Chapter 14: DID I SAY THAT?
"My lady does sing that anytime she remembers Madam Yuan," Ruo Xuan said.
"Hmm. Does she remember Madam Yuan?" Princess Hua asked.
"Yes, she does," Ruo Xuan replied.
"You said something this morning; you said Wei wasn't like that when Madam Yuan was alive. What happened to him?" Princess Hua inquired, looking into Ruo Xuan's eyes, waiting for a reply. Suddenly, some maids passed by.
"Thank you, Princess," they greeted her as they walked past.
"Thank you?" Princess Hua was surprised.
"Princess, why are they all saying thank you?" Chen Xui asked.
"I don't know either," Princess Hua replied.
"Hey!" Chen Xui called to one of the maids. "Why is everybody saying thank you to the princess?" he asked.
"The head cook said the princess ordered grand meals for all the maids for two weeks," the maid explained.
"What? Me?" Princess Hua asked, surprised.
"Thank you, Princess," another maid passed by, echoing the sentiment.
"Princess, what are you going to do?" Chen Xui asked.
"Let's go to the kitchen," Princess Hua decided. They made their way to the kitchen, and on the way, the maids continued to express their gratitude. Finally, they arrived.
"Head cook, did you give everybody grand meals on my behalf?" Princess Hua asked.
"Your Highness, you said we should give everybody that, didn't you?" the head cook replied.
"Me? Why are you lying?" Princess Hua asked, bewildered.
"I never lied," the head cook insisted. She stepped out of the kitchen to call all the maids and guards of the Wang mansion. They all gathered there.
"Everyone, the princess has denied giving meals to everyone for two weeks," the head cook announced.
"Head cook, do you have evidence that I said that?" Princess Hua asked.
"Yes, Your Highness," the head cook said, producing a paper. "This is the contract you signed with me to feed all the maids with grand meals for two weeks."
"I never said this; why are you lying against me?" Princess Hua protested.
"I dare not lie against Your Highness," the head cook replied.
"Princess Hua is the worst; she lied and denied feeding all the maids," the guards and maids began to shout.
"Princess, they are all the worst," Chen Xui said, trying to defend her.
"My life has been so tough these days," Princess Hua lamented.
"Princess Hua, why are you denying feeding all these people?" Madam Feng, who had just appeared, interjected.
"Did you do this?" Princess Hua asked, glaring at her.
"Princess, how dare you lie against me? Was it my name that was on this contract? Am I Qian Hua?" Madam Feng retorted.
"Princess is a bad person," the maids whispered loudly.
Immediately, Madam Feng noticed General Wang approaching and faked a cry.
"What is happening here?" General Wang asked.
"Honey," Madam Feng stepped closer to her husband, tears streaming down her face. "Princess Hua insulted the general mansion, claiming we are too poor to feed the servants. She told the head cook to prepare grand meals for them for two weeks, and now she denies it and insults me for killing Yuan."
"Princess, don't you think you are crossing the line? This is the General's mansion, not the palace," General Wang said sternly.
"General, do you believe your wife's lies?" Princess Hua asked defiantly.
"Princess, you are so irresponsible. How can you say Feng is lying? She is the second in charge of this house. You don't have rights here; remember to feed all the people you promised to feed," General Wang said.
"Feed them, General? How would it look if you didn't say anything and later found out a rumor about you?" Princess Hua countered.
"Princess is a liar," the servants echoed.
General Wang and Madam Feng left, and as Madam Feng turned back, she gave Princess Hua a triumphant smile.
Princess Hua stormed angrily to her room.
"Princess, what are you going to do?" Chen Xui asked, following her.
"You shouldn't have interfered in the General's family matters," Chen Xui added.
"Xui, how much does it cost to feed those servants for two weeks?" Princess Hua asked, her mind racing.
"10,000 taels, in my estimation," Chen Xui replied.
"10,000 taels!" Princess exclaimed. "I just got married yesterday, and they are already giving me a hard time here. Do they want me to go bankrupt? Is it because my mom is the richest consort?" Princess Hua lamented.
Wang Wei entered the room in his wheelchair. Princess smiled at him and told Chen Xui to leave. "Let me help you ," she said, rushing to assist him in wheeling his chair to his bed. After settling him down, she smiled at him warmly.
"Princess, I don't like those smiles," Wang Wei said, looking at her as he attempted to lie down.
"Wei, I thought of something that could make us a lot of money. I think we should buy many acres of land and start farming," Princess Hua suggested, eagerly awaiting his response.
"Princess, I don't want to be entangled in your personal life. Please, I'm out of it; we only have six months," Wang Wei replied coldly, closing his eyes.
"Because of your own personal life, I was treated badly tonight. At the palace, I'm treated poorly; here at the General's mansion, I'm treated badly, and my husband also treats me badly," Princess Hua said, frustration evident in her voice.
Instead of responding, Wang Wei remained silent.
"I know you are just an ungrateful fellow," Princess continued, her words relentless and preventing him from finding peace.
"I don't want to see you again. I don't even love you; stay away from me," Princess Hua declared.
Wang Wei, feeling cornered, stood up and sat in his wheelchair, preparing to leave. "Since the princess doesn't want me to sleep in my room, you can have everything. I will tell Bao to pack my things tomorrow morning," he said, wheeling himself away.
That night, Princess Hua slept happily, but the next morning was bright and filled with unexpected news.
"Princess," Chen Xui rushed in, interrupting her peaceful slumber.
Princess Hua, still waking up, stretched her hand. "What is it, Chen Xui?"
"Someone brought this invitation; you are invited to come to the palace with Young Master," Chen Xui announced.
"Me and Wang Wei?" Princess Hua asked, her heart racing at the thought.
Chen Xui nodded in response. Princess suddenly remembered her earlier words to Wang Wei about not wanting to see him again and not loving him. "Xui, do you think Wang Wei will go with me?" she asked, uncertainty creeping into her voice.