Madam Xu remained calm, her back straight, and her smile was very faint as she spoke: "Speaking in front of the concubine naturally requires extreme caution. As a servant of lowly status, I dare not say too much."
Madam Song gave a flat "Oh," her tone carrying a hint of admonition: "You've always been a quiet person, but you can't be like that now that you've adopted the Third Prince. You'll spoil the child."
In the end, it was Song Shi who smoothly shifted the topic to the Third Prince, something even Wu Shi hadn't been in a hurry to mention.
Li Chenjiao remained silent and showed no intention of helping Xu Shi out of the predicament.
She naturally didn't want to speak at this moment, nor could she. Otherwise, the various theories about why the Third Prince was adopted by Madam Xu would likely become something she, as a secondary consort, would have to mediate after she spoke up.
As long as things don't get too ugly, Li Chenjiao has no need to intervene.
Upon hearing this, Madam Xu seemed to have been prepared, showing little surprise on her face. After a long while, she spoke slowly.
"With the Fourth Prince's guidance, there's nothing this servant could have done anyway. It's just that the Fourth Prince took pity on me because of my lowly status. As for whether he'll be spoiled or not, this servant will do his best to take care of the Third Prince. This servant should thank Consort Song for her concern on behalf of the Third Prince."
Eloquent and quick-witted.
These words at least pleased and satisfied Song.
Wu naturally glanced at Xu several times while Xu was speaking, and realized that she had underestimated the unassuming Xu in the past.
However, no matter how tactfully Xu said it, she still offended Bai Jia, who had remained silent.
Everyone in this house has a son or daughter, but only Bai Jiashi, who had been confined for a year, was treated as if she didn't exist in the eyes of the Fourth Master after her confinement was lifted.
The fact that even a concubine could adopt a child and subtly surpass her status naturally displeased Bai Jia.
However, the year-long confinement had taught her a lesson, and although Bai Jia was not in a good mood at the moment, she still did not interrupt.
Do you really think everyone in this room can't tell?
Xu said such sweet words to Song only because she thought Song was easier to talk to.
In her opinion, there wasn't a single person in this household who was easy to deal with.
However, since the Fourth Prince's favor is obvious, apart from that concubine, what difference is there between the others except for the issue of offspring?
Bai Jiashi is now much more open-minded. Right now, she is the one sitting there watching the show the most, since no one wants to mention her, who is currently the least favored.
Although Li Chenjiao was also watching the show, she always had to be wary of anyone bringing up her again, and she had to pick up on the conversation and then kick it back.
Even before the Fujin (the wife of the deceased) arrived for today's greetings, everyone was already somewhat hostile towards Madam Xu.
Although Madam Xu had long been prepared for this to happen, she had rarely received so much attention, and it was still somewhat difficult for her to cope.
However, Xu secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Once this first ordeal was over, everything that followed wouldn't be so difficult to endure.
All she needs to do is raise the Third Prince well.
Thinking of the quiet and obedient Third Prince, Xu Shi's smile finally became more genuine.
The princess appeared from behind the screen at the head of the room amidst the sounds of conversation.
Everyone rose and greeted him.
The Princess Consort came out a little late today, which did seem to be partly to let everyone in the room fight like dogs, but it was mostly because the Princess Consort's makeup was delayed.
Although the princess consort had completed her full two-month confinement period, her complexion was still visibly poor. Even after Yu Ru and the maid applied makeup twice, they still couldn't hide the haggard look on their mistress's face.
This past month has indeed been a difficult one for the Fujin (wife of the emperor).
The wife naturally understood this indirect confinement, and even went so far as to try to understand the Fourth Prince's thoughts more deeply.
However, the more the Fujin thought about it, the more frightened she became. Later, she was persuaded by Granny Qian and two maids and finally calmed down. She decided to take advantage of her recovery time to visit and accompany the Second Prince more.
It was only when the Princess Consort truly focused her attention on the Second Prince that she realized his health was far weaker than hers.
The wife naturally worried again, and during her postpartum period, she was also concerned about the health of the second prince, which made her even more overworked.
The Fujin could naturally see her own expression at this moment. She wasn't in a good mood either, and the noise outside only made her more irritated.
"Add some more rouge, and that's all."
No matter how much makeup you apply, it can't completely cover it up.
As soon as the Fujin (principal wife) sat down, she first looked at Li Chenjiao's face below her. She saw that Li's face was still the same as before, and her complexion was even more rosy than when she was pregnant.
The princess's gaze drifted downwards, and she finally couldn't suppress her anger: "Consort Li seems to be enjoying herself quite a bit lately."
This was a rare instance of the Fujin (wife) using such blunt words to be sarcastic and sarcastic towards Li Chenjiao.
Both Li Chenjiao and Madam Wu looked up in surprise, and even Madam Song turned her head to the side.
Li Chenjiao had given birth to the second princess for more than two months. Even if she was in high spirits, that was long gone. Moreover, at that time, everyone in the mansion was focused on Xie Shi, who had suddenly given birth, and no one flattered Li Chenjiao, who had just given birth to the second princess.
Moreover, the princess's words implied that Li Chenjiao was currently riding high on her success.
The only thing that has made Li Chenjiao feel comfortable and happy in the mansion lately is the favor she receives from the Fourth Prince when he often comes to rest in the East Courtyard.
To everyone's surprise, the Fujin (principal wife) didn't immediately target Xu Shi, who had just given birth to the Third Prince, but instead started talking about Li Chenjiao, who had recently become very favored.
However, everyone present asked themselves honestly.
Consort Li's favor towards her is not much different from what it was before she gave birth.
If we're talking about being riding high, then Li Chenjiao's smugness has probably never stopped.
Li Chenjiao raised her chin, displaying a dignified and composed demeanor. After a moment, she smiled gently before the Fujin could speak, as if they were having a casual chat.
"You flatter me, it's nothing like the lively atmosphere in the main courtyard."
It was bustling with activity.
Sitting opposite Li Chenjiao, Madam Song laughed without any politeness. She had always been the one who disliked the Fujin the most, and she responded quickly this time.
"Yes, even without the servants paying their respects, it's still more lively here than during the New Year."
Everyone knows that the physician in the manor has to go to the main hospital three times a day, and the physician from the Imperial Hospital doesn't come every day, but every other day.
What else could it be but a lively scene?
Li Chenjiao's mouth has never been polite, but she was just too lazy to open it before.
However, since she had become a concubine and her relationship with the primary wife was not particularly harmonious, she wouldn't approach the primary wife with a smile if the primary wife greeted her with a smile.
However, since the Fujin (principal wife) had offended her first, Li Chenjiao was naturally not one to back down, and she certainly wouldn't give the Fujin a pleasant look.
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