Previously, Xiao Ruizhi had some worries, thinking that even if Song Chaoyu was very capable, she, as a mere concubine's daughter, could not suppress these old stewards who were all skilled in flattery.
Only now did he realize that his prince's judgment was never wrong.
With a sense of relief, he retreated. Song Chaoyu, seeing that it was still early, decided to take a walk around the vast prince's mansion.
She sent Xiao Ruizhi to attend to his own matters, and Qiu Qing also said she wanted to go back and tidy up Song Chaoyu's room. Therefore, Song Chaoyu was only accompanied by Tiaohong.
Walking from the main hall towards the back courtyard, Song Chaoyu could still see that the scenery within the prince's mansion was quite good. She imagined that the person who built this garden back then must have put a lot of thought into it. The garden could be described as having a new scene at every step. Although all of it was man-made, the mountains, water, flowers, and plants did not appear to be crafted with excessive artifice.
However...
Just as Song Chaoyu reached the rockery, she heard two women talking by the rockery.
One of the women, in her speech, expressed dissatisfaction with her as the princess consort: "What new princess consort, she looks like nothing special! Did you all see her appearance? I don't know why our prince insists on liking such a woman. She's pretty, yes, but she's too small-minded!"
"Oh, Sister Xiang'er, stop talking!"
The woman beside her, hearing the complaint from the one named "Xiang'er," seemed annoyed: "You've been mumbling about it since yesterday until now. Your mouth hasn't gotten calluses, but our ears have! Regardless of how the new princess consort is, it's not for us to decide. Besides, I think the new princess consort looks beautiful and is also kind. As long as she is generous to us servants, isn't that enough?"
What this maid said seemed reasonable.
But Xiang'er clearly did not think so.
She snorted coldly: "You all look like you have nothing to fear. Sister Tao, I see you have no ambition, but I am different from you! I was originally from a respectable family. If it weren't for my family's misfortune, how would I have fallen to the point of being a servant? I must bring glory to my family and climb higher. You don't understand me, and I'm too lazy to explain it to you!"
She sneered: "Anyway, just you wait and see! Will the prince like an outside concubine's daughter like her? When I gain the prince's favor, don't come begging me then."
"Alas!"
The maid called "Sister Tao" also sighed and advised Xiang'er: "Xiang'er, I advise you to give up such thoughts. We should just do our own jobs well. Why must we provoke the prince? If the princess consort is easy to get along with, that's fine. But if she's not, can she spare your life?"
"Bah!"
But Xiang'er became more and more worked up: "When I was at home, I was a legitimate daughter born to the primary wife. Would I be afraid of an outside concubine's daughter like her? Anyway, I'll be serving her closely, so I must let her know my power!"
Hearing this, Song Chaoyu raised her eyebrows slightly. She hadn't expected there to be such a formidable maid in Prince Chang's mansion.
Tiaohong, however, could no longer stand it. She coughed lightly and simply walked out from behind the rockery, heading straight for the two maids who were talking: "Oh, you're so fierce when you speak like that? I'm quite curious, how do you plan to let the princess consort know your power?!"
Tiaohong was impatient, and Song Chaoyu had to follow behind her, appearing before the two maids.
Although these two maids were seeing Song Chaoyu for the first time, judging by her attire and appearance, they already knew Song Chaoyu's identity.
They quickly knelt before Song Chaoyu: "Your servant greets the Princess Consort. May the Princess Consort be well!"
Song Chaoyu was also seeing these two maids for the first time. However, looking at the one on the left, who was younger, dressed in pink, and with fresh flowers in her hair, making her look particularly charming, she was likely Xiang'er.
The one on the right appeared more composed and was wearing the light green maid's uniform prescribed by Prince Chang's mansion, so she should be that "Sister Tao."
Thus, Song Chaoyu slowly walked towards Xiang'er on the left: "You are Xiang'er, aren't you?"
As soon as Song Chaoyu spoke, Xiang'er's body trembled.
She braced herself and replied to Song Chaoyu: "Reporting to Your Highness, your servant is Xiang'er."
"Hmm."
Song Chaoyu waved her hand at her: "Lift your head and let me see."
Xiang'er closed her eyes, regretting in her heart that she hadn't been careful about her surroundings when she spoke earlier.
However, she still raised her head in fear and cautiously looked at Song Chaoyu.
This woman was indeed beautiful. Although young, her eyes held a hint of seductive charm.
With a pair of peach blossom eyes, she possessed a captivating allure.
Such a woman, no matter where she was placed, would likely be irresistible to young masters.
Song Chaoyu smiled lightly at Xiang'er: "Your appearance is indeed good, and your name is very pleasant to hear. No wonder you have such confidence, thinking you can serve by the Prince's side and show me your power!"
Everyone could tell that Song Chaoyu was mocking Xiang'er.
Xiang'er's expression turned somewhat unpleasant, but she dared not do anything to Song Chaoyu, so she could only say: "Yes... yes, your servant spoke nonsense. Please do not blame me, Princess Consort."
Although she asked Song Chaoyu not to blame her, she held her head high with a look of disdain, showing no sign of begging for mercy.
Even "Sister Tao" on the side glanced at Xiang'er with some concern.
Song Chaoyu stood in front of Xiang'er and said casually: "Since you know you were wrong, slap yourself."
"Wh-what?!"
Xiang'er seemed to have not expected Song Chaoyu to actually punish her, and stared at Song Chaoyu incredulously: "The Princess Consort is magnanimous and kind, and I believe she will not hold a grudge against a mere little servant like me, right?"
"Magnanimous and kind?"
Song Chaoyu stared at Xiang'er playfully: "You didn't say that about me just now. Moreover, in front of me, you even referred to yourself as 'I' instead of saying you are a servant. Is this your etiquette?"
Tiaohong on the side also stepped forward and roughly tugged at Xiang'er: "The Princess Consort told you to slap yourself, didn't you hear?"
Xiang'er was startled by Tiaohong's demeanor, her eyes immediately reddened, and she raised her hand and lightly slapped her own cheek.
Song Chaoyu's gaze grew colder: "Is this your idea of slapping yourself?"
"Slap—"
Without a word, Tiaohong stepped forward and fiercely slapped Xiang'er's left cheek: "See? This is how you slap yourself! If you're unwilling to do it yourself, then I'll help you. However, my hands don't know restraint, and if I really hurt that pretty face of yours, you'll probably want to show me your power again, won't you?"
This slap directly left a red handprint on Xiang'er's left cheek.