"From now on, you'll be serving the master. You know how to serve him now, right?" Ulanara Shuzhen stood in the courtyard where Linlang was assigned to live, looking down at Linlang with disdain.
"This servant knows. There's nothing I shouldn't do to bother Your Highness. I must pay my respects to the Princess Consort every day," Linlang said obediently, bowing her head.
"Linlang, you were originally a palace maid, of lowly birth. Now that the Prince has taken a liking to you, it is your good fortune. So, you'd better behave yourself and not have any other thoughts. If I find out, I won't let you off easily!" Shuzhen suppressed her anger and disgust, but her voice still became sharp.
"This servant wouldn't dare, please rest assured, Madam." Linlang quickly knelt down and humbly said.
She was originally a servant, and now that Hongshi had promoted her to concubine, she was still essentially a servant. The difference between a concubine and a princess was enormous. A princess was a title bestowed by the royal family, usually the daughter of an official. If a princess was favored, she could raise her own children. But a concubine was different. A concubine's status was generally very low. Once she gave birth, her child would be taken away immediately, and she would never be allowed to raise her own child.
“Yes, the daily morning and evening greetings are unavoidable. Cuiyu, let’s go!” Ulanara Shuzhen tossed the handkerchief in her hand, glared at the person kneeling at her feet, and left.
The bottom of the flowerpot thumped loudly on the bluestone slab, sounding rather jarring. Linlang only got up from the ground when the sound faded into the distance.
She looked around the small courtyard; it was much better than where she had stayed before. A shadow crossed Linlang's eyes. It seemed she would have to put in a lot of effort to gradually make Hongshi fall for her right under Ulanara's nose.
Meanwhile, the Eighth Prince was sitting in his own garden reading a book, with his wife sitting beside him, fanning him with a palm leaf fan.
"My lord, Linlang has sent a message saying that the fish have taken the bait," said the Eighth Prince's wife, gently fanning herself with a palm-leaf fan.
"This chess piece was originally planted by me next to the Third Prince, but I never expected it to be used in this way. Very good." The Eighth Prince said without taking his eyes off the ancient book.
“You deliberately sent this woman to the Imperial Household Department so that she would find a way to go to the Third Prince’s residence,” said the Eighth Prince’s wife.
“I think the Third Prince is an ambitious man. But his status is indeed awkward. Although he was raised by the Empress, his birth mother is actually Lady Li. The Empress and he are not biological mother and son. If we can get close to this Third Prince, we may have a chance to secure a good future for Hongwang in the future,” said the Eighth Prince.
"Alas, ever since the fourth prince became emperor, our sons have had a really tough time. I wonder what kind of life my aunt is living in the Cining Palace," sighed the Eighth Prince's wife.
“After all, Consort Yi was the late Emperor’s favorite concubine, so he won’t do anything to her. Ninth Prince’s idea of bringing his mother out is not feasible. He won’t agree to it,” said Eighth Prince.
"We need to find some reason," the Eighth Prince's wife said, still unwilling to give up.
"What's your plan?" Eighth Master asked.
"I haven't thought of anything yet," said the Eighth Prince's wife. "My Ninth Brother's wife sent me an invitation."
"It's not advisable to go. With us and Ninth Master around, there are probably spies at the door. We shouldn't associate with them," said Eighth Master.
"Sigh, when will this end!" A hint of displeasure flashed across the Eighth Prince's wife's brows. "By the way, Your Highness, it seems that the Fourteenth Prince's wife has returned from Changping."
"Oh? Fourteenth has returned to the manor?" Eighth Master asked in surprise.
"I don't know. I ran into the Third Prince's wife when I went out yesterday. She told me that there was some commotion at the Fourteenth Prince's residence," said the Eighth Prince's wife.
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