The maid's road to success

Princess Baozhu was grabbed by the wrist by the Fourth Prince. She had originally sobered up a little and knew that this was not her own residence and she could not be too presumptuous. However, when she saw the impatience flashing in the Fourth Prince's eyes, it was as if a fire rushed into her brain. She immediately shook off his hand and questioned him why he was playing with women outside.

The Fourth Prince had never thought that Baozhu would question him. This was Chen Country, the world of his Gong family. As a first-rank prince, he had to question her, a princess, for playing with several women. However, Baozhu's emotions were very unstable and she was pregnant. Even if the Fourth Prince was annoyed, he could not argue with her. He suppressed his unhappiness and pulled her into a dusty room.

"Okay, where did you hear that? Two girls from a brothel were called over to sing and dance while they were discussing something. Is that worth getting angry about? Aren't you afraid of hurting the children?"

Seeing that he was coaxing her like before, Baozhu's anger subsided by half. But when she thought about what she heard from others on the road, that the Fourth Prince spent 1,200 taels of silver a month to support those two bitches, and also gave them countless clothes and treasures, and when she thought about how her figure was not as good as before after she became pregnant, and that she could not wear those beautiful clothes because of the baby in her belly, she could not help feeling sad that the Fourth Prince did not feel sorry for her but bought them for others.

"It's obviously true. Many people on the street know that you bought all the clothes in the Treasure Pavilion and gave them to those lowly women. You also scolded a young master from an aristocratic family because of those women."

The Fourth Prince had never expected that his rural affairs would become a laughing stock among the people in Kyoto. His first reaction was that someone was deliberately exaggerating his negative information in order to ruin his reputation. He did not expect that Baozhu had heard it.

"Don't you think I'm such an imprudent person? If I want to win over the court officials, I must have a few women of this status to accompany me. I hired them just to avoid being accused of sharing a woman with others as a prince. I only chose a few clothes from the Treasure Pavilion. I'll keep the others for you to wear after you give birth. If you don't believe me, I'll send them to you after today. And as for scolding others, what do you mean by scolding for a woman? It's the Qi family's mistress. I asked him to go do something but he was playing in the brothel. I only said a few words to him when I found out. It's not because of a woman."

Princess Baozhu believed most of it after just two or three sentences.

"Then why didn't you come when I called you today?"

The Fourth Prince had long heard that pregnant women tend to have wild thoughts and their brains aren't working properly, and today he saw that this was indeed the case.

"Cousin, what is the occasion today? The Queen Mother is hosting a chrysanthemum viewing banquet. In front of us are the Sixth Prince and An Zizhong, and behind us are my princess, the eldest princess, and the wife of Duke Cheng'en, as well as so many young men and women from aristocratic families. Are you trying to hand a knife to others and let them deal with me?"

Princess Baozhu waved her hands hurriedly and threw herself into the Fourth Prince's arms to explain.

"I didn't. Mother has been locking me up, and you're busy, so we can only see each other a few times a month. This time, An Zizhong had to ask mother to let me out. I just wanted to see you, but I heard everyone talking about you and the girl in the brothel. I felt very uncomfortable. Cousin, I didn't mean to hurt you. You know, you're the only one in my heart."

The Fourth Prince was originally afraid that someone passing by would notice that there were people inside, so he planned to push Princess Baozhu away. But when he smelled the faint fragrance on her body, he felt that he had been very busy recently and hadn't even had time to play with a woman. The fragrance wafting into his nose made him feel a little aroused. Princess Baozhu couldn't help herself and hugged the Fourth Prince's waist and kissed his neck.

The servants hurriedly took the clothes and threw them on a table, opened the door and went out to watch. The two people were cuddling and affectionate inside. Suddenly, a lot of noisy noises were heard outside. The maid didn't care about the rules, rushed in, pulled her princess away, and hastily put clothes on her. The Fourth Prince also came to his senses, quickly put on his coat and prepared to escape through the window.

At this time, the door had been kicked open. The Fourth Prince immediately guessed that someone was plotting against him and immediately thought about how to deal with the matter. These people did not give him any room to think.

The Fourth Prince walked directly behind Baozhu, hit her on the neck to knock her unconscious, and then stabbed a maid to death with a sword.

Lady Cheng'en was in the back garden entertaining the ladies of the royal family when she heard her daughter say that she had seen Princess Baozhu taking someone to the backyard.

At that time, she knew that Princess Baozhu was definitely not up to any good. The scenery of this courtyard was beautiful, but it was a royal garden and outsiders were not allowed to enter at will. The empress dowager ordered her to do it. She also had to teach her daughter the rules, manage the affairs of the inner house, and inquire about the better young men from aristocratic families. She was so busy that the several small courtyards in the back that were very hidden and dark were a bit shabby, so she had no time to renovate them and had them sealed off.

All guests who approached would be reminded by the guarding servants. Princess Baozhu gave money to the guard and asked her not to persuade them, which naturally made the wife of Duke Cheng'en suspicious.

