Chapter 89

Chapter 89: Speaking Ill of the Main Wife

The closer it came to late autumn, the colder each day became. Meng Yang’s Jiao Niang Wine finally entered mass production, and in only a little over half a month, because the Third Prince personally bestowed its name, it became one of the best-selling wines in the entire capital city.

Meng Yang stayed busy with all of that, so she naturally had no time to stir up trouble in the residence. Aside from making big changes at the start by replacing a batch of servants and raising the monthly silver for several stewards in the inner and outer courts and the main kitchen, she did not do much else.

Sheng Zhi Wan did not interfere. As long as Meng Yang did not touch Sheng Zhi Wan’s people, Meng Yang could do whatever she wanted. In any case, all food and supplies used in Ping Lan Residence were now purchased separately.

As for the newly hired servants who kept showing up outside Ping Lan Residence to brag about how favored Concubine Meng was, how well Jiao Niang Wine was selling, and how the Heir Apparent and Concubine Meng always went in and out together, Sheng Zhi Wan treated them like they were there to entertain her.

That day, Sheng Zhi Wan suddenly noticed that within one hour, the small kitchen had fed Lai Fu three chicken legs and two steamed buns. No wonder the little thing had been gaining fat so quickly. It turned out he had been getting extra food.

Sheng Zhi Wan immediately decided to take the little thing out to walk it off. Otherwise, instead of raising an imposing guard dog, she would end up raising a greasy little fat dog.

Lai Fu hated moving, so Sheng Zhi Wan had Ting Lan dangle a greasy chicken leg in front of him as bait. The little thing fell for it at once, and his short legs pumped fast.

Sheng Zhi Wan and An Zhi followed behind, happily watching that little wiggling butt.

Suddenly, a strange voice came from around the corner. “What Princess or not? I have been here so many days and never once saw the Heir Apparent go to her courtyard. It is obvious that if she had not been shameless back then and begged to marry the Heir Apparent, Concubine and the Heir Apparent would be the perfect match!”

Ting Lan’s steps paused, and her face darkened as she prepared to go see who was talking.

Lai Fu bared his teeth and rushed out first.

A scream rang out. “Ah! Ahhh!”

Another voice cursed, “Get away! Get away, now! Where did this damned beast come from!”

The shouting mixed with the sound of Lai Fu being kicked away and his low, furious growl.

Ting Lan rushed forward and gathered Lai Fu into her arms.

Sheng Zhi Wan’s eyes turned icy as she strode over and said, “Was it you who called me shameless? And you kicked my dog?”

Meng Yang did not expect Sheng Zhi Wan to be there, and she certainly did not expect Sheng Zhi Wan to hear Qing Liu’s words. Meng Yang stiffened at once, and her face looked ugly.

Sheng Zhi Wan did not even look at Meng Yang. She only stared at the round-faced maid beside Meng Yang and said slowly, “I may not manage the residence, but I am still the Duke residence’s proper Heir’s Wife. Since when did a concubine’s maidservant dare to talk about me behind my back?”

Sheng Zhi Wan turned to Ting Lan and asked, “Ting Lan, under the Duke residence’s household rules, how is someone punished for speaking ill of the Main Wife and disrespecting the Main Wife?”

Ting Lan carefully checked Lai Fu from head to toe. After confirming he was still lively and did not seem hurt anywhere, Ting Lan said coldly, “Thirty slaps and thirty strokes.”

Sheng Zhi Wan nodded. “Good. Then first teach this maid who dared speak ill of the Main Wife some rules. Once her mouth is clean, send her to the steward to take the board.”

Ting Lan answered, “Yes!”

Ting Lan immediately set Lai Fu down, walked up to the round-faced maid, and raised her hand.

The maid’s face changed. She finally understood Sheng Zhi Wan’s status, and she instantly begged Meng Yang, “Concubine, save me!”

Her name was Qing Liu. She had been newly recruited after Meng Yang began managing the household. As soon as she entered the residence, she was chosen by Meng Yang because of her sharp, bold mouth. Because everything she said hit exactly what Meng Yang wanted to hear, in just ten or so days she jumped past Qing Xing and became the most favored maid in Wei Yang Courtyard.

Qing Liu had already noticed that what Meng Yang liked hearing most was anything that belittled Sheng Zhi Wan, so Qing Liu deliberately picked words that Meng Yang enjoyed.

Who would have thought the person being discussed would hear it herself?

Even now, Qing Liu was not very afraid. After entering the residence, she had always stayed close to Meng Yang. She had watched Meng Yang manage the Duke residence from inside to outside, go out to do business, and even be on good terms with the Third Prince.

A neglected Princess who was left out and only knew how to stay in her own courtyard was nothing compared to Qing Liu’s own master.

Meng Yang hurried forward and said, “Princess, please do not blame her. Qing Liu is a maid I just selected into the residence. She spoke without thinking. I will discipline her well when we return. There is no need to trouble Princess.”

Sheng Zhi Wan only raised her brows as she looked at Meng Yang.

Meng Yang immediately turned and scolded Qing Liu. “Why are you not quickly apologizing to Princess!”

Qing Liu’s face turned green and then white. She bit her lip in resentment and said, “Qing Liu offended Princess. Please forgive this servant!”

Sheng Zhi Wan watched Qing Liu bow her head while still rolling her eyes at Sheng Zhi Wan. Sheng Zhi Wan suddenly curled her lips into a cold smile, then the smile vanished at once.

Sheng Zhi Wan said, “Ting Lan, what are you waiting for? Teach her a hard lesson!”

Meng Yang cried out, “Princess!”

Qing Liu tried to struggle, but Ting Lan looked small and delicate only on the outside. Ting Lan was quick and nimble. In no time, Ting Lan yanked Qing Liu by the hair with one hand and forced Qing Liu’s head back, leaving Qing Liu unable to fight back.

An Zhi also stepped forward to help. One on the left, one on the right, they slapped Qing Liu hard, over and over.

Very quickly, Qing Liu’s already round face swelled until it looked like a steamed bun.

Meng Yang’s face went paper white as she watched. She wanted to stop it, but when Meng Yang met Sheng Zhi Wan’s dark, chilling stare, Meng Yang swallowed the words she had been about to say.

When the thirty slaps ended, Qing Liu’s face, which had once looked plump and blessed, was completely ruined.