Bamboo Garden, a two-story embroidered building, is exquisite and elegant, exuding the gentle grace of Jiangnan. Pale blue gauze flutters lightly in the wind. The courtyard is surrounded by bamboo, which rustles in the breeze, bringing with it a refreshing fragrance that soothes the soul.
The sun was shining brightly, so Wuyou simply asked her maid to move the embroidery frame to a sunny spot, basking in the warm sunlight, which made it easier for her to embroider. Having experienced so many worlds, she understood the importance of having more skills; after all, no one knows what the future holds.
"Miss, please have some tea! Oh! Your embroidery skills are becoming more and more exquisite. The bamboo you embroidered is so lifelike, it's really beautiful." The maid, Lü Huan, wearing a light green dress, placed a cup of tea aside and couldn't help but exclaim in surprise as she looked at Wu You's embroidery.
While there was a hint of flattery in his words, they were mostly heartfelt expressions of admiration; even just a glimpse of the embroidery revealed its exquisite craftsmanship. When Wuyou first entered the manor, Lühuan was assigned as his head maid to accompany him, initially somewhat reluctant. After all, everyone knew that the eldest young lady was the most favored in the Jiang household, and this second young lady, who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, was bound to suffer.
Having spent a long time by Wuyou's side, Lühuan gradually grew fond of her mistress. She was gentle and never took her anger out on the maids and servants, and she was extremely generous in rewarding them. Because of her changed status, Wuyou would encounter a bunch of people trying to curry favor and build connections whenever she went out. Even the maids and servants in the mansion would scramble to get into the Bamboo Garden.
Green Ring and the others suddenly became the envy of the servants in the Jiang family, and their backs straightened considerably.
"Hmm." Wuyou gave a nonchalant "hmm," her hands continuing their work, the bamboo on the embroidery cloth becoming fuller and more formed in her hands.
"Miss! The butler has brought the young lady here." Green Ring stood quietly beside Wuyou, fanning him from time to time. As time flowed by, Green Ring saw the butler at the door and immediately leaned close to Wuyou's ear and whispered.
Wuyou paused, inserting the embroidery needle into the embroidery cloth. At first glance, she saw the exceptionally beautiful woman, dressed in a magnificent and luxurious outfit.
"It's the day the eldest young lady is returning home, but the master isn't home. With the eldest young lady's temper, she must be furious." Green Ring's tone was undisguised gloating. When he was with the second young lady before, he was often ridiculed, mocked, and bullied by the eldest young lady and her people. Now the tables have turned, and it's my turn this year.
"It's best not to say too much about some things." Wuyou glanced at Lühuan, her tone inscrutable. Lühuan immediately straightened up, her skin tense, fear gripping her heart. She lowered her head, not daring to say another word.
Since it was a courtyard for women and her future mother, the Third Prince had to strictly abide by the rules and not enter at will. Jiang Changle became his only stepping stone.
When she entered, Jiang Changle's face was stiff. Forced by the Third Prince's orders, she had no choice but to greet him with a smile. She was seething with hatred inside. She thought, "If only I had disfigured this little bitch and sold her off back then. Even if I lost my father's favor, it would have been much better than this." But alas, there are no "what ifs" in life.
"My sister is truly radiant and has an exceptionally beautiful face. No wonder the Emperor dotes on her so much." Looking at the exquisite decor and valuable ornaments in the boudoir, Jiang Changle barely suppressed her jealousy and used what she usually talked about with young ladies from noble families as a topic of conversation.
After marrying into the Third Prince's household, his horizons broadened considerably, and he saw many valuable items, especially those belonging to Consort Shu, which were simply dazzling. Yet, even the smallest vase in Wuyou's room was a rare and exquisite treasure, something even Consort Shu was not entitled to use.
The thought of having to call Wuyou "Mother Consort" in the future made him feel like he had a fishbone stuck in his throat, unable to swallow or spit it out, feeling extremely uncomfortable and helpless.
Wuyou was still wearing a light-colored long dress, which did not look inferior in this exquisite house. On the contrary, it created a sense of inexplicable harmony and complemented each other perfectly.
"Consort Jiang, you flatter me. I am not worthy of being called your sister." Wuyou picked up her teacup, took a sip, and spoke in a neutral tone, yet somehow one could detect a hint of disdain.
“How can you say that, little sister? We are both daughters of the Jiang family. I did some things wrong before, but you should forgive my disrespect for Father’s sake!” Jiang Changle gritted his teeth. He could never have tolerated such insults in the past, but the other party was no longer someone he could reach.
He knew perfectly well that none of the men around him, none of his powerful backers, dared to oppose Wuyou, much less offend him. If a conflict were to break out between him and Wuyou, he would undoubtedly be the one sacrificed.
“What Consort Jiang did cannot be simply dismissed as disrespect. Who drugged my room on the fifteenth of February? Who let a poor scholar into my courtyard? These are deadly moves. I cannot afford to bear such disrespect.”
Wuyou spoke slowly and deliberately, each word distinct and gentle, but Chang Le's face grew increasingly unsightly with each word, changing from blue to purple incessantly, like a palette of colors.
"Hehe, little sister, what are you saying? I don't understand." Jiang Changle said with a fake smile.
"It's okay if you don't understand, you'll find out sooner or later." Wuyou raised an eyebrow, not caring that the other party was being stubborn.
"You didn't come here today just to show off your sisterly bond with me, did you? You must be here for the Third Prince. Well then, let me make this clear: I have no liking for the Third Prince, and I despise you even more. I won't help you two in the slightest." Wuyou's words were extremely certain, leaving no room for negotiation.
"Sister, even if you are a Noble Consort, who can predict the future? The Third Prince has a great reputation and is the Emperor's most outstanding son. He will inherit the throne in no time. You must not be confused and ruin your life!"
Jiang Changle bit her lip, trying to calm herself down, her tone laced with a hint of ruthlessness and threat.
He wasn't wrong. Although the emperor was in his thirties and in his prime, who could predict what would happen in the future? If the emperor were to pass away, Consort Wuyou, who had no children and was quite favored, would become the target of everyone's criticism.
"Be mindful of the consequences of your actions, so you can face each other again later. I have already let go of past grievances and am willing to live in harmony with my sister, helping my husband ascend the throne. My sister will certainly benefit from that." After the threat came the enticement, and Jiang Changle spoke these words with ease.
"Then let's give it a try! Do you think I'm as stupid as you?" Wuyou shrugged, looking completely fearless, which made people's hearts pound.
"Someone, escort Consort Jiang out." The word "essentially" was emphasized, making the tone quite meaningful.
I'm sure the Third Prince, who was anxiously waiting, would have a very good look on his face after discovering that he had been deceived by Jiang Changle, and that the only intermediary with whom Wuyou had a good relationship had been rendered useless and even kicked out.
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