Chapter 129: I Can Do It Too

Page 1/3

Though she said as much, she knew the chance was minuscule, perhaps even impossible. It wasn’t just her father’s disapproval; she also bore the reputation of the Second Miss of the Prime Minister’s residence, and at her age, she could be betrothed at any moment without warning.

Thinking it through, it was utterly unattainable.

Yet, when she saw Shen Nanyuan hesitate briefly before smiling warmly and confidently affirming, “There will definitely be a chance!” she found no words to dampen her spirit.

She smiled in agreement, “Yes, there will be.”

Having a chance was one thing, but they were daughters of noble families, privileged ladies of the capital, with no freedom to speak of.

—

Liuer glanced around the unfamiliar surroundings, feeling slightly uneasy.

“Miss, we should head back. This place is strange to us, and it wouldn’t be good if anything happened,” she whispered.

“There are heavy troops guarding here; what could possibly go wrong?” Wu Miaofu continued walking along the wide path, her gaze fixed on the dense woods not far away.

When she came looking for Shen Nanyuan, she had overheard that the hunt had already begun in the nearby forest, and the Second Prince should be inside. She thought to come and take a look.

However, all entrances around the dense woods were heavily guarded to keep outsiders out, so she had to give up.

From outside, nothing could be seen of what was going on within. After a while of staring, Wu Miaofu sighed and turned away. “Forget it, let’s go back.”

Liuer had been waiting for her to say just that, and a small smile appeared on her face. “Once we’re back in the tent, we can rest a bit—it’ll soon be time for lunch.”

Wu Miaofu glanced at her with a teasing look. “You’re always thinking about food.”

They walked one after the other, and just as they neared the tent, several voices seemed to drift over.

She looked around and realized the voices were coming from behind a nearby tent.

The tone was sharp and bitter, laced with envy.

“If you hadn’t seen her impatient expression yesterday, you’d never believe she’s a concubine’s daughter. She must have used underhanded tricks to wrest control of the inner courtyard from her mother.”

“Isn’t that true? We used to pity her, seeing how she was bullied at home and ignored at banquets. That’s why we included her in our games. But now that her status has risen, she turns her back on us.”

“She’s a thankless wretch. I warned you all before, but you wouldn’t listen and kept cozying up to her.”

“Wasn’t she always favored and called a talented lady in the capital? Who would have thought she’d become like this?”

“Now she only associates with the Lady of Yong’an County. Naturally, she looks down on us.”

Page 2/3

The Lady of Yong’an County?

Wu Miaofu hadn’t intended to listen, but upon hearing the familiar title, she frowned and stopped.

Liuer, not wanting her mistress to get involved, tugged her sleeve and whispered, “Miss, let’s leave quickly.”

“She is indeed of noble status. She sure knows how to pick and choose—fawning before the county lady but acting impatient around us. It’s disgusting.”

“Meng Chuyue is nothing but a snob.”

Meng Chuyue!

Wu Miaofu gasped inwardly.

So they had been talking about Meng Chuyue—the very daughter of the Prime Minister that Shen Nanyuan had just mentioned.

Meng Chuyue was a concubine’s daughter!

It was impossible to tell at a glance.

“Though she never said it outright, I could tell she’s long coveted replacing Lady Meng in managing the inner courtyard. And with such despicable tricks, she actually succeeded.”

“She’s cold and calculating, insisting on getting everything she wants. She drove her eldest sister to bedrest and forced her mother out of the Prime Minister’s residence to seize power. I despise people like her the most.”

“If Lady Meng were still in charge, and her eldest sister remained the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister’s household, none of this would have happened.”

“I truly loathe her!”

Seeing Wu Miaofu freeze, Liuer’s voice grew more urgent. “Miss? Miss? Let’s hurry.”

The voices abruptly ceased, replaced by tense, fearful sounds and quickening footsteps.

“Who’s there!”

Wu Miaofu finally snapped back to reality, pursing her lips and hastily walking away with Liuer.

Since returning, Liuer noticed her mistress had become even more silent, as if burdened by some secret. She glanced at Wu Miaofu cautiously and softly called out.

“Miss?”

“May I ask what you’re thinking about?”

Wu Miaofu lowered her gaze, took a small sip from the steaming cup of tea, and then stared quietly into the rising mist, her voice faint.

“I’m thinking about what those people said just now.”

“What they said just now?” Liuer responded silently. “I feel they’re just jealous of Miss Meng. Their tone reveals envy and resentment. It’s because of jealousy that they speak ill of her. From what I saw, Miss Meng isn’t like what they say.”

Page 3/3

“They are indeed envious and jealous.”

Wu Miaofu lowered her eyes again, her mind flashing back to the fleeting glance she caught of the Second Prince yesterday. She paused, then continued.

“But some of what they said is true.”

Liuer looked puzzled.

Wu Miaofu lifted her head, her expression somewhat different than usual.

“Some things can only be obtained through one’s own effort.”

“How can you know it won’t work if you don’t try? Miss Meng got what she wanted…”

She smiled lightly. “Then so can I.”

Meng Chuyue, though a concubine’s daughter, now controlled the inner courtyard and more. In dress and manner, there was no trace of her humble origins.

If her status was lowly, she too could win others’ favor.

A faint, relieved smile appeared in Wu Miaofu’s eyes. The oppression that had weighed on her since yesterday vanished instantly. She stood and said,

“Let’s go find our cousin and dine with her.”

Liuer should have been pleased by this, but instead felt a strange unease.

She bowed her head slightly, her voice soft and low. “Yes, Miss.”

—

From unofficial sources, Shen Nanyuan learned that in the current hunt, the Third Prince was slightly ahead.

This information came from well-informed palace maids and eunuchs, guaranteed accurate.

This news put her at ease and even made her somewhat happy.

She had known Xiao Yan would surely outmatch the Second Prince.

The Second Prince must be anxious now, probably with a sour expression.

This was perfect.

Now, it was just a matter of waiting for the evening’s final result. There was no need to be nervous—Xiao Yan was sure to win.