Thinking of this, she sat down with her head lowered, her long eyelashes drooping to hide the contempt in her eyes.

Ling Yuan's eyes were slightly tilted, and she took in the corners of her lips that were inadvertently raised. She immediately narrowed her eyes and glanced at her indifferently.

"Concubine Xia, you are too polite. This princess does not need these things. You don't have to come to visit me every morning and evening in the future."

"But Princess, this seems to be against etiquette. It is my blessing that Princess sympathizes with me, but I cannot do that."

Unexpectedly, before Xia Yunhe could finish her long speech, An Hui interrupted her indifferently.

"Concubine Xia, I'm afraid you have misunderstood our princess's intentions."

"Our princess is a person who is afraid of trouble and likes quietness. She doesn't like to go out, and she doesn't like to communicate with people. So the princess is really not being polite to you, but she really doesn't like this."

Being interrupted by An Hui, Xia Yunhe's face froze, a layer of red appeared on her snow-white face, and she spoke to Ling Yuan awkwardly.

"I am so stupid, I am sorry to make you laugh, Princess."

Ling Yuan waved her hand calmly, "It's okay. We haven't had much communication before, so it's normal to be unfamiliar with each other."

"Today I am not being polite to you. If the palace receives any invitations in the future, you don't have to stay at home all the time. You can go whenever you want. After all, you are the concubine of our Fengwang Palace."

Although the status of a concubine is not as high as that of a principal wife, she can also be recorded in the family tree. Moreover, Xia Yunhe's marriage was granted by imperial decree, which inexplicably raised her status to a higher level.

Xia Yunhe obviously didn't expect Ling Yuan to say such a thing. She was stunned for a moment, "Princess?"

In addition to sending gifts during solar terms, the best way for nobles to maintain relationships is to hold various large and small banquets. Men have their own ways of communicating, but most women rely on these banquets to make friends.

Only the wives and daughters of the main wives and daughters of the main wives could attend such banquets. Daughters of concubines and wives of the main wives had nothing to do with the banquet. Even if there were individual cases, they were extremely favored in the mansion.

But even if they attended, they would be excluded. However, this kind of banquet is a good opportunity to show off. If you don't fight for it, others will force you to fight for it, so everyone is scrambling to go out and show their faces.

Such a good opportunity, but the little princess actually gave it to her? And from what she said, she had no interest in this kind of banquet at all?

"You don't like it either?" Ling Yuan raised his head in surprise when he saw her hesitate.

"No, no, it's not that I don't like it,"

Are you kidding? How could she refuse such an attractive opportunity?

In the past, she lived in the Fengwang Mansion as a guest of the palace. She had no name or status, so naturally she was not qualified to attend such a banquet.

But now it's different, she already has a status, although only a concubine, it is better than a concubine, especially since it was the Princess Feng who took the initiative to give her the opportunity, she naturally cannot miss such a good opportunity to make friends with the nobles.

But what she couldn't figure out was whether the little princess really disliked it, or was she testing her?

"Since you like it, that's all. Whenever there is a post in the future, you can go there on behalf of the Phoenix Palace!"

"My Lady Princess, you're not going?"

Ling Yuan responded with a disinterested "hmm".

An Hui next to her timely interjected, "The princess will decide based on the situation. Concubine Xia does not need to consider our princess. Even if the princess attends, it will not affect your attendance."

"No, that's not what I meant. I just feel that, given my status, there are many banquets that are not suitable for me."

"It's okay. I will explain everything when the time comes. Since Concubine Xia has already come in, if you need anything in the future, just ask me. Your monthly salary and benefits will be distributed along with everyone else's."

Could it be that the princess is finally planning to take charge of the palace's finances?

"I thank the princess for her kindness. I will never let you down and will never bring shame to the Phoenix Palace. I will always put the reputation of the palace first."

She is indeed a thoughtful person. As soon as she showed her intention to be in charge of the household, she began to show her loyalty. She is a person who knows how to adapt to the situation. It is worth it that she has lived in the palace for so many years.

"Well, the housekeeper just sent over some cloth. You can pick out the ones you like later. The embroiderer will come tomorrow. Let them measure you and make a few more clothes for you!"

