Chun Xing cried for a while before gradually calming down to just sobbing.

Rong Rong poured her another cup of tea.

After Chun Xing drank it and began to calm down, Rong Rong spoke up, “When I went to collect my wages today, Mama Chen said… sob…”

“What did Mama Chen say? Don’t worry. If they’re being unreasonable, I’ll sort it out with them.”

Hearing this from Rong Rong gave Chun Xing some comfort, and she managed to stop crying. “Mama Chen said that the residence is short of experienced workers and wants me to return to help.”

Short of workers at the residence?

How could the residence be short of someone like Chun Xing?

However, since Chun Xing is a servant from the residence, it’s not surprising they need someone.

Rong Rong now has some money; she wondered if she could buy Chun Xing’s freedom.

“When do they want you to return to the residence?”

“Mama Chen said she will come to pick me up in a few days. By then…” Chun Xing’s voice grew softer.

“By then what?”

Chun Xing pressed her lips together and said quietly, “She will bring a newly bought maid for you, to replace me.”

A new maid?

Xie Yuanchu probably wouldn’t go through such trouble.

Could Wang Yilan want to send someone to spy on her?

But the incident of catching someone cheating had already proven that she was on the Crown Prince’s side.

How could they dare to send someone to spy on him?

“Don’t overthink it. Either I keep you here, or I don’t need anyone from the residence.”

Since Rongrong now has some money, if Chun Xing leaves and she needs help, she can buy a maid from a broker.

A maid with less appealing looks can be bought for five taels of silver, and if there’s an urgent need, one could be bought for two or three taels of silver.

“Okay.” Chun Xing didn’t want to return to the residence.

The residence had many rules and chores, and she could be punished for minor mistakes.

Life at Rong Rong’s place was much easier—just cooking and cleaning, with more freedom to do as she pleased, whether it was playing in the alley or chatting with embroiderers.

Now, having to return to the residence would definitely be unpleasant.

Rong Rong liked Chunxing, but she didn’t know how much Chun Xing’s purchase price was, nor if the residence would be willing to sell her.

Therefore, she didn’t make any promises, fearing that she might not be able to fulfill them, which would only make Chun Xing more disappointed.

Three days later, someone from the residence came as expected.

It was Mama Chen, just as Chun Xing had said.

“You probably don’t know,” Mama Chen said, “Recently, the residence sent many servants away, so we’re very short-handed. We bought a batch of new workers, but unfortunately, they’re all inexperienced and not very useful. That’s why we want to take Chun Xing back from you.”

Mama Chen’s explanation was similar to what Chun Xing had said before, but her tone was very sincere. “The Young Master knows you’re short on people too, but since your tasks are simpler, he thought the new workers would be sufficient.”

“Madam, there’s no need to be so polite. I’m not a member of the marquis’s residence, and having Chunxing stay to help me has already been a great favor. I originally planned to send her back once my leg healed. Now, having you come to pick her up is truly my fault.”

Hearing this, Chunxing’s mouth moved as if she wanted to say something, but a glance from Nanny Chen stopped her.

“There is one thing I would like to ask for your help with, Nanny Chen.”

“Please, go ahead, Miss.”

“Chunxing has helped me here for a long time, and we’ve become familiar with each other. I was wondering if you could ask the household about the cost to redeem her. I would like to buy her freedom so she can work for me officially.”

“This…” Nanny Chen was taken aback by this request and hesitated. “I’m afraid that’s not possible.”

Rongrong was surprised by her reaction. Given the marquis’s attitude towards her, why would Nanny Chen outright refuse?

At the very least, she should have politely asked for the marquis’s opinion first.

Nanny Chen stammered, “The household has said Chunxing must return, and her freedom cannot be bought.”

Chunxing was just a maid doing rough work; it shouldn’t be such a big deal.

“In that case, I won’t trouble you further,” Rongrong said. “Since you have official business today, you may take Chunxing back. I will visit the marquis’s residence another day to plead with the heir.”

“This is the heir’s…” Nanny Chen quickly caught herself and stopped speaking, then smiled awkwardly. “Since you agree, I’ll take Chunxing back today. I’ve brought a new maid with me; she can stay and help you. You might find her quite useful!”

