In the main courtyard, Cha Mei entered with a pale face and said, "Madam, news came from the front courtyard that Consort Chang was taken to the front courtyard discreetly by Gao Wuyong as soon as she returned to Shaoguang Courtyard. She just returned to Shaoguang Courtyard from the front courtyard, and changed her clothes during the process."
Chamei's words stunned Ulanara for a moment.
"Your Highness did not accompany your concubine Gege on your trip to Mongolia this time. It's understandable that you've just returned. Since you're willing to keep it a secret, it's clear that you're still saving face for me. There's no need to mention this matter further."
The usually composed Chamei couldn't hold back her anger and said indignantly, "Madam, the Prince's favoritism towards Consort Chang is a bit too much. Even when Consort Li was favored before, the Prince never made an exception for her."
"Enough. The Master's favor is predetermined. It used to be Lady Li, and now it's Lady Chang. It's not surprising. Lady Chang is beautiful, and Lady Li can't compare to her. It's not surprising that she receives more favor than Lady Li. Cha Mei, you shouldn't be so impatient."
Chamei lowered her head and heard how the Fujin addressed Consort Li and Consort Chang. She knew that the Fujin wasn't indifferent, but rather had some reservations.
I hope that the reason the master favors Princess Chang is truly because of her rare and beautiful appearance!
"Yes, this servant knows her mistake and will not do it again. Please forgive me, Madam."
Ulanara said gently and rationally, "You are devoted to your master, how could I blame you? But Chamei, you should know that there is nothing in this mansion that the master wants to know but cannot know. As long as we can remain stable, the main courtyard will be invincible. Consort Chang is favored, but have you ever seen her be disrespectful or disrespectful to the main courtyard?"
Cha Mei shook her head: "Gege Chang is very respectful and polite to our main courtyard. She is never late to pay her respects and is more proper than the former favored Consort Li."
"Your Highness is only thirty years old, and there are many years ahead of you. Consort Chang is in the prime of her beauty. Whether Your Highness dotes on her or loves her, time will tell."
Ulanara was confident in her understanding of Yinzhen and believed that he would fall in love with any woman. She did not think that Le Shu would be the exception, and she was able to remain calm.
After receiving some "tutoring" from Ulanara, Chamei reverted to her composed self. As a trusted maidservant of the Empress Consort, she was the face of the Empress Consort and could not afford to become impatient just because of a mere princess.
"The banquet preparations should be almost complete. Go and check on it again to make sure nothing goes wrong."
"Yes, this servant will go and keep an eye on it right away."
After Cha Mei left, Ulanara looked a little dejected. The night in her secluded chamber was lonely, and she had longed for it all! Even the former Consort Li, though she despised her shallowness, had not been without envy for the favor she received.
She took a deep breath and went out again; she was still the dignified Fourth Princess Consort.
When Le Shu appeared at the banquet with Hong Xu, Consort Li was also there. When she came over to pay her respects, she only glanced at her indifferently. When she got up, she did not seem to intend to make things difficult for her.
The other princesses had also arrived, and since it wasn't time for the banquet to start yet, it made her seem as if she was late.
Despite being favored, Le Shu was sharp-tongued and aloof, disliking social interaction and often staying in Shaoguang Courtyard. In such situations, she appeared to be isolated.
Le Shu remained quite nonchalant about this.
If Yinzhen were the original child, she would naturally need to interact with the other women in the inner quarters. But now she doesn't need to. Whether the women in the inner quarters are good or bad, or what their personalities are, is not something Le Shu needs to pay attention to.
If she could truly join forces with Yinzhen to change the world, they would no longer be trapped in the backyard, spending their lives vying for favor and bearing children. If she couldn't do that, Le Shu believed that she could never be friends with them.
"The Prince has arrived, and so has the Princess Consort."
Le Shu bowed to the two men along with everyone else, and Yinzhen said calmly, "Get up, both of you."