Xia Yunhe immediately knelt down and kowtowed to express her gratitude. Ling Yuan nodded lightly and picked up the teacup.

"Well... I'm sorry to bother you, Princess. I'll take my leave now." Upon seeing this, Xia Yunhe immediately wisely suggested leaving.

Ling Yuan looked up at her and nodded to her in a friendly manner, "An Hui, see Concubine Xia off."

"Uh, no, thanks."

"Please, Concubine Xia."

"I, I'll take my leave."

After Xia Yunhe left, Ling Yuan's tense face finally relaxed, and Anna, who was standing beside her, laughed secretly.

"Princess, you are so serious that you really scare people!"

Ling Yuan glared at her unhappily, "If I hadn't kept such a stern face, she would have really thought that I was a child who could be easily fooled!"

"But, can this really scare her?"

"Will she be obedient and not bother us?"

Ling Yuan waved her hand nonchalantly, "Send her away first. This princess doesn't have the extra time to waste with this woman!"

"So, do you really intend to let her attend banquets on your behalf?"

Seeing An Ran's disapproval, Ling Yuan smiled, "With my appearance, if I go there, it will only bring shame to the Fengwang Mansion. I can't stand those women who look down on and ridicule me in public and in private. Although I have gotten used to it over the years, I still think it's better to turn a blind eye to it."

"It has been three months since I moved into the Phoenix Palace. I have declined many invitations that came and went. In the past, the prince was in the way. As the princess, I naturally cannot go out and greet the Phoenix prince with a smile when he is sitting on the bench. Since I have closed the door and refused visitors, I naturally have to show my gratitude."

"But things are different now. Your prince has already started to walk around the court, and the emperor has even specially appointed a concubine for him. It is natural that he will have to interact with people in the future. As for me, I am used to walking around the world, and I really can't stand the flattery between these backyard women. Instead of being tortured myself, it is better to push Xia Yunhe out."

"But if this is the case, wouldn't Concubine Xia become even more popular? Who knows what kind of rumors will spread about this!"

Annie looked at Ling Yuan with some worry. No matter how she thought about it, she felt that doing this would not only end up in trouble for her, but would also give Concubine Xia a chance to be in the spotlight. What would happen if people only knew about Concubine Xia and not Princess Feng in the future?

"You don't understand this, right? As the saying goes, one knows the temperature of the water only after drinking it. We live our own lives, so why should we care what others think? As long as we live comfortably, we don't care what others say or think."

Seeing that Ling Yuan didn't care much, Anna curled her lips speechlessly, "Master, you are really an outlier among women. People as generous as you are probably extinct, right?"

"To put it bluntly, you're just lazy. You're too lazy to socialize, and you're too lazy to use your brain." Annie's words revealed the secret. Ling Yuan couldn't help but roll her eyes at her. "You know it but don't say it out loud. Do you understand?"

"Besides, this matter is a matter of mutual consent. Isn't this good? Isn't the finances of the palace still in the hands of your master? No matter how she behaves outside, in this house, I still have the final say."

"Also, do you think I can avoid the first and fifteenth day of the lunar month? I can't refuse all occasions."

When there is a chance to lie down, she will naturally not miss it.

Seeing this, the maids fell silent. Basically, their master's character had been revealed.

When he is busy, he is more dedicated and conscientious than anyone else. When he is free, he would rather lie down than sit.

Not to mention, people with such true nature live a life without surprises. People like Xia Yunhe who live for the sake of face are actually more tired than anyone else.

I would like to ask, in the aristocratic circle of Siyou country, is there any wife who would let go like their master did?

Whether this is good or bad depends on what results can be obtained in the future.

As for An Hui, who sent Xia Yunhe out, personally accompanied her to pick out a few pieces of cloth, and then personally sent her out the door, so naturally he also got some benefits from her.

"Miss Anhui, I am new here and there are many things I don't understand. Please give me some pointers."

An Hui calmly pulled her hand away, then returned the purse that she had given her to her.

