Zhao Nihong covered her face and rushed into Xiaoxiang Courtyard, where Consort Zhang was serving Prince Duan tea.
"Father, you must do justice for your daughter." She had been favored by Prince Duan since childhood, and crying and complaining were commonplace for her. She rushed into Xiaoxiang Courtyard and threw herself into Consort Zhang's arms, crying with tears streaming down her face.
"Did A-Jun bully you again?" Consort Zhang wiped away her tears with heartache. "Didn't I tell you not to provoke her? She has the Empress Dowager backing her up; you can't afford to offend her. There are so many noble ladies in the capital; why do you insist on getting close to her?" She spoke earnestly and patiently.
However, these words sounded particularly harsh to Prince Duan. He slammed down his teacup, his face turning cold, and said, "My nineteenth brother is ignorant. How well-mannered can his daughter be? Your mother is right, don't provoke her for now." He then gave Consort Zhang a sharp look, "Didn't I tell you to take better care of A-Jun? Why is your relationship still so strained?"
"Your Highness, it's all my fault. I failed to win Princess Jun's heart. Please give me a few more days," Consort Zhang said gently, her eyes lowered.
Zhao Nihong wanted to stand up and say a few words for her mother, but she held her down firmly. Prince Duan grunted and said with a doting expression, "Nihong has been wronged. After some time, your father will definitely get revenge for you."
"Father, she was clearly rude and disrespectful. Why don't you stand up for your daughter now?" Zhao Nihong pleaded.
Prince Duan turned his head and looked towards the door. “In the Empress Dowager’s eyes, she is the best granddaughter in the world. What can you do about it? Today, your father can take his anger out on Zhao Shu for his daughter, but in the blink of an eye, the Empress Dowager can take her anger out on you two. Your father can only try to keep the peace now. But don’t worry, Ni Hong, one day you will definitely be able to get revenge.”
Zhao Nihong disagreed and said indignantly, "I really don't know why the Empress Dowager likes her so much. She's completely useless, and everyone in the capital despises her, yet the Empress Dowager still treats her like a treasure."
"The Empress Dowager gave birth to your nineteenth uncle by the time she was born, so naturally she dotes on her only daughter. Alright, I'm going to visit Mr. Wei at the Wei family. Go and get ready, and go talk to the Wei family's daughter with your father. My beloved concubine, you should go too." Prince Duan picked up his teacup again and took a sip, his eyes blazing with anger like a volcano about to erupt.
Consort Zhang and Zhao Nihong were overjoyed to hear the name Wei family. They put aside their earlier grievances. Befriending the Wei family was something they never dared to dream of. Princess Liuli knew enough noble ladies in the capital, but none of them could enter the Wei family's dream, especially since the current matriarch of the Wei family was a legendary figure.
The mother and daughter hurriedly went downstairs to bathe, change clothes, and dress up. Consort Zhang changed dozens of dresses but was still not satisfied. Ruyi, who was serving her, said, "I have heard that the Lady of the Wei family has a unique fragrance and a fairy-like temperament. She especially likes to wear plain white clothes."
"Then I'll wear that maroon outfit; I can't let it clash with Lady Wei's color." Consort Zhang finally decided on the maroon satin dress with gold thread trim and gold and silver auspicious cloud patterns, which was dignified and elegant.
Ruyi directed several maids to help Consort Zhang change her clothes, praising, "Consort Zhang has better taste than us; any outfit you choose looks so good on her."
"What's the use of beautiful clothes when one eventually grows old and loses their beauty?" Consort Zhang looked at herself in the bronze mirror. Dressed in a dark red satin robe with gold and silver auspicious cloud patterns and gold and silver trim, she looked very noble, but her face was still full of worry and self-mockery.
Ruyi listened to what was happening in her hands, then forced a smile and said, "What are you saying, Consort? You don't look old at all. I think you're only in your early twenties."
"Ruyi, you've been with me for decades, so you've learned to lie. I used to be so proud of myself in the Prince's mansion. So what if the Princess Consort was the principal wife? She cried every day, while I received the Prince's exclusive favor. But lately, I've been panicking, my heart is in turmoil. The Prince's mansion is full of beauties, beauties I've seen and those I haven't, all kinds of beauties. Do you think I don't want to focus on winning over Zhao Shu? It's just that I can't stand the beauties around her. Who understands me?"
As she spoke, her clothes had been changed, and she adjusted her hair. "Let's go."
Ruyi lowered her head and followed carefully beside her, her heart filled with mixed feelings. If it were in the past, when the princess was wronged, it would be considered polite if the concubine didn't demolish other people's courtyards. But now she was even advising the princess to swallow her anger. The Prince Yong's mansion was truly strange.
Just moments ago, Zhao Nihong was furious, but now she was happily instructing her maid, Shuqin, to dress her up, saying, "Too much powder, do you want people to say I'm tacky?"
Shuqin, who was serving her, could tell that she was in a good mood. She was not afraid of being scolded, but instead smiled and said, "Princess, you are naturally beautiful. You look good no matter how you dress up. Light makeup is elegant, and heavy makeup is dignified and grand. It depends on which style you prefer."
"You're so sweet-talking." Zhao Nihong glanced at Shuqin, her lips curving upwards involuntarily. She had heard that the second young master of the Wei family was exceptionally handsome and dashing, like a celestial being from a painting. She wondered if she would be able to meet him on this trip.
Shuqin pouted. She was about the same age as Zhao Nihong and was considered pretty. "This servant is just telling the truth. Even Princess Liuli is not as pretty as you, Your Highness."
Zhao Nihong was in high spirits. Thinking of the legendary young master of the Wei family, she became even more smug. "So what if he's favored by the Empress Dowager? He's still disliked by everyone." She opened the jewelry box, and her face immediately turned cold. She picked and chose, but none of the jewelry could compare to what Huo Danlan had given to Zhao Shu. She slammed the jewelry box shut, and her actions frightened the maidservants serving her.
After closing it and thinking for a moment, he opened it again. "Today I'm dressed more simply. People from scholarly families don't like to be adorned with bright red and purple jewelry."
After she dressed up and went to Xiaoxiang Courtyard, she had just entered the front hall with a bright smile on her face when she was slapped by Prince Duan.
*Slap!* A hand slapped her across the face. "From today onwards, you're going to stand in the corner and reflect on your actions!"
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