Chapter 58

 When Madam Tao finished speaking, the women at the neighboring tables all turned to look, curiosity evident in their eyes.

Madam Xu didn't look too good. She had always been gentle and calm, but this time, she couldn't hold back and retorted, "These things depend on fate. Eldest Miss has been in the Marquis Chongyuan's mansion for three and a half years without any news. Some people wait even longer, maybe twenty years without certainty. Our Bao Ning is only fifteen, there's no need to rush."

Madam Xu's words carried a hidden meaning. The eldest Miss Ji Xiangzhen of Madam Tao was indeed the legitimate wife of the heir to Marquis Chongyuan. However, the heir had a hidden ailment, and regardless of being the legal wife or a concubine, not a single child had been born yet, which was criticized by outsiders, causing anxiety for Madam Tao as well.

The latter part of Madam Xu's remark was a veiled critique aimed directly at Madam Tao. With no sons of her own, Madam Tao relied solely on her brother's power to assert authority in the mansion. However, without a legitimate eldest son, the heir apparent could only be Ji Yun. If Marquis Rongguo were to pass away, her good days would come to an end.

Fortunately, her efforts bore fruit. Seventeen years after the birth of her second child, she finally had another child, rumored to be a son.

With a "bang," Madam Tao slammed her cup on the table, her smile strained as she muttered, "Right," then lowered her eyes to touch her own belly.

Bao Ning heard it all. She didn't say anything as if nothing had happened, calmly taking her seat at the table and exchanging greetings with Madam Tao.

Madam Tao smirked, "Becoming the Crown Prince's consort is quite remarkable. Regardless of the prince's prospects, at least your status has risen. But what's this? Wearing the facade of splendor and luxury, yet behind the scenes, you're gritting your teeth and swallowing your grievances. Bao Ning, isn't that right? I think you've used some means to captivate Fourth Prince. Even a skinny camel is larger than a horse. If this skinny camel encounters any setbacks, you'll be left with no one."

Bao Ning smiled, avoiding eye contact.

Madam Tao was somewhat unpleasant in speech, rather sharp-tongued, but since marrying, Bao Ning could understand her sentiments to some extent. With all these concubines brought into her previously peaceful home, it was normal for her to feel uneasy. Blame rested with her father's lack of fidelity and competence in managing domestic affairs, causing trouble for his wives and daughters alike, creating discord between appearances and reality. Bao Ning could understand her sharpness but couldn't condone her malice.

With two consecutive punches landing on cotton, Madam Tao felt uncomfortable all over, harboring frustration and dissatisfaction. She sought ways to provoke Bao Ning, firmly believing that Bao Ning must be dissatisfied with marrying Fourth Prince, using this to attack her.

Madam Tao picked up her teacup, smiling as she asked, "Bao Ning, when do you plan to leave the capital?"

Bao Ning didn't immediately understand and glanced at her questioningly.

"As you know, Fourth Prince carries guilt. He may not have much ability left, but he's still a fixture here in the capital," Madam Tao patted her hand, appearing comforting, "Mother advises you, don't be too attached to wealth and glory. It's better to leave early and find a quiet place in the countryside to live peacefully. And you, adjust your mindset a bit. Don't think that climbing high branches will turn you into a phoenix. You don't have that fate."

Bao Ning looked at her, somewhat dazed.

Thinking she had hit a sore spot, Madam Tao's smile widened even more, "Leaving aside other matters, from childhood to old age. Mother has watched you grow up and remembers the things you did as a child. Good girls like to appreciate flowers, drink tea, embroider, play music. Look at you, mixing with kitchen maids and servants all day, playing with cats and dogs. How can you resemble someone destined for wealth and prosperity? People, in the end, have to recognize their fate, some opportunities can't be blocked. Just like your Fourth Sister, originally thought to have lost the marriage to Fourth Prince and regretted it, who would have thought that in the blink of an eye, she would become the Crown Prince's consort. Now, she's the Crown Prince's side consort."

Madam Tao, still mindful of her dignity, lowered her voice, audible only to the surrounding relatives of the Duke's household: "Putting aside everything else, during your long tenure as the prince's consort, how many respectable figures have you met? Who would be willing to become intimate friends with you in the inner chambers? They all look down on you and your husband's family. You simply don't belong. Understand?"

She glanced at Madam Xu, whose lips were turning purple with anger, knowing her objective had been achieved.

