Chapter 20: Her Royal Highness the Eldest Princess

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Mrs. Liu recalled that the lady of the house had not liked the food she prepared last time, so she didn’t dare offer to help again. Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, Mrs. Liu spotted a figure not far off. She opened the foam box and smiled, saying, “Don’t be upset. I brought back some wild fruits from the mountains this time. They taste really good—I’ve tried them myself. You should try some too. If they like the taste, we can offer them to the masters; maybe then they won’t be so angry.”

Madam Du looked curiously at the foam box and asked, “What kind of box is this? I don’t think I’ve ever seen one before.” Mrs. Liu explained according to her adopted daughter’s account, “It was found in the mountains. My family thought it was useful, so they packed the fruits in it. Here, try some.” Madam Du saw the dark red fruits and tasted one, then another, and then another, growing more and more eager to eat without any intention of stopping.

Mrs. Liu grew a little annoyed and suddenly snapped the lid shut. She had forgotten that Madam Du loved to take advantage and had a thick skin. However, her adopted daughter had said that no matter if the people in the mansion were good or bad, they could all be given some. Why was that?

Madam Du still wanted more. Seeing Mrs. Liu unwilling to share, she frowned and said, “I’ve only eaten a dozen or so. You have so many more here—what’s the harm in giving me a few more?”

Mrs. Liu replied, “You’ve had plenty. I need to save some for the masters.”

Madam Du sneered sarcastically, “I think you just want to flatter and curry favor with them. Such a bootlicker.”

Mrs. Liu was displeased, “You’re truly ungrateful. You’ve eaten my food, and now you insult me because I won’t let you have enough. I see you clearly now.”

Even if it was flattery, so what? Zhenzhen was right—as long as it wasn’t stealing or harming others and didn’t violate conscience or morality, there was nothing wrong with doing what one could to make life better for oneself and family.

Let others say whatever they want; it wouldn’t cost me a thing.

“What are you two arguing about?”

Both women froze and turned to see Lady Shen, the mistress of the general’s mansion, accompanied by a man approaching them.

The steward Shen frowned, commanding, “Kneel and pay respects to Her Highness the Princess and Third Young Master.”

Third Young Master?

Lady Shen was not only the lady of the mansion but also Princess Chen Yu, the emperor’s own younger sister—something they all knew. But why was the Third Young Master back? Rumor had it he had been sent to the palace since birth to accompany the Empress Dowager. Could it be that the person soon to be sent to recuperate at the Songshan village retreat was him?

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The two hurriedly knelt. Mrs. Liu lowered her head, puzzled. She felt she had seen the Third Young Master somewhere before.

Madam Du rolled her eyes and suddenly looked toward the foam box, offering it like a treasure. “Your Highness, Third Young Master, your servant asked someone to find some delicious fruits. These are very tasty—I guarantee you’ll like them.”

Mrs. Liu had no time to think further and looked at Madam Du in surprise. “How can you lie with your eyes wide open? These are obviously what I brought from home.”

Madam Du lied calmly without flushing or panting, “Mrs. Liu, I know you like these fruits, but you can’t just snatch them from me. I already let you try over ten just now—that’s enough. These are for the lady of the house. If you want more, I’ll ask someone to get some for you next time.”

“You’re the thief crying ‘stop thief’!” Mrs. Liu was upset, never expecting Madam Du to be so devious.

Princess Chen Yu cast a meaningful glance at Madam Du. “You say you found these fruits yourself?”

Madam Du nodded.

Lu Yuance saw the foam box and wanted to lift it but was surprised by how light it was. “This box must be something special.”

Madam Du instantly brightened, “Third Young Master, the box isn’t worth much. If you like it, you can have it.”

If the Third Young Master liked the box, perhaps she could gain his protection in the future. Maybe her niece could even become his concubine. That would turn the Du family’s fortunes around.

Mrs. Liu secretly glanced at Lu Yuance. Where had she seen him before?

The princess saw Lu Yuance’s impatience and sternly ordered, “Guards, take this lying scoundrel Du Jinhua away. She’s to be punished with fifty lashes and sold again.”

Madam Du’s face was full of terror, “Your Highness, I’m not lying! These fruits really are mine!”

Steward Shen said, “Du Shi, the Princess and Third Young Master saw everything clearly. We arrived earlier than you thought and saw you eat over ten fruits.”

Madam Du turned pale and broke out in cold sweat, trembling uncontrollably.

So their entire conversation had been overheard?

The steward waved his hand, and the guards took the desperate Madam Du away.

Mrs. Liu breathed a sigh of relief. She had thought she was doomed today.

Lu Yuance asked Mrs. Liu, “You said the box and fruits came from your home. Where exactly did your family get them?”

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Mrs. Liu respectfully replied, “Third Young Master, both the box and fruits were found by my family in the mountains.”

The fruits had actually been delivered to her by her adopted daughter’s guard, but she didn’t know why her adopted daughter had told her to say they came from the mountains.

Lu Yuance stared thoughtfully at the box.

Princess Chen Yu showed no interest in the box, only in the fruit. “What is this fruit called?”

Mrs. Liu bowed and said, “My adopted daughter says they’re called cherries, or big cherries.”

Princess Chen Yu said, “Cherries? That’s a nice name.”

Mrs. Liu added, “These fruits taste very good. If Your Highness and Third Young Master don’t mind, please help yourselves.”

Princess Chen Yu had been waiting to hear that. As a military family’s wife, she didn’t care whether the cherries were washed or not and picked one up to taste.

After eating, she showed no particular expression, glanced at Steward Shen, and then turned to leave.

Steward Shen said, “Mrs. Liu, I’ll take this now. Don’t worry, if the Princess really likes it, she won’t treat you unfairly.”

Mrs. Liu nodded nervously. She couldn’t tell from the princess’s expression whether she liked it or not.

Lu Yuance placed the foam box in Steward Shen’s hands and left the kitchen.

On the way, Lu Yuance asked, “Where is that Mrs. Liu from?”

Steward Shen said, “She’s from Songshan village outside the city. Her family has three sons and one daughter. The daughter is the eldest and is adopted.”

Lu Yuance suddenly stopped and asked, “Adopted daughter? What’s her name?”

Steward Shen replied, “Only that she’s called Zhenzhen.”

Lu Yuance recalled—wasn’t that Mrs. Liu the woman who suddenly appeared in the village he visited yesterday? So that girl was Zhenzhen.

Princess Chen Yu returned to her chamber with a stern expression. The servant who had been following quickly washed the cherries and arranged them neatly on a plate before her.