On the stage, the sounds of singing and dancing filled the air, evoking memories of bygone days and the presence of beautiful women in red makeup. Not far away, the concubines were also chatting happily.
Consort Zhang, who was well-versed in poetry and literature, couldn't help but savor the famous lines from "The Peony Pavilion" upon hearing them.
"Love arises without knowing its origin, and deepens with each passing moment; the living are willing to die for it. Such true human affection is truly astonishing!"
Hearing Consort Shu's words, Consort Qian retorted sourly, "Consort Shu, you are already one of the Emperor's concubines, you should know what you can and cannot say. The eldest princess is still here, how can you talk nonsense like this?"
Consort Shu felt a little embarrassed. What she said was true. These words were a bit too much in front of the princess who was not yet married. So she looked apologetically at Consort Mao. Seeing that she was not angry, she breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at Yierha, saying, "Princess, please don't take it to heart. I was just reciting something casually."
Yierha glanced at Consort Shu and smiled slightly: "Your Highness is well-read, which is exactly what women should learn."
Tang Gege was still somewhat naive, and she always liked to speak her mind: "Sister Shupin said it so well, I love this line the most too. I suppose the Emperor and the Empress's love is just as strong as gold."
When it comes to flattering the Empress, Consort Shu couldn't be left out. She immediately chimed in, "Yes, yes, that's exactly what I think too. What is love in this world that makes people willing to die for it? The Emperor and the Empress are a perfect match, a model of a harmonious couple in our Great Qing. Moreover, since His Majesty ascended the throne, he has been constantly worried about the country and has been dedicated to his duties, which is a blessing for the people of our Great Qing. This is all true love!"
Finally, having managed to smooth things over, Consort Shu relaxed a little.
Consort Yu, Geng, snorted coldly: "Sister Shupin certainly has a silver tongue. She can even glean all sorts of interesting insights from watching a play. However, she's always the first to sing praises of the Emperor and Empress's benevolence."
Consort Shu knew that she was being subtly mocked for being a sycophant and a bootlicker, so she sneered and retorted, "What, does Consort Yu think that the Emperor and the Empress are not worthy of praise?"
These words were undeniably harsh; such high praise could be enough to wipe out nine generations of one's family. Consort Yu immediately widened her eyes: "Don't talk nonsense! When did I ever say that?"
"Enough!" Consort Qian stepped in to show off her power, slamming her hand on the table with a rather imposing air. "You're bickering even during the New Year's holiday? Aren't you just asking for trouble? Besides, how dare you discuss the masters? This is insubordination, and you should be punished with ten strokes of the cane according to palace rules."
Upon hearing this, both of them simultaneously curled their lips, thinking, "What are you pretending for? You don't have the power to manage the six palaces. You're just a concubine, not even a Noble Consort."
There's a proper Consort Mao sitting above her, who has a daughter, yet no one is jumping out to take the lead like you are.
As Yierha watched this farce, she felt a chill in her heart. Back in the Prince's mansion, she had kept her distance from these ladies and lived in the main courtyard. Later, she even moved to a separate courtyard and rarely interacted with them. However, even so, she could still hear the sounds of jealousy and rivalry.
At first, Yierha didn't understand. If their father wouldn't dote on them anymore, what was there to argue about? What was there to fight over?
Later she realized that what she was fighting for was nothing more than status and face.
If the substance is gone and no one respects them on the surface, how will they live in the future?
That's how it is in the palace—no, that's not right. It's not just in the palace, it's in every household, and it's true for everyone in the world. It's either you fight or I snatch.
There are countless people who maliciously slander or harm others in order to achieve their own goals, resorting to any means necessary. Wasn't that the heartless man she encountered before just like that?
When Yierha looked at the stage again, it seemed that he could no longer hear any sound. He could only see that the thick makeup covered their true faces and the thick costumes concealed the hearts of the people below.
Generally speaking, the outcome will be the same no matter where you go.
Yierha thought to himself.
Hearing that her father had already arranged another marriage for her, Yierha smiled bitterly. She was a princess, and now she didn't have to serve the Mongols. She could peacefully enjoy the Emperor's arrangements for her and enjoy wealth and honor. She should be grateful.
But for some reason, she always felt a bit bitter. Perhaps her heart, having been hurt in the past, had completely closed itself off, and she was afraid to accept anyone else.
She had originally thought she would stop having feelings for him; having already suffered so much, she wouldn't make the same mistake again.
When you truly fall in love, in the end, you only hurt yourself.
However, when she heard the phrase "love arises without knowing where it comes from, and deepens with time," it inevitably stirred her emotions.
She was somewhat resistant to the choice of her father, the emperor, and unwilling to step into the sea of love's bitterness again. Yet, her mood was inevitably fluctuating. What if she really met a true lover, a devoted lover?
Seeing her daughter deep in thought, Consort Mao felt a chill in her heart. No matter what, before the Emperor bestowed the marriage upon her, she would absolutely not allow Yierha to do anything wrong again.
So after watching the opera, Consort Mao made a special trip to Chengqian Palace.
"You want to find four more governesses for Yierha?" Changning was a little stunned when she heard Song's words. "The princess will indeed have four governesses with her before her marriage... but she already has four now, and you want to double that number?"
Changning didn't understand why she would have so many nannies around her daughter.
The position of the governess is somewhat special. Her status is naturally above all the servants around the master, because she is responsible for raising the princess, and even the power around the princess is firmly controlled by them.
Changning had heard in modern times that some governesses could even control the prince consort, and that they could also make decisions about things in the princess's room.
Changning disliked these nannies who rebelled against the Heavenly Gang, so she never liked to use nannies for Hutuli from a young age. Even those sent by the Imperial Household Department were only responsible for teaching etiquette and serving daily life, and were used as ordinary palace servants.
Hutu only has two servants around her, and they are both marginalized. She is currently the only leader among the palace maids around her, and she refuses to share power with the nanny around her. She uses whichever palace maid she likes.
After all, who wants a servant to ride on their neck and shit on them every day?!
...
Who would have thought that the Song family would agree?
They were even thinking of finding eight people to defecate on Yierha's head together.
...
Changning felt puzzled and had a headache: "Consort Mao, what you're doing... is against palace rules... and why bother? Don't you know how much power the governesses have? Why put so much pressure on Yierha?"
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