Li Chenjiao stopped smiling and replied, "I can't possibly have the magnanimity of a Fujin."
The princess smiled faintly: "Li, you are clever, that's good." But being too clever is not good.
Bai Jia suddenly interjected, "You should take a look at Sister Song and this servant. Why are they so fond of Consort Li? It seems that Consort Li is indeed... someone who has won your favor."
The princess laughed: "Princess Bai, you are quite clever. Your words are much more pleasing to the ear than Princess Li's."
Mrs. Song smiled faintly to the side, treating it as nothing more than a spectator.
Later that night, everyone dispersed.
Li Chenjiao walked ahead without speaking for a while. Qiu Hu supported Li Chenjiao and asked in a low voice, "What is Princess thinking about?"
Li Chenjiao turned her head leisurely: "I seem to have remembered wrong. I remember that the Fujin is two years older than me?"
Qiu Hu chuckled: "You were thinking about this the whole time you were silent, Princess?"
"I just feel that the Princess Consort isn't that old, there's no need for her to act so mature and old-fashioned. She's in the prime of her life..."
At such a young age, they learn to scheme and plot; yesterday they could hate each other, but today they can chat and laugh together.
Li Chenjiao rubbed her temples, and after a while, she finally uttered two words: "I'm hungry."
Qiu Hu couldn't help but laugh again. The princess was really something; she had a serious expression just a moment ago, but changed completely the next moment.
Back in the courtyard, after breakfast, the maid from the sewing room brought over the clothes. Oh, it's the fabric I was given as a reward the other day.
Only one piece was sent, the one in light blue with a bamboo-green pattern, so there was no need to add much embroidery decoration; only a few stitches of silver thread were added to the pattern.
Li Chenjiao liked it at first sight and quickly changed into it. Looking at herself through the bronze mirror, she thought it looked quite good, making her appear even more beautiful and fair.
Li Chenjiao turned around and suddenly remembered what the Fujin had said today. She blinked slightly.
So that's what happened?
The Fujin (principal wife) learned from the sewing room that she had sent the fabric there, and felt that she only knew how to dress up and seduce the Fourth Prince, so she became unhappy.
Li Chenjiao couldn't think of any other reason. She twitched her lips slightly. Was this really something to be used to disgust people?
"Take the remaining fabrics to the sewing room and have them make two summer outfits. Remember to bring some loose change," Li Chenjiao instructed Qiu Ci.
Sigh, the princess consort made her dress up, how could she not?
Is it her fault that she's good-looking?
Look at what Bai Jia said today, it made Li Chenjiao quite embarrassed. Sigh, she was born of her parents, there's nothing she can do about it. But maybe eating donkey-hide gelatin can help her recover.
Li Chenjiao's eyes lit up: "Qiuhu, come here, go to the storeroom and get two portions of donkey-hide gelatin. Send them to the Fujin and Bai Jiagege, saying that donkey-hide gelatin is good for beauty. As for Song Gege, send her my osmanthus fan."
Since Lady Song was pregnant, there might be taboos regarding what she ate, especially since this was originally meant to disgust the Fujin and Lady Baijia.
Li Chenjiao is a little bit arrogant, oops, I should say kind. She's trying to make the Fujin and Baijia a little more beautiful.
Qiu Hu had laughed enough these past two days and was now too tired to laugh anymore. He said "yes" and went to the back.
The princess's move was truly brilliant.
That... the Osmanthus Fragrance Fan is a bit of a pity. It's made of high-quality warm jade and is worth a lot of donkey-hide gelatin.
As for whether the Fujin and Baijia would use donkey-hide gelatin, I personally think it's unlikely. First, I'm afraid their own princess might poison them—just kidding! Second… I guess the Fujin and Baijia will get angry whenever they see donkey-hide gelatin in the future.
Qiu Hu delivered the items to the main courtyard first. Naturally, the Fujin (principal wife) wouldn't see Qiu Hu, the little maid; it was Yu Lou who came out.
Upon hearing Qiu Hu explain his purpose, Yu Lou found it rather strange. This morning, Yu Ru had accompanied him while Yu Lou went to the back kitchen to make arrangements, so he was unaware of what had happened in the main courtyard. Therefore, Yu Lou accepted the gifts.
When Qiu Hu saw Yu Lou carrying things inside, he grinned and then took small steps to walk outside.
A moment later, Qiu Hu heard the sound of porcelain falling and shattering on the ground. Qiu Hu swallowed hard and quickly walked away.
Bai Jiashi's side reacted similarly.
After delivering the items, Qiu Hu didn't rush back. Instead, he went to the kitchen to pick up his lunch.
...
Li Chenjiao waited for Qiu Hu to return, listened to Qiu Hu's description, laughed several times, and then had lunch with satisfaction.
After lunch, as usual, I took a walk around the yard to digest. It's too unsafe outside.
Qiu Ci followed suit, silently voicing her doubts: "Isn't Gege being a bit too flamboyant? Won't she offend people?"
Li Chenjiao turned her head and gave Qiu Ci a deep look: "Then why do you think they suddenly started targeting me today?"
Qiu Ci hesitated, "Is it because of Fourth Master?"
Li Chenjiao nodded lightly: "Because of their favor, the Fourth Prince came drunk yesterday, and they thought it was because I'm pretty. Today they mocked me for dressing up so much. Didn't Bai Jia say that I've won over the Fujin's affections too?
"You don't still expect me to compromise and pretend nothing happened, do you? Or are you still clinging to the idea that your princess needs to get along with them? Whenever Fourth Master comes, these kinds of things will happen, so it's better to deal with them one by one."
"As for the consequences, all I did was send donkey-hide gelatin to the Fujin and Bai Jia Gege. Do you think they would blame me for my good intentions?" Li Chenjiao emphasized the word "good intentions."
Qiu Ci stared blankly, thinking to herself: "The way the princess spoke just now was so beautiful, her eyes were shining, even more beautiful than when she was in the main courtyard today."
Li Chenjiao suddenly turned her head and flicked Qiu Ci's forehead: "What are you thinking about?"
"Princess is so beautiful...no..." Qiu Ci blurted out her true feelings, then covered her mouth.
Li Chenjiao smiled again, a smile that warmed the heart: "What you're saying is true. Why don't you try some donkey-hide gelatin? It can make you more beautiful."
Qiu Ci shook her head: "That's what the princess eats."
Li Chenjiao chuckled to herself: "Silly girl, Qiuhu is something we eat all the time. If I give it to you, just accept it. Do you think I'm afraid your princess will poison you?"
There really is light in the princess's eyes...
Qiu Ci chuckled foolishly twice.
Li Chenjiao patted Qiu Ci again: "Have you really become a silly girl?"
The courtyard was filled with laughter and cheerful conversation.
...
When the Fourth Prince returned from the palace in the evening, he listened to Su Peisheng recount what had happened that day and couldn't help but smile slightly: "Does Your Highness remember that there are still quite a few pieces of fabric left in the storeroom for the New Year's gifts? Pick out a few bright and beautiful pieces to send to Madam Li, and also pick out a box of jewelry."
After a slight pause, Fourth Master continued, "Also, give her some more donkey-hide gelatin."
Su Peisheng exclaimed "Huh?" and was momentarily stunned.
The Fourth Master glanced at him casually, and Su Peisheng, without thinking, hurried off to Britain.
As she walked, she wondered if the Fourth Prince meant that Princess Li had done the right thing.
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