Chapter 598 - 174: Faces_2
Princess Yongning nearly bit through her lips in anger.
Prince Cheng had left behind silver, Mei Xiang found a carriage, and sitting in that carriage, Princess Yongning and Mei Xiang arrived at the Shen residence.
The Shen residence appeared as usual, except for the fourth character on the plaque "Imperial Examination First Place," which, perhaps due to the recent drastic changes that had befallen the Shen family, seemed to be neglected by the servants—its golden luster now dulled by a layer of dust. Viewing it evoked a sense of decline. When Princess Yongning’s carriage stopped at the entrance of the Shen residence, passerby cast their glances in its direction. It seemed that recently the Shen family had also become the center of public gossip. Naturally, there was curiosity when someone paid a visit.
In a rush, Princess Yongning alighted from the carriage and urged Mei Xiang to knock on the door quickly. The porter, who had recognized Princess Yongning in the past, used to greet her with utmost respect and eagerly pleased Mei Xiang. Today, upon seeing the two of them, he first showed surprise, then hesitated, and did not immediately open the door.
"How dare you!" Mei Xiang hissed, "Open the door for your mistress at once!"
The servant seemed to snap back to reality and, as though he wanted to resist but seeing Mei Xiang’s stern manner, reluctantly opened the door.
Princess Yongning witnessed every move of the servant and felt extreme indignation. This mere gatekeeper had learned to curry favour with the mighty and scorn the lowly, showing such blatant disrespect to her. She made up her mind that once she met Shen Yurong, she would have her find a reason to sell off this insolent servant!
The servants at the Shen residence were still the same as before, but the atmosphere was much more gloomy than in the past. As soon as Princess Yongning entered the Shen residence, she took off her bamboo hat. Here, she did not need to conceal her identity, but not a single servant came forward to greet her when they saw her, all keeping their heads lowered as if they hadn’t seen her. Once Princess Yongning had passed by, they measured her with inexplicable looks from behind.
Princess Yongning was seething with rage, but she had not yet seen Shen Yurong. Moreover, with every servant of the Shen residence behaving this way, she couldn’t possibly replace them all immediately. If it had been before, it would have been a simple flick of her finger for Princess Yongning, but now she had been reduced to a commoner. At least until Prince Cheng succeeded, she would have to live like a common lowborn.