I knocked her head hard, glaring unhappily: “You silly girl, weren’t you supposed to be on lookout? How did you let him come in?”
Shui’er lowered her head: “I’m sorry, I went to the bathroom when no one was around. When I came back, I saw the Prince heading to the study and wanted to notify you, but it was too late! I’m sorry, it’s all my fault. The Prince didn’t blame you, did he?”
I rolled my eyes.
The little maid, seeing my ugly expression, timidly pulled my sleeve: “Madam, please don’t be angry. Shui’er knows she was wrong. Next time, I’ll definitely stay by the door and won’t leave a single step. Please forgive me this time! At most, if the Prince punishes anyone, let me take the punishment for you!”
“Okay, I’m fine!” Seeing her pitiful look, I couldn’t bear to scold her further and instead instructed: “Go find someone for me!”
The little maid immediately nodded: “Madam, just say the word. Even if I have to search all of Beijing, I’ll find them for you!”
I rolled my eyes in exasperation: “No need to be so dramatic. She’s right in our mansion, seems to be called Zi’er. Find her and bring her to my room!”
“Shui’er then pouted dissatisfiedly: “Who made you, madam, scare us? Shui’er is just afraid that you would look down on us and not want us anymore!”
Damn, in the end, it turned out to be my fault…
I deliberately let out a cold snort, pretending to be angry: “Not wanting you would be better, saving someone from complaining about my temper! Then you can go serve somewhere else!”
Shui’er’s expression changed slightly upon hearing this, hurriedly pulling at the corners of her mouth and laughing awkwardly: “Hehe, so you heard that, madam?”
I continued to maintain a stern face, teasing her: “Who knows if you were just casually saying it or if you have some real objections? If you truly don’t want to serve me, I can’t force you, right?”
“Madam!” Shui’er immediately pleaded: “I was really just speaking casually, with no other meaning. Please don’t take it seriously. Shui’er dares to swear that she truly wants to serve you!”
Master and servants were harmonious and joyful.
Zi’er was suddenly called out, first stunned, then nodding her head like a rattle-drum, saying: “Yes, Zi’er definitely wants to stay. Thank you for your appreciation, madam!”
I then nodded satisfactorily, hugging the three of them and laughing boldly: “That’s good. From now on, you three are all my people!”
Shui’er desperately poked her head out from my grasp, asking foolishly: “What benefits are there to being the madam’s people?”
I raised my hand and mercilessly knocked her on the forehead: “No benefits, but from now on, you’ll have to be loyal to me to the death. You’d better think carefully. If you’re not happy, leave now, or you won’t have another chance!”
The little maid pouted, covering her head and complaining: “I was just casually asking! Do you have to be so harsh? It really hurts!”
I pursed my lips, looking at her without any guilt: “If it hurts, you should reflect on why you’re the one being hit, not someone else!”
The little maid stuck out her tongue, daringly talking back: “That’s because you’re petty and don’t allow others to express opinions!” After saying this, she immediately ran three feet away, hugging a pillar for safety!
“You little brat, your courage is growing! Come here, let me discipline you properly!” I narrowed my eyes, pretending to be angry, rolling up my sleeves, and making a move to hit her!
Zi’er thought I was truly angry and nervously pulled my sleeve, pleading for Shui’er: “Madam, Shui’er was just joking. Please don’t take it seriously!”
Zui’er suddenly laughed, tugging Zi’er’s sleeve: “The one taking it seriously is you! Can’t you see they’re just playing?”
“Ah?” Zi’er blinked her big eyes, looking confused, her gaze lingering between me and Shui’er for a while before slowly realizing, letting go of my sleeve with a red face: “Sorry, I, I didn’t know…”
“Hahaha…”
I couldn’t help but laugh, triumphantly saying: “How was that? Wasn’t my acting great? Look, Zi’er was really scared!”
Let’s see you compete with me.
Shui’er stuck out her tongue, disapproving: “No, it should be said that Zi’er is easy to fool. Look, Zui’er and I weren’t fooled!”
You little brat, always undermining me…
I glared at her fiercely: “If you weren’t fooled, why did you hide so far away?”
Shui’er responded: “I was just cooperating with you!”
Seeing me silent, the girl tilted her head and asked: “Madam, why did you want to bring Zi’er to serve?”
I answered impatiently: “Of course because she’s more clever than you two!”
Shui’er immediately curled her lips, though she said nothing.
I couldn’t help but glare at her: “What’s with that look?”
The little maid commented: “Shui’er might be stupid, but look how easily Zi’er was fooled.”
I slightly raised my lips, concluding: “That’s called being kind-hearted!”
Shui’er disdainfully curled her lips: “I think you’re just playing favorites!”
I continued to glare at her: “You’re being disrespectful!”
Shui’er replied: “You were the one who told us to treat you like a friend.”
“I, I… I don’t want you anymore!” In a fit of anger, I finally pulled out my ultimate weapon! Hmph, let’s see how you compete with me…
The girl was full of spirit just a moment ago, but in the next second, she seemed to suddenly realize something and said with a drooping face: “Madam, you can’t be serious, right? Woo, Shui’er knows she was wrong, and will never talk back to you again!”
“Knock knock knock—”
Suddenly, a knock came from outside the door…
Everyone looked towards the sound and saw the steward standing at the door with a respectful bow, calling out: “Madam!”
Shui’er asked: “Manager Yan, do you have something for the Madam?”
The steward maintained a serious expression, nodded and said: “I’ve brought this month’s account book for the Madam to review. Also, two maids want to take leave to return home and visit their families next month. I was wondering if they could be advanced one month’s salary.”
I glanced briefly at the account book, seeing dense traditional characters, most of which I didn’t recognize. I quickly made up my mind and instructed him: “Leave the account book here. I’ll look at it when I have time. As for the maids’ leave, you can decide. However much money they need, just give it to them.”
Also tell them that from now on, all travel expenses for returning home will be covered by the mansion!”
After all, it’s not my money, so I won’t care how much is spent. The key is to win people’s hearts. I haven’t forgotten my bet with that guy. I’ll make everyone in this prince’s mansion obey me, including him. I’ll show him what real talent looks like!
The steward looked hesitant: “This… might not be appropriate. The mansion has never had such a rule before.”
I immediately patted his shoulder reassuringly: “Don’t worry. Rules are made by people. Since the prince put me in charge of the household, all matters big and small will be decided by me. He won’t object!” Ha, before the bet’s deadline, even if he wants to object, he can’t!
The steward hesitated, then finally nodded: “This old servant understands!”
I continued: “By the way, I think many rules in the royal mansion need reform. Tonight I’ll draft a specific plan, and tomorrow I’ll trouble you to come discuss the implementation details!”
Zui’er glanced at the sky outside and urgently grabbed my hand, saying: “Your Highness should have gone to the morning court by now. Madam, would you like to sleep first? I’ll wake you up when he returns.”
Sleep?
How could I sleep at this moment? After working hard all night, I’m eager to have everyone see the results of my labor!
I immediately broke free from her hand and ran outside: “No need. Since that guy isn’t here, I’ll go find Steward Yan!”
