"Watch her. She was so active at the Young Master's housewarming party a few days ago. She thought that by keeping Madam Hai and that Baochun by her side, she could compete with me? Humph, I don't bother to pay attention to her. Firstly, her last name is Lin after all. Her face is not worth a penny, but she has to give face to the Young Master. Secondly, she is just vying for favor in the inner court to seek some benefits for herself. If it's not excessive, I will naturally not interfere. But if she really has some secret deal or other scheme with Cheng Qian, then I must find out."
Wang Chenghai's eyes lit up when he heard this. That was great. Although he hadn't had much contact with Cheng Qian, he was close friends with Li Mancang. He had often set things up for him and embarrassed him in public.
"Don't worry, Princess. I will keep a close eye on her."
"There's one more thing you need to do." Meng Qi said.
"Please give your instructions, Princess." Wang Chenghai said in a crisp voice.
"Tomorrow, Xiao Lin will bring the eldest young master back to the Lin family. Please arrange for someone to go in and see for me what Bai is doing at the Lin family."
Wang Chenghai was stunned. Bai? When did the princess start paying attention to this concubine?
"Yes, I will tell Xiao Chunzi to be smart."
Xiao Lin made a big fuss about returning to the Lin family with Song Baimo this time, and acted just like a married daughter returning to her parents' home. Looking at the boxes and crates she had prepared, Song Baimo knew something was wrong, and he eagerly explained to Meng Qilai.
Meng Qi said not to worry about it. The more things he brought back, the more proud he would be. After all, the Lin family was his maternal grandparents' home, and it was his duty to be filial to his mother.
Not only that, Meng Qi also called Li Mancang and asked him to arrange a few eunuchs to escort Song Baimo back, and specifically instructed that Bai should follow as well.
Upon hearing this news, Xiao Lin was even more delighted as she scolded Bai, "Look, you said I overdid the housewarming party that day and stole the princess's limelight. Now it seems that it was all thanks to my arrangements that day, otherwise, do you think she would have given me such respect? Not to mention others, even when the princess returned to her Huainan Marquis Mansion in the past, there was no reason for eunuchs to accompany her back to serve her. Now she asked Li Mancang to arrange all these things, and asked you to accompany her. This kind of respect is unprecedented in our mansion."
Liu Nian glanced at Mrs. Bai and thought, "That's not your dignity, that's the eldest young master's dignity. Besides, your behavior that day was really excessive. If it weren't for Aunt Bai constantly reminding you, if it weren't for the eldest young master's auspicious day, the prince would definitely be angry. How could you not have seen it?"
Bai Shi didn't care. She was used to being bullied by Xiao Lin. She said gently, "I was too cautious. I didn't expect you to hold such an important position in the prince's heart."
Xiao Lin nodded proudly, "Of course. The young master has been working in my courtyard for these years. Even if he hasn't made any contributions, he has worked hard. So, I've done my best for you, haven't I? I still think of you when good things happen."
Bai bowed and said, "Thank you, Concubine. Every time I return to the Lin family, you fight for me. It is all because of your kindness that I can go back and see my old place and meet some old friends. I am content with that."
Xiao Lin looked very proud, as if Bai's return was her own doing. She waved her hand nonchalantly, "So, don't think that just because you do a few things for me and give me some advice, you're doing me a big favor. If I hadn't been planning this palace for you, with your status, even thinking of even a few glances from the prince would be wishful thinking."
Bai responded even more respectfully. Xiao Lin was very pleased with Bai's attitude. "However, your idea this time is really good. By taking advantage of the young master's incident, I have regained a lot of the face I lost recently. And with this connection, it will be more legitimate for me to visit the young master in the outer courtyard next time."
Bai said softly, "Go see the young master, how can you not go and pay your respects to the prince?"
"That's right." Xiao Lin nodded with a smile. "Hmph, she doesn't allow us to go to Bibo Hall to wait for the prince casually, and mocks us for blocking the prince at the second gate. This time, I will go to the outer courtyard to look for the prince openly and see if she can still extend her influence to the outer courtyard."
After saying that, he opened a box on the table, which contained some hairpins, beads, silk flowers and the like.
"This is a brilliant move. With Madam Hai by our side, we'll know the prince's movements more accurately and earlier." Xiao Lin finished looking at the contents of the box and turned to Liu Nian. "Put everything away. When you go back tomorrow, remember to be careful and don't let anyone see it. Of the things you sent back last time, Auntie only kept two; those who were less discerning took the rest."
Liu Nian responded in a young voice and walked forward to wrap it up in a bundle. "According to your opinion, why not send it directly to your aunt's home, so that you don't have to worry anymore."
Xiao Lin waved her hands irritably. "What do you know? If we send them back like that, how many will end up in my grandmother's hands? My aunt took them all. Tomorrow, only the large items will be sent back. You should let my aunt take care of the delicate items like this. Fortunately, I have a good reputation in the palace, so my aunt has more opportunities to return to her parents' home."
Mrs. Bai watched Liu Nian leave, thought for a moment, and said, "Are you really planning to cooperate with Madam Hai?"
Xiao Lin sat down and looked at her freshly painted nails. "Nonsense, after the young master's housewarming incident, can't you see the benefits of cooperating with her?"
"No, what I mean is that after all, Madam Hai and the princess are incompatible now. If..."
"Well, if I were Meng, I would have sent Nanny Hai away long ago. How could I let her return to the palace to work? Since Nanny Hai can go to the outer courtyard, although her power is not as great as before and she can no longer touch the prince's tasks, it is enough to show that the prince still values her and remembers their old friendship. This also shows one thing..." Xiao Lin said here with a meaningful smile.
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com