According to regulations, one must go to the palace to pay respects on the first and fifteenth day of every month.
In the past, Xiao Qin'er never cared whether it was the first or fifteenth day of the lunar month, and she would often go to the palace every few days.
Bring your children to show your presence in front of the ladies.
This year, however, they changed their past habits and strictly followed the rules, not entering the palace until the first and fifteenth day of the lunar month.
Today is the fifteenth.
Early in the morning, she, Gu Jiu, Ouyang Fu, and Cui Shi each took a carriage to the palace to pay their respects.
She looked towards Cui and said, "Sister-in-law is really good. She sets the rules for Cai."
Cui said expressionlessly, "All concubines of my prince must follow the rules. Hu and Bai are not lazy either."
Tsk!
Can the rules set for the Hu and Bai families be compared with those set for the Cai family?
She was clearly torturing someone, yet she insisted on acting like a fair and just wife.
Who doesn’t know who?
Xiao Qin'er smiled contemptuously, feeling somewhat disdainful towards Cui.
Ouyang Fu covered her lips and smiled, clearly showing that she was just watching the fun and not getting involved.
The third wife, Mrs. Cui, was a little annoyed.
She was born into the Cui family of Hedong and received a strict education since childhood, requiring her to be dignified and polite at all times.
Since childhood, everyone around her is just like her. No matter what they think in their hearts, they are always polite when they meet.
I never thought that after marrying the third prince, I would meet three sisters-in-law who didn't play by the rules.
The eldest lady is very jealous. After being married for many years, the eldest prince doesn't even have a concubine. Oh my god, what's even more terrifying is that the eldest lady is so self-righteous.
Second Madam Ouyang Fu was a spectator, never disguising her desire to watch the fun. As the wife of a prince, she should at least be discreet.
The fourth wife, Xiao Qin'er, was even worse. Not only was she jealous, she also had a very bad temper. She would speak out and curse at anyone who was unhappy with her.
Cui was very disillusioned.
When the royal family chooses a daughter-in-law, don’t they even consider the girl’s character?
She looked at the ladies of other royal palaces and thought they were all okay and nothing out of the ordinary.
Only the three sisters-in-law live more selfishly than the other.
These are actually the princes’ wives and royal daughters-in-law.
Cui once thought that she was marrying a nouveau riche, not a prince.
Only a nouveau riche would be so unsophisticated.
The eldest lady has been occupying the eldest prince for so many years, and the eldest prince doesn't even have a concubine, but the empress in the palace doesn't even care.
Cui felt incredible.
She didn't know that the ladies had tried to take care of it, but it was useless.
Xiao Qin'er muttered, "Third sister-in-law just can't tolerate others. She insists on pretending to be dignified and generous."
The four of them were walking together, so how could Cui not have heard what Xiao Qin'er said?
She was so angry that she fell backwards.
That's too much.
It is very rude to talk about other people's gossip in front of them.
Cui took a deep breath. "I don't understand why Fourth Brother's wife is targeting me. Is it wrong for me to set rules for His Highness's concubines?"
"That's right, of course. I just can't stand hypocrisy. Disliking the Cai family is perfectly natural. No one would laugh at you if you just said it openly. But you're teasing people while giving them high-sounding excuses. Is that fun?"
Xiao Qin'er stared at Cui with a half-smile and continued, "Like me, when I'm unhappy I take it out on my concubines. I'm upright and honest, and no one dares to say a word against me. They say I can't tolerate concubines. That's right, I just can't tolerate them. I just don't like them, so I have to take it out on them."
Before marrying into the royal family, Cui had never even heard of such righteous remarks.
She grew up in an environment where everyone followed the rules, unlike these sisters-in-law who never seemed to understand what it meant to hide.
Cui gritted her teeth and said in a tone that was neither light nor heavy: "I set the rules for my concubines, and it has nothing to do with Fourth Sister-in-law. Isn't Fourth Sister-in-law a little too nosy?"
