Chapter 4: Rain and Dew
"I pay my respects to the prince."
Concubine Fang entered the study, bowed and greeted, and said, "I specially sent sweet soup to the prince, your highness..."
"Do you remember the king's rules, concubine?"
Prince Lin's pen was still writing when his cold and distant words interrupted her.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me."
Concubine Fang knelt down immediately. The prince never allowed concubines to come to the study to bring soup or water. Once, a concubine brought sweet soup to the study in order to win favor, and the prince put her under house arrest.
Concubine Fang explained, "I am just worried about your health. Don't worry, my Lord. I have already warned the maids not to tell anyone about what happened this afternoon."
Prince Lin: "Qingwu, send the red coral in the warehouse to Qiutang Courtyard."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for the reward."
Concubine Fang stood up, a hint of happiness flashed in her eyes. She did the right thing by keeping her mouth shut.
"I wonder if Concubine Shen is serving you well today? Concubine Shen is beautiful and has a good appearance for a son. She will surely give birth to children for the prince soon, and continue to have children, adding to the royal family."
Concubine Fang looked at Prince Lin cautiously and asked. The most important thing was that Shen Lingshu's face was five points similar to the late Princess Lin. What was the prince's attitude?
Lin Wang's pen was flowing freely, but his thoughts went back to the afternoon.
He has always been a stickler for rules, and matters in the boudoir are treated as routine.
I was poisoned today...but it was quite different.
The bathtub filled with steam blurred the woman's face. He demanded for it frantically, but the woman didn't say a word.
Prince Lin's eyes darkened, and he opened his lips slightly: "Yes."
It seems that Concubine Shen is no different from other concubines. Very good, she is no threat to her. Concubine Fang left with satisfaction.
As soon as Concubine Fang left, Nanny Hua came over.
"This old servant pays his respects to the prince." Nanny Hua bowed and greeted.
Prince Lin put down his pen and said, "Qingwu, move a stool for Aunt Hua."
"Your Highness, were you plotted against today?" Nanny Hua asked straight to the point.
She had been ordered to stay in the palace for more than a month. If it were not for the sake of offspring, the prince would have maintained a frequency of entering the backyard every five days. It was impossible for him to favor the concubine in broad daylight. He didn't even get on the bed, but eagerly took the concubine on the couch.
Prince Lin replied in a deep voice: "Yes."
There are only three adult princes in the Mu Ning Kingdom, and he is the second one. Above him is the crown prince who is of the same mother, and below him is the third prince who is eyeing him covetously.
Although the prince's status is noble, the queen died early and the throne remains vacant.
The third prince's mother, Concubine Shu, was the highest-ranking concubine in the harem and was in charge of the six palaces. Her ambition was growing, so she wanted to help the third prince ascend to the throne.
The Third Prince tried every possible means to win him over and get hold of something against him!
All the losses suffered today must be returned to the third brother.
"I'm glad that the prince is alright. The concubine Shen who served you today is a good boy. She will surely give birth to children for the prince soon."
Aunt Hua paused for a moment before asking, "Madam Chen..."
The late Princess Lin, Gu Qiurong, died of complications during childbirth, which was a pain in the prince's heart. Some people even deliberately imitated Princess Lin's appearance, but the prince was very angry.
"I've wronged her today."
Prince Lin's expression showed no sign of abnormality, and Nanny Hua did not bring it up again. She said, "Serving the prince is their blessing. How can they feel wronged?"
Nanny Hua came forward with a booklet in her hand and said, "I, Your Highness, would like to ask you to come into the backyard every two days from now on."
Prince Lin looked at the booklet in his hand, his eyes darkening: starting from Concubine Fang, all of them were the names of the concubines in the backyard. Even the day of menstruation for each concubine was marked out, every two days, and everyone was equally affected.
…
"Auntie, it's time to go pay your respects to the concubine."
Zhu Xin's low voice sounded, and Shen Lingshu opened her eyes. Seeing that it was still dark outside, she asked sleepily, "What time is it?"