Straightening her posture, Madam Tao calmly lifted her teacup, about to take a sip when she heard a clear, youthful laughter.

"Sister-in-law, you're sitting here!" Pei Yang approached, bowing respectfully to Bao Ning, "I just passed by Lady Qiu's table, and she was asking me where you were, hoping you'd join her for tea and conversation."

Recognizing Fifth Prince, people around them stood up and paid their respects. Madam Tao hesitated for a moment, then stood up as well, returning the courtesy with a slight bow, feeling awkward on the spot.

"I didn't expect to meet you here," Bao Ning smiled at Pei Yang, "I won't go to Lady Qiu's place then. It's rare to see relatives, let's talk here. I'll apologize to Lady Qiu later."

Pei Yang glanced at Madam Tao and lowered his voice slightly, "Sister-in-law, you don't need to force yourself. Given your status, you shouldn't endure the company of certain riff-raff."

Madam Tao's face turned pale, unsure if it was from anger or fear.

Bao Ning shook her head with a smile and exchanged a few words with him before Pei Yang excused himself, "I'll visit the mansion in a few days. Sister-in-law, don't find me troublesome." Bao Ning assured him it wasn't, and Pei Yang smiled again, winked at her, and left with hands behind his back.

People around them resumed their seats, and their glances toward Madam Tao now held a hint of mockery. After a brief silence, the atmosphere returned to its usual lively state.

Madam Tao let out a deep sigh and remained silent, nursing her tea with occasional glances in other directions.

When that figure finally entered her view, she relaxed, a smile playing on her lips again. Suddenly, her wrist twitched, and the water in her teacup spilled, splashing onto Bao Ning's skirt.

With an apologetic smile, Madam Tao said, "Getting old, hands always ache a bit. It was an accident. Bao Ning, you don't mind, do you?"

"Oh my, how did this happen?" Before Bao Ning could respond, another woman's voice chimed in with regret, "What a pity, such a nice dress, especially at a banquet. It's not appropriate to wear a stained dress. Fourth Prince's consort, I'm an old friend of the Crown Princess. I used to visit the Crown Prince's mansion often and am familiar with the layout. Let me arrange for you to change into another outfit."

Bao Ning furrowed her brow and turned to see a pair of beautiful fox-like eyes. The string of coincidences seemed accidental, but intuition told Bao Ning otherwise, making her suspicious.

Qiu Lingjun brushed off the tea leaves from her skirt and smiled, "I'm Qiu Lingjun, the sixth daughter of General Qiu, and Yanzi's elder sister. You haven't met me yet, have you?"

Mentioning Yanzi eased Bao Ning's tension slightly; she was a familiar face. Bao Ning thought Madam Tao might still be upset over what had just happened, wanting to pick a quarrel with her. She was annoyed but decided not to take it to heart; it wouldn't be dignified to argue in public. It was better to resolve the issue quickly.

"Thank you for your kindness," Bao Ning stood up, smiling apologetically, "I'll visit to express my thanks in a couple of days."

"You're too polite," Qiu Lingjun waved her hand and called over her maid, "Songlan, go inform the Crown Princess and take Fourth Prince's consort to find a room to change her clothes."

Madam Xu looked worriedly at Bao Ning, who shook her head, gesturing for her not to worry, and followed Songlan away.

Qiu Lingjun sat down next to Madam Tao, exchanging pleasantries and offering her tea, "Aunt, congratulations to you and Jiaying on finding such a good match. Lingjun is also delighted..."

They smiled at each other.

...

Before leaving, Songlan asked Bao Ning to wait at the door for a moment while she informed the Crown Princess. Soon, Songlan returned and led Bao Ning to the backyard.

She was quite friendly, chatting with Bao Ning and saying with a smile, "My sixth sister has a straightforward personality and likes making friends with everyone. The Crown Princess is her close friend, and so is the new consort who just married in. It's fortunate that you and the consort are sisters-in-law. We'll often gather together in the future, so you won't be lonely."

They walked along the long gallery beside the expansive lake, where lotus flowers were in full bloom. Bao Ning absentmindedly observed the scenery, not wanting to engage in much conversation with Songlan, responding with a smile.

After a few more steps, they reached the Moon Gate. Ahead, amidst the swaying shadows of trees, several men were chatting and joking behind the trees, each with a beautiful courtesan in their arms.

