Li Chenjiao turned around, her eyes filled with doubt rather than suspicion. Of course, she wouldn't doubt that Xiao Luzi had made a mistake.
It is indeed a bit strange that it was the Xu family. Where did the Xu family get those marbles?
Qiu Hu explained, "I heard that it was a gift from the Empress during the Mid-Autumn Festival. The eldest and second princesses received silk flowers and pearl flowers, while the eldest, second, and third princes received marbles. However, I heard that the principal wife sent the box of marbles back to the Ulanara family. Later, Xiao Luzi inquired about it and it seems that it was probably from Miss Xu's place."
Li Chenjiao nodded and asked again, "Are you absolutely certain?"
Qiu Hu paused for a moment: "That's what we found out, but it sounds a bit strange."
That's true. To be honest, who knows how the Fujin used the marbles that the Empress bestowed upon her? And what about the eldest prince in Consort Wu's courtyard in the South?
Li Chenjiao and her servant were talking when they suddenly heard the voice of the little maid, Lüju, outside: "Master, Granny Cheng from the First Prince's side in the South Courtyard has come to apologize."
Li Chenjiao's expression turned indifferent. She wasn't in a hurry to see Madam Cheng. Instead, she asked first, "What were Su Peisheng's instructions yesterday?"
"According to the rules, disrespecting one's master should be punished with thirty strokes of the cane, but considering that Madam Cheng had to take care of the eldest prince, she was only punished with ten strokes in the end. In addition, three months' worth of monthly allowance was deducted, and Wu Gege was ordered to discipline him carefully."
The last sentence is no less than saying that Empress Wu was not strict in managing her subordinates, yet she still smiled and accepted it.
Li Chenjiao slightly propped up her shoulders and rested her chin on her hand: "Let Granny Cheng come in and give us an answer."
Granny Cheng quickly walked around the screen and came in. She had probably been punished yesterday, because her steps were still a little unsteady when she came in. However, Madam Cheng was very well-behaved and did not look around.
"Yesterday's events were due to my concern and confusion, which almost offended Consort. I have already reflected on my actions yesterday and have come here today to apologize and beg Consort to calm her anger."
Li Chenjiao looked at Cheng Shi with a gentle expression: "What are you talking about calming down? Didn't I say yesterday that if anything happened to my beloved dog, it would call you? Now that you've been punished, I naturally won't hold this against you. But is the eldest prince alright after he returned?"
Li Chenjiao did dislike Cheng Shi's reckless actions yesterday, but it was the person with ulterior motives hidden behind the scenes that Li Chenjiao truly despised.
Lady Cheng bowed her head: "Thank you for your concern, Consort. The First Prince is doing well."
When the topic of the eldest prince came up, Cheng Shi refused to say anything more, as if she was afraid that Li Chenjiao would find out something.
Upon hearing this, Li Chenjiao's expression became even more indifferent. She propped herself up with her hands and said, "Then I'm relieved. The First Prince can't be without servants. Granny Cheng, you should go back early."
She didn't know if Madam Cheng had told Wu Gege about the marbles, nor did she know Wu Gege's attitude. However, Li Chenjiao was too lazy to engage in any more veiled banter with Madam Cheng.
Instead of wasting time dealing with this, you might as well think about something else.
Cheng Shi naturally understood that Li Chenjiao's words were an order to leave, and she showed some reluctance, but in the end she still left after fulfilling all the proper etiquette.
Li Chenjiao yawned sleepily: "It's almost the end of September. Brother will be leaving the capital in a few days, right?"
It should be an autumn pot.
Li Chenjiao lowered her eyes. She wasn't worried that her brother wouldn't take good care of himself. Her brother was calm and capable of achieving great things wherever he went. However, she still missed him a little because she hadn't seen him for a long time.
Li Chenjiao asked again, "Brother went to Yunnan Prefecture, what about sister-in-law and Yi'er?"
Qiu Hu sighed, "The young mistress probably won't go with us. Yunnan Prefecture is in chaos, and the young master is still young. I heard that the madam prefers the young mistress to go home, where she will be more comfortable and at ease."
The "home" in question refers to the current residence of Father and Mother.
Li Chenjiao pressed her temples: "That's true. We should wait until my brother has established himself properly over there. To put it bluntly, who wants to be a wife who has shared hardship and loneliness? Little do they know how much effort it takes to take care of children. What do you think, sister-in-law?"
"It seems that the young mistress originally wanted to go to Yunnan Prefecture with the young master, but later she changed her mind for some reason."
Li Chenjiao smiled.
Going out into the world with men and enduring hardship might make your husband remember you, but what about the hardships involved? Li Chenjiao remained noncommittal.
She'd rather enjoy a peaceful and quiet life. Of course, if the memory were one that would be unforgettable for a lifetime, Li Chenjiao might be more willing.
Li Chenjiao willingly endured the hardships that were rewarding.
Li Chenjiao couldn't bear the bitterness of not being able to see what lay ahead and not knowing if the hardship would ever end.
However, regarding her brother's matter, Li Chenjiao was not saying that her sister-in-law couldn't have a happy ending with her brother, but rather that there would be plenty of opportunities to suffer. Her sister-in-law, who had just given birth, should focus on taking care of her health.
Li Chenjiao rested her chin on her hand, thinking that if her mother were here, she would probably say the same thing to her.
Thinking of her mother, she couldn't help but smile again.
Li Chenjiao did not give up on the marbles matter and still had Xiao Luzi continue to investigate.
But after investigating and investigating, they never expected that the investigation would eventually lead back to Xu.
However, Madam Xu had sent someone to the front courtyard to report that the marbles that the Empress had given to the Third Prince were missing, and she was going to apologize.
This whole thing was mentioned casually by Fulu from the front yard when he came to deliver something. After hearing Qiuhu tell the story, Li Chenjiao shook her head very lightly.
"Xu was always cautious in her work. As soon as she sensed something was wrong, she went to inform the Fourth Master."
However, this approach is far too risky, since losing the Empress's reward is indeed a sin.
However, this also made Li Chenjiao realize that the marbles incident had nothing to do with Madam Xu or the Third Prince.
But the one in the main courtyard, he's all-powerful—
His actions implicated her, the eldest prince of the Southern Courtyard, and Madam Xu, all without the Fujin (the wife of the deceased prince) even showing her face.
Even if nothing happens in the end, it will still leave a knot in their hearts.
Li Chenjiao lowered her eyes and couldn't help but exclaim, "In the end, it has to be the Fujin (princess)."
Such methods are truly rare.
Li Chenjiao remembered every single incident.
These things were all insignificant and harmless, which is why Li Chenjiao had not retaliated.
This is good enough as it is.
The Fujin was still recuperating in the main courtyard, and it was not easy to see her, let alone pay her respects. Since she could not be seen, it naturally saved a lot of trouble.
Every day when Li Chenjiao wakes up, all she has to do is think about what to eat for the day, what fresh fruits and vegetables the kitchen has brought in, play with the Second Princess, take a nap with a persimmon in her arms, and occasionally check on the frozen pears. Her life is leisurely and relaxing.
At most, she would think about how to coax the Fourth Prince when he came and she was unhappy, so that she could sleep more comfortably at night, otherwise she would worry about feeling cold on her back when she fell asleep at night.
However, this period of leisure did not last long.
At the end of September, the Fourth Prince made a rare trip to the main courtyard after returning to the mansion.
This time, the princess was much less presumptuous; only when she got up to greet him did she have a faint smile on her face.
"May I ask what brings you here today, sir?"
The tone remained as businesslike as ever.
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