The pavilion fell silent.

Wei Hengzhi frowned.

He didn’t like Wen Yuesheng, so he subconsciously thought she was making a big deal out of nothing.

However, this was a matter concerning the princess’s residence, and it had nothing to do with him as an outsider.

Wei Lanzhi, however, glanced at Xia Zhi, puzzled, and asked, “Is what this maid said true? A few servants dared to openly break into the princess’s courtyard and take things?”

Let alone the princess, even the small households in the capital wouldn’t allow such behavior.

Xia Zhi spoke loudly, “This is absolutely true.”

Wei Lanzhi asked again, “Then where did they take the censer?”

Xia Zhi fell silent.

Wei Lanzhi grew increasingly suspicious and looked between Wen Yuesheng and Xiao Jin.

Although such incidents weren’t uncommon, it was always Wen Yuesheng’s own doing, and her motives… well, that was self-explanatory.

“What’s this? You say things were taken, but don’t even know where they went? Are you making things up?”

The implication of Wei Lanzhi’s words was understood by everyone present.

What would a mere maid be making up stories for?

If there was any fabrication, it was likely under someone else’s instruction.

Xiao Jin’s gaze was particularly cold as it landed on Wen Yuesheng.

But instead of reading her emotions, he noticed the prayer beads on her wrist, which had transformed into a string of pure white jade beads, glowing and dazzling.

“Lanzhi,” Wei Hengzhi glanced at his younger sister, “This is a matter for the princess’s household.”

If Wen Yuesheng’s nature was exposed, no one knew how things might escalate.

Xia Zhi understood the unspoken message and glanced up at Wen Yuesheng.

Their eyes met, and she saw only Wen Yuesheng’s black eyes, devoid of emotion.

A shiver ran through her, and at that moment, her fear of Wen Yuesheng surpassed everything.

She quickly said, “…The little servant said the censer was needed for the second young lady’s courtyard.”

The moment the words were spoken, it seemed even the wind around them fell silent.

Wen Yurou, initially stunned, then said, “Impossible.”

She was charming, and when she furrowed her brows, it made others instinctively feel sympathy.

Even in this situation, she didn’t immediately get angry.

Instead, she spoke seriously, “Today, the courtyard was a bit chaotic because of the Buddha invitation ceremony.”

“But to say they stole my sister’s things… that’s absolutely impossible. There are so many censers in the residence; why would they go to my sister’s room to take one?”

Her appearance was fragile, but her speech was very composed.

Gu Yu looked at Wen Yuesheng with concern.

Because of this, every time they encountered the second young lady, Wen Yuesheng always seemed like a madwoman—emotionally unstable, quick to anger, unreasonable, and not the one in the right, even when she was.

Xia Zhi’s face turned pale as she explained, “I don’t know the exact reason, but this is absolutely true. Everyone who serves in the princess’s courtyard saw it. You can ask the second young lady’s servants, and they’ll confirm it.”

Wen Yurou, though still unconvinced, instructed a maid to go inquire.

The maid returned quickly, and with her was Wen Xun.

Wen Xun walked in hurriedly, his face darkened.

He first bowed to Xiao Jin and whispered, “It’s a small matter; the servants didn’t understand. I’m sure the prince will find this laughable.”

Then, his expression turned stern as he looked at Wen Yuesheng. “Today, the residence is busy, and a servant misunderstood the instructions. I’ve already had the things sent back to you.”

He gave her a warning glance. “It’s just a censer. Is it worth causing a scene in front of the prince?”

Wen Xun knew this matter couldn’t be blamed on Wen Yuesheng, but in his eyes, maintaining face was more important than anything else.

With Xiao Jin and the entire Duke of the Kingdom’s household present, creating such a commotion was just giving outsiders something to laugh at.

That servant had indeed acted foolishly.

He had only heard the steward’s instructions to find a censer with Buddhist connections, so he had gone to Wen Yuesheng’s courtyard to take one.

This matter deserved punishment, but not right now.

Bringing this issue up in front of Xiao Jin was Wen Yuesheng’s fault.

Zhao Mama rushed over when she heard the news and arrived just in time to hear Wen Xun’s words.

She froze for a moment.

The master was a man of great affairs and couldn’t be bothered with the trivial matters of the inner household.

To him, this was a small issue, something that could easily be explained as a misunderstanding.

He had never even considered why a servant dared to treat Wen Yue Sheng in such a way.

Zhao Mama had lived many years and was used to seeing the dark side of the inner household. She knew well how the lowly servants could trample on their masters.

The servant was certainly detestable, but the one responsible for this outcome was the person above them.

This was simple logic.

Wen Yuesheng had lost favor, and now, without the emperor’s support, she was just a princess in name.

What the household relied on now was Wen Xun, who served as the current Minister of Works.

Everyone knew Wen Xun spoiled his youngest daughter. Without her father’s affection, her fiancé’s love, or the respect of the household, the princess was practically a lone girl.

Such servants, therefore, were nothing but sycophants who fawned on those in power and looked down on those they deemed weaker.

Naturally, they didn’t put Wen Yuesheng in their eyes.

Wen Xun didn’t know what Zhao Mama was thinking and simply brushed the matter aside with a few words.

Zhao Mama sighed softly, wanting to advise the princess to endure a little longer. In the inner household, a woman’s survival depended on the approval and affection of others.

Now that Wen Yuesheng had nothing, all she could do was be obedient.

