"Wuwuwu."
Xiang'er could no longer hold back, tears streaming down her face.
She didn't want to slap herself, but she looked up at Song Chaoyu, "Aren't you afraid people will say you treat your servants poorly?"
She still knew how to threaten her?
Song Chaoyu sneered, "If you want to go out and spread it, feel free. My reputation as an illegitimate daughter isn't that good anyway, and I'm always laughed at. Do you think I'd force myself to be angry just to get a word of praise from you?"
She rolled her eyes impatiently, "Right, if you want to go find the Prince with that face, you can. Tell the Prince it was me who told you to slap yourself, and see what he says. You can't avoid this slap today anyway, it's just a matter of whether you want to do it yourself or have Tiaohong do it for you."
With that said, Song Chaoyu gave Xiang'er no chance to retort.
Even the maid beside her was trying to persuade Xiang'er, "Xiang'er, just do it quickly! Slapping yourself is much better than having someone else do it!"
"Slap—"
Xiang'er had no choice but to obey. She raised her hand and slapped herself hard.
"Continue."
Song Chaoyu didn't intend to let her stop, and said coldly, "Keep going until I tell you to stop."
Xiang'er knew that no one could help her today.
No matter how much she hated it, she could only continue.
"Slap—"
The sound of the slaps echoed throughout the backyard.
Until both of Xiang'er's cheeks were red and swollen.
Her tears flowed incessantly, and she felt dizzy from the blows, her body swaying.
Only then did Song Chaoyu speak, "Alright, stop."
Xiang'er swayed, and the maid beside her stepped forward to support her.
Song Chaoyu then looked at the maid, "What's your name?"
Seeing Song Chaoyu's power, the maid replied tremblingly, "Reporting to the Princess Consort, this servant's humble name is Zi Tao."
Song Chaoyu nodded slowly, "Zi Tao, that's a nice name. No need to change it. From today onwards, you will serve in my courtyard."
She only had Tiaohong and Qiu Qing by her side, which was not enough.
Since she needed to pick maids anyway, and this Zi Tao had spoken a few good words, and not out of flattery, it at least proved she wasn't a gossip.
Therefore, keeping her in her courtyard would likely not cause any trouble.
Zi Tao was a little overwhelmed. She was a former criminal slave and never expected to serve by the Princess Consort's side. She quickly kowtowed to Song Chaoyu, "Thank you, Princess Consort, this servant thanks the Princess Consort!"
As Song Chaoyu turned to leave, she didn't glance back at Xiang'er.
Only after walking out of the rockery area did she ask Zi Tao, "What's your relationship with Xiang'er?"
Zi Tao didn't know why Song Chaoyu was asking and replied meekly, "It's alright. Since I entered the Prince's manor, I've shared a room with Xiang'er. We usually call each other sisters. Her temperament... is a bit too proud."
Good, at least she wasn't lying to her just to put her at ease.
Song Chaoyu nodded and brought Zi Tao back to her courtyard.
Her courtyard looked rather messy.
There were several maids sweeping the entrance alone.
Song Chaoyu felt she didn't need so many people to serve her and dismissed several maids.
She entered the room and had just sat down for a cup of tea when a servant reported that the Ning Princess Consort had arrived.
This was the first day of her marriage, and she really didn't want to see Song Yanjiao.
However, Song Yanjiao held the title of Ning Princess Consort, and Song Chaoyu couldn't afford to be seen as putting on airs on her wedding day.
In the end, she sighed, sat up, and said, "Let's go and see my second sister!"
—
Fortunately, when Song Chaoyu reached the front hall, she found that the expensive furnishings in the main hall had been removed.
The main hall was to be renovated and redecorated, and was currently empty.
Song Yanjiao was standing in the main hall, looking around.
Hearing Song Chaoyu's footsteps, she turned back with a smile, "Oh, fourth sister is here? I'm disturbing your household on your wedding day, fourth sister, please don't blame me!"
The intimacy in her smile made it seem as if there had never been any animosity between them.
On this point alone, Song Chaoyu had to admire Song Yanjiao's ability to pretend.
She also smiled slightly, looking at the beautiful maids Song Yanjiao had brought behind her, and knew in her heart what Song Yanjiao was here for.
However, before Song Yanjiao could speak, Song Chaoyu sighed, "Alas... When I saw second sister as the Ning Princess Consort before, it was glorious! Now that I've become the Chang Princess Consort myself, I realize how easy it is. The position of Princess Consort is truly not easy to hold!"
"Oh?"
Seeing Song Chaoyu like this, Song Yanjiao smiled, "I actually think the position of Princess Consort isn't difficult. If sister believes me, why not tell me what happened that made you so unhappy on your wedding day?"
Song Chaoyu pointed behind her, "Isn't it the people in this courtyard? Second sister, you don't know how many people are in this courtyard now! I just went to the backyard for a stroll and heard a maid speaking ill of me. Who knows how many more people in the backyard are saying the same about me? These maids, most of them were sent by others, and I don't even know how to dismiss them!"
As she spoke, Song Chaoyu's eyes suddenly lit up as she looked at Song Yanjiao, "Ah? Second sister, aren't you here? I suddenly have an idea!"
Before Song Yanjiao could even speak, Song Chaoyu grabbed her arm, "Second sister, can you help me?"
Song Yanjiao didn't know what Song Chaoyu was up to, but looking at Song Chaoyu's eyes, she seemed genuinely worried about the matter.
She slightly pulled her hand back, "Fourth sister, what are you saying? We are sisters. If you need my help with anything, just say it!"
Song Chaoyu said happily, "Second sister, why don't you take some maids to serve in your Ning Prince's manor? I have too many maids here! It's not working out now. It would be great if second sister could take some away!"
Song Yanjiao never expected that Song Chaoyu's solution would be this!
She quickly shook her head, "No, no, how can I take fourth sister's maids? What would that look like?"
Song Chaoyu blinked indifferently, "Second sister, just consider it a favor! We are both Prince's manors anyway. Those maids sent by princes and ministers, where else would they go if not to a Prince's manor? I have too many people here! You know, I'm not capable! I can't manage these maids, and they will bully me in the future!"