Chapter 19: The Pretentious Lotus

In Fu Mingying’s mind, Princess Ning’an had always been a willful and capricious princess who, despite her ample wealth and deep affection for her brother, was easily deceived.

In front of her brother, she presented herself as gentle, considerate, and wholly devoted.

Had she ever been this vicious before?

In a previous life, someone like Li Ning’an would have surely said a few soft words to Fu Mingying and gifted her gold and jewelry to silence her and prevent her from revealing anything to Fu Minglang, lest he become displeased.

But now, Li Ning’an couldn’t care less.

Fu Mingying noticed that Princess Ning’an did not come over as usual.

Without instructions from her master, Xing’e definitely wouldn’t dare take action.

They say you shouldn’t hit someone’s face.

But this was pressing the face to the ground and trampling it.

Supporting this maid would position her as the champion of justice.

It seemed even the Duchess of Dingguo would approve of her actions.

Fu Mingying saw this as her chance to make a display, “Princess Ning’an, what wrong has she done to deserve being trampled like this?”

The more Fu Mingying thought about it, the more she felt she was in the right. She even ran a few steps.

When she reached the maid, she gently comforted her, “Don’t be afraid.”

“Come with me to the flower hall and ask the Duchess of Dingguo to make a decision.”

Fu Mingying wasn’t completely foolish; she knew that appealing to the Duchess of Dingguo was the way to deal with Princess Ning’an.

But she probably didn’t realize that the Duchess of Dingguo had even sent away a noble suitor in the past. A mere maid was nothing compared to that.

Fu Mingying seemed unsatisfied, adopting a pitiful expression and turning to Princess Ning’an.

“Even if you are of noble birth, you should not use your power to bully and oppress the weak.”

“You are a guest in someone else’s house; you should be mindful of your manners.”

“My brother… does not like such women.”

The last remark was whispered by Fu Mingying after she helped the maid to her feet.

Xing’e had already moved aside at the princess’s signal but didn’t stop herself from giving Fu Mingying a disdainful look.

Li Ning’an pinched Fu Mingying’s face, “Who do you think you are, daring to lecture this princess?”

Xing’e immediately stepped forward, “Princess, don’t dirty your hands. I’ll take care of this.”

“No need to worry about her. Just have her lead you to Shui Yue Rong’s courtyard.”

Xing’e, more urgent about the Shui Qiniang situation, shot the maid a stern look. “Hurry up and lead the way.”

Terrified by the beating, the maid no longer dared to dawdle. She stumbled and limped as she led Xing’e away.

Fu Mingying’s face was painfully pinched, and though she wanted to retaliate, she could only mumble, “Let go of me.”

Li Ning’an didn’t believe that Fu Mingying would dare to wander around the Duke of Dingguo’s residence so casually.

“Who sent you here?”

Fu Mingying’s muffled voice indicated she wanted to be released.

Princess Ning’an had become quite wild.

Unable to make out what she was saying, Li Ning’an let go of her for the moment, as striking her would only soil her own hands.

Rubbing her sore cheek, Fu Mingying plaintively said, “The maid from Shui Qiniang’s side sent me here.”

While accompanying her mother at the banquet, a maid came up to her and said:

“I’ve heard that the Second Miss of the Fu family is charming and has a good relationship with Princess Ning’an. Our madam specifically invited you to join her.”

Fu Mingying, noticing Princess Ning’an’s recent coldness towards her brother, and having even taken back the contract, suspected she had devised a new scheme.

Fu Mingying nodded and intentionally told her mother, “Since the princess and Shui Qiniang invited me, it would be inappropriate for me not to go.”

Madam Fu gave a few instructions, “Don’t cause trouble for the princess or Shui Qiniang. Hurry up and go.”

Her expression was quite proud, causing the other ladies at the table to look at her enviously.

To align oneself with Princess Ning’an was like placing a clever mouth next to Emperor Mingde, potentially leading to rapid advancement.

Madam Fu knew that Princess Ning’an still had a strong interest in her son, but she had merely used some tricks. She held her head high, chatting casually with the other ladies. Out of respect for Princess Ning’an, no one let this table be neglected.

Fu Mingying, following the maid into the inner courtyard, happened to encounter Princess Ning’an’s palace maid taking action against the Duke of Dingguo’s maid.

