It had snowed several times already, and the servants had swept the snow off the road. Lady Fucha, supported by Hongqiao, walked on the slightly slippery ground.
“Master, the doors across the street are all closed, and there are people guarding them. How can we get through to her?” Hongqiao asked.
Lady Fucha wore a dark iron-colored cotton cloak, and her expression was as cold as snow.
“Mrs. Nian wants too much. Mrs. Liu can’t even leave now, what else can she do but wait to give birth?” said Madam Fucha.
“How can that be related to the South Courtyard?” Hongqiao asked.
“Yes, so it’s impossible for Lady Nian to meet her demands,” Lady Fucha said. “But what we need to do is keep stirring up conflict between her and the South Courtyard. Only in this way will I have a chance.”
“Yes. But Nian is very cunning; she refuses to make the first move,” Hongqiao said.
"I will force her to make the first move." A ruthless look flashed across Fucha's face, but it was as clear as the first snow after a storm.
"What does Gege mean?" Hong Qiaozi felt a shiver run through her heart.
“Hongsheng! Only he can make Lady Nian lose control and frantically retaliate against those who harmed her son, right?” Lady Fucha said.
"Princess, but the Third Prince isn't coming out. How can we get close to him?"
"Let's find a way," said Lady Fucha.
The mistress and servant returned to Chunhui Hall. Fucha couldn't help but look at the row of houses on the east side, only to find all the doors tightly shut. The gatekeepers were huddled in the side rooms, keeping warm. Although no one was watching the doors, they were firmly closed. Liu hadn't come out for over two months.
“Hongqiao, try to send the letter to Father. I want Niohuru to worry. She’s living too comfortably; we need to make her a little uncomfortable,” said Fucha.
"Yes, it's already been sent out. Please go inside, Master. It's very cold outside," Hongqiao said.
"What is she burning in this cold weather?" Fucha suddenly asked.
“You mean Liu Shi? She was burning carrot charcoal before. According to the princess’s allowance, she shouldn’t have been able to burn a lot of carrot charcoal,” Hong Qiao said.
“Go and see the charcoal ash she burned,” said Lady Fucha.
Hongqiao didn't know what she meant, but dared not disobey. After sending Fucha into the room, she went to Liu's place to check the charcoal ash she had burned.
Because Liu was under house arrest, there were no footprints in front of or behind her house, and snow still lingered in the ground. Only some charcoal ash was visible in the flowerbed in front of the house.
Hongqiao then scooped up some charcoal ash with her bare hands and put it into her clothes before returning to Fucha's side.
Lady Fucha had already taken off her cloak and was resting on the warm couch, while Ping'er was stirring the charcoal in the brazier beside her.
“Master, look, this is the charcoal she burned. I see it's still ashes from red charcoal. It seems her expenses haven't decreased. Master still has some affection for her,” Hongqiao said.
“She has a child in her womb on her mind. Hongqiao, find a way to get close to the two old women guarding her door and find out their daily routines,” said Madam Fucha.
"Does Master intend to go in and see her tonight?" Hongqiao asked.
“This is the only way. Liu will definitely not be willing to live like this. At this moment, she should be hoping for someone to help her the most,” said Fucha.
"Yes. This servant will definitely find a way to get close to the old woman guarding the gate," Hongqiao said.
Meanwhile, Liu, who lived in the house opposite hers, was naturally unwilling to be confined there by the Fourth Master indefinitely. She didn't know that Mu Qingyang was not dead, so she didn't know how much the Fourth Master knew.
"Master, it's time for lunch," Cuizhu said to Liu, who was already standing at the window. Liu's belly was much bigger than before; she hadn't gained weight at all, but had actually lost some.
"I just saw Lady Fucha returning from outside with her maid, and she even looked in my direction," Lady Liu said.
“Master, Lady Fucha has always been unkind to the princess, so don’t expect her to come and save us,” Cuizhu said.
“I didn’t say she could save us, but from her cold face I saw desolation and resentment. As long as Niohuru is favored, her life will be difficult. So we have a common enemy, which gives us a basis for cooperation,” Liu said. These past few days, she had gradually come to understand that her affair with that actor might have already been discovered, and his fate might not be as she perceived it. Otherwise, why would the Fourth Prince suddenly confine her to his quarters? Why would he lock her up here without saying a word?
"My lady, please don't think about these things yet. Let's make other plans after the child is safely delivered," Cuizhu said.
"Cuizhu, do you know when those two old hags outside go to sleep every day?" Liu asked.
"They didn't go to sleep until after 9 PM," Cuizhu said.
"Yes, set out the meal for me. I'm hungry," Liu said, turning her gaze away from the window.
Liu knew that her affair with Mu Qingyang had probably reached the ears of the Fourth Prince, judging from his behavior towards her. She feared she would be confined here for the rest of her life, and her child would be taken away after birth.
No, Liu was determined not to live like this. She had been thinking constantly about how to break free from her current predicament and escape her predicament.
"Cuizhu, tonight after they've fallen asleep, take my letter out and give it to Consort Nian," Liu said.
“But my lady, it’s already so late. Even if I go to Consort Nian’s place, I’m afraid they’ll already be asleep,” Cuizhu said.
"There are still some old women guarding the gate who haven't gone to sleep yet. Are you going or not?" Liu glared at Cuizhu and said.
“Yes, I will go tonight,” Cuizhu said.
Since being confined to her home, Liu seemed to have become more irritable and temperamental than before, often losing her temper at the slightest provocation. Once, she even nearly smashed a vase over Cuizhu's head. Cuizhu was sometimes a little afraid of Liu.
The day passed as usual until nightfall. As always, Liu Shi washed up early and went to bed. This way she wouldn't feel too cold. After all, the cold palace was far worse than before. Besides three meals a day, she had nothing else to eat. Sometimes, when the baby in her womb kicked violently, her resentment grew stronger each day. The arrival of this child seemed to have brought her misfortune as well. The Fourth Prince had initially shown her some favor, but since her pregnancy, she had become increasingly neglected.
Liu instructed Hongqiao to go out and deliver her and Nian's plea for help.
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