From the moment she arrived at Luoxue Pavilion, she never saw her master put in any effort to please him, nor did she ever see him serve him. Yet, he would come whenever he had free time, and she was happy even if it was just to have a meal with him. This was something she had never experienced in any other courtyard.
Therefore, she was quite certain that these new princesses could never steal the master's favor, and the master's worries were completely unnecessary.
"I didn't mean to do anything. I just really wanted to see these two princesses. Granny, can you please think of me in a better light? Do I look like such a bad person?" Yin Qingyi was speechless. She was really just curious. Why did Granny Naqi make it sound like she was going to do something to the two of them? If Yin Qingyi knew what Granny Naqi was thinking, she would probably be so angry at Granny Naqi's bizarre imagination that she would vomit blood.
"Alright, alright, I was overthinking it. If Master really wants to see her, why not just go and see her when you pay your respects?" Granny Qi seemed to believe Yin Qingyi's words, though it was unclear whether she truly believed them.
"No way, wouldn't that make me lose face? Forget it, we'll see each other sooner or later anyway, no rush." Yin Qingyi refused without even thinking. How long had it been since she last paid her respects? Now, for the sake of two strangers, she was going to give the Princess Consort a way out? Wouldn't that be slapping her in the face? No way.
"...It's not good for you to keep arguing with the Fujin like this." Granny Qi was worried. What should she do with a mistress who was so stubborn?
"Hmph, Granny, you know perfectly well that the rumors outside never stop! The Fujin can't touch me now, but she's letting these rumors run rampant! If I were to back down, I would be facing my death again!" Yin Qingyi's tone was icy. The Fujin really had no shame at all. She was determined that she couldn't prove her innocence, which was why she dared to be so unscrupulous.
"Alas, the Fujin is so foolish." Hearing Yin Qingyi's words, Granny Qi stopped trying to persuade her. It was indeed the Fujin's fault; if it weren't for her master having someone protecting him, things would have been very bad this time! It seems we must wait for the master to return. She really hopes he can come back soon! The Fujin has made such a mess of things in the mansion.
Why would Consort De in the palace suddenly bestow two princesses with prominent surnames upon her?
"I was truly mistaken about the Fourth Prince's wife! How could I have thought that Ulanara was such a dignified and graceful woman? Look at the Fourth Prince's household, it's a complete mess!" Consort De summoned the wife to the palace early this morning, not just for the two princesses, but also to reprimand her! A wife should act like a wife! If she can't manage the affairs of this household, then she'll find someone else to manage them! All sorts of messy rumors can be spread, and they've even reached her ears.
"Your Highness, please calm down. This Fourth Princess Consort is still young and not mature enough. She'll be fine in a few years," said Zhang Mama, trying to soothe Consort De from behind.
"Young? Even if she's young, she's managed the Fourth Prince's household for over a decade! Hmph, she's just jealous of the Fourth Prince's favor towards that Lady Yin. This time, she's letting the rumors spread, but doesn't she realize that this is also damaging the Fourth Prince's reputation! Besides, the Fourth Prince can favor whomever he wants in his household. As a Fujin (consort), she only needs to manage the household affairs and take care of the Fourth Prince. No one can shake her position as Fujin! But if she continues to cause trouble like this, then it's not impossible for her position as Fujin to be replaced!" Consort De's eyes flickered slightly. She had specially chosen this Lady Ulanara, but that was all in the past. Now she regretted choosing such a person for the Fourth Prince.
"Yes, then Her Majesty often summons the Fourth Princess Consort to the palace so you can personally instruct her," said Zhang Mama.
"Forget it, this Fourth Prince's wife seems to have a lot of ideas, I can't control her. Let's see how long she keeps making a fuss. If she annoys the Fourth Prince, I won't say a word for her either. I've said what I needed to say today, whether she listens or not is up to her." Consort De waved her hand. Today, Ulanara did listen obediently when she was being reprimanded, but Consort De knew very well what kind of person she was under that obedient exterior. Such a disobedient person, then let her fend for herself.
Prince's Mansion - Main Courtyard
"Madam, would you like some food?" Granny Li looked at Madam, who had been silent since returning, with some concern.
"Granny, I don't want to eat." The princess finally spoke, her voice hoarse and barely audible.
"Then, then this old servant will have it kept warm. You can eat it whenever you are hungry." Granny Li felt sorry for her mistress and secretly scolded Consort De for meddling in other people's business. She was meddling in her son's affairs. Wasn't she overstepping her bounds?
"Yes, Granny, go and have someone suppress the rumors." The Fujin nodded and spoke softly.
She wasn't completely oblivious to what Consort De had said when she was scolded; she listened to what she was supposed to listen to, but she wouldn't change the things she felt she hadn't done wrong! She had indeed made a mistake in spreading these rumors, and she would correct that, but nothing else!
"Have the arrangements been made for those two princesses?" The Fujin suddenly thought of the two people who had returned with her.
"Don't worry, Madam, everything is arranged. Lady Fucha is in Lan Courtyard, and Lady Niohuru is in Yuhua Pavilion." Granny Li nodded.
"Yes, Granny, you may leave now. I want to be alone." The Fujin nodded and waved for Granny Li to leave.
Several days passed in the blink of an eye. The backyard was calm and peaceful, except for the brief liveliness when the two princesses came in that day, which quickly turned into still water. Until today, the two princesses came to the mansion for the first time to pay their respects.
The rumors circulating in the manor had disappeared in the past few days. The Fujin thought that Consort Yin would appear today, but when she came out, Consort Yin still did not come. The Fujin was secretly resentful, but on the surface she smiled kindly.
"Oh dear, why hasn't the concubine come today? Didn't the principal wife inform her?" Li Shi looked at the principal wife at the head of the table, who was smiling insincerely, with a mocking gaze.
“The concubine needs to take care of three children, and I was afraid she would get tired, so I specially exempted her from paying her respects. What? Do you have a problem with that, Li?” The smile on the concubine’s face disappeared, and she looked at Li with unfriendly eyes.
"Really? That was my fault. I hadn't even heard about it, Your Highness. Please don't be offended. When we get back, I'll punish the servants in the courtyard severely for not telling me about this." Li Shi looked at the self-righteous Fujin, her smile widening. The Fujin at the head of the table was furious, but she couldn't say anything.
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