“No matter how much Consort Li does, how can she compare to the master? The master has the eldest prince.” Yunying comforted her with a smile.
“You’re right. But Li Shi already has enough with one son and one daughter. Although the Second Prince is being raised by me, the First Princess is with Li Shi. Although a daughter can never compare to a son, the First Princess is the only daughter the Master loves more. If Li Shi were to have another son or daughter, with the Master’s affection, she would be enough as a concubine. At that time, she might even take the Second Prince back. What could I, the primary wife, do against a concubine with a son and the Master’s favor? Unfortunately, there are not enough women in the household, and none can compare to Li Shi. I’m afraid that even if the Master neglects her for a while, she will eventually regain his favor.”
The Fourth Princess sighed softly, a hint of sorrow in her eyes.
"Your Majesty need not worry. In my opinion, Your Majesty still loves you and cherishes the First Prince. No one can surpass you and the First Prince. Even if Consort Li is favored, it is only because of her beauty that she serves others. In the end, it cannot last."
Hearing this, the Fourth Princess chuckled, the worry between her brows gradually dissipating, and confidence blooming again in the corners of her eyes and brows: "You're right, at least I have Honghui. With Honghui around, other people's sons will always be just illegitimate children, and will never be able to stand on the table."
The next morning, Li was forced to kneel in the main courtyard as punishment. With a wronged expression, she listened to the old woman beside the Fujin reciting the precepts for women in front of her. Her beautiful face looked as if she had been slapped hard, burning like fire. She clenched her teeth tightly, her eyes filled with resentment and confusion.
She truly hadn't expected the Fujin (principal wife) to actually punish her, especially since it was on the master's orders. Waaah, how could the master bear to punish her? Just because she said a few words to that little princess of the Zhaojia Mansion?
The master is too biased; how could he treat her like this?
Although it was already autumn, the midday sun was still fiercely scorching. Li Shi was always frail and could not withstand such suffering. Her face turned pale, she was covered in cold sweat, and her body swayed precariously.
She thought that if she just collapsed like that, perhaps the master would take pity on her and exempt her from punishment.
Just then, Granny Sun, who was watching her, chuckled softly and said gently, "Princess Li, you mustn't fall down. If you fall down, it will not only make the Princess Consort look bad and others will say that the Princess Consort punished you too harshly, but it will also put the Prince in a difficult position. After all, this was the Prince Prince's personal order. You haven't even been kneeling for long and you've already fallen down. In order not to make the Prince feel distressed, the Princess Consort will definitely call a doctor to take good care of you. You might be sick for ten days or half a month before you recover."
Upon hearing this, Madam Li nearly fainted. She bit her lip tightly. How could she possibly see the Master in ten days or half a month? What if the Master forgot about her? Wouldn't that be letting the Fujin (the wife of the Prince) benefit from her?
Thinking of this, Li Shi immediately perked up and forced a smile through gritted teeth: "It's alright, this servant can still kneel for a while. The princess is right to punish me. This servant was wrong and should not have broken the rules."
Hmph, she'll definitely get it back with interest someday.
She's only favored because she's the legitimate daughter; the master still dotes on her the most, and he'll surely forgive her in time.
Hiss! Li gasped softly, her legs feeling as if they had been struck by a heavy object. She couldn't help but burst into tears, sobbing, "When will this end?"
Looking at Li's miserable state, Granny Sun smiled with satisfaction.
Should!
...
Heyue, along with her sixth sister and Yuxiu, went horseback riding. It was a crisp autumn day with a gentle breeze, a time of abundant harvest. The wheat in the fields was ripe, and the farmers were busy harvesting. The scent of wheat wafted into their nostrils, and they felt the satisfaction of a bountiful harvest, filling their hearts with happiness.
At this moment, Yan Yue was like a wild horse that had broken free of its reins, galloping across the fields, cheering, and soon disappeared from sight.
Heyue and Yuxiu felt that joy, and their mood was also very high.
"I don't know how good your riding skills are yet. Since you've come out here, why don't we have a race?" Yu Xiu raised her eyebrows, revealing a rare air of unrestrained heroism.
“Okay!” He Yue readily agreed.
The two got into position, looked at each other and smiled, both seeing a hint of pleasure and anticipation in each other's eyes.
The two riders shot off like arrows at the same time. The autumn wind whistled past their ears, bringing a slight chill, but it couldn't outweigh the joy in their hearts.
Despite her gentle and graceful demeanor, Yu Xiu was an expert in riding and archery, far surpassing He Yue, a beginner, who was quickly left behind.
Looking at the other's dashing figure on horseback, He Yue was filled with envy. If he could have such good riding skills as Yu Xiu, riding across the land every day, facing the rising sun and the gentle breeze, enjoying the pleasures of life, it would be a joy he could never have experienced.
Instead of rushing to catch up with Yuxiu, Heyue followed at a normal horse speed, leisurely enjoying the surrounding scenery.
Just then, the sound of horses' hooves pounding on the grass and a woman's scolding voice suddenly came from behind Heyue.
In the blink of an eye, He Yue saw a rider gallop past quickly, and in the distance, she saw a fiery red figure chasing closely behind Yu Xiu. Before long, they were riding side by side.
Yuxiu thought it was Heyue and was quite surprised. When did Heyue's riding skills become so good? But in the blink of an eye, she saw a familiar figure, but it was not Heyue, but someone else.
The man looked over as well, a smile playing on his lips. He slightly raised his chin, his eyes gleaming with excitement: "How about we have a match?"
Before Yuxiu could reply, he quickly walked past her.
Yu Xiu was not about to give in. She had only slowed down her horse to please Yue, but now she no longer concealed her speed, cracked her whip, and sped off in pursuit.
The two figures were neither willing to give way, chasing each other until they soon disappeared from sight.
He Yue placed one hand on her forehead, gazing at the two figures in the distance, feeling quite depressed.
If they all try to undermine her, sooner or later she'll end up like them.
He Yue made a decision in secret.
In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, three figures rushed back simultaneously.
First came a fiery red figure, followed by Yuxiu, who lagged half a step behind, and finally Yanyue.
As the fiery red figure passed by Heyue, she swayed and hung upside down on the side of her horse. With a swift movement, she pulled the stunned Heyue onto her back.
"Hold me tight!" The girl's voice in front was cheerful, clear and melodious. He Yue, riding at a very fast speed and facing the wind rushing towards him, subconsciously closed his eyes and hugged her waist tightly.
A silvery laugh rang in her ears: "As a Manchu, you can't be so timid. Your sister is much better than you. Learning to ride a horse isn't just about having guts. You're brave, but you're lazy by nature. Today I'll show you real riding skills."
The girl's voice in front of him had a calming magic.
He Yue gently curved her lips into a smile, opened her heart, and her eyes shone like stars.
Yan Yue, who was behind, exclaimed in alarm, "Is Seventh Sister alright? Let's hurry and stop her! What if she falls?"
Yan Yue pulled on the reins, ready to give chase, but Yu Xiu slowed down her horse and comforted her with a smile, "Don't worry, with Princess Duoluo's riding skills, He Yue will be fine."
“I have never seen Princess Dorog’s horsemanship before. I never expected it to be so outstanding. I pride myself on my skill in riding and archery, but now I realize that there are always people better than me. She truly deserves to be the granddaughter of Prince An.”
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