Chapter 12: Every Debt Must Be Repaid

  He must have already investigated her thoroughly.

  Twenty dowry maidservants.

  Wei Yuanwei did a quick calcution in her heart—heh… that number just so happened to match the number of maids who had previously bullied her.

  Was this an unintentional move by Yun Xie, or deliberate?

  As she was pondering, Yun Xie turned to face her, and their eyes met. In that moment, all the confusion and uncertainty in Wei Yuanwei’s heart seemed to find crity in the deep, ink-bck gaze of Yun Xie.

  “Princess Consort, you should carefully consider which twenty thoughtful and attentive maidservants you want to take back to the manor.” Yun Xie heavily emphasized the words thoughtful and attentive.

  Even if she were foolish, Wei Yuanwei could still understand his true meaning.

  Everyone present felt a chill run down their spine. They shot accusing gnces at their own maids.

  And those maids were trembling in fear.

  How could their mistresses not know whether their maids had taken part in bullying Wei Yuanwei?

  Wei Yuanwei turned her face slightly, her red lips parting and closing as she slowly began to list the names of the maids who had insulted and mistreated her.

  There was a chilling smile on her face as she did.

  Some of the maids below could barely stand. Fortunately, their names hadn’t been called.

  That was because they were the personal maids of the mistresses and young dies—and they only dared to bully Wei Yuanwei under their mistress's orders.

  Once Wei Yuanwei finished naming names, everyone let out a silent sigh of relief.

  Finally, the long-awaited lunch began.

  Everyone braced themselves through the meal—it felt more like walking through fire and bdes than dining—but at least they made it through alive.

  Thankfully, the Prime Minister had already vacated Wei Xiyu’s former residence in advance, otherwise the Evil King would have certainly made a scene about it.

  During the meal, Yun Xie didn’t say anything else to make things difficult for everyone.

  However, they still had to endure three whole days. According to tradition, the bride must stay at her parents' home for three days after returning.

  Even though the Evil King's Manor and the Prime Minister’s estate were only two streets apart.

  The mere thought of living under the same roof as the bloodthirsty Evil King for three days made everyone’s hands tremble as they wiped their sweat.

  Yun Xie and Wei Yuanwei returned to Peach Blossom Courtyard, which once belonged to Wei Xiyu.

  Back then, as a beautiful and noble legitimate daughter, Wei Xiyu was highly favored by the Prime Minister. The courtyard was warm in spring, cool in summer, scenic in autumn, and had hot springs in winter.

  After Wei Xiyu was caught in a scandal with a man and driven out of the estate, her many privileges were stripped, and this courtyard was given to someone else.

  Naturally, only the most favored daughters in the household had the right to live there.

  Wei Yuanwei followed Yun Xie through the long covered corridor. A rge maple tree swayed in the wind outside, scattering a shower of bright red leaves like burning suns. A few nded on Yun Xie’s shoulders, like butterflies fluttering atop his purple robe.

  Yun Xie seemed not to notice and kept walking forward.

  Wei Yuanwei, with a hint of compulsion in her nature, couldn't bear it. She sped up, stepped ahead of him, and gently brushed the maple leaves off his shoulder.

  Just as she was about to withdraw her hand, Yun Xie’s rge hand suddenly wrapped around her waist. Wei Yuanwei thought he was going to say thank you—she had already pnned what to say in response.

  But Yun Xie’s cool eyes shifted slightly, as if he were smiling, but his smile was cryptic and unreadable.

  “If you want to thank me, Princess Consort, brushing a few leaves isn’t enough. You’d better perform well tonight.”

  Then he let go, and Wei Yuanwei’s feet touched the ground again.

  She stared at Yun Xie’s tall, elegant figure for a long time before realizing what he meant.

  Immediately, she stomped hard on the stone path in frustration.

  The imperial physician had said no consummation for two days—and today was the third day.

  Ugly men really are all the same—shameless!

  But Yun Xie’s words confirmed it—everything he had done before was for her. He had been standing up for her, fighting for her.

  Since Yun Xie was willing to be her strong support, why shouldn’t she seize this opportunity?

  A sharp glint appeared in Wei Yuanwei’s eyes. She would start… with those dowry maidservants.

  That afternoon, the maids she had named were brought before her.

  The moment they saw her smiling face, as beautiful as a blossoming flower, an icy fear climbed up from their feet. Their faces went pale as paper.

  They all lowered their heads, legs trembling.

  No one knew better than them how they had mistreated and humiliated Wei Yuanwei.

  Why be afraid now? Wei Yuanwei sneered inside. She had said before—those who bullied her would all pay a heavy price.

  “Yin Sheng,” she called to a shorter maid standing in the back.

  The maid named Yin Sheng immediately and cautiously knelt in front of her. Unlike the others, she showed no fear—only careful respect.

  “You will now serve as my personal maid. You’ll attend to all my daily needs,” Wei Yuanwei said with a genuine smile.

  Yin Sheng was the only one among them who had never bullied her. In fact, she had secretly brought medicine when Wei Yuanwei was sick, provided bnkets when she was shivering in the cold, and even shielded her when others sought to vent their anger.

  As a result, Yin Sheng herself had become the target of abuse from other maids. She was a coarse servant, and a childhood accident had damaged her teeth, ruining an otherwise decent face.

  Kindness makes one a target. An ugly girl? Even more so.

  Yet Yin Sheng never once took her anger out on Wei Yuanwei. Her tiny acts of kindness, though insignificant, had warmed Wei Yuanwei’s heart.

  So she added Yin Sheng’s name to the dowry maid list. From now on, as long as Wei Yuanwei lived, Yin Sheng would hold a status above the rest—no one would dare y a finger on her again.

  “Thank you, Princess Consort!” Yin Sheng immediately tried to kneel and kowtow, but Wei Yuanwei stopped her. Noticing her wrinkled, worn clothing, she said gently, “Go to the steward and get some clean clothes.”

  Yin Sheng left, eyes filled with grateful tears…

  Then, Wei Yuanwei pointed to the rest of the maids.

  “You ten—from now on, you’re tables. You, you're a stool. You’re a candlestick. And the rest of you… you’re dogs lying on the floor. Understood?”

  Her words left the maids utterly confused. What on earth did she mean?