In Grand Commandant Manor, almost everyone with the surname Zhao knew that Maid Wang was the daughter of the old master's concubine, originally named Zhao Yinu, but the Zhao family didn't want to admit it.
Because the old master was fond of his daughter Zhao Yinu, he sent her to serve the young legitimate daughter Zhao Suyan, now the Empress, as a personal maidservant.
"Your Highness, why do you... bother with this?" Maid Wang sighed deeply.
Facing Zhao Shuang'er's call for aunt, she didn't know whether to be happy or sad.
Both were daughters of the same old master, but while the elder sister became the high and mighty Empress, she could only be an old maidservant.
This disparity was truly lamentable.
"Aunt~ Please forgive Shuang'er, I'll never be like this again."
Seeing Zhao Shuang'er crying pitifully, Maid Wang's heart softened, and she quickly helped Zhao Shuang'er to sit up.
She said respectfully, "I am your servant, Your Highness, please do not distress me like this again."
...
――― Shuanghua Residence.
Seeing Qingtao return, Lin Jiaojiao in the warm chair asked first, "How is the situation at Yilan Court?"
She asked languidly and continued to close her eyes, enjoying Xuemei's shoulder massage.
She planned to stroll around the manor today, but she only found out how cold it was outside after leaving the hall with the warm stove, which made people feel weak.
As one who was afraid of the cold, she would not go out in winter unless it was necessary. She would only go out when it snowed and she was in the mood to play.
Qingtao had just returned from outside and was still surrounded by cold air.
With a cold face, she bowed respectfully, "Replying to Your Highness, by the time the maidservant arrived, the concubine had already caused a commotion at Yilan Court."
Upon hearing this, she smirked and raised her hand, "You may leave."
She knew that Qingtao must have gone to Yilan Court.
Qingtao didn't need to make a special trip to Yilan Court to inform them about the punishment, as she would have to inform the accounting room first.
However, Qingtao was very careful in carrying out her tasks, and she wouldn't omit any necessary procedures and regulations.
It saved her the trouble of sending someone else to inquire.
At this moment, Xuemei said with a smile, "Your Highness, it is so gratifying to see Mrs. Zhao's arrogance humbled today."
"Hmmm," she responded lazily and said no more.
Punishing Zhao Shuang'er by grounding her today was expected, and with Zhao Shuang'er's character, she was just too easy to deal with.
It was different with Maid Wang by Zhao Shuang'er's side.
This time, her purpose wasn't solely to punish Zhao Shuang'er to establish her authority as the princess consort, but to separate the two of them
In the past, Yan Sihan also punished Zhao Shuang'er's courtyard; at that time, a month's salary was deducted from everyone in Yilan Court.
However, Zhao Shuang'er didn't want to compensate her court's people for just a month's salary, and Maid Wang had to use her own savings to make up for it.
Maid Wang didn't have much in savings, and there were more than eighteen people in Yilan Court besides her and Yuan'er.
Each person received three taels of silver per month, totaling fifty-four taels.
Half a year's salary for everyone would most likely empty out Maid Wang's savings.
Although this wouldn't make Maid Wang disloyal to Zhao Shuang'er, it could plant a seed of resentment in her heart.
With a series of small accumulations, it could eventually grow into a towering tree.
If it weren't for Maid Wang's support, a spoiled person like Zhao Shuang'er would probably have incited public outrage in the Prince Manor more than once.
What she wanted was for Zhao Shuang'er to bring about her own demise.
Thud, thud, thud!
The knock on the door broke the silence in the room and woke up the drowsy Lin Jiaojiao.
From outside the door, a voice said, "Your Highness, I am Qingxin, the Prince has ordered me to bring you the fetus-stabilizing medicine."
Fetus-stabilizing medicine? She suddenly coughed violently, as if choked by saliva, and couldn't stop for a moment.
As Xuemei patted her back, she said to the outside, "Come in."
In her past life, she had been barren, even though Yan Sihan visited her Shuanghua Residence almost every night.
Not only did she not drink the fetus-stabilizing medicine sent by Yan Sihan in her past life, but she also found a formula for a contraceptive potion and drank it instead.