After nightfall, Liu Heng would leave his study and, as was his habit, go to the Princess's courtyard for dinner.
After walking a few steps, he remembered that Consort Lin had now entered the household. After all, Lin was the legitimate daughter of the Marquis's family and could not be treated the same as the other women in the mansion.
Moreover, the situation at the time was complicated, and it was out of necessity for him to take Lin into his household. Thinking of that spoiled concubine, Liu Heng couldn't help but feel a little soft-hearted and thought he should give her more dignity.
Turning around, Liu Heng went to Lin Yuqiao's courtyard.
Meanwhile, upon hearing that Liu Heng was not having dinner in her courtyard, Madam Wang felt a pang of bitterness. She forced herself to sit up and ordered a meal to be prepared, inviting her daughter Liu Ling to dine with her.
The Prince of Huaiyang knew that Lin would stay with him for a few more days after he entered the household. However, in the past, regardless of whether the Prince stayed in her courtyard or not, he would always come to dine with her in the evening whenever he had time.
Unexpectedly, once Lin entered the family, this rule was broken.
Recalling the stunning beauty of Lin Shi when she came to pay her respects this morning, even Wang Shi, with her strong inner strength, felt somewhat uncomfortable in the face of such a delicate and sweet person.
She's not young anymore; how can someone nearing thirty compare to a teenage girl?
Noticing her mother's low spirits at the dinner table, Liu Ling tried to cheer her up by talking about interesting and happy things that happened around her.
Although she was still young, she was always sensitive. When she thought about how her father, the Prince, had stopped coming to dine with her and her mother as usual after Consort Lin entered the mansion, Liu Ling couldn't help but feel a layer of hostility towards the newly arrived Consort Lin.
Sensing her daughter's worry, Wang quickly put aside her own thoughts and focused solely on responding to her.
After seeing Liu Ling off, Madam Wang sighed and leaned against the table, looking rather listless.
"Your Highness, you shouldn't have agreed to the Prince's request back then. That Lin family member comes from a marquis's family and is very beautiful. She'll be a troublemaker if she comes into the household."
Granny Zhou was a dowry maid brought into the mansion by Madam Wang. Knowing her inner turmoil, she bent down and whispered in Madam Wang's ear to speak up for her.
"Why don't you, Your Highness, take advantage of her unstable foundation now and use some methods to prevent the Lin family from becoming too powerful in the future?"
Thinking of Lin's delicate beauty, and noting that her demeanor this morning was unlike Jiang's, who were known for their gentle nature, Zhou Mama reminded Wang.
After thinking for a moment, Wang refused decisively.
“The master is a sensible man. He has had opportunities all these years, but have you ever seen him indulge any of them? No matter how good Lin’s background is, she will only be a concubine when she enters the Prince’s mansion. I am the Princess Consort and have a Prince, so there is no need for me to be too wary of her.”
Indeed, in the years since Wang married into the family, she had seen several women who had become arrogant because of their beauty and the favor they had received. However, before they could even make a move, the prince dealt with them first. In the end, the ones who were able to stay in the mansion for a long time were all gentle and timid types.
If Lin were intelligent, she would know what to do. If she is not, the Prince would certainly not tolerate her insolence.
In Concubine Jiang's courtyard.
"My lady, I heard that the prince did not have dinner in the princess's courtyard tonight."
Jiang's head maid, Zhu Jiao, excitedly whispered in her ear, causing Jiang, who was making an undergarment for the second young master, to pause for a moment upon hearing this.
The reason why the princess has been able to remain in power all these years is entirely due to the prince's love and respect.
Knowing that the prince favored the princess, the concubines could only obediently shrink into a corner, avoiding his sharp edge, and dared not have any other thoughts.
Is it possible for a princess to be ousted by a newcomer one day?
Jiang continued with her needlework, but was in a great mood.
Although it doesn't matter whether the prince favors Lin or the princess, it's none of her business. But hearing the news that the princess who has suppressed her for half her life has been humiliated is enough to make her overjoyed.
After dinner, Liu Heng was reading in a side room. Lin Yuqiao, who was reading a play script in the main room, felt too lonely being alone in the room, so she also went over and pretended to write large characters.
"This calligraphy has a bit of the feel of Lou Qi."
Watching Lin Yuqiao write, Liu Heng curiously stepped forward to take a look.
Lin Yuqiao paused for a moment before realizing that Louqi was Lin Yucheng's courtesy name. She thought to herself, "He has a good eye. It's impressive that he could tell from my terrible handwriting."
"Your Highness has a good eye. The calligraphy I learned from since I was a child was written by my second brother. Moreover, when I was a child, my second brother was afraid that I would be lazy in my studies, so he made it a rule that I had to write a large character every day, and he would check it when he came back from the academy. And my brother has never forgotten to write it even once."
Recalling the years when Lin Yucheng forced her to practice calligraphy, Lin Yuqiao felt a pang of nostalgia and感慨. However, she ultimately couldn't settle down to study, so her handwriting remained quite poor.
"Although they are far apart, you can tell that they already have the spirit of the spirit."
