Mrs. Zhao smiled and nodded, agreeing with Wen Zhu's proposal.
Afterwards, Wen Zhu asked in detail about Zhao Manxiang's physical condition and prepared to go to the kitchen to personally arrange a sumptuous lunch for them to enjoy.
Nestled on her mother's shoulder, Zhao Manxiang softly complained, "It's a little funny that my mother asked this person to comfort me. After all, the main reason I'm unhappy is because of her."
"Why do you say that?"
Mrs. Zhao asked back curiously.
"Not only is she favored by her father, but she is now pregnant."
Zhao Manxiang pouted and whispered, her face full of grievance and unwillingness.
"Alas, I've said before that I doted on you too much. In reality, she was a good, obedient child. Not only did she give birth to an heir for you, but she also always treated you with respect. Compared to her, your father's concubines were a real source of worry. They relied on their favor, each displaying their cunning and cunning, constantly using tricks and schemes to curry his favor, seeking every possible way to gain his attention."
"So how do you deal with them?"
Zhao Manxiang asked this out of curiosity.
"I've already explained this to you! If I discover a concubine becoming complacent and overreaching, I'll immediately introduce a younger beauty into your father's sight. That way, once your father's interest in the newcomer grows and he completely forgets his former favorite, I'll slowly find a way to remove the one he no longer values, while simultaneously helping the newcomer compete with the older favorites who are enjoying favor."
When talking about these experiences, Mrs. Zhao's face naturally revealed an expression of pride and satisfaction that was difficult to conceal.
After hearing this, Zhao Manxiang fell deeply into thought...
“You should learn to rally forces around you that are beneficial to you at the right time, and learn to seize the right moment to take decisive action to solve problems.”
Then, after a period of careful teaching, Mrs. Zhao decided to send two personal maids to assist Zhao Manxiang in handling daily affairs, and then got up and prepared to leave this place.
Just as Wen Zhu was returning from seeing off her mistress, she accidentally bumped into Miyou in the courtyard.
Miyou quietly approached Wenzhu and whispered to her that when Ganju was expelled from the house that day, the girl was not completely dead.
Hearing these words, Wen Zhu breathed a sigh of relief, "Even if things turn out like this, it's still okay."
"But if Tangerine was seriously injured and couldn't recover and ultimately died, then why would the young lady and the others choose to make such a fuss?"
After saying this, Miyou showed a melancholy expression.
"That's not necessarily the case. Even if Tangerine survived, her family wouldn't necessarily tell the young lady the truth. Even if they did, she would probably fake the same reaction to draw attention and use it as a warning."
Wen Zhu answered softly, then turned and left.
After the two separated, Wen Zhu fell into deep memories, thinking about what Miyou had said.
The next day, Wen Zhu specially invited two storytellers to Qifangyuan.
They told many romantic love stories of talented men and beautiful women in a vivid and moving way. Zhao Manxiang listened very attentively, as if she was deeply attracted by these touching plots.
After listening to these stories, Zhao Manxiang lay on the bed, closed her eyes and recalled the scenes of every time she saw Fu Zhiyao as a child.
Sometimes she smiled knowingly, and sometimes she felt a little sad. These past events lingered in her heart.
Then she thought of the days before her marriage.
At that time, she was the eldest daughter of the Shangshu Mansion. She was riding a horse at full speed along the Peach Blossom River. She looked back with a bright smile in the spring breeze and waved to the maids around her to follow her.
Such scenes once attracted the love and envy of countless young men.
However, all this has become the past, and it is impossible to return to those good times.
In order to help Zhao Manxiang relieve her boredom, Wen Zhu also bought some new scripts that were popular in the capital at that time at his own expense.
Zhao Manxiang had nothing to do during her illness, so she lay in bed reading these scripts. She found them very interesting and enjoyed them very much.
Time flies, and it’s the sixth day of the New Year in a blink of an eye.
Early in the morning, the Duke's wife sent Mother Su to deliver a box of gold and silver jewelry and five pieces of silk, which were the betrothal gifts needed for Wen Zhu to take a concubine.
In addition to the gifts, Mother Su also brought a fortune-teller to perform a face-opening ceremony for Wen Zhu.
The so-called face opening refers to removing the fine hair on the face and carefully trimming the hair on the forehead and temples, so that the whole face appears smoother and cleaner.
After completing this process, the Fortune Lady said a few auspicious words, put some light makeup on Wen Zhu, applied lipstick, and finally tied her hair into a bun.
Wen Zhu then gave some money as a reward to Mrs. Fu, changed his clothes, and prepared to go and pay his respects to the Duke's wife and Zhao Manxiang.
Although she still looked sick, Zhao Manxiang still forced herself to sit up. Even though her body was still weak, her eyes showed tenacity and kindness.
Wen Zhu respectfully performed a standard salute to the Duke's wife, then turned to Zhao Manxiang on the bed and carefully poured her a cup of hot tea in the hope of slightly alleviating her discomfort.
Zhao Manxiang smiled slightly. Although there was a hint of bitterness in that smile, it was full of kindness. "You must take good care of His Highness in the future. You are the most trustworthy people in this world. I hope you can add a few more children to this family and give birth to many good children."
As soon as she finished speaking, she took the teacup handed to her by Wen Zhu with her still warm hands, and fumbled out an exquisite peacock hairpin made of red gold and inlaid with sapphires from beside the pillow. As a thank you and encouragement, she slowly handed it to the other party.
This gift is finely crafted and uniquely designed. It is obviously a treasure that has been carefully prepared, and the thought and care contained in it is even more profound.
Wen Zhu was filled with gratitude after receiving the precious gift. He first bowed deeply to express his inner gratitude, then turned lightly and walked out the door. Every step seemed so decent and calm.
"Today is your big day. Don't let anything else disturb your good mood. Just stay in Chunhua Courtyard and wait for Huaijin to come back."
The Duke's wife looked at her leaving figure gently, with the corners of her mouth raised, and said these words in a kind and gentle tone.
After hearing the lady's instructions, Wen Zhu's face couldn't help but blush. She nodded humbly, her movement was subtle but full of respect, and then she slowly left the room.
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