Volume One, Chapter 16: Coveting the Crown Prince’s Wheelchair

“Mother, how could Father become like this? He must have been bewitched by that despicable Yan Jiumu.”

Watching Yan Huaicheng leave in anger, Yan Qingling choked back her tears and threw herself into Madam Xu’s arms.

Madam Xu comforted her with reddened eyes, “Qingling, don’t be afraid, your mother is here.”

The thought that Yan Huaicheng not only gave their daughter’s courtyard to that bastard but also allowed her to enshrine that wretch’s memorial tablet in the room filled Madam Xu with fury.

That wretch had been dead for so many years, yet Yan Huaicheng had not forgotten her and even resorted to violence against them because of her.

“Mother, I’ll go tell Aunt; she will surely help us,” Yan Qingling said as she tried to leave.

Madam Xu grabbed her hand firmly, “No, Qingling. Listen to your mother. You must not tell Aunt about this.”

“Why?” Yan Qingling was puzzled. Aunt came from a good family, and her uncle was more powerful than her father, whom Father always respected.

“Qingling, family scandals must not be spread outside. If they find out, when you marry into their family, you will be looked down upon,” Madam Xu advised carefully.

Her younger sister was more beautiful and had married better, and the only thing Madam Xu had over her in recent years was Yan Huaicheng’s tenderness and care toward her.

If her sister learned of this, not only would Yan Huaicheng argue with her, but he might even resort to violence; it might even make her laugh out loud.

“Mother, then what should we do?”

Yan Qingling understood her mother’s meaning and immediately abandoned the idea. She did not want to lose face in front of her cousin Xiuyuan.

“There must be a way. Someone will help us, mother and daughter,” Madam Xu whispered.

“We can’t let outsiders know. Who else will help us?” Yan Qingling’s tears, which had just stopped, began to flow again in distress.

In just a few days, she had lost not only her status as the legitimate eldest daughter but also her courtyard, which was forcibly taken. Yan Jiumu truly deserved to die.

Suddenly, Madam Xu became excited, “I have it. Qingling, your grandmother will surely stop your father. I’ll write to Hanyu right away and have them come back as soon as possible.”

Yan Hanyu was Madam Xu’s son, twelve years old this year, traveling with the Yan family’s matriarch to visit relatives.

Although she was not close to the old matriarch, her son was deeply favored by her.

Madam Xu still remembered how much the old matriarch hated that wretched He Shulan; if not for her tacit approval, she would not have managed to deal with her so easily all those years ago.

She quickly finished the letter and handed it to a trusted maid, then asked casually, “Is there any news from the Hou residence?”

“No, Madam,” the maid replied.

“I see, have someone send the letter out immediately,” Madam Xu waved her hand.

It shouldn’t be this way; a night had passed and yet there was no sign from the Hou residence at all.

“Mother, what’s wrong?” Yan Qingling hurriedly asked upon hearing Madam Xu mention the Hou residence.

Madam Xu shook her head, “Oh, nothing. Just having someone keep an eye on their movements.”

—— The Hou Residence ——

“Tell me, what have you been doing these past few days?” Jiumu leaned back in her chair, fiddling with her hands without looking up as she asked.

The original owner’s hands were rough, so she specially prepared some ointment that would make them soft and fair in a few days.

Caixia knelt on the floor, shaking her head repeatedly, “Your Highness, I have done nothing.”

Jiumu looked at her in surprise, “Nothing?”

“Yes, Your Highness, I truly did nothing,” Caixia said firmly, nodding emphatically as if to convince her.

“Well, you, a servant, are so brazen as to slack off with such confidence. Then you won’t be staying at the Hou residence, eating and drinking for free. Guards, sell her off.”

“Ahem, yes,” Sang Lin couldn’t help but laugh.

Their young mistress was truly unpredictable; she refused to sit in a good chair and instead insisted on sitting in the young master’s wheelchair.

Sang Lin suddenly recalled seeing the young mistress sitting on the young master's lap before. Could it be that she coveted the wheelchair as well?

Maybe he should find someone to make a wheelchair specifically for her. Otherwise, if the two masters fought over one chair, that would be troublesome.

Caixia shivered and cried out emotionally, “Your Highness, spare me! I did not slack off.”

“You didn’t slack off? Then tell me, what exactly did you do? And no lying!” Jiumu said with a seemingly easygoing tone.

“I, I swept, wiped tables, watered flowers, and even helped in the kitchen,” Caixia listed everything she could think of.

Jiumu nodded, “Looks like you haven’t been idle. Then tell me, when you sneak out the back door every day, which wildflower are you watering?”

Since Jiumu gave the order, Xia He had been watching Caixia closely all day, afraid she would do something harmful to the young master.

But this was her first time doing such a thing, and anyone with eyes could see what she was up to—especially Caixia herself.

Later, Sang Lin couldn’t bear it anymore and arranged for someone else to watch her, so Xia He could focus on serving Jiumu. Only then did Caixia lower her guard and reveal her true intentions.

“I, I didn’t do it,” Caixia’s face turned pale. She had thought she was very discreet.

“If you won’t admit it, then just sell her off,” Jiumu said and rose to leave.

“Your Highness, please spare me! I know I guessed wrong, please…” Caixia knelt and tried to grab Jiumu’s sleeve but couldn’t even touch the hem.

Sang Lin didn’t expect Jiumu to leave so abruptly. He hurried to call the guards to take Caixia away and then pushed the wheelchair after her.

Seeing Jiumu stretching in the courtyard, he approached, “Your Highness, really no further questioning?”

“Everyone already knows. Why bother?” Jiumu said casually.

“Then why did you just—?” Sang Lin was puzzled. Wouldn’t questioning mean doing exactly what you say is unnecessary?

“I was just bored and wanted some fun,” she answered. There was nothing else interesting here anyway.

Sang Lin twitched at the corner of his mouth, thinking: It’s obvious, you are really just bored.

Jiumu naturally sat back in her wheelchair. “Tell that mother and daughter that I sold off her informant. If she wants to know anything, she’s welcome to come to the Hou residence and ask me anytime.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Sang Lin responded.

The young mistress’s style was truly unique—and somewhat amusing.

“By the way, Your Highness, shall I find someone to make a wheelchair for you too?” Sang Lin couldn’t help but ask, seeing how much Jiumu enjoyed sitting in it.

Jiumu glanced at him and nodded, “Sure, but I’ll draw the design myself and give it to you later.”

She disliked walking the most, yet she had come here and had to walk far everywhere without always riding in a carriage. A wheelchair would be much more convenient.

Sang Lin didn’t expect her to agree so readily and seemed quite excited about it.

Little did he know, Jiumu was already pondering where to find someone suitable to push her wheelchair, as Xia He was too frail for the job.