Princess Qingping felt that her life had indeed been difficult all these years.
All these years, she was criticized by people, looked down upon, they said she behaved strangely, and didn’t educate her daughter well. Though her Prince husband married her, he had never really liked her. While he didn’t openly take concubines or frequent brothels like other Princes, he often treated her coldly, frequently argued with her, leaded a chaotic life, and said she deserved it.
She had to endure all of it, after all, the marriage was indeed of her own making. Regardless of how much she suffered, she had to swallow it all. But now, hearing him speak like this, having his words, she suddenly feels that what she had sought initially, didn’t make her regret.
At the very least, over these many years, her warmth had touched his heart. Until the day they die, it still seemed like he was saying she deserved it.
No matter what others said, the days she spent behind closed doors were only known to her. She hadn’t been too unhappy. When she wanted to vent her anger, she would. Although the Prince would often treat her coldly, he had never laid a finger on her, and would be pacified by her coaxing. Apart from the idle talks outside, she couldn’t really say her life had been bad.
She was used to having her way, let others say what they want, she couldn’t stop the mouths of the world.
Because she hadn’t been too much unhappy, no matter what others said about her daughter, she hadn’t forcefully interfered with Duanhua. They were too similar in temperament and she knew there was no controlling her. However, Zhou Gu was not the Prince either, the Duke Residence and the elder princess Sheng An were his defensive shields, she couldn’t ask the emperor directly to disregard everything and issue another imperial edict.
She had originally planned to start from Su Rong, but unexpectedly, before she could act, Su Rong was already taken into the residence at her daughter’s invitation. The two got along well, and her daughter would not allow her to refer to Su Rong as a lowly girl.
This really was...
Princess Qingping had never expected such a development. But now, as the Prince said, it wasn’t a bad thing.
She reached out to hold the Prince’s hand, "Shall we stop arguing in the future?"
The Prince held her hand in return and laid out a condition, "Then you must promise not to lose your temper at me arbitrarily in the future. Don’t start a temper tantrum one day because you can’t buy a newly released hairpin from Baoxiang Pavilion."
Princess Qingping blushed, "Alright!"
It wasn’t because she couldn’t buy a hairpin that she lost her temper, but because she heard that people were criticizing her behind her back. But she decided not to say this and to not tell him. From now on, no matter what others say about her, she won’t get angry.
Because the Prince said it, he won’t blame her anymore. Let others say what they want, she would just disregard it as something not about her.
The couple had a heart-to-heart talk, which eased their minds considerably.
Princess Qingping hadn’t expected that an issue which had been nagging her for years, which she thought the Prince was still holding against her, could be so easily resolved just because of a Su Rong. Hearing his words of confirmation, she felt happy in her heart, and was no longer bothered by the fact that Su Rong had moved into the Princess Residence.
Let her stay if she wants!
So, when the Duchess came for a visit and saw a hint of a smile on Princess Qingping’s face, the Duchess felt a shiver down her spine and suspected that something was amiss. Why else would Princess Qingping look so happy? Since Duanhua took a fancy to Zhou Gu and became too clingy, the Duchess knew that Duanhua was not welcome at the Duke Residence. Each time she confronted someone from the Duke Residence, she would put on a cold face, without a hint of a smile. Today’s smile, could it be that they had found a way to leverage against Su Rong?
"The day is already late, I apologize for the unexpected visit, I hope I have not disturbed the princess." The Duchess looked at Princess Qingping, deliberating whether she should speak directly or be more indirect.
Before she could figure it out, a good-spirited Princess Qingping directly asked, "Indeed, it is a bit intrusive. The Duchess rarely visits my Princess Residence. Is your night visit about Lady Su Qi?"
The Duchess was momentarily stunned; she had not expected Qingping to be this direct. She decided to follow her lead and nodded, "Indeed, I heard that Su Rong was invited to the Princess Residence as a guest?"
Qingping raised her eyebrows, "Where did you hear that?"
"The streets are all talking about it. The Princess Residence has not been deliberately concealed it, so it’s easy to hear about." The Duchess was not sure about Qingping’s attitude, but no matter what, she had to see Su Rong that night and take her away, "As you know, Su Rong has an engagement to Zhou Gu. She has just arrived in the capital and is new here. Our Duke Residence should have taken care of her. How could we let her disturb the princess in the Princess Residence?"
"It’s not a disturbance." Thought Princess Qingping, the Duke Residence really does care about Su Rong. So newly arrived at the Princess Residence, Su Rong’s news was followed by the Duchess. Su Rong even mentioned cancellation of the engagement; it’s difficult to know if it’s really fooling Duanhua or fooling herself.
When the Duchess confirmed that Su Rong was in the Princess Residence, she let out a sigh of relief. As long as Qingping acknowledged it, she was worried that if Qingping adamantly denied it, they would have to make a fuss. She smiled and said, "I’ve come specifically to take her back home."
