Chapter 49: Six Thousand Taels, Not a Tael Less—Double Sixes for Great Fortune!

Seeing her personal maid about to be dragged away and strangled to death, Wen Xueling’s fury had nowhere to vent, and she dared not utter another disrespectful word to Gan Qiongying.

She glared at Gan Qiongying, breathing heavily. As a pearl raised with endless pampering and indulgence, when had she ever suffered such humiliation?

A torrent of vicious curses gathered in her throat, ready to spill out in a string of “May you die a wretched death!” the moment she opened her mouth.

Yet, even as she gritted her teeth so hard they nearly shattered, she didn’t dare utter a single word.

After all, in terms of status, Gan Qiongying was still a Princess. Even if she was merely a solitary Princess caught in the crossfire of power struggles, with no backing from influential officials at court and no elders to rely on, everyone understood how precarious her situation was.

What did it matter if the Emperor indulged her? The Emperor himself was a puppet!

Gan Qiongying was slightly taller than Wen Xueling. Watching Wen Xueling’s delicate face turn from pale to flushed and finally to a sickly green, she could tell from the fury blazing in her eyes that Wen Xueling was surely cursing her ancestors in her heart.

But Gan Qiongying raised an eyebrow slightly, her phoenix eyes curving with amusement—seductive, bewitching, yet undeniably wicked and cunning.

Her villainy was worn on her sleeve, carrying an air of shamelessness that even the real Duan Rong lacked when committing misdeeds.

She might as well have written “What can you do about it?” on her face.

How could Gan Qiongying not know her own predicament?

Yet, as long as Nánzhào’s great edifice remained standing, within the Imperial City of Yindu, even a Princess as fragile as porcelain was far more precious than the beloved daughter of Jingxi Wang, the local despot of Jingxi.

Wen Xueling’s maid continued to wail like a slaughtered pig, her tears and snot flowing freely as she shifted from begging Wen Xueling to save her to pleading with Princess Duanrong for mercy.

Her cries were truly piercing, startling birds in the woods to burst through the foliage and take flight.

Finally, in the brief standoff, Wen Xueling was the first to break. Liuli had served by her side for far too long, familiar with all her preferences. If she were truly replaced, Wen Xueling would undoubtedly struggle to adjust.

Clenching her teeth, Wen Xueling took a step forward, dragging her injured, limping leg, and bowed properly to Gan Qiongying. Suppressing her anger, she said quickly, “It was my improper words and actions that offended you, Princess. Please be magnanimous and do not hold it against me.”

“I beg you, Princess, to spare my maid’s life. She has served by my side since childhood, a personal maid assigned to me by my mother…”

Liuli had fallen silent. Wen Xueling’s entire body stiffened, not daring to look back. She had witnessed life and death before, but never the brutal death of someone so close to her.

She thought Liuli had been strangled to death by Gan Qiongying’s maid during her hesitation, for her voice grew softer and softer, losing all conviction…

She had clashed with Princess Duanrong a few times before, and the other party had always acted with extreme ruthlessness. Her Liuli was surely doomed today.

Wen Xueling stood before Gan Qiongying with her head bowed, appearing docile and submissive, but inwardly she swore fiercely that she would make Princess Duanrong pay for this one day!

Yet she had no idea that Gan Qiongying had been waiting for this very moment.

Seeing Wen Xueling lower her head, Gan Qiongying immediately seized the opportunity to climb down the proverbial ladder.

“That’s more like it. If you had spoken like this earlier, none of this unpleasantness would have happened.”

Gan Qiongying stepped forward, personally helping Wen Xueling to her feet. The arrogance on her face vanished instantly, her expression changing as swiftly as flipping a page. She patted Wen Xueling’s small hand and said, “I’m a reasonable person. Since that maid was a personal servant sent by your mother, how could I casually have her beaten or killed?”

“Manyue, hurry, let her go.”

Wen Xueling looked up at Gan Qiongying, who smiled back at her, still holding her hand without letting go. Like two close sisters, she turned Wen Xueling around just in time to see her personal maid, Liuli, being escorted out of the woods by Manyue and another person.

She appeared unharmed, but her eyes were vacant, and her limbs were as limp as noodles, being dragged along.

After all, she was just a young girl who had grown up by her mistress’s side, as precious as a pearl, and had never seen much of the world. Thinking she had truly brushed with death, she was utterly terrified.

Seeing that Liuli was still alive, Wen Xueling felt a surge of relief, but her face soon flushed with heat. As Liuli was returned to her side, she collapsed on the ground, unable to get up, her eyes vacant as if she had been scared out of her wits.

This made Wen Xueling, who had already lost face in front of Gan Qiongying, feel as though she had been slapped hard several times.

Her expression twisted as she struggled, wanting to leave quickly with her embarrassing entourage, but Gan Qiongying didn’t let go.

Looking at Wen Xueling, Gan Qiongying shifted her tone again, her expression transitioning from stormy to overcast, then to sunny.

Like a caring older sister or a kind-hearted passerby, she said to Wen Xueling, “You’re injured, your carriage is wrecked, and your horse’s hoof is hurt. You can’t leave now, can you?”

Wen Xueling nearly spat blood in Gan Qiongying’s face upon hearing this.

She was so furious her mind went blank.

But what Gan Qiongying said next made her feel so choked with rage she almost suffocated.

Gan Qiongying said, “Look, today is Princess Hui’an’s birthday banquet. The feast is scheduled for the evening, and arriving around this time would be just right. But if you don’t show up by noon, it would be rather inappropriate.”

“What if the Princess thinks you’re deliberately being disrespectful by arriving late? Wouldn’t that be frustrating?”

