As if sensing the subtle tension in the air, Zhao Manxiang quickly changed the subject: "Hey, come and help me with the cupping. My back hurts so much."
After saying that, he lay down on the bed.
After hearing this, Wen Zhu didn't say much. He first adjusted the position of the brazier in the room to maintain the best temperature. Then he carefully washed his hands and warmed them slightly beside the brazier before he began to operate on Zhao Manxiang carefully.
Just as they were busy, the door was hastily pushed open, and the little girl Qingmei gasped and shouted, "Madam, the prince is back!"
After hearing the news, Zhao Manxiang, who had originally looked a little tired, immediately smiled happily. "He's finally home. That's great. Well, let's not do it for now. Let's quickly pack up our things. I'm going to go meet him."
As they were quickly packing up their belongings, Qingmei leaned close to Zhao Manxiang's ear and whispered a secret to her, "I just heard that a young lady has joined the entourage. She should have been accommodated at Yuexia Courtyard by now."
This was a big deal. Zhao Manxiang, who had been in a state of joy, suddenly widened her eyes and almost jumped up in surprise: "What did you say? The prince actually brought back a woman? What does she look like?"
"She looks like a southern girl of fifteen or sixteen, with delicate features."
Although Qingmei herself had not seen this woman, this was how other servants described her.
The descriptions from the servants made Qingmei feel that this person was like a lady walking out of a painting, fresh and unworldly, untainted by dust.
She glanced at Wen Zhu who was organizing tools on the side and found that Wen Zhu did not seem too lost, and even had a somewhat indifferent expression.
This behavior made Qingmei very confused, wondering whether Wen Zhu really didn't care about this matter.
After all, in this courtyard, status and the owner's favor are important guarantees for survival, and any disturbance can cause significant changes.
In fact, Wen Zhu was also very uneasy at this moment.
Her mood was like the sea before a storm, seemingly calm, but already filled with huge waves that were about to come.
This day has finally arrived.
The words that once whispered softly in her ears echoed in her heart again: Aunt Liu once said to her gently before - there is no flower that lasts forever, even the most gorgeous and beautiful peony will wither one day.
This sentence made her understand at that moment that the so-called eternity only exists in poems and dreams, and reality is always cruel and catches people off guard.
Now that she thinks about it, it seems that she won't be able to keep the prince's favor forever.
The prince's eyes were no longer focused on one person, which was an unspeakable heartache for maids like them.
But fortunately, at least Wen Zhu still has a small support now - that is her child, the little life that carries countless hopes and gives her a little courage to face the future.
She clenched her fists until her nails dug deep into her palms; she bit her lips so hard that they left deep marks. Finally, she stood up with difficulty and said in a voice that was almost determined but calm, "Dress me up quickly."
So, Wen Zhu stepped forward to comb Zhao Manxiang's hair, and gently and skillfully put on some light makeup for her.
After changing into new clothes, Zhao Manxiang held Wen Zhu's hand and slowly walked out of Qifangyuan.
"Tell me, what is it about that woman that attracts our prince? Is it really because she is more beautiful than you?"
Zhao Manxiang looked at Wen Zhu beside her, her eyes filled with inquiry and a subtle hint of envy or jealousy.
"Of course it's better than being a slave."
Wen Zhu lowered her eyes and said this in a flat tone. It was obvious that her mind had already drifted away at this moment, and she did not notice the subtle changes in the people around her at all.
However, it was this casual response that made Zhao Manxiang feel even more irritated.
That invisible feeling of oppression tightly wrapped around the heart like a vine, making people feel extremely suffocated.
When we arrived at Xuanhe Courtyard, we saw Fu Zhiyao smiling and using the small rattle in his hand to tease Baoger, who had just learned to roll over.
The little guy used all his strength to suck milk, and finally turned over with a grunt. Then he excitedly stretched out his chubby little hands to grab the toy in the adult's hand.
"Brother Bao can even roll over! He's such a smart kid."
Zhao Manxiang couldn't help but take a few steps forward, gently holding the soft pink little hand and shaking the bell in her hand.
After seeing this scene, Fu Zhiyao stood up and left the bedside.
He looked at Wen Zhu, who followed silently behind him. The latter immediately knelt and saluted, saying, "Greetings, Master."
"Don't be so polite, we are all familiar with each other."
Fu Zhiyao smiled gently and continued, "By the way, I just received a letter from my father. In it, he mentioned giving Bao Ge'er a formal name - Sheng Shi'an."
"Sheng Shian? Hmm...it sounds like a really nice name!"
Zhao Manxiang hesitated for a moment before agreeing with what the prince suddenly said.
On the other side, Wen Zhu still maintained the same posture as before, with his eyes lowered and silent, sighing secretly in his heart.
At this time, the Duke's wife slowly walked out of the inner room, gently picked up Bao Ge'er, and said with a loving smile, "Shi An, Shi An...you are really heavy. Look at your body. If you were any fatter, I'm afraid Grandma really wouldn't be able to hold you."
There was a lot of fondness in her tone.
Looking at the intimate interaction between mother and son, Fu Zhiyao's eyes were filled with endless tenderness and love, and his handsome face was full of warm smiles at this moment.
"My Lord, I heard that you brought a woman from Lingnan?"
Zhao Manxiang couldn't resist her curiosity after all and asked tentatively.
Although her voice was still gentle, her words were filled with undisguised concern and inquiry.
Fu Zhiyao put away his smile, his expression becoming serious. He responded earnestly and firmly, "Well, she has a very respectable background, but a rather aloof personality. She doesn't like to interact with people too much. As long as everyone doesn't bother her, everything will be fine."
After hearing these words, Zhao Manxiang couldn't help but take a deep breath, as if to calm down some of the fluctuations in her heart; and Wen Zhu, who was standing next to her, seemed to have turned into a lifeless clay statue in an instant, without saying a word.
Seeing this, Fu Zhiyao turned to his mother sitting beside him and said earnestly, "Mother, please choose two well-behaved and sensible maids to take care of this girl's daily life. What do you think?"
The Duke's wife nodded and agreed with a smile, "No problem, just leave it to me."
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