Chapter 219: Knocking
Chapter 219: Knocking
After trying on four new outfits, along with a moon-white sleeping garment, Suisui was still immersed in the joy of having new clothes.
Princess Qi couldn't contain her delight and held Suisui close as she chatted happily.
Prince Qi, on the sidelines, had no choice but to watch from a distance, unable to squeeze his way closer.
When the princess complained of sore arms, he quickly took over, holding and soothing Suisui for a while.
Only after Suisui had taken her medicine and settled back to sleep did the Prince and Princess Qi finally retire.
Princess Qi had selected some new materials and, together with the prince, chosen some new patterns and styles for the tailors of Jinxiu Fang to take back and work on.
"There's no rush for the autumn and winter clothes. Prioritize making spring and summer outfits first; it won't hurt to have more of those."
"Choose more vibrant colors and styles that children tend to favor."
...
Princess Qi gave many instructions, unable to hide her worry.
She thought that making autumn and winter clothes too early wouldn't be very useful.
After all, they couldn't be worn yet, and if the child grew even a little, they might not fit anymore.
Suisui was far too slender for the princess's liking, and she was determined to help her gain at least ten pounds before winter arrived.
If that was impossible, then at least eight.
It couldn't be any less!
Suisui, already deep in a sweet dream, was unaware of her mother's ambitious plans.
The incident with Carriage Concubine the day before had happened so suddenly.
The Imperial Judiciary had taken the person away in the middle of the night, causing unease and fear to spread throughout the mansion.
Princess Qi first comforted the female relatives in the rear court.
Especially Concubine Meng, who had been frightened the day before—the princess deliberately offered extra words of comfort, telling her not to be afraid.
After a night of adjustment and busyness, Concubine Meng's fear had largely faded.
Thinking of the events of the previous day, she couldn't help but still feel scared enough for her legs to turn weak and her face to pale. Yet, she felt that she had been brave and strong.
Moreover, compared to what had happened, she was more concerned about Suisui's well-being.
With these thoughts in mind, she took a deep breath and gently inquired about the young girl's condition.
Learning that Suisui was now safe and asleep after taking her medicine, Concubine Meng felt much more at ease. "Yesterday, it was all thanks to Suisui. If she hadn't stuck by me, I don't know where I would be now."
Concubine Meng's words only added to the princess's worries.
She thought of her dear Suisui as such a kind child.
Anyone who showed even a little kindness to her would be noticed and repaid abundantly.
This couldn't continue!
What if someone took advantage of her?
Although they had sought a divination at Lanruo Temple, which advised them to let things take their natural course and not worry, the princess couldn't help but feel anxious as a parent.
Now, hearing Concubine Meng's words, Princess Qi sighed softly. "It was also your good fortune. But in the future, you still need to be more cautious. If you plan to go somewhere the following day, have someone go ahead and investigate."
Speaking of this reminded her of the events at Su Ya Zhai, and she realized that such incidents were difficult to guard against beforehand.
After all, who didn't have enemies?
Who knew when an enemy might show up at their door?
With these thoughts in mind, the princess continued, "From now on, bring more people when you go out. Don't worry about making a bigger scene. Are the people of Prince Qi's mansion supposed to be afraid of others talking about our grand style?"
Knowing that the princess had good intentions, Concubine Meng quickly agreed, her eyes welling up with tears.
After chatting for a while, Princess Qi returned to her own court.
She didn't feel at ease with the two concubines, so she went to see them in person.
As for the concubines, a simple dispatch of people would suffice.
She sent people to gather all the concubines close by, and Su Yi'niang, who had been learning the rules with Pool Aunt, also honestly followed along.
This time, she didn't dare to cause trouble. With her tail between her legs, she followed behind the others, not even daring to lift her eyelids.
Su Yi'niang was terrified by the incident with Carriage Concubine the previous day!
She and Carriage Concubine had entered the prince's manor around the same time. Su Yi'niang had witnessed how Carriage Concubine gained the prince's favor and, naturally, felt jealous countless times.
Now that Carriage Concubine had been taken away by the Imperial Judiciary, Su Yi'niang was the most frightened of them all.
"What a serious offense it must have been to be taken directly to the Imperial Judiciary's dungeon," she thought.
Although Su Yi'niang held a low status and didn't understand much, she could tell from the situation that Carriage Concubine's crime was likely grave!
She heard that Carriage Concubine's family had also been taken away.
Those who attended to Carriage Concubine, including Qiaozhi, were sent to the dungeon with her, while the others were expelled from the manor.
At this moment, no one knew if they were dead or alive.
Su Yi'niang was so scared that she hadn't slept well the previous night, and she still felt anxious when she woke up early in the morning.
When she heard that the Princess Qi was summoning them, Su Yi'niang was so frightened that she almost screamed.
To be honest, she lacked experience and didn't understand many things.
The teachings she had received in the past mostly revolved around flattery and pleasing others.
Su Yi'niang believed that as long as she pleased the prince, she could gain some respect in the manor and stand out among the other concubines. If she also bore him a son or a daughter, her life would be even better.
Because of this, she looked down on the other concubines, considering them old and faded in comparison to her youthful beauty.
However, after what happened with Carriage Concubine, Su Yi'niang was scared and had become more obedient.
Princess Qi spoke a few words of reassurance, conveying that Carriage Concubine had harbored ill intentions, attempting to poison the prince and frame a relative, which led to her entire family being implicated.
The princess' words were both a comfort and a warning.
Upon hearing this, the other concubines couldn't help but shudder.
Su Yi'niang was so scared that her legs grew weak, and she could barely stand.
She leaned on her maid for support and managed to stay upright.
Initially, Princess Qi didn't pay much attention to her, but then Autumn Aunt reminded her, "Should we ask Pool Aunt to continue teaching Su Yi'niang the rules?"
If it had been before, Princess Qi might have gone easy on her.
In recent years, Prince Qi's behavior had become increasingly outrageous, and Princess Qi wanted to live her life in peace without getting too involved in these trivial matters.
However, after the incident with Carriage Concubine, Princess Qi realized...
She just didn't want to be bothered by these petty issues and was indifferent, which made the concubines think that she was soft and easy to manipulate.
This annoyed Princess Qi.
So, when Autumn Aunt asked, Princess Qi nodded slightly, her expression turning somber. "Have her taught for another half a month. Once Su Yi'niang recognizes her mistakes, then Pool Aunt can go back to the estate and rest."
Upon hearing this, Su Yi'niang lost her composure and fainted on the spot.
Seeing her pathetic state, Guo Yi'niang, known for her straightforward nature, barely managed to stop herself from rolling her eyes.
Guo Yi'niang thought, "You were so arrogant before. Why don't you continue with that attitude now?"
Due to her poor health, Warm Concubine's face turned even paler after hearing the princess' words, causing Concubine Zhou to glance at her worriedly several times.
The other concubines exchanged looks as well.
Among the concubines present that day, apart from Su Yi'niang, most were long-serving members of the manor.
In recent years, apart from Su Yi'niang and Carriage Concubine, the prince had considered the other new concubines unsatisfactory and had sent many of them away with money.
Of course, most of them were lowly concubines without any status.
Aside from Su Yi'niang, the other concubines had developed genuine bonds over the years, finding comfort in each other's company amid the dull life in the rear court. Thus, they genuinely cared about Warm Concubine's well-being.
(End of Chapter)
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