Chapter 403 Gao Qingtong Takes the Initiative to Show Goodwill
Jiang Fenghua arrived at Yuling Palace, where Gao Qingtong was the first to greet her, saying, "This concubine greets the Crown Princess."
Jiang Fenghua stared at her slightly protruding belly and smiled, "Young Mistress Gao, please do not stand on ceremony."
"It's a rare occasion for the Crown Princess to visit Yuling Palace, please come in and have a cup of tea!" Gao Qingtong's eyes were full of flattery. She usually didn't like to do such flattering things, but in front of the Crown Princess, she felt that if she didn't soften her stance, she wouldn't be able to catch the Crown Princess's eye.
“Since Consort Gao has invited me, I’m going to her room anyway. Granny Wang, shall we go and sit in Consort Gao’s room for a while?” Jiang Fenghua said to Granny Wang. Originally, they had come for Zhu Zhenzhen.
Granny Wang also spoke politely, "I've heard that Miss Gao is very refined, and her tea ceremony is so good that even His Highness has praised it. Your Highness, please come and sit in Miss Gao's room and rest for a while."
Gao Qingtong quickly explained, "I was just idly thinking about it. Your Highness doesn't care much about tea and is very casual about it. But the Crown Prince often says that the Crown Princess is meticulous in her life and tells me to learn from her."
Jiang Fenghua smiled and said, "It's all thanks to Granny Wang and the others for serving me so well. I am just like His Highness. The more meticulous the nannies are, the more refined the lives of the young ladies will be. Granny Wang should also instruct the nannies of Yuling Palace to serve Young Lady Gao well."
"Yes, I've got it." Granny Wang said respectfully.
The two walked and talked as they entered Gao Qingtong's house. She felt that the interior was elegant and serene, with a strong scholarly atmosphere, which made her a woman who was particular about her appearance.
She wouldn't stop other women from having Xie Shang's children. After all, the royal family needed imperial offspring to expand the Xie family's fortune. As long as the young ladies were obedient, didn't cause trouble, and diligently taught the imperial offspring, she could politely be a virtuous and kind crown princess.
The royal family needs imperial heirs, and she doesn't want to keep having children. If all the children come out of her belly, those who understand will say that His Highness the Crown Prince truly dotes on the Crown Princess, while those who don't will make sarcastic remarks about how so many concubines in the Eastern Palace can't even have a child, while the Crown Princess is the only one who does. She's not here to compete for men or dominate favor.
Therefore, she wouldn't interfere with what means Gao Qingtong, a sensible young lady, used to please the Crown Prince, as long as she and her maternal clan could be on good terms with the Jiang family.
All that could be seen was Gao Qingtong's slender fingers busily moving, her fingertips seemingly dancing, a sight to behold.
"Please, Your Highness." She offered it with both hands.
Jiang Fenghua took it and felt the aroma of the tea gently brushing against her nose, refreshing her heart and soul. She was indeed a woman with a clever mind.
In fact, Jiang Fenghua was also skilled in tea ceremony. She thought that if she had known Gao Qingtong in her previous life, they could have become close friends. After all, they were like-minded and their room decoration styles were quite similar.
Immediately afterwards, Gao Qingtong did not hesitate to offer another cup of tea to Granny Wang, saying, "Granny Wang, please do me the honor of tasting this."
Granny Wang was a clever woman. She knew that Miss Gao was trying to curry favor with the Crown Princess. She smiled and said, "This servant is benefiting from the Crown Princess's favor. Thank you, Miss Gao, for the tea."
Gao Qingtong smiled and raised her teacup. "Qingtong also thanks Granny Wang for her care."
The group didn't talk about anything else. Seeing that she liked poetry and songs, Jiang Fenghua added, "These were all written by Consort Gao."
Gao Qingtong handed the text to the Crown Princess, saying, "Please give me your guidance, Crown Princess."
Jiang Fenghua read aloud, "A birthday greeting, this is a birthday gift prepared by Consort Gao for the Crown Prince." This is quite perfunctory.
Gao Qingtong said, "I think what the Crown Princess said makes sense. The sentiment is the most important thing. These are the things I can offer the best. I have seen the Crown Princess's calligraphy, and it is truly excellent. I am just showing off my limited skills."
"You're too modest, Miss Gao." Jiang Fenghua nodded. There are many talented and beautiful women from noble families, but few are truly virtuous, talented, and beautiful. Zhu Zhenzhen considers herself a noble lady, and she should be a learned young lady, but unlike Gao Qingtong, she is not able to calm down.
I wonder if she can always maintain this calm and peaceful mind. In my previous life, I was just as calm and peaceful as her, but unfortunately, others wanted to kill me at every turn.
Jiang Fenghua clenched her fingers, hoping that her kindness would bring a good result. She did not want to push herself to the point where her hands were stained with blood and her heart was polluted and clouded.
She just wants to get what she wants, and everyone can live in peace.
Jiang Fenghua smiled, but a deep, cold glint flashed in her eyes.
At this moment, Gao Qingtong said again, "When the Crown Princess was pregnant with the little grandson, were there any special customs? The Crown Princess is so lucky to have both a son and a daughter."
"There's nothing special about it. When I was a little over two months pregnant, Physician Mei diagnosed twins. At the time, we didn't know if it was a boy or a girl. We only found out after they were born," Jiang Fenghua said gently.
"I am carrying a single child." Her smile remained unchanged. "I hope it will be a daughter. Everyone says daughters are sweet and caring, and I think so too."
"Children are all the same; they are all the apple of their mother's eye."
"The Crown Princess is right."
After exchanging pleasantries with Gao Qingtong for a while, Jiang Fenghua went to Zhu Zhenzhen's room.
As soon as Jiang Fenghua left, Gao Qingtong's face suddenly turned gloomy. She said to her trusted nanny, "I don't know if the Crown Princess believes me."
The nanny said, "The Crown Princess will definitely feel your kindness, Your Highness. Everyone says that the Crown Princess is kind-hearted. When a woman marries, she doesn't necessarily marry a man. It is Your Highness's blessing to have such a kind mistress."
Gao Qingtong knew that she was insignificant and her words carried little weight, so she could only avoid trouble if there wasn't a matriarch who would drive her to her death.
Even though she was pregnant with the emperor's child, she could never truly win the crown prince's favor. The crown prince only loved the crown princess, and she had neither the means nor the ability to do so.
Gao Qingtong added, "But I helped Zhu Liangdi back then, and that has always been a thorn in my side."
"Your Highness was also misled by her. Neither the Crown Princess nor the Crown Prince said anything, so please don't take it to heart."
Gao Qingtong suddenly bumped into the nanny's arms, "I really hope that I am carrying a daughter. I don't want to get involved in the intrigues of the palace. Right now, only the Crown Princess can protect me and the child."
Her father was a civil official with no real power. Even in the future, the Gao family would not dare to harbor any disloyal thoughts. Therefore, she could only protect the Gao family and herself by having a daughter.
When Gao Qingtong entered the palace, her father instructed her that they had already inquired about the Crown Princess. He said that the Crown Princess was gentle and had an excellent reputation among the people. He believed that if Gao Qingtong were chosen to enter the palace and met such a mistress, her life would be much better. Therefore, her father told her to just cling to the Crown Princess's coattails. However, she messed things up.
Now, Gao Qingtong has figured out the Crown Princess's temperament. Those who cause trouble and use magic will not have a good ending, such as Su Tingwan, Ye Susu, and Zhu Zhenzhen. Only those who are honest and law-abiding can live a peaceful life.
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