It is better to have less trouble than more. She didn't want to get involved at first, but the Sixth Princess said that her peacock jade hairpin was missing. It was a reward from the Empress Dowager. Lady Cheng'en immediately understood that this was the Sixth Prince's initiative. The Sixth Prince was not such a rash person. It was impossible for him to target Princess Baozhu. There must be other reasons. Lady Cheng'en was naturally happy to see it. No matter which of the two factions suffered, it would always be a benefit to His Majesty. It would be good for His Majesty and it would be good for Cheng'en's Mansion.

Immediately, the wife of Duke Cheng'en brought a few ladies who were on good terms with her and rushed in to look for the hairpin. They said they were looking for the peacock hairpin, but they came straight here.

When I came in, I saw Princess Baozhu lying underneath, with a maid covered in blood twitching beside her.

When many noble ladies saw this scene, they screamed and ran out of the room. Princess Fu'an was shocked when she saw this. She ordered the irrelevant people to be taken away and asked what had happened.

"I was talking to a few friends in the front yard when Baozhu's maid came over and said that the princess had been kidnapped and asked me to come and rescue her. I realized something was wrong when I came in. This maid was a spy sent by someone else. She kidnapped Baozhu and tricked me into coming here just to kill me. Fortunately, I reacted quickly and took the initiative."

In the blink of an eye, the Fourth Prince thought of a plausible excuse. Many people saw Princess Baozhu's maid anxiously coming to the Fourth Prince. Princess Baozhu's hand happened to be pinched by him when she was changing her clothes, so there were some red marks, and her clothes were messed up in the fight.

Princess Fu'an knew that the Fourth Prince was lying. Everyone knew that the mistresses had been immersed in the harem for many years, so their methods were not clean. From the moment she entered the room and smelled the faint musk, she knew what had happened here.

The Sixth Princess watched the Fourth Prince's quibbling from behind and chuckled.

"The fight was really intense. A maid selected by Princess Fu'an, a weak girl who has served her cousin since she was a child, could actually fight with the Fourth Prince. She is really amazing."

The Fourth Prince looked at the Sixth Princess with a ferocious face. He knew that the Sixth Princess was mocking him deliberately, but in the current situation he could only deny it.

How could a little girl be as important as his reputation? But he had not thought that when the wife of Duke Cheng'en came with her relatives, the Sixth Prince's Consort had also asked people to invite the Fourth Prince and many other officials to come together. They were all shrewd people and knew what was really going on.

Seeing the Sixth Prince rushing over with his men in a menacing manner, the Fourth Prince immediately understood that what happened today was clearly the work of the Sixth Prince. Perhaps Lord Cheng'en was also involved. He was afraid that it could not be resolved amicably with just a few words.

The Sixth Prince briefly listened to what the Sixth Princess said, then walked to the front, followed by an official from the Dali Temple, and carefully examined the body of the maid who was lying on the ground and had died.

"This woman doesn't know martial arts. People who practice martial arts have strong limbs and calluses on their hands and feet. This woman is soft all over and has delicate fingers. She doesn't know martial arts."

The Fourth Prince stared at the official with a gloomy face and said in a cold voice.

"Your Excellency, please be careful with your words. I am a prince, and it would be easy for me to execute a maid. Is it necessary to do it at the Queen Mother's chrysanthemum viewing banquet?"

Everyone around was smart and knew that today's incident was a fight between gods, so they naturally didn't say much. An Zizhong saw An Wenniang behind the crowd nodded at him, indicating that everything was fine, then he pushed through the crowd, rushed to the front, hugged Princess Baozhu in his arms, and anxiously checked her condition.

Grand Princess Fu'an (because Princess Fu'an is the aunt of the current emperor, she should be the Grand Princess. The previous mistake has not been corrected, so she will be changed to Grand Princess Fu'an in the future) knew that something was wrong when she saw her son-in-law rushing in. Baozhu was naturally relieved to see him so nervous, but when she saw the situation in the room, she knew that she could not hide it. Even if today's events were covered up, the Sixth Prince and Duke Cheng'en would do their best to expose this matter.

The most urgent task is to hide the fact that the child in Baozhu's belly is not An Zizhong's job. This idiot had invited the imperial physician when he was hanging out with those lovers before. The doctors in the mansion are safe, but Baozhu's pulse has been examined by more than one doctor from beginning to end, and the people who serve her in the mansion also need to be screened again.

Princess Fu'an felt as if her head was throbbing with pain. It was obvious from what happened today that Baozhu was plotted against. She had watched the Fourth Prince grow up since she was a child, so she would not dare to meet Baozhu in such an occasion. What she did not expect was that the child in Baozhu's belly was most likely the Fourth Prince's.

These two people actually dared to do such a thing under her nose. Looking at the fierce eyes of Princess Fu'an, the Fourth Prince knew that today's incident would not be exposed so easily. He and his aunt were in the same boat, and Princess Fu'an would naturally help him cover up today's incident. However, after returning, he was afraid that the princess would not easily forgive him for what he and Baozhu had done.

