When Lanqin arrived at Song's place, it was just past Shenshi (3-5 PM). Song was busy making cotton shoulder slings for Hongshi and was currently embroidering cricket patterns on their backs.
"Sister!" Lanqin told the maid not to report and went straight to the door of Song's bedroom. She saw Song sitting cross-legged on the daybed by the window. Round, flat winnowing baskets were spread on her legs and the table, covered with all kinds of silk threads.
"Qin'er!" Madam Song exclaimed in surprise. She looked up and saw Lanqin standing at her door.
"What are you busy with, sister?" Lanqin walked over and saw the children's clothes in Song's hands. Looking at the style and fabric, she knew that they were not made for the eldest princess's child, but were regularly made for the fourth prince, Hongshi.
"I made two cotton-padded jackets for Hongshi. When your belly gets bigger, I'll make clothes for the two little ones in your belly!" Madam Song put down the needlework and helped Lanqin sit on the daybed.
"Sister's clothes are so well made. I'll thank you for your skill on behalf of the two little ones in my belly. Fourth Prince is so lucky to have you taking care of him." Lanqin looked at Madam Song and realized that she was different from before. The maternal love in her eyes was so strong that it was hard to believe.
“The Fourth Prince has also had a rough time, and now that he has recognized me as his adoptive mother, I am truly content,” said Madam Song.
Seeing the satisfied look on Song's face, Lanqin hesitated to continue. Thinking that as long as she was careful, there shouldn't be any problems, she didn't say anything more.
"Does Sister know that the Master's new concubine entered the manor today?" Lanqin asked, provoking Wuya.
"I don't know, Master didn't seem to mention it specifically. Did you see it, sister?" Madam Song stopped her needlework and asked.
"Yes, they were just here with me. They said they came to pay their respects," Lanqin said.
"She's just a concubine, but she's got some nerve, actually running off to your place on her own," said Madam Song. "Which family is she from?"
Lanqin looked at Madam Song and said, "She's from Wuya's family, Fourth Master's cousin!"
Song opened her almond-shaped eyes wide, staring at Lanqin in surprise, speechless.
“Sister, I see your eyes are bloodshot. Why don’t you accompany Qin’er for a walk in the garden in front of you while there’s still some sunshine?” Lanqin said, seeing the bloodshot eyes in Song’s eyes and knowing that she had stayed up all night to finish the dress.
“Yes, Mistress, why don’t you accompany Consort for a walk? I can make this cotton shoulder cape for you!” Qingping hurriedly said. “Consort, please persuade our mistress. Ever since she got her hands on this dress, she’s been working on it day and night. I’ve tried to persuade her many times, but she just won’t stop. Actually, the Fourth Prince still needs a cotton shoulder cape, so there’s no need to rush like this!”
"You disrespectful girl, daring to speak ill of your mistress in front of the concubine!" Madam Song said coquettishly. "Qin'er, don't listen to her nonsense. I'm just bored, so I'm looking for something to do!"
"Sister, come with me to the garden for a walk. What if you ruin your eyes by sewing day and night like this?" Lanqin didn't expect Song Shi to treat Hongshi like this. If Hongshi did something one day, wouldn't Song Shi be devastated? Lanqin knew that the historical Hongshi later went astray. He secretly became close to the Eighth Prince, and even Yongzheng reprimanded him as an unfilial and disloyal son!
Lanqin suddenly regretted letting Song Shi raise Hongshi. What if Song Shi couldn't handle the blow? Wouldn't that be harming Song Shi?
Seeing that Lanqin was anxious, Madam Song quickly put down her needlework, stood up, and patted Lanqin's hand, saying, "Alright, don't worry, let's go for a walk to clear our heads!"
The two walked out of Song's room, served by maids.
As they chatted, Song brought up the story of Hongshi's disappearance in the small garden that day.
Lanqin had already heard a little about it from her maid, and now, hearing Song Shi's account, she became even more suspicious about the period when Hongshi was missing.
Meanwhile, Cui Niang introduced the various courtyards and their masters, along with their identities, to Madam Wuya. After the introduction, Madam Wuya and her maid returned to their own courtyard. There, standing at her door, was a maidservant—it was indeed Cui Ling, Madam Nian's maid. Madam Wuya didn't recognize her. Seeing Cui Ling standing impatiently at her door, she quickly went over to ask her something.
"Is this Madam Wuya, who just entered the manor today?" Cuiling was acting on Nian's orders to have Madam Wuya come over and speak with her.
"Yes, may I ask where you are from, young lady?" Uya asked.
“This servant is from Consort Nian’s side. It was Consort Nian who sent people to repair the room here, Madam!” Cui Ling said.
"Oh. So you are Consort Nian's maid. I was planning to pay my respects to Consort Nian, but I was afraid it would be too late and I might disturb her," said Lady Wuya immediately upon hearing that she was from Consort Nian's side.
“Very well, Madam, please come with me to see my concubine!” Cui Ling said. Because Madam Nian had heard that the newcomer was from the Fourth Prince's maternal family, she wanted to meet her to see if an alliance could be formed. Now that Lan Qin was pregnant with twins, the Fourth Prince visited her almost every day, so Madam Nian naturally saw her less often. Madam Nian was very resentful of Lan Qin's current dominance, so she wanted to use this Wu Ya woman to suppress the South Courtyard.
After Wuya and her servants followed Cuiling to Nian's place, where Nian was still living in the North Courtyard, Wuya saw that Nian's courtyard was far inferior to the South Courtyard and felt that Nian was not as good as Consort Niu.
However, after she followed Cuiling inside and saw Lady Nian herself, she found that the furnishings and clothing in her room were no less impressive than those of Consort Niu, which made her suspicious.
"This concubine greets Consort Nian!" Uya bowed to Consort Nian as usual.
"You must be Madam Wuya! Come and sit down. Birou, serve tea to Sister Wuya!" Madam Nian had already seen the look in Madam Wuya's eyes.
After Wuya sat down, Nian gave Cuiling a wink, signaling her to go and get the gifts she had given to Wuya.
"Madam Wuya, please try this. It's a rare and exquisite Yunnan tea!" said Madam Nian.
Seeing that Nian's smile was much warmer than Lanqin's, Wuya felt much more at ease.
"Come, Madam Wuya, this is a small token of my appreciation. I hope Madam Wuya won't find it offensive!" Madam Nian gestured for Cuiling to open the gift she had given to Madam Wuya. It was a complete set of pearl and tortoiseshell jewelry. Several of the South Sea pearls were rare, the size of cat's eyes, and the other pearls were all of the same size, each one round and lustrous.
Lady Wuya was no stranger to fine things; she had received many gifts from Consort De, and the Xiao family of Nanling was a large family with hundreds of years of history, possessing quite a few valuable items. However, a set of light pink pearl headdresses like this was still very rare.
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