"Didn't you just say you were going to slap me in the face? It's just that we brought up the meal first," Qiu Yan said, feigning grievance.
At this moment, the maids of Song, Wu, Geng, and Wuya came to fetch their meals and witnessed this scene. Coupled with the fact that Fucha was under house arrest, and now seeing her maids "bullying" others, they all began to point and whisper about Hong'er and Ping'er.
Hong'er never expected things to turn out this way. The more she talked, the more unreasonable she seemed.
After everyone turned away from Hong'er's gossiping glances, they each carried their own food back home. Because Ping'er and Hong'er had incurred the wrath of the crowd, the servants in the kitchen placed their meals last.
When they returned with the food that had gone cold, Fucha glared at them and said angrily, "The people across the street have already started eating. Why are you only coming back now?"
Hong'er and Ping'er were too embarrassed to answer, which only made Lady Fucha angrier. She felt that Hong'er and Ping'er did not respect her, so she raised her hand and slapped Ping'er!
Snap!
Ping'er wasn't as clever as Hong'er. Suddenly being hit by her master, she felt wronged and tears welled up in her eyes.
“Master, it’s not that we’re being lazy, it’s just that the people in the kitchen are backstabbing us. Seeing that you were punished by the master, they’ve started to disrespect you. What’s even more infuriating is that Qiu Yan over there, who made sarcastic remarks about the princess. I only asked one question, and she mocked me, saying that even though the princess paid money, she couldn’t get a proper meal!” Hong’er immediately said, feeling wronged. She wasn’t trying to be righteous for Ping’er, but rather because if things continued like this, she would be the next one to be beaten.
"What! They dare to talk about me like that! They're courting death!" Fucha looked in surprise toward the east where Liu lived.
"They were so arrogant, speaking ill of their master in front of us servants," Hong'er added fuel to the fire.
"Liu is nothing but the second daughter of an official, yet she dares to oppose me, the princess. Just wait and see," Fucha said coldly through gritted teeth.
Meanwhile, Liu's maids Qiuyan and Lüzhi were also recounting what had happened in the kitchen to Liu.
“You have offended Lady Fucha today. How will the princess get along with her in the future?” Hongqiao said with worry instead of joy after hearing this.
When Qiuyan and Lüzhi heard her say this, they were so frightened that they bowed to Liu and apologized, saying, "Master, we didn't mean it that way. We just blurted it out in the heat of the moment. We saw that they were quite disrespectful to the princess, so we couldn't help but say a few words."
"Alright, I know. I've said it all. Anyway, it's impossible for me and that Fucha woman to ever truly live peacefully and amicably. We'll inevitably fall out sooner or later. I didn't expect it to happen so quickly." Liu's reaction wasn't very strong.
“My lord, Lady Fucha is under house arrest and doesn’t dare to do anything right now. As long as you can gain the master’s favor within this month, she won’t dare to do anything in front of you,” Hongqiao said.
“I understand this principle perfectly well, but gaining the master’s attention is not so easy. Didn’t you see last night that he only showed his face briefly before leaving in a hurry?” Madam Liu said with a slight frown.
“The concubine in the South Courtyard has already given birth to three children and is in her early twenties. How can she compare to Your Highness, who is so youthful and beautiful? I think that as long as Concubine Nian is willing to help, Your Highness will soon be favored,” Hongqiao said.
"It's not that easy. I haven't brought her any benefits yet, why would she help me so easily?" Liu said.
"Does the princess mean that we should give Consort Nian a gift that will satisfy her?" Hongqiao asked.
“Of course, otherwise why would she help me so easily!” Liu said.
After having dinner, Liu was served by her maids and began to rest for the afternoon.
"Hongqiao, remember to wake me up later! Go and visit Nian Shi again!" Liu Shi said.
"Yes, Master, please sleep soundly. I'll wake you up in a bit!" Hongqiao said.
After Liu had rested, she got up and changed into a simpler qipao.
“Master, your skin is so fair, why are you wearing such light-colored clothes! You should wear some brightly colored clothes to look your best!” Qiu Yan said as she helped her change.
"When you go to see Consort Nian later, it's best to keep a low profile to avoid arousing her jealousy!" said Madam Liu. Although her features were not as striking as Consort Nian's, her skin was extremely fair, and her overall appearance was plump and radiant, making her seem to glow!
“Sigh, once the princess is favored, there’s no need for this!” Hongqiao said.
“No, Father instructed me that there are many high-ranking officials and nobles in this capital, and they all have intricate networks of relationships. We must not make a single wrong move or say an extra word, lest we offend someone without even realizing it! You offended Lady Fucha in the kitchen, which is something I, this princess, do not wish to see!” Lady Liu said.
"It was all my fault for acting impulsively, please punish me, Your Highness!" Qiu Yan said immediately when she saw Liu Shi bring up the matter again.
"That's enough. What's done is done, and even if I punish you, it won't change anything!" said Madam Liu.
"Princess, why don't you beat me up and let the other side see it? Maybe then she won't see you as an enemy!" Qiu Yan was really going all out. In order to salvage the relationship between Liu and Fucha, she decided to go all out.
"No need. It's only a matter of time before things fall apart. I don't like her either! But we shouldn't provoke her in the future!" Liu looked at her hair in the mirror and gestured to Green Branch not to wear the beaded flower.
"Alright, let's go see Consort Liu!" Liu stood up, clutching her handkerchief. Because of her youth and considerable height, her graceful and elegant demeanor made even ordinary-colored clothes look beautiful on her!
As she stepped out of her room, she saw a gaze fixed on her from across the street!
Liu smiled gently at Fucha. If it weren't for the incident in the kitchen, perhaps they would still be good sisters!
"This Liu is no pushover either! I misjudged her; she's only just arrived and she's already wandering around! You all better watch out from now on," said Lady Fucha, withdrawing her gaze from Liu's retreating figure.
"Yes, it was all our carelessness. We thought she was a delicate flower, but little did we know she was a thorny rose!" Yan'er said.
"Hmph, think about how you're going to see the Fujin?" Fucha said.
"Master, are you going to pay your respects to the Princess Consort?" Hong'er asked.
“Indeed, the Princess Consort has been neglected by the Fourth Prince, and she must be eager to win back his heart. Since she is out of favor, she will definitely need a new woman! The Princess Consort should also realize how outstanding her man is, otherwise how can she be motivated to fight back!” said Lady Fucha.
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