Chapter 57

  When they returned to the Taizi Mansion, it was already evening. Sima Rui planned to go see Yu Jiao again, while Murong Feng felt tired and went to bed early.

  Chun Liu found it strange that the young lady seemed to be completely unaware of where the Fourth Prince had gone, and was very at ease. The Fourth Prince was also strange, this time he went out without avoiding Murong Feng, and when they returned, they were laughing and chatting, looking like they were both in a good mood. What's going on? Chun Liu really didn't understand.

  Murong Feng lay on the bed, casually flipping through a book. Seeing Chun Liu standing by his side, he thought for a moment and said: "Chun Liu, I'm fine here, go find Rui Xi to chat with her, and help me take a look at your fourth sister."

  Chun Liu was delighted and agreed to withdraw. It had been some days since she last saw Rui Xi, who had accompanied Fourth Miss into the Warm Jade Pavilion and hadn't been seen since.

  When Murong Feng went out, he was always accompanied by Sima Rui, so she didn't need to bring a maid. As a result, she spent most of her time staying in the mansion, chatting with Yan Yu and doing household chores. Yan Yu was also a nice person who usually took good care of her. She was really happy staying with the Fourth Prince, but I wonder how Rui Xi is doing now.

  Warm Jade Pavilion is very quiet tonight. The Emperor is with the Empress because Sima Minglang has returned and went to see the Dowager Empress in the evening. After Sima Rui and Murong Feng left, the Emperor specially invited Sima Minglang to sit at Zhengyang Palace, so he didn't come over.

  The emperor was also in a difficult position, these two concubines, each had their own merits, it was really hard to choose between them. They were located on opposite sides of the same courtyard, one east and one west, whichever side he went to would offend the other, besides, the empress had not been well for some time, so he had to go see her too.

  It's just that I feel guilty, and behind the empress' back, I invited Sima Minglang to the Guanyuelou. This is still okay, but it's about the dispute between Li Fei and Xue Fei, and the empress must already know about it. Li Fei letting Murong Feng slap her in the face, the empress must also know, so I invited Sima Minglang to shut the empress' mouth, just in case she complains a few times.

  The queen didn't react, her thoughts couldn't be seen, but actually she had already heard about the beating of Consort Li, and in her heart she felt that Consort Li deserved to be beaten, so she deliberately didn't mention it. As for Feng'er being her own daughter-in-law, she was just venting her anger on behalf of herself, teaching a lesson to that foreign woman.

  She had discussed this matter with the Empress Dowager, who was delighted and said that Qing'er's character was really to her liking. The Empress Dowager was so pleased that even the Emperor didn't bother to ask about it, treating it as if nothing had happened, despite it being a "junior" teaching a lesson to a "senior".

  In the spring willow, she entered the courtyard and saw a robust guard standing at the gate. Seeing her arrival, he shouted loudly: "Who are you? Why did you come to Xueyuan at this hour?"

  Rui Xi walked out upon hearing the noise, and seeing Chun Liu, he excitedly said: "Chun Liu, how did you end up here? Zhao Shuai Wei, this is Chun Liu, a servant of the Fourth Prince's consort. The Fourth Prince's consort is Snow Empress's sister, so Chun Liu must have been sent by the Fourth Prince's consort to pay respects to Snow Empress."

  Zhao Gang nodded after hearing Rui Xi's words, feeling relieved. Looking at Chun Liu's elegant and steady appearance, she didn't seem like a bad person either. It was said that the Fourth Prince's consort was highly favored, even more so than Snow Consort, so why bother making trouble and getting into unnecessary conflicts?

  He didn't speak again, and the silence was like a sculpture. The last time something happened with Princess Yali, not only did the Emperor get furious and punish him with 50 lashes, but also let Empress Liu scold him severely for being incompetent, saying that one Mu Rong Xue wasn't enough, now another Princess Yali appeared. Thinking of his own family, Zhao Gang had to muster up all his spirit, fearing that something else would happen again.

  Murong Xue's situation was not good. She was leaning alone on the bed, staring blankly. The emperor hadn't come, and she really had nothing else to do except wait.

  Chun Liu bowed and greeted her, asking "Is Snow Princess well? Chun Liu has seen Snow Princess. Miss asked me to ask how Snow Princess is doing."

  "Whatever, how's your crown prince consort doing?" Murong Xue asked listlessly, her voice also lazy.

  "Miss is fine, thank you for Snow Queen's concern." Chun Liu looked at Murong Xue's appearance and felt a bit strange. Why did she feel that it wasn't the same as before? Hadn't Murong Xue ever been so lonely and helpless before?

  Murong Xue nodded slightly and stopped talking, ignoring Chunliu and indulging in her own daze.

  Spring Willow followed Rui Xi out, and when they were far away from Murong Xue, Spring Willow asked in confusion, "Rui Xi, what's wrong with your master? Why is his mood so low? It was never like this before when we were at the Murong Wang Fu."

  Rui Xi sighed and said in a low voice, "Ever since she became the Snow Queen, she's been different from before. Her emotions have been fluctuating greatly, especially after the arrival of Li Fei. She's always sighing or staring blankly into space. Only when the Emperor comes does she manage to put on a smile. I'm always walking on eggshells around her now, afraid of provoking her. Her temper has also gotten worse. Just yesterday, she scolded someone severely, and even I was frightened by it. Where is your master? I heard that the Fourth Prince's consort is highly favored by the Empress Dowager and the Empress, but unfortunately, the Fourth Prince himself is a bit strange, which is really a pity."

  "Miss is doing well." Chun Liu smiled and said, "Her temper has become much more cheerful than before. Although the Fourth Prince is a bit strange, he's good to Miss, and Miss doesn't seem to mind the Fourth Prince's behavior either, which makes us servants feel admired."

  Rui Xi nodded, "It's good this way. To say it's also Third Miss's fate is bitter, if not for protecting Fourth Miss, why would she be married off, and to the most unruly prince in the imperial palace."

  Chun Liu gently shook her head and softly said: "The fourth prince's consort is still fine, with the Empress Dowager's doting, the Empress's care, and the eldest prince's consort's frequent attention, she should be alright. Now the fourth prince is also much better than before, often staying in the mansion to eat and rest. But it's the fourth young lady who became Snow Consort, not only did she cause Madame to choose to end her own life, but also being so melancholic, making people worry even more. You must take good care of yourself."

  Rui Xi nodded and sighed, saying: "Nowadays, the days are not comparable to before. Although the emperor often comes, with Li Fei around, it's not like the beginning when the emperor wouldn't leave for a day or two. It's just three to five days, and he's already getting tired of us. Thinking about it, it's also making us slaves feel cold. To say the least, some eunuchs have already started giving Snow Fei attitude in private, speaking sweet words in front of Li Fei, but being lazy towards Snow Fei."

  "Who is the guard standing at the gate, looking so unfamiliar? Aren't they some of the original servants from our mansion?" Chun Liu asked curiously. "I remember when we came to the imperial palace, there was a guard following us, wasn't there?"

  "Early on, Liu Fei was chased away, saying that her martial arts skills were not up to par. The guards at the door were originally Liu Fei's loyal followers, but now they're stationed there every day, making it uncomfortable for the master to do anything, as if they're being watched all the time. Fourth Miss can only endure and say nothing about it." Rui Xi said helplessly, "Compared to Third Miss, who lives so freely and at ease. Sometimes Eldest Miss will send someone to ask me about Snow Fei's situation, and I hear that Eldest Miss often discusses important matters with Third Miss now, their relationship has improved many times over compared to before."

  Spring Willow nodded slightly.