Li Chenjiao took the letter from Qiu Hu's hand, and could roughly guess why Consort Li Jia had written the letter at this critical juncture.
They were either inquiring about information or disseminating information.
However, Li Chenjiao figured it was probably the latter, since Li Chenjiao, a concubine of a prince, was not as well-informed as the concubine of a crown prince.
Moreover, Li Chenjiao can count the number of noblewomen she knows on one hand.
She naturally had the ability to get information from people—the kind of information that even ordinary people throughout the capital could talk about.
Li Chenjiao slowly opened the envelope, genuinely curious at this moment.
Li Chenjiao opened the letter; the thin sheet of paper was filled with words.
She didn't read it quickly, but remarkably, she read the letter sent by Li Jia very carefully.
Sure enough, Li Jia's letter was to deliver a message.
The letter briefly described what had happened in the north recently, and Li Chenjiao didn't dwell on how Li Jia knew so much about what had happened before.
It was only at this critical juncture that Li Jia sent a letter, which also revealed two, or rather three, pieces of information.
Firstly, the relationship between the Fourth Prince and the Crown Prince is probably genuinely good. Secondly, the Crown Prince, while traveling north, likely has his own network of informants, if not spies, at least. Furthermore, the Fourth Prince is doing well in the north, or at least remains secure with the Emperor.
Li Chenjiao put the letter away: "Take it to the charcoal brazier and burn it. There's no need to write a reply."
Qiu Hu simply said "Eh," without asking any further questions.
Li Chenjiao rested her chin on her hand and said softly, "Knowing that it's better for you to be up ahead, I actually feel a little more at ease."
She knew in her heart that even if the Fourth Prince followed the Emperor and did not seek the Emperor's favor, as long as he followed the Emperor's will, his life would not be too difficult.
But if Li Chenjiao really wanted to say it, she didn't think that taking advantage of the chaos was anything shameful. Her idea of taking advantage of the chaos was that the Fourth Prince should not offend either side and should follow the Emperor's orders.
However, Li Chenjiao also knew that for someone as upright and unwavering as the Fourth Prince, simply obeying the Emperor's orders was the most proper thing to do.
If you really want Fourth Master to befriend someone, given his personality, he doesn't seem like the type to say anything good about anyone.
Li Chenjiao knew Fourth Master's temperament very well.
However, women like Li Chenjiao, who had long lived in seclusion, knew about the conflicts between the factions of the First Prince and the Crown Prince, not to mention the bloodshed that would ensue between the two factions in the court.
Li Chenjiao watched as Qiu Hu burned the envelope: "Li Jia has become friendly with me for no reason. Although she may not be aggressive, Li Jia is definitely not a kind person. Only a few of you know about things related to her, hmm?"
At some point, Li Chenjiao's speech also began to take on a tone that was unique to the Fourth Master.
Qiu Hu naturally understood the gravity of the matter and agreed very carefully.
Throughout November, the capital was covered in snow, and the whole city was abuzz with news of the Emperor's trip to the Rehe Imperial Palace.
For example, if His Majesty shoots through two gazelles with an arrow while hunting in the Mulan Hunting Grounds, or if His Majesty hunts something else, then next year will surely bring favorable weather and abundant harvests.
Li Chenjiao knew that the Rehe Imperial Palace had been renovated once, but most of the time she was drooling over the news Xiao Luzi had gathered from outside.
As for lamb, if it's roasted, the sizzling sound of a whole roasted lamb, paired with Chef Guo's culinary skills, would be incredibly tempting.
It's a pity that sheep are a rare treat. On ordinary days, eating mutton soup is fine, but if you really want to eat a whole roasted lamb, it would be appropriate when the Fourth Master is around.
Otherwise, it would be difficult for the kitchen to go to the trouble of obtaining it.
With the Fourth Master not currently at home, everything naturally needs to be kept low-key, a principle Li Chenjiao understood perfectly.
Not only Li Chenjiao understood, but everyone in the backyard understood as well.
Throughout November, the Fujin rarely went to receive invitations from various households. Most of the time, she went to the palace to accompany Consort De. The only time she went out to attend a banquet was because the Seventh Fujin and the Seventh Prince moved out of the palace to their own residence.
However, since most of the older princes were not present at the moment, the Seventh Prince's wife only invited the princes' wives and concubines, and did not invite any of the imperial clan members. She simply told the outside world that it was a gathering of the younger generation.
Li Chenjiao also went that day, but the wind and snow were heavy, and Li Chenjiao was freezing on the way. Her face was stinging from the wind, and even though she was wearing a cloak, she could still feel the howling wind.
After returning that day, Li Chenjiao claimed to be ill.
Li Chenjiao's "illness" was not cured until December.
During the time that the Fourth Prince was away from the mansion, not only did Li Chenjiao "fall ill" once, but the imperial physician was also summoned to the main courtyard every few days.
The custom of paying respects to the emperor at the main courtyard on the first and fifteenth of each eleventh lunar month was waived.
The same applies to the first day of the twelfth lunar month.
Behind her back, countless people were laughing at the fact that the Second Prince, the wife of the emperor, was sickly. Li Chenjiao didn't have time to say such things; she was still craving a whole roasted lamb.
I've been craving it for almost half a month, just waiting for the right time.
Li Chenjiao counted on her fingers: she had to go to the palace on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, she didn't know if she had to go to the main courtyard to pay her respects on the fifteenth, and she didn't know if the Fourth Prince would be able to come back on the eve of the Lunar New Year. In any case, she would probably have a chance to eat during the New Year holidays.
Since Fourth Master didn't reply last time, Li Chenjiao didn't reply either. Now, half a month has passed, and it's already December, but there's still no news from Fourth Master.
This made Qiu Ci, who was already worried after hearing that His Majesty had bestowed a marriage upon the Tenth Prince, even more anxious.
They were afraid that one day when the Fourth Master returned, he would also bring back two Mongolian princesses.
Li Chenjiao found it amusing and teased the Second Princess as she climbed closer to her.
The second princess is not even eight months old yet, but she has already learned to crawl. Even Granny Chen and Granny Zhong often say that the second princess is a very active girl.
Li Chenjiao quite liked the little girl's active nature, and the East Courtyard was filled with laughter every day.
"I don't know when Fourth Master will return to the mansion this year, so I'm not in a hurry to send New Year's gifts to my father and mother. I'll just send a letter home."
With the Fourth Master in the mansion, Li Chenjiao only needed to inform him once, which would be considered as having made the decision clear. Then, by showing the items to the Fourth Master one by one, it would not be considered as subsidizing the family.
With Fourth Master away, Li Chenjiao was more cautious than ever.
"Judging by the days, Fourth Master should be back soon. It's almost the New Year, so let's prepare everything in advance."
In the blink of an eye, another year has passed.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com