Chapter 160: Tang Fu's Plans

Princess Consort of Qi thought, Jing Cheng is big if you say it's big, small if you say it's small.

The familiar ones, those you can often run into, are just those people.

For this reason, today and before, her accidental encounters with Tang Fu, Princess Consort of Qi didn't think much of it.

But today Lady Tang intentionally wanted to have a long chat with her; thinking back, that day on the road from Zhuangzi back to the city, when she ran into Prince Qing, Tang Fu's carriage also seemed not far from them.

At that time, Princess Consort of Qi thought she had misseen; now thinking about it, she probably didn't.

However, at that time her mind was all on her conversation with Prince Qing; she only glanced briefly and didn't take it to heart.

Now thinking about it, it must be Tang Fu.

If it weren't for Prince Qing stopping then, after everyone exchanged words, Princess Consort of Qi might have had to entertain Lady Tang.

The time wasn't long, yet they could run into each other frequently.

Moreover, today she even intentionally held her hand while chatting, feeling as if she wanted to grow closer, laying groundwork for later matters.

At that time, she didn't think much; she just wanted some peace and didn't want the little novice monk to go against his conscience and lie.

The meaning is clear; that family's Fourth Miss refers to Tang Fu's Fourth Miss—Tang Youqing.

Seeing the Princess Consort respond as usual, Aunt Qiu then laughed and said, "I heard the palace intends to have that family's Fourth Miss become a side consort in the Eastern Palace, but that family seems unwilling."

Princess Consort of Qi belongs to those who have never heard this news; even when chatting idly with the Empress Dowager, the other party mentioned the Crown Prince but never brought this up.

Aunt Qiu's many gossip tidbits are all hearsay.

Thus, Princess Consort of Qi couldn't help but think more.

Such a matter, if not settled, wouldn't easily leak out.

So, Princess Consort of Qi then had the little novice monk tell outsiders that she wanted to live in the Hui-character inner rooms.

Before each time she spoke, she would also give a heads-up.

It's precisely because of this that Princess Consort of Qi usually appears good-natured, non-contentious, yet in all social dealings she rarely suffers loss.

Now seeing that the Tang family also lives in the Hui-character inner rooms, Princess Consort of Qi furrowed her brows slightly and asked Aunt Qiu.

In the tumultuous Jing Cheng, sometimes when people encounter matters, they also can't help but think more.

In that case, it seems the Empress intends it, the Crown Prince's side attitude is unclear, and the Tang Fu side…

Aunt Qiu may not be an all-knowing, but she always has ways to get news of any stir in Jing Cheng.

Princess Consort of Qi had grown accustomed; she nodded and said, "Auntie, speak freely, I'm listening."

True or false, she can't guarantee it; she only lets Princess Consort of Qi listen for amusement.

Nowadays, it's probably just those who know the news lightly spreading it within a small circle.

The little novice monk merely relayed her words; it wasn't considered lying before the Buddha.

Upon hearing her own Princess Consort ask, Aunt Qiu thought, glanced around, saw no outsiders, then lowered her voice: "I too have only heard it; I don't know if the news is true."

At this moment, Princess Consort of Qi only felt relieved; fortunately, when she told the little novice monk her residence, she intentionally had him help conceal it a bit.

When Aunt Qiu spoke, she pointed her chin toward the direction where the Tang family lived.

Perhaps she was unwilling.

The Crown Prince's side consort, although listed in the imperial jade register, has a status higher than other concubines and the like.

But her status is still not as respectable as that of the principal wife.

Lady Tang brought her children up, largely aiming for the young masters of Qi Wangfu.

Tang Youqing, although fourth in birth order, is a legitimate daughter of the main line; Lady Tang, as the Empress's elder sister-in-law, is of noble status and very concerned with appearances.

Therefore, the only one she could take a liking to would be their eldest son.

Once the two families marry, Qi Wangfu will passively board the Crown Prince's faction's boat.

Although the Crown Prince's conduct is not bad and his actions are rather measured.

If there's no fault, under normal circumstances His Majesty could not arbitrarily depose the heir.

Boarding the Crown Prince's boat, the risk level is not high.

But Princess Consort of Qi is actually not pleased!

If her own Prince were clever and attentive to state affairs, Princess Consort of Qi would think that, on top of wealth and rank, striving and competing would be understandable, after all the Prince's manor has many children.

When the princes are enfeoffed, there will always be some who cannot obtain an official post.

If the Prince had rendered meritorious service, then at that time using some means to seek favors and such would not be impossible.

The problem is…

Our Prince simply has no ambition or practicality in his mind!

In his early years he just sought pleasure; as His Majesty's younger brother and the Empress Dowager's youngest son, Prince Qi didn't need to consider anything else—just being happy was enough.

Now that he's reached middle age, his attitude toward pleasure has become indifferent.

And then he started frantically seeking women.

He simply has no mind to put toward proper affairs.

Precisely for this reason, Princess Consort of Qi also took a laid-back, indifferent attitude.

Our Prince simply doesn't have that kind of mind, so they absolutely cannot casually board that boat!

Some ships, once boarded, are binding; you can't get off.

However, looking at the Tang family's posture, it seems they've set their sights on them?

The situation isn't yet clear enough to be sure, but Princess Consort of Qi thinks it's about nine out of ten.

She plans to wait and see; if things go wrong, she'll first arrange an engagement for the eldest son.

By then, outwardly she'll say it was herself and a close inner-circle friend who casually arranged a childhood engagement when pregnant; now everyone thinks it's fine, so they're preparing to bring the marriage agreement into the open.

Thinking of these, Princess Consort of Qi felt much more at ease; she turned her head and softly told Aunt Qiu, "You and Xiang Gugu keep a closer watch on Sui Sui's side; that young master of Tang Fu is very mischievous—don't let him bully Sui Sui."

Lady Tang's attitude is good; besides, it's just petty squabbles between children, impossible to truly fall out over, so there's no point in nitpicking.

Thinking of Sui Sui possibly being bullied, Princess Consort of Qi felt both heartbroken and a little angry.

So, when can these false faces and feelings be cast aside?

Really annoying!

Princess Consort of Qi put on a stern face, went to the side and sat reading scriptures for a while.

Only after Sui Sui woke up did things at Tang Fu settle down.

Yes, even during the noon break, Tang Lingheng wasn't honest.

He really went onto the roof and tore off tiles, and moreover chased two wild cats, running nonstop and calling nonstop.

This noon, the worshippers at the vegetarian hall didn't rest well.

Although the worshippers complained endlessly, they couldn't resist Lady Tang's way of dealing with people.

She had people prepare some simple pastries in advance and sent them to each courtyard.

Even Princess Consort of Qi's side received some; she pretended to be resting and didn't show up, letting Aunt Qiu handle the socializing.

Princess Consort of Qi listened to the outside commotion from inside the room; the maids of Tang Fu intentionally lingered a bit longer, but Aunt Qiu always handled things steadily and soon sent them away.

If before it was merely suspicion, now the conduct of these people from Tang Fu only made Princess Consort of Qi more certain of her earlier guess.

The Tang family, it seems, really took a liking to the eldest of their household!

Thinking of this, Princess Consort of Qi became extremely anxious.

Just as Princess Consort of Qi was so annoyed she couldn't read the scriptures, things at Tang Fu finally settled down, with no further disturbance.

Sui Sui also woke up at that time.

When Princess Consort of Qi heard that Sui Sui had awakened, a smile finally appeared on her face: "Go see Sui Sui first."

The second watch is at 19:00.