Chapter 54 Gratitude and Repayment In the main courtyard, Li Jia, Liu, Fan...

In the main courtyard, Li Jia, Liu, and Fan were all summoned by the Crown Princess. In front of the Crown Princess, Liu tearfully apologized to Fan, saying that she had seduce Li Jia and hit her, and that she had only taken this opportunity to retaliate because of some minor conflicts with Fan in the past.

Lady Fan was skeptical of Lady Liu's words. While it was true that Lady Liu and she had some conflict, that was only when they first entered the Xiefang Palace, vying for favor. Furthermore, if Lady Liu truly hated her so much, why would she have her maid secretly tip her off? Therefore, Lady Fan guessed that while Lady Liu had indeed spoken ill of her, someone else was indeed the one plotting against her.

The Crown Princess sat solemnly at the head of the table and said in a deep voice, "Living in the same Xiefang Palace, with so many people and so many eyes, it's inevitable that there will be some minor disagreements. But if you quarrel and scheme against each other over such trivial matters, then you are disregarding the rules and regulations of the palace. Do you understand?"

Li Jia and the others stood up from their seats and bowed, saying, "Yes."

The Crown Princess continued, “Liu, this whole affair started because of you. It was your gossip and sowing of discord that disrupted the peace of Xiefang Palace. As the Crown Princess, I hereby punish you by deducting half a year's salary. From today onward, you will be confined to your quarters to reflect on your actions and copy the ‘Admonitions for Women’ one hundred times. As for Li Jia, you abused your power without distinguishing right from wrong; you are hereby deducted three months' salary as a warning to others. Li Jia and Liu, do either of you have any objections?”

Both Li Jia and Liu said, "This servant dares not."

After the group rose and took their seats, the Crown Princess sighed and said, "Be quiet and chaste, uphold chastity and propriety, act with a sense of shame, and behave with propriety. I hope you will take this as a warning." After saying this, she asked Li Jia to stay and told Liu and Fan to go back first.

Li Jia sat with her head down, and after a long while, she said softly, "This servant only did such a foolish thing because she was instigated by Liu."

The Crown Princess didn't believe this explanation at all. Having dealt with Li Jia for so many years, she knew Li Jia was definitely not the type to stand up for others. However, since Liu had taken the blame, she didn't pursue the matter further; she had to save face for Li Jia. Nevertheless, she still harbored some resentment towards Li Jia. Both were Crown Princesses, but Cheng Jia was far more favored than Li Jia, yet she hadn't caused so much trouble.

She said, "Li Jia, you are the birth mother of the Crown Prince's eldest son. Behave yourself properly and don't embarrass Prince Hongxi."

When the Crown Princess pointed out her flaws, Li Jia's expression immediately turned sour, though she still murmured "yes." But as she left, she thought, "What face do I have left? That Cheng Jia has only been in the household for a short time, yet she's already on equal footing with me. If I don't show my authority, I'll truly lose face!"

After mediating the quarrel among the group, the Crown Princess raised her hand to her forehead and asked, "Have the kitchen and the Imperial Household Department made the necessary arrangements?"

Granny Shuang hurriedly replied, "It has all been instructed. The people from the Imperial Household Department said that the charcoal and other items that Consort Fan is missing will be delivered tomorrow."

"Hmm." The Crown Princess nodded, then said in a low voice, "Fan Shi has been wronged. Go to the dressing table and pick out two pairs of newly made hairpins, then go to the storeroom and select two bolts of fine fabric to send over and appease her. In addition, Cheng Jia Shi has done a good job in this matter. Pick out some furs and send them over, saying they are for the Third Prince to make winter clothes."

"Yes," Granny Shuang replied softly.

Before long, Madam Fan in the backyard received the gifts sent by the Crown Princess. She thanked her respectfully, but after Granny Shuang and the others left, the smile on her face gradually faded.

Biluo happily said from the side, "Princess, this is wonderful! You've finally overcome all your hardships."

Madam Fan glanced at the things on the table, her expression indifferent. She thought, "What's so good about it? I've suffered for so many days, but the culprit hasn't been seriously injured. Besides, if it weren't for Master Cheng's willingness to help her and make a big scene, I don't know how much longer I would have to endure this torment."