Qingping readily nodded, "Lady Su Qi and Duanhua seem to have hit it off. She chose to stay at the Princess Residence. The duchess is coming to take her away, but I don’t know if she is willing to go with you. Why don’t you go ask her yourself!"
The Duchess was surprised, since when did Qingping become so reasonable? She thought it would take some effort to convince her, but surprisingly, with just a few words, she readily agreed. Unsure of her intentions, she put her doubts aside and readily nodded, "I would appreciate a guide to lead me the way."
"I will personally take you to her, she is staying in Duanhua’s courtyard." Having said so, Qingping turned around to lead the way, "Please follow me, My Lady."
The Lady of the Duke followed her, even more suspicious that this was a trap.
Upon arriving at Duanhua’s Cangjiao Pavilion, it was brightly lit and bustling with activity, as maids carried dishes to and fro. The aroma of delicious food wafted out from the drawing room.
Inside the room, a square table was set. Three figures were seated around it, conversing and laughing together.
A man was eating rapidly, heaping praise as he ate, "Princess, your cooks truly possess exceptional culinary skills! This honey-glazed ribs, steamed river fish are splendid, not inferior to the chief cooks in the restaurants outside. You are truly blessed to enjoy such delicious meals every day!"
A slender woman was also eating hurriedly, nodding repeatedly, "Yes, yes, it truly feels fantastic. This soy-braised pork knuckles taste heavenly."
The man exclaimed, "Being born is really an art form, Princess, you have truly aced it!"
The woman also nodded along and joined in the conversation, "Indeed, Princess, how did you manage so brilliantly? Could you share some of your experiences with us? We certainly can’t hope to be born in a Princess’s Residence in this life, but maybe we could try in the next."
A familiar voice from Duanhua resonated within, seemingly lost for words at their flattery, "Eating does not seem to stop either of you from talking, both of you, be quiet."
The two obediently nodded their heads and fell silent.
The footsteps of the Lady of the Duke abruptly halted.
Princess Qingping also paused, as if she had not expected her daughter to interact with these two individuals in such a manner. This was overly harmonious, no, more like a reunion of old friends. Even she, as Duanhua’s mother, was witnessing such casual interactions for the first time.
"Greetings to the Princess! Wishing the Lady of the Duke good health!" the maids and pages upon seeing the visitors, respectfully saluted them.
Princess Qingping softly coughed and turned to look at the Lady of the Duke, straightening her back and smiling, "It seems we have arrived just in time, the children are having dinner. I assume you have not had your evening meal, My Lady?"
Of course, the Lady of the Duke had not, upon receiving news, she hastily arrived here and replied with a smile, "Indeed, just in time."
The room suddenly fell silent. Su Rong and Fen Ling exchanged a glance, they both turned to look at Duanhua.
Duanhua also became stunned, she whispered to Su Rong, "It’s the Lady of the Duke, Zhou Gu’s mother."
Su Rong hurriedly put down her chopsticks. She had not expected the Lady of the Duke to learn of the news this quickly. She was thinking that it wouldn’t be until tomorrow at the earliest. Fen Ling also hastily put her chopsticks down, her eyes flickered towards Su Rong, though she said nothing, it was evident that she was asking, what should we do? Duanhua glanced at the two of them and got up to welcome the visitors.
The two quickly followed suit and stood up to leave the drawing room.
"Mother, Madam Zhou." Duanhua greeted them respectfully.
Su Rong bent her knee, "Your Highness, My Lady!"
Fen Ling copied and offered her respects, "Your Highness, My Lady!"
Princess Qingping smiled, "Lady Su Qi, this is the Lady of the Duke. Hearing that you had been invited to the Princess’s Residence by Huahua, she specially made a visit to see you."
The eyes of the Lady of Duke fell upon Su Rong, she was taken aback. This girl is truly Su Rong? There was some disbelief, but upon carefully observing her facial features, she found that they did share similarities with Princess Zhenmin, forcing her to believe. She could not comprehend how Su Rong was a guest at the Princess’s Residence, eating and drinking to her heart’s content, and sharing jovial moments with Duanhua. As the Lady of the Duke, no matter what she was thinking, she had to maintain face, she had to ask, "Child, are you truly Su Rong?"
Su Rong took a step forward, obediently, "Replying to My Lady, I am Su Rong, my father is the Inspector of Jiangzhou, Su Xu. I am the seventh in the family order, my parents, and elder brothers all call me Xiaoqi."
Understanding why the Lady of the Duke had come, she pulled out the badge from her sleeve that proved her identity and handed it to the Lady of the Duke to examine.
The Lady of the Duke accepted the badge, upon giving it a careful look, her denial was completely shattered, this girl was indeed Su Rong.
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