"Mother, please have a seat here!" Madam Song led the old lady to Changyin Pavilion. She had already learned of the Fourth Master's instructions, so she settled the old lady in a suitable place.
"Mother, the master and his concubine will be coming over later," Madam Song said to Old Madam Song.
"Yes, Mother knows. The concubine has been very good to you. In the few days since I arrived, she has sent so many things and even arranged a special place for your younger brother to study for his exams," said Madam Song.
"My daughter is able to have a place in this household entirely thanks to the madam's efforts. It is my daughter's blessing to have met such a good sister in this life," said Madam Song. "Even the eldest princess and her husband are fortunate to have such a good life today because of the madam's protection."
“Amitabha Buddha, the concubine looks like a Bodhisattva with the aura of great wealth and nobility. You should serve her well in the future to repay her kindness,” said Madam Song.
"Yes, my daughter has always regarded Consort Song as a sister, loved her, and respected her," said Madam Song.
Just then, Madam Wu walked in and said with a smile, "Sister Song, Madam Song, you've arrived first?" Madam Wu deliberately didn't bring Wu Ruyue with her. She was really afraid that this girl was too arrogant and would take a fancy to the Fourth Master. That would be a slap in her face, and she would have no face to see Lanqin in the future.
“Sister Wu, come and sit down! Where is your sister? Why didn’t she come to see the play with you?” Madam Song said with a smile.
After exchanging greetings with Madam Song, Madam Wu pushed Namin into Madam Song's arms. As soon as the old lady saw six-year-old Namin, her eyes crinkled with joy.
"That girl is too naive, I didn't bring her!" Madam Wu once took Wu Ruyue to Madam Song's place to pay her respects to Old Madam Song, and at that time Madam Song said that this younger sister was too beautiful.
"What? Her?" Madam Song had warned Madam Wu before that if Ruyue took a liking to the Fourth Prince, what would happen? Madam Wu had always felt a bit awkward about it, and seeing how curious Ruyue was about the Fourth Prince today, she finally hardened her heart and didn't let her come along.
"No, she came into contact with something and broke out in pimples. I was afraid she would scare people if she came. Her face was covered in red bumps," Wu lied.
“Then you can’t come. Smallpox is easily transmitted. Have you had a doctor examine you?” Madam Song asked.
"It's nothing serious, it's just rubella, it'll get better in a few days," Madam Wu quickly said.
Just as Madam Song was about to speak, she suddenly caught sight of a woman walking in through the door. She was wearing a silver-red cheongsam with gold trim, and the collar was inlaid with snow fox fur, which was very eye-catching. Her belly was slightly protruding, and she had a fair and slender hand placed there. Her hair was styled in a large bun, and there were many pearl and jade hairpins on both sides. She looked very beautiful and fresh. It was Madam Liu.
"This humble servant greets the two elder sisters and Madam Song!" Liu Shi walked up to them and gave a slight curtsy.
"Get up quickly, she's pregnant!" Old Madam Song didn't know Liu's status, but seeing that she was dressed quite well, she guessed that she was no less important than her own daughter, so she quickly greeted her.
"Thank you, Madam. Seeing you reminds me of my mother. Sister Song, why don't I sit with you?" Liu said ingratiatingly to Song.
“Sister Wu is already seated here, and with Namin here as well, I’m afraid it might offend you. Sister, your belly is quite large now, you must be extremely careful. I heard you just had some trouble with the pregnancy, why aren’t you resting?” Song Shi refused. She didn’t want to be too close to Liu Shi.
"It was just a little bit, it's fine now. From what I'm hearing, it seems you don't welcome me to sit here, so I guess I'll have to sit over there," said Liu.
“No, if you want to sit, then sit down,” said Madam Song, frowning as she noticed Madam Liu picking on her words.
“No, Sister Liu, there are too many people here. If Namin gets restless and moves around you, it won’t be good. If it upsets your baby, we’ll be in big trouble,” Wu said quickly, seeing Song’s displeasure.
"This is Consort Liu. Listen to the old man, pregnant women should avoid crowded places. You should sit over there quietly by yourself to avoid disturbing the fetus." This time, Madam Song understood that her daughter did not like Consort Liu.
"Thank you for your advice, Madam," said Madam Liu. Seeing that all three of them said the same thing, she flicked her sleeve and walked in another direction. She hadn't necessarily wanted to sit with Madam Song and the others; she just wanted to show the Fourth Master that she wasn't opposed to them.
After Liu was seated, another woman entered through the door; it was naturally Lady Fucha. She wore an oil-green cheongsam, her hair styled in a high bun, and adorned with a set of kingfisher feather ornaments. She also approached Old Madam Song, bowed, exchanged a few pleasantries with Madam Song and Madam Wu, and then found a seat, unlike her previous entanglement with Liu.
"Little Namin, is that also a princess?" Old Madam Song asked the Third Princess, bowing her head.
“Yes, that’s Princess Fucha.” Namin snuggled in the old woman’s arms. She had never had a biological mother since she was a child, and she had never been loved like this by an old woman. Seeing how kind and amiable Madam Song was, the little girl was also very happy.
A moment later, Lanqin and the Fourth Master arrived. All the women rose to greet them. The Fourth Master walked in, with Lanqin beside him, receiving everyone's attention.
"Please sit down, Madam!" Fourth Master nodded to the old lady and said softly.
Then Fourth Master and Lanqin sat in the middle of the lower seats in Changyin Pavilion. Ushiha and Bechuk, whom Lanqin had brought, had already run to Namin's side, and the three little girls sat down next to Old Madam Song.
Liu cast eager glances at the Fourth Prince repeatedly, but received no response, which fueled her anger. She had expected that, given her pregnancy, the Fourth Prince would at least show more concern, but he still doted on Niohuru, while she, the pregnant woman, received no attention whatsoever!
With the sound of a gong, the performers began to appear on stage. Liu temporarily suppressed her resentment and turned her attention to the stage. She searched for Mu Qingyang, but couldn't find him. It turned out that Mu Qingyang was playing the Jade Emperor in this performance of "Havoc in Heaven," and he hadn't appeared yet.
Cuizhu, standing to the side, also nervously watched the people on the stage. Unbeknownst to them, Lady Fucha, sitting in the back, had been observing their expressions the entire time. Lady Fucha knew from Mu Qingying that Mu Qingyang had eloped with a noblewoman, but she didn't know the noblewoman's identity. When she saw Liu's expression towards Mu Qingyang on the stage that day, she had already become suspicious. What if that noblewoman wasn't Liu herself?
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