The pregnant woman pressed down on the wife, and the cousin collapsed into the prince's arms.

After embroidering all morning, she felt her neck was a little sore. As she stretched her limbs, she saw her personal maid, Xiaoling, carrying a food box in.

"Auntie, it's time to eat." Xiaoling laid out the food from the food box and said happily, "The cook is in a good mood today, and the dishes are much better than usual."

While the dishes were described as good, they were actually just average. It was only because the previous dishes were so poorly prepared that they looked better today.

Sometimes, Ruichu would sigh, lamenting that even the young master's concubines had to be mindful of the kitchen maids' moods; it was truly pitiful and lamentable.

After finishing her meal, Ruichu was just about to pick up her needle and thread to continue when Linglan from next door came over for a visit. The two lived close by, were of similar status, and shared similar plights, so it was inevitable that they would become close.

Lily of the Valley was seriously ill before and almost died, but now she is much better and has regained some of her former lively and cheerful personality.

Sometimes Ruichu also liked it when Linglan came over for a visit. Listening to her quick wit and straightforward talk made Ruichu feel that she was still alive.

Linglan glanced at the shoe in her hand and said, "All you do is embroider these things all day long. Be careful you don't ruin your eyesight one day. If you ask me, you'd be better off resting."

Rui Chu smiled faintly, but her hands didn't stop moving, as if it were ingrained in her bones: "I'm used to it, I don't feel tired."

Linglan, holding a handful of melon seeds, rolled her eyes upon hearing this. Knowing Ruichu's stubborn nature, she didn't say anything more. After a while, she started to lament, "We're in the same boat. We can't see the end of our days in the manor. Now that the concubine has entered the manor, I've heard that the young master dotes on her. Ruichu, why don't we go and pay our respects to the concubine?"

Upon hearing this, Rui Chu's hand trembled violently, almost pricking her fingertip. The rumors about the concubine... she knew about them even though she never left the house, but she didn't take them to heart. Everything outside Qingzhi Courtyard was very distant to her.

A man like the young master deserves a celestial beauty like Consort Shen to match him. That's perfect.

Seeing that Ruichu remained silent, Linglan continued, "Didn't you embroider quite a few exquisite items before? Taking them to see the concubine would be a good excuse. Now that we've both been ruined by that poisonous woman Su Wanrou, we have no hope left. If we don't earn our own living, we might die in this courtyard one day and no one will even know!"

Linglan always remembered Shen Yunshuang's kindness to her in the past, and she knew that she was definitely not as wicked as Su Wanrou. However, before, she was just a cousin of a marquis's family, and she would eventually get married. No matter how well she befriended her, it would be useless.

But things are different now. Now, she is the Crown Prince's concubine, deeply favored, and can rival the Crown Prince's wife.

Given this change in status, Linglan felt she should side with him even more. After all, she hated Su Wanrou to the core, and Su Wanrou wished him dead. If she wanted to live, she could only stand against Su Wanrou, and Shen Yunshuang was clearly an excellent choice.

Although Ruichu had no intention of currying favor with the concubine, she suddenly wondered if, since the young master doted on the concubine so much, she might have a chance to see Pei Jingnian at Ningxiang Pavilion if she went to pay her respects.

_

Each with their own thoughts, the two agreed to go to Ningxiang Pavilion together the next day.

Because Qingzhi Courtyard was located in a remote area and was far from Ningxiang Pavilion, Linglan and Ruichu, in order to show their sincerity and also fearing that arriving late would be impolite, had already finished dressing up as soon as it was light. When they arrived at Ningxiang Pavilion, Shen Yunshuang had just gotten up to do her makeup.

It was the dead of winter, and the north wind was biting cold. The two of them had walked for a long time and were already soaked in the cold. Their fingertips and cheeks were stiff.

Although Shen Yunshuang was somewhat surprised that Pei Jingnian's two concubines would come so early in the morning, she was not the type to make people suffer and would not do anything to leave them to freeze outside. She immediately ordered the servants to take the two of them to the warm pavilion to wait for them.

The fire in the heated room was burning very brightly, and warmth seeped from the cracks in the blue bricks, making the room feel like spring. Even with half a window open for ventilation, it didn't feel cold.

Instead, it brings in the fragrance of winter plum blossoms from outside, which mixes with the subtle sandalwood scent inside, creating a refreshing and pleasant aroma.

Linglan and Ruichu sat upright in their chairs, feeling their frozen hands and feet slowly warm up, and their tense minds gradually relaxed.

With my mind at ease, my gaze involuntarily began to wander around. In the center of the warm pavilion, there was a large ebony screen inlaid with mother-of-pearl. The floral and bird patterns on it shimmered in the sunlight. On the west wall, there was a hanging scroll with elegant brushstrokes and outstanding style. It was positioned directly opposite the guest seats and could be seen at a glance.

Linglan had excellent eyesight and had already seen the poem inscribed on it. She recalled the rumors circulating in the mansion that the young master had personally painted this picture to present to his concubine. This must be the one.

At this moment, a maid in green stepped forward and offered two cups of piping hot red date, ginger and honey tea, saying softly, "The Consort is still washing up; please wait a moment, ladies."

Linglan quickly smiled and said, "It's because Ruichu and I arrived early, and we've disturbed Your Highness."

After the maidservants left, leaving only the two of them in the pavilion, Linglan picked up her teacup, took a sip of the warm honey water, and whispered quietly to Ruichu, "You see, I told you, Consort is a kind and generous person."

The amber-colored tea was steaming, and the warmth from her fingertips slowly spread to her limbs. Rui Chu had to admit that this favored concubine was indeed a very kind and gentle person.

_

内间

In front of the carved and gilded pear wood dressing table, various cosmetic boxes, exquisite mother-of-pearl jewelry boxes, and various cosmetic tools were neatly arranged. Shen Yunshuang wore a soft satin inner garment in moon white embroidered with magnolia flowers. Her raven-black hair was not tied up and fell like flowing clouds over her shoulders and back, smooth and black.

Slightly tired from waking up, she yawned, her eyes lowered, and asked with a hint of morning languor, "Why are they here so early?"

Xuezhi held a fine ox bone comb in her hand, her movements gentle and delicate, combing her long black hair until it was smooth and neat. Lanru, who was serving her, heard Shen Yunshuang's question and stepped forward to reply, "The Qingzhi Courtyard where the two concubines live is quite far from Ningxiang Pavilion. It requires walking through several corridors and passing two artificial hills. I'm afraid they were afraid of being impolite if they came late, so they came to pay their respects early."

Although Lü Rui and Xue Zhi were Shen Yunshuang's personal maids, their understanding of the Marquis's mansion was ultimately not as good as Lan Ru's. Now, after hearing what Lan Ru said, they exchanged a glance and were both somewhat shocked.

Lanru hesitated for a moment, then said a few more words. He was assigned by the old lady to serve the concubine, so he should be loyal to the concubine. He should not cover up the secret things that the princess consort had done before.