Granny Zhao cautiously replied, "Yes, I understand. I'll go first thing tomorrow morning; it just so happens to be the Mid-Autumn Festival tomorrow..."
Consort De rubbed her temples: "Does the Fourth Prince's family mean they want to hold something?" At the beginning of the month, the Princess Consort came to the palace once, and her words were about the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Granny Zhao responded softly, "Yes."
Consort De paused for a moment: "She has only been in the palace for a short time, so it's understandable that she wants to make a good impression. But, His Majesty is in a bad mood right now, so you should remind her to keep it simple."
Granny Zhao hesitated for a moment, then said, "The Fourth Princess Consort is still young; she probably didn't expect to have such connections in the palace..."
Just then, He Zhongyi, the head eunuch of Yonghe Palace, entered and respectfully bowed: "Your Majesty, His Majesty has awakened in Qianqing Palace."
Consort De's face remained expressionless; she simply asked softly, "Did you say anything?"
He Zhongyi stammered, "After His Majesty woke up... he scolded the Crown Prince, calling him... calling him... unfilial, and punished the Crown Prince to reflect on his actions in Yuqing Palace, forbidding him from leaving without being summoned."
Consort De was genuinely taken aback. Unfilial! What a huge accusation leveled against the Crown Prince… They said he should reflect on his actions, but they didn't specify how long he would have to do so…
This time, His Majesty is probably truly enraged.
"Send a message to the fourth prince, let him know that we should avoid Qixiang Palace from now on." Qixiang Palace is where Consort Hui lives, the birth mother of Prince Zhi.
Both Granny Zhao and He Zhongyi should be the answer.
As dawn broke and the sky turned a rosy red, sparrows circled above the Forbidden City. I wondered which noble person's canary was trying to escape this deep palace cage.
...
In the house.
Li Chenjiao woke up after a good night's sleep, drank half a cup of tea to moisten her throat, and then asked, "When did Fourth Master come back yesterday?"
Qiu Ci laughed immediately and said, "Yes, I didn't get back until the second watch of the night. I heard there was some big commotion in the palace."
Qiu Hu brought in water and smiled when she heard this: "Speaking of these things, even Xiao Luzi in our courtyard can't compare to you."
Li Chenjiao smiled and asked, "Has the main courtyard come by? Today is the fifteenth."
Qiu Ci quickly replied, "I heard that the Princess Consort hasn't come up with a plan yet, perhaps she has some concerns. But it seems that someone from the palace came early this morning."
Li Chenjiao got up and picked out her clothes, putting them on as she said, "Then let's wait for news from the main courtyard."
The two maids bowed in greeting.
After breakfast, someone from the main courtyard came and said that lunch would not be served together, but dinner would be served at the Qing Courtyard. Since the Princess Consort would not be going to the palace this year, everyone in the household would have a good time.
Li Chenjiao instructed Xiao Luzi to dismiss the eunuch who had delivered the message.
She was pondering what to wear for dinner tonight; after all, she was now a favored concubine, wasn't she?
Just then, Qiu Ci quietly came in: "Princess, Princess, Princess Song has summoned the imperial physician again. This is the fourth time this month."
Li Chenjiao had heard Qiu Ci mention it once, and only asked, "Is the pregnancy not going well? Hasn't the Fujin (wife) inquired about it?"
Qiu Ci shook her head: "This servant hasn't found out yet, but the head of the household has already sent someone to visit."
Li Chenjiao's expression was not good, and for no reason she thought of Dangui, who served Bai Jiashi.
What I'm afraid of is... that the Fujin (principal wife) might be behind this. What if it's the eldest son? Would the Fujin allow Song Shi to give birth to him?
If you really don't mind Song Shisheng, then why bother placing a pawn like Dangui next to Song Shisheng?
Li Chenjiao thought for a moment, then said, "Have Xiao Lu keep an eye on the osmanthus trees in Song Gege's courtyard."
Qiu Ci obediently agreed and left.
...
The Song family is indeed not doing well. One reason is that the Song family is weak, and another reason is that they are taking too much tonic. As for whether there are other reasons, we do not know.
Yu Lou from the main courtyard came to visit once, said some polite words, then left with a smirk, returning to the main courtyard and saying that was all.
The Fujin was inside arranging the staff for dinner and checking the dishes. Upon hearing this, she merely narrowed her eyes slightly and waved Yulou away.
"The osmanthus pawn has been put to good use. Let's get rid of it quickly. Remember, do it quietly, don't leave any traces like you did with that medicine last time," the Fujin said calmly.
Yu Ru, fanning herself from the side, responded softly upon hearing this.
After carefully confirming that the meal was correct, the princess smiled and looked up, saying, "As for the rest, don't act rashly for now. There will be plenty of opportunities..."
Yu Ru knew that her mistress was referring to Consort Song, and her eyelashes trembled slightly: "But apart from today, there is no more suitable time."
The princess consort sneered, her voice seductive: "Yes, we do have them now, but not in September..."
So-and-so? I used to think it wouldn't hurt to have her bear the child, but since she's harbored such inappropriate thoughts and set her sights on the position of concubine, then don't blame me for being ruthless...
The Ulanara family doesn't produce useless trash; she's seen all the tricks they use in the backyard since she was a child.
"Be more careful in your work. Wasn't it a losing proposition the last time we got medicine? This time, there can't be the slightest mistake!" The Fujin stared at Yu Ru.
Yu Ru quickly agreed.
There are no head maids in the Fujin household. This is mainly because the Fujin doesn't like maids who talk too much. The Fujin is proud, has her own ideas, and only asks her subordinates to do things. She dislikes others giving her ideas.
However, the maids are young, and the only ones they can rely on are Yu Ru and Yu Lou. There will always be times when they are not careful.
When it was time for dinner, everyone who went to carry the Qing family entourage arrived early, perhaps because the Fourth Prince would also be making an appearance today.
Li Chenjiao changed into a light green dress. Li Chenjiao now has a strong preference for green. She wore a light green bracelet on her wrist, a white and green hairpin in her hair, and green and white flower pendants on her ears.
The monochromatic color scheme looks really good, making the person appear even more delicate and youthful.
Li Chenjiao, accompanied by Qiu Hu and Xiao Luzi, leisurely made her way to Taiqing Courtyard. Qiu Ci was left in the East Courtyard, where the girl was out gathering information.
Li Chenjiao walked slowly and arrived a little late. Song Shi had already arrived, and she looked unwell. She was almost seven months pregnant, but her body was very thin, and her face was pale and bluish.
Li Chenjiao sat down, fanning herself, and said softly, "You're already like this, why force yourself? Your health is the most important thing."
Qiu Hu agreed in her heart: "I suppose all the women in the inner quarters are like this. No matter how bad their lives are or how painful they are, they still have to smile on the surface."
Back in the Li family mansion, wasn't this what the second master's backyard was like? He had quite a few concubines, and even the ones who were down on their luck would find ways to dress them up in nice clothes.
Women, aren't they the pillars of the household? They are born to live in struggle.
Li Chenjiao blinked: "There are countless paths in life, but valuing life is the most important. This life is for yourself. Competing for favor is just a means to a good life, a way to save face..."
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