Chapter 618: Miss Fu is weak and sickly

The concubine of Prince Ji beside her felt helpless.

The Huanwang Mansion has a grudge against the Qian family. Whenever people from the Huanwang Mansion meet the Qian family, they always say something sarcastic. Unfortunately, Huanwang can't win the argument with Qian Baokun in the court, so he gets stabbed every time. Huanwang's wife can't win the argument with Madam Qian and the girls of the Qian family.

Prince Huan's youngest son is not one to be trifled with. After being beaten up by Qian Qiyue earlier, he showed no signs of restraint and has become even more dissolute in the past two years.

Some time ago, it was said that he had an affair with the courtesan of Fengxian Tower. Not only did he support her every day, but he also bought her virginity and kept her outside. Later, the woman became pregnant, and he wanted to take her back to the palace. Princess Huan looked down on the woman's background and refused to agree. However, Madam Liu was a capable woman, and she coaxed the youngest son of Prince Huan around.

The mother and son had a huge fight over this matter.

Qian Qiyue's words hit the nail on the head for Princess Huan, and those words full of "blessings" made Princess Huan furious.

Seeing that the two were about to fight, Prince Ji's concubine quickly stood up and pulled her aside, saying, "Come on, it's just a few jokes, why is it worth getting angry, sister?"

Princess Huan didn't appreciate it at all. She slapped the hand of Prince Ji's concubine away and said, "You are just a concubine. Who is your sister?"

Prince Ji's concubine's face froze, and a hint of anger flashed in her eyes.

Madam Fu, who was standing by, saw that something was not right and quickly said, "Ah, we are all here to attend to the Empress Dowager. If you have anything to say, please speak up."

She glanced past Princess Huan and smiled at Tang Ning and the others, "It's cold outside. Miss Qian, you must be cold after all this journey. Come quickly and warm yourself up."

Madam Liang also echoed: "Yes, the weather is getting colder day by day. It hasn't snowed yet, but the wind is already freezing people's faces. Princess Xiangning, you and Madam Rongguo should come and sit by the fire to avoid catching a cold."

Qian Qiyue naturally knew that they were trying to help her out, and she didn't really want to quarrel with Princess Huan here. If Princess Huan hadn't been sarcastic, she wouldn't have bothered to pay attention to her.

She walked over with a smile, walked to the stove with gold filigree and phoenix carvings, and rubbed her face: "It's just cold, the wind has been blowing all the way here and my head hurts. Tang Ning, you and your aunt come here quickly."

Rong Yue and Tang Ning walked over with a smile.

Those who had arrived earlier greeted them one after another.

Tang Ning had seen most of the people in the palace before, and some of them were even familiar to her. She and Rong Yue were not arrogant. After returning the greetings to several people with a smile, Tang Ning took the initiative to speak to Prince Ji's concubine.

"Two days ago, it was Concubine An's birthday. I had planned to go with my aunt, but something happened at the academy and we were delayed. I was thinking of finding an opportunity to apologize to Concubine An someday, but I didn't expect to see her today."

Prince Ji's concubine was stunned for a moment, then smiled at Tang Ning, and her expression, which had just been humiliated by Prince Huan's wife, relaxed a little.

"It was just a small banquet, not a big day, so the princess's matter is naturally more important. Besides, although the princess didn't come that day, she still sent a gift. That white jade and gold-inlaid hibiscus bottle is very beautiful. I haven't thanked the princess yet."

Tang Ning smiled and said, "As long as Concubine An likes it."

Madam Fu beside her suddenly laughed: "So that bottle of Jade Hibiscus was sent by Princess Xiangning? It made many people envious that day."

The eldest lady of the Cao family was also there to ease the atmosphere: "Yes, I saw it that day too. This kind of mutton-fat jade is common, but it is rare to find one that is so well carved and inlaid with gold and jade just right. It really opened our eyes. It's just that Concubine An is stingy and doesn't want anyone to play with it."

The people around him all laughed.

The expression on Prince Ji's concubine's face became softer and her smile became more genuine.

"That was given to me specially by the princess. I treasure it so much that I can't bear to play with it. If such a beautiful jade lotus were to be damaged, I would be heartbroken."

Several people who were trying to join in the fun called Concubine An "stingy", and Concubine An smiled back without hesitation. The atmosphere in the side hall eased because of the laughter.

Everyone was in harmony, except for Princess Huan, who stood there with a look of gloom on her face. She glared at Qian Qiyue, Concubine An and the others with hatred, and her expression was particularly ugly.

Fu Jinrou was standing quietly by at first, and she was watching the fun when Princess Huan was flirting with Qian Qiyue. But she never knew that Princess Huan, who was obviously of noble status, was so useless. She was silenced by Qian Qiyue in just a few words. She was simply a waste.

Fu Jinrou complained in her heart, but she came closer with a smile on her face: "I have also seen the Jade Hibiscus, it is really excellent."

She looked at Qian Qiyue and smiled, "I'm afraid Ah Yue didn't see it, but Tang Ning went to the academy that day, and you, who love the hustle and bustle, didn't even go to Prince Ji's Mansion. It's a pity that you didn't see the Jade Hibiscus with your own eyes."

"That jade hibiscus is truly as vivid as a flower. It's even better carved than your Ruyi Hundred Flowers Hairpin. I wonder where Tang Ning found it."

Qian Qiyue listened to Fu Jinrou's words and looked at her intently.

If Tang Ning had not reminded her before, she would not have noticed that there was anything wrong with these words and would have just thought that Fu Jinrou was chatting with her. But now she could clearly hear the provocation in these words.

The Ruyi Hundred Flowers Hairpin was given to her by Tang Ning on her birthday. Tang Ning drew the pattern herself and had it carved by someone. She always wore it on her head and loved it very much.

Fu Jinrou had clearly asked her before and knew that it was a gift from Tang Ning, but now she was comparing it with Concubine An's Jade Hibiscus.

If someone was a little more petty, she would definitely feel resentful because the hairpin was not as precious as the jade lotus, and would think that Tang Ning did not value her.

Qian Qiyue's hot temper flared up. After silently reciting a few lines from the Diamond Sutra, she turned to Fu Jinrou and asked, "Is it really that good? Is it better than the Medicine Lady statue I found for you to suppress your illness?"

Fu Jinrou was stunned for a moment, before she could say anything.

Qian Qiyue held her hand with a worried look in her eyes.

"But why did you come to the palace today? You have not been in good health, and you have been sick every now and then since entering the capital."

"I heard that the Fu family specifically asked Duke Dingguo to send a royal physician back for you. What did the royal physician say after examining you? Can you recover?"

Fu Jinrou's face froze.

Concubine An turned her head and asked, "Is Miss Fu not feeling well?"

Qian Qiyue sighed softly, "It's not good. Jinrou has only been in Beijing for a short time, and she's already fallen ill several times. Madam Fu is always worried and anxious about this."

"I heard from my mother that praying for a statue of Medicine Lady can keep people safe, so I specially carved one and sent it to Lingyun Temple to have it consecrated and sent it to the Fu family, but it doesn't seem to be working."

She turned her head worriedly:

"You just invited the imperial physician not long ago, and you're coming to the palace today. Can your body withstand it?"

"Madam Fu, why don't you try to persuade Jinrou? It must be exhausting to be tending to the Empress Dowager, and it's freezing outside. What if Jinrou gets sick again?"