The first thing the Fujin said was disgusting: "You entered the household earlier and have always been the most considerate and understanding of the master's thoughts." It's as if no one could tell that she was trying to disgust her and Madam Song.
This wasn't a big deal, since Song Shi had always hated the Fujin more than Li Chenjiao. At this moment, apart from being a little unhappy, she didn't intend to lash out.
Song was no fool; she knew perfectly well what was going on.
The fact that the Fourth Master is so cold-hearted and indifferent means that Li Shi in the East Courtyard is favored is naturally due to her own abilities and good looks. But what does it have to do with the fact that the master likes Li Shi in the East Courtyard?
Whether one can gain favor in the backyard depends entirely on one's own abilities.
Besides, who among those present couldn't understand the implied meaning in the Princess Consort's words?
The following sentences directly point out that it was because Li Chenjiao of the East Courtyard was unwilling to go that the Fujin (Prince Consort) chose Bai Jia Shi, killing two birds with one stone.
While Bai Jia was overjoyed to have the opportunity to accompany the Fourth Prince north, it also planted a thorn in her heart. This was an opportunity that Li Chenjiao was unwilling to take, and it ultimately fell on Bai Jia.
It's a win-win situation, and it's said that she gave Bai Jia this opportunity. In any case, Bai Jia should be grateful to the Fujin and remember the Fujin's kindness.
That's why she's called a Fujin (a title for a high-ranking official); every word she utters, even every single phrase, carries profound meaning.
Didn't you see that Bai Jiashi was already standing up with great joy and bowing to the Fujin? The smile on her face was impossible to suppress.
"This servant thanks Your Highness for your great kindness. This servant will serve you diligently and personally, without the slightest slackness."
The princess smiled and raised her hand in the air: "Get up quickly. I am satisfied with your intention. Indeed, since you are accompanying me this time, you must seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
Bai Jia agreed with trepidation, and obediently lowered her eyes when she sat down.
No one knew the same gloomy expression that followed her lowered eyes.
The princess nodded in satisfaction again, but then turned her gaze to Li Chenjiao once more.
“Although the master did not blame you yesterday, Li Shi, you are really not following the rules. Do you think you can challenge the master now that you have become a concubine? It is your blessing to serve the master, but now you are showing your displeasure to the fourth master? This is too inappropriate and unruly.”
Li Chenjiao waited quietly until the Fujin finished speaking. She didn't make a scene. She stood up, supporting herself on the table, and said, "I suddenly feel a little unwell, so I'll take my leave now. I've learned a lot from what Fujin said. Next time, I will definitely not dare to offend you, and I will serve you well."
She spoke slowly and deliberately, but her eyes remained lowered in a very proper manner when she replied.
He only looked up after he finished speaking, and a pair of eyes that could be described as sharp blades pierced the face of the princess. In just a breath or two, he looked away.
"Then I shall take my leave."
Li Chenjiao didn't even look at the others in the hall. She gave a slight curtsy and then rose to take her leave.
The good mood that the Fujin had been in for the day vanished almost entirely. She herself couldn't even count how many times Li had contradicted her and taken her leave during their greetings.
The woman in the lower seat, Song, raised her hand again to cover her mouth with her handkerchief; she loved watching this kind of scene.
If she weren't a concubine, and if she were, she probably would have turned her back and left every time she paid her respects.
Besides, every time, the Fujin (principal wife) would eagerly go and compete with Li Shi, as if she only felt happy after saying those disgusting words.
However, she also admired the Fujin (principal wife), who always managed to drag the East Courtyard Li Shi into the mess and annoy Li Shi, which was quite a skill of the Fujin.
Madam Song rubbed the hot water bottle in her arms. Now it was her turn to be in a good mood, but it would be even better if she could add some more gambling to the Fujin's account.
Song's eyes darted around, and her mind raced.
"It's strange that the Princess Consort said she would decide on Bai Jia Shi. If we're talking about seniority, then I'm certainly more senior than Bai Jia Shi, who entered the household later. Isn't the Princess Consort's decision a bit biased?"
The Fujin was already annoyed that Li had stormed off and disrespected her, and now, hearing Song's unreasonable nagging, she was even more impatient.
“Song family, you—”
The words that were about to come out of the princess's mouth, "This is the person chosen by the master, what use is it for you to ask me, Song Shi?" were forcefully suppressed.
She gritted her teeth, and Xia Cao, who was serving her nearby, watched as the Fujin's face gradually turned red, clearly not from excitement, but from anger.
"Please calm down, Princess Consort," Xia Chong quickly interrupted.
However, the Wu family, sitting to the left, would not let this good opportunity slip by either.
She had been quietly drinking tea while Madam Song was speaking, but now that Madam Song had finished, she slowly took over the conversation.
"Yes, Madam, please calm down. It's just a trivial matter. I was just about to report to you that I sent the expenses for the general store and the sewing room to the main courtyard a few days ago. In addition, I checked the accounts for the past two years and found many discrepancies. I was just wondering what kind of procedure we should come up with to investigate this matter."
Wu Shi never bothered with vying for favor; her first move was always aimed at the power to manage the household.
Because the Fujin (principal wife) understood this, at this moment, hearing Wu's barbed words, it seemed as if countless nameless fires were accumulating in her heart.
She rarely lost her composure, raising her index finger to point at the smiling Wu Shi below her: "You—you—"
Madam Wu covered her mouth: "What's wrong with me? What's wrong with me? Did I say something wrong?"
After these two exchanges, what were those few words Li Chenjiao said earlier? They were practically very polite.
Seeing that things were not going well, Bai Jia, who was sitting below, hesitated for a moment before weakly speaking up: "Sisters, please say less."
Bai Jia was being very polite; in terms of seniority, Wu Shi had entered the household more than half a year later than her.
Madam Song frowned, but before she could utter a reprimand, she suddenly heard a maid's startled cry from the head of the table.
"Oh no, oh no—oh no! The Princess Consort has fainted! Quickly, fetch the imperial physician! What are you all standing there for?"
Madam Song stood up in a daze: "This—she fainted already? How come the Fujin is even more frail than me?"
Song lowered her voice for the second half of her sentence, so only Bai Jia, who was standing nearby, heard it.
Bai Jia couldn't help but twitch the corner of her mouth.
Well, at this point, let's say a few more words of concern for the Princess Consort.
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