"Thank you, Master. Thank you, Madam."
This banquet was naturally a fine one, and the Fujin (principal wife) had prepared it with great care. Le Shu ate with peace of mind. Yinzhen, sitting at the head of the table, saw this and had Su Peisheng send two hot pot dishes to her.
Seeing this, Wu Gege, who was sitting next to Niohuru Gege, couldn't help but say, "Sister Chang's clothes don't seem to be the ones she wore when welcoming the master. Sister Chang really knows how to enjoy herself. In just half a day, she changed into a new set of clothes, all made of fresh and luxurious materials."
Le Shu was stunned. Was this some kind of power struggle within a family?
Everyone in the Fourth Prince's mansion knew that his master, Yinzhen, was frugal by nature, preferred simplicity and elegance, disliked luxury, and abhorred waste.
Previously, when Consort Li was still Lady Li, she broke a piece of fabric with the same pattern as Lady Song's in a fit of pique. When Yinzhen found out, she was reprimanded. Although she did not fall out of favor, she was no longer his sole favorite.
Yes, when Consort Li was still a princess, she enjoyed a period of exclusive favor. At that time, the princess was too young to serve the emperor, and Princess Song was not as charming and pleasing as Princess Li.
This matter was no secret within the household; many people knew about it.
After Wu Gege finished speaking, the people sitting below looked at Le Shu, then at Yinzhen, wanting to know how Le Shu would respond to Wu Gege's challenge, and also wanting to know Yinzhen's attitude.
Only the lady of the house paused in her chopsticks, realizing the reason, and her expression became even more forlorn.
Le Shu looked at Wu Gege with a puzzled expression: "It's just changing clothes. Wu Gege is short of clothes to wear. The Fujin is strict in managing the household, so she shouldn't be short of clothes."
Consort Wu was not favored and dared not offend the Fujin, so she quickly interrupted her: "Sister Chang, you are too kind. I have plenty of clothes to wear. It's just that I see you changing your clothes so often, and I think it's a bit too extravagant."
Le Shu chuckled and looked at Yinzhen at the head of the table. She said in a sweet voice, "Master, is it because the manor is so poor that we can't even afford to eat? How can it be considered extravagant for me to change my dirty clothes? As for the fine fabric of the clothes, since you are returning home today, I will naturally wear my best clothes to show my respect for you."
If the household is truly impoverished, I will certainly make fewer new clothes in the future. My lord is frugal, and I would never dare to be extravagant. I hope my lord and wife will understand; I am truly wronged.
After saying that, Le Shu picked up a handkerchief and wiped away non-existent tears from the corners of her eyes, looking very aggrieved.
Yinzhen sat at the head of the table, watching her sing, recite, act, and perform. He couldn't help but twitch his lips. She addressed him as "Master" and "Concubine" repeatedly. He had never seen her so obedient in private.
(Wu Gege: Clever?! Are you blind? What's clever about that? You're clearly eccentric! Not only are you blind, you're blind in your heart too.)
Wu Gege was stunned and immediately knelt down: "My lord, my wife, that's not what I meant, Chang Gege, you...you're just being sophistical!"
Before Yinzhen could express his opinion, Ulanara spoke first: "Today is the day Your Highness returns home, a joyous occasion. Consort Wu spoke recklessly. She shall be punished by copying Buddhist scriptures ten times to calm her mind."
Princess Wu couldn't help but turn her gaze to Yinzhen, hoping he would say a few words in her defense, but she received no response. Instead, she was told, "Your Highness is still too kind-hearted. Princess Wu should work on her speech and copy more Buddhist scriptures. It would be very good to cultivate your character."
Wu Gege was pale and accepted the punishment. She was filled with despair. What future could a princess who was judged by her master to be rude and ill-mannered have?
Seeing this, Princess Niohuru remained calm, but in her heart she thought that Princess Wu was really useless. She hadn't even hurt Princess Chang a hair, but instead had gotten herself into trouble.
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