"Why is Your Highness angry?"
Xia Cheng's lips twitched twice, and he silently thought, "You win."
The Crown Prince's residence will probably be less lonely now. This woman seems harmless, but she is actually a very scheming person, and she seems to be eyeing His Highness the Crown Prince.
How could His Highness like her? Xia Cheng sneered inwardly, but dared not show it on his face. He didn't want to die, so he spoke respectfully.
"Your Majesty, please."
“Hmm,” Hai Ling nodded, following Xia Cheng toward the Linxiang Courtyard of the Crown Prince’s residence, making sarcastic remarks to Xia Cheng all the way.
"Steward Xia, the Crown Prince said I am the mistress of the Crown Prince's residence, did you hear that?"
“This old servant heard you.”
"Okay, that's good. I was just worried that you're getting old and your hearing isn't good, and that you'd treat me like an outsider."
Hai Ling spoke innocently, and Xia Cheng's old face turned red. He used to have everything he wanted in the Crown Prince's mansion, but today he had fallen into the hands of this woman.
"This old servant's ears are still sharp."
"Oh, that's good. I was just thinking that if your hearing deteriorates or you become unable to work, I would go to the palace to inform Her Majesty the Empress and ask her to let you go back to your old age."
Xia Cheng broke out in a cold sweat. Although the Empress was not the kind of person who couldn't distinguish right from wrong, Xia Cheng still understood the current situation. If this woman really went to the palace to report to the Empress, the Empress might actually send him back to retire, and then he would be in big trouble.
He had originally planned to follow the Crown Prince into the palace to show off his power, but if he were sent back, how could he face the world? Thinking this, Xia Cheng immediately suppressed his previous disdain and resentment. This woman was definitely a ruthless character, so he should be careful. At least before the Crown Prince deposed her, he could not offend her in the slightest. With that thought in mind, he spoke gently and cautiously.
"Your Highness, please rest assured, this old servant is in good health. If Your Highness has any instructions, this old servant will certainly carry them out perfectly."
"Okay, that's good," Hai Ling nodded, not forgetting to remind Xia Cheng before she left.
"If Steward Xia is tired and can't run anymore, he can let me know, and I will definitely find a way to let him go back and rest."
Yes, yes.
Xia Cheng's face turned deathly pale, and he dared not utter another word, only proceeding cautiously.
Seeing that the servant was indeed frightened, Hailing let him go for the time being.
The group headed towards Linxiang Courtyard. Yanzhi, who was following behind Hailing, looked at Hailing with admiration. "Miss is really amazing. She is so eloquent and easily subdued those women. She even angered the Crown Prince, making his face turn ashen. Now she has also subdued this arrogant steward."
The Crown Prince's Mansion is far more magnificent than the General's Mansion. It boasts bridges, streams, artificial hills, and verdant rocks, among other things. More importantly, it has numerous buildings. At a glance, the layered pavilions and halls, rising and falling like clouds, seem to be shrouded in the soft glow of the sunset, a breathtaking sight, like a painting.
The Linxiang Courtyard where she was to stay was the best among the many courtyards in the Crown Prince's residence. It was only separated from the Phoenix Cry Pavilion where the Crown Prince lived by a lotus pond with a stone bridge over it. The other courtyards were all located further back, and the singing girls lived even further away. Moreover, dozens of singing girls lived in one courtyard.
Upon entering Linxiang Courtyard, Hailing and Yanzhi were astonished. They hadn't noticed the luxury of the courtyard from the outside, but once inside, they realized it truly lived up to its reputation as the residence of the Crown Princess.
In the far center, there are five or six houses with upturned eaves, carved beams and painted rafters, their jade walls gleaming.
In the courtyard, there is a fishpond surrounded by white jade railings, as well as gorgeous and exquisite flower beds, where all kinds of flowers are in full bloom.
With its artificial rocks piled high and verdant bamboo providing shade, it truly is a wonderful place.
Hailing and Yanzhi praised it, then saw Steward Xia clapping his hands.
Dozens of servants, including more than twenty maids, servants, and old women, rushed out from all over the courtyard and stood respectfully in the open space next to the flower bed, waiting for the Crown Princess's instructions.
Hailing led Yanzhi over and glanced at them briefly; none of them were familiar faces.
She thought of the people who had served her in the general's mansion before, and looked at Xia Cheng.
"Chief Steward Xia, I'm not used to using strangers. Why don't you transfer the people that the Crown Prince sent to the General's Mansion to me? They'll be more comfortable to use."
"Yes," Xia Cheng accepted the order. He dared not object. With a wave of his hand, those people left, leaving many disappointed.
Although the Crown Princess was not favored, being able to serve in the Linxiang Courtyard was a desirable job.
Unfortunately, the Crown Princess didn't need them at all. Disappointed as they were, no one dared to speak up. Even Chief Steward Xia acted according to the Crown Princess's wishes, let alone these people. In a short time, almost everyone in Linxiang Courtyard left.
Hailing, holding Yanzhi's hand, headed straight for their room. Upon entering the spacious main hall, the two were even more astonished. Not only the outside, but the inside was also extremely luxurious. The main hall alone was filled with all sorts of precious antique jade artifacts. In the very center was a table carved from peonies by Huanghuali wood, with matching chairs beside it. To the left against the wall was a chaise longue, and to the right were several valuable and precious armchairs. The utensils placed everywhere were also very precious. At a glance, it was a scene of unparalleled splendor.
She touched the rouge here and there, which was quite unusual.
They had always lived in extremely simple places, so seeing such a luxurious place at first glance was not only surprising but also quite unusual.
"Miss, it's really nice."
Hailin sat in the chair in the center, enjoying its comfort, then shook her head and smiled at Yanzhi.
No matter how nice this place is, what does it have to do with them? They're just staying temporarily and will leave soon.
"Alright, let's go check out other places."
Linxiang Courtyard, besides the main hall, also has a master bedroom, side rooms, a study, a bathroom, and a kitchen. As for the servants, they all live in servants' quarters further back.
The two of them glanced through it and were nothing but amazed.
At this moment, voices rang out in the courtyard, and the steward, Xia Cheng, led two servants in with smiles to ask for instructions.
"Your Highness, the people have been transferred here. Please go and give them a speech."
Hailing nodded and led Yanzhi out. Standing on the stone steps in front of the door, she looked indifferently at the maids and servants in the open space.
The previously noisy group of dozens of people suddenly fell silent, staring at Hailin and waiting for her instructions.
Hailin didn't really want to say much, but there were some things she still wanted to remind everyone of.
“You’ve all been with me for a while now, and you know I’m not a very strict person. I usually won’t punish you as long as you don’t make mistakes. But there’s one thing I must make clear: if anyone dares to do anything disloyal to me and is found out, I’ll skin them alive and tear them apart.”