"Concubine Xia, our master is very easy to get along with. Normally, if you don't offend me, I will naturally not provoke you. But if you meet someone who is troublesome, according to my master's methods, she will definitely not let her have an easy time."

"Since Concubine Xia has entered the palace, you and the princess are one family. As long as you behave yourself, the princess will not let you down. Look, isn't the princess giving you such a great opportunity now?"

"Our princess is young, but she is not easy to fool. Especially with her superb medical skills, it is not surprising that she can walk sideways in our Four Continents. Don't you think so?"

"The princess has a casual personality. She does whatever she wants. She won't mistreat herself or the people around her. As long as you don't have those messy thoughts, you will naturally be favored by her."

"So, how to do it depends on Concubine Xia's attitude."

"Oh, by the way, our princess is the lifesaver of your brother, Concubine Xia. I believe Concubine Xia will not forget it, right?"

Xia Yunhe pulled a stiff smile from the corner of her mouth, "How could this be possible? Princess, I will never forget your kindness."

An Hui gave her a formal smile after hearing what she said, "In that case, please take care of yourself, Concubine Xia."

Xia Yunhe smiled at An Hui with a pale face, then left Taoran Ju cautiously.

An Hui looked at her back with a cold smile on her lips. She had said what she needed to say and warned her. If this woman was a little smarter, she would understand what it meant to truly "behave within the law."

After leaving Taoranju, Xia Yunhe recalled the words of Ling Yuan and An Hui in her mind. Her expression became uncertain and the handkerchief in her hand was about to be torn to pieces.

Du Juan, who was watching from the side, couldn't help but ask, "My Lady Concubine, are you okay?"

Xia Yunhe's face suddenly turned cold, and she frowned in displeasure: "What can happen to me? But you, what kind of person do you think the princess is?"

Du Juan immediately acted terrified and said, "Madam Concubine, I dare not speak nonsense."

"Just say what I'm told to say. If you don't want to follow me, leave here now. I don't need people who betray me!"

Xia Yunhe paused, sweeping away the cowardice she showed towards Ling Yuan, her eyes filled with repressed hatred.

"I dare not. In my opinion, the princess's temperament is really different from the wives of the nobles in the capital. She is more casual and has no airs. She is also kind to you, the concubine."

"But, I always feel that the princess doesn't look like she is only eleven years old."

In response to Du Juan's answer, Xia Yunhe was silent at first, and then looked at her with approval.

"You are right. We cannot look at this princess with the eyes of ordinary people. We thought that she was young and her mind might not be mature enough, but we did not expect that this princess is much more fierce than we imagined. I am ridiculous. Haha, never mind, let's go back!"

Seeing that Xia Yunhe was not angry, Du Juan subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief, "Concubine, actually, there is nothing wrong with this. Although the princess looks difficult to get along with, she did not embarrass you after all. If this happened in another palace, who knows."

Xia Yunhe knew very well that her marriage was all thanks to her brother's request. She had lived in the palace for so many years. If Wei Jie had any feelings for her, he would have accepted her long ago and would not have waited until now.

She had not originally expected the Phoenix King to treat her in any way, but there was only the Phoenix King before, and now there was an additional Phoenix Princess. It was reasonable for her to go and pay her a visit, but what she did not expect was that the Phoenix Princess's temper would be so... weird.

Could it be that people with strange looks also have strange personalities?

If she approached Princess Feng with a tentative heart at the beginning, now she has completely put that intention aside.

She was already very satisfied to be able to settle down in the palace. Now Princess Feng had made her position clear to her. As long as she behaved herself, her life would probably be similar to before.

No wonder she had never been summoned by Princess Feng before. It turned out that she had never taken her seriously.

This was the case when she was a guest in the mansion, and it is still the same now that she is the Phoenix Prince's concubine. Although this Phoenix Prince's concubine is not very old, she has her own personality.

Well, there is nothing wrong with the current situation, especially since she has been given a right she had never thought of before, the ability to attend banquets on various occasions. What an honor this is for her?

Thinking of this, the unpleasantness I had experienced in Taoran Ju gradually disappeared.

But she was very worried about Su Guang.

