The Reborn Legitimate Daughter is Frivolous - Chapter 13
Murong Qing looked at Shui Xinting with a gentle smile, but the words that followed made Shui Xinting’s heart skip a beat.
She had already sent over the two maidservants, what else could Murong Qing be talking about?
“The concubine came today only to bring these two maidservants to the Eldest Lady,” Shui Xinting said carefully. “There’s nothing else.”
Murong Qing’s smile deepened, but her tone remained calm. “It seems Second Aunt’s memory isn’t very good. Allow me to remind you,” she said softly. “You did send me two maidservants, yes—but you only sent half of what should have come. The other half still hasn’t arrived.”
Shui Xinting’s stomach tightened. Not good. But she forced herself to keep her expression steady and replied with feigned confusion, “This concubine is slow-witted and doesn’t understand what the Eldest Lady means. Does the Eldest Lady think I didn’t send enough maidservants?”
“Not enough?” Murong Qing repeated with a cold laugh. “Second Aunt, are you treating this young lady like a fool you can push around?”
The words were polite, but her tone cut like a blade. Shui Xinting’s composure wavered.
Once, Murong Qing had been easy to handle—obedient, timid, and pliant. But ever since Yun Wan’s death, everything had changed. Shui Xinting had swallowed her pride again and again these past few days, yet this little girl dared to keep embarrassing her in public.
Did Murong Qing take her patience for weakness?
Her voice turned sharp. “Eldest Lady, what are you saying? You are the legitimate daughter of this household. Would the General’s Mansion ever treat you poorly?”
Murong Qing only smiled faintly, refusing to rise to the bait.
It seemed Shui Xinting had lived too comfortably these past few years—she could no longer stand even a little pressure.
Seeing her barely-contained anger, Murong Qing said slowly, “Funny you should say that. The night my mother passed, I stayed by her side to watch over her. That very night, she told me something quite similar to what you just said only, I wonder what exactly you and my mother discussed the following day?”
At the mention of Yun Wan, Shui Xinting’s heart skipped.
That day had left a shadow in her mind. Murong Qing hadn’t let a single servant inside to keep watch, and she’d forbidden anyone from entering the mourning hall. Even remembering it now gave her chills.
Of course, she didn’t truly believe in ghosts or spirits—but when Murong Qing brought it up, she still felt a shiver run down her spine.
Murong Qing clearly noticed her unease. In truth, that was exactly her goal. If she couldn’t punish Shui Xinting openly, she could at least make her squirm.
“Madam only told me to take good care of the Eldest Lady in the future,” Shui Xinting said quickly, forcing a calm smile. “Nothing more.”
Her acting was impressive, she didn’t even blush as she lied through her teeth. Murong Qing almost had to admire it.
“Well then,” Murong Qing said sweetly, “I’ll have to trouble Second Aunt to take good care of me. Otherwise, if my mother learns that I’m being mistreated, she won’t be able to rest in peace—and then she might come to ask you about it herself.”
The color drained from Shui Xinting’s face.
She cursed Murong Qing a thousand times in her heart. Could this girl not stop bringing up Yun Wan? That name was the last thing she wanted to hear. But she couldn’t show her anger—not when it involved the deceased. To do so would be seen as disrespectful.
At this point, she regretted coming to Qingyuan at all. She should’ve checked the almanac before stepping out—clearly, today wasn’t a lucky day.
Still, she kept smiling and nodded repeatedly, trying to find an excuse to leave.
But Murong Qing wasn’t about to let her go so easily.
“I won’t beat around the bush, Second Aunt,” Murong Qing said, her tone turning brisk. “Since these two maidservants were sent to me, their deeds of sale should also be handed over. Please don’t keep them.”
Her voice was pleasant, but her eyes were cold.
Shui Xinting froze. How does she even know about that?
Who could have told Murong Qing such a thing? She was a sheltered girl, barely grown, and Yun Wan had never had the chance to teach her the inner workings of the household before she passed.
Normally, a young lady wouldn’t even know that she should ask for her servants’ deeds. Shui Xinting had assumed she could keep them and use the maids as her spies. But now, somehow, Murong Qing knew—and had struck exactly where it hurt.
Trying to stay calm, Shui Xinting forced a laugh. “The Eldest Lady must be joking. It’s not that I don’t want to hand them over. It’s just… since you aren’t married yet, I thought it safer to hold on to the papers for now. Once you’re wed, I’ll naturally return the deeds to you.”
Murong Qing raised her eyebrows. “Oh? So my own servants’ deeds might get lost if I keep them myself? Is Qingyuan so disorderly that even papers go missing here?”
Her tone was polite, but the words dripped with irony. “Second Aunt, please give me the deeds. I plan to reorganize the servants here soon, and I’d hate for anyone to cause trouble before then.”
Her voice was casual, but the sharpness beneath it made Shui Xinting’s heart race. She couldn’t tell if Murong Qing was just speaking generally—or if she already knew her true intentions.
How does she know so much now? Shui Xinting thought bitterly. Who’s been teaching her these tricks?
The two maidservants kneeling nearby exchanged nervous glances. If Murong Qing truly took their deeds of sale, they would no longer belong to Shui Xinting.
And if that happened—then their loyalty, and their fate, would change entirely.