Seeing how obedient Ruan Meiying was, and knowing that she had helped her suppress Linlang after entering the manor and vented her anger, the Fujin (principal wife) felt even more favorably toward her. She smiled and nodded, saying, "You're so thoughtful. In that case, we'll do as you say! I'll have someone go to Baixianglou to book a banquet, and we sisters can go together to relieve our boredom."
Ruan Meiying was overjoyed to hear that the princess had agreed, but she pretended to be nonchalant. She said, "You are the princess of a prince. How can I let you do such a small thing yourself? And the other sisters are all concubines of the second prince. Of course, it is not appropriate for them to go out and show their faces in public."
The princess nodded in agreement after hearing her words, and then asked, "Then what do you suggest we do?"
Ruan Meiying said, "Meiying is of lowly status, unlike the other sisters who are concubines of the Second Prince. Why don't you let me go instead?"
The princess consort said again, "How can this be? Although you are not the second prince's concubine, you were brought back by the prince, so you are the prince's person. We can't go out and show our faces in public. If you go out, wouldn't that be embarrassing for the prince?"
After thinking for a moment, she said, "How about this? I, the Princess Consort, will send someone to Baixiang Restaurant to book the banquet!"
Ruan Meiying had long anticipated that the Fujin would not agree to let her go to Baixianglou alone. Ruan Meiying said, "Since that's the case, Fujin, when the Prince and I went last time, my maid also went with me. She knows about Baixianglou. Let her go to Baixianglou this time."
The princess nodded and said, "Alright, let her go. That way it will be easier for you to make the arrangements."
Ruan Meiying was secretly pleased. She chatted with Hongshi's concubines for a while until the Fujin said, "Alright, I'm tired. You may all go back now."
Upon hearing this, Ruan Meiying and the others quickly stood up, bowed, and said, "Your Highness, we take our leave." Then they returned to their own courtyards.
Ruan Meiying returned to the courtyard and called her maid, Shaoyao. She said to Shaoyao, "Do you remember the Baixiang Restaurant that you went to with me and the Prince last time?"
Peony replied, "I remember. Is there something you need, Master?"
Ruan Meiying said, "I wanted to book a table at Baixianglou Restaurant. The Fujin said to send someone to book the table. You came with me before, so I plan to send you. Go there and take a good look, understand?"
Peony replied, "Peony understands, Peony will take care of it right away."
Xiao Ying saw that Ruan Meiying had gone to Fujin's place again today, and returned with a beaming smile. She felt that Ruan Meiying must have gotten some benefits from Fujin, and Xiao Ying thought she should tell Xique about it.
After cleaning Ruan Meiying's courtyard, Xiao Ying did not return to the servants' quarters like the others. Instead, she went straight to Linlang's courtyard when the others were not paying attention and said to the guard at the gate, "Please, Momo, call Sister Magpie for me."
Momo turned and went into the courtyard. A moment later, the magpie followed her out. When it saw Xiaoying, the magpie pulled her aside and said, "Why are you here? Did something happen to Ruan Meiying?"
Xiao Ying said, "Sister Magpie, these days Mistress Ruan has been looking rather worried, but today she went to the Fujin's place and came back beaming. I'm sure she got something good out of her, so I came to tell you right away."
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