap attitude! When you beg her, she acts haughty. When Mother arranged it, did she dare protest? No, she didn’t make a sound. Now she eagerly sends medicine. If you ask me, a woman like her deserves contempt.”

“Let her in,” Madam Cui spoke calmly.

Huan Zhu entered joyfully, but her expression stiffened instantly upon seeing Madam Cui and Qi Fei Yan.

“What medicine is it?” Madam Cui questioned.

Huan Zhu hurriedly took out an exquisite porcelain bottle. “Madam, this was a gift to Princess from the Empress Dowager years ago. It’s said to work wonders on wounds.”

“Golden Scar-Healing Elixir!” Qi Shu Xian recognized it at once.

Rumor had it this potion was crafted from dozens of rare medicinal herbs such as Blood Scorpion, Southern Star Bile, and Dragon Bone. It could instantly stop bleeding and heal wounds, even restoring rotten flesh to perfect condition. Just this tiny bottle alone would cost at least a thousand taels.

“Mm,” Madam Cui also knew of its fame. Her eyes flickered as she said, “Put it down. Tell Zhi Wan that Shu Xian’s injuries are serious, and he won’t visit her tonight.”

“Yes,” Huan Zhu had no reason to linger. After secretly glancing at Qi Shu Xian, she retreated.

“Mother, my injuries are nothing serious,” Qi Shu Xian frowned.

“Even if you’re fine, stay put,” Madam Cui scolded. “Your wife’s temper must be corrected. Let her reflect and come apologize first. Wait until her attitude softens.”

“Indeed,” Qi Fei Yan scoffed, “She won’t hold out long anyway. Maybe tonight she’ll come groveling herself.” Then recalling something else, she added, “And ask her clearly—what did she mean? Wang Zhi Yuan, that fatherless nobody, could get a Sixth-Rank Official’s post, yet my husband, a Vice Minister’s son, only received a mere Hanlin Academy Scholar position?!”

“Enough, discuss this later.” Madam Cui stood and instructed Qi Shu Xian gently, “Rest well today. You have a ceremony in the palace tomorrow. According to your father’s information, His Majesty intends to promote you to Fourth Rank.”

“Yes,” Qi Shu Xian showed no outward joy, but his eyes sharpened briefly.

Seeing this, Madam Cui felt even more satisfied.

In previous years, everyone had whispered Duke Qi’s house had fallen. Yet her son Shu Xian became a Triple-First Scholar, then earned merits in Cangnan. Now families in the Capital who had once cut ties with them were eager to reconnect, realizing Shu Xian’s limitless potential.

It wasn’t only Shu Xian—her second daughter’s beauty was widely praised, and her fourth son had become a pupil of Great Scholar Lin. Both had promising futures.

Only her eldest daughter married early into a lesser Fifth-Rank official’s family. Her husband, Lian Wen Hui, barely passed the imperial exams at twenty-four. With Sheng Zhi Wan’s help, he secured a position at the Hanlin Academy.

Initially, Madam Cui felt satisfied.

But thinking of Sheng Zhi Wan’s nanny’s son, her mood soured again.

A servant’s child, now ranked half a level above her own son-in-law.

This Sheng Zhi Wan truly failed to distinguish friend from servant!

It seemed she needed another reminder.

…

Huan Zhu returned to Pinglan Residence just in time to see Ting Lan holding a box from the dowry.

Her expression darkened immediately, and she quickly snatched the box away. “How dare you touch these things?” Her voice was accusatory.

Before Ting Lan could respond, Sheng Zhi Wan’s cold voice spoke, “I let her handle it. Must I inform you first?”

Hearing the deeper meaning, Ting Lan wisely stayed silent.

Yet Huan Zhu, believing herself closest to Sheng Zhi Wan, the only maid brought from the palace, considered herself superior even among top-ranked maids like An Zhi and Ting Lan—almost a mistress herself within these walls.

Now humiliated in front of Ting Lan, Huan Zhu couldn’t hide her displeasure.

“What does Princess mean by this? I’ve served you diligently since childhood, always considering your interests. Without informing me, you suddenly let someone handle the dowry list entrusted to me? If Princess finds fault in my service, please say it clearly!”

Sheng Zhi Wan sipped her tea leisurely before slowly lifting her gaze to meet Huan Zhu’s. “Perhaps you should first explain where you just went and what you did.”

Huan Zhu’s eyes shifted nervously. “Maidservant visited Young Master’s courtyard to deliver medicine. Maidservant was only thinking of your well-being!”

“What fine concern for my well-being!” Sheng Zhi Wan laughed coldly. “With just one sentence about caring for me, you gifted away the keepsake Grandmother left specifically for this Princess. Anyone unaware might think Qi Shu Xian is your true master!”

Huan Zhu paled slightly. “How could Princess misunderstand Maidservant this way? Maidservant only feared your constant conflicts with Young Master might allow others to exploit your weakness. Maidservant never imagined Princess would view me like this!”

With that, she shoved the box abruptly into Ting Lan’s arms. If not for Ting Lan’s quick reflexes, the box would’ve fallen to the floor.

But Huan Zhu didn’t care, glaring defiantly at Sheng Zhi Wan. “If Princess believes Maidservant’s actions improper, you might as well send Maidservant away now!”