The doors and windows of the room were wide open, and every servant in and around the Lotus Courtyard heard Huang Yaning’s words.
They all knew—Seventh Miss was here to cause trouble again!
This was truly dreadful…
Every time, Seventh Miss could torment Sixth Miss to the point of utter misery.
If a fight broke out, were they supposed to go help Sixth Miss?
Not that they wanted to, but if they didn’t help, they’d be the ones to suffer later…
And if they did help, they felt like their frail bodies were nothing compared to Seventh Miss’s entourage—like weak little chicks next to wolves…
Some of the more timid ones trembled, wishing they could just turn invisible.
“Your birth mother isn’t just paralyzed—she was so shocked she’s lost her voice too—”
Huang Yaning added with a hint of provocation.
She watched Sheng Mingzhu’s face cycle through shock, anger, hatred, disgust, and finally suspicion…
But not once did she see any concern or grief…
Huang Yaning sneered inwardly. What an ungrateful beast!
Taoniang had done countless horrible things in this world and wronged so many people—but she had always been good to Sheng Mingzhu!
If Taoniang ever found out just how little she meant to Sheng Mingzhu… what would she feel?
She’d be heartbroken, no doubt. Huang Yaning made a mental note to make sure Taoniang learned of Sheng Mingzhu’s reaction.
“Impossible! You’re lying to me—”
Sheng Mingzhu shouted, her voice rising sharply.
“What would I gain from lying to you?
“If you don’t believe me, just send someone to check—won’t that settle it?”
Huang Yaning said nonchalantly. She saw Yuluo, Sheng Mingzhu’s attendant, immediately signal a maidservant with a glance.
The maidservant nodded gratefully and scurried out.
Meanwhile, Sheng Mingzhu’s face was twisted with rage and venom.
Because she was so thin, her bulging eyes looked like they might pop out when she was furious, her facial muscles taut.
The usual feigned fragility had completely vanished, replaced by something sharp and petty…
Huang Yaning was thoroughly pleased with Sheng Mingzhu’s ugly display.
“Was it you?” Sheng Mingzhu demanded.
“Why are you so cruel?
“She did wrong you in the past, but you already broke her legs—she’ll be in a wheelchair for the rest of her life!
“You’ve already had your revenge!
“Why do you have to go all the way?
“She at least raised you when you were little—you even called her ‘Mother’—”
Sheng Mingzhu cut herself off abruptly, because Huang Yaning’s demeanor had shifted from languid to ice-cold, as if she could freeze the very air.
Afraid the other woman might snap, Sheng Mingzhu bit her lip and dared not continue.
“Sheng Mingzhu, brains are a good thing—too bad you don’t have any!
“Don’t go blaming everything on me! Do you take everyone for fools?”
“You—”
Sheng Mingzhu’s chest ached with fury, and she gasped for breath.
Every time she went up against this little wretch, she couldn’t win an argument and couldn’t win a fight either.
Having suffered so many losses, Sheng Mingzhu finally learned her lesson and shut her mouth.
And right now, a wave of panic surged within her.
She never expected her nanny to end up like this.
Jixue was dead, Xia Zhi was married, her shixiong was away…
And Yuluo was loyal to her master. If Taoniang really was paralyzed…
She would lose her most capable ally—not just someone who managed her business affairs.
Sheng Mingzhu felt like everything was spiraling in a worse direction.
Once upon a time, her world had been vast, her future limitless.
But now, her world was shrinking, her opportunities dwindling.
If this continued, would she one day be pushed into a corner?
After a long pause, Sheng Mingzhu gritted her teeth and asked.
“Who did this to her?”
Huang Yaning savored Sheng Mingzhu’s pent-up frustration and rage—it was deeply satisfying.
Taoniang, oh Taoniang!
Years ago, she had personally shattered Taoniang’s legs with her own hands, yet Taoniang had returned to the capital and lived a life surrounded by servants.
Huang Yaning had never been happy about that. She’d wanted to deal with Taoniang for a long time.