Lin Yucheng's calligraphy was initially very sharp and vigorous, earning it the reputation of being "iron strokes and silver hooks." In recent years, as he has grown older, his calligraphy has become more restrained.
While Lin Yuqiao's handwriting wasn't as neat as Lin Yucheng's, it possessed a certain sharpness within.
Liu Heng touched the Xuan paper and pondered deeply. If the calligraphy reflected the person, then Lin was not someone who could be easily manipulated.
After commenting on the calligraphy, Liu Heng went back to his book, and Lin Yuqiao followed him there.
Looking at his profile, Lin Yuqiao found him incredibly charming as he read, and the more she looked, the more she liked him. She couldn't resist leaning over and burying her head against his chest.
The refined and gentle man before her was her man. The thought filled her with a strange joy, as if a warm current was uncontrollably welling up inside her.
She constantly wanted to get closer to him, even closer, wishing she could turn herself into tape and stick to him.
In her past life, Lin Yuqiao had never been in a relationship. Aside from childhood, she had never even held a man's hand. Now that she's older, it would be a lie to say she doesn't want men. She had hoped for love, but all the men around her were unattractive, making it impossible for her to settle for anyone.
Now that he's married, Liu Heng is a man of refined temperament and handsome appearance. He is capable and powerful, and most importantly, he is kind and patient with those around him. He truly possesses all the qualities that make a woman fall in love with him.
If this were modern times, he would be the son of a head of state, a perfect example of a rich, handsome, and powerful man, a high-ranking official, and the kind who is exceptionally capable and highly regarded. Marrying a man like that was something Lin Yuqiao could never have dreamed of in her previous life.
Furthermore, Liu Heng was her first man, and probably the only one in her life. Especially after their intimate encounter at night, Lin Yuqiao found it hard not to develop feelings for him.
Although she rationally knew that letting herself become infatuated with this man was dangerous, and that Liu Heng could never belong to her alone, she couldn't control her feelings.
Lin Yuqiao knew that her only advantages were her noble birth, good looks, and having Lin Yucheng, the older brother whom Liu Heng had high hopes for.
Liu Heng has too many choices around him, and she doesn't necessarily have to be with him, but she can't live without Liu Heng's affection.
To expect a perfect reversal of fortune in the current situation, where there is no equality in status and she is still a concubine, and to gain love and loyalty from Liu Heng is simply wishful thinking.
She doesn't have colorful hair, she doesn't shed blue tears, and even the brilliance of Mary Sue can't reach her.
Even if she spent her whole life, exhausting all her love and youthful beauty, it might all be nothing more than a pastime for him.
Lin Yuqiao understood all of this, but she was still unwilling to accept it. Why should she have to endure herself, spending half her life being gentle, kind, respectful, frugal, and modest, just to earn Liu Heng's occasional pity?
As a concubine, having to serve men with her beauty, this very perception was an insult to her own existence. The more Lin Yuqiao thought about it, the more conflicted she became, and her heart was filled with resentment.
She is also an ordinary person with thoughts and desires, who wants happiness and doesn't want to be a pet kept at home.
If Liu Heng doesn't give her what she wants, then she'll have to snatch it from him.
Held tightly in her arms like a human pillow, with the woman's sweet and fragrant scent wafting towards him, Liu Heng could no longer continue reading.
Although he didn't like this kind of intimacy, the person in his arms had her hair spread all over his knees. The soft, smooth hair that hung down felt nice to the touch.
Liu Heng couldn't help but recall a line of poetry he had once read: "Graceful on her husband's lap, how could she not be pitied?"
The person in front of me was slender, dressed in plain clothes with wide sleeves, and her long hair was simply tied up in a bun, which did indeed give her a pitiful and charming appearance.
Feeling Liu Heng stroking her hair, Lin Yuqiao's original thoughts vanished instantly. With a sweet smile on her face, she hugged his neck, rubbed her cheek against his, and kissed his forehead and nose haphazardly.
Liu Heng pushed Lin Yuqiao away with some disgust. He couldn't stand her trying to kiss him all the time and complained, "Why are you acting like a little wolf dog?"
The peaceful atmosphere was instantly shattered, and Lin Yuqiao glared at him with puffed-out cheeks.
"It's because she admires the prince that she wants to get close to him."
Women of that time were usually shy and demure, so Lin Yuqiao's words were a bit too direct. Seeing that she was still looking at him stubbornly despite her shyness, Liu Heng didn't know how to respond, so he just pinched her cheek.
"Not ashamed at all."
After her confession failed, Lin Yuqiao felt like she had been struck a fatal blow once again. She could only stomp her feet and run away, while Liu Heng shook his head as he watched her retreating figure.
After washing up and lying in bed, only the two of them were in the curtained room.
The candles inside had gone out, and moonlight shone faintly through the window frame.
"Didn't Your Highness say that you would call me Qiao Qiao when it's just the two of you?"
Forgetting her earlier disappointment, Lin Yuqiao clung to Liu Heng's arm and nestled her legs between his, entwining with him under the covers.
"Stop fooling around and go to sleep."
