Li Shubao held an umbrella, and Nianxue helped Lanqin as they walked towards the south courtyard, their feet crunching through the snow. This was the first time Lin Mengyao had ever seen such heavy snow. She was wearing her taller flowerpot disciple's uniform, and the snow was almost up to her shoes.
"What heavy snow! I haven't seen this in so many years!" Lanqin exclaimed as she helped Nianxue walk. Indeed, when she was Lin Mengyao, she hadn't seen such heavy snow in a very long time. These past few days, because of a cold, Nianxue hadn't let Lanqin leave the courtyard. Every time she wanted to come out and admire the snow, Lanqin stopped her.
“Princess, the snow last year was even heavier than this. You and I even had a snowball fight outside your bedroom!” Nianxue said, feeling rather strange. Why were the princess’s words getting weirder and weirder? The snow last year was clearly much heavier than this.
Lanqin looked annoyed, coughed a few times, and then changed the subject, saying, "I wonder how Father and Mother are doing. I haven't seen them in a long time."
Seeing Lanqin's "sad" expression, Nianxue quickly blamed herself, saying, "It's all my fault. I shouldn't have made the princess sad."
Seeing that she had achieved her goal, Lanqin quickly comforted Nianxue, saying, "It's alright, I was just saying it."
Nian Nianxue truly felt guilty, and Lan Qin couldn't bear it anymore. Was she being too cruel? Hehe~~
They arrived at the East Courtyard. Two large lanterns hung at the entrance. The old woman guarding the gate had already shoveled all the snow away. When she saw Lanqin and her two servants arrive, she immediately lit the lanterns to greet them.
"This old servant greets Princess Niu. The Consort has given instructions; please go inside quickly, Princess." The old woman bowed to Lanqin with a beaming smile.
Lanqin and her maid followed her into the east courtyard, where they saw Madam Wu and Madam Wang standing at the door talking about something. When they saw Lanqin arrive, their expressions were strange. Ever since they had been humiliated by Lanqin, they dared not gossip anymore.
Seeing that they seemed to want to speak but were holding back something, Lanqin spoke first, saying, "You two sisters have arrived very early."
Okay, since everyone else has already shown weakness, and Lanqin isn't the type to hold a grudge even if she's in the right, taking a step back will open up a whole new world!
When Madam Wu and Madam Wang saw that Lanqin greeted them first, they couldn't continue to keep their stern faces. After asking a few casual questions, they let Lanqin in.
Li was sitting inside talking with Yan Yu, mostly about things like getting enough rest and what pregnant women shouldn't do. Lan Qin overheard a bit as soon as she entered.
"This humble servant greets Consort Yan Yu. May the new year bring you auspicious beginnings!" Lanqin said auspiciously, then simply nodded to Yan Yu and gave a polite bow.
"My little sister is here, come and sit down quickly. Hurry up!" Madam Li immediately stood up from her seat, walked to Lanqin's side, grabbed her hand and pulled her over.
“My two sisters, your presence today has truly graced this humble courtyard. We are all family, so there’s no need for formalities,” said Madam Li with a smile. Madam Wu and Madam Wang also entered immediately, each sitting on one side of Yan Yu and Lan Qin, below them.
"Mingyan, go tell the kitchen that it's almost time to serve the dishes," Madam Li said to Mingyan, who was standing to the side.
"Sister, Sister Song hasn't arrived yet, and what about Sister Geng?" Lanqin said, noticing that neither Madam Geng nor Madam Song had arrived.
“Yes, not everyone has arrived yet. Let’s wait for them to come before serving the dishes!” Yan Yu, unusually, also agreed with Lan Qin’s suggestion.
Li had long since disregarded Song, whom she had trampled underfoot back in the Prince's quarters. As for Geng, she had never even caught her eye; her looks were at best average, and she had no family background whatsoever. She had been living quietly in the inner quarters for two or three years, practically invisible since she entered the palace. Li Canlian had never given such a person a second thought.
However, since Lanqin and Yanyu had both spoken, Li Shi naturally agreed and casually said to Mingyan, "Go and have Granny Wang go and greet them with a lantern. It's probably dark and the roads are slippery, and they don't have many servants."
Seeing Li say this, Wang replied, "Sister, when I came out, I heard coughing coming from Sister Song's room. I guess she has caught a cold and may not be able to come today."
"What bad luck! Why did I get sick now of all times?" Wu said, pouting.
When Lanqin heard that Song might be ill, she felt a little uneasy. She remembered that Song had come to rely on her a long time ago, but she had not accepted her pledge of allegiance. After that, Song never came again. However, at a crucial moment, Song had said something on Lanqin's behalf. These words seemed to have taken root and silently planted in Lanqin's heart.
“Sister, it’s perfectly normal for people to have emotions, desires, illnesses, and ailments. Sister Song is ill, but I’m afraid you haven’t called a doctor yet. Consort, since the Princess is not here, please send Doctor Zhou over there to take a look as soon as possible,” Lanqin said on behalf of Song.
Li Shi originally didn't want to care about Song Shi's life or death, but Lan Qin's words just now reminded her that she was currently the most powerful person in the mansion, and naturally had responsibility for everything in the mansion. If something really happened to Song Shi, the Fourth Master wouldn't be happy to see her when he returned.
"Mingyan, go and see Song Gege first, and see if she needs Doctor Zhou to come and see her. If she does, there's no need to come back and report; just go and ask Doctor Zhou directly," Madam Li instructed Mingyan.
After Mingyan left, Madam Geng came in, supported by Lülan.
She nodded to Lanqin, then walked up to Li Shi to pay her respects, and then sat down at the last seat next to Wang Shi.
The room was filled with women speaking auspicious words, their laughter ringing out, creating a lively atmosphere. However, behind this sweet chatter lay a veil of malice that could sometimes kill without drawing blood.
When Yan Yu saw that Fourth Master had not sent the snow fox pelt over for a long time, she knew that he had no intention of giving her the pelt that he had given to Lan Qin. She was secretly displeased and now regarded Lan Qin as a thorn in her side.
"I heard that the master made a snow fox fur cloak for Princess Niu. Why didn't she wear it out today so we could see it?" Yan Yu couldn't help but mock.
Damn, they've made another move!
Lanqin pretended not to hear and continued talking to Wu Shi, who was sitting below her.
However, in Yan Yu's eyes, her avoidance was not avoidance, but a provocation!
"Yun Yuan, this princess has a bit of an upset stomach. Help me to the toilet~" Yan Yu stood up angrily and said to the maid beside her.
Madam Li stood up, took Yan Yu's hand and said, "Sister, you're pregnant, so you need to be careful. Que'er, you come with me and make sure to take good care of Princess Yan Yu."
After the two helped Yan Yu out, Lan Qin's lips curved into an almost imperceptible smile.
Meanwhile, Mingyan arrived at the north courtyard and saw Madam Song. Sure enough, Madam Song had a fever and it was impossible for her to attend the banquet.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