She once asked Xia Suguang what he had done to deserve such an imperial decree for her marriage.

But the younger brother dismissed him with a sentence, "This is a matter between us men, why are you, a woman, interfering here?"

Suguang, Suguang, what did her brother do behind her back?

The imperial edict was issued by the emperor. Does that mean that Suguang and the emperor... ?

As soon as this thought came to mind, Xia Yunhe cut it off, "No, it's impossible. Su Guang would never betray the Feng Wang Mansion. How could he betray the Feng Wang Mansion? How could he...?"

But if not, then this imperial decree...

Xia Yunhe didn't dare to think further. She tried hard to comfort herself that Suguang had his own difficulties. He must have his own difficulties.

Yes, it must be the King of Ho. There must be some plan between the King of Ho and him that he didn't want to tell him, so the situation between them has become what it is today. It must be like this, it must be like this.

Poor Xia Yunhe had no idea that her happiness today was bought with the betrayal of her only brother.

How would she react if she knew the truth?

The two women were unaware that the details of their first head-on confrontation would soon reach Wei Jie's ears.

After listening to the secret guard's report, Wei Jie rubbed his brows helplessly: "This Ling Yuan is really worry-free. I'm afraid there is no one in the country of Siyou who leaves so many opportunities for making friends to her concubines."

"Seventh Brother, my little sister-in-law is really interesting, she is not an ordinary person!"

"The fact that she thinks this way shows that she doesn't take Xia Yunhe seriously and has no sense of crisis at all!"

"Brother Qi, shouldn't you show up at Sister Qi's place from time to time?"

"You're like this, it makes me doubt whether you're attractive or not!"

No charm?

Wei Jie was upset by this. He narrowed his eyes and looked at Qingchen: "Do you think I am unattractive?"

Qingchen swallowed hard under tremendous pressure.

"Seventh Brother, I don't think it's my brother, it's Sister-in-law Qi who's showing it. It's clear that she doesn't take you seriously!"

"Think about it, if Xiao Qisao cared about you, how could she be so confident about Xia Yunhe?"

"Look around our capital, which wife would be so generous in giving opportunities to her concubine?"

Wei Jie glanced at him calmly, "Don't you think this girl has no intention of being someone else's woman at all?"

In his opinion, she was clearly treating the role of Princess Feng as a job, and there was a possibility that she would quit at any time.

This little black girl probably doesn't think of herself as a woman. After all, she is only eleven years old!

Xia Yunhe has already reached the age of marriage, and sending her to him at this time, it is obvious that this black girl wants to bring her and him together!

Wei Jie's words stunned Qingchen for a moment. When he came to his senses, he couldn't help but look at Wei Jie with a sympathetic look that he himself didn't even notice.

His seventh brother is so pitiful. He and his brother have been waiting for a long time for his seventh brother to get married, but he looks so weird.

It’s weird, but she is still a woman after all, right?

But this woman is still so young!!!

Of course you can't touch it.

What is even more frustrating is that Seventh Brother clearly took her under his wing, but their little princess, on the other hand, has no awareness of being someone else's princess at all.

Not only did she push other women into the arms of their prince, she was even too lazy to use some of the necessary means as the Princess of Phoenix.

She is not here to be a princess, she is clearly here to sabotage their prince!

I have seen couples having conflicts because of concubines, but I have never seen the wife trying to match the concubine with the husband.

Originally, their seventh brother wanted to see how the little princess would react after she knew about Xia Yunhe.

But I definitely didn't expect it to be like this.

At that moment, I didn’t know whether I should envy or sympathize with their seventh brother.

Don’t you have the awareness of being someone else’s woman?

Could it be that this young princess also feels that she is too young to serve, so she pushes women to the seventh brother?

Although the young princess seemed magnanimous by doing so, why did he feel that this sister-in-law Xiaoqi didn't show any jealousy or envy at all?

Even if you feel inferior or helpless, you can't act so indifferent and apathetic, right?

Sure enough, after Wei Jie figured out some of the emotions that Ling Yuan was likely to have, a cold murderous aura suddenly swept over him.

When he looked again, his seventh brother had already walked out with a sullen face.