Free Web NovelChapter 710: Chapter 710: Her Mother Also Said This
On the terrace, the atmosphere turned lively again.
The Princess said, "I’ve made you feel wronged at my residence, and I feel quite guilty about it. How about I have Fulong Trading Company give you full control over all the store counters in the Capital City?"
"There’s no need. This is fine as it is. I don’t want to change anything." Qin Yao smiled softly, indicating to Yun Nuo to press the back of her head.
Yun Nuo immediately changed his position.
Though her suggestion was declined, the Princess didn’t give up. After some thought, she said:
"There’s a farm outside the South Suburb, a summer retreat my mother used to own, now gifted to me. Though it’s not big, it rests by the riverside with dozens of acres of flower fields, full of rustic charm."
Qin Yao laughed, "Did Your Highness forget that I came from the countryside? I’ve seen enough of rustic charm and now just want to see the splendor of the Capital City."
The Princess: "..."
Qin Yao felt a bit thirsty, "Yun Nuo, could you get me a cup of water?"
"Yes." Yun Nuo washed the light soap from his hands in the tall wooden bucket, turned to the couch, poured a cup of tea for Qin Yao, and held it with his hand to cool the hot tea before handing it to her.
Qin Yao leaned slightly and was about to reach out when the teacup was already at her lips.
Qin Yao: "Thank you."
She took the teacup herself and drank two sips of the warm tea.
The Princess joked, "How about I give you Yun Nuo..."
Qin Yao sprayed a mouthful of tea, hitting Yun Nuo dead on, who didn’t dare dodge and got tea all over his face.
Qin Yao: "..."
The Princess: "..."
Yun Nuo blinked, shaking a tea leaf off his long eyelashes.
Suddenly snapping back to reality from Qin Yao’s thank you, he hurriedly wiped the water off his face with his sleeve and picked up a clean handkerchief from the small table to wipe Qin Yao’s mouth.
"No need, I’ll do it myself." Qin Yao felt too embarrassed to let him serve her, grabbed the handkerchief nonchalantly, wiped her own mouth, and returned it to Yun Nuo.
"I’m sorry, are you okay?" Qin Yao asked with concern.
Yun Nuo’s lively eyes showed a blank expression.
He suddenly knelt down, "I failed to serve properly, please punish me, Madam."
Qin Yao looked back at the Princess, who smiled mischievously, then at Yun Nuo bowing at her nape, coughed strategically, and said gently:
"You can get up, my head is pretty much cooled."
Though it’s been hot these days, continuous rainy weather meant washing hair outdoors would still feel chilly without enough hot water once the wind blows.
Of course, this bit of chill didn’t bother Qin Yao; she was just finding an excuse to break the awkward atmosphere.
The Princess was still enthusiastically offering advice to Qin Yao.
"I know you have a husband back home, if it’s inconvenient to take him back, you can easily place him at my residence. I have an empty small courtyard here that can accommodate someone after some cleaning."
"If you’re still worried, I’ll cover for you."
As she spoke, she peeked at Qin Yao with an ambiguous look, "Just because a eunuch can’t perform doesn’t mean we women can’t find other ways to enjoy ourselves."
Seeing Qin Yao with eyes closed and breathing gradually calming, the Princess raised an eyebrow, "Mrs. Qin? Qin Yao?"
No response, she had fallen asleep.
The Princess looked up at the sky; a woman with no desires is truly frightening!
A guard behind her quietly asked if he should wake the esteemed guest, and the Princess gave him a sidelong glance, "Go ahead, if you wish to die, I won’t stop you."
Thanks to her routine monitoring of the National Master Mansion’s activities, she coincidentally knew that the stone lion at the mansion’s entrance was easily moved by someone.
The stone lion weighed six thousand jin!
This mere mortal guard probably couldn’t even match Qin Yao’s finger strength.
Yesterday, she was pondering whether to first show Qin Yao who’s boss, then sweeten her up with some benefits.
