This Is Treason

Food, clothing, shelter, and transportation were all allocated according to rank.

Most residences, from Secondary Consorts upwards, did not rely on monthly allowances, and their clothing was similar, all having their own private assets. Only concubines and maids allowed to serve in bed lived day-to-day on their allocated portions, sometimes even being shortchanged by the Imperial Household Department, suffering in silence.

Those not favored, no matter where they were, belonged to the lowest stratum.

A Secondary Consort's half-year allowance was 90 taels of silver.

When Qiao Er led people to Wanyue Residence, the servants on both sides nearly came to blows. Secondary Consort Gao even dared to strike Qiao Er, causing no small commotion.

Secondary Consort Gao declared that the Princess Consort should come personally to collect, otherwise, she would not submit to this punishment.

Seeing Qiao Er's swollen cheek, Jiang Yu Shu slammed the table, gritting her teeth. "Well done, Gao Yun Wan! You have always defied this consort's authority, and today you even dared to strike this consort's maid. This is truly treason!"

With that, she led her servants, menacingly, to Wanyue Residence.

Secondary Consort Gao sat on a grand armchair, her expression disdainful as she watched Jiang Yu Shu being helped by her servants. She immediately spoke in a strange, sarcastic tone: "Oh my, the Princess Consort isn't resting in her own courtyard to nurture her pregnancy, but instead ran to this concubine's place to personally punish me. You must have waited for this day for a long time, haven't you?"

Jiang Yu Shu's gaze was sharp. Ignoring Secondary Consort Gao, she sat down on a chair brought by a servant and coldly instructed the servants beside her, "Take action."

Afterward, the servants quickly entered the inner chambers to search for items, bringing out some rolls of exquisite satin fabric and a box of jewelry.

Secondary Consort Gao's expression suddenly changed, and she said angrily, "Jiang Yu Shu, what are you doing? Aren't you just deducting my monthly allowance? You can deduct it, but by what right do you touch my belongings?"

"The Prince ordered you to compensate Jiang Jin Xin with items of equal value. Things you have used, others wouldn't want. Let these rolls of fabric compensate her then." Jiang Yu Shu replied indifferently, her face full of satisfaction.

Secondary Consort Gao gritted her teeth, about to stop them, but was blocked by Jiang Yu Shu's people.

Only after the items were cleared did Jiang Yu Shu slowly stand up, looking at her triumphantly. "You have your day today. Seeing you like this truly brings joy to my heart."

"What are you so proud of? Aren't these just external possessions? I don't lack such things! On the contrary, you, inviting a wolf into your house, surely you're not having an easy time either, are you?" Secondary Consort Gao snorted coldly.

"This matter does not concern my younger sister. Oh, and the Prince also told me to invite an etiquette instructress to the manor to teach you how to be a qualified Secondary Consort, lest you embarrass the Prince when you go out in the future."

Having said that, Jiang Yu Shu happily led her people away.

Since Secondary Consort Gao entered the manor, this was the first time she had been so joyful. Even though she was pregnant, the Prince was only polite to her, yet still frequently visited Wanyue Residence. Now that the Prince had ordered Secondary Consort Gao's punishment, Jiang Yu Shu's satisfaction was beyond words.

"Qiao Er, tell someone to send all these things to Meixiang Residence." Jiang Yu Shu said with a smile.

Hearing this, Qiao Er felt uneasy. "Princess Consort, giving her some money would suffice. She doesn't deserve these good things."