Chapter 219: A Reprimand

Four sets of new clothes, plus a set of Yue Bai-colored nightgown, after trying them all on, Sui Sui was still immersed in the joy of having new clothes.

Princess Consort of Qi couldn't control her own delight, she held Sui Sui and chatted for a while.

Prince Qi couldn't squeeze in beside them, he could only stare longingly.

When the Princess Consort said her arms were sore, he hurriedly took Sui Sui and held her, comforting her for a good while.

After Sui Sui took her medicine and fell asleep again, Prince Qi and the Princess Consort then withdrew.

The Princess Consort of Qi newly selected some fabrics, and together with Prince Qi she picked out some patterns and styles, having the people of JinXiuFang take them back to be made first.

"There's no rush for the autumn-winter clothes; make the spring-summer ones first, making extra is no problem."

"Pick more bright colors that children like, and also make more styles."

……

The Princess Consort of Qi said many things, worried.

She thought, making the autumn-winter clothes too early would also be useless.

"Now they can't wear them; if the children grow a bit more, they might even become unable to wear them."

"Sui Sui is really too thin now; the Princess Consort of Qi made up her mind, hoping to have the child gain ten catties before winter arrives."

"If that's really not possible, then eight catties."

"It can't be any lower!"

"Already sunk into sweet dreams, Sui Sui had no idea of the Mother Consort's grand ambitions."

"The incident with Car Maid yesterday happened suddenly."

"The Da Li Si took the person away overnight, leaving the residence in a state of panic."

"The Princess Consort of Qi first comforted the women of the rear courtyard."

"Especially Meng Ce Fei, who was frightened yesterday; the Princess Consort specially gave her a few more reassuring words, telling her not to be afraid."

"After a night of adjustment and busyness, Meng Ce Fei is now not so afraid."

"Thinking of yesterday's incident, although she will inevitably still feel weak-kneed and pale-faced, she feels she has become quite brave and strong."

"Furthermore, compared to yesterday's incident, she is more concerned about Sui Sui's situation."

"Thinking of these, she took a deep breath and softly inquired about Sui Sui's affairs."

"Knowing the young lady is now safe, having taken her medicine and fallen asleep, Meng Ce Fei felt much more relieved: 'Yesterday I owed a lot to Sui Sui; if she hadn't clung to me, I wouldn't know where I am now.'"

"If Meng Ce Fei didn't say anything, it would be fine; but once she spoke, the Princess Consort of Qi felt uncertain inside."

"She thought, her Sui Sui is truly a kind child."

"Others, even if they only show her a little kindness, this child can sense it and will repay them handsomely."

"This can't go on like this!"

"What if someone takes advantage of her—what then?"

"Although she went to Lanruo Si to draw a lot, saying let her go with the flow, no need to worry."

"But after truly raising a child, the Princess Consort of Qi thinks, how could one not worry?"

"Now hearing Meng Ce Fei say this, the Princess Consort of Qi let out a soft sigh: 'It's also your good fortune, but for such matters, you should still pay attention; if you go somewhere the next day, have people inquire ahead of time.'"

"Speaking of this, and then thinking about the matter at Suya Zhai, actually this kind of thing is hard to guard against in advance."

"Because who doesn't have enemies?"

"And who knows which day the enemies will show up at the door?"

"Thinking of these, the Princess Consort of Qi said again: 'When going out in the future, bring more people; don't think this makes the entourage too grand—could we, the people of Qi Wang Fu, still be afraid of others gossiping about our entourage?'"

"Knowing the Princess Consort meant well, Meng Ce Fei quickly agreed, and her eye sockets also began to redden."

"The two talked for a while, then the Princess Consort of Qi rose and returned to her own courtyard."

"Concerned about the two concubines, she herself went to check."

"When it came to the concubines' quarters, there was no need for that."

"She sent people to summon all the concubines forward; Concubine Su, who had previously been learning etiquette from Aunt Chi, also came along obediently."

