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Chapter 148: Concubine Ren
Chapter 148: Concubine Ren
It had been several days since Suisui first entered the mansion, and Concubine Ren had already sent gifts. How could she not know about this child's existence?
On Suisui's first day in the mansion, Concubine Ren had even crossed paths with her.
It was just a brief encounter, and they hadn't exchanged any words.
Concubine Ren didn't have a strong impression of Suisui at the time.
However, over the past few days, she had heard that the usually indifferent Princess Consort had been keeping Suisui by her side constantly, doting on her like the apple of her eye.
Every day, they would either admire flowers or go out of the mansion to play.
Concubine Ren thought to herself, "Does the Princess Consort treat her sixth son, Xiaoliu, this way? I wonder if the Princess Consort has gone crazy from the Prince's desire for a daughter after all these years of wishing for one."
Concubine Ren had planned to sneak out and have some fun outside the mansion while the Princess Consort was at the palace.
She found it annoying that when she stayed in the mansion, she had to deal with trivial matters from the various courtyards.
As a gentle and helpless concubine temporarily in charge, why did she have so many things to attend to?
However, Concubine Meng seemed to have beaten her to it and left even earlier.
Rumor had it that she went to offer incense?
Concubine Ren scoffed at the idea of offering incense in the afternoon.
She wondered if Concubine Meng believed in such things, but it didn't matter anyway; Concubine Meng was quick to leave.
It was unclear how she had received the news, but she left without even having lunch, and her whereabouts were unknown.
Concubine Ren had no choice but to stay in the mansion.
After lunch, just as she was about to take an afternoon nap, two chambermaids caused a ruckus in front of her.
Concubine Ren was baffled by their behavior.
She wondered if they had gone mad.
When the Princess Consort was around, they were like mice under the control of a cat, not daring to make a sound or move.
But now that the Princess Consort was away, they dared to create a fuss in front of her?
She knew that the Princess Consort wasn't good at managing affairs, and even if she intervened, it would only result in a compromise and a half-hearted resolution.
Those who didn't know better might think that she was easy to bully, and with the Princess Consort away, they could take advantage of her.
The two chambermaids were arguing over a piece of fabric, and Concubine Ren eventually let them settle it with a fight. They were unhappy with this outcome and left sobbing.
Annoyed by the commotion caused by the two chambermaids, Concubine Ren decided to go for a walk and bring some snacks to Xiaowu's courtyard.
On her way, she encountered Suisui and her group and initially wanted to greet them amicably.
But...
Please, she had a bit of a cleanliness obsession, and their dirty appearance was too much for her to bear!
Suisui had intended to stand there obediently and wait for Concubine Ren to approach so that she could greet and pay her respects.
Suisui hadn't officially started learning the rules and etiquette yet, so she wasn't sure about Concubine Ren's exact status.
However, judging from her luxurious attire, she must be a formidable elder.
Therefore, Suisui decided to greet her.
But Concubine Ren remained rooted in her spot, and Suisui stood there with Liuhemeng, creating an awkward pause as if time had been frozen.
After a while, Suisui regained her wits and gently tugged on Liuhemeng's sleeve, whispering, "Sister, should we take the initiative to greet her?"
It was a common courtesy for juniors to proactively greet their seniors.
Suisui understood this basic rule.
However, she wasn't sure if this was the custom in the mansion, so she sought clarification.
At first, Liuhemeng didn't react, but then she realized that their disheveled appearance might give Concubine Ren a bad impression.
Liuhemeng was unsure whether to approach Concubine Ren or not.
Suisui was just a child too!
But thinking about it, their failure to greet her could easily give others ammunition to gossip.
With these thoughts in mind, Liuhemeng tugged on Suisui's hand and said in a low voice, "That's Concubine Ren. We'll go pay our respects to her later. Just address her as 'Concubine Ren' and follow my lead."
Suisui didn't understand, but she was willing to listen to her sister. After all, her sister knew more, and following her lead was definitely the right thing to do.
She obediently nodded and let Liuhemeng lead her by the hand. The two little girls toddled towards Concubine Ren.
Concubine Ren: ...
Oh dear! What must come will come.
She didn't want to face the mountain, and now the mountain was coming to her.
If only she had walked faster and pretended not to see them.
As Suisui approached, Concubine Ren felt her resistance waning.
This was because she gradually got a clear view of Suisui's face.
The child's small frame was paired with a face no bigger than the palm of her hand.
The first thing that caught one's eye about that face, and what one would remember, were those round, watery, and big eyes.
Those eyes were too clean, as if all the impurities in the world could not exist within them.
While it was true that children's eyes were generally clean and lively, Suisui's eyes seemed exceptionally so.
Although two children were walking towards her, Concubine Ren could only see Suisui's eyes.
To be honest...
When Concubine Ren first saw her, the frown between her eyebrows was involuntary.
Those round eyes resembled those of the princes in the mansion.
The King also had round eyes.
However, as the distance between them closed, Concubine Ren saw her own reflection in Suisui's eyes—clean and pure.
It was a novelty, an enchanting experience she had never witnessed in the eyes of the mansion's princes or the King.
Intrigued, Concubine Ren lowered her gaze to look at the little girl approaching her.
Suisui first lifted her head and curiously glanced at her, then, upon meeting the beautiful aunt's gaze, shyly smiled and averted her eyes. She wanted to shrink back towards Sister Mengmeng but then recalled what Lele had said—not to fear the person before her and not to fear the unknown future.
Everything would be fine; all she had to do was take the first step bravely and then firmly move forward.
Suisui didn't understand, but she knew that Lele wanted her to bravely face everything.
So, she suppressed the thought of shrinking back, and her body stiffened instinctively.
Upon drawing closer, Liuhemeng politely greeted, "Greetings, Concubine Ren."
Suisui followed suit, her soft voice causing Concubine Ren's heart to stir.
Aside from other things, the little girl's lively eyes and soft voice were indeed very captivating.
Especially for someone who longed for a daughter but had not been blessed with one, this was like a gift from heaven.
Painless childbirth, and on top of that, a cute and lovable daughter—who wouldn't want one?
Concubine Ren thought, no wonder the Princess Consort had been acting like she was bewitched these past few days, always taking the child out to play.
If she were in the Princess Consort's shoes...
She would be moved too.
Realizing that she was somewhat captivated, Concubine Ren quickly banished these thoughts from her mind.
No, no, no! She hadn't even enjoyed life yet; how could she raise another child?
Giving birth to and raising two children were already her limits.
Not one more!
Painless childbirth was absolutely unacceptable!!!
(End of Chapter)
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