After Chen Wufu returned to the imperial study and reported back to Emperor Liang Cheng, Emperor Liang Cheng sighed and then looked down at the memorials on the table. Chen Wufu felt sorry for Emperor Liang Cheng; the relationship between his mother and daughter-in-law was not good, and he, as the father-in-law, had to find a way to mediate between them.
When Emperor Liang Cheng heard that Consort Wan had sent Chen Qiuyan to the palace, he knew that Consort Wan, as his mother-in-law, was up to something again. He ordered Chen Wufu to go to the storeroom and find some toys suitable for children to play with and send them to Chen Qiuyan.
Chen Wufu naturally understood that Emperor Liang Cheng wanted to give Chen Qiuyan face and help her compete with Consort Wan, so he simply led his men to escort Chen Qiuyan to the palace gate.
As Chen Qiuyan sat in the carriage on her way home, Hongtao glanced at the two trays on the carriage, then at her mistress who was resting with her eyes closed, and asked softly, "Your Highness, what does His Majesty mean by this?"
Chen Qiuyan opened her eyes, looked at the items, then at the red peach, and said calmly, "What else could it mean if it's for Ming'er?"
Hongtao and Qingxing, as Chen Qiuyan's two personal maids, have been with her for many years. They naturally understand what kind of personality their daughter has. They feel sorry for her for marrying the wrong person, but they also feel that the Emperor has indeed treated her well since she married into the family.
Chen Qiuyan looked at the items on the tray: a jade nine-linked ring and a wooden carving of the twelve zodiac animals. The wooden carving of the twelve zodiac animals was very well made; the twelve fist-sized children were carved with lifelike detail. Chen Qiuyan could even see the fine hairs on the monkey's raised tail, which showed that it was truly a masterpiece.
Picking up the jade nine-linked rings, they felt warm and smooth to the touch, and the jade was translucent, clearly not an ordinary item. Chen Qiuyan couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
For no other reason than Emperor Liang Cheng's sincere heart, Chen Qiuyan would swallow her pride and suffer in silence, even if it meant losing her teeth.
The Third Prince's residence is located in the eastern part of the capital, some distance from the imperial palace, and is accessible only through one of the most bustling streets in the city.
Listening to the various sounds outside the car window, Chen Qiuyan leaned against the carriage, pondering in her mind the things the Third Prince had been doing recently.
Because of the Xu and Feng families, the Third Prince lost face quite a bit, even though no one said anything on the surface. The Third Prince was a person who cared a lot about his reputation. Although he didn't say it or show it on his face, Chen Qiuyan, his wife, knew the gnashing of teeth beneath his calm exterior.
It was because of this that the Third Prince was secretly reprimanded by his emperor father, and only then did the Third Prince begin to work diligently in the Ministry of Personnel.
Seeing that they had arrived at the street where the Third Prince's residence was located, Chen Qiuyan thought of her youngest daughter waiting for her at home. She put aside the things that were bothering her and just wanted to get home as soon as possible to play with her child.
Back at the Third Prince's residence, Granny Wu saw what Hongtao was holding and exclaimed in surprise, "Oh my, did the Imperial Concubine return our things?"
Hongtao pouted and said, "Granny, it wasn't given by the Imperial Concubine, it was given to our Princess by the Emperor."
Upon hearing this, Granny Wu was even more surprised. Chen Qiuyan said, "Granny, let's go inside and talk slowly."
At this moment, a maidservant came in from outside the courtyard and said to Chen Qiuyan, "Your Highness, the lady from Concubine Li's courtyard said that they have run out of osmanthus oil."
Hearing this, Hongtao, unable to scold the maid by pointing her finger at her forehead because she was holding something, just stomped her foot and said angrily, "Are you stupid? They can just go buy more osmanthus oil when they run out, why do they have to come all the way to our courtyard?"
The maid said aggrievedly, "Sister Hongtao, I told her, but she said that the osmanthus oil that Concubine Li used was given to her by the Third Prince, and that the Third Prince likes the smell of that osmanthus oil."
Hearing the maid's words, one could tell that Concubine Li was being arrogant because of the prince's favor and had come to the Third Prince's wife to show off.
Chen Qiuyan sighed and said to Hongtao, "Hongtao, take this to the steward and see where he bought the osmanthus oil. Buy a few more bottles and put them in Concubine Li's room."
Hongtao turned pale with anger upon hearing her master's words, but since it was her master's order, she had no choice but to obey. She put down her things and followed the maid out in a huff.
Chen Qiuyan's daughter was already asleep, the little one sprawled out on the bed.
Chen Qiuyan changed her clothes and sat on the edge of the bed for a while. Seeing that Granny Wu was standing to the side looking at her with a worried expression, she couldn't help but smile and said softly, "Granny, don't worry, I'm fine."
With only the two of them in the room, and no one else listening to her, Granny Wu sighed and said, "Miss, what are you doing? It breaks my heart to see you becoming more and more depressed every day."
Chen Qiuyan remained calm and said, "Granny, what else can I do besides do nothing?"
Granny Wu naturally understood what her young lady was thinking. She wanted to offer some advice, but she didn't know where to begin. Such a matter could easily lead to losing one's head. Her young lady had no ambition in this, and besides, the Third Prince she was marrying was not a magnanimous person. What else could she do but endure the days in this mansion?
Not wanting to continue the topic, Granny Wu asked, "I wonder if Her Highness the Imperial Concubine has sent you there for something important?"
Chen Qiuyan sneered and said, "What else could it be? What this mother and son want most is that position. Now they're trying to win people over, asking me to help the Third Prince find a few more fertile girls and bring suitable ones into his household."
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