Xiao Qin'er laughed, "Just chatting. It's still quite a distance from the Cining Palace, and we usually chat while walking there. Third sister-in-law, you have to get used to it."
I can't get used to it.
I'll never get used to it in this lifetime.
Who can get used to being pointed at and called hypocritical?
Cui looked towards Gu Jiu and said, "Sister-in-law, please seek justice."
Gu Jiu raised his eyebrows and smiled, "We are all sisters-in-law, just chatting for a while, there is no need for the third sister-in-law to take it seriously."
Cui was angry.
Xiao Qin'er pursed her lips and smiled.
"My eldest sister-in-law is the one who knows how to live her life wisely and never puts herself in a difficult position." Ouyang Fu said softly.
Gu Jiu smiled and said nothing.
The four of them went to the Cining Palace together to pay their respects.
Empress Dowager Xiao liked Xiao Qin'er the most, followed by Cui.
Ouyang Fu and Gu Jiu both had to stand aside.
Empress Dowager Xiao invited the two men to come forward and talk, asking them many questions.
Ouyang Fu followed Gu Jiu and sat on the chair as quietly as a chicken.
Seeing the lively conversation over there, she couldn't help but whisper to Gu Jiu, "Sister-in-law is the eldest sister-in-law, but she is not as respectable as the third and fourth brothers' sisters-in-law. Isn't it sad? I feel that it's not worth it for Sister-in-law."
Gu Jiu sneered and said, "It's not the first time this has happened. Isn't it a little late for my second brother and sister-in-law to feel sorry for me?"
Ouyang Fu was frustrated, but she quickly thought of a solution and said, "I am angry that my third brother's wife has just entered the family and has surpassed my eldest sister-in-law to gain the favor of the Queen Mother."
Gu Jiu looked at Ouyang Fu with a half-smile, "Second sister-in-law is upset that Third sister-in-law is more favored by the Queen Mother than you. I understand. Second sister-in-law doesn't need to drag me into this. As for me, is this important?"
"Why isn't it important?" Ouyang Fu asked, and then she quickly defended herself, "I have no problem with my third brother's wife, and I don't feel the slightest bit of resentment."
Gu Jiu didn't care whether he was angry with Cui or not.
She said to Ouyang Fu, "I don't rely on the Queen Mother's attention to make a living. Whether the Queen Mother pays attention to me or not is naturally not important to me."
Ouyang Fu was speechless and made no sound for a long time before she sighed deeply.
"My sister-in-law is still living a comfortable life. I can never compare to her."
Gu Jiu smiled, picked up the teacup and took a sip.
Afterwards, the four of them went to the Weiyang Palace to pay their respects.
Empress Pei felt a little tired and not in a good mood. She said a few words and then sent the four people away.
As they left the palace, Gu Jiu asked Eunuch Wen, "Is the Queen Mother ill? What did the imperial physician say?"
Eunuch Wen bowed slightly and said, "Madam, the Queen caught a cold a few days ago and had a headache and fever. She took some medicine and the fever has dissipated, and she's feeling much better now. But she's feeling a bit listless and has no energy at all."
"Is it okay?"
"Don't worry, Madam. The imperial physician said that the Empress hasn't fully recovered yet, so it's normal for her to feel tired."
Xiao Qin'er clutched her chest and said, "Thank God. I hope Mother will get better soon."
Gu Jiu was a little confused. Why did Pei Shi spread rumors?
Pei was a middle-aged woman.
When she was in the palace, Pei Shi didn't like to go out. The Chunhe Hall in the palace was her comfort zone, and she was happy to stay there and play with the screens.
After entering the palace, Pei remained a homebody as always.
Unless necessary, she mostly played with the screens in the Weiyang Palace.
Empress Pei, who is such a homebody, was caught in a storm. I hope it was just an accident.
Gu Jiu said to Eunuch Wen, "It's been a while since the weather started to warm up, so it's very easy to catch a cold. Please tell my mother to take care of herself."
