Chapter 85

Chapter 85: Is That All?

“Then we’ll skip the powders today. Just some balm for the lips will be enough,” Sheng Zhi Wan said.

After finishing preparations, An Zhi fetched an exquisite white fox cloak and draped it gently around Sheng Zhi Wan’s shoulders.

As Sheng Zhi Wan turned around, her delicate face, as flawless as jade, seemed even more charming framed by the soft, snowy fur. The maidservants, accustomed to her beauty, stared in amazement.

“Princess…you look truly beautiful today,” Ting Lan murmured, dazed.

Seeing her servant’s stunned expression, Sheng Zhi Wan couldn’t help but smile, “You’re beautiful too.”

Ting Lan blushed deeply, whispering shyly, “Princess is teasing me again.”

She used to think that those overly romantic poems praising beauties were exaggerated and silly. But seeing her princess now, she felt those poets were speaking the simple truth.

[Isn’t the Princess truly a goddess descended from heaven?]

Sheng Zhi Wan walked leisurely with An Zhi and Ting Lan toward the Evening Tide Courtyard, smiling as she admired the flowers and scenery along the way. Her stunning presence drew countless admiring glances.

Though the servants knew their princess was beautiful, each new glimpse of her always seemed to outshine the last.

Today, she appeared particularly radiant.

Upon entering the Evening Tide Courtyard, Sheng Zhi Wan immediately noticed Madam Cui smiling affectionately, holding Meng Yang’s hand as they conversed.

Behind Madam Cui stood Concubine Lian and Concubine Ping, and surprisingly, even Qi Shu Xian was present.

After bowing respectfully to Madam Cui, Sheng Zhi Wan calmly took a seat. “Mother, is there something you need me for?”

From the moment she entered, Qi Shu Xian’s gaze had remained fixed upon her.

Meng Yang noticed this and felt her face pale slightly, but the thought of the news she was about to announce quickly restored her confidence. She especially disliked Sheng Zhi Wan’s perpetual calm and serenity, and the idea of finally seeing her unsettled made Meng Yang impatient.

“Princess, Mother called you here today because of this concubine,” Meng Yang spoke up with suppressed excitement.

“Oh?” Sheng Zhi Wan cast her a casual glance. “Meng Miss, have you not been resting well lately? You look much older, and you even seem to have developed spots on your face.”

Sheng Zhi Wan furrowed her delicate brows gently as she spoke, feigning concern.

Meng Yang’s proud expression instantly froze.

Indeed, she had been exhausted lately, busy managing the hotpot shop, winemaking, and household affairs. The spots on her face were pregnancy marks, carefully concealed with powder. She never imagined Sheng Zhi Wan would notice them, let alone point them out openly in front of everyone.

Meng Yang lowered her head in embarrassment, nails digging sharply into her palms.

“Hmph! Clever tongue!” Madam Cui snorted coldly. “What good is beauty if you neglect your duties? You never come to pay respects to your elders, you ignore household responsibilities, and you’re always running outside!”

“Men marry for virtue. Yang’er may not have the highest birth, but she is filial, virtuous, and resourceful. She’s even gained the favor of the Third Prince! Now she single-handedly manages the entire Duke estate. You should learn from her!”

Madam Cui eyed Sheng Zhi Wan’s beauty with bitterness, her own face pale and drawn from recent ill health. Her irritation grew stronger.

[If this selfish girl had helped brew my medicine or performed pressure techniques, I wouldn’t be ill in the first place. Yet all she ever does is upset me!]

Sheng Zhi Wan didn’t react with anger, but instead nodded gracefully:

“Mother is absolutely right. Beauty indeed has no practical use, other than making people feel joyful and at ease. But even this comfort matters. After all, it is men’s nature to love beauty. When one’s looks fade, affection fades too. Once one grows old or plain, no one wants to look anymore.”

“But of course,” she added sweetly, “Father isn’t included among these common men.”

Though Lord Duke rarely spent time at home, often staying at his country estates or attending endless engagements, rumors of affairs never reached home. Still, Sheng Zhi Wan’s words sharply pierced Madam Cui’s heart.

Madam Cui felt so furious she nearly choked.

Sheng Zhi Wan appeared oblivious, continuing lightly, “Mother, please tell me quickly why you called. Afterward, I’d like to go back to sleep. Imperial Physician Song said plenty of sleep helps keep the skin beautiful.”

“You—you!” Madam Cui clutched at her chest angrily, pointing helplessly between Qi Shu Xian and Sheng Zhi Wan, too enraged to form proper words.

Finally, Qi Shu Xian spoke with a dark expression. “In that case, Meng Yang will handle the household matters from now on. You just continue your beauty sleep. The Duke’s estate will be run by Meng Yang!”

Meng Yang: “…”

Suddenly, the excitement of managing the household diminished considerably. Nevertheless, she still glanced hopefully at Sheng Zhi Wan, eager to savor any distress on her face.

Sheng Zhi Wan appeared briefly startled, then said simply, “That’s it? Mother could’ve just sent someone with a message. There was no need to make me come all this way.”

W-what?

Meng Yang’s hopeful expression shattered. Did Sheng Zhi Wan not understand what this meant?

Household stewardship always belonged to the wife of the heir. Handing it to Meng Yang clearly showed the family’s disappointment with Sheng Zhi Wan, yet she truly seemed indifferent.

How was that possible?

Or was this just an act?

Meng Yang continued to stare at Sheng Zhi Wan stubbornly.

Noticing Meng Yang’s gaze, Sheng Zhi Wan acted as if she’d just remembered something important. “Ah, since Meng Miss is taking over the household, she shouldn’t be left without a proper status. When I return, I’ll send Huan Zhu’s birth record. Mother can include her in the family register, and tonight we’ll bring her in as a concubine through the side gate. What does Mother think?”