Chapter 14: The Show Begins

Chapter 14: The Show Begins

At this moment, inside Changhui Pavilion of the Prince of Qi's Estate, it was as warm as spring.

This was the place where Consort Feng handled the daily household affairs.

It had only been completed two years ago; it was personally commissioned by Consort Feng and designed by the famous capital builder, Master Lu!

The Prince hadn't finished building it before he left. When he returns this time, he will surely be surprised, won't he?

Thinking of this, a sweet and smug smile appeared on her face.

She was in her early twenties this year, with a slender face and calm almond eyes that seemed to have a slight *sanbai* look only when looking upward. She wasn't exceptionally beautiful, but her temperament was tranquil, and her every movement was elegant and composed.

From head to toe, her grooming and makeup were exquisite and meticulous.

She had begun assisting Nanny Zhao with managing the household at sixteen, and later took over the management on her own.

Even when the previous Princess Consort married in, the power of managing the household never left her hands. Because she was not only the Prince's concubine and side consort, but also his "own person."

In just a few years, she had not only lived the life of a mistress, but she could also enter the palace for audiences and go out to socialize. The banquets of the Prince's Estate had even gained fame in the capital.

She had also amassed quite a bit of private property; the people, wealth, and affairs of the estate were all in her hands.

Outside the estate... she even maintained her own secret personnel.

With such achievements, even the Crown Princess would be no match!

A young girl from a minor family being able to live the life she had today... it all stemmed from heaven's grace and her own hard work.

Suddenly, the door curtain was lifted, and a young boy ran in. "Mother!"

That's right! She had also given birth to the Prince's eldest son, and he was an only son!

"Don't run so fast!" she said with immense affection.

"Mother, Shao'er wants water!"

She hurriedly stood up and personally poured water for him. "Drink slowly! Shao'er, your Father is coming back!"

Li Shaofeng was four years old; he was clever and sensible, but he had no memory of his father.

"Do you miss your Father?" Consort Feng asked.

"I guess so!" the boy answered casually.

It seemed that before the Prince returned, she would have to teach him... She affectionately stroked the boy's small head, thinking to herself: A boy can only apply for the title of Commandery Prince once he turns seven. Since the Prince is returning after achieving merit this time, as long as he is willing, it can certainly be done ahead of schedule!

Nanny Song hurried in. "My Lady... people from the second gate said that Commandery Princess Wenxiu has returned to the estate!"

Consort Feng was somewhat surprised. "She returned directly?" The Zhou family didn't even send word in advance?

Commandery Princess Wenxiu was the sole offspring of the late Princess Consort Zhou; she had been titled a Commandery Princess from birth!

After the Princess Consort passed away, the Prince was often away from the capital. Fearing she would be "bullied" in the Prince's Estate, the Zhou family had taken her in. Thinking of this, Consort Feng felt it was laughable: The Princess is a girl, how could she possibly get in my way?

"They said the First Madam of the Zhou family sent her back!"

Consort Feng's brow furrowed slightly. Would the Zhou family be so impolite? Even as relatives, they hadn't come directly to the door.

What did they take this estate for?

Moreover, Zhou Li had been dead for several years; could the Zhou family still act high and mighty here?

Recalling the past, she felt displeased. However, she stood up. "Burn the firewalls in that courtyard, then?"

"They are on a low simmer!"

"Mm, since she is already here, add all the necessary provisions!"

Nanny Song complied, went out to call the elderly servants, and gave a few instructions.

Consort Feng put on her sable cloak and walked slowly through the complex of carved beams and painted pillars, through the winter garden and ponds.

The gates of Changhui Pavilion were wide open. Several unfamiliar-looking elderly servants and maids were busy inside and out, as if they were packing things.

"Consort Feng has arrived!" Nanny Song shouted with authority.

The people in the courtyard fell silent and knelt one after another to salute.

Nanny Song cleared the way in front, while Consort Feng was lightly supported by her personal maid. Behind them followed two managing matrons and several maids. Surrounded by such an entourage, their presence was quite imposing.

As soon as she entered, she saw the First Madam of the Zhou family sitting in the seat of honor with the Wenxiu Princess, who was not yet six years old, and a young girl sitting in the chair beside them.

Seeing her enter, all three stood up.