"This time, she didn't dare cause trouble, tailing behind the crowd with her tail between her legs, not even daring to lift an eyelid."

"Concubine Su was frightened by yesterday's incident with Car Maid!"

"She and Car Maid actually entered the Wangfu one after the other."

"How Car Maid won the Prince's favor, Concubine Su saw clearly, and of course she had countless jealous thoughts in her heart."

"Yesterday, when Car Maid was taken away by the Da Li Si, the one most frightened was Concubine Su."

"She thought, what a huge crime this is—directly taken into the Da Li Si Tianlao."

"Even though she is lowly and doesn't understand these things, just looking at the situation, one can tell that Car Maid's offense is definitely not minor!"

"It's said that the Car family were also taken away together."

"The servants attending Car Maid in her quarters—Qiao Zi went with her to the Tianlao, while the others were all dealt with and removed from the residence."

"Now whether those people are dead or alive, nobody knows."

"Concubine Su was so frightened she didn't sleep well last night; this morning upon waking, she was still anxious."

"Hearing that the Princess Consort had summoned them, Concubine Su was even more frightened, almost screaming out loud."

"Put bluntly, she lacks experience and doesn't understand many things."

"The teachings she previously received were mostly flattery and ingratiating tactics."

"Concubine Su felt that if she ingratiated herself with the Prince, she could stand out among the other concubines in the residence and gain some face."

"If she were to bear a son or half a daughter, life would be even easier."

"For this reason, she still looks down on the other concubines, thinking they are all faded and yellowed, how could they compare to her youthful beauty?"

"But after experiencing yesterday's incident, Concubine Su became afraid and also became honest."

Princess Consort of Qi spoke a few pleasantries; the gist was that Car Maid harbored ill intentions, planning to poison the Prince and harm the clan, a crime that would implicate the whole family.

Princess Consort of Qi's words were both a reassurance and a warning.

The other concubines, upon hearing this, couldn't help but tremble.

Concubine Su was so frightened her legs went weak and she could not stand.

She leaned on the maid's hand and barely managed to stay upright.

Princess Consort of Qi hadn't noticed her at first, but Aunt Qiu reminded her: 'As for Concubine Su's side, are you still letting Aunt Chi continue teaching etiquette?'

In the past, Princess Consort of Qi might have just let it slide.

The Prince has been behaving increasingly outrageously these past few years; Princess Consort of Qi just wants to live her own life in peace, unwilling to quarrel further and disturb her own tranquility.

But after the incident with Car Maid, Princess Consort of Qi realized……

She simply didn't want to be bothered by these trivial matters, too lazy to intervene, letting those people think she was soft and easy to manipulate.

This made Princess Consort of Qi a little angry.

So when Aunt Qiu asked, Princess Consort of Qi nodded with a slightly darkened expression: 'First, have her study etiquette for half a month; once Concubine Su recognizes her own issues, then let Aunt Chi go rest at the Zhuangzi.'

Upon hearing this, Concubine Su couldn't stay on her feet, rolled her eyes, and fainted.

Seeing her pathetic state, the straightforward Concubine Guo almost couldn't help but roll her eyes.

Concubine Guo thought: 'Just a while ago, weren't you being arrogant?'

Why don't you keep going then?

Concubine Wen, who was already in poor health, turned even paler after hearing the Princess Consort's words.

Concubine Zhou glanced at her several times from the side, worried.

The other concubines also exchanged glances.

The concubines who came today, aside from Concubine Su, were mostly longtime residents of the Wangfu.

In recent years, the concubines who entered the Wangfu, aside from Concubine Su and Car Maid, were all deemed unpromising by the Prince, and many have already been sent away with money.

Of course, more often they were merely low-status concubines.

Aside from Concubine Su, the other concubines, having lived together for years, found the rear courtyard dull; they kept each other company and grew somewhat fond of one another.

Now that Concubine Wen is unwell, everyone sincerely cares for her.

Second watch.

(End of chapter)