“It’s over ten miles from here to the city gates and more than twenty miles to the Haoyue Manor in the Western Hills. There’s no village ahead or behind. Are you planning to hop along the road with your entourage on a lame leg?”

Wen Xueling stared at her, completely baffled by her meaning.

Even though her carriage was unusable, her guards still had horses. How could she possibly be reduced to hopping along the road!

As if reading her mind, Gan Qiongying added, “Tsk, look at your outfit. Is it suitable for riding? This is a dance dress, isn’t it? If the wind blows…”

Gan Qiongying glanced at the hem of Wen Xueling’s skirt and trailed off meaningfully.

Wen Xueling’s face turned pale at these words. She was indeed wearing a dance dress today, custom-made to highlight the flowing layers of the skirt and her graceful figure. Her trousers had been tailored to be particularly form-fitting.

While dancing, an occasional flip might reveal a glimpse, but it was certainly not suitable for horseback riding.

Seeing Wen Xueling bite her lip, Gan Qiongying patted the back of her hand and said, “See? I’m right, aren’t I? It’s too late for you to go back and find another carriage now. How about this? I’ll let bygones be bygones… and give you a ride? After all, my carriage is quite spacious.”

Wen Xueling was genuinely shocked this time, her eyes wide with disbelief—she couldn’t believe Gan Qiongying had such kindness in her heart!

Sure enough, before Wen Xueling could even open her mouth to thank her, Gan Qiongying said, “But everything in my Princess Manor is of the highest quality, and not just anyone can ride in it.”

“This carriage is perfectly sized for two people; carrying three would definitely strain it. This horse of mine has been raised by me since it was a foal, and I can’t bear to overwork it by making it pull an extra person. I’d have to give it extra hay and beans when we get back.”

“How about this? Since we’re acquainted, I won’t charge you for the wear and tear on the carriage. Just give me the money for the horse’s hay and beans—ten thousand taels—and I’ll take you to Haoyue Manor. How does that sound?”

Wen Xueling thought she must be hearing things.

Her mouth slightly agape, she stared at Gan Qiongying, who wore a smile as if they were the closest of sisters. Yet with a single sentence, Gan Qiongying not only insulted her personal maid, Liuli, by implying she was less valuable than a beast, but also brazenly demanded ten thousand taels for a ride.

“What… did you say?” Wen Xueling couldn’t help but repeat the question.

Gan Qiongying replied, “Give me ten thousand taels, and I’ll take you to Haoyue Manor. We’ll definitely make it in time. I even have ice and snacks in the carriage—oh, and some medicinal pills and powders for bruises and sprains, perfect for you to freshen up.”

“My personal maid, Manyue, has needlework skills that are nothing short of miraculous. Her embroidery looks lifelike whether viewed from afar or up close. That dance dress of yours—she can restore it to its original state with just a few stitches!”

“So, what do you say? Ten thousand taels, fair and square for young and old alike. I promise to provide Princess Xue’e with top-notch service. My guards will also protect you and ensure you arrive at Haoyue Manor safely and in style.”

Wen Xueling was so infuriated by Gan Qiongying’s bandit-like proposal that she let out a bitter laugh.

Gritting her teeth, she said, “Thank you so much for your generosity, Princess Duanrong. However, my mother taught me from a young age that a woman should behave appropriately, with warmth, kindness, respect, frugality, and humility.”

“Jingxi has suffered from snow disasters year after year, and the Jingxi Wang’s household has always stood with the common people through thick and thin. I am not like Princess Duanrong, who enjoys the Emperor’s protection and can casually toss around mountains of gold and silver. All I have are some personal savings from my parents—I can’t afford ten thousand taels for a carriage ride!”

She was so angry that her chest heaved rapidly.

Gan Qiongying paid no attention to her nonsense. It was true that Jingxi Wang wasn’t corrupt, but in the story, he had a gold mine—one the imperial court knew nothing about!

If it weren’t for the mountains of gold and silver boosting his ambitions, how could a man of his age secretly covet the throne?

Thus, Gan Qiongying looked at Wen Xueling and said, “I understand, I understand. I don’t carry that much money with me when I go out either. You don’t have to give it to me now. After attending the Grand Princess’s birthday banquet, I can send someone to your manor to collect it.”

Wen Xueling simply didn’t want to say another word to Gan Qiongying. Between the anger and the heat, her head felt dizzy, and her ankle throbbed with pain.

She limped away, shaking off Gan Qiongying.

Taking pity on her for being lame, Gan Qiongying relented: “Is ten thousand taels too much? How about nine thousand?”

“Where do you think you’re going? By this time, everyone attending the birthday banquet has probably already arrived. With all the nobles out on the streets today, the main road has been blocked off by guards. The common folk are taking the other fork in the road. Besides me, you won’t run into anyone else!”

“Eight thousand taels? Hey, Princess Xue’e, don’t leave!”

“Seven thousand taels—seven thousand should be fine, right? Your leg looks pretty bad.”

“Six thousand taels—I can’t go any lower than that. Six is a lucky number!”

Gan Qiongying stood in place, calling out to the limping Princess Xue’e like a peddler hawking goods, certain she had no other choice but to accept.

“You wouldn’t even be able to come up with six thousand taels, would you?” Seeing her about to flee, Gan Qiongying began to taunt.

Wen Xueling, supported by her maid, took a few steps, but her foot grew increasingly painful. Furious and aggrieved, her eyes reddened completely.

Hearing Princess Duanrong’s relentless extortion, her entire body trembled.

The sun grew hotter. Would she truly be delayed in these mountain woods?

Just as Wen Xueling gritted her teeth, ready to compromise, a dense sound of horse hooves suddenly approached from behind.

Wen Xueling turned to look, and upon seeing clearly, her face lit up with joy.

But when Gan Qiongying saw who had arrived, her expression darkened.