Chapter 12: Kneel

 Chapter 12: Kneel 

Concubine Jiang gently reached out and brushed a strand of hair from Chu Qianchen's cheek. "My poor Chen'er, if you had been born to the madam, you wouldn’t have to be so careful, always lowering yourself, always being treated as inferior."

"Sigh, it's my fault for you being like this..."

Concubine Jiang sighed deeply, her voice full of sorrow.

Outside the window, the flowers and trees rustled in the spring breeze, adding a touch of melancholy and helplessness to the scene.

Chu Qianchen smiled faintly, her expression meaningful. "Auntie, how do you think I should apologize?"

"The third young miss’s face is ruined. To calm the second madam’s anger, mere words of apology won’t suffice."

"Unless I scar my own face. Are you sure you want me to do that?"

Chu Qianchen's voice was calm, but it made Concubine Jiang's heart skip a beat. A strange feeling surged within her, as though the Chu Qianchen before her was different from the one she had known. As Liu Li had said, she seemed somehow changed.

"Auntie, what do you think?" Chu Qianchen asked seriously, her gaze fixed on Concubine Jiang.

She placed her hands on her knees, sitting straight, and her phoenix eyes did not blink as she looked at Concubine Jiang, as if saying she would do whatever Concubine Jiang instructed.

The tension in Concubine Jiang’s heart finally loosened.

This Chu Qianchen was still the same as before, seeing her as the world, with only her in her eyes and heart.

So, it must have just been her illusion...

Concubine Jiang's lips curved into a slight smile as she spoke softly, "Chen'er, you’ve really made a big mistake this time." Her voice was filled with deep reluctance and sorrow, her hands nervously twisting the handkerchief. "Auntie knows it’s not your fault, but who told you that you’re a concubine’s daughter?"

Who told you that you’re a concubine’s daughter!

From the moment Chu Qianchen could remember, Concubine Jiang had repeated this line countless times in her ear.

When she was young, she was somewhat unconvinced, but gradually, she began to believe that Concubine Jiang was right.

She had always obeyed Concubine Jiang, never defying her, but what had that gotten her in return?!

Concubine Jiang continued with a sigh, "Chen'er, Auntie certainly doesn’t want you to suffer, but now, what can we do..."

"I refuse."

Chu Qianchen clearly pronounced these three words, interrupting Concubine Jiang.

"If my mother or grandmother is angry, I will bear the responsibility alone. It won’t involve you, Auntie."

"Auntie, I’m tired." Chu Qianchen lifted the teacup, signaling it was time for the conversation to end.

Concubine Jiang’s face stiffened, but she eventually stood up, saying, "Chen'er..."

She sighed heavily as she walked toward the door, her steps slightly unsteady, as if deeply affected.

However, Chu Qianchen ignored her, lowering her gaze to sip her tea.

Having lived a second life, she had many things to do.

Once she left the Wan Yan Courtyard, Concubine Jiang’s fragile and hurt expression completely vanished, replaced by calmness.

"Cui Mama, what do you think is going on with Chen'er?" Concubine Jiang asked.

"My Lady, the second young miss may be upset because she almost had her face injured, and you insisted that she apologize to the third young miss. She might be feeling resentful and holding her breath," Cui Mama spoke kindly, "The second young miss is still respectful to you, I don’t think there’s anything wrong."

"Respectful?" Concubine Jiang murmured, her gaze shifting.

Just now, Chen'er had indeed been respectful, but Concubine Jiang couldn’t shake the feeling that it was different from before. In the past, even when she smiled at her, Chu Qianchen's eyes would shine with admiration, full of longing.

But just now, Chu Qianchen had been particularly calm.

She simply gazed at her with those dark eyes, as though they could see through everything, making Concubine Jiang feel an inexplicable sense of guilt...

Cui Mama continued, "The second young miss is extraordinarily beautiful, no other noble young miss in the capital is more beautiful than she is."

Such beauty nearly ended up destroyed by the third young miss’s hands. Even someone as graceful as the second young miss would be angered by that.

"She was just lucky this time..." Concubine Jiang slightly nodded, then after a pause, she slowly said, "Cui Mama, you must also see it. Her eyes, her beauty, her figure... the more she grows, the more..."

Concubine Jiang tightened her grip on the handkerchief, her eyes flickering with uncertainty.

Cui Mama’s heart skipped a beat.

However, Concubine Jiang didn’t speak further.

Cui Mama followed Concubine Jiang closely behind, and just as they were about to exit the Wan Yan Courtyard, she couldn’t help but glance back.

The courtyard was eerily quiet, with only the grass and trees gently swaying in the spring breeze, just as it always had been—calm and undisturbed.

Inside the room, Chu Qianchen still sat in the circular chair, staring steadily at Liu Li in front of her. She said softly, "Kneel."

Her voice was gentle, and her phoenix eyes, with their slightly upturned corners, gave Liu Li a fleeting glance. There was an undeniable pressure emanating from her, calm but commanding.

Liu Li shuddered instinctively and knelt down immediately. She lowered her head, resentment flickering in her eyes, and said begrudgingly, "Miss, what have I done wrong?"

"You're the one who told Auntie that I went out of the residence, aren’t you?" Chu Qianchen’s tone was certain.

When Concubine Jiang sent Ju’er to call her, she had claimed she was tired and didn’t go. Based on Concubine Jiang's temperament, she wouldn't have come herself. Chu Qianchen had expected to hear that Concubine Jiang was unwell by the time she returned.

However, Concubine Jiang had come personally.

Clearly, someone had informed Concubine Jiang. It was obvious who that person was.

"I didn’t," Liu Li quickly denied. "I’ve always been loyal to the young miss! If you don’t believe me, you can ask the other maidservants."

As a concubine’s daughter in the Marquis's residence, Chu Qianchen had the standard of two second-rank maidservants, four third-rank maidservants, and two old maids, in addition to several servants.

However, when Chu Qianchen was five years old, her wet nurse suddenly passed away. Later, when she stayed at the country estate for a "short visit," the head servant, Yu Mama, was already gone. Concubine Jiang had explained that Yu Mama had been granted leave to return home and care for her grandson.

So, in the Wan Yan Courtyard, there were no older servants; the ones in charge were two second-rank maidservants, Liu Li and Hu Po. Hu Po was always quiet, not fighting for power, while Liu Li managed the entire courtyard, including the junior maidservants.

Chu Qianchen’s lips curved upward, a faint smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

Liu Li had really grown more and more arrogant over the years.

Even though she was only a concubine’s daughter, there was no reason to argue with the servants.

Since Liu Li didn’t want to admit it, so be it. Chu Qianchen changed the subject, "Liu Li, you don’t need to serve me anymore."

(End of chapter)