Upon hearing this, Geng Gege not only did not restrain herself, but drank even more recklessly, and she scoffed lightly.
"Who do we think we are? Our masters don't even notice us. They're all too busy. They're busy outside the manor, in the imperial court, with the princes and princesses. Everyone here is more important than us." Geng Gege's alcohol tolerance was average. After two cups, her eyes were already a little glazed.
"Don't worry, sister, no one will stop us. Eat as much as you want, look at us, just like Princess Tang, eating big mouthfuls, it's so delicious."
Judging from her tone, she was clearly drunk. Tang Gege felt a little embarrassed by what she said and didn't know how to respond. Wu Gege chimed in, "Just don't break the rules. If you like drinking cat pee, why don't you go back to your den and lie down?"
The two of them have never gotten along, and it looks like the tension is about to escalate again.
Gao Gege smiled apologetically and tried to smooth things over: "The sisters enjoyed their meal. I thought this drunken crab was delicious. If it weren't for the masters coming back, I wouldn't have had the chance to eat such a big crab."
Geng Gege has always looked down on those who came after her, and she always had a bit of arrogance. She couldn't compare to Song Gege and Sister Liu in front of her, but she could easily defeat Gao Gege and Zhang Gege.
Geng Gege narrowed her eyes, glanced at her sideways, and said disdainfully, "What do you know? These were all sent from the estate. Have you ever been to the estate?"
"You talk as if you've actually been there," Wu Gege retorted as usual.
Song Gege and Zhang Gege, one devoted to women and the other somewhat aloof, neither liked to get involved in arguments.
The banquet ended as the girls were arguing and bickering.
As they walked out the door, Zhang Gege lagged behind. She noticed that Geng Gege was still muttering something under her breath. Although she couldn't hear clearly, she knew it wasn't anything nice, just some complaints.
She looked up at the clear blue sky and sighed softly, wondering when this would ever end.
Meanwhile, when Changning returned to Qingzhi Courtyard, Zhao Fuhai and the others had already taken care of everything. There was hot water for her to take a bath as soon as she got back, and Shiliu gave her a massage. The steamy heat was especially relaxing, and she felt so comfortable that she became drowsy.
Cherry next to her kept adding hot water.
It took almost half an hour to finish this bath.
Next, there's a big task ahead: drying my hair.
This time, another second-class maid, Grape, came to serve. She took a stack of dry cloths and used them to absorb the moisture from Changning's hair layer by layer. She and Pomegranate then dried Changning's hair together.
Ever since the winter dates were dealt with, the maids in this courtyard have been very well-behaved. The newly promoted Caiwei is honest, and Xingwei is clever. This time, they were left to watch over the courtyard, which was meant to test them a bit.
While complaining about how there were no hair dryers in ancient times and how troublesome it was to dry one's hair, Changning called Xingwei and Caiwei over to ask them about things in the mansion.
Xingwei was quick-witted, witty, and adorable; she could explain the affairs of the mansion clearly and logically in just a few words.
Changning listened with her eyes closed, comparing the information she received with what she had received to see if there were any omissions. Even if the princesses in the backyard had some disagreements, it was not a big deal, since no one dared to mess with her.
On the other hand, the Fujin's side was also very quiet.
It seems she's come to her senses.
Originally, seeing the strange atmosphere between Honghui and Hongyan, Changning thought it was the work of the Fujin (the wife of the emperor). If she was trying to harm the child, Changning would be willing to go to any lengths to bring her down.
Now that the children are older, they all have their own little thoughts and ideas.
Changning did not reply, and Xingwei and Caiwei dared not move.
It was Tuan Tuan's meows that brought her back to her senses.
Tuantuan was unhappy that she didn't go to the manor this time. Although she had people to take care of her and Hongyan would come to play with her when he occasionally came back, she was very angry that her familiar masters were not around and hadn't returned for so long.
Changning felt a little guilty, so after tidying up, she dismissed Xingwei and Caiwei. She hugged Tuantuan and petted her fur vigorously, showering her with compliments and promising to add a chicken leg to her meals, make her several pretty dresses, and even sleep with her at night. Only then did she manage to appease this proud and spoiled cat.
However, after only a short hug, Changning's nightgown was no longer wearable, as it was covered in long hair.
"Tuantuan, did you sneak some food? What salty stuff did you eat? Look at your fur!"
Faced with Changning's questioning, she stretched out her leg and licked her fur, very elegantly.
Qianqing Palace
As dusk approached, Liang Jiugong paced around the doorway a few times, still unsure of what to expect.
His Majesty has been sleeping poorly these past few days, frequently having nightmares. One imperial physician after another has been summoned, but there has been no improvement.
The Emperor instructed him not to let the news leak out, so he could only secretly summon the imperial physician.
However, His Majesty's nightmares seemed to be getting worse. Several times he would shout in his dreams, either calling out the Crown Prince's childhood name, or calling out the names of Prince Zhi and the Third Prince, as if he were going crazy, waving his hands incessantly. Each time he was awakened, he was covered in cold sweat.
Liang Jiugong was worried and anxious. Sometimes, fearing nightmares, His Majesty would simply stay up all night to handle state affairs.
But now he's too old, he doesn't have the energy he used to have. After only a few nights of staying up, his body couldn't take it anymore, and he caught a cold and various complications.
Emperor Kangxi himself was extremely anxious. He had dreamt of his sons Baoqing, Baocheng, and the Eighth Prince a few times, which aroused his worries and hidden fears about his sons. He was not only afraid that his sons would no longer be as filial to him as before and that they would have ambitions for his throne, but he was also afraid that he would show signs of fatigue.
He felt like the wolf king of the grasslands; once he showed weakness, many young and strong wolves would bare their claws, eager to challenge him.
This afternoon, Emperor Kangxi finally felt a little sleepy and fell asleep. Liang Jiugong stood guard at the door and also invited a group of imperial physicians to stand watch, fearing that His Majesty would have another nightmare.
But this time, Kangxi woke up after sleeping for a while. He didn't make a sound or call for anyone. He just stared blankly at the carvings on the window, his mind racing with thoughts.
He recalled his initial dream of Bao Cheng showing no brotherly affection for Xiao Shiba, and his subsequent dream of Bao Qing's despondency after his daughter's marriage, as well as the incident of Lao Ba killing the eagle. He believed that this was a gift from heaven to him, granting him the ability to know his sons' thoughts in advance.
But in his last dream, he dreamed of Yin Zhi.
Yinzhi denounced his eldest son, saying that he cursed the crown prince and harbored rebellious intentions.
All of the Crown Prince's previous misdeeds were orchestrated by the eldest son. Furthermore, the Crown Prince's lack of grief over the death of the Eighteenth Prince and his licentious behavior during the last expedition outside the Great Wall were also part of the eldest son's scheme.
He acted this way because he drugged the crown prince.
When Emperor Kangxi learned of this, his first reaction was fury. He was so angry that his heart ached.
But then I felt a chilling coldness. Why would he have such distrust and malice towards his sons?
He despised himself, no longer the simple and loving father he once was, but he couldn't help but think about it and doubt it.
Even the third prince, did he truly have a sincere heart when he came to report this? Did he not covet the throne at all?
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