When the carriage arrived at Xining Gate, Meng Qi got off. As usual, Yuan Dong could not follow in, but the female historian could.
Ms. Li came over before Meng Qi got into the warm sedan chair and asked, "Excuse me, Princess, what can I do for you?"
Meng Qi glanced at Ms. Li and said, "I heard that you came to Prince Rui's Mansion with Matron Hai."
Ms. Li nodded and said, "I entered the palace with the others when the prince built it."
"Then you should be very familiar with Matron Hai. Go to Qionghua Palace today and report to Concubine Lian about my treatment of Matron Hai. I believe that since you have been with Matron Hai for so long, you should know her very well. You know best how she behaved before and after I entered the palace."
Watching Meng Qi getting into the warm sedan while talking, the curtain was already lowered when she said the last sentence.
Ms. Li watched the sedan chair depart, pondering Meng Qi's words. What did the princess mean? Matron Hai was an elder by the prince's side, chosen by Concubine Lian. And Concubine Lian must have known about the princess's decision on Matron Hai. Why did she ask her to report it to Concubine Lian again?
Ms. Li didn't have time to think. She tightened her cloak and hurried to catch up with the sedan chair. Today was a big day, and perhaps Concubine Lian would go to Kunning Palace. In that case, she couldn't say anything more to Concubine Lian there.
When Meng Qi arrived at Kunning Palace, several princesses and lower-ranking concubines were already sitting there chatting. Seeing Meng Qi enter, the room full of people happily chatting seemed to be cast in a spell, and there was a moment of silence.
Meng Qi ignored her and walked to her seat and sat down. Ms. Li followed behind her, took the teapot from the palace maid and poured tea for her.
Sitting next to her was Princess Duan, the second wife of Prince Duan. She was older than Meng Qi, under twenty, of average appearance, short and petite. She usually wore her hair in a high bun and wore heavy makeup. Because Prince Duan disliked her, she developed a submissive personality. However, she didn't want to be looked down upon in front of outsiders, so she always tried to act superior, but she was always ignored by the nobles, intentionally or unintentionally.
Before Meng Qi married into the family, Princess Duan was just like that. Although all the other princesses, except for the Crown Princess, addressed her as "Second Sister-in-law," no one truly respected her. Imperial Concubine Xiang was also unhappy with her daughter-in-law, but since it was a marriage granted by the Emperor, she and Prince Duan had no choice but to accept it, and they couldn't help but bring her out.
Waiting for Meng Qi to marry in, Princess Duan seemed to have suddenly found a balance. Although Meng Qi was of higher birth, younger, and prettier than her, her reputation was not as good as hers. This gave Princess Duan a reason to hold her head high in front of someone.
However, the few times Meng Qi entered the palace, she ignored Princess Duan and refused to respond to her advice. The reason was simple: at that time, Meng Qi didn't know what Song Chengze was thinking, and she didn't know how to behave in a way that Song Chengze needed.
But her goal is now clear, especially after Song Chengze was injured. Song Chengze's attitude towards her has changed completely, and his trust in her has increased. He even adopted her opinions, such as the treatment of Nanny Hai and the placement of Song Baimo. These are the results of her efforts.
In fact, Meng Qi didn't know where to begin in order to regain her former, willful and domineering self. After all, she had been lying there for so many years, unable to speak or even lift her hands. Everything in the past seemed like a dream to her. She had even forgotten what her former personality was like and how to express it.
But some things are hidden in the bones, just need to be unearthed. After a few things in the inner house in the past few days, she felt it again. Isn't it just being unreasonable and letting others think she is unreasonable? This is the simpler one.
Princess Duan watched Meng Qi sit down and drink tea, then covered her mouth and smiled at Princess Jing beside her, "Fourth brother's wife didn't believe me just now, but now that someone is here, you can ask her yourself to see if I'm lying."
Princess Jing smiled slightly but said nothing. Meng Qi finished her tea, raised her head, greeted Princess Jing as "Fourth Sister-in-law", and nodded and greeted Princess Cheng who was sitting next to Princess Jing.
Princess Duan was even more furious when she saw her behavior. She was the second sister-in-law, the most senior among the sisters-in-law. Meng Qi came in, not only didn't greet her, but she also went past her to greet the other two. It was clear she didn't take her seriously.
Princess Duan was indignant. She knew Princess Jing had her own rules, and it was impossible for her to help squeeze Meng Qi. Princess Cheng was the Queen's daughter-in-law. In Kunning Palace, she could put out fires, but not start them.
"I was just talking to my two younger brothers and sisters-in-law about my sixth brother and sister-in-law's 'heroic' performance that night. I don't know if she managed to catch the vixen in the end." He said, covering his mouth with his hands and laughing.
Meng Qi didn't expect that Prince Duan would actually talk about this with Princess Duan. Did he tell her about Song Chengze's injury?
After Princess Duan said this, the concubines of lower rank sitting opposite her also looked over here, waiting for Meng Qi to speak.
Meng Qi put down her teacup, paused for a moment, then tilted her head to look at Princess Duan. "Which day are you talking about, Second Sister-in-law?"
Princess Duan was stunned at first. Could it be that this Meng had often caused trouble in Prince Rui's study in the outer courtyard?
"It was a few nights ago, when our prince went to chat with our sixth brother. However, from what my sixth brother's wife said, there might be something else. We don't mind listening to it, right?" After saying that, he looked across and everyone nodded.
Two of the concubines whispered, and although they were whispers, their voices ensured that everyone present could hear them, "I heard that Prince Rui hasn't returned to the main room for several days because of this incident."
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