Liu Heng thought to himself, "Why is this person so persistent?" He couldn't help but pat her bottom a few times as a slight punishment.
Rejected when she asked for a hug, and then spanked at her age, Lin Yuqiao was both angry and ashamed. She pulled the blanket over her head.
"I will never like you again."
Liu Heng was both amused and exasperated; this little concubine was even more childish than Ling Jie'er.
Thinking that Lin Yuqiao was still younger, Liu Heng convinced himself to be patient, and patiently pulled the blanket off her head and pulled her into his arms.
"Be good, okay?"
Lin Yuqiao wrapped her arms around his waist and buried herself in his embrace. After a long while, she said in a muffled voice, "Am I very disliked by the prince? Will the prince stop liking me?"
Looking down in the moonlight, Liu Heng saw that her eyes shone like stars and were brimming with tears.
He sighed inwardly, "It's not that I don't like you."
Hearing Liu Heng's words, Lin Yuqiao's tears flowed. She never imagined that she would one day be so humble.
He wiped away her tears and helped her adjust to a comfortable position in his arms. Liu Heng watched her close her eyes, but his gaze was somewhat cold.
Having lost his mother at a young age, he had to carefully make a living in the vast palace all by himself without anyone to protect him, which was no easy task.
Having witnessed countless concubines vying for favor and scheming, he grew up with little expectation of women, focusing instead on important matters outside the palace. Love, to him, was nothing but trouble, something he always avoided at all costs.
Within the manor, because of his principal wife, he usually only showed more favor to the princess. As for other women, those who were gentle and obedient and would not cause him trouble, he was also willing to show them some affection.
Unexpectedly, the newly acquired concubine is such an innocent and naive young girl.
She had feelings for him, but he could only remain indifferent.
When Lin Yuqiao woke up in the morning, Liu Heng was already up. As she sat down at the table to eat, looking at her bright smile, he couldn't help but think of her tears last night, and felt a pang of pity in his heart.
Without thinking, Liu Heng picked up a small steamed bun for her and was somewhat surprised afterward.
"What are you looking at? Hurry up and eat."
Seeing Lin Yuqiao staring at him in surprise, Liu Heng felt a little uncomfortable.
"It's alright, Your Highness, please eat more."
As a return gift, Lin Yuqiao also put a round, fried sesame tapioca ball on Liu Heng's plate.
He never ate such greasy snacks, but seeing the eager anticipation in her eyes, Liu Heng hesitated for a moment, then picked one up and ate it anyway.
After dinner, Lin Yuqiao went to pay her respects to the princess as usual. Having rested well last night, she was full of energy today and walked much faster than yesterday.
I thought I would arrive quite early, but when I entered, I found the place was already full of people.
After completing the ceremony, Madam Wang glanced at Lin Yuqiao's slender waist, which resembled a willow branch in spring, and felt a pang of pain in her heart when she recalled that the Prince had not come to her courtyard for dinner the previous night.
"According to the rules, I should take you to the palace to express my gratitude tomorrow, but the Consort is not feeling well recently and cannot entertain her. So we have to postpone your visit to the palace until the end of the year. I have already prepared the gifts for your return visit on the third day. I will have someone deliver them to your courtyard when you return tomorrow."
Thinking that she could go back to see her mother tomorrow, Lin Yuqiao felt overjoyed, so she didn't think much of it and readily thanked the princess.
Lady Baili sensed a subtle hint of defiance in the Princess's words, and was somewhat surprised. Considering the rumors from last night, she suspected the Princess was getting restless seeing Lady Lin gaining favor.
With a hint of schadenfreude, she disliked both Lin and the Princess, and Baili hoped that the two would clash.
In the afternoon, after Lin Yuqiao finished her nap, she was surprised to hear that Consort Baili had come to visit her courtyard.
"I hope I didn't disturb the concubine. I've wanted to come for a while, but I was afraid she was busy tidying up her things, so I delayed until now."
The two drank tea and ate snacks, chatting about this and that for an hour.
Lin Yuqiao felt that Baili was really good at talking, and her enthusiasm was just right. She was like a caring older sister who could easily make people let their guard down.
It wasn't until dusk that Baili took his leave.
Lin Yuqiao's smile faded only after everyone had walked away. Recalling Baili's implied desire to befriend her, Lin Yuqiao felt somewhat bewildered.
Although I am of higher rank than her, Baili is the elder, so why should I come and pay homage to a newcomer like her?
According to what Li found out, it was already a miracle that Baili didn't hate her. She had lost her child and was originally supposed to be promoted to a concubine, but she had interfered, and the two concubine positions were already filled, so Baili could only continue to be a secondary concubine.
"Granny, what does she mean by that?"
Lin Yuqiao was just going along with the situation, acting happy and close to her, but in reality, they were rivals in love. How could she be so foolish as to believe her?
Granny Jiang was also clueless, but she still advised her, "Consort, don't be anxious. If Consort Baili's intentions are not good, she will eventually reveal them. Just wait and see."
Lin Yuqiao wholeheartedly agreed, thinking there was no need to be so paranoid and live in constant fear of intrigue. She believed that they should simply deal with whatever came their way.
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