Too high to reach

Chapter 37 The gates of the mansion were wide open.
The vermilion gates of the Prince Qi's residence were wide open.

Not a single speck of dirt could be seen on the ground.

My master has been away for over two years and is finally coming back!

The officials, stewards, and managers of the Prince's mansion stood at the entrance, chatting in twos and threes, craning their necks to wait.

"They're here! They're here!" Everyone got excited, and what arrived was a long convoy of vehicles.

The tour leader came over and said: "His Highness went directly into the palace; his luggage should be taken back to his residence first."

Inside the mansion, Consort Tian was admiring herself in the mirror: petite and delicate, with clear and bright eyes, and dressed in luxurious clothes.

Her family was incredibly wealthy and had extensive business dealings with the prince. It was precisely because of this that she was able to enter the prince's residence as a concubine.

The box on the ground was full of silver notes and accounts, which the prince would have to hand over immediately upon his return.

Although she came from a merchant family, she was insightful and lived life with clarity.

The girl from the Tian family lived a life of luxury from a young age, and it was common for her to sew shoes with pearls the size of lotus seeds.

But these good days ended before she even got to the top of her chair...

When they grow up, their marriages are all about contributing to their maternal family.

She was either betrothed to an old man as his second wife, or to a powerful figure as a concubine. She might also marry the mentally challenged son of a business partner. Some married well, but not many.

The girls learned from a young age that they had no choice but to accept their fate.

However, she was exceptionally lucky and actually entered the Prince's mansion as a concubine!
The prince was an exceptional man, making her blush and her heart race.

As for the prince to her... the content of their conversation was basically these... She stroked the box.

However, Princess Zhou was exceptionally beautiful, only interested in romance and nature, and extremely noble. She was indifferent to herself and never made things difficult for herself.

Consort Feng, the steward, was "the Prince's woman" and had even given birth to the Prince's only son. Knowing her connection to the Prince, she never made things difficult for him, regardless of her own feelings.

Therefore, he lived a comfortable life in the mansion.

Her daughter, Qian'er, is only four years old. When she gets older, she will be granted the title of Princess. She will be well-mannered, have a large dowry, and will marry a respectable man.

If life is like this, what more could one ask for?
……

Meanwhile, Madam Mei in the main courtyard was quietly tidying up the underwear she had made for the prince.

She had been serving the prince since she was a child.

The prince was strict and intolerant of mistakes, but he treated his servants very well. Especially her personal maid, she lived a better life than the daughters of ordinary officials.

She was meticulous and hardworking, and knew the prince's preferences. She never displeased him, and after many years together, he had developed a certain respect for her.

After Princess Zhou entered the household, she was made a concubine. The man was of high moral character and disdained to mistreat his concubines. She had been in the household for many years and knew everyone, from top to bottom. Logically, she shouldn't have had any worries about her life.

But now, she is thin and her face is lifeless. She looks several years older than her actual age. It's hard to imagine that she was once beautiful, with bright eyes, a quick mind and decisive action, managing the affairs of the prince's household, both capable and domineering.

Several years have passed, and she still can't get over it...

Yesterday, I saw Li Shaofeng being surrounded by a bunch of maids and servants in the garden.

If her son were alive, he would be four months older than her!
A tear rolled down her cheek...

……

Zhou Jiuniang was combing the princess's hair. Skillful and patient, she braided the girl's hair into four strands, then coiled it into two buns, adorned them with beaded silk flowers, and let the soft strands drape over her shoulders. "Xiangxiang! Look in the mirror, do you look pretty?"

Princess Wenxiu looked at herself in the mirror and said, "I look good! Ninth Aunt, you should wear that new purple spring dress."

Zhou Jiuniang wore a nearly new pea-green dress, keeping a low profile. Only the jewelry on her head and wrists was made of lustrous jade. She wore light makeup, not at all ostentatious, but the perfume she used was very expensive.

"Today is Xiangxiang's father's return. Ninth Aunt is just a supporting role, meant to highlight you, the flower!" He affectionately pinched Princess Wenxiu's nose. Having been apart for so long, Princess Wenxiu felt indifferent towards her father. "I don't even know if Father remembers me..."

"What did Ninth Aunt tell you?" Zhou Jiu Niang asked reproachfully.

"...Father is fighting on the front lines, and it's very hard for him. Xiangxiang, you must be understanding and feel sorry for him."

"That's right! You're so smart!"

……

At this moment, Consort Feng was doing her work methodically.

Although she was excited to see the prince, she showed no sign of it outwardly.

Seeing the maids' cheerful appearance inside, he gently scolded them, "What are you doing? Be quiet!"

Only Song Mama and her maid Chunman knew that the Empress had taken a bath with floral water last night and had Song Mama exfoliate her skin.

Therefore, the body beneath the gorgeous fabric was smooth and glossy, like a freshly peeled boiled egg.

Looking in the mirror, Consort Feng sometimes couldn't understand how she had ended up where she was today.
I picked up the teacup and took a sip. This thousand-year-old tea tree only produces about ten kilograms of tea a year.

The tree belongs to the prince.

It has a mellow aroma upon entry and a sweet aftertaste after swallowing.

Finally, even the breath he exhaled carried an air of nobility.

Chunman said, "Your Highness, before the Prince enters the manor, why don't you change your clothes?"

“I only put this on this morning,” Consort Feng refused.

"Your Majesty! The ladies behind us have been in complete chaos since last night. I don't know how many clothes they've ironed or how much jewelry they've tried on. They must be exhausted just from trying them on! You can't just ignore this!"

Madam Song also advised, "Your Highness, please listen to Chunman!" She leaned closer and whispered in her ear, "Today, there's also Miss Zhou Jiu at home!"

Consort Feng thought for a moment, then smiled wryly and said, "I'm really fed up with you all!" She stood up.

The clothes were made months ago, and Chunman, Xiahua, and Song Mama all had to serve them... "Your Highness, the Prince is about to enter. I'm so nervous. Are you happy?" Chunman asked.

"With the family member back, who in the entire Prince's mansion wouldn't be happy?" Consort Feng said gently.

“Our young master is the happiest!” Mama Song pointed to the courtyard, where Shao Ge’er’s laughter came in.

Consort Feng said indulgently, "Him? He probably hasn't even forgotten what the Prince looks like! I've been teaching him a lot these past few days! Sigh, the Prince has a habit of having a stern face, which is quite intimidating. I hope he doesn't cry when he sees him!"

"Don't worry! Our Shao-ge'er is very clever! He is both the Prince's eldest son and his only son. The Prince may be stern with anyone else, but he won't be stern with our Shao-ge'er!"

Everyone in the room laughed.

Chunman then said, "If you ask me, you should wear that one..."

"Stop giving me advice!" Madam Song interrupted her. "Doesn't Her Highness understand things better than you? Our Her Highness didn't gain the Prince's favor by virtue of her looks and flattery!" She couldn't help but roll her eyes in the direction of Changlan Pavilion.

Consort Feng chuckled softly, and it took her a while to change. She looked at herself in the mirror.

She wore her hair in a high bun and a luxurious headdress inlaid with gold thread and rubies.

A full forehead, an oval face, and bright eyes.

Chunman looked her up and down with a smug expression... "I know Your Highness is talented, but Your Highness is also very beautiful!"

After smiling and looking at herself for a while, Consort Feng's expression finally turned cold.

(End of this chapter)