Liu had only one thought in her mind at that moment.
Her chance has come.
Isn't this a golden opportunity? The concubine has stayed behind because she's pregnant and won't be by the Fourth Prince's side anymore, so—
Then, the only people left by the Fourth Prince's side were her and Bai Jiashi, who was of average appearance.
Isn't this a golden opportunity for her?
It's still a great opportunity that's within easy reach.
The slight stinging in my fingertips now seemed insignificant.
Liu started pacing back and forth again, but this time she wasn't uneasy; instead, she was excited and thrilled.
It took her a moment to stand still. Her rounded nails dug into her soft flesh, which still hurt a little, and this pain gradually brought her back to her senses.
"Find out those few pieces of clothing at the very bottom of the trunk, and also find the newly made garment. Organize it again; you'll be wearing it when you get to Hangzhou, so you can't let it get wrinkled."
Now that you've got the opportunity, you should naturally seize it and climb the ladder.
——
For Liu, this was an opportunity, and for Bai Jia, who had just received the news, it was also a good opportunity.
However, her opportunity did not lie in vying for favor and standing out, but rather in keeping an eye on Lady Liu during the days when the concubine stayed behind and did not accompany her.
She would naturally not interfere, but who knows if Liu might make a mistake?
Bai Jiashi was waiting to see the joke.
Fourth Master's temperament is truly unfathomable; even after two or three years in the household, Bai Jiashi still hasn't figured him out at all.
In the entire mansion, the only one who can truly understand the Fourth Prince's temperament is probably the one currently at Luxiao Hall.
Li Chenjiao, who was being talked about at the moment, didn't know much about that. She didn't need to accompany them, but she still had to pack her luggage.
After all, Li Chenjiao was still supposed to accompany the emperor on the surface, but when the emperor left Suzhou to rest, Li Chenjiao's carriage would simply go directly to the Fourth Prince's residence in Suzhou.
Li Chenjiao still had to endure a bumpy half-day journey, but Suzhou was a prosperous and bustling city, and even the bluestone roads seemed to be much smoother than elsewhere.
However, the Fourth Master didn't seem too at ease. He sent two soft cushions early in the morning, which were said to be made from freshly fluffed cotton and embroidered by embroiderers in the last two days.
No sooner had Fourth Master sent over the soft cushions than he sent over a thin silk blanket, saying it was to be placed on top of the cushions.
Otherwise, with two layers of soft cushions, Li Chenjiao would be unbearably hot.
Fourth Master is truly very considerate.
Meeting the teasing gazes of the maids, Li Chen chuckled and scolded, "What are you still standing here for? Don't you have anything else to do?"
The maids weren't too worried about what would happen if their master didn't come along. Didn't they see how concerned the Fourth Master was?
Besides, there is nothing more important than the master's health right now.
——
The next day, Li Chenjiao boarded the carriage in a daze, and after hastily drinking half a bowl of thick rice porridge to fill her stomach, she fell asleep again.
Fourth Master sent Su Peisheng to check on her once, but Li Chenjiao was asleep at the time and knew nothing about it.
Bai Jia and Liu, who were in the carriage behind, saw it.
When Liu pulled up the carriage curtain and turned around, her expression had returned to normal.
But Lady Bai had no intention of letting it go so easily: "What are you looking at, sister? Have you discovered something? How can we be envious of the Fourth Prince's favor towards his concubine? Don't you think so? It's dry and hot outside, sister, just enjoy your tea."
This time, a woman surnamed Liu accompanied them, but there was no extra carriage. Perhaps there would be one later, but not for now.
Liu smirked, showing no mercy to Bai Jia.
"Sister, you're too kind. I just thought the scenery outside was beautiful and wanted to take a few more glances."
Bai Jia didn't press the matter further; she had no competitive spirit and became increasingly calm and composed.
As she spoke, she fiddled with the handkerchief in her hand, her smile faint: "Indeed, sister, you've only been in Suzhou for a short time, so it's not surprising that you're seeing things too clearly. You must cherish this opportunity, sister. To be able to accompany the Fourth Prince on his southern tour is a great blessing, and it's also because the Princess Consort trusts you. You mustn't let her down."
Bai Jia was subtly implying that Liu was forced into the position.
But she spoke in such an earnest tone that Liu felt angry but had nowhere to vent her anger.
She didn't know what she had done to offend Bai Jia. She had only met Bai Jia twice, and each time she was sarcastic and rude, never saying a kind word.
"The weather is dry, so sister should talk less and drink more herbal tea. Otherwise you'll get too hot and won't be able to serve Fourth Master."
Bai Jia simply smiled, and after a moment said, "My younger sister is young and beautiful, and her looks will surpass mine. I'm not in a hurry."
Liu pondered Bai Jia's words and tone for a while—
Could it be that Bai Jia was jealous of her arrival, which is why she was targeting her so frequently?
Liu twitched her lips again, seemingly lost in thought, and simply lowered her head to drink her tea without saying another word.
Seeing this, Bai Jia only lowered her head and drank her tea. The princesses' carriages did not have ice chests, and now with the addition of Liu Shi, the situation was even more cramped. She herself was also feeling annoyed.
The journey was finally peaceful. For lunch, Liu and Bai ate dry rations in the carriage, but the concubines in front did not know that they were given better food than the others.
As Liu munched on her dry rations, she couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy.
Li Chenjiao's food was not dry rations; she was just pretending. The food in the carriage was prepared in advance by the maids, but it was all a bit cold now.
Since it was just this one meal, Li Chenjiao had nothing to complain about.
After using two layers of soft cushions and only half a day had passed, Li Chenjiao felt no discomfort when she got off the carriage.
I felt completely relaxed and happy.
Just like a weary bird returning to its nest, everything looks good to it.
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