"We will bring the eldest lady's words to the Empress. The ladies are so thoughtful today, please go back."
Gu Jiu nodded and prepared to leave the palace.
Xiao Qin'er said, "I have to go visit Empress Zhaoyi, so I can't go back to the palace with you sisters-in-law. Please forgive me, sisters-in-law."
"Third sister-in-law, go."
Ouyang Fu also wanted to pay her respects to Concubine Shen Xian, so she said goodbye to everyone and left.
In the end, only Gu Jiu and Cui were left.
"Third sister-in-law, are you leaving the palace?"
Cui pursed her lips and nodded, "I'll go with my sister-in-law."
The two of them walked slowly out of the palace.
Gu Jiu was thinking about Yu Ge'er and wanted to go to the school to take a look.
Unfortunately, the school was located in the former court, where officials discussed government affairs. As a woman, Gu Jiu was not allowed to set foot inside without permission.
Cui took the opportunity to say to Gu Jiu, "I'm new here, so if I've offended you in any way, please forgive me."
Gu Jiu smiled knowingly, "Third sister-in-law, you're worrying too much. I didn't mean to offend you."
"But my fourth brother's wife treats me..." Cui looked very worried.
"She's just a foul-mouthed person." Gu Jiu said nonchalantly, "You don't have to take her words to heart."
Cui was obviously relieved. "After listening to what my sister-in-law said, I finally feel relieved."
As the two of them approached the palace gate, a eunuch and a eunuch hurried over, "We've finally caught up. Madam, please follow us."
Gu Jiu looked at the newcomer in surprise, "Excuse me, sir?"
The eunuch patted his head and said, "My family works in Xingqing Palace, and Eunuch Chang is our godfather. His Majesty learned that Madam Zhao had entered the palace, so he specially invited Madam Zhao to Xingqing Palace to speak. His Majesty is waiting, Madam Zhao, please hurry."
Gu Jiu stared at the eunuch's waist.
The eunuch knew that he was a stranger to Gu Jiu, so he quickly took off the badge from his waist and handed it to Gu Jiu for review.
Gu Jiu took a quick look and found that it was indeed a eunuch from Xingqing Palace.
She immediately laughed, "Please forgive me, eunuch. There are many people in the palace, and I am not sure of your identity. I am always worried. Please lead the way."
"Madam Zhao, please."
"Third sister-in-law, I need to go to Xingqing Palace. Is it okay for you to leave the palace and return home alone?"
Gu Jiu did not forget Cui.
Cui said quickly, "Go ahead, sister-in-law. I can do it alone."
Gu Jiu followed the eunuch to Xingqing Palace.
Xiao Qin'er came to the harem to meet Xiao Zhaoyi.
When the two sisters met, Xiao Qin'er's face turned cold, "Sister, please send your attendants away."
Xiao Zhaoyi looked at her calmly, "Sister, if you have anything to say, just say it."
Xiao Qin'er sneered. Since Xiao Zhaoyi didn't care, why should she care so much?
She took out a folded handkerchief from her bosom, and then peeled off the layers one by one, and a bookmark appeared before her eyes.
The bookmark was well preserved because it was always wrapped in a handkerchief, and the handkerchief was also stained with the faint scent of gardenia.
"Does this bookmark look familiar to you, little sister?" Xiao Qin'er's eyes were blazing with fire, but her tone was unusually calm.
When Xiao Zhaoyi saw the bookmark, her pupils shrank, and then she smiled nonchalantly, "It's just a bookmark."
"Is this just a bookmark?" Xiao Qin'er looked grimly.
Xiao Zhaoyi waved her hand and said, "Everyone, leave. No one is allowed to come in without my order."
The palace servants left one after another.
Xiao Zhaoyi nodded behind Xiao Qin'er.
Xiao Qin'er suppressed her anger and sent all the servants around her away.
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