When everyone in the manor saw that the Fourth Master came out with a cold face, they all assumed that Li Chenjiao had offended him and displeased him, and they were all gloating.
The main academy was the first to receive the news.
The princess was tending to her favorite azaleas when she heard the news. Her lips curled up involuntarily. She slowly put down the scissors and took a handkerchief to wipe her hands.
"Ultimately, relying on one's looks to please others will inevitably lead to the Fourth Prince's dislike." The Fujin wiped her hands and casually tossed the handkerchief on the ground.
Yu Ru, supporting the First Princess Consort, asked, "What about the First Princess Consort?"
The Fujin smiled faintly, but there was no hint of amusement in her eyes: "Just send gifts according to the standards for the birth of the Second Princess by the First Fujin."
Yu Ru was surprised: "Isn't the Fujin going to visit the First Fujin?"
The princess scoffed: "Fourth Prince has always had a distant relationship with Prince Zhi. Besides, what's the deal with those two concubines? Just these two things alone give me no reason to go."
She was the primary wife of the Fourth Prince, and everything revolved around him. She would be close to whichever prince the Fourth Prince was close to, and vice versa.
Otherwise, wouldn't that be a slap in the face to the Fourth Master?
Yu Ru agreed, then asked, "What about... what about the two concubines?"
The princess's pretty face showed displeasure: "Do whatever the Fourth Master says. Tell the kitchen to make a bowl of fresh fish soup and send it to the Fourth Master."
Although the Fujin (principal wife) was forbidden from sending things to the front courtyard, such things still happened in private; at least the Fujin herself did it quite often.
Yu Ru said yes, and hurriedly went to give the instructions.
The princess sat alone, looking at the pot of azaleas, and suddenly seemed a little dazed.
She'd only been married for less than six months, so why did it seem like she hadn't seen Fourth Master in ages? That's right, Fourth Master never came to her place.
With tears welling in her eyes, the Fujin wiped them away with a cold expression, her demeanor calm, reverting to her dignified and composed self-reliant wife.
...
"The third prince submitted a memorial requesting the appointment of a concubine?" Emperor Kangxi asked, looking at the memorial.
The Third Prince Consort, Lady Dong'e, injured Lady Zhaojia and even hit the Third Prince. Although Emperor Kangxi promised to make Lady Zhaojia a secondary consort.
However, Emperor Kangxi was still somewhat displeased that the third prince had put forward such a hasty agenda to have Lady Zhaojia on the imperial register.
Emperor Shunzhi favored Consort Dong'e, neglecting his wife in favor of his concubine, which greatly displeased Emperor Kangxi. Consequently, Emperor Kangxi was very unhappy that one of his sons was a womanizer.
Emperor Kangxi snorted and put down his vermilion brush: "How is the third prince now?"
Liang Jiugong, who was serving, replied: "In the backyard, Princess Zhaojia gave birth to two princes and one princess, and another concubine also gave birth to a princess."
Emperor Kangxi was even more displeased, subconsciously feeling that it was because the third prince was too fond of the so-called Lady Zhaojia.
"Let's leave it for now and deal with it when the third prince returns." Emperor Kangxi put down the memorial and continued to review other memorials.
As he was reviewing the documents, Emperor Kangxi felt uneasy again: "Has the eldest son's daughter been born again?"
Liang Jiugong responded with an "Eh": "Yes, she is a princess, and she is very healthy."
Emperor Kangxi glanced at Liang Jiugong: "Do I not know him? I heard he even sent concubines to the third prince and several others? He can't even manage his own family affairs, yet he has the nerve to meddle in his brother's harem."
Liang Jiugong said nothing more, only replying with a "yes".
Emperor Kangxi put down his vermilion brush: "You good-for-nothings, convey my message: have the third prince and a few others come to court as observers starting tomorrow."
Liang Jiugong's eyebrows twitched, and he responded softly, "Yes."
The princes are all getting old, and their power has grown, but alas…
The Emperor can revoke these powers at any time.
Prince Zhi's blatant arrangement of people to the backyards of the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Princes clearly displeased the Emperor, which is why the Emperor ordered the Third Prince and the others to attend court early as a warning to Prince Zhi.
But I suppose it was all to pave the way for arranging jobs for a few princes.
The Fourth Prince received news of his attendance at court hearings close to dinner time. He was surprised, and naturally asked Su Peisheng to investigate.
Understanding some of the reasons, Fourth Master raised an eyebrow: "Those two... in a few days, give them some silver and send them home." It would be too deliberate to send them away now.
Su Peisheng agreed, and then said, "The Princess Consort just sent over some fresh fish soup. Would you like to try some, Your Highness?"
Before the Fourth Master could nod, Fu Lu came in carrying a bowl of soup. When he saw Su Peisheng inside, he stammered, "Master, this is turtle soup that Song Gege sent over."
Su Peisheng glanced at Fulu immediately. Good heavens, he's been secretly pocketing money again, hasn't he? You wretched apprentice!
Fourth Master glanced at Su Peisheng, then at Fulu: "Do you think the front yard has treated you unfairly? You're trying every trick in the book to make money?"
Finally, the two eunuchs handed over the silver, which was confiscated. As they came out, Fulu whispered, "Master, I secretly kept one tael of silver. Let's go out for a drink tomorrow."
Su Peisheng glanced at Fu Lu with disdain, then suddenly shook the purse at his waist; it looked quite heavy.
Just as Fulu was about to speak, Danqing from Baijia's place arrived, also carrying a bowl of soup.
This time, Su Peisheng learned his lesson and went in first to ask the Fourth Master, only to be scolded and kicked out by him.
Su Peisheng simply waved his hand to let Danqing leave.
However, Su Peisheng couldn't help but wonder to himself, what's wrong with the delivery today? They've never been this diligent on weekdays. Is it some kind of holiday today?
After finishing his official business inside, Fourth Master remembered the two bowls of fish soup and casually scooped out a small half bowl to taste.
Yes, it's as fresh as ever.
After drinking half a bowl, Fourth Master suddenly got up and walked outside.
"Master?" Su Peisheng asked hurriedly.
Fourth Master said succinctly, "Go and see Madam Li."
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