The Reborn Legitimate Daughter is Frivolous - Chapter 12
For a moment, Shui Xinting didn’t know how to respond.
If she said the two maidservants meant nothing, her action would seem suspicious. But if she said they were only meant as an apology, it would sound absurd — as Murong Qing had pointed out, the Eldest Lady of the General’s Mansion would hardly lack maids. Either way, her motives could easily be questioned.
It was a tricky situation — there was no right answer.
After some thought, Shui Xinting smiled faintly and said, “Please don’t take it the wrong way, Eldest Lady. I simply wished to show my sincerity. As you said, you have everything you need here. I’m not clever, so I didn’t know what else I could offer.”
In a single breath, she managed to sound both humble and flattering — admitting Murong Qing’s higher status while also implying that the young lady had grown arrogant after receiving Murong Jie’s praise.
Shui Xinting was good at this kind of double-edged talk. But Murong Qing wasn’t going to let her get away with it so easily.
She took a slow sip of tea and replied lightly, “I only spoke casually just now. I never thought Second Aunt would take my words so seriously.”
Her tone was mild, but the meaning was sharp — she brushed off Shui Xinting’s entire excuse as if it were nothing.
Shui Xinting’s heart sank. What she had intended as a clever turn of phrase had backfired completely. She had wanted to make Murong Qing sound proud and petty, but instead, she looked like the one overthinking everything.
What a sharp tongue this girl had.
In recent days, Shui Xinting had been forced to humble herself repeatedly before Murong Qing. Even though the household accounts were still technically under her control, it didn’t matter — in the General’s Mansion now, Murong Qing’s word carried far more weight than hers.
Trying to recover, Shui Xinting asked with a forced smile, “Then… what shall we do with these two maids?”
She had to bring up the real reason for her visit — to plant her people in Murong Qing’s courtyard. Once they were in place, she could keep watch over Murong Qing’s every move.
The thought gave her a small spark of satisfaction.
Murong Qing smiled faintly, as if she saw right through her. “Since this is Second Aunt’s token of goodwill, it wouldn’t be polite of me to refuse. After all, though I am the Eldest Lady of the house, you are still my elder.”
Her words sounded respectful, but the tone carried a sting — a subtle reminder that Shui Xinting was indeed forcing her will upon her.
Then, with a hint of amusement curling her lips, Murong Qing added, “Not long ago, someone said that I had grown arrogant and no longer respected others because of my status. I’d hate to be known as a proud young lady who looks down on people before even leaving the household.”
Shui Xinting’s face stiffened. She had been thinking that very same thing just moments ago — and now Murong Qing had said it out loud. Even if she wanted to turn the accusation around, she no longer dared to.
“The Eldest Lady is too kind,” she said quickly, smiling through her teeth. “If any servant dares to speak such nonsense, I will punish them myself!”
Her expression was full of righteous indignation, as though she were defending Murong Qing, but inside, her heart was seething.
Murong Qing gave a soft laugh. “Ah, so it’s true what they say — once someone controls the household accounts, her confidence grows. Then I must thank Second Aunt in advance.”
Every word from Murong Qing’s mouth felt perfectly polite on the surface, but each carried a hidden barb. Shui Xinting could sense it, but she couldn’t find any fault to point out. After all, Murong Qing was an unmarried young lady, and Shui Xinting — a concubine — had no right to correct her.
The more this happened, the more bitter Shui Xinting felt.
Every time Murong Qing spoke, her words seemed to carry some double meaning, yet no matter how carefully Shui Xinting listened, she could never quite catch her out.
Unable to vent her frustration, she turned sharply to the two maidservants and snapped, “From today onward, you will serve the Eldest Lady in her courtyard. You must be diligent and careful. If I ever hear of you neglecting your duties, I will not spare you!”
Outwardly, she was telling them to serve well. In truth, she was ordering them to spy — to watch Murong Qing closely and report back to her.
The two maids immediately knelt. “Yes, Madam,” they said obediently.
That sight finally soothed some of Shui Xinting’s irritation.
She glanced at Murong Qing, who sat calmly at the upper seat, sipping her tea with a faint, unreadable smile. She hadn’t even offered Shui Xinting a seat or a drink this entire time.
Shui Xinting’s lips twitched. Her own courtyard, Heart Pavilion, was far from Qingyuan — she had walked a long way here, and now she would have to walk back the same distance. Her feet already ached, and her throat was dry.
The longer she stayed, the more humiliated she felt.
Finally, she forced another smile and said, “I’ve disturbed the Eldest Lady for quite some time already. Since everything is settled, I’ll take my leave.”
Before Murong Qing could respond, she turned and started to walk away, eager to escape.
“Second Aunt.”
Murong Qing’s voice cut through the air like a silken thread.
Shui Xinting froze mid-step.
For a split second, panic flashed in her eyes. The last time she had left without permission, Murong Qing had reprimanded her for breaking proper etiquette. And just now, she had done it again — turning her back before being dismissed.
If Murong Qing decided to scold her again, she would have no excuse.
She lowered her head at once. “Yes, Eldest Lady… this concubine—”
Murong Qing watched her with a faint, teasing smile. So timid, like a snake-bitten woman afraid of even a rope.
But Murong Qing wasn’t a snake. She wouldn’t dirty her mouth by biting someone like Shui Xinting.
Still, seeing her so flustered was rather satisfying.
With a gentle tone, Murong Qing said, “No need to be nervous, Second Aunt. I simply wanted to remind you… have you perhaps forgotten something?”