Li Chenjiao was still a little confused after receiving the reward. She thought the matter was over, but wasn't the Fourth Prince's reward a slap in the face to the Princess Consort?
However, the material is quite good. Li Chenjiao touched it, rested her chin on her hand, and wondered whether she should send the material to the sewing shop. She had already sent quite a lot of it in the past two days. Oh well, it's enough for her to wear. She'll make it when summer comes.
For jewelry, Li Chenjiao picked out a pair of earrings and two bracelets, and then a few hairpins. Hmm, they're quite pretty.
As for donkey-hide gelatin, Li Chenjiao yawned and lazily said: Let's put it aside for later.
...
Later that evening, the Fourth Master went to the main courtyard.
The Fourth Prince returned to the mansion after dinner, and then sat on the couch reading history books—well, he changed to a different book.
After the Fujin (principal wife) finished her meal and came in, the Fourth Prince looked at his book and said, "Li Shi is very thoughtful. Although that donkey-hide gelatin is not rare, it is still a token of her affection."
The smile on the princess's face almost froze, and it took her a while to squeeze out a sentence: "She's a thoughtful person, and I like her as soon as I see her."
Fourth Master grunted in response and fell silent.
In today's matter, neither the Fujin nor Bai Jia Shi did anything wrong; they just spoke unpleasantly. Similarly, Li Chen Jiao did nothing wrong; she simply "had good intentions."
The princess consort remained silent, though she couldn't help feeling a little uneasy.
But I can still come to terms with it.
After a while, the Fourth Prince spoke again: "The Fifth Brother said that his wife is going to hold a flower appreciation banquet in a few days and asked the Princess Consort to attend."
Fifth Master had only recently gotten married, so it's likely that Fifth Princess held this flower-viewing banquet to strengthen their bond.
The princess nodded slightly: "Alright, we're all sisters-in-law. I'll go see her tomorrow and find out the date and time so I can go early."
Fourth Master hummed in agreement again.
The couple weren't particularly talkative; it was mainly because the Fourth Prince was a man of few words and the Princess Consort valued propriety, so when they were together, they really didn't know what to talk about.
A good night's sleep is all that matters.
Li Chenjiao was living a good life, eating and drinking as usual, occasionally going out to see the flowers and feed the fish.
Sure enough, as soon as I came out of the courtyard to stroll in the garden, I ran into Song Gege.
After exchanging greetings, the two went to sit and chat in the pavilion in the center of the garden.
"I really like the round fan you sent the other day, but it was too much of a expense for you," said Madam Song with a smile.
Li Chenjiao waved her hand: "Song Gege, that's too formal. These are just material possessions. I'm just finding a good owner for them."
Li Chenjiao had no ill intentions towards Song Shi, mainly because Song Shi had no ill intentions towards her, so the two got along quite well.
The only thing that Li Chenjiao regretted was that she got a headache whenever she saw Madam Song, and her mind was filled with the image of Madam Song leading a little princess.
Li Chenjiao subconsciously rubbed her temples again, feeling a strange sensation in her heart.
Because of this matter, Li Chenjiao really couldn't stay any longer; she was truly troubled. So, after chatting for a short while, Li Chenjiao left first.
Madam Song watched Li Chenjiao leave, saying, "Let's not have any conflicts with Princess Li's courtyard, understand?"
The maid replied with a smile, "Don't worry, Princess. We speak kindly to everyone in our courtyard."
"Well, it's getting late, let's go back." Madam Song glanced in the direction Li Chenjiao had walked away, and said after a long while.
Whether it was her imagination or not, she always felt that Li Gege was avoiding her.
After Li Chenjiao and Song Shi parted ways, Bai Jia Shi also came to stroll in the garden a short while later.
Just then, the Fourth Prince returned from the palace and passed by the garden, where they ran into each other.
From a distance, the Fourth Prince saw a person dressed in jade-colored clothes ahead. He knew at a glance that it was not a servant, and frowned slightly: "Who is that?"
Su Peisheng twitched his lips and replied, "Master, that's Princess Bai Jia, the one who summoned the imperial physician."
Fourth Master said "Oh": "Your injury is healed? Come stroll in the garden."
Don't get me wrong, this isn't Fourth Master showing concern for Bai Jia Shi, it's that he dislikes her and thinks she's deliberately wandering around.
This is the time when Fourth Master returns to the mansion.
Although the Fourth Prince didn't say anything when he encountered Li Chenjiao last time, he still remembered it. The Fourth Prince frowned again and instructed, "Go to the main courtyard tomorrow and tell them..."
The Fourth Prince suddenly fell silent again. Then he thought that the competition for favor was a common occurrence, so he should remind his wife not to disrupt the rules of the manor.
"Tomorrow, go to the main courtyard. Don't say anything else, just tell the Fujin that the master knows she has just taken charge and there may be some improprieties. However, the household still needs to keep an eye on her."
Su Peisheng hurriedly agreed, then looked up at Bai Jia's direction: "Then this..."
Fourth Master snorted: "Fine, go and tell her that I'll go see her tonight."
Su Peisheng secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Now he could finally hand in his task. It was all because his foolish apprentice had accepted Bai Jiagege's gifts that he had to clean up this mess.
Fourth Master didn't even glance over there again, turned and walked away. Halfway there, he suddenly stopped and asked, "How is Li Shi doing?"
Su Peisheng paused for a moment, then quickly replied, "Gege Li is doing well. Yesterday, the royal physician went to take her pulse as usual and said that Gege Li is in good health and everything is fine."
Fourth Master hummed in agreement, then turned in another direction: "Go and see her."
Su Peisheng understood perfectly well. Look, compared to Bai Jia Gege, it's clear that the master is now more concerned about Li Gege.
When they arrived at Li Chenjiao's courtyard, only a maid came out to pay her respects, but Li Chenjiao herself was nowhere to be seen.
Su Peisheng asked the maid, Qiu Ci, "Where is your princess? The Fourth Master has arrived, why hasn't she come out to pay her respects?"
Qiu Ci hurriedly bowed: "This servant greets Fourth Master. The Princess... the Princess is inside."
Inside, Li Chenjiao was hurriedly getting dressed. She had just returned from the garden and was covered in sweat from her walk, so she asked for water to take a bath.
Unexpectedly, Fourth Master arrived at this moment.
While dressing, she asked Qiu Hu to tie up her hair. Just as Fourth Master was about to come in, Li Chenjiao finished getting ready.
"This servant greets Fourth Master. May Fourth Master be blessed." Li Chenjiao bowed her head respectfully.
Fourth Master looked at Li Chenjiao's slightly damp hair, understood a bit, and stopped arguing. He strode inside.
Li Chenjiao followed him in, brought tea to the Fourth Master, and said, "This servant just took a bath, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, Fourth Master."
Fourth Master simply hummed in agreement: "It's because I didn't send anyone to inform you beforehand. It's alright. What have you been doing these past few days?"
Li Chenjiao sat down first, and after looking up and seeing that Fourth Master did not show any signs of anger, she said, "There's not much to do. Go for a stroll in the garden, walk around the courtyard, chat with the maids, or read some leisure books. These are all forms of entertainment."
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