Chapter 34 Greetings
Rouze entered the Prince's residence in a small sedan chair, which was quite unbelievable to the women in the back courtyard. Almost no one believed that the Prince had really taken a liking to her. Sure enough, on the night Rouze entered the residence, Yinzhen did not go to see her at all, and she was left alone in her empty room.
What a coincidence! The next day was the day for paying respects to the ancestors, and a group of people got up early and came to the main courtyard to pay their respects for the first time with such enthusiasm.
Rouze's arrival in the mansion wasn't just adding a rival in love; it was creating a laughing stock. Who wasn't just there for the spectacle?
Everyone had this feeling, but only Liu Qingxue, who had evolved into the master's lackey, would say it out loud. On the one hand, knowing the princess's attitude towards this older sister, she naturally wanted to retaliate in kind; on the other hand, Liu Qingxue also felt that if Rouze hadn't secretly harmed the prince, perhaps the prince wouldn't have forgotten her, leading to her falling out of favor.
With both old and new grudges combined, Liu Qingxue naturally became "unrestrained in her speech" and "speaks her mind."
"What's wrong with this new concubine, Wu Gege? We're already waiting, but the Fujin has arrived and she's still not here. Didn't she get a good night's rest last night?" Liu Qingxue sat in her chair, her sarcastic words flowing freely.
Ugege... thankfully you slept well last night...
Everyone couldn't help but stifle their laughter at these words, realizing for the first time how skilled Liu was at mocking people.
"It's alright, perhaps she's just not used to being in the manor yet. Please wait a little longer, my sisters." Yi Xiu wore a flawless smile, seemingly not caring at all. But it would be a lie to say she wasn't angry. However, after hearing Liu Qingxue's words, perhaps Rouze wasn't just being pretentious, but rather ashamed to face anyone.
Glancing at the "arrogant" Liu Qingxue, Yixiu nodded inwardly. Liu was foolish but certainly eloquent; a suitable lackey. She'd have Jianqiu reward her with some more later…
As Yi Zheng was pondering her divergent thoughts, Rou Ze, dressed in a moon-white qipao adorned with red plum blossoms, arrived late at the door.
Rou was undoubtedly a beauty. Even though she was neglected upon entering the manor and looked haggard, it did not diminish her beauty; instead, it added to her delicate charm. This was evident from the solemn expressions of the people who saw her in the hall.
I used to treat her like a joke, but after meeting her in person, it's hard not to be afraid that I'll become a joke myself.
"What is Princess Wu standing here for? Doesn't she know how to serve tea to the Princess Consort?" Upon seeing Rouze's face, Liu Qingxue felt even more jealous. Twisting her handkerchief, she was the first to speak up and mock her.
As if startled by Liu Qingxue's words, Rou trembled and looked at Yixiu with tears in her eyes, as if pleading for her help.
“That’s the rule, I can’t do anything about it. Only after serving tea can one be considered to have truly entered the mansion. Jianqiu, bring your sister some tea.” Yixiu seemed oblivious, appearing to be doing it for her own good.
"Yes." Jianqiu eagerly brought out a cup of tea and placed it next to Rouze. She looked at the cushion in front of Yixiu and gestured to her, "Please, Princess Rouze, it's time to serve tea to the Fujin."
"Xiao Yi..." Rou swayed unsteadily, her face filled with disbelief. Unfortunately, no one present cared about her emotions, nor would anyone speak up for her. Yi Xiu, too, looked at her with a smile.
Realizing she couldn't avoid the curtsy, Rouze humiliatingly accepted the teacup and, as if being slowly tortured, knelt before Yixiu, "Fujin...drink tea..."
A surge of resentment and anger towards Yixiu welled up within her. Mother was right, Yixiu was no good. Once she wins over the Prince's heart, she'll definitely make Yixiu pay...
Yi Xiu didn't care what she was thinking; she just felt completely comfortable. Her usually high and mighty elder sister was going to kneel before her anyway. Taking the teacup, Yi Xiu took a small sip and found the tea exceptionally sweet today.
"Alright, get up and greet the ladies of the manor." Yi Xiu disdained to humiliate Rou Ze by making her kneel, as it was too low a method. She quickly made her stand up.
Unfortunately, in Rouze's heart, she had already been kneeling for a long time, and Yixiu was doing it on purpose. So, after getting up, Rouze still had tears in her eyes, and when she greeted others, she was absent-minded and looked arrogant.
Naturally, those who already had a bad impression of her became even more dissatisfied.
After enduring the difficult greetings, Rouze was seated to the right, below Song Gege and above Liu Qingxue. It must be said, Yixiu had a rather wicked sense of humor; placing Rouze and Liu Qingxue together was nothing short of torture for Rouze.
"Now that everyone has met the newly arrived Princess Rouze, I hope we can all get along harmoniously and not cause trouble in the manor." Yixiu glanced at the crowd below and spoke with a smile, as if she were implying something.
“We are all old servants of this household and have always gotten along well. As long as Princess U... oh no, Princess Rouze, stops using such underhanded methods, that will be fine.”
Liu Qingxue glanced disdainfully at Rouze beside her, clearly displeased that someone like her could sit above her. Mei Qiyue and Yuan Yuxiu across from them exchanged a speechless look. It was truly a case of the crow not seeing its own black; did Liu Qingxue really think she was something special, especially since they were getting along so well?
"I didn't... Xiao Yi..." Rou Ze's tears streamed down her cheeks as she looked pitifully at Yi Xiu. No matter how dissatisfied she was, she could only turn to Yi Xiu for help at this moment.
It's a pity that everyone present was a woman, and the more obvious Rouze's innocent and naive demeanor became, the less likable she became. Yixiu watched the spectacle for a while before speaking up to stop it, saying, "Alright, let's not mention this anymore. Princess Rouze has already entered the manor, and such things won't happen again. I will also be watching, and such methods are not allowed in the inner courtyard."
Qi Yuebin couldn't help but glance at her upon hearing this. It seemed that Yixiu truly disliked this older sister. Someone who usually spoke so tactfully, leaving no room for criticism, would actually say something so obvious.
Regardless of Rouze's stern expression, everyone else obediently agreed.
The subsequent greetings were rather uneventful. Yixiu feigned concern for Rouze's well-being, Liu Qingxue offered only occasional sarcastic remarks, and the others watched the spectacle in silence. Rouze, however, was restless and felt each day drag on endlessly. Finally, she endured the greetings and hastily left, her desire to win favor growing ever stronger.
After finishing his court session and dealing with the curious ministers and brothers, Yinzhen casually withdrew his spiritual energy left in Yonghe Palace and strolled off to take up his post at the Ministry of Revenue. He didn't return to his residence at all, leaving Rouze, who wanted to complain to him, unable to find him. Of course, under Yixiu's management, she couldn't even get close to the front courtyard.
Sensing the message transmitted by his spiritual power, Yinzhen nodded in satisfaction. It was truly worthwhile that he had left behind spiritual power that had stimulated Wuya during his first visit.
Tsk tsk tsk, what a ruthless woman. She has no affection for her eldest son whatsoever, and seems to wish him dead. Yinzhen shook his head inwardly. She was even more vicious than him. He knew that mental power only amplified her deepest thoughts, not created something out of thin air. Uya was truly…
What an interesting character! We should try to keep him around a little longer. The scenes of the youngest son's alienation are almost over. Maybe we should add some more scenes of the wicked mother-in-law. Such a good villain actor shouldn't be wasted...
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