Madam Su sipped her tea slowly, observing Madam Gao, who seemed slightly different from before. Madam Gao kept praising the First Princess Consort, but inwardly she disagreed. The First Princess Consort was a lady of high birth from the Fucha clan; how could she embarrass someone over such trivial matters?
“Xiyue, now that you’re managing the household for the Fujin, you must treat everyone fairly, otherwise people will have something to say about you. The Fujin trusts you so much, so you must manage the household well. That way, the Prince can continue working in the Ministry of Revenue with peace of mind,” said Madam Su.
“Of course,” Gao said hastily. “Since the Princess Consort said she wanted to cut expenses, I had no choice but to start with some less important things. For example, now that the Golden Offering Festival is approaching, it’s not so hot anymore. So we’ve reduced the amount of ice bowls, and I’ve also reduced the amount here. It’s not easy to reduce the amount at the Princess Consort’s place, and it’s even more difficult to reduce the amount at Sister Su’s place since she’s pregnant, so I could only reduce the amount at the place at the side Princess Consort’s and mine. Sister, do you think that I’m not treating everyone fairly?”
Mrs. Su was speechless after hearing her words, and indeed, the amount of ice in her bowl had not decreased.
“Sister, I understand now. You are pregnant with the Prince’s child. If you give birth to a prince, you will be even more favored. I, on the other hand, am not so lucky. I can only help the Princess Consort more,” Gao said.
Su understood the meaning behind Gao's words and felt sorry for Gao's thoughts.
“Sister, we participated in the imperial concubine selection together, entered the manor together, and became the prince’s concubines together. We originally agreed to advance and retreat together, and to enjoy wealth and honor together. Now, I still feel the same way. If you feel that things can be the same as before, I would gladly accept it,” said Madam Su, clinging to her last hope.
After listening to Su's words, Gao said, "Sister insisted on getting close to the concubine back then, ignoring Xiyue's advice, and offended the principal wife. I'm afraid it won't do you any good."
“Perhaps the Fujin doesn’t think that way. The Fujin is very good to me now, often sending people over to inquire and bring things. Sister, you’re overthinking it,” said Madam Su.
Gao thought to herself, "The Fujin (wife of the emperor) isn't that proper at all. She can tell just by letting me choose the jewelry first. Su is too old-fashioned; she won't believe anything I say."
"According to what you say, my sister, the principal wife treats you very well and is very generous." Madam Su came this time to reconcile with Madam Gao and did not want to worsen the relationship, so she immediately tried to put things in a positive direction.
Seeing that Su had finally bowed her head before her, Gao was overjoyed. She took Su's hand and said earnestly, "Yes, the First Princess Consort is very good to me. She is the kind of person who knows how to reciprocate. If you, sister, show goodwill to the First Princess Consort, she will treat you the same way she treats me." Gao intended to win over Su, which was a task given to her by the First Princess Consort. Moreover, from her own selfish perspective, she also wanted Su to be on her side.
Madam Su smiled and said, "Yes, I'll remember what you said, sister." Madam Su thought that it seemed Gao had already devoted herself to Madam Su.
Seeing that Su Shi wasn't very interested, Gao Shi changed the subject. "Sister, why don't you try this tea?" Su Shi took a small sip, the bitterness of the tea seeping onto her tongue, then spreading throughout her mouth, her taste buds slowly tasting the sweetness.
"This tea is indeed excellent!" Madam Su praised, making Madam Gao very happy. "I know you love tea, sister. This tea leaves were picked from Hangzhou. I'll have someone bring some back for you later, but since you're pregnant, you can't drink too much. Just a little bit is enough!"
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