"How dare you! You, a lowly maid, actually dare to talk to our mistress like this. Who gave you the nerve!"
Ting Lan was furious. Even in the Holy Light Imperial Palace, no one had ever dared to talk like this in front of her mistress. But unexpectedly, in this small Menghai City, her mistress was being challenged by a maid.
The maid was scolded and her face flushed red. She retorted angrily, "Who are you? How dare you scold me! Do you know who our princess is?"
"I don't care who your princess is. This is our mistress's seat. Even if the city lord himself came, he wouldn't dare to ask our mistress to give up this seat. Who do you think you are!"
On the first day Ting Lan followed Nan Chaoyu, she was told that she must never yield when she shouldn't.
Now, a peacock-like girl had come from some out - of - the - way place and dared to shout in front of her mistress. If she backed down, wouldn't it make people laugh at them!
The maid, perhaps having never been scolded like this before, was so angry that her eyes were red. Her chest heaved, but she couldn't think of a retort.
"Sister Chaoyu, this is the city lord's mansion. Is your maid so arrogant? Won't you discipline her, Sister Chaoyu?"
Perhaps seeing that the maid had lost the argument, the gaudily - dressed girl stepped forward and stood in front of Nan Chaoyu's table. The familiar tone made Nan Chaoyu pause.
She looked up and saw it was the girl she had seen on the street today, Li Luo.
If she remembered correctly, this Miss Li was the daughter of Li Yuejin.
Thinking of this, Nan Chaoyu's expression became a bit strange. She glanced at Li Luo and said, "Miss Li, does your father know you address me like this?"
"Nan Chaoyu, you're just an orphan. Our princess condescends to call you sister, and you're so disrespectful!"
The maid had already been enraged by Ting Lan's tone. Now seeing Nan Chaoyu's attitude, she wanted to curry favor with Li Luo.
Everyone present was secretly paying attention to this scene. When they heard the names "Miss Li" and "Nan Chaoyu", those who knew about Menghai City immediately made the connection.
They whispered to those around them, "Nan Chaoyu is an orphan adopted by the city lord. It's said she was stupid since childhood. This Miss Li is presumably the eldest daughter of the city lord, Li Luo."
"I heard Li Luo was made a princess by the Holy Light Empire. Is that true?"
"I saw a messenger from the Holy Light Empire coming to Menghai City a while ago. It should be true. This Miss Li is really beautiful. I wonder if the city lord has any plans to find a son - in - law for her."
"Tsk tsk, don't daydream. The city lord probably wants to elevate Miss Li's status and marry her into the Holy Light Empire."
Nan Chaoyu had sharp ears and heard most of the whispers. She immediately understood Li Yuejin's purpose this time.
This old fox! He didn't really want to introduce the Xie family to her. Instead, he wanted her to boost Li Luo's prestige. And this wasn't for the people present but for those from the Holy Light Empire.
However, someone didn't seem to appreciate it!
Nan Chaoyu glanced at the master - servant pair who were like fighting cocks, shook her head, and a sneer appeared on her lips. "Miss Li, if I were you, I'd quickly go to my own seat instead of being made a laughingstock here!"
After saying that, she pointed to a seat below hers, indicating for Li Luo to look there.
Li Luo followed Nan Chaoyu's finger and her face immediately darkened.
There was a sign on the chair that clearly read "Princess Li Luo".
But Li Luo didn't know the meaning of backing down. She always had her way in the city lord's mansion and was Li Yuejin's favorite. How could she be willing to sit below a "fool" now.
"Nan Chaoyu, what right do you have to sit above this princess? It's okay if the servant made a mistake, but I advise you to be sensible."
"Tsk tsk! Li the Second is really bad at raising children!" Nan Chaoyu swirled the wine cup in her hand and murmured.
Just now, she was calling her "Sister Chaoyu", but now her true colors were showing. She was so impatient.
Ting Lan behind her twitched the corner of her mouth and looked at Li Luo with a bit of sympathy.
If the mistress decided to teach her a lesson, this Miss Li probably wouldn't want to attend any banquets for the rest of her life.
Some busybodies nearby heard Li Luo's words and started to jeer. "Miss, the real daughter is here. Don't take the seat beside her father for no reason."
"Yes! Such a lovely beauty. Don't make things difficult for her, miss!"
This remark was a bit out of line. Li Luo suddenly turned around and glared angrily, but it only made the other person laugh even more.
Nan Chaoyu chuckled. "Sir, Miss Li is a princess of the Holy Light Empire. If you keep joking like this, don't forget why you're sitting here."
The person who had spoken might really have something to ask of the city lord's mansion. After hearing this, he quieted down.
Although Li Luo was stupid, she could tell that Nan Chaoyu had helped her. She bit her lip and raised her chin. "If you go and sit there by yourself, this princess can forgive what you've done just now!"
"Li Luo, what are you doing?"
Before Nan Chaoyu could reply, a scolding voice came from the door. Li Yuejin strode over and pulled Li Luo away from in front of Nan Chaoyu's table.
He scolded her in a low voice, "Go to your seat quickly. Have you forgotten what I told you?"
Li Luo was suddenly pulled away and was tripped by her complicated dress. Fortunately, the maid supported her in time to prevent her from making a fool of herself.
She straightened up and looked at the city lord in disbelief. "Father, you treat me like this for her? Who is really your daughter?"
Hearing this, the city lord's face changed. He wished he could cover Li Luo's mouth. "Shut up! If you say another word, don't even think about being a princess!"
"Father..." Li Luo's face turned completely pale. Looking at the city lord, she said, "Father, I got the princess title through my own efforts. Why can't I be a princess if you say so?"
The city lord was so angry with Li Luo that he pointed at her but couldn't say a word for a long time!
Nan Chaoyu on one side watched with great interest, as if it had nothing to do with her at all!
"Good for you, Luo'er. No one can take away the princess title that belongs to my daughter."
Just as the father - daughter pair were at a standstill, a woman in red battle clothes entered through the door.
As soon as she spoke, she didn't give the city lord any face. She walked up to Li Luo. "Luo'er, go and sit with mother. Since this seat has been defiled, it's not worth keeping!"
The implication was that even Nan Chaoyu was being derogated. Ting Lan's face changed and she was about to flare up.
Nan Chaoyu waved her hand, indicating for her to be quiet. She looked at Li Yuejin and said, "Li the Second, your taste in choosing a wife is really bad. Does your father know you just pick anyone, good or bad?"
When Li Yuejin first became the city lord of Menghai City, he married the eldest daughter of the local noble Xie family, Xie Zhenlan.