Hearing Qiu Ci's words, Madam Hu's expression darkened for a moment. After a while, she looked up and forced a smile: "Since the princess is having breakfast, this servant should go in and serve her."
Qiu Ci frowned: "Miss Hu, there's no need for this. If you want to be served, go to the main courtyard and serve the Fujin. Our princess can't bear this."
Hu swayed her waist and said, "Please be lenient with me, young lady. I just want to apologize to the princess. I was wrong before..." As she spoke, she stuffed a purse into Qiu Ci's hand.
Qiu Ci took several steps back, shook off her hand, and her smile disappeared: "Miss, you're making me feel bad. Since you don't want to leave, then you can wait here."
After speaking, he turned and went inside, closing the courtyard gate behind him.
Standing outside, Hu Shi gritted her teeth, but remained standing still.
Having finally entered the Fourth Prince's mansion, with all this wealth and glory, even if she had to lose face, she had to fight for it. Once she gained favor, what about the Li and Song families? Bah!
The maid who accompanied Madam Hu last time has been transferred away, and now Madam Hu doesn't even have anyone to serve her.
They stood there all alone.
After Li Chenjiao finished her meal and heard what Qiu Ci had said, she frowned slightly, waved her hand, and said, "Let her be. Does she really think no one knows what she's thinking?"
Isn't he just waiting here to get noticed by Fourth Master? Does he really think everyone else is stupid and can't see through him?
"How many scrolls of Buddhist scriptures are left from the last copy?" Li Chenjiao got up and walked inside.
Qiu Hu replied, "Besides those given to the main academy, there are still nine volumes left."
Li Chenjiao was tending to the flowers in the vase when she heard this and smiled: "That's perfect. I'll copy another scroll later and send it to the front yard on Fourth Master's birthday."
Qiu Ci, standing to the side, was stunned: "Huh? The princess is giving Buddhist scriptures?"
Li Chenjiao laughed happily: "It's convenient, and the meaning is also good. I think it's excellent."
Qiu Hu sighed helplessly, "Princess, you might as well make embroidery."
Li Chenjiao rested her chin on her hand: "Are you stupid? I have every kind of things that Fourth Master doesn't have: a tassel, a fan pendant, a sachet, or a purse."
Qiu Hu looked embarrassed, as if it really was true.
Having made up her mind, Li Chenjiao added some water to the flowers and went to copy the Buddhist scripture, leaving the two maids whispering among themselves.
“How can this Miss Hu be so shameless, really…” This is what Qiu Ci said.
"Keep your voice down. I overheard Gege saying that Miss Hu and Miss Zhang were dealt with well by Fourth Master after the New Year. It's only been a few days, so we should just stop seeing them." This was Qiu Hu.
“Miss Zhang is good. Ah, I think Miss Hu might not be willing to leave in time,” Qiu Ci said.
"Why do you care about her? If she doesn't want to leave, so be it. We'll bring in new people next year. Our princess is too lazy to deal with her, but someone else will take care of her eventually." Qiu Hu said calmly.
"Oh dear, I had almost forgotten. Now that the princess is favored, new concubines have been brought in..." Qiu Ci was a little worried.
"The princess knows what she's doing, so don't talk nonsense in front of her," Qiu Hu reminded her.
“I know, I know, but someone like our princess, I don’t think she will fall out of favor…” Qiu Ci laughed again.
"What are you saying? Why are you standing outside instead of going in to serve me?" Xiao Luzi came in from outside.
"Where have you come from? I've never seen you before." Qiu Ci frowned.
Xiao Luzi laughed: "Oh, is Gege inside? I have something to report to her."
Qiu Hu nodded: "Yes, but Gege is copying Buddhist scriptures. You can go in later."
Qiu Ci nodded: "By the way, when you came back, were there any people outside?"
Xiao Luzi was puzzled for a moment, then nodded: "I was just about to ask that, why is Miss Hu standing outside? She looks like she's about to faint."
Qiu Ci fell silent, staring outside and gritting her teeth.
"What are you saying outside? Someone come in and serve tea." Suddenly, Li Chenjiao spoke from inside.
Qiu Hu responded and went inside.
Xiao Luzi followed them inside.
Qiu Hu took the teacup and went down to serve the tea.
Xiao Luzi took something out of her sleeve and handed it over, saying, "Princess, the doorman said there's a letter for you."
Li Chenjiao was stunned. She looked up, put down her pen, and took the envelope: "My letter? Did you say who brought it?"
Xiao Luzi shook his head: "The gatekeeper said it was delivered by a servant, who only said it was for the princess."
Li Chenjiao opened the envelope and saw a thick stack of seven or eight pages of paper, along with about ten silver notes.
Is it a letter from home?!
"You can go now." Li Chenjiao waved her hand, paused for a moment, and then said, "Go to the gatehouse and keep an eye on things, ask them carefully again."
Xiao Luzi nodded cautiously and withdrew.
Li Chenjiao lowered her head and read the letter. It was indeed from home. Her father was as stubborn as ever, and his words were full of awkward concern.
Mother wrote a lot, three whole pages, covering everything. Two phrases appeared several times: one was "Don't be too flamboyant," and the other was "Be careful of the Princess Consort."
Li Chenjiao stroked her mother's crooked handwriting and couldn't help but laugh.
The last half of the page was written by my older brother. He was quite proud in the letter. He had been promoted. Oh, and he also said that after the New Year, Father would be returning to Beijing to report on his work.
The next few pages are about my second uncle's family. My father and his family lived far away in Shandong, but my second uncle's family moved to the capital because my cousin passed the imperial examination and entered the Hanlin Academy.
I suppose this letter was sent by my father and the others to my second uncle, who then made arrangements to bring it into the mansion.
The silver notes on the back belonged to Amase; Li Chenjiao knew this without even thinking.
After reading the letter, Li Chenjiao felt a little more at ease. It had been more than half a year since they last met, and she was naturally happy to hear from him now.
Qiu Hu brought in tea and hurriedly asked, "Why is the princess crying?"
Li Chenjiao briefly explained, then added, "Where's Qiu Ci? Tell her to come in."
After Qiu Ci entered, Li Chenjiao asked, "Is it permissible for letters to be written from outside the manor?"
Qiu Ci thought for a moment and shook her head slightly: "This is not in accordance with the rules. Usually, the gatekeeper would report to the Fourth Master and see if he would agree. Last year, before the Princess entered the manor, Song Gege's family also sent a letter. At that time, the Fourth Master was not in the manor, and Song Gege took the letter without permission and was severely reprimanded. Since then, the gatekeeper has never dared to hand letters to the people in the backyard again."
Li Chenjiao blinked: "So this is something Fourth Master agreed to?"
Let's rewind to this morning.
After the Fourth Prince left the East Courtyard, he went back to the front courtyard and then left the mansion. Just then, someone from the Li family delivered the letter. The Fourth Prince glanced at it and gave his approval.
Then he left the mansion and went to the Ministry of Revenue.
Okay, let's get back to the point.
"Then I'm relieved. Alright, put the silver notes away and place them under the box, along with the loose silver. Put the letter and Fourth Master's letter together and keep them safe." Li Chenjiao put the letter back in the envelope and gave the instructions.
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