Chapter 619: You’re so good at pretending!
Fu Jinrou was almost unable to maintain the smile on her face. She clearly felt that the ladies who had greeted her warmly just now were now looking at her with a bit of scrutiny. The concubine of Prince Ji, who had previously enthusiastically held her hand and praised her for her beauty, intelligence, dignity and gentleness, now had a much colder expression on her face.
Fu Jinrou quickly said softly, "I'm fine now. I just haven't adapted to the climate in Beijing since arriving..."
Qian Qiyue didn't refute what she said, but frowned slightly: "You just like to show off."
She took Fu Jinrou's hand and brought it to the stove, full of concern and care: "Look at your hands, they are as cold as ice. It's so warm in the palace, but they don't seem to be warm. You are not afraid of being sick and taking bitter medicine. Later, when Madam Fu sees you like this, she will be distressed again."
Fu Jinrou was forced to become the focus of everyone's attention. She was about to explain to Qian Qiyue's concerned chatter that this was her physical condition. Her hands and feet would become cold as soon as winter came, and her complexion was also three points weaker than others, but it did not affect her health.
In the past, when she stood with other women, her frail appearance alone would make her more sympathetic and attract the attention of men. But now, she had no words to express her feelings when facing Qian Qiyue, who cared about her so much.
Prince Ji's concubine said, "Miss Qian is also concerned about you. A girl's health cannot be harmed. If Miss Fu is not feeling well, it is better for her not to stay in the palace to take care of her."
A lady nearby said, "Concubine An is right. Although the Empress Dowager is in Shoukang Palace, we won't be exposed to the cold outside. However, we still have to serve by her side. We might even have to keep vigil by her bedside. Miss Fu is too weak to withstand such hardship."
Those around who didn't speak were also thinking about it.
They originally thought that this Madam Fu was beautiful, well-mannered, and well-educated. In addition, she was from the Fu family and was valued by Old Madam Fu. Although she was a little older and not from the same lineage as Old Master Fu, she was raised by Old Madam Fu after all.
It would certainly not be enough for this woman to marry the eldest son or grandson of their family. However, if she were to be given to their youngest son or a concubine's son who would not inherit the family business or the title in the future, then she would be an excellent choice.
Maybe he could even use this marriage to establish good relations with the Fu family, and even gain some ties with the Cao family.
But now...
Those ladies all gave up the idea.
The youngest son is still a son, and the illegitimate son is also a member of the family. Calling them "mother" means that the future marriages will be a help to their sons. Unless the mistress is cruel and vicious and intolerant, who would deliberately treat the illegitimate son who begs for food at their knees and can be sent away with a little money and family property in the future?
They also hoped that the concubine's son could help the legitimate son to revive the family business.
Marrying a sick, frail and delicate woman into the house will not only give people something to talk about, but also bring trouble to yourself.
Princess Huan was already annoyed with Qian Qiyue, and when she saw her being so affectionate with Fu Jinrou, she directly mocked her coldly.
"Since you're not feeling well, you should stay at home and recuperate. The Queen Mother is already seriously ill. If you spread your illness there, wouldn't it be even worse? Besides, we don't know how many days we'll have to take turns caring for you. If you get sick, will others have to take care of you?"
She said coldly to Madam Fu:
"Madam Fu, you and Old Madam Fu don't seem like foolish people, so why do you always do such foolish things? Was this Fu Jinrou summoned to the palace by imperial decree?"
Madam Fu was confronted with a look of embarrassment on her face. "Although Jinrou hasn't been summoned by the imperial decree, my mother has been worried sick ever since the Empress Dowager became seriously ill. She's been unable to sleep and wishes she could take her place."
"The palace has sent an order for someone to come to the palace to attend to the sick. My mother wanted to come with me, but she is too old to handle the stress. So Jinrou asked to come with me to the palace to serve the Empress Dowager on behalf of my old lady..."
Princess Huan seemed to have caught something: "So she entered the palace without permission?"
Fu Jinrou was anxious: "That's not the case. My great-aunt took me to see the Empress Dowager before. The Empress Dowager personally allowed me to enter the palace. I can come to pay my respects when I have time in the future..."
Princess Huan interrupted her directly: "The Queen Mother is kind-hearted. She only allowed you to attend the banquet in the front palace for Madam Fu's sake. The idea of entering the palace to pay a visit was just a casual mention."
"Every girl in the capital who has come to the palace to pay her respects has heard these polite words, as long as she's well-behaved and obedient. Anyone with sense knows not to take them seriously. But you, on the other hand, are treating chicken feathers as if they were your token of authority, and you actually think you can enter the imperial palace just like I say."
Princess Huan's face was filled with disdain. "What is the status of the Empress Dowager? And what is your status? How can you just say you want to see her? You really think you can climb up the social ladder by relying on the Fu family's influence. No wonder you come from a poor and remote village, and you are full of ulterior motives."
After saying this, he still didn’t forget to mock:
"Mrs. Fu, your Fu family should teach Miss Fu some proper manners. Birds of a feather flock together. No wonder she can hang out with Miss Qian."
"Princess Xiangning, you must be careful to avoid certain people in the future, lest you get into trouble without knowing it and get implicated for nothing."
Tang Ning: “…”
Why is there still something about her?
She just smiled and said nothing, but Fu Jinrou's eyes were red with embarrassment.
Ever since she came to Beijing, she has been very well protected by the Fu family. Others also treat her well for the sake of Old Madam Fu. Even those who are difficult to get along with would not hit her in the face so directly. This is the first time she has faced other people's malice so openly.
The Princess Huan's blunt disdain and contempt, and her words about the poor countryside and ignorance of rules almost relegated her to the quagmire.
Fu Jinrou pinched the palm of the hand hidden in her sleeve, and the hand held by Qian Qiyue also tightened. She was so angry that her whole body was shaking, but she couldn't get angry with so many people around her, as it would completely ruin her image.
Tears welled up in her eyes, and she choked out a sob: "I'm not, I'm just worried about the Queen Mother..."
Fu Jinrou looked at Madam Fu and Qian Qiyue:
"Auntie, Ayue, I don't have any."
Mrs. Fu looked at the tearful Fu Jinrou with a gloomy face, but rolled her eyes in her heart.
You are really good at pretending!!
Why don’t you go to the market and set up a stage to perform a play?
Mrs. Fu was secretly complaining in her heart, and she looked at Fu Jinrou with even more impatience.
She had treated this girl from her hometown in Lingnan sincerely. She knew that she came to Beijing for marriage and had some unpleasant experiences in her hometown before. Although she looked down on people from her hometown, she also felt sorry for her difficult situation and did not make things difficult for her.
After Fu Jinrou entered the mansion, her food, clothing and other expenses were the same as those of other people in the mansion, and she was usually well served by maids and servants.
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