Later that evening, when the Princess Consort came out and took her seat, everyone was stunned for a moment when they greeted her, and then their eyes couldn't help but glance at Li Chenjiao.
Both were expecting children, so why did the Fujin's complexion look worse than that of the ailing Xie?
Although the princess had concealed her face with makeup, the dark circles under her eyes and her thin figure were not unnoticed by the general public.
Before Li Chenjiao even looked at the Fujin's belly, she already had some guesses in her mind. Judging from the appearance, it seemed to be similar to the situation of Xie Shi's pregnancy.
It's just that Xie Shi kept it a secret, which is why she didn't recover her health properly. But the Fujin (Madam) should have had no shortage of things to nourish her body.
When everyone looked at Li Chenjiao again, they naturally wanted to take a closer look at Consort Li, who was also pregnant.
Li Chenjiao's complexion was still rosy, just like last time, and her body looked a bit fuller as she was more pregnant. Just by sitting there quietly, everyone could tell that she was doing well during this pregnancy.
When the princess asked everyone to dispense with formalities, she glanced down and naturally saw it.
The princess paused for a moment, and a sense of injustice naturally arose in her heart.
How could she, the primary consort, look more haggard than Li, the secondary consort? Could it be that the Fourth Prince secretly gave Li something extra to help her recover?
Otherwise, how come Li looks more energetic than her?
Adding to the fact that Li Chenjiao had dealt with Zhu Shi in Wu Gege's courtyard a few days ago, the Fujin was now filled with thoughts of the Fujin.
The princess consort was inevitably somewhat unhappy and uncomfortable.
So when he greeted the crowd below, his words carried a hint of sarcasm.
However, most of these barbed remarks were directed at Li Chenjiao.
As the saying goes, a new broom sweeps clean. In the past, Li Chenjiao was lazy and didn't bother to compete with his wife, but things are different now.
If she could remain silent while listening to the Fujin's sarcastic remarks, others would only think that Li Chenjiao was being submissive and easy to bully.
However, Li Chenjiao had to be careful with her words, and she understood the importance of respecting the Fujin (the wife of the deceased).
For example, when the Fujin (principal wife) said that Li Chenjiao was currently enjoying great success, Li Chenjiao still smiled.
"What are you saying, Madam? I was just following the Fourth Prince's orders, wasn't I?"
Who doesn't use the Fourth Prince to intimidate others?
After Li Chenjiao finished speaking, she looked at the Fujin at the head of the table with a very sincere expression and said, "I heard that Fujin has been feeling unwell these days, and the master specifically told the servants not to disturb her. It's fortunate that Fujin asked about it, otherwise the servants would have thought that I was being arrogant and making a big deal out of nothing."
The Fujin was speechless, but she still had to go along with what Li Chenjiao said: "I have indeed been feeling weak lately, but you too, by punishing Wu Shi and confining her to her quarters, have caused me a lot of trouble."
What a convenient "you've caused me a lot of trouble."
Those in positions of power often suffer from various forms of paranoia.
No matter what you do, there's always a worry that you have ulterior motives.
Li Chenjiao was merely following the rules by punishing Wu Shi for lax discipline by confining her to her quarters. Now, listening to the words of the Fujin, it seemed as if she was being suspected of trying to take advantage of punishing Wu Shi to then take over Wu Shi's current power over the household.
Li Chenjiao almost couldn't help but laugh out of anger.
She stopped smiling, and finally said impatiently, "Then what does the Princess Consort think we should do?"
Li Chenjiao simply stopped beating around the bush and made her point out clearly.
Since the Fujin (principal wife) was not satisfied with her handling of the matter, then the Fujin should come up with a suitable plan herself.
The princess was stunned again upon hearing this, but she quickly regained her composure and began speaking in Mandarin.
“Different things naturally require different solutions. You were a bit reckless after all. Even if Empress Wu’s rule is not strict, she is still the birth mother of the First Prince, and she should have thought things through more thoroughly.”
The Princess Consort's words sounded grand and dignified, but they did not actually answer Li Chenjiao's question, "What should be done according to the Princess Consort's opinion?"
Li Chenjiao was getting impatient, so she couldn't hide her laughter, her expression revealing a strange emotion.
"In the end, he is not as thoughtful as the Princess Consort."
It was hard to tell whether Li Chenjiao's words were a genuine compliment or a sarcastic remark.
The princess lowered her eyes, staring at Li Chenjiao who was looking down, and felt increasingly unhappy.
Finally, the Princess Consort suppressed her displeasure and said a few words in a lukewarm tone, such as that although preparations for the New Year's celebrations should be made everywhere, the rules should not be broken.
It was also mentioned that the children in the household did not need to go to the palace to pay their respects to the Goddess of the Year during the New Year festival; it would be fine to wait until spring when the weather cleared up before going to the palace.
This was naturally the same message that Consort De had sent to deliver by Zhao, the palace maid, last time. Consort De was also considerate of the children in the mansion, since the eldest princess's health had not been good since birth, and the eldest prince was only three or four months old. Bringing the children into the palace during the New Year was indeed a hassle.
When Li Chenjiao left the main courtyard, Song Shi, Bai Jia Shi, Xie Shi, and Xu Shi all waited respectfully behind her. Li Chenjiao walked in front, and when she passed Xie Shi's side, she paused slightly before speaking.
"If you're sick, you should have the imperial physician examine you properly. It's not good luck to be sick in winter, don't you agree, Princess Xie?"
Li Chenjiao still had a soft heart.
Li Chenjiao would only offer a few words of advice, but she wouldn't insist on having a royal physician examine Xie Shi.
Otherwise, in the eyes of the Fujin (Prince's wife), she would think that she wanted to find the beautiful Xie Shi to consolidate her favor because of her good fortune. Besides, the Fourth Prince has never liked Xie Shi, so Li Chenjiao naturally had no need to provoke him.
However, Xie was filled with trepidation upon hearing Li Chenjiao's words.
"Thank you for your concern, Consort. Perhaps it's just that I'm a little unwell due to the change in environment at the beginning of winter. It's nothing serious, and there's no need for the imperial physician to come."
Xie kept her eyes lowered, and Li Chenjiao watched her from a short distance away, sensing the strong ambition behind Xie's words.
Ms. Xie wanted to use the child in her womb to turn her life around.
But is it really that easy?
Because Li Chenjiao remained silent for a long time, Xie couldn't help but raise her eyebrows slightly and try to catch a glimpse of Li Chenjiao's expression out of the corner of her eye.
Li Chenjiao stood in the shadows, not speaking, seemingly lost in thought. However, Xie Shi keenly sensed Li Chenjiao's emotions at that moment.
It is compassion.
Xie was stunned for a moment, and then a feeling of resentment arose in her heart.
She is not doing so well right now, but fortunes change, so why should Li pity her?
On the day Xie gave birth, amidst the pungent smell of blood and sticky sweat, she suddenly realized that she had indeed been too foolish, and that Li deserved to pity her.
But those are all things that happened later.
At this moment, Li Chenjiao slowly came back to her senses from her daze.
"I hope it's as you say." Li Chenjiao said this, then adjusted the tiger-sable fur coat that Qiu Hu had just draped over her shoulders and left.
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