Back then, regarding the incident of the fire in Jingyang Palace, Wei Dongling had so hoped that the emperor would thoroughly investigate it! But she knew it wasn't the right time yet. She had to survive and gain a firm foothold in the palace first, and then gradually seek revenge on those responsible.
Xue Concubine and Empress Zhao, one by one.
This meal was utterly tasteless. In front of the emperor, the concubines came one by one to toast and show their kindness to Wei Dongling. She barely took a few bites of the delicious dishes on the table, but instead drank a belly - full of wine.
Watching Wei Dongling being the center of attention, Princess Yunxi, the seventh princess, looked rather unhappy. She played with the nail guards on her fingers on her own, feeling extremely disdainful in her heart.
She was clearly just a wild girl from the countryside, but now, relying on the emperor's favor, she had suddenly become a princess. Watching her pretending to be well - behaved while sitting beside the empress dowager was really disgusting! What was worse, she had a sweet tongue. She had managed to please the emperor so much that even the empress dowager couldn't stop smiling. Her mother and a group of concubines had taken turns going up to show their concern. It was really infuriating!
After sitting there absent - mindedly for a while, Princess Yunxi claimed that she couldn't wait to see the jade screen rewarded by the empress dowager, then lifted her skirt and left.
Xue Concubine followed the other concubines to offer a toast, then pretended that she couldn't hold her liquor and also left.
Soon, Wei Dongling got familiar with the concubines. The concubine in the rose - red dress was Consort Zhao, one of the most favored concubines of her father. Consort Zhao was the niece of Noble Consort Rong. She was only a few years older than Wei Dongling. Her bright, clear eyes were full of smiles, and she chatted with Wei Dongling very enthusiastically.
Wei Dongling did her best to play out the act of the elders being kind and the younger ones being filial with everyone. Finally, led by the maids, she staggered back to Yaoguang Pavilion.
Yaoguang Pavilion was built beside the water. By opening the wooden window on the second floor, one could take in most of Bixin Lake. The emperor had painstakingly arranged this extremely quiet residence for her, which Wei Dongling liked very much.
Seeing her return reeking of alcohol, Cheng Hao frowned and glanced at her, then quietly guarded the courtyard.
A group of maids came up to change Wei Dongling into a light dress and served her the sobering soup, asking her to drink it and take a short rest.
Aunt Minfang, the person in charge of Yaoguang Pavilion, brought four eunuchs to pay their respects to the fifth princess. After they had each heard about what the fifth princess had done in the Qi Mansion before returning to the palace, they were secretly on their guard. Immediately, they knelt down in a big bow without the slightest slack.
Wei Dongling was reclining on the imperial concubine's couch with a slightly flushed face. Looking at the people kneeling on the ground, she waved her hand in annoyance and said, "There are not so many rules in this princess's place. You don't have to kneel at every turn."
"Yes!" Everyone was filled with uneasiness, afraid that this fifth princess, who was both unpredictable in temperament and well - versed in both literature and martial arts, might suddenly jump up and beat someone.
The six maids who had gone with her to serve outside the palace were all arranged by the emperor. Her words and deeds outside the palace these days should have been reported to the emperor.
Regarding the incident of her beating the servants in the Qi Mansion, General Qi would probably have some complaints about her. But out of respect for the emperor, General Qi wouldn't say anything. The emperor should also help her smooth things over afterwards and appease the general to some extent.
As for the remaining maids, old nannies, and eunuchs in Yaoguang Pavilion, it was hard to tell which palace's mistress had sent them.
Wei Dongling asked with a smile, "I wonder which mistress Aunt Minfang served before coming to Yaoguang Pavilion?"
Aunt Minfang bowed respectfully and replied, "Reporting to Your Highness the Princess, this servant used to serve the empress dowager. When Her Majesty learned that the princess was coming back, she specially asked this servant to bring two nimble maids here and instructed us to take good care of Your Highness."
Wei Dongling nodded and said, "Grandmother is really kind to me! From now on, I'll have to rely on Aunt Minfang to help me with all the big and small matters in Yaoguang Pavilion."
Aunt Minfang quickly said in a panicked tone, "It's my duty. I will surely do my best."
Wei Dongling nodded and waved her hand to let them leave.
After taking a short nap and sobering up, Wei Dongling took Cheng Hao to the small kitchen to make taro balls. A group of maids were afraid that the princess would dirty her hands and hurriedly stepped forward to help, but Wei Dongling directed them to add firewood and make tea. She also sent someone to the Inner Treasury to get a whole bunch of bowls.
She boiled a large pot of milk tea, divided it up one by one, and sent it to the empress dowager and the mistresses of each palace.
She had to get on good terms with these stepmothers, right? Having more allies was better than making a mortal enemy.
Consort Zhao soon stepped into the gate of Yaoguang Pavilion with a reward in hand. She came to ask Wei Dongling for a refill with a beaming face. Wei Dongling hugged the hairpins and rings that were the rewards and squinted with joy. Slapping her flat chest, she said boldly, "As long as Consort Zhao likes it, there will be plenty!"
The two of them laughed and played around.
What if Consort Zhao was on Noble Consort Rong's side? Noble Consort Rong was busy managing the six palaces. At the family banquet today, she had seemed quite considerate of Wei Dongling in front of the emperor, but in fact, she should look down on her quite a bit. After all, Noble Consort Rong had both sons and daughters, while Wei Dongling had no one to rely on in the palace except the emperor. It was just a matter of saying some polite words. How could she really take this fifth princess seriously?
As for the empress dowager, even if she truly felt a little pity for her in her heart, she couldn't resist Princess Yunxi's coquetry and pestering. Since ancient times, the crying child gets the milk. It was absolutely impossible for Wei Dongling to act coquettishly in front of the empress dowager like Princess Yunxi.
Moreover, at the family banquet today, Lady Lin had successfully aroused the empress dowager's suspicion. Aunt Minfang and those two maids were probably sent by the empress dowager to keep an eye on her every move.
Wei Dongling understood all this clearly.
Cheng Hao had a very strong adaptability. After a few days, he had completely gotten used to the life in the palace. Every night, when the maids and the eunuchs on night - watch were asleep, he secretly climbed in through the window into Wei Dongling's boudoir and dragged her up to learn martial arts.
Wei Dongling yawned continuously and complained, "Does Brother Jingzhe still want me to learn martial arts with you?"
Cheng Hao nodded and said, "Brother Jingzhe said that your martial arts skills are barely enough for self - defense. He asked me to quickly teach you some basic self - defense skills."
Wei Dongling wanted to cry, but she was still dragged by Cheng Hao to climb over the wall. They went to an open and secluded place beside Bixin Lake, where he taught her self - defense techniques.
Watching Cheng Hao using a twig as a sword and teaching her carefully and methodically, Wei Dongling choked with sobs and said, "I actually still think that as a princess, I should learn some needlework and other female skills..."
Cheng Hao shook his head and said, "Brother Jingzhe said that he won't let you find excuses to be lazy! Otherwise, you'll only suffer in the future!"
For the first time, Wei Dongling wanted to strangle Jingzhe, but she could only be forced to spar with Cheng Hao.
Wei Dongling had thought about taking the opportunity to visit Mrs. He, Yu Zixi's biological mother, in the Cold Palace to see if she was well. After much thought, she still felt it was inappropriate. If this matter was discovered and reported to the emperor or the empress dowager, she wouldn't be able to explain it at all. Instead, it might very well arouse others' suspicion. She could only wait until she was a bit more stable in the palace in the future, and then think of other ways to secretly visit Mrs. He.