If she complied, perhaps one day Wen Xun would feel some guilt and show her a bit more kindness.

However, Wen Yuesheng remained unusually calm.

She simply said, “Take the censer that was returned and put it back in the storeroom.”

“Also, have everyone who broke into the courtyard today, including all the maids and little servants other than Xia Zhi, brought here.” Wen Yuesheng commanded.

As soon as these words were spoken, Wen Xun froze for a moment.

He immediately asked, “What do you want to do?”

Did she still not think it was humiliating enough?

But Wen Yuesheng didn’t even spare him a glance.

She had not done her hair today, and her hair was loose.

She wore a pale moon-white dress that looked very thin.

She appeared completely out of place among them.

But when she spoke, everyone had no choice but to pay attention.

Gu Yu only listened to Wen Yuesheng. When she spoke, she took action without caring about Wen Xun’s expression.

Zhao Mama, though, wanted to advise Wen Yuesheng, but she lacked the courage to do so.

She, like Xia Zhi, was deeply afraid of Wen Yuesheng now.

“I’ve already had the censer returned to you, Wen Yuesheng, what else do you want?” Wen Xun asked, furious. “Today is Yuruo’s special day. Don’t make a scene.”

Wen Yuesheng raised her eyes. “I remember I already gave you an answer.”

Wen Xun was about to yell at her when he suddenly remembered what she had said the day she went to Tianci Temple.

“This is the Princess’s residence, Lord Wen,” Wen Yuesheng’s cold, ink-like eyes were deep and unfathomable. “Don’t you have a family of your own?”

Even though they had all prepared themselves, the people present were still shocked by her straightforward and unmasked words.

Xiao Jin’s gaze was deep, and Wei Hengzhi’s expression changed again and again.

In front of so many people, Wen Yuesheng spoke such words. Didn’t she fear being accused of being unfilial?

Wen Xun was equally enraged.

His face turned red as he yelled, “Unfilial daughter!”

“That’s right,” Wen Yuesheng responded without hesitation, even showing the first smile they had seen from her since their arrival.

Her natural beauty became even more enchanting when she smiled, making everyone’s hearts soften.

But the words she spoke were, “I’m cruel, unfilial, and merciless—did you just find that out?”

The room fell silent.

Even those like Wei Hengzhi, who held prejudice against Wen Yue Sheng, were startled.

The former Wen Yuesheng couldn’t stand being insulted in this way or seeing others favor Wen Yuruo.

In fact, Wen Xun had dealt with her in the same way before.

But today, she seemed like an entirely different person.

Xiao Jin’s expression grew even more complex.

Wen Yuruo was also taken aback by Wen Yuesheng’s reaction and was stunned for a long moment.

Before she could speak, Gu Yu had already sent people to bring everyone over.

The servants who had taken the items, those serving in Wen Yuesheng’s courtyard, a total of eleven people, were brought before them.

They were all confused when they were brought to the pavilion.

The little servant who had made the mistake today felt a bit uneasy, but seeing so many people gathered, he felt more at ease.

The lead servant, named Fu Shun, even smiled and greeted them, “This servant greets the masters.”

With a grin, he spoke to Wen Yuesheng, “Princess, please forgive me! I was busy with the second young lady’s courtyard today and got overwhelmed, which is why I inadvertently caused trouble.”

“Please be magnanimous and forgive me just this once.”

The servant looked as if he had nothing to fear.

Not only the others, but even Wei Lanzhi frowned at his behavior.

Among those present, only Zhao Mama and Wen Yuruo knew why Fu Shun was so audacious.

Fu Shun was the only son of Wang Mama, who was closely attached to Madam Chen.

Wang Mama had been Wen Yuruo’s wet nurse for many years and had a higher status than the other nannies.

Seeing Wen Yuruo here, Fu Shun assumed he wouldn’t face any consequences.

So, he spoke without any consideration for face.

But before he could finish his words, Wen Yuesheng, with a deadpan expression, said, “Take him away, forty lashes.”

Fu Shun’s face immediately froze.

Wen Yuesheng didn’t even look at him.

She merely took a sip of the Qingxin Lotus Seed Tea that Gu Yu handed her, her eyelids not even lifting.

“If he dies, give him twenty taels for funeral expenses. If he doesn’t, expel him from the Princess’s residence.”

“All the little servants who broke into the side courtyard today, twenty lashes, and expel them from the residence.”

“The remaining maids and little servants in the side courtyard, fifteen lashes, and send them to Madam Wen’s courtyard.”

Silence.

Wei Lanzhi’s mouth fell open, unable to react for a while.

More people, however, suddenly recalled the day Wen Yuesheng returned from Tianci Temple, when she had ordered a servant to be whipped to death.

Before, everyone had thought she was just acting out because she was about to enter the palace, trying to embarrass Madam Chen.

But no one had expected her to be someone who acted in such a manner.

Xia Zhi, who was kneeling, was trembling all over, nearly fainting from exhaustion.

At that moment, she was incredibly relieved that she had made the right decision, or she would have been one of those receiving punishment today.

“You…” Wen Xun was left speechless by her actions.

But Wen Yuesheng casually lifted her gaze. Her dark eyes hid behind the mist rising from the tea, making it impossible to read her emotions, only a dark void was visible.

She put down the teacup and, in a soft voice, said, “What are you waiting for? Beat them.”