Lu Nian Fu gave up a copper mine, successfully making the Crown Princess’s scheme backfire, but her mood remained somber.
Four-tenths of that mine still belonged to Cheng Bei Zheng.
She couldn’t just give away Cheng Bei Zheng’s share along with her own, so she could only use the dry shares of the coal mine to compensate for his losses.
Even more heartbroken than Lu Nian Fu was the Crown Princess. Seeing the Crown Princess’s extremely weak figure, still supported by her maids, Lu Nian Fu finally felt a release from her pent-up anger.
With the Crown Princess’s departure, this grand drama of royal sisters-in-law also came to an end. The gazes of the other ladies towards Lu Nian Fu were now filled with a different kind of awe. They had initially thought this Princess Rui, born from a merchant family, would be easy to manipulate. Little did they know that when she confronted the Crown Princess, it was the Crown Princess who suffered a great loss. Recalling their previous underestimation of her, everyone felt a significant prickle of unease.
Noticing the hint of exhaustion on Lu Nian Fu’s face, some more perceptive ladies quickly chimed in, "The Princess is with child and should not overexert herself. She should return to her chambers to rest."
"Yes, yes, I have some matters to attend to at home, so I won't disturb the Princess's rest any longer."
One led to another, and in a short while, most of the people in the hall had departed.
The remaining few groups hesitated, unsure of what they were even hesitating about. Her almost-mother-in-law, Madam Fang, approached with a young girl of delicate features. However, before she could speak, Madam Ban, holding a teacup, beat her to it, "Xi Xi, you must be tired. Quickly have some ginseng tea to moisten your throat."
"Thank you, Mother," Lu Nian Fu replied, taking the teacup and sipping from it.
Seeing her put down the teacup, Madam Fang smiled and said, "Nian Fu, this is your cousin Jing Rou. Jing Rou, come and greet the Princess."
The young girl shyly stepped forward and bowed, "Jing Rou greets Sister."
Lu Nian Fu’s mind felt a bit hazy. Even if she was Situ Yan’s cousin, shouldn't she call her Sister-in-law? Before she could ask, Madam Fang, her face beaming with joy, provided the answer, "Nian Fu, I tell you, Jing Rou is very obedient. If you tell her to go east, she won't go west. You are pregnant, and having a well-behaved girl to help serve the Prince means those seductive temptresses outside won't find any loopholes."
As she spoke, she cast a pointed glance at the other young ladies present.
Lu Nian Fu then realized that only families with young girls had remained.
They were all quite pretty. So, they had all come to offer themselves to Situ Yan. She almost laughed out of irritation.
As the saying goes, hosting guests brings no peace for days. The ancients did not deceive me.
Madam Ban said indignantly, "Which obedient girl would volunteer to be a concubine? That's absurd."
Everyone in the room had the same intention. Madam Ban’s words offended many. A woman with a long, thin face snorted, "Does Madam Pingning not think highly of Prince Rui, believing it is beneath her to be his concubine?"
Madam Ban rarely went out, so how could she withstand such sharp words? She quickly waved her hands, "That's not what I meant."
"Then what did you mean? Are you trying to keep your daughter away from her husband’s concubines?"
"Madam Pingning was praised for her magnanimity and virtue when she helped Pingning Bo take many beautiful concubines. Why is she not magnanimous when it comes to her daughter?"
"Jealousy will lead to divorce. Do you want the Princess to be cast out?"
It had to be said, these noblewomen’s tongues were truly formidable. In a few sentences, Madam Ban’s face turned red, and she was speechless. Lu Nian Fu touched her forehead and said, "Enough. I understand everyone's intentions. However, even a side concubine must be registered in the imperial genealogy. Only the Emperor can decide such matters. I ask everyone to please leave."
Madam Fang quickly said, "Nian Fu, don't worry. My Jing Rou is very indifferent. She doesn't care about status. As long as she can serve the Prince and help you share your burdens, she will have no complaints, even if she is a servant."
Heh, Jing Rou is her own niece, and she has called Prince Rui 'Cousin' for many years. It was precisely because of this relationship that Prince Rui would not be able to deny her a proper title.
If it were any other day, Lu Nian Fu, for the sake of maintaining appearances, might have politely engaged in some pleasantries. But today, losing the mine was enough to upset her. Now, these people were pushing her to provide women for Situ Yan, and she had no interest in playing along. She glanced at Jing Rou, "No complaints, even as a servant?"
Jing Rou's face lit up with joy, and she said shyly, "Whatever the Princess commands."
"Then sign the deed of sale first. The Prince mentioned the other day that the stable boy who serves him is clumsy. It would be best to have a gentle maid to do the work. Coincidentally, Marchioness Guangling has sent you."
Madam Fang's triumphant smile froze on her face, Jing Rou's shyness turned to anger, and everyone in the room looked at Lu Nian Fu in surprise.
Lu Nian Fu playfully toyed with her teacup lid, "What? You are unwilling?"
Madam Fang suddenly stood up, "Nian Fu, how can a delicate girl like Jing Rou serve horses? And sign a deed of sale? What kind of arrangement for a concubine requires this?"
"Marchioness Guangling, your words are strange. Did you not just agree that she would have no complaints, even as a servant? How did it suddenly become about becoming a concubine?"
Jing Rou knelt down with a thud.
Madam Fang wanted to argue further, but upon seeing Lu Nian Fu's cold expression, the words she intended to say were immediately swallowed.
Moments before, even the Crown Princess had not gained any advantage over Lu Nian Fu. If she were to press hard, she feared she would lose both face and dignity today.
Lu Nian Fu waved her hand, "If you are unwilling, then leave. However, I am pregnant recently and have a bad temper. If you bring such matters to me again to amuse yourselves, don't blame me for forcing you to sell yourselves as slaves."
Cheng Jiao Jiao almost burst out laughing, struggling to hold back her applause.
Madam Ban was also relieved, but still couldn't help but worry. Being a royal daughter-in-law was not easy. While Xi Xi felt good for a moment, she wondered how these disgruntled ladies would gossip about her.
Bearing the reputation of being jealous would not be good for her.
She looked at her daughter's belly, hoping for a son. With a son to rely on, her status would be secure.
Even the adoptive mother of Prince Rui had been put in her place, and naturally, the others began to retreat.
These were all pampered daughters. Sending them to serve Prince Rui in the royal manor was for the sake of future wealth, and ideally to benefit their families. But if they had to sign a deed of sale, and seeing the Princess Rui's apparent jealousy, where would they get the chance to serve Prince Rui? If they were sent to tend to the horses, what future would they have?
In the time it took to brew a cup of tea, these people, with their daughters, had completely departed.
Lu Nian Fu declined Madam Ban and Cheng Jiao Jiao's offer to keep her company. After sending them off, she quickly returned to her room to lie down. The day had been far too exhausting. She swore that during her pregnancy, she would never host another banquet.
Wasn't this deliberately seeking trouble for herself?