Chapter 185: Each with Their Own Thoughts

The Princess Consort of Qi never wanted to turn the Wangfu's small classroom into a place of profit and fame.

Children, innocent and cute, living a simple, carefree life—just a few years.

If even those few years of happiness are missing, and every day they rack their brains, thinking about this and that, that person's life is truly exhausting.

The Princess Consort of Qi frowned, displeased, and was about to refute Car Maid.

She just couldn't be bothered with these trivial matters; it doesn't really mean she's soft-natured and can be manipulated by the women in the Wangfu's rear court.

But just look at how the women in the rear court behaved when the Princess Consort of Qi was in residence—you can tell…

In other words, later arrivals thought the Princess Consort was soft-tempered and easy to bully.

You could ask the elders in the rear court which of them actually thought the Princess Consort was truly easy to bully.

If she really were easy to bully, why would even trivial sesame-seed-sized matters among the rear‑court women blow up to the point of reaching both concubines when she leaves?

But before the Princess Consort of Qi could speak, Ren Ce Fei couldn't help laughing: "Car Maid, that's a great idea! My natal family's few unpromising nieces have been constantly complained about by their in‑laws lately; the mischievous ones are almost ready to tear off the roof tiles. If we bring them all over, our Wangfu will be lively."

Just talking about her own nieces wasn't enough; Ren Ce Fei turned and pulled Meng Ce Fei in as well: "Your natal family also has a few mischievous girls—bring them over too. When we have more people it'll be livelier, and since the Wangfu is currently recruiting women, bringing in more girls might just fulfill the Prince's wish and get us a pair of twins."

Car Maid's private motive was naturally to bring Che Lingzhi over, enjoy the blessings herself, boost her own presence, and help her natal family gain some benefits.

She also liked that clever niece, and harbored the thought that hugging her more might even help her own chances of getting pregnant.

As a result, once Ren Ce Fei said that, it's possible that the Princess Consort and the daughters of both concubines' natal families would all show up.

By then, Che Lingzhi would look dull and lackluster among them.

At that point, what could they possibly gain?

Thinking of that possibility, Car Maid gave Ren Ce Fei a dark glare.

Ren Ce Fei isn't the type to indulge people; when Car Maid glared at her, she smiled and asked, "Are you dissatisfied with my words, Car Maid? Why are you staring so wide‑eyed?"

As soon as she said that, everyone's gaze fell on Car Maid.

Car Maid felt a tightness in her back, her voice trembling as she said, "No, no, I was just glancing around; the concubine has wronged me, Your Highness~"

Seeing her like that, Ren Ce Fei covered her mouth and laughed, then imitated her, calling out, "Your Highness~"

Prince Qi was startled by that sound, jumped, and after reacting, first glared at Ren Ce Fei.

After glaring, feeling a bit guilty, Prince Qi withdrew his gaze, looked at Car Maid, furrowed his brows, and said, "Speak properly, don't corrupt the young ladies of my Wangfu."

Car Maid felt wronged and unwilling, wanted to say something, but under the Prince's angry stare she couldn't get a word out.

At that moment the scene turned a little awkward.

Sui Sui, not understanding why, clung tightly to Mother Consort's side.

The Princess Consort of Qi had already brought Sui Sui to the main seat and sat down, holding the child in her arms.

She thought, if she couldn't stop them, she might as well let them have their way.

Turning back, she'd just teach Sui Sui herself.

Aunt Chi should be free soon, so I'll have her teach Sui Sui etiquette while I teach her literacy; that'll surely be enough for the time being.

If Sui Sui enjoys reading, she can later ask Master Shen for private lessons—he could set up a little study just for her.

Thinking that, the Princess Consort of Qi felt much more at ease.

But just imagining the Wangfu filled with so many noisy children, the Princess Consort of Qi felt annoyed even before hearing any sound.

Indeed, people always view those they like through a filter.

Sui Sui squabbling with her brothers, the Princess Consort of Qi didn't find it noisy; instead she thought the scene was full of everyday vitality.

But thinking of a bunch of strangers—children she originally didn't much like—running up to her and making a racket, the Princess Consort of Qi felt her good temper was about to snap.

Everyone fell silent for a moment; Prince Qi also seemed to be considering the feasibility of bringing all those people into the Wangfu.

Seeing that, the Princess Consort of Qi lowered her eyes slightly and sighed, "I just don't know—if suddenly so many young women pour into the Wangfu, will Heaven think we already have enough?"

Everyone:?

Ren Ce Fei and Meng Ce Fei weren't surprised by the Princess Consort of Qi saying that.

The two even exchanged a glance; Ren Ce Fei gave a light laugh, while Meng Ce Fei shook her head helplessly.

Car Maid clearly hadn't expected that; hearing the Princess Consort of Qi's words, her face turned a shade paler.

Prince Qi had originally thought that having a bunch of young women arrive at once would actually be quite nice.

This time his motive was simple—he wasn't after women at all; he genuinely considered Sui Sui's needs, thinking children need playmates and a few more would be nice.

Only with more people can you have a chance to pick out the suitable ones.

Then the unsuitable ones can be sent away right off the bat, while the suitable ones can stay as Sui Sui's playmates.

Feelings grown up together from childhood are ultimately different.

Even when Sui Sui grows up, she'll still have close, inseparable friends by her side.

Prince Qi may seem unreliable, but his thoughts are actually quite careful.

Especially since he finds Sui Sui pleasing to the eye and the Princess Consort is willing to acknowledge the child, he will surely give her consideration.

However, any further consideration can be set aside once he hears it might affect his ability to have a daughter.

All that prior thinking vanished in an instant; Prince Qi cleared his throat and, pretending to be serious, said, "Let's discuss this matter later."

If it were only Car Maid who proposed it, Prince Qi would surely reject it outright and tell her to behave herself.

But since Ren Ce Fei also spoke up, Prince Qi's refusal would be much more tactful.

Discussing it later, it would probably just fizzle out quickly, with no follow‑up.

Ren Ce Fei, however, didn't mind; she wasn't surprised by that outcome.

Moreover, her true intention was simply to keep Che Lingzhi out of the Wangfu and not have to watch others cause trouble.

Car Maid felt even more wronged, thinking everyone in the residence resented her favor, so they envied and made things difficult for her.

This made her unable to hold back tears: "Your Highness, I mean no harm; I just see that this child has it hard and want more people to keep her company……"

Car Maid well knows that saying only half and leaving half unsaid yields the best effect.

So, she deliberately drew out her tone, and the words that followed were not spoken.

Although Prince Qi was willing to coax people for the sake of having a daughter, he also did not enjoy constantly coaxing them.

When Car Maid entered the room just then, she nevertheless stirred up quite a few things.

Even if Prince Qi weren't very bright, he could still see that.

If it weren't for seeing Car Maid's brother, who had six daughters in eight years, Prince Qi actually would not tolerate her petty temper.

At this moment, when Car Maid started to cry, Prince Qi only felt annoyed, yet he still patiently coaxed her: "All right, all right, it's not such a big matter; wipe your tears, it's fine if you hurt your health from crying, just don't harm my daughter."

Car Maid:???

Second watch.