While Li Chenjiao was enjoying a prosperous life, things were not so peaceful for those who were still accompanying the Fourth Prince and the Emperor to Hangzhou.
Eating dry rations was fine; Liu had eaten quite a bit of dry rations on her way from the capital. But it was alright, she wasn't incapable of enduring hardship.
It's one thing to make her suffer this time, but she should at least see some reward.
When we were in Suzhou a few days ago, Fourth Master didn't seem to be very busy. So why is it that after we arrived in Hangzhou, we haven't seen him for three or four days at a time?
This is what really frustrated Liu. What is this all about? It's like she had prepared all her skills, but ended up not having a chance to use them at all.
Bai Jia lived in the courtyard next to Liu's. Although she never heard any wailing or indignant noises from next door, she could still catch a glimpse of what was going on by observing the comings and goings in that courtyard.
Yesterday it was plum juice, the day before it was lotus leaf pastry, and today it's glutinous rice cake—
Bai Jiashi watched coldly from the left and right, and there was never a day of peace.
Bai Jia didn't make any extra moves here. When she had a moment, she couldn't help but ask Danqing, who was beside her.
"What is she thinking? Didn't she learn her lesson last time? Isn't she afraid of completely angering Fourth Master?"
Danqing was also unsure: "Perhaps Liu Gege saw that the Fourth Master didn't reprimand him?"
Bai Jia nodded in agreement, a rare occurrence for her: "Who knows?"
She subconsciously felt that the Fourth Master wouldn't be so tolerant—
Moreover, putting everything else aside, Fourth Master has never liked anything flashy or frivolous; he prefers things to be quiet and unassuming.
Thinking of this, Bai Jia felt a sudden alarm bell ring in her heart.
She has now completely given up any thoughts of vying for favor, and she doesn't want those thoughts to resurface.
She pursed her lips and instructed Danqing, "Tomorrow, you should also go to the front and deliver some rice cakes."
She can't be too unconventional.
Once you've made up your mind, then go ahead and do it wholeheartedly.
The worst thing a person can do is to be indecisive.
Bai Jiashi still had this much self-awareness.
However, when the Fourth Prince had some free time, he didn't go to see Liu Shi, who had been running around like crazy these past few days. Instead, he stayed overnight at Bai Jia Shi's place.
Liu was filled with resentment, but she simply couldn't understand where the problem lay.
Which part of the process went wrong?
If Su Peisheng, who was by the Fourth Prince's side, knew the question in her heart, he would definitely sneer without hesitation.
Where did things go wrong? From the moment Liu Gege was arranged by the Fujin (principal wife) to be beaten, it was destined that Liu's journey would be one of hard work and little reward.
These days, all the things Liu Gege sent to the front yard were eventually stopped by Su Peisheng.
This can be considered as Su Peisheng showing some consideration. After all, Liu Gege is a delicate beauty. Who knows, maybe the Fourth Prince will remember her one day?
However, the Fourth Prince has indeed been much busier lately than when he was in Suzhou. This is mainly because His Majesty has assigned him a lot of tasks, which has kept him very busy.
However, this was a perfect balance for the Fourth Master. The comfort he had enjoyed recently had made him feel uneasy, but being busy now had actually made him feel relieved.
Although Lady Bai had welcomed the Fourth Prince, the first thing she mentioned at dinner was—
"It's been quite a while since I've seen Consort Li. I wonder how her health is improving?"
Upon hearing this, the Fourth Master glanced at her unexpectedly, but did not say anything more.
"She's been feeling much better lately."
Bai Jia replayed the tone of Fourth Master's voice in her mind, and still couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness.
Compared to the coldness when the Fourth Master sat down, his tone when he spoke just now could be described as somewhat gentle.
Her gentleness was so unexpected that even Bai Jia was somewhat incredulous.
But it is clear that this tenderness is only shown to the concubine.
The more the Fourth Prince displayed this attitude, the more reassured Madam Bai felt; she was certain that she had made the right decision.
She only called for water once during the night. Bai Jia was not particularly moved. The Fourth Master was so indifferent, as if he were handling some official business, that she herself had lost interest.
However, Liu almost didn't sleep a wink all night.
She couldn't understand it, but the next day she got up very early and had her maid find the clothes she had been keeping at the bottom of her trunk.
She wore a soft, apricot-yellow cheongsam adorned with butterflies and flowers, a vibrant and youthful color perfect for summer, and it looked very refreshing at first glance.
She didn't sleep well last night and got up early this morning. When she was doing her makeup, Ruiluo used two layers of powder to cover it up. When she saw that it was almost time, she quickly stood by the lotus pond outside the courtyard.
Ruiluo secretly watched from the side, keeping an eye on Liu Shi to see when the Fourth Master would come out of Bai Jia Gege's courtyard.
As soon as Su Peisheng emerged from Bai Jiagege's courtyard, Ruiluo coughed very lightly twice, the sound barely audible.
Upon seeing this, Liu turned to the side, revealing her beautiful profile perfectly. At the same time, she parted her cherry lips slightly and began to recite poetry.
She was reciting a very fitting summer poem, and her voice was beautiful. With beautiful women reciting poems along the pond on either side, it was a beautiful sight to behold.
After Su Peisheng came out, it was not the Fourth Prince who followed him out, but Bai Jiashi, who was dressed in plain clothes.
Bai Jia spotted Liu at a glance. She twitched the corners of her mouth, but quickly concealed her mockery when she turned to look at the Fourth Master.
"It's Liu Meimei's leisurely pace that makes her get up so early; even the koi in the pond are not as good as Liu Meimei."
Bai Jia was not one to be polite in words, but since everyone in the household had a higher status than her in the past, she naturally began to conceal her sharpness.
Liu is a newcomer to the mansion and is not favored by the Fourth Prince, so Bai Jia naturally wants to seize this opportunity to put Liu down.
Fourth Master remained silent, not even glancing at the figure by the pond, but instead glancing at Su Peisheng first.
"There's still something going on outside—"
The Fourth Prince only said half a sentence, and Lady Baijia understood and saw him off.
After seeing the Fourth Master off, Bai Jia didn't even glance at Liu Shi and went straight to her own courtyard.
Liu was completely ignored. She bit her lip, about to say something, but instead yawned first.
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