Chapter 178: Courtesy Without Reciprocation

Chapter 178: Courtesy Without Reciprocation

When Zhou Huanjiu left the palace, she encountered a young palace maid waiting for her at the palace gate.

Haoyue bowed and said, "Greetings, Lady of the County."

"The princess mentioned that you’re not great with everyday matters and don’t handle confrontations well, so you might be at a disadvantage."

"Her Highness is concerned for you, so she sent me to assist you."

In reality, Bei Jingchu's original words were, "Jiu Jiu is a bit clueless. Even if we give her things for protection, she could still be taken advantage of if she’s not careful."

But Haoyue couldn’t be as direct as the princess. She couldn’t just say, "The princess thinks you’re too naive."

That would be too rude.

So, she embellished the princess's words a bit.

She also kept to herself that she thought the princess sent her because she wanted to hear all about how Zhou Huanjiu would take revenge after she returned to the palace.

Changyan could have done this task too, but she wasn’t as eloquent.

If Haoyue couldn’t describe everything vividly when she returned, the princess might not get the full picture...

Haoyue stopped herself there.

The princess must be helping her friends, not just there for the gossip.

Her Highness was the best princess.

Even though Haoyue had softened Bei Jingchu’s words, Zhou Huanjiu knew her well enough. Without giving it much thought, she knew that little troublemaker must have been talking about her behind her back.

After leaving the palace, Zhou Huanjiu’s mother needed to go to the Li family’s residence to pick up some things.

The carriage stopped in front of the Li mansion, and a servant went inside to announce their arrival.

Zhou Huanjiu intended to get off the carriage according to proper etiquette, but Haoyue advised, "Lady of the County, today, we are here to cause some trouble."

"We need to keep up appearances. We can’t be too polite to them."

"So, we should wait until they come out before we get off."

Zhou Huanjiu pulled her feet back inside.

Relieved that Zhou Huanjiu had taken her advice, Haoyue felt more confident.

She could have all the ideas in the world, but the person in charge had to be willing to listen.

She knew the Lady of the County listened to the princess, but she wasn’t sure if she would listen to her.

Fortunately, this Lady of the County was willing to listen, which made things much easier.

Haoyue continued, "Later, when they come out, you don’t need to get out of the carriage."

"When it’s time for you and your mother to step out, I’ll assist you."

"Since you don’t need to personally argue with these people."

"As a Lady of the County appointed by the imperial court, it’s beneath your dignity to argue with such petty people."

"If you had to intervene, it would mean I’ve failed in my duty."

Moments later, a man’s voice shouted from outside the carriage.

"Sis, why are you back here again?"

"Didn’t you say you wouldn’t come back to freeload?"

"Can you even show a little dignity?"

He kept shouting, growing more frustrated when he saw the carriage curtains remained closed.

"What are you doing hiding in there?"

"Is this how guests behave?"

The carriage curtain was lifted, and an unfamiliar young girl peeked out.

Haoyue stepped down from the carriage.

Despite her youth, Haoyue moved with a grace that belied her age, each step deliberate and composed.

After spending so much time with Bei Jingchu, Haoyue had picked up a few of her commanding mannerisms.

She stood still.

"Master Li, Madam Li."

"Madam previously stayed at the Li residence."

"When she left yesterday, it was in such a rush that she couldn’t bring everything with her."

"We have come today to collect her things, and we hope Master Li will grant us this convenience."

Seeing that Haoyue had stepped down from the carriage without assistance, Li Shanglian guessed that she must be a servant.

He was extremely displeased. "Who do you think you are? A mere servant, and yet you dare to speak to us directly?"

"She’s been living off our resources for five years. What personal belongings could she possibly have left?"

"Tell them to come and find me themselves."

Haoyue smiled. "I am indeed a servant, but I believe there may have been a misunderstanding."

"I serve as a Sixth-Rank Attendant at Tai Chi Palace and am the personal attendant to Princess Tianwu."

"I wonder, do I have the qualifications to speak with you two?"

The Li couple was taken aback, and it took them a moment to recover.

They then bowed. "We pay our respects to Attendant."

Only then did they notice that while her clothes and accessories weren’t ostentatious, they were exquisitely crafted.

