Song stood a little behind, holding a hot water bottle in her arms, and seemed to be in a fairly good mood.
Li Chenjiao glanced at it, then paused for a moment. Actually, bringing a hot water bottle along wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
Noticing Li Chenjiao's gaze, Song exclaimed, "Oh! Didn't you sleep well last night? You're so lucky."
Madam Song was a shrewd woman. Perhaps she was a little vague about other things, but when it came to favoritism and who the Fourth Prince favored, she was sharper than anyone else and her mind was as clear as a mirror.
Song spoke in a low voice, not intending to make Li Chenjiao the target of public criticism, but simply wanting to chat with her.
Li Chenjiao moved closer, but there was still some distance between them. Her expression was calm: "You look fine."
Madam Song subconsciously touched her face: "Really? Perhaps it's because I got up at four in the morning to wash and dress. My new box of rouge suits my complexion, doesn't it? I'll have my maid bring you a box later."
Upon hearing this, Li Chenjiao felt a headache coming on. She thought that she had actually gotten up at dawn to do her hair and makeup. The drowsiness that had been suppressed by the cold wind suddenly returned.
She covered her lips and quietly yawned.
Then Song continued, "I was just joking. I wouldn't dare let anyone else use things on my face. Look at Bai Jia's smug look. She's really in high spirits when she's happy."
Song's words sounded sour.
Li Chenjiao glanced at Madam Song, utterly at a loss for words.
Song Shi is a rather contradictory person, but she is good at distinguishing between love and hate and doesn't have many bad intentions. Except for not being very good to the eldest princess, Song Shi simply did not care about the eldest princess.
Li Chenjiao would occasionally exchange a few words with her, which brought her some joy.
After saying a few sarcastic remarks, Madam Song leaned closer to Li Chenjiao and reminded her, "You are currently favored, but I have to say something to dampen your spirits: who can be favored forever? You should think more about yourself."
She was an unlucky person. She did want the Fourth Prince's favor, but more than that, she hoped to have a prince by her side.
Li Chenjiao's lips moved slightly as she pondered the words, "Who can be favored forever?" She smiled slowly.
She smiled, and after a moment, nodded in agreement with Song.
She knew better than anyone that favor was an ephemeral thing. Although her two maids had never said such things to her, she could not help but sense their worries.
Because of the new bride entering the household next year, and because she currently only has a second princess and no prince to rely on, and because she has no power, the maids are becoming increasingly worried.
It's been almost three years since Li Chenjiao entered the manor. She hasn't forgotten her initial thoughts when she first gained favor. Being favored is the best, but if she loses favor, she'll just use the money in her hands to live a good life.
Moreover, Li Chenjiao is currently a concubine, receiving her salary from the Imperial Household Department and the court, not from the monthly allowance in her household's accounts.
Her original intention remains unchanged, but now she has an additional duty: to protect the young girl, the Second Princess.
Li Chenjiao was unwilling to waver in her mind; she was already very satisfied with her current life.
She doesn't crave power, nor does she desire the Fourth Prince's true affection. A little bit of his favor would be ideal, but she'll deal with everything else as it comes.
The most important thing in life is to know what you want.
While Li Chenjiao was lost in thought, Fourth Master had already arrived. As everyone was bowing, Qiu Hu quietly pulled his master back to reality.
Li Chenjiao was a beat slow to squat down, and her eyes met those of the Fourth Master. She subconsciously smiled, and then lowered her head before the Fourth Master could speak.
Everyone curtsied, even the Fujin bowed slightly, and naturally no one noticed the exchange of glances between the Fourth Prince and Li Chenjiao.
Fourth Master paused for a moment: "Get up, all of you."
Everyone stood up.
Song moved back a bit, placing herself behind Li Chenjiao, but at the same time, she pushed Wu back a bit as well. Wu herself was holding a hot water bottle and pretended to be completely unaware of what was going on.
Wu instinctively protected the eldest prince, but the next second she realized that Song had pushed her behind her. She bit her lip, but in the end she didn't rush to argue with Song.
After all, Song was the first to enter the mansion. Although Wu looked down on Song, she never showed it on her face.
While Lady Song and Lady Wu were exchanging veiled insults, the Fujin (Prince Consort) in front of them was also holding a handkerchief in one hand, her expression still showing reluctance as she spoke to the Fourth Prince.
However, with everyone present, the Fujin couldn't bring herself to cry out in front of everyone. She simply showed great reluctance and then said that she would take good care of the backyard while the Fourth Prince was away.
The Fourth Prince remained silent, waiting until his wife finished speaking before he expressionlessly touched the hand she was holding.
It's not a response, but a reminder.
The princess quickly remembered that the fourth prince disliked being touched by others, her fingertips trembled slightly, but she quickly withdrew her hand.
"While the master is away, I will have to trouble you, my wife. From this day forward, the main gate of the mansion will be closed. During the master's absence, the mansion will not receive any guests. As for any invitations sent from outside, you and Madam Li may decide whether to accept them."
Standing a little further back, Li Chenjiao heard Fourth Master call her name and obediently nodded: "Yes."
Li Chenjiao is always very well-behaved when she is outside, especially when the Fourth Prince is around.
The wife naturally understood this principle, and nodded in agreement as soon as the Fourth Prince finished speaking.
The Fourth Prince then instructed, "While I'm away, Madam Song, take good care of the Eldest Princess, hmm?"
This was Fourth Master's final warning before his departure.
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