Chapter 113

  Yan Yu had met the Fourth Prince before, and today Master returned a bit earlier than expected.

  Simarui furrowed his brow, looking at the not-so-good complexion of Yanyu, didn't see Chunliu, somewhat unexpected, casually asked: "Where's Chunliu? Why haven't I seen her?"

  Yan Yu glanced at Wang Bao, lowered her eyes and said softly: "Chun Liu is currently lying in bed, last night this girl offended the new crown prince's wife, was punished with a stick, and can't get up for the time being. If the fourth prince has any instructions, Yan Yu will do it. - It's just pitiful, if the fourth princess finds out, I don't know how she'll be heartbroken."

  "What did you say?" Sima Rui frowned, turned his head to look at Wang Bao, and asked in a cold voice, "What happened last night that made Chunliu receive such severe punishment?"

  Wang Baodao cursed inwardly, thinking that Ruyan was the Empress Dowager's person and in this mansion, she was more noble than other slaves. How could he afford to provoke her? And Chunliu, although originally just a maid accompanying the fourth prince's concubine, due to the fourth prince's deep affection for Murong Feng, received special care from him, even being able to ignore the new crown princess at will. Last night's events, the new crown princess had also been well-intentioned, wanting to rectify the household rules, but didn't know such consequences awaited.

  "Speak!" Sima Rui said impatiently.

  "Yes," Wang Bao immediately perked up and said, "Last night, the Crown Prince's consort, uh, that is, the new Crown Prince's consort bestowed upon you by His Majesty, Master wants Chunliu to do something, but Chunliu spoke out of turn in front of the new master, so the new master, in order to discipline the household, ordered Chunliu to be punished——"

  Yan Yu glared at him, her heart filled with intense resentment, and blurted out: "I don't think it's like that, Chun Liu is just missing the old master, holding onto his things and staring blankly. The new crown prince's consort told Chun Liu to throw all those things away, but she didn't want to. When speaking, it was indeed a conflict with your new crown prince's consort, but... Chun Liu thinking of the old master only shows her loyalty, scolding her twice would be enough, must a young girl bear the responsibility of being beaten? Pitifully, until now, she can't move from the pain, her small face without a hint of blood color. Yan Yu looked at her and wanted to cry, if the fourth crown prince's consort were here, how heartbroken she would be, how she would scold the fourth crown prince... but she's not here, even the people serving her don't have any regard for her. Alas..."

  Simarui was furious and shouted at Wang Bao: "Bring that woman here!"

  Wang Bao immediately turned around and left. This smoke jade was indeed formidable. With such words spoken, Sima Rui did not know how to deal with the new crown princess.

  "Turn around and tell the kitchen to cook some porridge, carefully comfort Chunliu, I will avenge her grievances myself, don't let her take it to heart. I know she misses Feng'er, so say that I thank her for thinking of our old master's kindness. Alright, go to Lihui's place and find some medicine to treat stick injuries to help Chunliu apply it, let her rest for a few days."

  Yan Yu nodded and turned to leave.

  Meng Wanlu followed behind Wang Bao and walked over, saw Sima Rui, lightly saluted, and said in a gentle voice: "Wife Wanlu has seen the Fourth Prince."

  "Hmph—" Sima Rui coldly snorted, "When did you become the wife of Sima Rui? Don't scare me."

  "Wanlu knows that the fourth prince dislikes her, but she was personally granted marriage by the emperor and had a ceremony. Wanlu is your wife, no matter how you treat her, she won't blame you." Meng Wanlu said calmly.

  "If I don't recognize you, then you have nothing to do with me." Sima Rui said indifferently, "What right do you have to dare to punish Chunliu?"

  "Wanlu is the new crown princess of the Fourth Prince's mansion. How can she not punish these slaves? Wanlu punished them on your behalf, and also spared them from being driven out to humiliate you. A mere servant, daring to talk back to their master! I was lenient in only beating her with a stick, and didn't drive her out. She should be grateful, yet she still dares to complain. If I had known earlier, I would have driven her out long ago." Meng Wanlu said calmly, "You should originally be praising me as your wife, why are you angry with me over this matter?"

  Simarui was delighted instead of angry, this woman is really something, where did she get such an arrogant air, does she really think that marrying the fourth prince would turn a sparrow into a phoenix?

  "Wang Bao, come and slap her for me until she knows she's wrong."

  "Fourth, Fourth Master, Your Highness, please spare my life, I don't want to die like this." Wang Bao was so scared that his legs trembled at the thought of beating Meng Wanluo, a woman with such cunning and strength, it would be better for him to beat himself.

  "Am I the master or are you? I let you hit me and you hit, where did this nonsense come from?" Sima Rui said coldly, "Do I need to order again?"

  Wang Bao closed his eyes and knelt down on the ground with a thud, not daring to make a sound.

  "Wanluo doesn't know where she went wrong? Please, Fourth Prince, enlighten her, and let Wanluo understand the punishment she deserves." Meng Wanluo stood there, with a stubborn expression, looking at Sima Rui.

  Simarui gazed at her and said coldly: "There is only one reason, because you hit the servant of my beloved Sima Rui! Wang Bao!"

  Wang Bao's head buzzed, and he thought to himself: "Why am I so unlucky!" He raised his hand, looking at Meng Wanluo's cold eyes, but couldn't bring himself to hit her. After some deliberation, he ended up slapping his own face instead, saying: "It's all the fault of this servant! If it weren't for this servant, Master wouldn't be angry... It's all the fault of this servant!"

  Simarui turned around and left, throwing a sentence, "Meng Wanluo, if you don't leave, I Simarui will leave. Only one sentence can be said, in this life, only Feng'er is my wife, except for her, there is no one else that Simarui can love."

  Meng Wanlu stood there, her face covered in tears. This man, she loved him so painfully, yet loved him so unregrettably. No matter what, she would never give up, believing that one day he would come to like her, and have only her in his heart.

  The osmanthus in the small pavilion has grown lush, this pot of osmanthus was planted by Murong Feng himself. The only reason he can return to the Fourth Prince's Mansion is that there are still some traces of Murong Feng here. If it weren't for Meng Wenyu lingering and refusing to leave, he would definitely stay here without taking a step away, all used to miss Feng'er.

  "Fourth prince, the people from Fragrant Pavilion have arrived. They said that in two days' time is the Empress Dowager's birthday and you asked them to come over to discuss the menu for that day." Wang Bao spoke carefully, his mouth already swollen, making it a bit inconvenient for him to speak.

  "Alright, let them in." Sima Rui furrowed his brow slightly. It was the same Fragrant Pavilion that had catered to the palace for Grandmother's birthday last year, and she had enjoyed it immensely. Naturally, they would be invited again this year.

  "How will the new crown princess be settled?" Wang Bao asked cautiously, "Should we let her take your place to arrange things?"

  "Wang Bao, if you don't want trouble, shut your mouth." Sima Rui said impatiently. "Throwing her out right now is what I'd most like to do. Scram!"

  Wang Bao wiped the sweat from his forehead and ran out quickly with a whoosh.