On their second visit to a prestigious household that ordinary people could never set foot in their entire lives, the guards at the gate still stopped them.
"Who goes there? What brings you here?"
Xiao Qiao'er immediately stepped forward and said with a smile, "Greetings, young man. Princess Changting wanted to buy some rouge and specially sent someone to deliver the message."
"Our shop is called Flowing Heart Rouge Shop, please make an exception for us."
The guards exchanged glances, then remembered that someone had indeed greeted them that morning.
After routinely checking that their baskets were full of cosmetics, they were told to be mindful of their words and actions before being allowed to pass.
The Ming Prince's Mansion stretches as far as the eye can see.
The gatekeeper led them straight towards the backyard, and only after they reached the second gate did the old woman guarding the gate lead them to Princess Changting's courtyard.
The Ming Prince's Mansion was very quiet. The servants kept their heads down and walked steadily and orderly.
Sure enough, even the rules in wealthy families are much stricter.
The old woman guarding the gate whispered a reminder to them.
"There are strict rules in our mansion, so you must not look around aimlessly, and you must not say anything else to the people inside."
"Although our Princess Changting is kind, she is also very well-mannered."
"Especially since several concubines will be waiting for her to choose from later, you must not let her lose face."
Wei Wei and Xiao Qiao'er naturally nodded in agreement.
I was also a little curious.
He Changting is a princess, and by all accounts, she shouldn't be getting too close to her father's concubines.
Even when it was just a routine matter of delivering rouge and face powder to them, the two of them would go to the courtyards of these concubines and let them choose.
Now it all sounds like they're being controlled by Jiang Changting?
She had also found out the general situation of the Prince Ming's residence.
Jiang Changting was born to Ming Wang's first wife.
However, his first wife was unlucky; she died before she could even get off the delivery bed after giving birth to Jiang Changting.
So King Ming then married Jiang Changhe's mother.
The current Princess Ming is the sister of Consort Rou, the mother of the deceased Third Prince, and her family is powerful and influential.
How could such a powerful person be willing to let Jiang Changting have whatever he wanted in the Ming Prince's Mansion?
If I can't figure it out, I'll stop thinking about it. I can ask Jiang Yu when the time is right.
Speaking of Jiang Yu, she hadn't seen him for several days.
I wonder where his plan is at now?
But things can't be rushed; taking care of your health is the most important thing.
Lost in these random thoughts, she had unknowingly followed the gatekeeper to the outside of Jiang Changting's courtyard.
The sign above reads "Liuli Pavilion".
It was truly magnificent.
Seeing the amazement in Wei Wei and the other girl's eyes, the gatekeeper said with great pride, "Princess Changting's courtyard is much more beautiful than Princess Changhe's, and the furnishings inside are also much more precious."
However, after only one sentence was spoken, a young maidservant came out from inside. She had probably heard what the old woman had just said, and her face showed some disapproval.
"Old woman Wei, what nonsense are you spouting?"
"The courtyards of Princess Changting and Princess Changhe are of the same design. What's the point of saying whether they're beautiful or not? It's just a matter of personal taste."
Hearing the reprimand, Granny Wei was not particularly frightened. She immediately smiled and said, "Chunyu is right. It is because I really like Princess Changting's courtyard that I have spoken inappropriately."
Chunyu nodded: "Go back to where you were before. I'll take these two girls in."
Granny Wei agreed and left the place without hesitation.
Chunyu looked at Wei Wei and the other woman, her voice softening slightly: "Please forgive my earlier embarrassment. Please come in with me."
Once inside the courtyard, the sounds of conversation from inside the main hall could be faintly heard.
I don't know what they were talking about, but everyone was laughing, and it sounded very harmonious.
Chunyu raised her voice slightly at the door and said to those inside, "Princess, the girl who delivered the rouge has arrived."
The room fell silent, and soon Princess Changting said, "Please come in."
The door was pushed open.
The various fragrances wafted out, almost making Wei Wei sneeze.
I managed to hold back and quickly relaxed before following them inside.
Inside the spacious hall, four or five concubines sat, dressed in colorful gowns and adorned with glittering gold hairpins.
It was truly elegant and luxurious.
The person sitting at the head of the group was Princess Changting, whom she had met a few days prior.
She was dressed in plain clothes and had little adornment in her hair, yet she was still easily recognizable.
Her demeanor always stood out from the crowd, and she sat very steadily, showing no restraint whatsoever in front of these stepmothers.
It's just a habit.
At this moment, their eyes all turned to Wei Wei and the other person, it seemed that they were indeed waiting for their arrival.
Princess Changting, in particular, looked at Wei Wei with a slightly flickering gaze, revealing a clear sense of "I knew it."
Wei Wei lowered her head, displaying the humility expected of a small shop owner, and greeted the ladies with great politeness.
After greeting everyone, Jiang Changting smiled and said, "Thank you for your trouble. Please sit down and have a cup of tea with me."
They definitely wouldn't sit down. How could Wei Wei and her companion possibly sit down in front of such a group of high-ranking figures?
Before she could refuse, one of the concubines, dressed in a light red dress, spoke up: "Changting, aren't you making things difficult for them?"
She smiled and said, "The fact that she was able to stand here without making a fool of herself is quite impressive."
The tone was polite, but the underlying meaning was blatant contempt.
Xiao Qiao'er looked a little unwell, but Wei Wei didn't think it was anything serious.
Women from humble backgrounds are not worthy of the attention of these concubines.
She had already made up her mind when she came that she would be able to endure even if Jiang Changhe provoked her.
Don't say a single word.
Jiang Changting, however, glanced at the woman in the light red dress and spoke calmly: "I remember that Madam Yu's family is in business, and they seem to have a special connection with this lady."
The concubine in the water-red dress looked unpleasant, but dared not speak again.
Several ladies nearby quickly stepped in to smooth things over, which slightly warmed the expression on Madam Yu's face, who was wearing a light red dress.
Wei Wei was quite surprised that Jiang Changting would speak up for her, and couldn't help but take a closer look at her.
His eyes showed gratitude.
Although she was only trying to save face, after all, she was the one who invited them.
But Wei Wei still accepted this kindness.
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