"What are you staring at?" Dongmei cast a disdainful glance at Dan'er and her sister.
She was half-relying on a pillar, looking utterly unladylike.
Dan'er, unable to contain her anger, stepped forward to reason with her. "Don't you know why I'm staring at you?"
Dongmei, fuming, raised her finger at Dan'er. "Say that again!"
"Take your hand away!" Shuang'er glared at her.
Dan'er stiffened her neck and argued with Dongmei. "So what if I say it again! You've been gossiping about the Princess behind her back! If the Prince finds out, he won't spare you!"
Dongmei let out a cold laugh. "You're just a senior maid beside the Princess. Don't always use the Prince to intimidate people! I don't think I said anything wrong. If she's that kind of person, why should she be afraid of others talking?"
"We're all maids. Why do you sound so superior?" Shuang'er couldn't tolerate anyone speaking ill of Dan'er and retorted sarcastically.
Dongxue was so frightened that her face turned pale. She stepped forward and pulled Dongmei behind her.
She smiled apologetically at Dan'er. "Miss Dan'er, I'm sorry. Dongmei is just like this. I'll definitely teach her a good lesson. Please don't take it to heart!"
Dan'er let out a cold snort and turned to walk into the house.
But Dongmei, not willing to give in, reached out and grabbed her. "What do you mean! Don't look down on people like that!"
"Who's looking down on you! Don't just put the blame on others." Shuang'er stepped forward to try to remove Dongmei's hand.
The commotion outside caught Mo Qinghuan's attention. She got up and walked to the door.
Just in time to see Dongmei holding Dan'er's arm, looking indignant.
"What's going on? Why are you making such a racket?" She stepped out and stood under the long corridor.
Seeing Mo Qinghuan come out, Dongxue stepped forward and bowed. "Your Highness, it's just a little argument. We're sorry for disturbing your rest."
After saying that, she tugged at Dongmei. "Apologize to Miss Dan'er!"
Dongmei turned her face away defiantly. "Why should I apologize!"
Dan'er also let out a cold laugh and turned her head to the side. "I don't want her apology. If anyone should apologize, it should be to the Princess."
Mo Qinghuan was utterly confused. "So what on earth did you argue about?"
Shuang'er stepped forward and was about to speak when Mo Qinghuan raised her hand to signal her to stop.
"Shuang'er, let Dongxue speak first."
Shuang'er nodded and looked at Dongxue, but Dongxue didn't know what to say at this moment.
It was indeed Dongmei's fault. She shouldn't have gossiped about the Princess in private.
"Why don't you speak?" Mo Qinghuan looked at Dongxue expressionlessly.
Actually, she had heard everything they said in the house.
"Since Dongxue won't say, then you, Dongmei, tell me."
Dongmei looked at her nervously, only then realizing the seriousness of the matter.
She had always been straightforward and had overlooked the fact that the Princess was currently in favor. Offending her might lead to severe punishment.
But the words had already been spoken. What should she do?
Seeing that neither of them spoke, Mo Qinghuan said, "Since neither of you will say, then you, Dan'er, tell me."
Dan'er glared at Dongmei and was about to speak when Dongxue said, "Miss Dan'er, please be magnanimous and forgive Dongmei this time. She'll surely be grateful to you."
Dan'er looked at Shuang'er, took a deep breath, and walked up to Mo Qinghuan.
"Your Highness, it's really just a little argument. There's nothing else."
Hearing her say this, Dongxue finally felt relieved.
"Thank you, Miss Dan'er. From now on, we're all in the same courtyard. We should get along well."
Shuang'er let out a cold snort and helped Mo Qinghuan walk inside. "Your Highness, don't stand here. Come inside and rest."
Just as they turned around, Mu Yanming's voice came from behind.
"What are you all standing around for?"
The four maids all lowered their heads. Mo Qinghuan greeted him with a gentle smile. "It's nothing. They're just getting to know each other."
Mu Yanming raised his hand, and his rough fingertips gently brushed across her face.
"Then what are you doing here? Aren't you tired standing?"
His gentle demeanor stunned Dongmei and Dongxue. They had never seen the Prince like this before.
Even though the Prince was well-known in the capital for his love for his wife, they had only heard about it.
Seeing it with their own eyes today, Dongxue looked at Dan'er with even more gratitude. If it weren't for Dan'er covering for them, with the Prince's love for the Princess, Dongmei's words would surely have led to a death sentence!
Dan'er returned Dongxue's look with a smile.
She believed that after this incident, Dongmei and Dongxue wouldn't speak ill of the Princess anymore.
"Did you give him the medicine?" The two walked side by side into the house.
Mu Yanming let out a soft laugh and nodded. "He even asked what kind of medicine it was. It was so bitter that his mouth tasted bad all day."
Mo Qinghuan covered her mouth and giggled. She sat down at the table, poured a glass of water, and handed it to Mu Yanming.
"By the way, when I went out today, guess who I saw..."
Mu Yanming took the glass of water and thought for a moment. "Huh?" He elongated the ending sound. "Did you see Gu Qinglan?"
"How did you know?" She looked at Mu Yanming in surprise.
Mu Yanming smiled. "I heard it on the street when I came back just now. I heard that she was kidnapped."
"Was she found? Is she okay?" She asked tentatively.
Mu Yanming put down the teacup and pulled her hand. "Why are you so concerned about other people's business? Whether she's found or not is the business of the Gu Prime Minister's Mansion. You're just too kind-hearted. You want to meddle in everything."
Hearing Mu Yanming's words, Dongmei at the door twitched the corner of her mouth.
She glanced at Mo Qinghuan out of the corner of her eye and thought, She really knows how to be a good person in front of the Prince! No wonder she's so favored. It turns out she has two faces.
Dongxue saw Dongmei secretly roll her eyes at Mo Qinghuan and nudged her with her elbow.
"When I saw her today, she was being kidnapped. But speaking of it, the public security in the capital seems to be quite bad recently! It should be strengthened. Otherwise, there's a risk of being kidnapped on the street. Wouldn't everyone be afraid to go out?"
Mu Yanming nodded. "Yes~ My love is right."
Seeing his clingy look, Mo Qinghuan lowered her head and smiled shyly, her cheeks flushed.
At night, Dan'er and Shuang'er were on night watch at the door.
Dongmei and Dongxue went to another room in the side building. Dongxue blushed and scolded, "You should watch your eyes and your mouth!"
"Sister, don't you think that Princess is very hard to serve? And haven't you noticed that she's completely different in front of the Prince and in front of us? I'll surely make the Prince see her true colors one day."
Dongxue let out a sigh in anger. "The Prince transferred us here to protect the Princess, which means he trusts our martial arts. Don't make trouble, okay?"
"Sister, don't think I don't know. You like the Prince, so you agreed to come here. Then you can see the Prince every day."
Dongxue was so frightened that she covered her mouth tightly. "If you keep talking nonsense, I'll cut your tongue out."