kingnovel Chapter 274 Come prepared
Chapter 274 Come prepared
The maidservant, after being stared at by Li Xiaonuan, quickly hid. She had already been observing from the sidelines, but now she also seemed to be gloating.
Seeing that Li Xiaonuan was unaware that she had been tricked, the old woman became even more arrogant and daring.
Seeing this, Li Xiaonuan chuckled inwardly. What a bunch of scum in the inner quarters, actually daring to think they could get rid of her like this.
Could it be that Prince Jing's backyard is so chaotic and undefended?
No, no, no, all of this must have been arranged by someone of very high status.
That person might really be Princess Jing, or she might be some treacherous person who outwardly obeys Prince Jing but inwardly defies him.
Or perhaps, it was someone in Prince Jing's residence who had been bribed by a villain.
But there's no denying that Li Xiaonuan is in big trouble today.
Even being buried alive hadn't killed her, yet today she was harmed by these unknown people. Li Xiaonuan was on the verge of tears.
The more Li Xiaonuan thought about it, the angrier she became. But she still retained a sliver of reason and didn't continue to reason with the head maid.
Looking at the gray sky, Li Xiaonuan sighed softly and said to the head maid, "Sister, could you please go and find my mother? There are some things that need to be discussed with this old woman in person."
The maid glanced at Li Xiaonuan, then stole a look at the old woman before turning and leaving.
Seeing that the maid had finally left, Li Xiaonuan felt relieved.
She touched the medicine packet in her sleeve and realized that she had made the right decision to be lazy today.
The old woman was at a loss when she saw Li Xiaonuan walking down the steps with a smile.
Originally, her purpose today was merely to provoke this Miss Li and then have her move out of the Prince's mansion on her own.
But she had another task: to collect all the paper items from Miss Li's room.
"Granny, don't you think it's unusually quiet in my courtyard?" Li Xiaonuan stopped and asked the nanny when she saw her take two steps back uncomfortably.
"Yes...it is very quiet. Miss Li's courtyard should be this quiet, shouldn't it?" The old woman, not knowing what Li Xiaonuan wanted to do, could only go along with her words.
"Granny, this courtyard is so big, but I haven't seen a single maid or servant who was assigned here. Tell me, what have they been doing?" Li Xiaonuan coaxed.
Only after Li Xiaonuan reminded her did the old woman belatedly realize what was going on. Li Xiaonuan gave the old woman a sharp look.
So, this old woman must have been a cannon fodder pushed out by someone else.
"Granny, you've caused such a scene in this courtyard today. I wonder what the outcome will be? But I'm sure your fate won't be any better than mine," Li Xiaonuan threatened.
"Pah, Miss Li, don't curse me. I know you're just trying to scare me because I said you stole our Prince's Palace's soap recipe." The old woman still spoke in a fierce voice, but her momentum had clearly weakened.
"Granny, where did the first bar of scented soap in the manor come from? Also, has the manor ever shipped out any scented soap?" Li Xiaonuan asked again.
The old woman opened her mouth to answer, but then her expression changed drastically, as if she had thought of something.
She looked around and felt a little restless. However, she didn't back down and continued chatting idly with Li Xiaonuan.
She still has a mission to complete today and can't just give up this rare opportunity.
"Hmph, why is Miss Li asking about this? Could it be that you're trying to say that the recipe for this scented soap is yours? Or that you made the scented soap in the imported goods store?" The old woman straightened her clothes, touched a silver note sewn inside, and asked.
Li Xiaonuan glanced at the old woman who was stubbornly arguing for some reason, and felt her right eyelid twitching violently.
"Granny, I'm going to the front courtyard to find my parents. If this is the only thing you need, why don't you come with me? It would be good to confront my mother, wouldn't it?" Li Xiaonuan felt that staying in this courtyard would be very dangerous.
This was an instinctive feeling. This courtyard was no longer peaceful; I had to leave as soon as possible.
“Miss Li, I heard that you started making scented soap while you were still living in the other courtyard. So, I suspect that you are the one who stole our Prince’s mansion’s scented soap recipe. If you want to clear your name, why don’t you let me search your room?” Although the old woman was a bit thick-skinned and not very tactful, she still remembered her mission.
"This won't do. Granny, I am, after all, a distinguished guest of the Prince. Isn't it a bit far-fetched for you to suspect me like this? If you dare to search my room today, I dare to have the Prince take your life." Of course, Li Xiaonuan wouldn't let anyone into her room to search.
If they really did get into her room, wouldn't leaving something there be direct evidence?
"Miss Li, I only spoke to you out of kindness because you are a distinguished guest. Since you refuse to listen to reason and insist on drinking the penalty wine, then I will not be polite." After saying this, the old woman shouted twice towards the outside of the courtyard.
Immediately, seven or eight people rushed into the courtyard. Apart from two burly old women, the rest were servants.
The servants swarmed towards Li Xiaonuan's room, ready to search it.
Seeing that things were not going well, Li Xiaonuan stood straight at the doorway, blocking the servants from entering.
"Who instructed you to do this? Prince Jing? Princess Jing? Or Princess Qingning? It's none of them. Have you considered the consequences of your actions?" Li Xiaonuan questioned coldly.
Because Li Xiaonuan was a woman, and an unmarried girl at that, the servants dared not approach her easily.
Adding to Li Xiaonuan's questioning, the servants had no choice but to turn to look at the old woman, wondering if the matter was still proceeding as planned.
"What are you all standing there for? Hurry up and search her! She's just a country girl, what are you afraid of? And you two, go and pull that girl away from me." Seeing the servants hesitate, the old woman gave the order. She also told the two old women to pull Li Xiaonuan away.
Seeing this, Li Xiaonuan secretly grabbed the medicine packet from her sleeve. She knew all too well what would happen if she were caught by those two old women.
Furthermore, she is very worried about the Su family. She needs to find them and then try to see Prince Jing or the other masters of the mansion.
Otherwise, if their family were really murdered here, it would be pointless for Prince Jing and the others to investigate later.
Li Xiaonuan regretted underestimating that old woman, which led her to such a passive situation.
She should have run out without hesitation just now. Whether she went to find the young princess or to the front yard to find her parents.
In the blink of an eye, the two old women walked up to Li Xiaonuan. Li Xiaonuan intended to sprinkle the medicine powder in her hand over to them.
But upon closer inspection, she realized there seemed to be many confidential documents in the room, and she couldn't just let them leak out.
Therefore, before the two old women could reach out, Li Xiaonuan nimbly slipped into the room and slammed the door shut.