That night, Qi Jingxuan didn't go anywhere else but came to the North Courtyard.
"Madam!" The polite address made Jiang Meng, who was doing her hair, turn her head. She looked at Yu Qing beside her.
"This servant wanted to report it, but the general forbade it." Yuqing immediately knelt on the ground.
"Get up, it's alright! You may leave now." Yuqing stood up, bowed, and retreated.
"General" Jiang Mengyi's voice immediately became soft and sweet, and her expression became ambiguous. She then leaned into Qi Jingxuan's arms.
"Madam, please wait. I have something important to discuss with you today."
Hearing him say that, Jiang Mengyi immediately became serious again.
"Now that there are so many wives and concubines in the mansion, I would like to ask Madam to hire a tutor to teach them manners. Consort Liu is unwell and can be excused for the time being. It is the concubines below who really need to be disciplined. They are running around the mansion all day long." In reality, they walk in front of Qi Jingxuan several times a day, even interrupting him when he is handling official documents. Qi Jingxuan finds this annoying.
"Yes, General. It's getting late, why don't you rest early?"
There's one more thing.
Jiang Mengyi, whose expression had already changed, lost interest in Qi Jingxuan again. Her temper immediately flared up.
"Just tell me directly."
"Please make arrangements for the banquet at the palace tomorrow."
Seeing that Jiang Mengyi did not react, Qi Jingxuan continued, "Then I will go and take care of official business first. Madam, you should rest early!"
"Aren't you sleeping here?"
"I will sleep in the study for the time being."
Upon hearing that the general wasn't sleeping here, Jiang Meng didn't even want to get up to see him off; it was so annoying.
"Why has the general left, Madam?"
"Who knows what he is? He even asked me to prepare things for the banquet. My dowry consists of palace items, how can I use them as gifts? Besides, I've only been married into the family for a few days. How can he take my dowry? The Qi family is dirt poor, what do they have to offer?"
Yuqing had a sudden inspiration and immediately thought of a kind person, "Madam, what about Consort Liu?"
"It's alright, Yuqing. No wonder my mother sent you to me. You're so clever. Without further ado, help me with my hair and makeup, and then we'll go to her place."
Yun Gui Lou
"Is my sister asleep?"
"Miss, Madam has arrived." Xi Yun quickly came in to announce.
"Not yet, why are you visiting me in my room so late, sister?" Liu Ruhua quickly got up and sat down at the table.
Seeing that Liu Ruhua was still awake, Jiang Mengyi brought in the things she had prepared and placed them all on the table.
“Sister, this is the green cherry blossom silk that my mother brought from Jiangnan when I got married. These are also some of the newest styles. They are made of the finest cotton and linen. They feel extremely soft and smooth to the touch, making them perfect for making clothes for children.”
As she spoke, she opened another box. "These are a pair of blue ocean pearl earrings that the general gave me the other day. I think they're perfect for my sister's fair skin."
Liu Ruhua looked at these items. They were still quite expensive, but they were far inferior to the things belonging to the Liu family.
"Sister, you're really generous! But what could possibly make you spend so much?" Having been pregnant for so long, aside from my own visits to her north courtyard to pay my respects, she's never come to my courtyard on her own initiative. Her visit today must mean she has something to ask. I just wonder what's in this lady's belly.
“Since these are gifts from the general, and they are such valuable items as my sister’s dowry, I naturally cannot accept them.”
"It's alright, it's alright. To be honest, the reason I came so late today is because I have something to ask of you." Seeing that Liu Ruhua was hesitant, she simply said what she wanted to say.
"Tomorrow I will be attending a banquet at the palace with the general. You know that our Qi family doesn't have anything worthwhile to offer, so I hope my sister can help prepare a small gift."
Sure enough, people don't visit temples without a reason.
"Sister, my family has no shortage of things that money can buy. But if I help you today, I hope you will take good care of me in the future."
"Of course, of course." Jiang Mengyi's words were just that—words—and she didn't take them to heart at all.
"Then thank you very much, sister. Xiyun, go to the storeroom and fetch a jade ruyi."
Upon hearing the name "Jade Ruyi," Jiang Mengyi's eyes lit up. She had only ever seen one before when it was presented as tribute from the Western Regions to the palace.
The jade ruyi that Xi Yun took out was exquisitely crafted, with pure and flawless jade. It was clearly a top-quality piece.
Jiang Meng hurriedly grabbed Liu Ruhua's hand and said many comforting words.
Do you know why that concubine over there is under house arrest?
Jiang Meng smiled. Anyway, this wasn't a big secret, so there was no need to hide it. "Have you heard about what the old lady did in the manor before? Ruan Yumu was hurt by the old lady, and she even thought of pleading for her. So, people really shouldn't be too soft-hearted."
"Actually, none of that matters. This morning, Jiang Jun was discussing entering the palace with Eunuch Li. Unexpectedly, he rushed into the study without even putting on his shoes. The general was furious and, in a fit of anger, confined him to his quarters."
"The people from the palace were all there at the time. They even had me hire a tutor to come to the manor soon to teach the concubines manners. Of course, since you are so sensible and pregnant, you don't need to participate."
"Sister, I'm very tired from being pregnant and want to rest."
Seeing that Jiang Mengyi was constantly chatting with her about all sorts of things, Liu Ruhua really didn't want to deal with it anymore.
"I'm sorry, it was my oversight. I'll be going now, thank you for the gift." Jiang Meng seemed very satisfied with the generous gift she had prepared. She had talked to her for so long to ease her own embarrassment.
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