Princess Fu'an values ​​her pair of children very much, but unfortunately, neither of them is smart. One is lame and the other is stupid. Otherwise, Princess Fu'an would have married Baozhu to a prince long ago and helped him ascend the throne, with Baozhu as the queen. Unfortunately, Baozhu is too stupid and arrogant, so she chose to support a prince whose mother is of lower status.

Unfortunately, Princess Fu'an has always been secretive and unwilling to help him with all her might, otherwise the Second Prince might not have ascended to the throne. That's why he seduced Princess Baozhu to pass messages to him and also spoke well of her in front of Princess Fu'an. He didn't expect that today's drama would expose him and make him lose his reputation.

Princess Fu'an, as an elder, ordered everyone to return to her own residence in peace.

"Alright, the noise is giving me a headache. What happened today is that there was a spy in my house who dared to murder the prince. I will investigate it when I get back. Let's go today. Shoude, please ask the imperial physician to come. Mother has a severe headache."

When the Sixth Prince saw Princess Fu'an pretending to be sick to end the matter, he realized that he could not force the Fourth Prince anymore today. He did not really want to tear his face apart in front of others. Even if the Fourth Prince's reputation was ruined, he would also be branded as disrespectful to his elders and his brother.

His purpose was not just to throw dirty water on the Fourth Prince. Now the other party insisted that he was murdered by a maid. Without evidence, he could not make a conclusion. He was afraid that when he returned today, his aunt would clean up the mess. There was no way to prove that the child in Baozhu's belly was the Fourth Prince's child before it was born. He was afraid that Princess Fu'an would not let the child be born.

It doesn't matter. This time they have found a good nail, right under the nose of Grand Princess Fu'an. An Zizhong will become a very advantageous chess piece for them in the Grand Princess's Mansion.

Princess Fu'an was the most honorable woman present and the elder of the Fourth Prince and the Sixth Prince. She pretended to be sick to disperse the crowd. No one dared to object even though they were unwilling in their hearts. Everyone left with their own thoughts. Baozhu was carried to the carriage by An Zizhong. Princess Fu'an saw it and felt regretful. If she had known Baozhu was so stupid, she should have locked her up at home. No, she should not have even let her get pregnant. Although the affair between Baozhu and the Fourth Prince has not been exposed, it is likely that it will not be concealed for long. By then, someone will find a way to do something to the child in Baozhu's belly. An Zizhong is still unaware of it. If he believes those words.

As Baozhu's husband, it is not difficult to find out the truth. Now we can only hope that An Zizhong has a shallow foundation and not many people he can use. We should deal with those who know that Baozhu's pregnancy period is not right, and then try our best to appease An Zizhong. It would be best to promote him and appease him with power. On the one hand, it can make him busy and have no time to take care of it, and on the other hand, even if someone really spreads the news to his ears, he can control his mouth when he sees the benefits that the princess's mansion can bring him, and make this the last fig leaf.

After returning to the princess's mansion, Princess Baozhu was placed in a side room in the main courtyard, with An Zizhong guarding nearby. The Fourth Prince knelt at the feet of Princess Fu'an to plead guilty.

When Princess Fu'an looked at the Fourth Prince's appearance, she knew that in addition to forgiving him, she would also have to do her best to cover up for him. She had chosen the Fourth Prince because he was flexible and although he was of royal blood, he always acted like a submissive junior in front of her. Who would have known that the older he got, the more cunning he became, and he even dared to plot against his own daughter.

"You approached the Orb so that I would have to support you wholeheartedly?"

The Fourth Prince said he dared not, but lowered his head very respectfully.

"Oh, you have grown up after all. You even dare to plot against your aunt. Are you sure that I won't dare to take action against you because of Baozhu?"

The Fourth Prince still said he didn’t dare.

Looking at the Fourth Prince's appearance, Princess Fu'an was only angry at how she could give birth to such a fool as Baozhu. The Fourth Prince was a prince, but he knelt down when he was told to kneel by her, a Grand Princess, without considering the prince's dignity at all. How could such a person fall in love with an indecent woman like Baozhu? He approached her and had an intimate relationship with her just to completely tie the power of the Grand Princess's Mansion and the power of the Fourth Prince's Mansion together.

"Don't have any contact with Baozhu in the future. I will deal with this child. Keep it a secret from Zizhong. As long as he is still Baozhu's husband, others will not dare to use this to slander you even if they suspect you. But you should make it up to him. You should get promoted and make money for me. Now An Zizhong is on our side, and he is also the fig leaf for this mess between you and Baozhu. Don't think about just lifting it lightly. If he tells anyone about what happened between you and Baozhu, then you are really asking for trouble. You bullied officials' families, humiliated scholars all over the world, had an affair with an unmarried girl and had a child, and framed a poor boy. Your reputation will really be ruined."

The Fourth Prince knew that Princess Fu'an's arrangement was to preserve his own and Baozhu's reputation. After the two of them had discussed it, he immediately returned to the Fourth Prince's Mansion and called his confidants to discuss how to deal with the situation next.