She was much more polite than the old lady.
Jiangxiang was also clever, so she smiled and sighed, "You must know Liangyuan's temperament, Second Madam. She doesn't say she misses her, but when she heard about Second Miss's condition some time ago, she really didn't eat properly for several days."
"I heard today that the Third and Fourth Misses had such a big fight, saying everything... it's quite frightening. That's why I was called here. The Lady is doing well now..."
She paused, then continued, "At first, there were many things going on in the household, and all sorts of rumors were circulating. However, our Consort was still favored. Previously, that Consort Ding was ignorant, and our Consort was really impolite. We were all frightened, saying that she had caused trouble, but His Highness didn't do anything. The Crown Princess suggested punishing her with a month of confinement, but His Highness said ten days would suffice, and that she would be taken out."
Jiang Xiang said this with a hint of pride.
Upon hearing this, Ms. Zou immediately understood the situation.
"Oh, I'm not trying to be mean, but our eldest daughter is such a good girl, it's all... sigh, it's all because of her being held back."
That's an interesting point. What held you back? Who held you back?
"Now, things have turned out so ugly in this mansion. No wonder the eldest young lady is worried. We're ashamed to be involved too." Madam Zou gestured with her chin towards a certain direction: "That courtyard over there has always been the one managed by the mansion's stewards. We can't control them. They don't even know when to stop. Now that things have turned out like this, it's truly shameful."
"This matter... I'm afraid there might be a misunderstanding, right? The Third Miss and the Fourth Miss are the closest sisters, how could..." Jiangxiang wondered.
"Haha, I don't know whether these things are true or not, but... there's no smoke without fire, right?" Zou said meaningfully.
“What the Second Madam says is true.” Jiangxiang nodded.
"I called you here for no other reason than to ask about our eldest daughter. Her health isn't good; how's her recovery going? Sigh, it's not that no one in the family cares about her, but I... I have my mother-in-law to care for her, and my sister-in-law, the Princess, so I really don't dare to do anything about it," sighed Madam Zou.
“Our Lady is well, but recuperation must be done slowly. Second Madam, please rest assured. I will certainly convey your kindness to our Lady, and I am sure she will be pleased to hear it.”
The incense was moved.
After seeing off the incense offering, Madam Zou sat down and pondered: "It seems that Yan Nangui has gained a foothold in the Crown Prince's residence. She is indeed good-looking, and the Crown Prince does not dislike her and is even willing to dote on her. Humph."
Thankfully, Jiang Xiang didn't see it; her change of expression was incredibly fast.
Madam Zhang smiled apologetically: "You're right. Now, the Fifth and Sixth Misses are growing up. They're both very beautiful. Besides, they're both born out of wedlock. In the future... they can both help out."
"At that time, His Highness the Crown Prince ascended the throne..."
"Tsk, can the Crown Prince really ascend the throne?" Lady Zou frowned.
"Whether they can or not, the Fifth and Sixth Misses are still young. In seven or eight years, we'll know for sure. We shouldn't be fixated on the position of principal wife. Whoever succeeds, she can still be a concubine, right? For now, we should get along well with the Eldest Miss. What if the Crown Prince ascends the throne? At that time, the Eldest Miss won't be able to have children. With her, the legitimate daughter of a great general, as our precedent, wouldn't it be better to send in a fertile girl from the Yan family later?"
Mrs. Zhang chuckled and said, "Back then, we didn't even have to make choices, wasn't that better? With her in front, she protected those who came after. It would be better if those who entered later could gain favor, but it wouldn't matter if they weren't."
"Tell the people in that courtyard to keep an eye on the positions of the princes' principal wives. In my opinion, no matter how much they make a fuss, they won't succeed in getting any of them."
Madam Zou laughed: "You're absolutely right. In my opinion, her glory won't last long. As soon as the next new emperor comes to power, she... humph."
While the master and servant were plotting, Jiang Xiang returned to the Crown Prince's residence.
He recounted what had happened that day.
Yan Nangui was in a good mood: "You did a great job. Zou Shi talked to you for so long, I wonder how many wrinkles the other people in the mansion will have to fold."
“Although the eldest princess holds a high position and has countless servants, and is able to manage her household well, she is ultimately not good at maintaining relationships. The second madam… I think she has many complaints about her,” Jiangxiang said.
"The eldest princess is high and mighty, so naturally she looks down on Zou Shi. Hehe, it doesn't matter, I don't care about that now. I'm just waiting to go celebrate my aunt's birthday in a few days."
It would be better if the Yan family started fighting; let them do whatever they want.
That afternoon, Shu Chengfeng's reward arrived.
What I gave her was a potted orchid. It was very artistic.
To cater to the tastes of contemporary literati, the kind of basin that at first glance looks like it has been rained on for several years.
The orchid is slender; sometimes it blooms, sometimes it doesn't...
Yan Nangui didn't like it much, so he casually asked someone to place it under the low wall at the end of the corridor.
The low wall has diamond-shaped open spaces; placing a small table on it would be quite interesting.
The reward also included a box of twelve hairpins, all made of plain silver and in various patterns.
There are also those with inlaid designs; they're all quite beautiful.
However, it's clearly meant for her to give as a gift, so it's not suitable for her to wear.
“My two cousins from my aunt’s side would be perfect,” Yan Nangui said with a smile.
Lan Xiangyi gave birth to four children: an eldest daughter, an eldest son, a youngest daughter, and two sons. However, the Marquis of Xinyang also had concubines, who bore him two children. The illegitimate child was raised in the main courtyard from a young age.
Yan Nangui looked into the box again and, sure enough, there were other pieces of jewelry, some of which were suitable for his cousin.
There are also writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones—all good things.
She also has a complete set of headdresses, made of rubies and red gold, which would suit Lan Xiangyi perfectly.
Adding the birthday gifts she prepared herself, that's more than enough.
Yan Nangui did not send anyone to the front yard to express his gratitude; he simply waited for Yan Nangui to arrive before speaking.
Shu Chengfeng specially sent someone to deliver the gifts, but these flowers were not just a reward for her.
It can be found elsewhere as well.
I guess he finally remembered to comfort his cousin, and what he sent to Wenyuexuan was a pot of Udumbara flowers.
What was sent to Su Liangdi was a pot of summer chrysanthemums.
Luo Liangyuan's is a jasmine. Murong Liangyuan's is a white lotus.
Yan Nangui chuckled upon hearing this; it was truly amusing.
"If Your Highness is going to use flowers to symbolize people, why did you give me an orchid? Am I really that much of a gentleman? I'm not."
"Perhaps Your Highness feels that you are aloof from the world?" Luo Kui said, "There aren't so many of those in the books, like a secluded orchid in a secluded valley."
"Ha, if that's really the case, then Your Highness's evaluation of me is quite high." Yan Nangui laughed as well.
"So, in His Highness's eyes, this is how you are?" Luo Kui said with a smile.
"Alright, that's a good thing. At least I've satisfied Your Highness."
That evening, Shu Chengfeng didn't come to her place; instead, he went to his cousin's.
Well, my cousin clearly needs more deep reassurance, and probably needs some medication too.
Yan Nangui ate something good and went to bed early.
On the morning of the seventh day of the sixth lunar month, Yan Nangui left the mansion early.
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