Rebirth: A Cinderella's Counterattack-Chapter 1271 - 1251: Chun Tao’s Unwillingness

The Crown Prince was enveloped in warmth and softness, and even though he was puzzled, he didn’t pay much attention to it. However, just the next day, the General’s Mansion regarded him with hostility, much to his confusion.

After arranging to meet Chun Xing again in the evening, he headed straight to the Memorial Hall. He couldn’t let anyone tamper with things right under his nose; what if another two people from the General’s Mansion ’died’?

After venting out overnight, he felt quite refreshed and confident that he could tighten the security within the General’s Mansion.

To his surprise, when he arrived at the Memorial Hall, Hua Nianyi, who had treated him with respect yesterday, now rolled her eyes massively and ignored his presence. Hua Sicheng was kneeling in front of the Memorial Hall, burning paper without any intention of looking up, and the ’severely injured’ Hua Siye also sat on the ground with a cold expression, making him instantly feel uneasy.

"I heard there was a fire at the mansion last night. When I received the news, the fire had already been extinguished, so I didn’t come out," the Crown Prince was confident that Haan Mo had managed the situation, given that the lives of so many people were at stake. Hence, he naturally thought the three were upset about the fire incident.

"Your Highness, how was the taste of my future sister-in-law?" Hua Siye sneered, his already injured face appearing more grotesque.

Future sister-in-law? What is this about?

The Crown Prince was momentarily dumbfounded but soon realized what they were talking about and incredulously stared at Hua Sicheng, "Xinger?"

"If Your Highness likes her, then take her. I have already asked Lord Xu to submit a memorial, requesting the annulment of the engagement between you and my sister, willingly letting you two be together. Your Highness, do as you please!" His voice carried a trace of mournful coldness, as if he couldn’t accept the double blow of this incident and the ’death’ of the Old General, appearing shaky and pale.

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince’s eyes widened, and he looked sharply at Hua Nianyi, "Yiyi, you..."

"Please mind your manners, Your Highness. Do not casually call out my daughter’s maiden name," Hua Nianyi retorted with a cold face. "Thank you, Your Highness, for finding a good place for my former betrothed sister-in-law, sparing her youth from being wasted these three years!"

"The General’s Mansion is in mourning and not convenient for marrying off, so Your Highness should prepare another residence for the former betrothed sister-in-law to be married in!"

Then the three siblings heavily bowed before the Memorial Hall, their foreheads turning red and swollen, not uttering another word.

By noon, the Crown Prince had already left, taking Chun Xing with him and arranging for her in another residence, leaving only two groups of people in the General’s Mansion.

The City Guard Army was there merely to help with the numerous visitors paying their respects these days, without serving any other purpose.

With major matters settled, Luo Qianqian leisurely enjoyed Xiao Rou’s service, receiving leg and shoulder massages with much diligence.

"Miss Shiqi, you’re absolutely amazing! How did you know the Crown Prince would target Chun Xing?" Xiao Rou’s face was full of admiration, her eyes sparkling like little stars, eager to understand Luo Qianqian’s thoughts.

Luo Qianqian rolled her eyes, as if to say, had she used drugs?

"Just mutual affection between a man and a woman. But did you handle the previous matters well?" Luo Qianqian said calmly, "Without a good background, Chun Xing can’t completely replace Yiyi’s position."

The Emperor’s edict was furious because the Crown Prince stayed overnight and targeted Hua Sicheng’s unwed wife, but if Chun Xing was merely a maidservant, undoubtedly, at most, she could become a concubine.

"Rest assured, the young master has always handled things properly." Xiao Rou displayed a confident expression, clenched her fist, and gave Luo Qianqian a reassuring nod.

Seeing Xiao Rou’s assurance, Luo Qianqian nodded and sighed in relief.

Soon enough, Chun Tao, who had heard the news, sought out Luo Qianqian, even going so far as to knock over the teacup in front of Luo Qianqian, full of reproach, "Why Chun Xing, that lowly maid? I’m prettier, have a better figure, and have learned more. Why wasn’t the service to the Crown Prince given to me?"

Upon hearing the news, she thought it was a joke, but with so many people talking about it, she went to Chun Xing’s room. Surprised to find that Chun Xing, who should have been in her room playing the zither and painting, wasn’t there, she felt something was wrong.

Recalling the previous rumors, she confirmed the matter.

Since the Memorial Hall was off-limits to them, she went straight to confront Xiao Rou, only to find Xiao Rou giving Luo Qianqian a massage, which immediately infuriated her.

She utterly failed to notice Xiao Rou’s face darkening after she acted out.

She had truly become too daring! Even daring to raise a hand against the master’s friends!

"Who are you to question my decisions and actions? Our Miss decided Chun Xing should go to the Crown Prince’s Mansion and wants her to become the Crown Prince’s Concubine or even Crown Princess Consort — what business is it of yours! As a servant, the most important thing is to know your place! If you can’t, you’ll be sold off!" Xiao Rou finally snapped at this maid, who had clearly been bearing her arrogance for too long.

Always lording over the servants, who were you to be so superior? Just because the person you served was highborn doesn’t make you highborn too! Mind you, she hadn’t even served yet, and even if she did, the Bondservant Contract was still in the hands of the General’s Mansion — what could she do? No matter how much things changed, she couldn’t change her origins!

No matter how she tried to learn later, she could never truly attain the innate nobility that Hua Nianyi exuded!

Luo Qianqian approvingly watched Xiao Rou. Though her words were harsh, they rang true.

From the start, equal opportunities were given to both, but Chun Tao had squandered hers, while Chun Xing seized it, and now Chun Tao was making a fuss?

Had she known this would happen, why act so rashly in the first place?

Silently watching Chun Tao, Luo Qianqian remained speechless, but her disdain was evident.

As a servant, she should align her goals with her master’s demands, but here she was refusing and breaking things, fancying herself as the Manor’s treasured subordinate?

Even Hua Nianyi’s closest attendant, Xiao Rou, didn’t dare act this way, so how could Chun Tao?

Unconcedingly, Chun Tao rolled her eyes, "Just a disgraced young lady, what makes her so exceptional? Who knows if the General’s Mansion will even remain in the future!" Her venomous tone was clearly intended to provoke.

Furious, Luo Qianqian laughed coldly, "True, but dealing with someone like you now is a piece of cake! Xiao Rou, lock her up, starve her for three days and nights to see if she’ll learn to speak properly!"

"Who do you think you are to command me? I’m going to find Chun Xing, I want to serve the Crown Prince, who do you all think you are! Truly taking a chicken feather for a command arrow!"

"It’s enough that you’re a thing," Luo Qianqian dismissed her. Xiao Rou quickly instructed some men to bind her and lock her in the woodshed. The woodshed, though spacious, was dark, without windows, and filled with little noises. Chun Tao shivered at the sounds, staring in disbelief at the shut door — had they really done this???