“No need for the new maid. Thank you, but please go,” Rongrong replied, turning to see Chunxing with tearful eyes.

She felt reluctant but knew that Chunxing belonged to the marquis’s residence and had to return.

Chunxing, understanding that Rongrong had tried her best to speak on her behalf, bowed to her.

“In the future, if you have time off, you can come here to play. I’ll make you some pastries.”

“Thank you, Miss,” Chunxing said, wiping her tears and standing quietly behind Nanny Chen.

Seeing that Chunxing’s situation was resolved, Nanny Chen breathed a slight sigh of relief.

But the most important task of the day wasn’t done yet.

Realizing Rongrong wasn’t yielding, she said, “I’ve brought the new maid; she’s waiting in the courtyard. You should at least meet her. You might like her!”

Mama Chen spoke so sincerely and persuaded Rong Rong repeatedly that Rong Rong couldn’t refuse any longer and reluctantly nodded.

Mama Chen then smiled, quickly went outside to call for someone.

Moments later, an unexpected person appeared in front of Rong Rong.

“Miss Xue, this is Fei Cui (Jadeite Personal Maid of Jing Rong, her past life) , a maid we just bought for the residence.

She’s quite good-looking and smart, but unfortunately, we didn’t notice when we bought her that she has a disability. Although it doesn’t affect her work, as you know, the residence has strict rules about choosing people.

We’re wondering if you could take her in here.”

Rong Rong was momentarily stunned, even more so than when she first met the Crown Prince at the hot springs villa.

When she met the Crown Prince, she had felt like she was in another world.

Now, seeing Fei Cui, she was filled with intense unease and shock.

Fei Cui…

Why is Fei Cui here?

Fei Cui is from the East Palace.

Why does the residence say she’s a newly bought maid?

If the residence is making such a claim, it must be under the East Palace’s orders.

But why would the East Palace arrange for Fei Cui to be near her?

Could it be that the Crown Prince noticed something?

Did he recognize her?

Or is he suspicious of her?

Otherwise, why would he send Fei Cui to her?

Rong Rong felt a chill run down her back, and her legs went weak, making her nearly fall backward.

Mama Chen and Chun Xing, who were closer to Rong Rong, didn’t immediately react.

It was Fei Cui, standing outside the door, who quickly stepped forward and supported Rong Rong.

“Be careful, Miss,” Fei Cui said, releasing Rong Rong and stepping back outside the door.

This support helped Rong Rong regain her composure.

Fei Cui’s strength was not insignificant, and her reactions were very quick, similar to Liu Li.

Thinking about this, Rong Rong suddenly realized that the names Fei Cui and Liu Li were quite similar, suggesting they might have been chosen by the same person.

Could it be that Fei Cui, like Liu Li, was not an ordinary maid in the East Palace but someone skilled?

Rong Rong felt a bit dazed.

Could it be that in her previous life, Jing Rong was not so insignificant in the Crown Prince’s eyes?

But then she thought otherwise.

In this life, she and the Crown Prince had no real connection, but just a single word from Yuanbao led the Crown Prince to send Liu Li to help her with medicine, and he even came personally to the residence.

So, it wasn’t a big deal for the Crown Prince to send Fei Cui to attend to her.

Still, it was strange that Fei Cui, who used to serve her in the East Palace, was now being sent to serve her again in this new identity.

Since Mama Chen had brought Fei Cui and refused to leave without her, it was clear she was under strict orders from the residence.

As Rong Rong was thinking, she suddenly recalled that Mama Chen had said Fei Cui had a disability, but she remembered Fei Cui was in good health with no disabilities.

“A disability?” Rong Rong looked at Fei Cui.

Mama Chen quickly explained, “It’s not a big deal. This girl accidentally cut off a finger while chopping vegetables in the past. It doesn’t affect her work, but the residence can’t keep her. Since we bought the wrong person, if you can take her in, you won’t need to pay any money. Just take the indenture contract, and consider it doing a good deed for the residence.”

If Rongrong didn’t know Feicui, she would have been touched by these words and would have kept her.

However, now she was pondering how to refuse.

But then she thought, since the Eastern Palace had sent Feicui, if she refused too firmly, wouldn’t that arouse suspicion again?