One of them said, "Yuanxiong, it's been a while. You look so well. Could it be that marrying that beautiful and charming lady some days ago has spoiled you? Take advantage of this festive occasion to break free from her grip and have some fun."

The person addressed as Yuanxiong burst into loud laughter. To Bao Ning's ears, the laughter sounded somewhat familiar, yet unsettling.

Songlan's eyes flickered, guiding Bao Ning around a corner where they could catch a glimpse of the men's backs. One of them, dressed in black pants and a black shirt, was slender with a jade clasp hanging from his waist — Bao Ning's pupils contracted; she recognized it immediately as Pei Yuan's.

That day, she had fixed the tie on Pei Yuan's jade clasp, leaving it half-done with the intention to finish it later in the evening, only for it to disappear in the blink of an eye.

Songlan cleared her throat softly and whispered, "Men are truly incorrigible, always embracing multiple women. Sweet words on their lips may not match their thoughts. It's still early in the honeymoon phase, yet he's already out here indulging himself. If I were his wife, I'd definitely give him a good scolding and teach him a lesson!"

"You have too much to say," Bao Ning halted her steps, turned to look at her, and spoke coldly, "Is this how your Sixth Miss teaches you? Gossiping and bad-mouthing others without concern for your own reputation."

Songlan was taken aback by the sudden reprimand.

She had thought Bao Ning was soft-natured and would follow Qiu Lingjun's advice to the letter without objection. She never expected Bao Ning not only to be unaffected but also to scold her.

Bao Ning narrowed her eyes at her. "Put away your scheming!"

Having spent time with Pei Yuan, she had imbibed some of his cold and ruthless demeanor, enough to intimidate Songlan.

Trembling, Songlan apologized to her and fell silent, leading Bao Ning wordlessly to the prepared room.

Not far away, amidst the dense branches of the elm trees, Pei Yuan chewed on a leaf, watching Bao Ning's figure disappear into the room.

Wei Meng raised an eyebrow. "Did you hear what they said just now?"

"I have a rough idea," Pei Yuan replied casually.

"I didn't expect the Lady of the House to have such tactics," Wei Meng chuckled lightly. "Your wife doesn't seem to have a good temper, Little General. Your days must be tough."

"Her temper is fine," Pei Yuan watched as Bao Ning entered the room and closed the door, his mind not focused on the conversation with Wei Meng. When Wei Meng asked, he answered absentmindedly.

Suddenly coming back to himself, Pei Yuan nudged Wei Meng's shoulder with his elbow. "Too much nonsense. Ask, ask, ask. What's it to you?"

Wei Meng rubbed his shoulder where Pei Yuan had hit him, dropping the topic. "Does General Qiu know about today's plan?"

"He knows," Pei Yuan turned his neck slightly. "I didn't involve him."

"I always feel like there might have been some hidden reasons between you two back then," Wei Meng pondered for a moment before speaking up, "General, how could you have done such an outrageous thing to the Empress's portrait? Could it be a misunderstanding or something else?"

"He disrespected my deceased mother and was disloyal to my biological father. What misunderstanding could reconcile those two things?" Pei Yuan said flatly. "Helping him now, I'm caught between disloyalty and injustice, all for the sake of avenging my private grudge."

Wei Meng snorted and shook his head. "Your biological father wasn't exactly a saint either. When Pei Xiao accused you of poisoning him, he believed it without question and treated you like this. But then again, he did well enough; after such an incident, he still gave you a way out. I just don't know where the former Crown Prince is now..."

Wei Meng asked, "Little General, do you really plan to carry the stigma of patricide for the rest of your life?"

"If I have to carry the stigma, so be it. I don't care," Pei Yuan lifted his chin. "But what belongs to me, I must reclaim!"

...

In the side room, the clothes were already prepared. Songlan eagerly wanted to assist Bao Ning in changing.

"No need," Bao Ning said, "You may leave."

A trace of unease flashed in Songlan's eyes. "Your Highness Consort, let me help you..."

"No need," Bao Ning refused again. Songlan persisted, trying to help her undress. In the tussle, Songlan accidentally knocked off Bao Ning's hairpin, a jade one that fell to the ground and broke into two pieces.

Songlan hurriedly knelt down to apologize, but there was a hint of satisfaction on her face as she lowered her eyes.

..................................................................................................................

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