Green Bamboo didn't have time to think about anything else right now, since it was rare for her master to have an appetite, and nothing was more important than her master's health.
Besides, isn't Sister Qiuhu here too?
Moreover, Green Bamboo raised her hand and rubbed her chubby little face, muttering softly, "Although I don't know if Fourth Master called for water in Bai Jia Gege's courtyard last night, everyone can see how much the master dotes on her these days. Bai Jia Gege must have lost her mind to come here to show off to the master."
By the time Green Bamboo and the others entered the manor, the foolish things Bai Jia had done had already happened a long time ago. Qiu Hu and Qiu Ci were both extremely discreet and would never gossip about their master in private.
As a result, the few maids who had only recently started serving in the East Courtyard did not have a very thorough understanding of the personalities and pasts of the princesses in the back courtyard. They had only heard Granny Lin give a brief reprimand to the princesses.
Therefore, in Green Bamboo's view, Princess Baijia had always been the same kind of person as Miss Xu in the mansion, someone who kept quiet and guarded her own little corner of the world.
In Green Bamboo's view, Princess Baijia was unlikely to do something like being favored one day and then coming to flaunt her power the next.
Green Bamboo went to the kitchen with some worries on her mind.
Li Chenjiao, who had just woken up, was stunned for a couple of seconds after hearing Qiu Hu's message. She looked down at herself and shook her head helplessly.
"Tell Green Chrysanthemum to keep me company and that I was sleeping in and only just got up. I'll trouble Princess Baijia to wait a moment."
Li Chenjiao had just gotten up and was in a disheveled state, making it difficult for her to see Bai Jiashi.
At this moment, it was inevitable that Li Chenjiao would deliberately make things difficult for them. She said this to make Green Chrysanthemum, who would be serving them on the side, show her attitude.
As for the reason why Bai Jiashi came to visit, Li Chenjiao was obviously not that curious.
Qiu Hu first went outside to inform Lü Ju, and then hurriedly brought in the hot water that had been prepared in advance.
At the end of May, Li Chenjiao would have found hot water unbearably hot, but the warm water was just right.
Qiu Hu quickly and efficiently helped her mistress wash and dress, but she hesitated for a moment after tying up her hair.
Li Chenjiao closed her eyes, probably noticing that Qiuhu hadn't moved for a while. She smiled and said, "Just do it as usual."
It wasn't like any distinguished guests were visiting, so Li Chenjiao herself was too lazy to bother with it.
A moment later, Qiu Hu selected some jewelry from the dressing table and, as she inquired about her mistress's opinion, suddenly heard her mistress ask with a hint of curiosity, "How did things go over there yesterday?"
Qiu Hu carefully tucked her master's hair into her hair, but upon hearing the voice, she hesitated again: "The wind is calm."
Li Chenjiao immediately gave a listless "Oh".
It took Li Chenjiao only a quarter of an hour to finish washing up and dressing.
Bai Jiashi, who was waiting in the flower hall outside, hadn't even finished her cup of tea yet. She was left waiting, but she didn't dare to complain at all. When Li Chenjiao came in, she greeted her respectfully.
Li Chenjiao raised her hand to dismiss her formalities and readily took her seat at the head of the table.
After she sat down, she spoke first: "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."
Upon hearing Li Chenjiao's words, Bai Jiashi quickly rose and bowed, saying that she dared not accept such praise. She then added, "I heard a few days ago that Consort was ill, and it was my fault for delaying my visit until today. Consort should have been taking good care of herself while she was ill; it was I who disturbed her peace and quiet."
To be honest, the women in the backyard are all masters of sweet talk.
Bai Jia's humble attitude from the outset suggests she wasn't there to swagger or show off.
Li Chenjiao waved her hand, her expression amiable: "Please sit down. We're outside now, not in the manor, so there's no need to be so formal."
After saying this, Li Chenjiao didn't say anything more, clearly not intending to continue the conversation.
Bai Jia couldn't figure out what the person above was thinking for a while, and didn't dare to make any rash moves.
Or rather, Bai Jia never truly understood the person above her, nor did she know what that person wanted. Naturally, whether her surrender would succeed remained to be seen.
That's right. Bai Jia spent the whole night thinking about it and the last thing she came up with was to surrender to Consort Li.
However, Bai Jiashi was unsure whether this trip was the right one.
The large flower hall fell silent after those few brief, polite greetings.
Li Chenjiao wasn't in a hurry to speak, and after confirming that the two sides had different attitudes, she became even less anxious.
Bai Jia remained silent for a long time, until the cup of tea in front of her had almost gone cold, before she spoke, her voice filled with obvious difficulty.
"To be honest, Consort, I know I dare not compete with you, and I do not seek any favor in the future. I only ask for your protection."
Bai Jia didn't cry, but the bitterness in her voice was palpable.
Li Chenjiao, sitting at the head of the table, remained silent for a long time.
Bai Jia didn't dare to look up; her heart was naturally filled with unease.
After a long while, Bai Jia seemed to hear a sigh: "You're confused about this, Bai Jia Gege. I'm just a concubine. Whether I can protect myself is another matter. You should go to the principal wife or the master."
This is not a place for Li Chenjiao to form cliques; she never had such intentions. Bai Jiashi made a mistake in coming here.
Even at this point, Li Chenjiao had never changed her mind.
Just like last time when the Xu family wanted to seek refuge.
Bai Jia seemed to be stunned for two seconds, but she did not intend to persist. She slowly stood up and gave a graceful bow.
"It was this servant who disturbed Consort today. But if Consort does not mind, this servant is willing to come to pay my respects to Consort in the future."
Bai Jia didn't expect that she could actually join the side of the concubine by surrendering once.
It's true that the master dislikes factionalism in the inner quarters; Bai Jia is simply trying to make her stance clear to the concubine.
Who hasn't needed a handy knife at some point?
Right now, Consort Li doesn't need it, but what about when we return to the manor? What about after we meet the new ladies in the manor?
Who can say for sure?
Bai Jia was clever; she didn't rush to reveal the newcomer's words, otherwise it would sound too much like coercion. Bai Jia didn't have the guts, nor was she that stupid.
As for what Consort Li said.
The Fujin? The Fujin doesn't want to win over someone as useless as her. Besides, with the Fujin, who knows if she might go from being the executioner to the scapegoat one day?
Who can say for sure?
However, over the past three years, Bai Jia has seen clearly with her own eyes that relying on the Fujin is like asking a tiger for its skin. Who knows if she will be the same person as Xie Shi yesterday?
At least on the surface, the concubine was not a cold-blooded person with a wolf in sheep's clothing.
As for the Fourth Prince, Bai Jia no longer dares to hope for him.
After Bai Jiashi performed the proper salutations, she waited for Li Chenjiao to smile and nod before letting the maid see her off before leaving.
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