What should she do?

“Nanny Chen, could I ask you to bring a message to the marquis’s residence for me?”

“Of course, just tell me what you need.”

“My leg has just healed and I’m not very nimble yet. Chunxing has been here for a while and is familiar with everything inside and out. Could she stay a bit longer to teach Miss Feicui everything before returning to the marquis’s residence?”

Nanny Chen’s shrewd eyes flickered, and she glanced subtly at Feicui, who gave her a quick nod.

Only then did Nanny Chen smile at Rongrong and say, “So, you agree to keep Feicui?”

Rongrong didn’t answer directly but smiled gently.

Taking the hint, Nanny Chen said, “In that case, Chunxing can stay a bit longer. I’ll speak to the heir and explain that you have a lot to handle and really need the extra help.”

“Thank you, Nanny.”

“I’m just the messenger. Whether it works or not depends on the master’s decision. Since I’ve delivered Feicui, I’ll head back to the residence now,” Nanny Chen said, patting Chunxing’s arm. “Miss is reluctant to let you go, so stay and serve her well.”

Chunxing had thought she would surely leave, but this unexpected turn of events left her overjoyed.

She quickly ran back to Rongrong’s side.

Having completed this task, Nanny Chen moved on to the next one. “The other day, when the heir went to the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince’s son sent some things to nourish you. The heir asked me to bring them along.”

Hearing this, Rongrong noticed the four red gift boxes in Feicui’s hands.

On the night of the Lantern Festival, Yuanbao had indeed mentioned sending her something to help her recover, but she had thought it was just a passing remark.

She hadn’t expected him to actually remember.

“The Crown Prince’s son also said he took your rabbit lantern that night. This mask was made by a palace craftsman and is given to you in return.”

It was said to be a return gift from the Crown Prince’s son, but the mask Nanny Chen handed over was the Guan Yu mask the Crown Prince had worn that night.

Perhaps it was just a random choice, and it happened to be this Guan Yu mask.

Last night, she couldn’t see clearly and had just thought the mask looked good on the Crown Prince.

Now, holding it, she realized how intricately it was made.

“Thank you for your trouble, Nanny.”

“It’s no trouble at all. Miss, you are destined for great things. If you remember this old woman in the future, it would be my good fortune.”

After some pleasantries, Nanny Chen left.

Once she was gone, Chunxing took Feicui to the kitchen to prepare a meal, while Rongrong checked the supplements from the Eastern Palace.

One box contained top-grade bird’s nest, another Korean ginseng, another dried sea cucumbers, and the last dragon eye fruit. Living on her own, Rongrong had developed a knack for quickly converting anything into money.

However, these four boxes of items were priceless.

For instance, the least conspicuous dragon eye fruit, each piece the size of three thumbnail covers, golden in color without a trace of impurities, was something only those of concubine rank or higher could enjoy in the palace.

While she was alone in the room, Rong Rong took the items out of the four red gift boxes and rewrapped them with her own oil paper.

The saying goes, “wealth should not be exposed,” and showing these items might attract trouble.

As for the Guan Gong mask, Rong Rong hung it on the wall behind the table.

It was such a delicate item that she thought it would be better used as a decoration.

As Rong Rong was pondering what to do with the four large red gift boxes, she suddenly dropped a black silk pouch from the box.

It felt very light, and she was unsure what it contained.

Rong Rong placed the black silk pouch on the table and opened it, discovering it contained four pairs of panties.

The panties were made of silk, very light and thin—one white, one light apricot, one light pink, and one light water green.

Each pair had embroidery: the white one had an apricot blossom, the apricot one had a pear blossom, the pink one had morning glories, and the water green one had lotus flowers.

The embroidery stitches were shallow and didn’t prick the skin.

These silk panties were not only comfortable to wear but also completely opaque.

Opaque…

Rong Rong’s heart raced wildly.

Last time at the residence, when the Crown Prince came to apply medicine, she was only wearing panties in bed.

The panties were slightly see-through, but at that moment, he had kept a serious expression and avoided looking, so she felt less embarrassed.

However, he had seen it all—he had not only seen but had a clear view of everything!

Feeling a mix of embarrassment and anger, Rong Rong threw the exquisite panties onto the table.