The old madam understood her expression and shook her head in disappointment.
"Grandson's wife, although she is my personal maid, as the mistress of the house, you should punish a maid when she makes a mistake."
The maid suddenly looked up, her expression one of disbelief.
"Old Madam, Old Madam, this servant was wrong, this servant will never dare again."
Since the mistress had spoken, Ye Qingcheng did not hesitate. "You should be grateful it's the Prince's birthday today, otherwise, there would have been bloodshed to teach you a lesson. However, it's not a big matter, you'll be fined a month's allowance!"
This also saved the old madam's face and made Ye Qingcheng appear magnanimous, someone who wouldn't truly resort to beatings and bloodshed over a minor issue, considering that the silk was worth half a year's allowance.
However, the old madam was not satisfied with this punishment.
"That's not right, this is not a lesson. She won't remember. Demote her grade from a first-class maid to a second-class maid. She will no longer be my personal maid."
The maid was stunned. She hadn't expected such a consequence.
After dealing with the maid, the old madam chatted with Ye Qingcheng for a while longer. Lin Xiao then came to report, "Old Madam, the Prince has asked the Princess Consort to go to the front courtyard to receive guests first."
Ye Qingcheng raised an eyebrow, feeling very displeased. Did Xiao Wangye treat her like a slave?
However, she couldn't say anything about his grandson in front of an elder, so she bowed and took her leave.
As soon as Ye Qingcheng left, Xiao Wangye appeared from the shadows.
Xiao Wangye looked at his grandmother and stepped forward to greet her, "Grandmother."
The old madam smiled, her eyes crinkling. "You, you. Your wife is not an outsider. If you wanted to see Grandmother, why did you send her away?"
Xiao Wangye's expression remained unchanged. "Grandmother, your grandson did not deliberately send her away. It is simply that the front courtyard genuinely requires the host to entertain guests."
The old madam looked at him meaningfully but said nothing, causing Xiao Wangye to feel somewhat uneasy. Lin Xiao couldn't help but sigh to himself, indeed, the older the ginger, the spicier it is. The Prince's bane was truly the old madam! httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
The old madam did not want to dwell on the matter any longer and changed the subject. "I've also brought an old friend with me. His medical skills are superb; he is a divine physician. I specifically invited him to examine you."
Xiao Wangye's brows furrowed, but he remained silent. Soon, the divine physician arrived.
The newcomer had a long beard and a gentle, benevolent demeanor, smiling at Xiao Wangye.
"Is this your grandson?"
The old madam smiled and introduced him, "Yes! This is my grandson, Xiao Wangye."
The old physician stroked his beard and scrutinized Xiao Wangye, nodding repeatedly. "Hmm, he is indeed handsome and dashing, suave and talented. I have a granddaughter who might be a good match."
Lin Xiao twitched the corner of his mouth.
Xiao Wangye's brows instinctively furrowed, his gaze unfavorable.
The old madam shook her head and refused. "What nonsense are you talking, old man? I already have a grandson's wife. Your granddaughter is rather affected and troublesome; I will not agree."
The divine physician, thinking of his granddaughter's disposition, felt a moment of awkwardness.
"Ah, I was just saying it casually, no need to take it seriously!"
His gaze then returned to Xiao Wangye, and he enthusiastically extended his hand. "Come, come, let me see how your body is!"
He then began to take Xiao Wangye's pulse. His initially amiable expression vanished as he examined Xiao Wangye, his face becoming serious.
The old madam was very nervous. "How is it?"
The divine physician stroked his beard. "Your grandson is deeply poisoned. It has already infiltrated his marrow, which is why his legs are weak and he cannot walk. Fortunately, your grandson's inner strength is profound, and he has been suppressing it. He must have had a great encounter; I can sense the toxins within his body gradually dissolving."
The old madam's eyes lit up. "Does this mean his poison is improving?"
The old divine physician nodded. "He likely encountered someone with even better medical skills. This is an opportunity! Your grandson's fate is not meant to end here!"
Upon hearing that his grandson's poison could be cured, she was overjoyed. "Who is it? Grandson, is there anyone in your manor who is curing your poison? I must thank him (her) properly."
Lin Xiao was about to speak up and say it was the Princess Consort, but he was intimidated by a sharp glance from the Prince and retreated.
Xiao Wangye smiled. "Grandmother, you must be hungry too. Let's go to the front courtyard to eat."
The old madam understood he was trying to deflect the topic and put on a displeased expression. "What? You're not going to tell your grandmother? Can't your grandmother ask?"
Xiao Wangye quickly said no. Just as he was about to say something else, Bi Xi suddenly burst in. "Your Highness, you must go quickly! The Prince and Prince An are arguing."
Lin Xiao was startled. Prince An, wasn't that the Prince's brother?
However, this news provided Xiao Wangye with a much-needed opportunity to regroup.
"When did this happen? Why are they arguing?"
Bi Xi reported, "Prince An brought County Princess Jiacheng with him. As soon as County Princess Jiacheng arrived, she questioned the Princess Consort about why she hadn't sent her an invitation. The Princess Consort intended to have her sent away directly, but Prince An stopped her, and they started arguing."
Xiao Wangye's gaze deepened, and he instructed Lin Xiao to push him toward the front courtyard.
The old madam also went along. She wanted to see who dared to bully her grandson's wife.
As soon as they reached the front courtyard, they heard County Princess Jiacheng's pig-like scream.
"Princess Consort, please give me an explanation. Why was I the only one not sent an invitation?"
Xiao Wangye frowned in annoyance.
Just as the old madam was about to step forward to confront her, she heard Ye Qingcheng chuckle.
"May I ask who you are?"
The County Princess was stunned, not understanding Ye Qingcheng's meaning.
Ye Qingcheng stepped forward, looking at her, "I am the Regent's Princess Consort. It seems you still haven't grasped this point. When you are in front of me, I am the superior. You will forever be beneath me. If I don't want to send you an invitation, then I haven't sent you one. What do you want by coming here to inquire?"
Ye Qingcheng's demeanor was commanding, and she stood before the County Princess with such assertiveness that the County Princess had to slightly bow her head.
Prince An, standing nearby, couldn't help but applaud. "As expected! Sister-in-law is truly formidable."
All eyes turned towards them.
Prince An stepped forward and stood beside Ye Qingcheng, smiling. "Sister-in-law has become more and more like brother. You are completely different from the person I met before!"
Ye Qingcheng looked at him, her face holding a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Younger brother, there's no need to overthink. After all, the Prince is currently overseeing the imperial court. As his wife, I naturally have to change my personality a bit to stand alongside him."
Prince An smiled but said nothing.
The County Princess watched from the side, feeling a little guilty. This Princess Consort even retorted to Prince An...
At this moment, Sheng Yiran walked out from behind. Seeing the scene and then looking at the County Princess, she immediately understood the situation.
"What does County Princess mean? When did it become acceptable to question the Regent's Princess Consort on the spot?"