It is estimated that Fourth Master stayed in the main courtyard that night.
The next day was uneventful; no one heard the Fourth Master say anything, nor did any of the servants in the front courtyard say that the Fourth Master was angry.
No one knows who secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
However, around noon, those in the main courtyard who were much better informed naturally learned from the gatekeepers that the Fourth Master had returned to the mansion.
The Princess Consort fainted yesterday from anger at everyone's actions. Now, upon hearing from the servants that the Fourth Prince had returned to the manor, she merely sneered, "Let's wait and see how he handles things."
Yesterday, the Fujin (principal wife) did send someone to invite the Fourth Prince to the main courtyard, but she did not say anything to complain to him.
A primary consort was so angered by several princesses that she fainted. Is this something to be proud of?
The princess was concerned about her reputation, so she always told others that she had fainted due to overwork.
If the Princess Consort can't use this matter as an excuse to lash out, can't she at least use something else?
Furthermore, Song's words were one thing, but they only added fuel to the fire. What was truly problematic was what Wu said—
Having managed the storeroom and sewing room for so long, the sudden mention of discrepancies in the old accounts raises the question: wasn't this something Wu had been planning all along?
Clearly, the Wu family was also in a hurry.
"Fujin—" Yuru, who was standing nearby, looked at the deep expression on Fujin's face when she didn't speak, and she was also a little frightened. She could only call out softly twice.
When the Fujin came to her senses, the bitter taste in her mouth had not yet dissipated. She glanced at Yu Ru, who was calling her, with a mocking smile.
However, this mockery was naturally not directed at Yu Ru.
"Well, is there any instruction from the front yard?"
Yu Ru responded, then looked at Granny Qian beside her: "Granny Qian is indeed very accurate. Just now, Eunuch Su went to the South Courtyard in person, and the First Prince and his wet nurse are almost at the front courtyard now."
The princess smiled again.
What's this called? This is called striking the snake at its vital point.
What does Lady Wu value most right now? It goes without saying, isn't it her beloved eldest prince?
The Fourth Prince naturally wouldn't do anything to the First Prince, but what about other things?
On the night of the twelfth, the Fourth Prince met with the First Prince during the day, and then stayed overnight at Madam Wu's place in the South Courtyard.
The thirteenth day was the day of the Golden Offering Festival. The Fourth Prince got up earlier than usual, but to his surprise, Wu Shi had already gotten up when he did, and the servants outside had prepared hot water for washing.
Lady Wu was even more disciplined and cautious than the Fujin (Prince's wife). When serving the Fourth Prince his clothes, she was methodical and silent.
The Fourth Prince was not one to speak up, and after a series of actions, the two did not even exchange a glance. From a distance, they seemed even more distant than the Fourth Prince and his wife.
After the Fourth Prince finished dressing, before Wu Shi could even reach for the last sachet, the Fourth Prince raised his hand to indicate that she should decline, and Wu Shi tactfully withdrew her hand.
The Fourth Prince casually took it, and without lowering his head, skillfully tied it to his belt. At the same time, he said indifferently, "While I am away from the manor, Wu Shi, besides taking care of the First Prince, although you have other responsibilities, everything must still be based on the First Prince's wishes. You must not forget the proper order of rank, hmm?"
This is the Fourth Prince. When his wife was at the height of her power, she gave Wu Shi power. However, if Wu Shi harbored any other thoughts, the Fourth Prince would not hesitate to punish her.
Wu Shi withdrew her hand and curled it slightly. A self-deprecating smile flashed across her lips, but she still bowed respectfully.
"Yes, Your Majesty. I will remember your teachings."
Fourth Master waved his hand, having already taken several steps forward: "No need to see me off."
Although the Fourth Master said there was no need to see her off, Madam Wu still respectfully escorted her to the entrance of the South Courtyard.
For Lady Wu, this was not about pleasing the Fourth Prince, but simply her duty as a princess.
Madam Wu stood at the entrance of the south courtyard, watching the Fourth Master's figure disappear into the distance.
Her gaze remained calm and unwavering until the Fourth Prince's figure disappeared from sight. Only then did she turn to the maid and speak in an ordinary tone: "It's done, let's go back. Help me to see the First Prince."
Fourth Master didn't call for water last night, but Madam Wu got up early today and is still a little sleepy after seeing Fourth Master off.
This only made Wu's confidants more resentful.
"Yesterday, it was clearly Consort Song who also offended and contradicted the Fujin. If you ask me, it must have been the Fujin who spoke ill of Consort Song to the Master yesterday—"
Madam Wu quickly stopped her: "That's enough. I acted impulsively yesterday. Don't bring up yesterday's matter again."
Wu Shi always had her own ideas, and even her confidants could only guess at them. Although they felt indignant after hearing Wu Shi's words, they could only shut up in frustration.
Meanwhile, on the Fourth Master's side, after leaving the South Courtyard and walking along the garden flower path, one would reach Li Chenjiao's East Courtyard.
The gate to the east courtyard was half-closed, and only a few figures could be vaguely seen.
Before they even reached the east courtyard, Fourth Master had already heard the commotion coming from the music hall gate.
"Mother will be back soon. Aman will see Mother when she wakes up from her nap." Li Chenjiao's tone softened unconsciously as she spoke to the Second Princess.
“It’s been windy lately, so I’m at ease with you, but Aman is very active and her temperature fluctuates. I’ll have to take good care of her and make sure she doesn’t sweat and catch a cold.”
Normally, the princesses should all go to the palace today for the Golden Festival, but yesterday the Empress came to tell us that she had been coughing recently and it seemed like she had caught a cold. She was afraid that she would pass it on to the children, so she sent word that she didn't need to bring the children to the palace.
However, this applies to the two princesses. The first three princes will all go with the Fourth Prince, since the younger princes rarely enter the harem.
The Fourth Master was initially quite pleased with Li Chenjiao's first few words, but the next second he heard her hurried voice.
"Quickly, Qiu Hu, your master is starving. Quickly bring me the leftover hibiscus cake from yesterday, and do you have any white fungus soup? I need to have some to fill my stomach, as the carriage ride will be too bumpy."
Su Peisheng, standing outside, had already skillfully waved his hand to signal the servants behind him to step back, and he himself also stepped back.
Fourth Master clenched his fist and covered his mouth.
Even after the birth of the second princess, Li's personality remained the same.
However, I can't say I dislike the Fourth Prince.
"Ahem—" Fourth Master coughed very lightly, which the servants inside could not hear, but Su Peisheng quickly understood and stepped forward.
"Fourth Master has arrived—"
An exclamation came from inside.
After a while, the courtyard gate opened a small gap.
Li Chenjiao poked her head out into the cool breeze. Today she was dressed in her official robes, but when she looked at the Fourth Prince, her eyes were as bright as spring, which made her less dignified and more playful and bright.
Fourth Master's heart also skipped a beat in that instant.
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