Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 907 - 743: Showing No Mercy

The cold winter in the Capital always arrives early; by November, the city is already besieged by ice and snow, so this year’s first snowfall is considered somewhat late.

A pair of cloud-patterned treasure flower brocade shoes treaded gently upon the thin layer of snow, slightly sliding, causing their owner to walk cautiously.

"Oh dear! Princess, perhaps we shouldn’t go this way. Look, your shoes are already wet."

Chonglou supported her lady as they walked carefully through a side corridor, passing a garden that had become somewhat desolate due to the cold winter.

"Elder brother arrived home early today. We should hurry to find him; otherwise, he might head to Father’s place again."

Princess Rong Jia felt her embroidered shoes getting wet, but she paid no heed, thinking she could change them upon her return.

"Princess, why the hurry? The Young Master just finished dinner; he’s surely still digesting."

Chonglou sighed, as the Princess had been scolded by her Highness earlier in the day and was feeling quite unsettled.

Even in her desire to advise, she had to be more cautious than usual. Otherwise, she might incur the Princess’s displeasure, and the Eldest Princess would certainly not spare her.

Recalling how Lu Qiao was beaten with ten strokes earlier and now lay unconscious in bed, Chonglou shivered involuntarily.

Her Highness’s cold and merciless eyes still made her uneasy; how could she dare to show any neglect towards the Princess?

Thinking of the once lively and mischievous Lu Qiao now lying weak and listless in bed, Chonglou’s heart felt heavy.

Although the Princess pleaded on her behalf, the Eldest Princess would not listen. When it comes to matters concerning the several masters in the mansion, her Highness never shows mercy.

Yet she felt a slight relief; fortunately, she was only fined three months’ salary, sparing her the physical suffering that Lu Qiao endured.

But Lu Qiao’s plight truly frightened the other maids serving in the Princess’s quarters; hence, everyone served the Princess today with trepidation, fearing dissatisfaction from either her Highness or the Princess.

In truth, it was hardly Lu Qiao’s fault. The Princess had been spending a lot of time with the elderly lady of Mr. Gu from the Hanlin Academy, constantly arranging outings to shop for cosmetics and incense at the temple.

This was not inappropriate; the problem lay in the choice of companion! If the Princess had arranged outings with any aristocratic family’s women, would her Highness have been so incensed?

But alas, the Princess arranged to meet with Mr. Gu’s elderly lady, whom the Eldest Princess described as coming from humble beginnings. It was rumored that the elderly lady once served as a maid in Lord Jiang’s government office when she was younger.

And Mr. Gu, still a mere Standard Sixth Rank, despite having studied under former Chief Minister Liang Zhirui and possessing three highly-ranked senior brothers, is without influence on the political scene now that Liang Zhirui has long lost his official position.

Furthermore, the relationships between these fellow disciples were not particularly close; even Minister of the Ministry of Rites, Lord He, was not warm towards Mr. Gu.

These were the exact words of her Highness; at that time, Chonglou listened intently.

Given such a background, although Mr. Gu might eventually rise meteorically through the ranks, it was all speculation about the future.

Overall, the Eldest Princess was greatly displeased with Mr. Gu’s elderly lady.

Commenting on the poor manners in the Gu Mansion, which is not considered prestigious among the new elite, and far from a respectable household.

Yet the Princess’s temperament is far from compliant! Thus, a few words were exchanged with her Highness, causing her Highness to angrily shatter her cherished white jade tea tray.

She kept yelling on how the elderly lady had negatively influenced the Princess, essentially disregarding the manners learned over the previous decade.

Her Highness was exceedingly angry, resulting in severe repercussions. Consequently, Lu Qiao, who had been accompanying the Princess outside the mansion, suffered.

The Princess favored Lu Qiao for her cleverness, appointing her to serve closely, hence Lu Qiao could only comply without defiance.

Concerning another second-class maid, He Huan, who often accompanied the Princess out, Chonglou dared not even recall.

After her Highness called upon dowagers to seize her today, Chonglou never saw He Huan again.

This time, even the second-class maids serving indoors became innocent victims, suffering fines and kneeling as punishment, beyond merely losing their monthly salaries.

Only she was solely fined; being the main maid, she needed to serve the Princess. Otherwise, if all were punished, who would attend to the Princess?

Chonglou glanced back, seeing no one trailing behind, which made her quite agitated.

These clumsy maids, taking forever just to fetch a pair of shoes. If the Princess catches a cold, they’ll all face dire consequences.

The formerly sparse snowfall suddenly thickened, mingling with a fierce wind that sent a shiver down Chonglou as she sheltered her lady under an umbrella.

She hunched her shoulders, feeling helpless.

"Princess, be careful. It rained earlier today, now snow covers the ground, and it’s starting to freeze."

With bright candlelight visible in the front courtyard, Princess Rong Jia paid no mind to Chonglou’s words, hastening her steps.

Qin Min had just finished dinner and headed to the study.

He leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples, exhausted from an entire day, yet having to deal with trivial matters within the mansion upon his return.

His mother’s strong character due to her status as Eldest Princess often led his father to yield in their interactions.

But over time, numerous barriers formed between them. Consequently, his father disliked managing household affairs and rarely visited the Princess’s Mansion.

His father spent over half the month residing at Duke Qin Mansion, unwilling to live constantly at the Princess’s Mansion.

Moreover, his mother was very stubborn, never lowering her head. Over the years, his parents’ relationship naturally became superficial.

He distinctly remembered his mother frequently taking them to reside within the Princess’s Mansion during childhood, rarely returning to the Duke Mansion.

Shaking his head, Qin Min cast aside old memories, turning his concerns to Ying.

Upon his return today, his wife, Mrs. Dai, informed him that Ying had exchanged harsh words with his mother, severely upsetting her.

Regarding this younger sister, he felt helpless. This girl’s temperament was strikingly similar to their mother’s, equally obstinate.

"Young Master! It’s the Third Miss." The steward’s voice echoed from outside, surprising Qin Min.

He expected it was too late to see Ying today, intending to speak to her tomorrow morning, yet didn’t expect the girl to seek him at such a late hour.

"Let her in quickly!"

"Brother!" Qin Yingyuan entered the study, seeing her elder brother weary, she softly called, performing a salute.

"Yes? Why haven’t you rested yet?" He had only one full-blood sibling, and brother-sister relations were always harmonious.

Thus, Qin Min gazed at Qin Yingyuan with fondness.

"Is the government office so busy lately? I haven’t seen you in several days; you return so late every night."