Master Cheng.

Madam Fan silently muttered a few words to herself, then looked at the brightly colored fabric and said, "Take these things with me to the west front courtyard." She didn't have many good things, and hoped that these gifts from the Crown Princess would catch the eye of Master Cheng.

When Madam Fan arrived at the west front courtyard with the cloth, Cheng Qianyue knew that the Crown Princess must have resolved the matter. She breathed a sigh of relief and said to Madam Fan, "If you have any problems in the future, you can tell the Crown Princess. The Crown Princess is a good person and will definitely uphold justice."

Lady Fan lowered her eyebrows, nodded, smiled gently, and said, "Yes."

Cheng Qianyue continued, "The weather is getting colder every day. If you get some good fabric, keep it for making clothes." She reached out and touched Fan's hand, finding it still a bit cold, and said to her, "For a girl, blood and energy are the most important things. If they are insufficient, her hands and feet will easily become cold. I have already instructed the kitchen to stew a pot of mutton for you every day. I reckon that drinking it for the whole winter will help you recover."

Madam Fan quickly rose and bowed, saying, "This servant thanks Master Cheng."

Cheng Qianyue smiled and said, "Alright, it was just a small favor. It's getting dark and the wind is about to pick up, so you should go back and rest."

Fan left in the same way she had come in. Biluo, carrying two bolts of cloth, followed beside Fan and whispered, "Master Cheng is such a kind person."

Madam Fan nodded solemnly, her face full of gratitude. The two, mistress and servant, crossed the street to the main backyard. However, before entering the courtyard, Madam Fan looked at the gate to the west backyard, her eyes becoming somewhat deep.

She thought that Consort Li was only treating her this way because she had a prince. It was true that she was currently of low status, but she was absolutely grateful and would repay kindness. One day, she would definitely find an opportunity to repay Master Cheng.

Cheng Qianyue happily ate her second bowl of rice. "Oh my god, it feels so good to do a good deed!" she thought to herself, praising herself to the skies. In this good mood, her appetite returned. After finishing her dinner, she leisurely strolled around the courtyard to aid digestion.

As Ruoyun helped her up, she said, "The kitchen staff came over eagerly to ask what you would like to eat tomorrow."

Cheng Qianyue said, "I can't think of anything for the time being, let them handle it."

Ruoyun agreed and continued, "I inquired and found out that Consort Liu slandered Consort Fan to Master Li, which is why Master Li treated Consort Fan this way. However, Master Li went too far. Not only did she order people to put Consort Fan's food in the ice cellar, but I also heard that she sent someone to inform the kitchen that Consort Fan has a heavy palate and asked them to add heavy oil and salt to her food."

Cheng Qianyue frowned and asked, "Then what about the charcoal fire?"

"What else could it be? If Master Li just says that Consort Fan prefers cold to heat, the Imperial Household Department will know what to do." Ruoyun sighed and said, "Compared to a mere consort, the Imperial Household Department will naturally listen to Master Li."

Cheng Qianyue sighed, "They all live in the Xiefang Palace, what can't they do? Besides, these methods are too ruthless, is it really necessary?"

However, she was also puzzled. Liu and Fan had only been in Xiefang Palace for half a year. How much hatred could there be between them? And what about Li Jia? Did she have such a good relationship with Liu that she was willing to spend so much money to avenge Liu?

She felt that Li Jia's dislike for Fan Shi must also be a reason. But Fan Shi hadn't done anything, had she? If you really wanted to count, Fan Shi had only done two things: one was to serve meals to the Crown Princess, and the other was to come here and flatter her, but she didn't respond.

For some reason, Cheng Qianyue vaguely sensed that Li Jia was somewhat hostile towards her, but she couldn't figure it out no matter how hard she tried, since she and Li Jia had no connection whatsoever. Eventually, she put these things aside.

Sigh, if I can't figure it out, I'll stop thinking about it. Anyway, it's all over now, so let it be.

Cheng Qianyue went to the east wing, where the Third Prince had just finished drinking milk and the wet nurse was patting him to help him burp. She simply picked up the boy and patted his back.

As she walked, she murmured, "Oh my, you smell like milk all over." Then she smiled and said, "I wonder if your father received the letter I sent him, and if he saw your little footprints."