But when the news of the stone lion being moved reached her, she decided it was best to offer her hospitality, hoping she’d neither ally against her nor be used by her enemies.
And Mu Ling! Swift as the wind. Next time she sees her, she won’t let her off easily!
Can’t even give away money or people; does Qin Yao want power?
Regardless of whether she was asleep or not, the Princess tried again, "Qin Yao, I have a position at the Suburban Palace in the Capital that’s not high, only Sixth Rank, but it comes with a monthly salary of ten thousand taels, and a permanent home with twenty servants to attend..."
Here she paused, glancing at Yun Nuo, who had just finished washing Qin Yao’s hair and was drying it with a towel, and added:
"Yun Nuo is also included, and if there’s anyone else in my residence you fancy, you can take them to the estate too."
Seeing Qin Yao’s eyelids twitch as if waking up, the Princess immediately flashed a confident smile.
Yet the next second, Qin Yao said aloud, "Anyone? What if I want the guard by your side?"
The Princess hadn’t reacted yet when the guard panicked, kneeling on one knee with his sword held.
"A gentleman can be killed, not humiliated. If you send me away, I shall slit my throat, never dishonoring Your Highness."
The guard glared grudgingly at Qin Yao; though skilled, she was too arrogant and insolent.
If he were the Princess, he’d never associate with someone like her.
"Scared you, didn’t I?" Qin Yao smiled mischievously, sitting up from the soft couch and asking Yun Nuo for the dry cloth to wipe her own hair.
Looking at the Princess’s expressionless face, she said, "Your Highness’s offer is tempting, but I fear I’m not worthy, and you’ll end up disappointed."
Having dried her hair, she casually pinned it with her golden hairpin, rose, and walked to the pond, gazing at the plump koi swimming within and softly said:
"I think things are quite nice as they are now. You just said we clicked at first sight, and I somewhat believe that, but—"
Leaning against the railing, resting her cheek on one hand, she glanced at the full hall of palace attendants and musicians, frowning with distaste, and whispered, "I can’t stand you nobles one bit."
"How dare you!" The guard suddenly drew his sword, pointing at Qin Yao, loyally defending his Princess.
He shouted angrily at Qin Yao, "I know you’re highly skilled, but if you insult Her Highness, I shall have to kill you!"
Yet to his threatening posture, Qin Yao remained casual, her gaze ghostly floating as if unfazed.
She even curiously asked him, "What’s your name?"
The guard’s chest heaved violently, refusing to answer her spitefully.
"Xu Zhong."
The Princess, still with her half-dried long hair and donning loose loungewear, descended the dais, reaching the infuriated guard ready to kill Qin Yao, and told her, "Xu is my mother’s surname, and Zhong stands for loyalty."
"He’s been with me since I was thirteen; it’s been twenty years now, I can’t give him to you."
Qin Yao nodded in understanding, twenty years, how many in a lifetime?
Such a bond isn’t merely subordination; it’s family.
How could one give away family?
Seeing that it was almost noon, Qin Yao thought to herself it was time to head home.
She glanced again at the plump koi in the pond, then gathered her belongings, smiled faintly at the Princess, and said:
"Your Highness has taken up so much time today, it’s not right to impose further. I must bid farewell!"
The Princess didn’t press her to stay. Though no agreements were reached today, things hadn’t gone sour, which was good enough.
She nodded slightly, indicating she would see Qin Yao out of the hall herself.
Qin Yao asked the Princess to stay, but she wouldn’t listen.
As Qin Yao was about to exit the hall, the Princess suddenly asked, "What is it you can’t stand about nobles?"
Qin Yao looked at her, surprised by her earnestness, not expecting her genuine curiosity.
Taking a deep breath, Qin Yao articulated slowly, "Nobles don’t treat others as people."
The Princess’s mind thundered, as if struck by lightning!
Because these very words had once been spoken by her mother too!
