But Li Si'er was truly arrogant.
In just a short while, Li Chenjiao heard Li Si'er say two sarcastic things about their Fujin (wife).
"Even though they are both primary wives, the wives of princes are more authoritative and capable, and are able to keep their subordinates in line."
This statement both describes the ways of the Fujin (principal wife) and indirectly implies that Li Chenjiao is also someone under the Fujin's control, equally obedient and subject to her orders.
Li Chenjiao wasn't annoyed by these words; her smile remained unchanged, as if she hadn't heard Li Si'er's words at all.
"Madam, please try this chrysanthemum cake. It's a truly delicious treat."
When Li Chenjiao looked up again, she started talking about something else. However, Li Si'er, who was sitting opposite her, thought that Li Chenjiao's tone made it sound like she was saying that even eating couldn't shut her up.
Li Si'er sat up a little straighter: "Oh, so there's a real Bodhisattva in Fourth Master's mansion. Your wife has already pushed you out to deal with an unknown nobody like me, yet the concubine can still talk and laugh like this. You really have a good temperament."
You really have to think carefully once or twice before you can understand what Li Si'er is saying.
First of all, Li Si'er is saying that Li Chenjiao is a real Bodhisattva. Does that mean there are fake Bodhisattvas in Master Si's mansion?
Then, Li Si'er's next sentence directly pointed out that the Fujin was unwilling to talk to her anymore. As soon as she said this, the servants serving in the main courtyard all lowered their heads knowingly.
Finally, he went back to the topic of Li Chenjiao's good temper, but his tone made it hard to tell whether Li Si'er was being sarcastic or telling the truth.
Li Chenjiao put down her teacup, looked back at Li Si'er, and her eyes narrowed slightly.
"Madam is too kind. I've always been fond of worldly things and have nothing to do with Bodhisattvas. Besides, you are a very famous person, how could you be an unknown nobody? I've always been stingy, and I will treat others the same way they treat me."
Li Chenjiao spoke slowly, only replying to Li Si'er's words one sentence at a time.
After she finished speaking, she frowned slightly again: "It's getting late, it's almost lunchtime. Would you like to stay for lunch at the mansion, Madam? If so, I'll have someone ask the Fujin to make the arrangements."
Li Chenjiao's question was not without a subtle hint that she was reminding Li Si'er to take her leave.
Li Chenjiao was really hungry at this moment. She rushed to the main courtyard to pay her respects this morning, and only managed to eat two pumpkin cakes to fill her stomach while Qiu Hu was doing her hair.
While the Fujin and Li Si'er were talking, Li Chenjiao also tried two pieces of cake, but she found them a bit too sweet and didn't touch them much.
By this time, Li Chenjiao was already starving.
Li Si'er stood up gracefully: "There's no need for lunch. I heard that the lady of the house is recuperating lately, so I dare not stay for lunch. I'll come to visit again when the lady of the house is fully recovered."
Li Chenjiao watched Li Si'er leave, glancing at the servants who were still stunned in the main courtyard.
"Aren't you going to see them off? What about the etiquette of hospitality?"
Li Chenjiao would not go out to see him off herself.
The servants in the main courtyard exchanged glances several times, then silently bowed and withdrew.
Li Chenjiao came out of the side room and ran into Yu Ru coming out. The smile that Yu Ru had given Li Si'er earlier vanished instantly.
"Is the Princess Consort still resting? I'll head back now."
She turned her back on him, took Qiu Hu's hand, and walked away, naturally not bothering to look at Yu Ru's expression.
Li Si'er's visit to the mansion today was certainly not without reason; it was most likely at Longkodo's behest.
However, based on Li Si'er's previous conversation with the Fujin, it was still difficult to figure out her intentions.
Only Li Si'er's opening line, "I heard from Lord Longkodo that the Fourth Prince said the Princess Consort has been unwell lately,"
Regardless of whether Li Si'er truly learned that the Fujin was recuperating because of this, as she claimed.
But it still revealed one piece of information: Longkodo and the Fourth Prince had recently been in contact.
Li Chenjiao simply avoided becoming enemies with Li Si'er, which was enough.
Li Chenjiao didn't want to say much about Li Si'er's personality and the quality of her words, just as she had thought before.
Ultimately, Li Si'er was a favored concubine in Lord Longkodo's harem, not a favored concubine in the Fourth Prince's mansion.
Regardless of Li Si'er's words and actions, they were of no importance to Li Chenjiao.
After all, Li Chenjiao probably wouldn't have many opportunities to meet and exchange a few words with Li Si'er throughout the year.
To Li Chenjiao, Li Si'er was indeed an insignificant person.
However, the reason Li Chenjiao was giving Yu Ru the cold shoulder was indeed because she was angry.
The person Li Si'er really wanted to see today was the primary wife of the Fourth Prince, not the secondary wife Li Chenjiao, who was pushed out as a shield by the primary wife as before.
Furthermore, Li Si'er is indeed shrewish, and dealing with such a person has always been the most troublesome thing for Li Chenjiao.
Furthermore, it's true that she doesn't care about Li Si'er, but it's also true that Li Si'er's words were frequently offensive during their conversation.
Li Chenjiao was not someone to be trifled with. She hadn't reacted earlier because she was mindful of Fourth Master. If Li Si'er had been any more rude and said something like she and Li Chenjiao shared the same surname and their ancestors might have even been from the same family, Li Chenjiao probably would have immediately started cursing back.
Who isn't feisty? Li Chenjiao herself is a bully at home, but she's careful about her reputation when she's out in public. Who doesn't want a good name?
But right now, the most important thing is to fill her stomach. Li Chenjiao covered her stomach with her sleeve and touched her abdomen, which was now flat as a board: "Let's go back quickly, or I won't be able to walk any further."
Qiu Hu helped Li Chenjiao up: "I have already sent a message back earlier. I think Qiu Ci and Xiao Luzi have already sent someone to the kitchen. It's almost lunchtime now, and the servants in the kitchen dare not delay or neglect them."
Li Chenjiao sighed, "Someone like me is definitely more comfortable being a concubine."
Qiu Hu couldn't help but refute these words.
"Your Majesty is too kind. Your Majesty is wise. In all the years I have served you, I have never seen you unable to accomplish anything. It is only because of your Manchu bannerman status that Your Majesty—"
Li Chenjiao smiled and said, "For a girl, it is naturally best to be the principal wife. Family background is given by God. If you can't be the principal wife, you should first ask to have enough to eat and wear."
Li Chenjiao has always been open-minded. No matter what her status is, living a good life and not suffering hardship or injustice is better than anything else.
Li Chenjiao returned to the East Courtyard, just as Xiao Luzi had brought back lunch from the kitchen. Li Chenjiao smelled the aroma as soon as she stepped into the courtyard.
Well, it's still most comfortable to be in my own yard.
Of course, being able to eat crab-stuffed oranges right now is a real treat.
Everything else at this moment is like fleeting clouds.
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