First Madam Zhou smiled and nodded to Consort Feng. "Consort Feng!"

Consort Feng also nodded slightly. "First Madam Zhou!"

Both were titled ladies, but since Consort Feng was considered the mistress of the house, First Madam Zhou greeted her first.

"Xiangxiang greets Consort Feng!" Whether it was intentional or due to her accent, First Madam Zhou pronounced the words "Consort Feng" very clearly.

The young girl curtsied politely. "Consort Feng, My Lady!" Her voice was clear and elegant.

It seemed the Zhou family had raised Commandery Princess Wenxiu well; she had a good complexion, a poised manner, and was dressed exquisitely.

"The Princess has grown quite a bit," Consort Feng nodded.

First Madam Zhou disliked Consort Feng's tone very much and pointed to the girl beside her. "I don't know if the Consort has met her, but this is my Ninth Miss."

Turning her head to look, Consort Feng's heart skipped a beat.

It was a sixteen-year-old girl with skin like snow and a face like a flower. Her eyes were as clear as a small stream.

The silhouette of the late Princess Consort Zhou Li immediately appeared in her mind. Although this girl was not as beautiful as Zhou Li, the resemblance was significant...

Feeling her throat tighten, she still smiled at the Ninth Miss Zhou, who was saluting her. "Ninth Miss. We have met before."

As everyone sat down, Consort Feng first sensed the temperature in the room and said softly, "While the Princess was not home, the firewalls here were only on a low simmer. I have just had people increase the heat. It might take a while to warm up!"

First Madam Zhou had been looking around since she arrived; even if she had intended to, she couldn't find any flaws.

She explained, "We only received news yesterday that the Prince was returning to the estate. Xiangxiang hasn't seen her father for several years and missed him terribly, so she insisted on coming back immediately. She rushed me to pack, and well... we forgot to send word!"

"Returning to one's own home, it's no matter if you don't send word!" Consort Feng smiled thinly.

In the meantime, servants carried things into the courtyard—food, daily necessities, and hot water. Even the flowers from the conservatory were moved in.

"Consort Feng's management of the household is indeed impeccable! There is one more thing I must trouble you with..."

"First Madam Zhou, there is no need for such formalities. Please, speak."

"For these past two years in the Zhou family, it has always been A-Jiu accompanying Xiangxiang. Xiangxiang cannot be without her, so A-Jiu will be staying in the Prince's Estate for a while. I must trouble Consort Feng to make the preparations."

The corner of Consort Feng's mouth curled. So that was it... Her hand tightened inside her sleeve.

"Very well. However, the empty courtyards in the estate are usually only cleaned and do not have fires burning. Now that we are starting the fires, it won't get warm immediately. Ninth Miss has a delicate constitution; I fear she won't be able to endure it."

"It's no matter. They are aunt and niece and are very close; they often huddled together to play when they were at the Zhou family. She can stay in this room first, and move once it's warmed up!"

Only then did Nanny Song realize that they had no intention of leaving. She looked at Consort Feng, her expression changing rapidly.

Consort Feng remained gentle. "That will do. As for serving the Princess, let it be Nanny Zhou. Changlan Pavilion is the closest to here. Nanny Song, go and make the arrangements with them."

"Yes!" Nanny Song saluted and led the people away.

"The Prince was originally scheduled to return in October, but it was postponed two or three times, and now it's almost the end of the year. I was worried the news might be inaccurate, so I didn't send word to the Princess. I just hope there won't be another delay!" She explained why she hadn't sent word to the Zhou family.

However, her mind was on the Ninth Miss Zhou: although she wasn't as beautiful as Zhou Li, even at such a young age, sitting quietly with a smile, she possessed great composure.

After socializing for a while, she had people check the provisions for the Princess.

"Let the Princess settle in first. If there is anything else needed, just send someone to find me!" She bid them farewell and exited.

Once back in Changhui Pavilion, her face dropped.

Nanny Song, having finished the arrangements, came in and asked, "My Lady, what is the meaning of the Zhou family's actions?"

Consort Feng smiled faintly. "What meaning... isn't it obvious enough? They've struck the gong; the show is about to begin!"

"Is it really?! They truly have no shame!" Nanny Song said indignantly.

Was this not normal? But that silhouette in her mind had caused Consort Feng's thoughts to become muddled...