Dressed as a concubine instead of a concubine

She continued, "Do you remember when I was in class with you as kids and I told you what I wanted to do in the future?"

"Poetess, Sister Mei said she wanted to be the most learned woman in the world."

At that time, Meng Xiyue felt that Mei Ran was incompatible with this feudal society. She was like a new woman in the 21st century, with ideals and aspirations.

"Although people often say that a woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent, I prefer learning. In books, I can see the vast world and various aspects of life. They are all the wisdom of our ancestors."

Speaking of learning, Mei Ran's eyes were filled with light. "I now set up a stall in the morning to write letters for others to earn money, and go to Mr. Lin's school in the afternoon to attend classes. I am happier than before."

"Sister Mei has always been my role model. You will definitely become a female poet in the future."

"Don't talk about me, why did you come to the capital?"

Meng Xiyue lowered her eyes and recounted her experiences of the past few days.

"That Jiang Chubai is so heartless and ungrateful. Fortunately, you haven't married yet, otherwise your life would be ruined."

Speaking of his own calmness, Mei Ran's face showed some anger when he saw Meng Xiyue being treated like that.

"I thought it was an honor that this year's top scholar came from Qingyun City. It's really a shame."

"He was the top scorer in high school and wanted to find a noble lady to climb up the social ladder. It's nothing. The marriage has been called off and we have nothing to do with each other."

If Jiang Chubai was still a poor scholar, she might even feel regretful because it is really hard to find such a handsome and poor man.

But now that he is the top student in high school, she doesn't feel sorry anymore, because there are many men who are both rich and handsome.

"Are you living in Prince Qi's Mansion now?"

"Yes."

Mei Ran was a little worried. "I know you have always been a sensible person. The Prince Qi is famous and I heard he doesn't like women. He should be a rare and good match. But I know what you are thinking. No matter who it is, you don't want to be a concubine. In this case, it's better to get out of this as soon as possible."

Ever since Meng Xiyue said she had signed a contract to sell herself, Mei Ran knew that this was all a scam by Prince Qi, and he just wanted to get Meng Xiyue.

Maid? Even if she was a female official in the palace, she wouldn't need 20,000 taels.

But facing that situation, she also knew that Meng Xiyue had no choice. A higher-ranking official can crush people, let alone a prince.

"Wait another two months. When I get the 20,000 taels, I'll leave."

Looking at Meng Xiyue's innocent face, Mei Ran sighed. It wouldn't be that easy. King Qi might not be willing to let her go.

"Yin Yumei is not a simple woman. She stayed in the palace because she wanted to be the concubine of Prince Qi. You must be careful of her."

Yin Wumei was sent to the palace to be a female official at the age of twelve. She was able to stand out from so many young ladies and catch the eye of the queen, which shows how intelligent she was.

The purpose of sending her to Prince Qi's mansion was self-evident. She would be promoted as soon as Prince Qi married a wife.

Mei Ran had seen her several times in Yin's mansion. She was arrogant and cold, but her mind was insightful, which was not comparable to that of ordinary women.

"I know."

Meng Xiyue agreed, and the two chatted for a while, had lunch and then returned home.

After returning to the mansion, she wanted to go to Qiujingxuan, but Zhiyue told her that Xie Junyi had gone to court and had not returned yet.

"Then I'll go back to the yard and take a nap."

After waking up, Qianxiang hurried to report that Yin Wumei had been waiting for her in the yard for half an hour.

"Why didn't you wake me up?"

"Sister Zhiyue wouldn't let me. She said she wanted to come and wait on her own initiative, so let her wait."

As she spoke, Zhiyue brought in a basin of water.

"Miss, don't feel embarrassed. She came here on the orders of the prince. Besides, no one asked her to wait in the yard. She insisted on waiting."

Needless to say, everyone knows Yin Wumei's intentions.

Meng Xiyue nodded, understanding that Zhiyue was trying to establish her authority to prevent Yin Wumei from bullying her in the future.

"I know, let's go out."

When I arrived at the yard, I saw Yin Wumei standing under the peach tree, his body straight and his face calm. He didn't show any impatience at all because of waiting for half an hour.

Seeing her, he leaned forward slightly and said, "Miss Meng, the prince has arranged for the shopkeeper of Jinxiu Tower to come and tailor your clothes."

Originally, he wanted to make clothes for her. "Then let the shopkeeper come in."

Yin Wumei waved her hand, and soon a gorgeously dressed woman walked in. She had a gentle attitude and leaned forward slightly.

"Greetings to the young lady."

"You're welcome. Measure it."

Now that the weather is getting hotter, it's time to make new clothes.

The shopkeeper took out a ruler and started measuring the size.

After telling the sizes, he took out many cloth styles and let Meng Xiyue choose.

Suddenly there was a commotion outside, and a young woman ran in happily.

"Sister Yin, why are you so generous this year and invite someone from Jinxiulou to make clothes for you?"

When the woman saw Meng Xiyue, her face was startled, "She is the woman the prince brought back to the palace."

"She is Miss Meng." Yin Wumei introduced, "This is Nanny Ji's daughter, Ji Nianyin."

Meng Xiyue looked at her and nodded, "Hello, Miss Ji."

Ji Nianyin, however, showed a bad look, with a hint of jealousy on her pretty face, "She is indeed quite pretty, no wonder she could charm the prince."

"Thank you for the compliment, Miss Ji. You look pretty average."

Meng Xiyue never has a good face towards unfriendly people.

"You..." Ji Nianyin's face flushed, "You are from the country, you really have no manners."

"Sister Yin, you should be the first one to choose the clothes. How can you let her choose first?"

Yin Wumei replied expressionlessly, "Jinxiulou was able to come to make clothes this year because of the prince's order. We are still benefiting from Miss Meng's help."

The prince was very kind to everyone in the mansion. Every time the season changed, he would ask the maids of second rank and above in the mansion to make a few sets of clothes, and the prince's mansion would pay for it.

These were all arranged by Yin Wumei in the past. The shop she found was also one of the best in the capital, but it could not compare with Jinxiu Tower.

Jinxiulou is the imperial merchant and the best ready-made clothing shop in the capital, and they usually don’t come to the palace to measure clothes.

This time, it was Prince Qi who spoke up and they came.

"How is that possible? Why would His Majesty care about such a trivial matter?"

Ji Nianyin's eyes widened. She didn't believe that the prince, who in her eyes was busy with state affairs, would care about a woman making clothes.

Not only her, Yin Wumei lowered her eyes to hide the loneliness in her eyes. She also didn't believe it when she saw the owner of Jinxiu Tower coming to her house.

But the facts were before their eyes and they had no choice but to believe it.

"You must have given the prince some kind of drug that made him do such an outrageous thing. You are so shameless."

"If you use your beauty to please others, you are a vixen."

Seeing that Nian Yin was getting more and more unpleasant, Yin Wumei quickly stopped him and said, "Nian Yin, don't talk nonsense. Miss Meng is a distinguished guest."

"My dear guest, you are not even a concubine, just a plaything. You are so confused about your position. It's only because Sister Yin is kind that she gives in to her."

"Shopkeeper, I choose these."

Meng Xiyue seemed not to hear what they said. She took out the selected cloth, turned around and spoke to Yin Wumei again.

"I've already chosen."

"Okay, let's go first."

Seeing Meng Xiyue chasing people away, Yin Wumei nodded wisely and left.

Ji Nianyin glared at her fiercely, then turned and left.