However, Song spoke rather quickly, and Li Chenjiao could only recognize Song's voice, but could not hear what Song was saying.
As soon as Li Chenjiao entered, she felt a strong sense of warmth.
There was still a charcoal fire burning in the main courtyard, and it was very warm coming in from outside.
Li Chenjiao took off her cloak, and Qiu Hu took it from her.
At this moment, everyone inside stood up upon hearing the commotion.
When Li Chenjiao walked around the screen and approached, everyone greeted her in unison. Li Chenjiao waved her hand and said, "No need for formalities," before taking her seat.
The maid in the main courtyard quickly served tea, and while the tea was being served, Madam Song quickly continued what she had been saying earlier.
“What you said, Sister Wu, is quite interesting. I was just asking you about this year’s spring clothes, but now that you’re in charge of the sewing room, you’ve become so arrogant that I can’t even ask you a question.”
There's nothing wrong with what Mrs. Song said.
However, Li Chenjiao still didn't look up at Wu Shi, noticing that the two of them hadn't started their banter when she arrived.
Wu smiled leisurely: "I'm just doing what the Fujin (principal) ordered. If Song Gege (principal) has any complaints, she can go and ask the Fujin."
At this moment, Madam Song dared not make a scene in front of the Fujin (principal wife), as she was still waiting to hear news about this year's general election from the Fujin.
She knew in her heart that Madam Wu was just passing the buck. She glanced at Li Chenjiao sitting opposite her and suddenly curled the corners of her lips: "Is the concubine wearing last year's clothes? They look rather thin. It's one thing for the needlework room to disregard us, but how dare they treat the concubine so poorly?"
Everyone in the room could see that Song Gege was deliberately setting herself up for trouble.
Li Chenjiao wasn't very interested. She glanced at Song Shi with a slight smile as she raised her eyebrows: "You do care about me, though."
Although Li Chenjiao and Song Shi had gotten along quite well in the previous conversations, that was only because Song Shi hadn't directed her words at Li Chenjiao. Now that Song Shi was blatantly courting trouble, Li Chenjiao wasn't going to give her much face, even if it was just a matter of talking.
Sitting to the left of Li Chenjiao, Madam Wu raised her hand and covered her nose with a handkerchief; at this moment, she had become the one watching the show.
Bai Jia and Xu, as usual, made sealed gourds.
In fact, they were naturally unwilling to see new people enter the household, since once a new person entered the household, it was hard to guarantee that there wouldn't be another person as fortunate as Wu Shi.
Furthermore, they didn't receive much favor to begin with. Before any new concubines were introduced, there were always times when the Fourth Prince would visit them for a meal. Even if he didn't stay overnight, it was still a respectable occasion.
With a new concubine arriving, and at such a beautiful age, who knows if she won't become the next Consort Li?
The head of the table, Lady Song, finally shut up, but she still spoke up to save face: "Isn't it because I was concerned that the concubine was dressed so lightly?"
Li Chenjiao straightened her clothes and said, "Thank you."
For her, good health and peace of mind were of utmost importance, especially after giving birth to Aman. She knew even more the importance of her health, and was as fierce as a tiger in the face of wind, cold, heat, and fire.
Song glanced at Wu, who was watching the show, and then fell silent.
With new people about to enter the household, it's fine for them to bicker on ordinary days, but now it's time to let everyone in the household relax.
Ultimately, everyone in the manor is someone we all know well.
But once new people join, the original peace and tranquility will inevitably be destroyed.
The room suddenly fell silent until the maid announced that the Princess Consort had come out.
The wife of the head of the household did not look too good. When everyone paid their respects, she only glanced at them indifferently before calling out.
"My illness has been intermittent, and it's been quite a while since I've seen you all. I was a little dazed when I first saw you; time really flies."
The princess consort started with polite words, but they were more than just polite words.
Neither Wu nor Song spoke immediately, waiting for Li Chenjiao to speak first.
Li Chenjiao casually said, "It has indeed been a long time since I've seen the Fujin, but health is the most important thing."
There was not a single other word.
Song frowned, realizing that she couldn't truly understand the sincerity of the person so close to her with just simple words.
She frowned as she watched Li, sitting opposite her, calmly drinking her tea, and a feeling of vexation welled up in her heart.
Li's expression was too calm; it made her uneasy.
Song chose to remain silent, which was unusual for him.
This conversation had to be picked up by Madam Wu: "This servant noticed that the Fujin's complexion has improved a lot. The weather is nice today, and it's a pleasure for the sisters to get together."
Wu deliberately avoided responding to the Fujin's comment, "Time really flies."
The princess consort, sitting at the head of the table, noticed that no one was responding, so she took the initiative to speak herself.
"It is thanks to Your Majesty's constant concern that I have recovered from my illness more quickly. How have you all been these days? I was ill, and I neglected many things, but fortunately you were all understanding. If a new sister were to come into the family, I'm afraid you would say that I, as the wife, am useless."
The princess made a joking remark, but everyone had to stand up.
In the end, it all came down to the newcomers.
Li Chenjiao was actually quite annoyed.
The women in the room huddled together, each one tighter-lipped than the last, but all waiting to hear news about the new bride from the Fujin (princess's wife).
It's only early February, and even the Fujin herself probably doesn't know who the chosen candidate is.
Li Chenjiao vaguely remembered that she was summoned to Yonghe Palace by Zhao Mama, who was by the side of Consort De, in March, but she did not see the Consort at that time.
The person hasn't been decided yet, so sitting here and saying anything more now would be like being paranoid.
It's not that Li Chenjiao isn't in a hurry; it's just that people are always looking for something new and getting tired of the old. It all comes down to individual abilities.
Newcomers are new because of their newness, while veterans naturally have their old ways.
Li Chenjiao understood it very well.
She really wasn't in a hurry.
It wasn't because the Fourth Prince doted on her so much, or because she was absolutely confident; it was simply a matter of dealing with whatever came her way.
Li Chenjiao took a sip of tea and waited quietly for the Fujin to continue.
Those who need to be anxious should be anxious, and those who don't need to be anxious need not be anxious.
The Princess Consort finally relented: "The other day, Her Majesty summoned me to the palace to discuss the matter of the new brides. This year, two new brides will be joining our household for the grand selection. Our household will be quite lively then. My illness has been dragging on, and the imperial physician has said that I shouldn't overexert myself. So, I'll leave the matter of preparing accommodations for the two new brides to you, Madam Wu."
It was rare for the Princess Consort to speak so frankly.
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