Li Chenjiao looked back at Li Jia and continued to play dumb: "Who did you say, sister? I've always been hard of hearing, so I didn't hear you clearly."
Regardless of whether Li Jia's words were disrespectful to the Crown Princess intentionally or unintentionally, it was ultimately a family matter within Yuqing Palace.
In any case, Li Chenjiao, as an outsider, had no need to interfere or say anything.
Moreover, could someone who can sit in the position of the Crown Prince's concubine really be someone who is easy to deal with?
There were quite a few people in the side hall right now. Li Chenjiao could see out of the corner of her eye that quite a few people wanted to get closer to Consort Li Jia, who was sitting opposite her.
It is evident that the concubine Li Jia in front of us is probably a favorite of the Crown Prince in Yuqing Palace.
Naturally, those who could reach the position of concubine were not ordinary people.
It was rather inappropriate for Consort Li Jia to say such rude things in front of her.
Li Chenjiao didn't want to respond to this, lest she give others something to say, so she simply pretended to be stupid.
However, at this moment, Li Chenjiao secretly became wary.
Within the manor, Li Chenjiao is currently the secondary consort, second only to the Fourth Prince and his consort. No one has any right to question what she says or does.
But things were different in the Forbidden City. Even if you picked out just one of the less favored concubines of the Emperor, Li Chenjiao would still have to pay her respects.
Not to mention the many relatives in the imperial clan, Li Chenjiao was inconspicuous here.
But once she makes a mistake, everyone's eyes will inevitably be on her.
Once outside the mansion, Li Chenjiao stood behind the Fourth Master, representing his reputation, and naturally demanded that there be no mistakes.
Li Chenjiao secretly made a mental note of it, and decided that she would at least ask Granny Lin and Madam Chen about the appearances of the noble ladies in the palace after returning to the mansion.
Or perhaps, taking advantage of the opportunity of these distinguished guests gathering today, Li Chenjiao would first introduce Lin Mama to everyone.
Just because she enters the palace infrequently doesn't mean she doesn't know anyone. If she happens to run into someone and can't remember their name, she can't expect everyone to be as easy to talk to as Lady Li and introduce themselves, can she?
Li Jia, who was sitting opposite Li Chenjiao, was stunned for half a second after hearing Li Chenjiao's words, and then burst out laughing without any restraint.
When Li Jia smiled, the radiance in her eyes became very eye-catching.
Her smile made Li Chenjiao freeze for half a second.
Li Jia clapped her hands lightly, the bright red balsam and cardamom on her ten fingers making them appear even more slender and beautiful.
“My sister is right. She didn’t hear anything, and I didn’t say anything either.”
Li Chenjiao smiled politely, and the words of farewell were on the tip of her tongue, but Li Jiashi's next sentence made her stop in her tracks.
"The one sitting in the center over there, yet ignored by everyone, is Li Si'er, famous throughout the capital, the favored concubine of the high-ranking official Longkodo. She's actually here today."
Li Chenjiao followed Li Jia's gaze as she spoke.
Li Chenjiao had noticed the beauty in the hall earlier.
However, the beauty was too young, yet every smile and frown exuded charm. Li Chenjiao knew few of the royal family's favored concubines, so she couldn't really make up her mind about who it was.
Little did they know that the man was Li Si'er, the infamous ancestor of the practice of favoring concubines over wives throughout the capital.
However, that person certainly takes good care of themselves; their face is so tender it looks like you could squeeze water out of it.
Li Chenjiao quickly looked away.
Li Jia casually raised her hand and pressed her index finger to her lips: "But that person is not someone to be trifled with, whether it's in the backyard or..."
That's enough.
But after saying that, Li Jia laughed and said, "Whether it's in the backyard or elsewhere, that mouth of hers is never forgiving."
Li Si'er dares to be so flamboyant, naturally because of Longkodo behind him.
Li Chenjiao blinked, understanding Li Jia's meaning, and said nothing more.
In the Forbidden City, the saying "Too much talk leads to mistakes" must be kept to oneself.
Li Jia looked at a certain spot inside the hall.
"Did you see those two standing over there? Oh my, I never knew they were able to stand together and talk so peacefully."
Judging from Li Jia's words, it seemed that the relationship between the two people in the past was not good.
Li Jia hesitated for a moment, then continued with great interest, "The one on the left is Zhao Jia, a concubine of the third prince's household, and the one on the right is also a concubine of the third prince's household, Cao."
The Cao family, the Cao family that controlled the Jiangning Imperial Textile Bureau?
Li Chenjiao lowered her eyes and quickly understood the relationship between the two.
Lady Zhaojia had been a much more senior member of the Third Prince's household, and it was only after she had given birth to a son and a daughter that the Third Prince invited her to be made a secondary consort.
As for that Cao woman, she was considered a lucky charm for the Third Master.
Later, it was an imperial decree issued by His Majesty that she was granted the title of Consort before even entering the palace.
Li Chenjiao lowered her eyes again and said nothing more.
Li Jia seemed reluctant to discuss the relationship between the two, and quickly moved on from the topic with a smile.
Then, Lady Li introduced the other noble ladies in the side hall to Li Chenjiao. Most of them were favored ladies in the palace but whose rank had not yet reached that of a concubine, as well as concubines of the imperial family.
There are either families or people who are pampered in this room.
Although Li Chenjiao didn't know that Li Jiashi had chosen to talk to her here instead of talking to so many important people today, she must have some ulterior motive.
Li Chenjiao could guess without even thinking that Li Jia was after the Fourth Prince.
Li Chenjiao really didn't know what the relationship was between the Fourth Prince and the Crown Prince.
When they came out of Cining Palace, Li Chenjiao thanked Li Jia Shi sincerely.
Li Jia smiled and waved her hand meaningfully: "I feel a strong connection with you today, but it's inconvenient to go in and out of Yuqing Palace, so I can't properly entertain you. If there are any matters in the future, I'll have someone send a message to you."
This means that we should maintain a long-term relationship in the future.
Li Chenjiao paused.
Li Jia's words were both reasonable and unexpected.
She was silent for a moment, then slowly raised her eyes, her gaze unconsciously settling on the pendant swaying at Li Jia's temple, gently bobbing in the breeze.
Li Chenjiao's thoughts were like a swaying pendant, but her words were unusually calm.
"With Fourth Master's temperament, I wouldn't dare to do that, little sister."
These words sounded like a coquettish complaint.
Li Jia laughed so hard that the pendant in her hair swayed even more violently.
"Alright, alright, my sister is right. I will listen to our young master too."
Everything is understood without words.
As Li Jia was leaving, she helped Li Chenjiao up, saying, "Sister, you're dressed too simply today, but you still look beautiful. Next time, I'll prepare a small gift for you. It's really a pleasure to meet you today."
This was the second time Li Jia had told Li Chenjiao that they were kindred spirits, but this time it was from the bottom of her heart.
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