With Shui Qiniang’s personal maid present, Fu Mingying was waiting for her to pass on some information about Princess Ning’an being spoiled and difficult, while Fu Erniang’s manner was one of modesty and kindness.

A trace of jealousy crossed Fu Mingying’s eyes.

Young Master Yan’s presence at the Duke of Dingguo’s banquet today was certainly because Princess Ning’an had invited him.

She didn’t care at all whether Young Master Yan was willing or not; she just brought him along.

He had lost his parents and could only numb himself with the company of women who were not responsible for him.

As a result, his reputation had plummeted.

Clearly, he was unwilling to be a burden on a respectable family’s daughter.

How many people truly admired him? Was Princess Ning’an trying to make a mockery of Young Master Yan?

Fu Mingying left just as a fight broke out by the waterside pavilion, but she didn’t wait for anyone to come and inform her and left.

If she had known, perhaps she would have mustered the courage to stand up for love and resisted when Princess Ning’an pinched her face.

“Oh?” Li Ning’an asked casually, “Besides me and you, is there anyone else?”

Li Ning’an saw Fu Mingying come around the corner, standing in the corridor and calling out her title.

As for the maid who had brought her, she had probably slipped away while Fu Mingying wasn’t paying attention.

Li Ning’an did not doubt that Fu Mingying would lie about this.

Without Princess Ning’an to clean up the mess, no one in the Fu residence would dare to be so arrogant.

It was also because Li Ning’an had been too lenient with Fu Mingying that she allowed her to advocate for a maid in front of her.

Fu Mingying instinctively looked around but did not see anyone.

“Clearly, she brought me here.”

She knew that the women in the inner courtyard used some dirty tricks.

But surely, it wouldn’t be used on her.

Fu Mingying swayed slightly, feeling something was amiss, and her gaze turned a bit pleading.

“Princess, for my brother’s sake, you must save me.”

Li Ning’an didn’t know what was going on in her mind.

It couldn’t be that she thought Li Ning’an was going to kill her to silence her.

Just for a maid being stepped on by Xing’e.

She wasn’t that ruthless.

But she couldn’t just leave Fu Mingying there. Li Ning’an had to grab another maid and head towards Shui Yue Rong.

Fu Mingying didn’t dare say much and obediently followed Princess Ning’an.

Just as Xing’e arrived outside Shui Qiniang’s courtyard, she happened to run into her.

Before Xing’e could even greet her, she saw Shui Yue Rong rushing out. Xing’e called out, “Where are you going?”

Shui Yue Rong didn’t have time to explain and continued to hurry, with Xing’e following closely behind.

“Shui Qiniang, where are you running off to? Could it be that there’s a fire somewhere?”

“Fire?” Shui Yue Rong’s face turned pale with fright.

She stopped abruptly, grabbing Xing’e’s hand and asking, “Where’s the fire? Is everyone alright?”

Xing’e had only mentioned the fire casually, but Shui Yue Rong seemed to genuinely believe it. Xing’e quickly clarified:

“There’s no fire. Our princess is worried something might be wrong with you and sent me here.”

Xing’e didn’t think Shui Yue Rong was likely to be in danger.

But growing up in the palace, dealing with schemes like “you framed me, so I’ll poison you” was commonplace.

Considering the maid who had led them in circles and the sudden appearance of Fu Erniang, Xing’e found it suspicious.

Shui Yue Rong had met Xing’e before at palace banquets and knew she was a maid of Princess Ning’an.

Earlier, a maid from Fifth Cousin’s side had come and said Sixth Brother had been startled, which was why Shui Yue Rong needed to rush over.

“Princess Ning’an has come as well, but I’m currently too busy to entertain her. Perhaps she should go back to the flower hall for now.”

“That won’t do. I came specifically for you,” Li Ning’an, coming around the corner, heard this.

“Princess Ning’an, I really have urgent matters and can’t play around with you.”

Seeing Shui Yue Rong trying to leave, Li Ning’an quickly stopped her, “No matter how big the issue is, I’ll take charge. What happened?”

From Shui Yue Rong’s appearance, it seemed that mysterious man hadn’t shown up yet.

However, it appeared that someone else was in trouble.

Could it be that, because she had been reborn, Shui Yue Rong’s fate had been rewritten onto someone else?