After a flurry of activity, Nian Shi, her qipao soiled with vomit, was finally carried back by Cui Ling and Bi Rou. Geng Shi, still worried, followed behind and escorted her all the way back to the north room.
Not wanting to make a fool of herself in front of Geng, Nian declined Geng's offer to stay and continue talking.
With Green Lan's hand on her arm, Madam Geng gently stepped out of the threshold of the north room, and a smile gradually spread across her face. Green Lan, standing beside her, almost burst out laughing.
"You silly girl, she's so arrogant and domineering. Aren't you afraid of her revenge? Look at how she dealt with the Yehe clan in the beginning." Geng tapped Lülan's forehead. Although it was a reprimand, there was no real blame in it.
"This servant just can't stand it. She acts like she's the only one favored in the inner quarters. Why should she run up to the master and ask the princess to make a bib for her child?" Green Lan said angrily. Over the years, Madam Geng had become close to Lanqin and often interacted with the maids in the South Courtyard. As a result, her personality was no longer as weak and timid as before, and she had become much more sharp-tongued and outspoken.
Madam Geng smiled and said, "Although you stood up for me, you also alerted her. Now that she knows Fourth Master goes to my room, she might try something. It's better to let her not know and let her arrogantly come and show off in front of me. Although I'll be a little humiliated, it will be much more peaceful."
Upon hearing Geng's words, Lülan's face turned pale and she said, "Then this servant has done wrong and has harmed my master."
Madam Geng took her hand and said, "Forget it, just try to avoid conflicts with her in the future. Father wrote that Nian Gengyao is extremely useful to Master. Therefore, we must not offend Nian. So, just this once, you are not allowed to have any more conflicts with them. Understand?"
Green Lan felt a wave of fear after hearing this, and helped Madam Geng into the house, saying, "Fortunately, Master is in the army and participated in the Emperor's personal campaign this time. If Master can make meritorious contributions, then won't the princess's position in the master's heart be even more important in the future?"
Madam Geng glanced at her maid and smiled gently, "If Father can achieve merit, promotion and advancement will go without saying. My life in the Fourth Prince's mansion will naturally be better. But before I have such support, I still have to work hard and live a good life. Alright, go and get my embroidery. I'll choose a few patterns for Madam Nian's children, and also make a few clothes for the concubine's children."
Green Orchid sighed softly, "When will it be time for the princess to make a few clothes for her own children?" With that, she went to fetch Geng's embroidery kit and patterns. Geng always carried these needlework items with her, partly to pass the time during her boring life in the inner quarters, and partly because it was a habit of hers. She had been learning needlework and embroidery from her master since she was a child, just as Lanqin had to read books every day; it had become a habit.
Yes, one day she will have her own child! Geng thought to herself.
Over there, Madam Nian had already taken off her clothes and was soaking in the water. Several maids were all waiting outside, while only Cuiling was serving her inside.
Ms. Nian's face was gloomy. Her beautiful face, which had just been as lovely as a flower, was now as cold as a snowflake in ice.
"Were you all fast asleep last night? You didn't even know when Master went to her room?" Madam Nian stared at Cuiling and suddenly raised her hand, swishing the water from the wooden bucket at Cuiling.
Instantly, Cui Ling's hair and face were soaked to the bone, but she didn't dare to wipe it off and remained standing there with her head down, not daring to move.
"This servant deserves to die. This servant will never dare to sleep again." Cui Ling hurriedly lowered her head and said. According to the rules, these maids took turns keeping watch for Madam Nian at night, which meant that someone always had to stay awake to take care of trivial matters such as serving Madam Nian tea and water in the middle of the night.
"It seems I've been too lenient with you all; you've all become lazy. From now on, you must be on your guard and keep a close eye on the actions of those women around you. Do you understand? This Geng woman used to be invisible, but who knows what seductive tricks she used to get Master to bring her along this time? She actually dared to seduce Master right under my nose!" Madam Nian slapped the water hard, splashing the rose petal-strewn bathwater everywhere.
"If you're angry, Princess, then hit me. But don't hurt yourself, you're pregnant with the young master's child." Cui Ling saw Nian Shi fiercely slapping the water and was afraid that she would hurt herself.
"Hmph, get out and kneel down for two hours, then you'll learn your lesson." Madam Nian showed no mercy and continued to punish her in this manner.
"Yes, this servant will kneel down right away." Cui Ling retreated hastily, as if she had been granted a pardon.
“Kneel inside the house, so no one sees and thinks I'm abusing my servants,” Mrs. Nian added.
Seeing Cui Ling being punished by kneeling, Bi Rou and Zi Ning both kept their heads down and did their work silently, not daring to say anything or make a sound.
Seeing this, Bai Zhi went into Nian's room and comforted her, "Master, let me help you get up. Although it's hot, soaking in the water for too long isn't good for your health."
Ms. Nian's complexion improved slightly, and she emerged from the water with the help of Bai Zhi.
Several maids helped Madam Nian bathe and change her clothes, and her snow-white, flawless body was without a single blemish.
"Bai Zhi, I want Geng Shi to fall out of favor and completely lose the master's heart!" Nian Shi said with a strange light in her eyes.
Bai Zhi was helping Nian Shi with her embroidery when she heard what Nian Shi said. Her hands trembled slightly, and she said, "Plotting against Master's offspring! She has no offspring to protect her. It's not surprising that she would do such a thing because she was jealous of the princess's pregnancy!"
After getting dressed, Nian walked to the bronze mirror, looked at herself, and gestured for Baizhi to come forward and comb her hair.
“Geng is always cautious, so it won’t be easy to find something on her,” said Nian.
"Princess, you must not be impatient. You must observe carefully and not make a move lightly. When you do make a move, it must be a sure hit." Bai Zhi was the most decisive among the maids. On the surface, it was Cui Ling who was favored by Madam Nian, but in fact, she consulted Bai Zhi on all important matters.
"Alright, you keep an eye on her for me." Madam Nian's mood suddenly improved again, as if Madam Geng would definitely be schemed against and fall out of favor. Sigh, this is all the fun that women in the inner quarters have.
Meanwhile, Geng was unaware that Nian was already planning to deal with her. She had already chosen several patterns to embroider for Nian's child.
Fourth Master, Thirteenth Master, and Cui Da and Cui Er went out for another day. Da Chun and Li Wei sent a message to Fourth Master by carrier pigeon, reporting that they had encountered some problems in the two lakes region. Suddenly, a person appeared on the market, buying up grain on a large scale. The price offered was higher than Fourth Master's, and every time Da Chun and the others raised the price, the person would raise it again, making it impossible for Li Wei and Da Chun to buy grain.
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