The seemingly plain fabric had subtle patterns that floated on the surface.

Under different lights and shadows, they transformed into various patterns and colors.

Such exquisite fabric would not even be used for handkerchiefs in their household.

Only in the imperial palace, where they gather the finest from all over the world, would they give such extravagant clothes to servants.

The ladies-in-waiting close to the princess are held in higher regard than the daughters of ordinary officials.

The voices of the Li couple were trembling, unable to comprehend how they had become entangled with Princess Tianwu.

Haoyue's voice was soft and childlike, but her words hit them like a bolt of lightning, "Our princess and Zhou Huanjiu have a close relationship. It is said that after she left the palace, she moved away from the Li family with her mother."

"I was sent to assist."

"While Zhou Huanjiu's mother lived with you for five years, all expenses will be reimbursed."

"Therefore, those items naturally belong to the madam."

"Can you accommodate us now?"

They hurriedly agreed, "Yes, of course, we can."

They even stood on either side of the door, bowing in welcome, "Please enter, Lady Haoyue."

Haoyue turned around, lifted the carriage curtain, and a maid helped Zhou Huanjiu's mother down first.

Then she assisted Zhou Huanjiu, who came down last.

Zhou Huanjiu forced herself to maintain a serious expression.

With her peers, she was relaxed and free-spirited.

She never lost in arguments or playful fights.

But in front of elders and family, she felt like a lost child.

Actually, even if she had been left alone today, she wouldn't have been at a disadvantage. Yesterday, she thought her mother was staying at her uncle's home, where they were genuinely accepted as family.

When they were expelled, she hadn't realized it immediately.

But now, she had figured it out. The Li family were neither her family nor her elders.

It was better to see through their true colors in times of hardship. Realizing this earlier was actually a blessing.

Zhou Huanjiu comforted herself internally.

She wouldn't politely play the obedient child and suffer a loss.

But Haoyue was right. It wouldn't be appropriate for her to argue with them directly; it would undermine her dignity.

After all, she was the young Lady of a County personally bestowed by His Majesty!

She needed to maintain her dignity.

After a day, they entered the Li family again.

But this time, it was not for a family visit but to settle scores.

Haoyue, adopting an innocent posture, asked, "It is said that Zhou Huanjiu came to visit the Li family yesterday but was expelled along with her mother."

Being a child, she easily deceived them with her innocent act, making them believe she was genuinely there to inquire.

"The princess treats Zhou Huanjiu like a sister and is extremely concerned. Could you tell me what happened yesterday? I need to report back to the princess."

Li Shanglian and his wife exchanged a glance and, in perfect unison, shifted all the blame.

"Respected Lady, helping in emergencies is about saving people, not solving long-term problems."

"Though my sister and I are siblings, we're both married now."

"When she had a falling-out with her husband and came to stay with me, I let her stay."

"But she ended up staying for five whole years."

"I have my own family to support; it's not fair for my married sister to keep relying on me."

They looked at the little girl in front of them, thinking it was easy to deceive a child.

However, they didn’t realize that, among the many girls in the palace, only a select few become personal attendants to the princess.

Haoyue nodded, subtly encouraging them to keep making excuses.

Finally, Zhou Huanjiu's mother smiled softly. She crouched down, holding her daughter, like a wandering soul that had finally found a place to rest.

She drew strength and courage from this moment.

With self-mockery and disappointment in her eyes, she slowly said, "Indeed, it’s all my fault."

"I treated the Li family like my own, but they saw me as nothing more than a poor relation."

"Before Zhou Yu lost his title, I didn’t spare any help for you."

"I endured Zhou Yu’s contempt and disdain, and still sent money to the Li family."

"I arranged for your son to enter Wenqin Academy with several recommendations."

"I even secured a position for you, but you couldn’t bear the hardship and preferred to lie at home."

"If we start tallying up every favor and benefit—"

"Brother, shouldn’t you return everything?"

As each benefit was pointed out, Li Shanglian’s face turned ashen.

There was no way he would be willing to return everything, even if the entire Li family were emptied.

So he instinctively retorted, "Those were gifts that my elder sister gave voluntarily."