So direct!
Geng was surprised. Aren't the women in the backyard supposed to speak in roundabout ways?
She hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to speak directly or continue with the plan and speak indirectly for a while.
Jiaming didn't want to waste time with Gengshi here; she'd rather eat a few more flower cakes.
So, she said directly again, "Just say what you need to say. Fifth Prince is still young and can't be separated from his family much." Jiaming casually used Hongjing as an excuse, and this excuse had obvious loopholes. After all, she wasn't the only one in Taoyuan. There were plenty of people taking care of Hongjing.
However, as long as the other party understands what she means, that's enough.
This was urging her to be straightforward and stop beating around the bush. Geng Shi wasn't stupid; how could she not understand?
So he immediately abandoned his original plan, somewhat awkwardly put down the teacup he was holding, and went straight to the point: "Consort Guarjia, if there is anything you need to do in the future, and it is inconvenient for you, you can tell me to do it."
She couldn't bring herself to say anything more blunt, but the unspoken meaning in her words was quite clear. How could someone as formidable as Consort Guarjia, who could verbally defeat a group of women and win completely, not understand?
Jiaming understood immediately, and asked directly, "You want to pledge allegiance to me?"
The bluntness made Geng feel even more embarrassed.
If she wants to make a name for herself in the manor, she can't do it alone. Recently, she has been looking for allies or backers.
Originally, Sochoro was a good choice. The two were equals, and she wouldn't be her subordinate, which would have made her more comfortable.
However, after getting to know her, she found that she was not suitable in terms of affection, temperament, and other aspects. On the contrary, after what happened this morning, Guarjia was more to her liking.
Even if they are not of equal status and cannot become allies, following the favored, son-in-law, and intelligent Guarjia clan is by all accounts her best choice right now.
The others were either not as intelligent as her, not as favored, or had no sons and therefore no status.
In fact, the Fujin was a better choice, but the Fujin made no indication of her approach.
But when Geng met Jiaming's eyes, which seemed to see through everything, a hint of mockery flashed across them for a moment. She couldn't help but clench the handkerchief in her hand. For a moment, she felt extremely embarrassed and wanted to shake her head, but in the end, she endured the discomfort and nodded.
While Jiaming was receiving Gengshi in the outer hall, those who were staking out outside Taoyuan Courtyard had already relayed the message back to their master.
"What did you say?!"
No sooner had Madam Geng visited Peach Blossom Courtyard than the news spread throughout the entire backyard after she entered.
Upon learning that the visit was made with gifts, the Fujin, Lady Li, and Lady Hesheli were shocked.
As for the Song family and others, they were not so surprised. It was just a visit, after all. There was no rule in the manor that forbade visits.
The person who answered, not understanding why his master was so shocked by Geng's visit to Taoyuan, repeated what he had just said with a respectful expression.
After confirming once again that Lady Geng had indeed visited Lady Guarjia with gifts, unlike Lady Song and others, Lady Fujin, Lady Li, and Lady Hesheli felt a little uneasy.
However, despite their differing opinions, their guesses coincided.
"Why do you think Geng went to visit Guarjia for no reason?"
The women in the backyard either asked their trusted confidants or pondered their own thoughts.
Soon, four answers were obtained: "Geng simply came to visit the Guarjia clan, Geng had something to ask of the Guarjia clan, Geng came to apologize, and Geng wanted to seek refuge with the Guarjia clan."
It's obvious that a simple visit is impossible. There's no known connection between the Geng and Guarjia clans; at most, they might exchange a few words during greetings or at banquets.
But that's just a basic greeting; everyone basically uses the same thing.
In this backyard, no one would rashly visit someone they don't have much contact with.
However, those with sharper minds, such as the Fujin (wife of the emperor), Lady Li, Lady Hesheli, and Lady Song, used the process of elimination to find the true answer.
What could Lady Geng possibly need from Lady Guarjia? Her residence wasn't under the jurisdiction of the Peach Courtyard; matters of the inner courtyard were managed by the Fujin (Prince Consort), and any requests would be made to the Fujin.
As for outside affairs, given the Guarjia family's background, the only thing they have to boast about is their Manchu identity, but that's just an ordinary Manchu identity. Oh, and recently, their younger brother passed the imperial examination.
However, it's still not presentable.
"What if you go to their door to apologize?"
This question was quickly ruled out.
Geng has not offended the Guarjia clan recently. As for this morning, she did not say anything, and the Guarjia clan did not make things difficult for her. So, strictly speaking, she has not offended them.
Finally, the Geng clan sought refuge with the Guarjia clan.
The women pondered this over and over, and the more they thought about it, the more they felt that this was the most likely possibility.
The Song family and others simply assumed that Jiaming had gained an ally and was no longer fighting alone, making them even more wary of her. They were merely prepared to deal with the two of them joining forces.
But the Fujin, Li, and Hesheli were different. Historically, Geng had allied with Niohuru, and in the end, the two helped each other and each gave birth to a son.
One son became emperor, and another son became a prince.
Now that the Niohuru clan is gone, the Geng clan wants to pledge allegiance to the Guarjia clan. Does this mean that the Guarjia clan is very likely to replace the Niohuru clan?
After their initial shock, the three men felt a chill run down their spines and their wariness of the Guarjia clan rose to a level of alertness.
Even though I tell myself that history has changed, that Niohuru didn't enter the mansion, and that it shouldn't matter who Geng befriends, I just can't stop thinking like this.
Without prior arrangement, the three of them blurted out similar meanings.
"We must not let the two of them team up."
The three men's trusted confidants reacted to their master's solemn words.
The people from the Fujin's side were extremely puzzled. "Your Majesty, why are you so wary of the two of them joining forces? You have the First Prince, and the Prince respects you and values the First Prince, who is the legitimate son, very much. Even if they join forces, they can't stand up to you."
The princess's eyes flashed, and she said in a deep voice, "You don't understand."
Li Yuan's confidant strongly agreed with his master's words, "Master, you are right. We cannot let the two of them join forces. Otherwise, Tao Yuan, which is already on par with our Li Yuan, will become even more powerful and be able to suppress our Li Yuan even more."
Li knew perfectly well that her confidante's words had been embellished, so her expression turned somewhat unpleasant.
There is no such thing as an evenly matched force. Whether it is favor or offspring, the Guarjia clan is currently slightly better than me.
Another of Li's confidants, cautiously observing his master's troubled expression, suggested, "Perhaps we can try to win over Geng Gege."
Although I felt my suggestion was good, I was still afraid of making a mistake, as my master has a bad temper.
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