It was rare to see the fourth prince like this, so Consort De smiled and said, "Yes, would your mother lie to you? Now that the Crown Prince has begun to listen to the government, it won't be long before you brothers are in charge of your duties."
The mother and son chatted for a while, and then Consort De, feeling tired, went to take a nap.
The crabapple blossoms outside are in full bloom, bathed in sunlight, a testament to the boundless beauty of spring.
………
Inside the manor, Li Chenjiao only saw the Fourth Prince's annotations after lunch. It was Qiu Hu who saw them while tidying up and told Li Chenjiao.
Li Chenjiao yawned twice: "Just leave it there for now. I'm sleepy right now, so don't bother tidying up. Go and rest."
Qiu Hu didn't answer. She put the embroidery thread on the small table, said "Yes," and left.
Li Chenjiao burst out laughing for no reason.
Li Chenjiao didn't sleep for long this time. She got up quite late this morning. Although she said she was sleepy earlier, it was just out of habit.
After sleeping for about an hour, Li Chenjiao woke up. Qiu Ci was making purses outside, and when she heard the noise, she put the things in and came in.
While helping Li Chenjiao wash up, Li Chenjiao lazily leaned against the couch, not doing anything, just resting.
Spring drowsiness... making me lazy.
Qiu Ci chuckled to herself, "Why don't you practice your calligraphy for a while, Princess?"
Hearing Qiu Ci say that, Li Chenjiao remembered the annotations that Fourth Master had made, nodded, and went to look through the paper.
Fourth Master's writing is as concise as ever, but the content is truly both laughable and pathetic.
"Imitating others blindly will only make you a laughing stock; follow your heart."
Just follow your heart...
Li Chenjiao rested her chin on her hand. Fourth Master really was... His words always touched her heart. So many of his words were so true.
Qiu Ci glanced at it discreetly, recognized most of the characters, and then covered her mouth and laughed.
Li Chenjiao turned her head and glared at Qiu Ci: "Go embroider your purse, where's Qiu Hu?"
Qiu Ci shook her head: "It seems that Dan Gui came to talk to her, and she has been gone for a while."
Li Chenjiao subconsciously sensed something was wrong: "Dan Gui? Which courtyard's maid is she from?"
“She was serving under Princess Baijia,” Qiu Ci replied.
Bai Jia Shi?
Li Chenjiao frowned and remained silent for a while.
Qiu Ci also sensed something was wrong and asked in a low voice, "Should I go and look for it?" Her voice was tense.
Li Chenjiao waved her hand: "Don't go. Tell Xiao Luzi to go to the garden and ask if they are there."
Qiu Ci didn't ask any more questions, and she believed what her princess said. She quickly went to find Xiao Luzi.
About the time it takes to drink two cups of tea later, Qiu Hu returned, his expression grave. However, Xiao Lu Zi hadn't returned yet; it seemed the two hadn't run into each other.
Li Chenjiao was reading a book when she saw Qiu Hu come in. She looked up at Qiu Hu's unpleasant expression and asked with a smile, "Why do you look so pale after you went out?"
Qiu Hu suddenly sighed: "Dan Gui told me a lot of bad things about Bai Jia Gege, and said that Bai Jia Gege hates the Gege in her heart, but I always feel that something is not right..."
Li Chenjiao blinked, her eyelashes fluttering: "She said something bad about Bai Jiashi?"
It should be an autumn pot.
Li Chenjiao looked up and asked, "So what did you say?"
"This servant didn't dare to respond, and just gave a few perfunctory replies," Qiu Hu said honestly.
Li Chenjiao rested her chin on her hand and thought for a moment.
“What if she’s not from the Bai family?” Li Chenjiao’s eyes suddenly lit up as she looked at Qiu Hu.
Qiu Hu was stunned: "Does Gege mean... Dan Gui betrays her master?? This..."
Li Chenjiao took a sip of tea: "I'm just guessing. Why would she talk about Bai Jia's faults for no reason? Her motives are definitely not pure."
Li Chenjiao then asked, "Who usually serves Bai Jiashi?"
“Most of them are painters. Dan Gui complained to me a bit, saying that she can only do odd jobs outside now.” Qiu Hu thought for a moment and said.
Li Chenjiao turned to look at Qiu Hu and continued to ask, "Did she praise me in her words?"
Qiu Ci couldn't help but laugh.
Qiu Hu truthfully replied, "I also said a few words."
Li Chenjiao pinched her chin and said something startling: "Do you think her master wants me to fight against Bai Jia Shi?"
Qiu Hu didn't understand and asked, "This servant doesn't understand."
Li Chenjiao said she was thirsty, so she drank two more sips of tea: "Dan Gui's actions today were quite something. First, she suddenly came to my door, then she told you about Bai Jia's bad behavior, and then she flattered me, acting like she wanted to rely on me. As for whether she has anyone backing her, it's hard to say."
Qiu Hu understood a bit: "Will she go to see Song Gege again?"
Li Chenjiao's eyes lit up immediately: "Qiu Hu, you're good at this, your mind works fast enough. Let's wait and see how things develop."
Later that evening, Madam Song sent her maid over, who asked her questions in a very friendly manner, and then her words carried a hint of probing.
Li Chenjiao waved her round fan, nestled by the couch, and said with a coquettish smile, "Each person is in charge of their own courtyard. It's none of our business to interfere. It would be bad to get our hands dirty."
The maid was clearly Song's head maid. After listening to Li Chenjiao's words, her eyes flickered slightly: "This servant understands. This servant thanks Consort Li for her guidance on behalf of our princess."
Li Chenjiao waved her hand, and Qiu Hu saw the girl off.
...
When Qiu Hu returned, he saw his princess sitting in a daze, her slender hands supporting her cheeks, lost in thought, seemingly not knowing what she was thinking.
Qiu Hu thought for a moment, the words swirling around in his throat, but in the end he couldn't bring himself to say them. He then gave a slight bow and slowly withdrew.
"What should I do?" As she walked out, Qiu Hu suddenly heard her princess's voice. She subconsciously turned her head, but the curtain blocked her view.
...
"What should we do?"
Li Chenjiao blinked her eyes, which had been moving slightly for a long time, her mind a jumbled mess.
During the general election, Consort De sent someone to inform her. What was she thinking at that time?
Live a peaceful and quiet life, without competing or fighting for anything.
Once inside the mansion, she realized how ridiculous her initial thoughts were. Everyone was eager to climb the social ladder; where was there room for tolerance?
Whose person is Dan Gui? What does she want to do? What has she done? How many people like Dan Gui are there in the manor?
It's terrifying to think about. The Princess Consort has only been in the household for a few months, right? And she was only married in February, right? Yet she already has people in the household. It's really... terrifying to think about.
This princess consort has many more tricks up her sleeve. Will she just stay quiet and behave herself? Perhaps the tree may wish to remain still, but the wind will not cease...
The old saying goes, "When soldiers come, generals will block them; when water comes, earth will dam it." Well, just you wait and see. The girls from the Li family have never been afraid of anyone!
Li Chenjiao suddenly laughed, her fair face beaming even brighter than the two pots of begonias in the room.
Fourteen or fifteen-year-old girls are at the peak of their beauty and charm.
Looking at the two pots of begonias in the room, Li Chenjiao subconsciously thought of the begonia by her temple and smiled unconsciously.
Honestly, the Fourth Prince is quite nice. He's usually very serious, but his words and actions are just what she likes. Hmm, maybe we should... try our best to become the Fourth Prince's favorite concubine and then find ourselves a powerful backer?
Sounds...not bad, huh?!
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