Chapter 185: Hidden Intentions
Chapter 185: Hidden Intentions
The Princess of Qi had never intended to turn the small classroom in the princely mansion into a place of fame and profit.
Children are only pure, cute, and carefree for a few short years. If they don't even get to enjoy these years, and instead have to scheme and plot day after day, life will be truly exhausting.
The Princess of Qi was displeased and frowned slightly, about to open her mouth to refute Auntie Che.
It wasn't that she was too lazy to deal with these trivial matters; it just meant that she wasn't easily manipulated by the women in the mansion's rear court.
However, based on how the women in the rear court behaved when the Princess of Qi was in the mansion, one could tell...
Later, the newcomers felt that the Princess was soft-hearted and easy to bully.
One could ask the elders in the rear court; which one of them truly felt that the Princess was easy to bully? If she were, why would trivial matters, no bigger than a sesame seed, be brought before the two Concubine Sisters when the Princess was away?
However, before the Princess of Qi could speak, Concubine Ren couldn't help but laugh: "Auntie Che, that's a great idea! My good-for-nothing nieces have been causing trouble lately, climbing onto the roof. Their parents have been complaining about them nonstop. We might as well bring them all here and liven up the princely mansion."
It wasn't enough for Concubine Ren to only talk about her own nieces; she also brought up Concubine Meng: "Concubine Meng, aren't there a few mischievous girls in your family as well? Bring them here too. With more people, the mansion will be livelier, and since the mansion is currently looking for female servants, perhaps with more young girls around, we might even fulfill His Highness's wish of having twin grandchildren?"
Auntie Che's personal agenda was, of course, to bring Che Lingzhi over so that she could not only enjoy the comforts of the mansion but also raise her profile and bring some benefits to her family.
She did favor this clever niece of hers and had the thought of hugging her more often in the hopes that it would help her conceive a child.
However, with Concubine Ren's suggestion, it was possible that not only the Princess's nieces but also the daughters of both Concubine Sisters would come over.
In that case, Che Lingzhi would pale in comparison to them.
What could they gain from that?
Thinking of this possibility, Auntie Che secretly glared at Concubine Ren.
Concubine Ren was not one to indulge people, and when she saw Auntie Che's glare, she smiled and asked, "Is there something wrong, Auntie Che? Why are your eyes so wide?"
With these words, everyone's attention fell on Auntie Che.
Auntie Che felt her back stiffen, and her voice trembled as she said, "No, nothing. I was just looking around. Concubine, you're wronging me. Your Highness—"
Seeing her like this, Concubine Ren covered her mouth and smiled. She then imitated Auntie Che and called out, "Your Highness—"
The King of Qi was startled by this voice and, after reacting, glared at Concubine Ren first.
Feeling a bit guilty, he then averted his gaze and looked at Auntie Che, furrowing his brows as he said, "Speak properly. Don't set a bad example for the young girls in the mansion."
Auntie Che felt wronged and unwilling to back down, but under the King's stern gaze, she couldn't bring herself to say anything.
The atmosphere became a little awkward at that moment.
Su Su didn't understand what was going on, so she stayed close to her mother, the Princess.
The Princess of Qi had already taken her seat with Su Su in her arms.
She thought that if she couldn't stop them, then let them do as they pleased.
She would teach Su Su separately later on.
Auntie Chi would probably have some free time soon, so she could instruct Su Su on manners and etiquette, while the Princess herself would teach Su Su how to read. That would definitely be enough for the time being.
If Su Su took a liking to studying, the Princess could also ask Master Shen for a private lesson for Su Su in the future.
With these thoughts, the Princess of Qi felt much more relieved.
However, just the thought of the manor being filled with so many children made the Princess of Qi's head ache.
Indeed, people always had a soft spot for those they liked or wanted.
The Princess found the noise of Su Su and her brothers endearing, a heartwarming picture of domestic bliss.
However, the thought of a group of unfamiliar and less-liked children running into her presence made the Princess feel that her good temper was being severely tested!
Everyone was speechless for a moment, and the King of Qi seemed to be pondering the possibility of accommodating everyone in the manor.
Seeing this, the Princess of Qi gently lowered her eyes, as if she were sighing, "I wonder if heaven will think that our manor already has too many girls."
Everyone: ?
Concubine Ren and Concubine Meng were not surprised by the Princess's words.
The two even secretly exchanged a glance, Concubine Ren smiling gently while Concubine Meng shook her head helplessly.
Auntie Che had not expected this, and upon hearing the Princess's words, her face paled slightly.
The King of Qi had been thinking that having a large group of girls all at once was actually a good idea.
This time, his thoughts were pure, and it had nothing to do with wishing for a daughter, but was genuinely considering Su Su's needs, feeling that she needed playmates, and the more, the better.
With more people, there would be an opportunity to select the most suitable ones.
Those who were unsuitable could be sent away on some pretext, while those who remained could become Su Su's playmates.
The bond formed from growing up together would undoubtedly be different.
Even when Su Su grew up, she would still have intimate friends by her side.
The King of Qi might seem unreliable, but his thoughts were actually quite considerate.
Especially when he found Su Su pleasing and the Princess willing to acknowledge the child, he would definitely consider Su Su's best interests.
However, no matter how many considerations there were, they could all be temporarily set aside when it came to something that might affect his chances of having a daughter.
His previous thoughts instantly turned to ashes, and the King of Qi cleared his throat before pretending to be serious as he said, "Let's discuss this matter another day."
If it had only been Auntie Che who brought up the suggestion, the King of Qi would have definitely rejected it outright and told her to behave.
However, considering that Concubine Ren had also spoken up, the King's refusal was much more polite.
"We'll discuss it later" most likely meant that the matter would soon be forgotten and left unresolved.
Concubine Ren didn't mind, as she had expected such an outcome.
Moreover, her original intention had been to prevent Che Lingzhi from entering the manor and causing trouble, rather than to see anyone else suffer.
Auntie Che, however, felt wronged, believing that everyone in the manor was jealous of her favor and was deliberately making things difficult for her.
She felt that some things were better left unsaid, so she intentionally lengthened her tone, leaving the latter half of her sentence unspoken.
While the King of Qi was willing to appease people for the sake of having a daughter, he was not willing to indulge them indefinitely.
Auntie Che had caused quite a stir during her short time in the room.
The King of Qi would have been oblivious if he had not been thinking clearly.
If not for the fact that her brother had fathered six daughters in eight years, the King of Qi would not have tolerated her petty behavior either.
At this moment, Auntie Che's tears made him feel annoyed, but he still patiently humored her, "Alright, alright, it's not a big deal. Wipe your tears, don't cry and hurt yourself. It's fine, just don't hurt my daughter."
Auntie Che: ?? ??
Second Watch
(End of Chapter)
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