"At the end of the Yin hour and the beginning of the Mao hour, we must go to Qiutang Court to pay our respects." Zhu Xin answered while helping Shen Lingshu put on her clothes.
Maochu, that is five o'clock in the morning!
commit a sin.
Shen Lingshu stood up quickly, but her legs went weak and she almost fell to the ground.
"Aunt." Zhuxin supported her worriedly.
"It's okay." Shen Lingshu took a deep breath. She had just finished serving the prince. If she was late for paying her respects, Concubine Fang would definitely take it out on her because of her petty nature.
At the beginning of the morning, the sky was turning pale. She brought Zhuxin to Qiutang Courtyard. After informing her, she asked her to wait in the yard.
In late July, the wind was cool in the early morning. Shen Lingshu stood straight, lowered her eyes and waited. In fact, she had already closed her eyes and was catching up on sleep!
"Auntie, Auntie Li is here." Zhuxin reminded in a low voice.
Shen Lingshu opened her eyes, and all the sleepiness disappeared.
Li was favored in the early days and was the first to give birth to a child. Although the child died, she discovered the secret of Concubine Fang. The two of them fought fiercely, which allowed her to take advantage of the opportunity and successfully become pregnant, allowing her to show her face in front of Prince Lin.
"Aunt Li is well."
Shen Lingshu saluted with a smile and looked at Aunt Li quietly. As the first woman of Prince Lin, she was promoted from a maid to a concubine. Aunt Li was a little older than Concubine Fang.
The pink hibiscus dress is indeed pink and tender, but it doesn't match Aunt Li's queen-like face.
"Are you the concubine Shen who served the prince yesterday?" Concubine Li stared at Shen Lingshu's face, feeling even more threatened. If she was really pregnant with such a pretty face, wouldn't she be superior to her?
"Yes." Shen Lingshu lowered her eyes. Aunt Li had a domineering personality. She looked down on everyone because she was the prince's first woman.
Aunt Li stepped forward and said, "Raise your head."
Shen Lingshu looked up, the morning glow fell on her bright face, her eyes as bright as stars looked around, her eyebrows slightly curved, and she exclaimed.
"What's the matter?" Aunt Li frowned. Looking at her face, she wanted to scratch her face. You vixen, who are you trying to seduce?
"Aunt Li's dress today is really beautiful. The peonies embroidered on it are elegant and luxurious. I'm sure the prince will be pleased, right?" Shen Lingshu's innocent words and sincere eyes made Aunt Li smile instantly.
"Of course, I am the prince's first woman."
Aunt Li was laughing so hard that her body was shaking, and the look in her eyes when she looked at Shen Lingshu became a little more pleasing.
Cao Lu, who was waiting on the side, immediately stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Madam Chen, Madam Li, the concubine invites you two into the room."
In the inner room, Concubine Fang saw this scene clearly. The previous moment, Concubine Li wanted to scratch her face, but Shen Lingshu's few words made her laugh so hard that her body shook.
"Concubine, tell me, is she pretending, or is she really that stupid?" Nanny Gui asked doubtfully.
Concubine Fang curled her lips slightly: "No matter if it's fake or stupid, as long as it can be used by me, it's fine."
"That's right." Concubine Fang lowered her eyes and let the maid dress her up.
Cao Lu came over quickly and whispered their conversation in Concubine Fang's ear. Concubine Fang snorted coldly: "Li is also stupid. She believed a few nice words from others."
Concubine Fang's eyes were filled with contempt and ridicule. After leaving the inner room, Concubine Fang came out with a smile and said, "It seems that I don't need to introduce you."
"Concubine, I heard that Concubine Hai was under house arrest?"
After paying her respects, Aunt Li began to ask, "It's normal for a young lady who has just entered the mansion to be a little reckless. Concubine, there's no need to make a big fuss. The prince's offspring is more important."
"Are you, Aunt Li, reminding me that you are being unfair?" Concubine Fang raised her eyebrows.
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