The letter reached Li Chenjiao on October 12th, the day before the Golden Banquet Festival.
The letter was delivered personally by Fu Lu, and the smile on his face was so wide it was almost painful.
Li Chenjiao had Xiao Luzi see Fu Lu off, but she still felt a little uneasy. Fu Lu's smile was just too creepy.
Once inside, Li Chenjiao sat down and opened the envelope, her eyes revealing an expectation she herself didn't realize.
Gently open the envelope.
The opening line, "To my dear," immediately made Li Chenjiao feel a sense of intimacy. Well, that's the kind of tone Fourth Master has.
If you can say something in two words, don't use four. It's like saying an extra word costs money.
After reading the Fourth Master's reply, Li Chenjiao finished reading it in about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.
This letter is very much in the style of the Fourth Master.
Answer whatever you write. Fourth Master, don't you have anything to say? Like, what's good to eat along the Yongding River?
After reading the letter with a huff, Li Chenjiao snorted, especially when she saw the last sentence, "Your handwriting has improved," which made her laugh in exasperation.
Of course! Did you think copying Buddhist scriptures was for nothing? Fortunately, Li Chenjiao didn't have to copy Buddhist scriptures anymore when the Golden Festival arrived. However, Li Chenjiao was really idle, and she copied seven or eight more scrolls on top of what the Princess Consort had stipulated.
Well, Li Chenjiao sent over the ugliest ones, and kept the good ones for her to collect and appreciate.
After reading the letter, Li Chenjiao stuffed it back into the envelope. After thinking for a moment, she blinked and instructed, "Find a box to store it, the same box that Fourth Master used to store his books last time. Remember to line the bottom with loose silver coins and keep it as a keepsake."
Thanks to Fourth Master, all the calligraphy practiced by Li Chenjiao was collected and then used the loose silver given by Fourth Master to pave the floor.
I must say, it's quite pleasing to the eye; it's probably a fusion of literature and material possessions.
Ah, from now on, even reading books will smell like money.
Li Chenjiao couldn't stop laughing, so Qiu Hu, who came in, looked at Li Chenjiao laughing so hard that her head was buzzing.
"Princess???" Qiu Hu called out uncertainly, wondering why her princess was acting like she was possessed.
Li Chenjiao snapped out of her daze, still somewhat amused: "What's wrong?"
Qiu Hu sighed softly, "Nothing else, it's just that Song Gege has called the imperial physician again..."
Since the birth of the eldest princess, the imperial physician has come almost every day, which shows how frail the eldest princess's body is.
Because of this, the baby's third-day celebration was cancelled, and the empresses in the palace gave much lighter rewards, probably because they were afraid that the eldest princess would not be able to handle the rewards and that it would bring bad luck.
This is taboo in the palace; it's not easy for someone born into royalty to live a peaceful life.
Upon hearing this, Li Chenjiao's smile faded: "It's been over half a month and you're still not getting better?"
Qiu Hu nodded gently, a hint of regret in her eyes: "She's much better, but compared to ordinary children, the eldest princess is..."
Li Chenjiao nodded, seemingly in agreement.
"The Fujin just sent word that this year's Golden Offering Festival will not be celebrated in a grand manner. It's not appropriate for the eldest princess to have a big celebration. Let's just have a nice meal in our respective courtyards and celebrate properly when the fourth prince returns," Qiu Hu said gently.
Li Chenjiao was stunned for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh, a mocking laugh.
The way the Fujin said that the celebration was being held less because of the eldest princess is just making things worse for her. Isn't that just making the eldest princess resentful? That's ruthless.
Qiu Hu stepped forward and took the letter. Looking at his princess's expression, he felt a sense of vigilance.
The Princess Consort... is not someone to be trifled with.
The following day was the Ban Jin Festival, a major day for the Manchus, equivalent to the New Year for the Han Chinese, and it was a very grand occasion.
The princess consort changed into the prince's wife's attire early in the morning and went to the palace before dawn.
She arrived at Yonghe Palace early, where Zhao Mama, the maidservant of Consort De, came out to greet her with a smile.
The princess, who was very imposing in the mansion, was very respectful and humble in the palace. She didn't dare to put on airs in front of Granny Zhao and smiled modestly, "Why did you come out in person, Granny? Is Her Majesty inside?"
Zhao Mama smiled and said, "Yes, Consort Cheng and several ladies-in-waiting are here as well. Please come in, Your Highness."
Consort Cheng, the birth mother of the Seventh Prince, lived in a side hall of Yonghe Palace. She rarely went out and even the Prince's wife had rarely seen her. When the prince heard Consort Cheng's name, his eyes flickered slightly.
The Seventh Prince was born with an illness that made it difficult for him to walk, but he was very much loved by the Emperor. However, Consort Cheng did not have such a good life.
Giving birth to a child with a physical defect is considered the mother's fault, a judgment that the world will make, and she cannot defend herself.
Fortunately, Consort Cheng received care from Consort De.
...
Once inside, the princess consort bowed respectfully.
Consort De was talking with Consort Cheng when she saw the Fujin (the fourth prince's wife) enter. She still smiled and said, "The fourth prince's wife has arrived? Please sit down."
The princess consort agreed and sat down as instructed.
Consort De would usually greet the Fujin at this time of day, but today she unusually didn't even glance at her.
Consort De continued talking with Consort Cheng.
Consort Cheng shook her head inwardly at the sight of the Fujin's embarrassed appearance. She had already made a move against the fourth prince's offspring, and she still expected Consort De to give her a pleasant look.
Thank goodness she's a princess; if she were a prince, I don't know how furious the Consort De would be.
Since Consort De summoned her and neglected the Fujin, Consort Cheng was naturally happy to do this favor. The Fujin's actions were already unkind, so why the rush?
The Fujin spent the day in an awkward situation.
Consort De ignored her, and the shrewd ladies-in-waiting below her naturally ignored her as well. The Fujin sat alone, feeling extremely embarrassed.
Gradually, the Fujin realized why Consort De had been so cold today, and her face turned pale.
Consort De has been in the palace for over twenty years; she's seen it all. It seems Consort De is displeased...
The princess consort immediately stopped feeling wronged, sat up straight like a wooden doll, but clutched her clothes tightly, thinking of a solution.
When night fell, Zhao Mama saw the Fujin off and returned home but didn't go inside; she just stood guard outside.
"I called you out today because there's something else I want to tell you, it's about the seventh prince's marriage..." Consort De said.
Consort Cheng was stunned for a moment, then her eyes reddened instantly, and she asked in a trembling voice, "Has Your Majesty received any news?"
Her son's marriage was a constant worry for her. The seventh prince was getting on in years, but his marriage had not yet been settled. She was afraid that the emperor would dislike the seventh prince's health and forget about this matter.
Consort De said, "I've only heard that His Majesty is thinking of the seventh prince and has betrothed him to a girl from the Nara clan. I heard she's a well-mannered girl."
Consort Cheng wept and quickly rose to her knees: "Your Majesty, I thank you for informing me. My heart, which had been hanging in suspense, can now be put at ease..."
Consort De quickly helped her up.
Consort Cheng cried for a while, then quickly took a handkerchief to wipe her tears, saying softly, "I'm sorry Your Majesty had to see this."
Consort De smiled gently: "We're all mothers, I understand how worried we are about our children."
The fact that she referred to herself as "I" instead of "this palace" shows the affection Consort De showed.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com