When they arrived at the second gate, everyone had already arrived.
I don't want trouble to come knocking as soon as I arrive.
"Oh dear, is Sister Guarjia just arriving?" The woman's shrill voice made Jiaming frown involuntarily.
However, it quickly relaxed.
She held Hongxuan in her arms and bowed to Hesheli, saying calmly, "Consort Hesheli!"
He then bowed to Li and nodded to Song, Geng, and others.
But Hesheli was relentless. While Jiaming and the others were exchanging greetings, she couldn't wait any longer. "What, are you avoiding the topic?" she said, her voice becoming increasingly sarcastic. "Heh, I think you, Guarjia, don't take the master and the princess seriously at all. Otherwise, why would you be so late?"
The group, who had just been exchanging greetings with Jiaming, all stood by and watched, seemingly enjoying the spectacle.
Jiaming frowned as she looked at Hesheli, thinking to herself: When the tiger is away, the monkey becomes king.
Since the plot to murder Hongxuan was exposed, Hesheli had become much quieter. However, when her husband and wife were not in the mansion, she became more and more active and even dared to challenge her.
"Why are you looking at me like that? Did I say something wrong or wrong you?" Empress Hesheli raised her nail-painted hand and sneered as she examined it.
Seeing Jiaming being harassed by Hesheli, no one spoke up to help, but Hongjing, who was in Jiaming's arms, couldn't stand it anymore.
Although the little one didn't quite understand what Hesheli was saying, he was very sensitive to people's emotions. He immediately glared at Hesheli with his round eyes. Of course, to everyone else, that looked cute, not angry at all.
Seeing Hongjing protecting her like this, Jiaming lowered her head and looked down, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Hehe, the concubine's mouth is really sharp; she can make even white seem black." As she spoke, she moved Hongjing, whom she was holding, to a different position so that he wouldn't look at Hesheli.
After all, the child is still young. We can't let him be disgusted by the other party's ugly face, or even affect Hongjing and corrupt his character.
Unaware that she was being disliked, Hesheli sneered, "What, isn't it you who's late? Of all the sisters, you're the last one to arrive."
Feeling the malice in the words again, Hongjing twisted his head, unwilling to give up and wanting to turn around and glare angrily at the mean person.
But Jiaming stopped her by reaching out and touching the top of his fluffy head.
The little guy was unwilling, but his actions spoke louder than his thoughts; he was quite reluctant to part with his mother's caresses. His little head moved unconsciously, and his fluffy hair rubbed against Jiaming's hand. Both mother and son felt wonderful about that feeling.
With her head bowed, Jiaming was not seen by anyone as she was smiling broadly, seemingly unaffected by Hesheli's words. She was clearly happily stroking Xiao Hongjing's fluffy head.
Sighing inwardly, she thought, why did it have to be this time? If only we were in Peach Garden, she could touch Jing'er's head without any restraint, kiss his pink and tender face, and play with his chubby little hands and arms... instead of having to be distracted by other things like this.
Not forgetting that Jiaming was currently exchanging words with Hesheli, she sighed inwardly, then looked up at Hesheli with a half-smile, "So, Consort Hesheli means that from now on, whoever is the last to arrive will be considered late and disrespectful."
Instantly, Jiaming shifted the blame to everyone, because in the future, at occasions like greetings and gatherings, everyone might be the last to arrive.
For a moment, everyone's eyes were on Hesheli, waiting to see what she would say.
“That’s not what I meant, Lady Guarjia, don’t misunderstand.” Lady Hesheli paused, then continued, “The master and the princess are almost back, and you’re only just arriving. That’s far too late.”
Jiaming smiled and said, "They haven't come back yet, have they? They're not late! Besides, there's no specific time. Sometimes it's hard to estimate the time, and there's nothing I can do about it."
“You,” Hesheli’s finger trembled as she pointed at Jiaming, “that’s just sophistry!”
Jiaming blinked innocently and said, "Where are you making excuses! Consort, I don't accept your accusation."
Hesheli was so angry she felt like vomiting blood.
Although she had already turned the other party down, Jiaming wasn't willing to let it go so easily.
She glanced around before fixing her gaze on Lady Li, and said with amusement, "Well, who said everyone's here? Lady Li's third son hasn't arrived yet!"
Hmph, I'll show you all what's what, especially Li Shi. You were really enjoying the show just now, so this time I'm going to drag you into this mess too.
Caught off guard and pulled in, Li was momentarily stunned!
Jiaming continued to look at Li Shi, and said meaningfully, "Could it be that the Third Prince, who hasn't arrived yet, is also in the eyes of the concubine as having feelings for the Prince and the Princess...?"
What was left unsaid was clear to everyone—it was disrespectful, even unfilial!
Suddenly, Empress Hesheli's cheeks flushed with excitement—this was wonderful! If these words were spoken to the Third Prince, he would be practically crippled! Thus, one of her father's healthy sons had missed out on the future throne. In the future, her own child would have a much better chance!
Li's face turned pale, and sweat beaded on her forehead—oh no, she couldn't let those words fall on Hongshi.
“The Third Prince is short and walks slowly, so it’s normal that he’s a little late,” Madam Li quickly explained. “Besides, Sister Guarjia is right. The Prince and the Princess haven’t returned yet, so it’s not that late.”
After saying that, she raised her handkerchief to wipe the sweat from her forehead, then put it down, her heart suddenly leaping again.
If the master and the others return, but Hongshi hasn't arrived yet, then...
Madam Li immediately added, "Besides, the exact time when the master and the others will return is uncertain, so it's hard for us waiting to estimate. Arriving early or late is normal." Therefore, it's also normal for Hongshi to arrive late!
After Li said this, the surroundings fell silent, and no one echoed her words.
In an instant, it was Jiaming's turn to watch her make a fool of herself!
However, Jiaming was a bit better than her. After a moment of silence, she nodded in agreement with Madam Li, "What Consort Li said is true."
It wasn't that she meant well, but rather that the Third Prince Hongshi had brought her into the conversation. Given the Fourth Prince's strong control over the household, this conversation would most likely reach his ears, and if she were to be investigated, she wouldn't be able to avoid it.
It's normal for the women in the back courtyard to want to belittle the princes who aren't their own, but as the prince's father, the Fourth Prince doesn't want his child to be labeled as disrespectful to his parents or even unfilial.
In order to prevent the Fourth Prince's dislike for her from being directed at the brothers Hongxuan and Hongjing, she had no choice but to extricate herself from this mess and kindly agree with Madam Li.
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