Tianliangyuan

Chapter 250 Betrayal

The maidservant answered without hesitation: "Jiang Fu, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Duke of Su's mansion."

Princess Anhe, who was standing to the side, was terrified. What was going on?

Xu Zhaozhao smiled and approached the maid. After whispering a few instructions, she snapped her fingers. The maid looked blank, only to see someone walk into the pavilion. She blinked and then went to carry out her task.

Before half an incense stick's time had passed, cries of alarm were heard: "Something's wrong! Someone has fallen into the water!"

Fortunately, there were no male guests here, only female relatives, and there were also old women and maids in the mansion who could swim, so the person who fell into the water was quickly rescued.

Good heavens, it's actually the eldest daughter-in-law of the Duke of Su's mansion!

Now there is something good to watch.

Why?

Because the new Crown Prince's wife is standing right here, and her sister-in-law has fallen into the water, how can she still stay here and drink without any resentment?

While it might not damage one's reputation, it was still quite embarrassing in front of everyone.

In the end, before the banquet even started, all the women of the Duke of Su's mansion had left.

Jiang Fu is not only the eldest daughter-in-law, but also the legitimate eldest daughter of the Jiang family. Even Liu Huaide's wife wouldn't dare to disrespect her in public.

This incident did provide some topics for discussion among everyone, but it did not affect the overall atmosphere of the banquet.

This is very interesting.

In fact, those who are truly in a high position can see that Jiang Fu has been abandoned by the Jiang family, but those below her are still afraid of the Jiang family's power and status.

What Xu Zhaozhao could understand, Li Mingya couldn't, and her half-sister Li Mingshu, who was by her side, understood even less.

"The eldest young mistress fell into the water at my residence. Although it was her own maid who bumped into her, only we know about this matter. We don't know what rumors will spread outside."

Li Mingya was worried that this would cause her parents more trouble.

Xu Zhaozhao remained silent, while Princess Anhe comforted her, saying, "This matter won't have any impact. Besides, the Crown Prince's wife was there at the time. What are you afraid of? It was originally caused by the mistress and servant, so it won't affect the Li family."

Li Mingya finally felt at ease.

It wasn't that she was timid or afraid of trouble; it was just that Jiang Fu was known for her domineering nature even before she got married, so how could people not be afraid?

On the way back, Xu Zhaozhao and her second sister-in-law rode in a carriage, both of them talking about Jiang Fu falling into the water earlier that day.

"I'm not stupid. It's obvious that Jiang Fu came for you, and I was just incidentally. When did you offend her?"

Xu Zhaozhao was still completely confused: "How would I know? I haven't seen her in ages. Not to mention her, I haven't seen any of the Jiang family members either. I'm so busy, how could I have the time to go out and cause trouble?"

This is true.

Ever since Xu Zhaozhao learned that her father and brothers were going to war, she has been busy.

Therefore, she didn't believe that Xu Zhaozhao would have the time to provoke Jiang Fu.

Besides, I've never heard of these two ever meeting.

"Second sister-in-law, you must be careful when you go out in the future. I think this Jiang Fu is up to no good. I don't think she's targeting me, but just venting her anger. She's become the laughing stock of the capital now. When has she ever been treated like this? Today, she's gotten angry, and if it's not me, it'll be someone else."

This time, I made her suffer the consequences of her actions, hoping only to discourage her from having such thoughts. After all, we're all women; why make things difficult for each other? If she learns her lesson this time and behaves herself in the future, she won't have to live in fear no matter who she encounters.

Princess Anhe smiled and poked her forehead: "You always know how to talk. But today's matter was indeed Jiang Fu's fault. She certainly wouldn't dare to tell the truth. Hopefully, this time, as you said, it will make her behave herself."

Since Jiang Fu had gotten into such trouble, it was natural that her elders would have to intervene.

When she learned that it was her maid who accidentally knocked her into the lotus pond, what else could she say?

The people around Jiang Fu were all her own dowry, so even the Duchess couldn't directly punish them. Therefore, she was only symbolically fined a monthly allowance and made to kneel for an hour. The rest was left for Jiang Fu to handle herself.

Jiang Fu is ruthless; how could she possibly show mercy?

After being flogged, the maid Qingzhi lay back on her bed, her skin torn and bleeding profusely, looking as if she had lost half her life.

"Sister Qingzhi, don't be sad. It's just that Miss is in a bad mood today. She fell into the water and might catch a cold. Please bear with it. I'll go get some medicine."

Qingzhi was Jiang Fu's head maid, and she was always very respectable. When Jiang Fu was still the wife of the heir apparent, she was very popular in the mansion.

Now that her master has lost power and status, her treatment has naturally declined significantly.

But no matter what, she was still a head maid.

But today's beating has completely humiliated her, leaving her with no face or dignity.

Several groups have already come to make fun of her.

Only one maid was willing to come and take care of her, and she even took the initiative to apply medicine to her.

Qingzhi felt resentment in her heart.

He had worked so hard for the young lady for so many years, what dirty and rotten things hadn't he done?

Just because I accidentally bumped into her, how could I be punished with a cane for that?

The more Qingzhi thought about it, the more indignant she felt.

The maidservant who was taking care of her observed her secretly for a while before saying, "Sister Qingzhi, I'm afraid I won't be able to take care of you for many more days."

"What? You also think I've fallen on hard times and look down on me?"

The little maid shook her head, her eyes reddening.

"Of course not! It was the Crown Prince's wife who transferred me to serve him. I heard that I was to tend to the flowers and plants in the courtyard, and my monthly salary has increased. However, I will be moving soon and will no longer be able to live here."

Qingzhi's heart stirred. The young master's wife was gentle and kind. Since she took over the household, apart from dealing with a few insolent servants who had defied their superiors, she had never severely punished any servants.

Moreover, in the future, the Duke's mansion will still be run by the heir's wife.

Although she was brought along as part of the young lady's dowry, the young lady was ultimately a member of the Duke's mansion.

It seems I need to find a way to pledge allegiance to the Crown Prince's wife, lest I be tormented in the future.

Xu Zhaozhao turned a page of the book. Her second sister-in-law did not ask her if she had used any mind-controlling drugs, which showed that she trusted her very much.

That's good, it saves her from having to come up with another excuse.

Dingxiang added incense powder to the incense burner and curtsied, saying, "Reporting to Miss, news just came from the Duke of Su's mansion that Qingzhi, the head maid of Jiang Fu, is already harboring thoughts of betraying her mistress."

"You went to do it?"

"Yes, I heard that she secretly went to see the Crown Prince's wife and even told her about some of Jiang Fu's little habits and hobbies."

"Hehe, Jiang Fu is also bad at judging people. But this Qingzhi is even more foolish. What good will it do her to betray her master now?"