The Reborn Legitimate Daughter is Frivolous - Chapter 25
“In that case, I’ll listen to Second Aunt. It’s not a bad rule—after all, as the eldest daughter of the General’s Mansion, I should take the lead and set an example.”
Seeing Murong Qing’s calm, indifferent face, Shui Xinting felt a wave of resentment.
Why does Murong Qing always get to be above, while she has to stay below?
She clenched her teeth, full of unwillingness, but didn’t dare show it.
Sending more maids clearly wouldn’t work. Still, that wasn’t her real reason for coming today—it had just crossed her mind on the way.
Forcing a smile, Shui Xinting glanced at Qinglian, who stood obediently behind Murong Qing, and asked casually, “Why is only Qinglian here today? Where’s Qingbi?”
Murong Qing herself had said she valued the maids Shui Xinting sent, so asking shouldn’t seem suspicious.
It was just a way to start a conversation and gradually steer it in the direction she wanted.
That was how Shui Xinting always operated—idle women in the inner courtyard had little else to do but stir up gossip and intrigue to pass the time.
Seeing Shui Xinting’s fake smile, Murong Qing’s lips curved slightly in mockery. “Second Aunt seems very concerned about my maids?”
“The eldest lady misunderstands,” Shui Xinting replied quickly. “I was only asking casually. If you don’t wish to answer, then forget I said anything.”
Her tone made it sound like Murong Qing was being unreasonable.
Not wish to answer? Forget it?
She dared to speak like that here, in her courtyard?
Was Shui Xinting trying to provoke her?
Qinglian hadn’t been her maid for long, but she wasn’t foolish. There was no way she’d be swayed by a few words from Shui Xinting.
But since Shui Xinting wanted to pretend to care, Murong Qing would play along.
“The second aunt’s ‘casual questions’ really need to be corrected,” Murong Qing said coolly. “Since you’re Father’s aunt, I don’t wish to scold you. But you should understand—this lady is the eldest daughter of the General’s Mansion. What happens to the maids around me is none of your concern.”
“It seems I’ve spoken too much…” Shui Xinting ground her teeth.
Why did she always end up bowing her head first in every conversation with Murong Qing?
She thought Murong Qing was still the same naive girl as before—but clearly, she wasn’t.
Murong Qing could no longer be pushed around.
“How’s Third Sister’s injury?” Murong Qing suddenly asked.
Shui Xinting froze for a moment. It was rare for Murong Qing to bring up a topic first. She quickly replied, “I went to Yaoyuan yesterday. The third lady’s injury isn’t serious anymore.”
So, she had gone to Yaoyuan yesterday.
No wonder Murong Qing had guessed something. Shui Xinting must have gone there not out of concern, but to win Murong Yao over—perhaps even to turn her against Murong Qing.
Shui Xinting had little true ability, but when it came to manipulating people, she excelled.
Otherwise, why would Murong Yao follow her lead so willingly? Why would Liuli remain so loyal to her?
Still, Murong Qing knew that everything was changing this time—starting with Liuli.
But even so, some things in life couldn’t be easily altered.
She sighed softly. “I suppose she still resents me in her heart.”
“Miss, please don’t say that,” Shui Xinting said sweetly. “It was indeed the third lady’s fault that day. And besides, the master himself approved your decision to invite her to become a nun. There’s no need to feel guilty.”
She spoke words of comfort, but her mind was elsewhere.
Murong Qing smiled faintly. “I’m just worried that some petty people might try to stir up trouble between me and my third sister.”
That “petty person” was clearly referring to Shui Xinting—after all, she was the only one who had gone to Yaoyuan in recent days.
Now that Shui Xinting managed the household, she knew exactly who went where and when.
So, the person Murong Qing was talking about couldn’t be anyone else.
Shui Xinting’s body stiffened, but she tried to keep her expression calm.
She didn’t dare reveal her irritation, though her eyes betrayed a flicker of anger.
Murong Qing smiled again. “Second Aunt, don’t misunderstand. I know you went to Yaoyuan yesterday out of kindness. I was just speaking casually. After all, in a big household like this, there are always all kinds of people—just like in a forest.”
Because Murong Qing was the eldest daughter, she could speak casually like this.
But Shui Xinting, as a concubine, had to weigh every word carefully.
It was a slap in the face—soft, but sharp.
Shui Xinting’s face tightened, but she couldn’t protest. Murong Qing’s tone was too light, too casual, as if they were just chatting idly.
The more indifferent Murong Qing sounded, the more humiliated Shui Xinting felt.
Still, what could she say?
On the surface, Murong Qing hadn’t accused her of anything—but both of them knew who she meant.
Swallowing her anger, Shui Xinting forced a smile. “Of course not. The bond between you and the third lady can’t be easily shaken. When I return, I’ll make sure to check who’s been visiting her courtyard recently.”
She mimicked Murong Qing’s light, joking tone, pretending not to care.
“How thoughtful of Second Aunt,” Murong Qing replied mildly. “It’s getting late. Since I have nothing planned for tomorrow, I might as well visit Yaoyuan myself. Then I can see what my third sister really thinks of me.”
Though she’d just eaten, she felt exhausted—she’d been busy all morning.
If Shui Xinting hadn’t shown up so suddenly, she would’ve been asleep already.