And now, everything had fallen into place perfectly!
The medicine came from Lin Zhijing. Old Man Feng and Feng Laoda had administered the poison, and the one pulling the strings behind the scenes was Xia Zhi.
That Feng family—every single one of them was a piece of work.
Watching them tear each other apart like this was truly a splendid show.
Taoniang’s fate filled Huang Yaning with excitement and glee, but she didn’t forget why she’d come today.
She picked up the tea that a servant had brought, sniffed it, and shook her head.
“This tea won’t do—”
All the servants of the Lotus Courtyard, except Yuluo, were kneeling on the ground.
“This servant will brew another cup for Seventh Miss at once—”
At that point, Yuluo finally spoke, her face still mostly expressionless.
“No need,” Huang Yaning shook her head.
“Lin Zhijing specially sent you here, so I assume you’re skilled. Do you know how to brew tea?”
Huang Yaning asked with interest.
Yuluo nodded. “A little.”
“Then brew some for me…”
Since the request was made this explicitly, Yuluo didn’t refuse.
Normally, tea preparation would be done in a side room, but Yuluo didn’t leave.
Instead, she walked to the tea table on the other side of the room—Sheng Mingzhu’s personal one—sat down, and began lighting charcoal to boil water for brewing.
“Seventh Sister, if you’re not going to say anything else, then please leave!
“The tea here probably isn’t to your taste—”
Sheng Mingzhu was now agitated beyond measure and just wanted to get rid of her.
Huang Yaning smiled faintly and said to Qingtian.
“You tell Sixth Sister.”
“Yes.”
Qingtian stepped forward, curtsied to Sheng Mingzhu, and then announced in a loud voice.
“Sixth Miss, you left the residence some time ago and met Prince Qi at Youpeng Teahouse.
“You tearfully told Prince Qi that you wanted to step aside for him, saying that since Xia Zhi had already become Prince Qi’s woman, she might even be carrying his child—
“You said that because Xia Zhi is your elder sister, you couldn’t bear to come between them…
“Your intentions were kind, but… after the two of you parted ways, Prince Qi went to a pharmacy.
“When he returned to the manor, he brought Xia Zhi a box of pastries. After eating them, Xia Zhi miscarried—and her womb was severely damaged—
“When Taoniang learned what happened, she misunderstood.
“She thought you were afraid Xia Zhi would gain favor and deliberately said those things to Prince Qi, which is why he got rid of Xia Zhi’s child—
“You and Xia Zhi are both Taoniang’s biological daughters—flesh of her flesh…
“In short, Taoniang was so devastated that she ended up just like the rest of the Feng family—paralyzed!”
Qingtian’s voice was not only loud but also fast, like a string of firecrackers going off.
Sheng Mingzhu tried to interrupt her halfway through, but couldn’t get a word in.
And so, every servant in the Lotus Courtyard heard Qingtian’s whole speech.
Previously, only the Sheng family’s main members knew about Xia Zhi’s miscarriage at Prince Qi’s manor—the servants hadn’t been informed.
Now, the secret was out to everyone.
They weren’t fools either. On the surface, Sheng Mingzhu treated Xia Zhi like a sister in front of outsiders.
But behind closed doors? The servants of the Lotus Courtyard knew the truth best…
Once, Sheng Mingzhu had called Xia Zhi in alone and tormented her.
After that, a huge, hideous wound had appeared on Xia Zhi’s arm—everyone remembered that…
In their eyes, Sheng Mingzhu was fully capable of scheming with Prince Qi to harm her own sister.
They both despised and feared her!
The servants of the Lotus Courtyard didn’t dare look at Sheng Mingzhu, but Huang Yaning’s servants felt no fear of her whatsoever.
What was she, anyway?
A fake pheasant dressed up as a phoenix, stealing someone else’s wealth and status. Their young miss could torment her however she pleased—it was only right!
So they all stared at Sheng Mingzhu with expressions full of mockery and disgust.
