Princess Jiahua was distracted, picking up and putting down her teacup repeatedly, a subtle movement that was noticed by Empress Yan.
"What's wrong? Seventh Prince's wife doesn't like the tea here?"
Miss Xu immediately chimed in, "I've never tasted such fine tea in my entire life. Has the Seventh Prince's Consort perhaps tasted even better tea?"
idiot!
Princess Jia Hua originally thought that Miss Xu was just stubborn and headstrong, but she didn't expect her to be so foolish. In order to please Empress Yan, she would say anything.
"How could that be? The tea in Your Majesty's palace is naturally of the highest quality." Unable to refuse, Princess Jia Hua picked up the tea again and took two small sips.
Empress Yan then smiled and withdrew her gaze, turning her attention to the stage as she listened patiently to the music.
Seeing this, Miss Xu shut her mouth awkwardly, her eyes darting around, keeping a close eye on Empress Yan's every move.
Whenever Empress Yan coughed, she would immediately hand her a handkerchief and offer a few words of concern.
After several attempts, Empress Yan frowned, her eyes flashing with impatience, but she still managed to hold back her anger.
The song ended
Miss Xu praised without stopping: "I was completely captivated by the performance and it wasn't enough. Thank you, Your Majesty, for allowing me to experience such a wonderful opera."
Empress Yan gently parted her lips and glanced at the silent Princess Jia Hua: "What does the seventh prince's wife think?"
"Naturally excellent."
"It is true." Empress Yan rubbed her temples, said she was tired, stood up and took the hand of the palace maid: "I am not as young as you. I have been out all morning and I am also a little tired. Seventh Prince's wife, come here, I have something to say to you."
Princess Jia Hua's eyelids twitched, and she could only grit her teeth and agree.
Then Empress Yan glanced at Miss Xu and said, "If you like it, watch another song."
Miss Xu opened her mouth to decline, but Empress Yan had already left with Princess Jiahua, so she had no choice but to sit down again.
Entering the hall
Empress Yan released the palace maid's hand, walked straight to the chaise lounge, put her legs up on the stool, supported her forehead with one hand, and slowly closed her eyes.
"Seventh Prince's Consort, Your Highness's legs have been a little sore these past two days. Thank you for your hard work." The palace maid made room for her and pointed ahead.
Princess Jiahua stepped forward expressionlessly, bent down, and gently tapped and kneaded Empress Yan's knees.
The hall was quiet.
The sandalwood scent was overwhelming, making her head spin. Having not slept all night, she was already dizzy and nauseous, gritting her teeth to force herself to calm down.
"Seventh Prince's Consort, Your Highness is always a light sleeper, thank you for your hard work," the palace maid said.
Princess Jia Hua whispered, "It's only right."
This punch lasted for a full two hours.
My wrists and fingertips were already numb, and my knees were so stiff that I couldn't get up. Even the slightest movement caused excruciating pain.
Finally, Empress Yan yawned and opened her eyes, glancing at Princess Jia Hua who was still squatting: "As expected, the seventh prince's wife is still the most skilled. I haven't felt this comfortable in a long time."
Princess Jia Hua smiled slightly, biting her tongue to force herself to stand up unsteadily: "It is my duty to serve Your Highness."
Empress Yan's lips curled into a mocking smile upon hearing this. She raised her gaze slightly and it fell on the palace maid, who immediately replied, "Your Majesty, Miss Xu is still watching the play."
Let's stop here for today.
Empress Yan, in a fit of kindness, waved her hand, dismissing the two of them.
On the way back, as expected, I ran into Miss Xu again. Miss Xu's walking posture was also very strange.
Her face was pale, and she was clutching a handkerchief tightly in one hand.
Suddenly, she lost her balance and fell to the ground, landing on her palms. Her palms were scraped and bleeding. Princess Jiahua glanced at her but did not offer any help.
Miss Xu bit her lip angrily, wanting to cry but not daring to, her face flushed red. She turned her head and glared fiercely at Princess Jiahua: "It's all your fault for complaining, that's why Her Majesty the Empress stood up for you and punished me by making me stand in wooden clogs for two hours to watch the play!"
Without a doubt, those wooden clogs must have been specially made.
It seems the Empress is more petty than she imagined.
"I never complained."
"If it wasn't you, then who was it?" Miss Xu gritted her teeth. "So what if you stab someone in the back? His Highness will take a concubine sooner or later. You can stop him for a while, but can you control him forever?"
Princess Jiahua glanced at Miss Xu: "His Highness has never taken a concubine before he was married, so what does this have to do with me?"
Miss Xu choked abruptly.
Upon closer reflection, a certain thought sent a chill down his spine: "What nonsense are you talking about?"
“I have known Your Highness for three years. Given Your Highness’s status, you should have taken a wife and concubines long ago. What kind of status does Your Highness have? How dare I make such a decision?” Princess Jiahua bent down to help Miss Xu up and gently brushed the dust off her clothes.
Unwittingly, both wrists were swollen and exposed.
“You…” Miss Xu was stunned.
Princess Jia Hua glanced around, then quickly lifted her knee, revealing a large bruise, some of which had turned dark purple.
The wound was shocking, and Miss Xu gasped; "What is this?"
"As a daughter-in-law, it is only right to be filial. Kneeling in front of the Buddhist hall to copy scriptures, or serving the Empress to sleep, it's just a few hours. As long as the Empress is happy and her health is better, it's fine." Princess Jiahua stood up, her tone indifferent.
She wasn't afraid that Miss Xu would complain to her.
Empress Yan is authoritative without being angry. Today's punishment is not something Miss Xu is stupid enough to not understand.
Miss Xu's eyes gradually changed.
"It was the Empress who prevented His Highness from marrying and taking concubines!" she said through gritted teeth.
Princess Jia Hua put a finger to her lips and said, "Shh! You can't say things like that, or Her Majesty will be angry."
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