Consort Shu looked closely at the Eighth Prince's wife and said with a smile, "Eighth Prince's wife, you've had too much to drink."
The Eighth Prince's wife smiled and presented the wine in her hand, congratulating her, "Your Highness, I haven't drunk much. Today is the Seventeenth Prince's wedding day, and also a joyous occasion for Consort Shu. I am happy for Your Highness and have come to offer you a toast!"
Consort Shu picked up her wine cup and watched as the Eighth Prince's wife downed it in one gulp, while she herself took a small sip.
The Eighth Prince's wife showed a hint of displeasure, but quickly smiled and said, "The Dowager Consort is doing well now. The Seventeenth Prince has gained the Emperor's favor, receiving both a marriage decree and a personal congratulatory visit. Few princes enjoy such treatment. It's clear that the Seventeenth Prince is no longer what he used to be. As long as the Emperor is happy, the good days are yet to come..."
The Eighth Prince's wife's words were somewhat harsh, as if the Seventeenth Prince was currying favor with the Emperor for wealth and status. Consort Shu, being as astute as she was, naturally understood, but deliberately changed the subject with a smile, replying, "Eighth Prince's wife, it's naturally best that the Seventeenth Prince can help the Emperor at such a young age. The Emperor values the Seventeenth Prince because he is honest and loyal. I don't seek great wealth and status for the Seventeenth Prince, but if he can serve the Qing Dynasty and share the Emperor's burdens, it will not be in vain for the late Emperor's affection..."
The Eighth Prince's wife laughed awkwardly a few times. The Tenth Prince's wife, who was sitting to the side, was afraid of an awkward silence, so she stood up with a smile and said, "Come, come... let's all toast the Dowager Consort... wishing the Dowager Consort good fortune and all the best!"
Everyone else stood up and raised their glasses to toast Consort Shu: "May the Consort be blessed with happiness and all her wishes fulfilled!"
Feeling bored, the Eighth Prince's wife poured herself a cup of wine, glanced around, and then, swaying unsteadily, headed towards the Third Prince's wife.
The Third Prince's wife had always been somewhat timid and fearful. When she saw the Eighth Prince's wife coming towards her, she deliberately turned her head away and ignored her.
Unexpectedly, the Eighth Prince's wife walked to her side and said loudly, "Third Sister-in-law, do you look like you've seen a ghost when you see me?"
Seeing that she couldn't avoid it, the Third Princess turned around and forced a smile. The Eighth Princess grabbed her and asked drunkenly, "Why is Third Sister-in-law ignoring her sister? Does she not even drink her sister's wine anymore?"
The Third Prince's wife looked around awkwardly, forcefully pried open the Eighth Prince's wife's hand, and whispered, "You've had too much to drink, don't be silly!"
The Eighth Prince's wife immediately became angry, and her tone rose considerably as she sarcastically said, "Oh, Third Sister-in-law, you're quite different now. Do you look down on me?"
The Eighth Prince's wife's voice attracted many people's attention. The Third Prince's wife glanced at her disdainfully and advised in a low voice, "Eighth sister-in-law, you should go back..."
Before the Third Prince's wife could finish speaking, the Eighth Prince's wife interrupted with a laugh, "Third Sister-in-law, don't think that just because the Prince Cheng's Mansion sent a few princesses to the palace and bestowed upon them the title of princess, the Prince Cheng's Mansion can rest easy. Back then, how the Third Prince pleased the late Emperor—the Emperor surely remembers all of that. In the future, who knows, it might even be more..."
This was the Third Prince's wife's pain; her face turned pale and then flushed.
Seeing the Third Prince's wife's unpleasant expression, the Eighth Prince's wife deliberately covered her mouth in surprise and exaggeratedly realized, "Oh! I forgot, sending the princess to the palace wasn't your idea. Third Sister-in-law's current life is what the Third Prince sacrificed the princesses' lifelong happiness to please the Emperor... Hahahaha... You and the Third Prince are truly a good father and mother!"
The Third Princess's face turned completely black. Everyone knew about these things, but no one had ever exposed the Prince Cheng's Mansion's shortcomings in front of everyone like this.
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