Priceless: A widow with a baby asks the prince to marry again

After sitting in the water pavilion for less than a quarter of an hour, Liu Rusi regretted coming here!

Almost every word they said had a hidden meaning. It might be because of what happened with Concubine Xian last night, so few people were picking on her for the time being. But listening to them arguing with each other, she felt exhausted!

At first, when she saw someone embarrassed, she would help to change the subject, but later on, she would just…whatever! What does it have to do with her?

But she was still okay. She chatted with Fang Qiu and Chang Ning about what she saw and heard on the way to the capital, so it wasn't too boring.

But little Qin Hao was not very interested in these. He looked at the surrounding scenery and finally became too bored to sit still.

"Mom... I want to read..." Little Qin Hao didn't bring any books with him when he entered the palace. He knew his mother didn't bring any either, but he was just too bored...

Liu Rusi touched her son's little head apologetically. Families would not bring children of several years old to the palace for banquets, and now the youngest prince in the palace was already thirteen years old, and he didn't come either. Little Qin Hao didn't even have a playmate...

Thinking about this, Liu Rusi suggested, "Why don't you tell me what you have learned in your studies recently?"

Speaking of this, little Qin Hao perked up and said with great joy: "I have already finished reading The Great Learning, but Mr. Yue is reviewing what I have learned before and asking me to study The Doctrine of the Mean and the other Five Classics after I go to the Imperial College!"

"University? Shouldn't we usually read the Analects first?"

Defei asked in surprise. She also paid close attention to the Seventh Prince's studies. The Seventh Prince had just finished learning Thousand Character Classic when he was five years old. Most of the princes of this generation were good at literature. If compared by age, Chu Shijin was already very good.

"Empress Defei, I have finished learning the Analects of Confucius and Mencius." Little Qin Hao restrained himself from showing too much pride, but when he said this, everyone in the room thought he was bragging.

"To learn is to remember and understand the meaning. Reading it once does not mean you have learned it...Besides, do you know all the words in it?" Someone joked, not with any ill intentions, but with the mentality of teasing a child.

But when questioned, little Qin Hao immediately became unhappy!

"My godfather and teacher both said that it is enough to roughly understand the meaning after the first study! But if you want to ask if I remember it, I remember all of it! If you don't believe me, you can test me!"

The ladies nearby immediately became interested. Concubine De smiled and asked, "When you see a virtuous person, you should think about being like him. What's the next sentence?"

"When you see something unvirtuous, you should reflect on yourself." Little Qin Hao answered quickly.

Everyone was slightly surprised.

Then someone else said, "This is an easy one. Let me ask a more difficult one. Can you answer it?"

"Ask whatever you want~"

Qin Hao raised his head, his true pride revealed.

For a while, people in the waterside pavilion started talking about academic matters.

Liu Rusi was worried that her son was too arrogant and would arouse envy, but at the same time she felt... that was a good thing. He could focus on studying instead of scheming against others. If he could take part in the imperial examination, maybe he could become the top scorer.

However, the harmonious atmosphere did not last long...

"The Imperial Concubine has arrived~"

The long voice of the messenger made the whole audience quiet for a moment. Wasn't Concubine Xian reflecting on her mistakes behind closed doors? It was less than a day ago...

Defei's smiling eyes froze for a moment, then she quickly adjusted herself to appear calm, stood up and took a few steps.

When the Imperial Concubine, surrounded by servants, walked into the pavilion, Defei bowed and saluted. Although the queen's seal was in her hands now, the Imperial Concubine was still superior to her in terms of status.

However, the biggest thorn in the eyes of Concubine Xian is Liu Rusi who is trying to reduce her presence and follow Fu Shen...

Feeling the hateful gaze coming from her, Liu Rusi immediately changed her posture and knelt down, and she knelt down slowly and loudly, shouting, "Greetings, the Imperial Concubine!"

The tone of Liu Rusi's voice, which was raised with a pinched throat, was no less than the eunuch's report just now!

Although it was a kneeling action, the whole audience felt a strong sense of ridicule! If they were not afraid of the power of Concubine Xian, I am afraid some people would have laughed out loud!

But Concubine Xian still noticed that many people covered their mouths, but there was laughter in their eyes!

Concubine Xian hated Liu Rusi so much that she uttered, "Humph! I can't stand your kneeling. If I do, I'm afraid you'll kill me!"

Liu Rusi pretended not to understand the obvious meaning of the inquiry, but when she heard Concubine Xian's words, her expression was exaggeratedly stunned. Then she stood up again without even touching her knees, as if she respected Concubine Xian's wishes!

The people around him found it even more funny, and some even couldn't help but chuckle, but they quickly held it back! However, the mockery was even more intense!

Concubine Xian immediately showed anger on her face and shouted: "Did I ask you to get up?!"

Liu Rusi looked confused, looking around at the people around her, and asked quietly and deliberately to confirm: "Maybe I'm too stupid, didn't the imperial concubine want me to get up just now?"

Fang Qiu and Chang Ning on the left and right looked at Concubine Xian with questioning eyes, but they were juniors and it was difficult for them to speak up.

But Concubine De also expressed doubts and echoed: "Sister, you just heard that Sister wanted Madam Liu not to kneel... Sister, have you been confused recently? Why do you always..."

"It's all mixed up." Defei said these words as if she was muttering, but everyone present heard them clearly.

Concubine Xian is five years older than Concubine De, which is not a big difference. Concubine Xian has taken good care of herself, so the difference is not noticeable. But when it is said at this time, it is inevitable to mock Concubine Xian for being old.

Low, mocking laughter echoed from all directions...

The imperial concubine, who was dignified and generous when she entered the room, now looked extremely angry! She looked like she wanted to explode but couldn't find the direction! Her chest was rising and falling violently, as if she was about to faint from anger!

Liu Rusi's face was filled with worry and she was at a loss, but she understood everything in her heart.

This is a form of emotional bullying... For someone as proud as Concubine Xian, who suddenly encounters a setback, any mocking look from others would be extremely glaring.

And this was a tea party hosted by Concubine De, so naturally it was Concubine De's home turf. There were more than one person who had ill will towards Concubine Xian.

No matter what the purpose of Concubine Xian's coming here in such a swagger, she certainly didn't expect that she would be laughed at by the women who usually treated her with respect...

Liu Rusi rarely used these means of emotional manipulation with malicious intent, but she felt comfortable using them on Concubine Xian.

Concubine Xian had bullied others a lot, and Liu Rusi regretted that she couldn't let Zhu Qing fan back and fight back! Now that she had the opportunity to "add insult to injury", she could easily create an atmosphere of mockery towards Concubine Xian. Why not do it if it was easy?

However, this time, Concubine Xian learned her lesson and adjusted her mindset with great difficulty. She swallowed down her anger and did not do anything stupid.

Concubine Xian glanced at Concubine De and said disdainfully, "I have gained power, but I am only in charge of the harem for a few days. Do you really think you can turn the tables?"

But Defei had spent many years under the suppression of Concubine Xian, and this verbal attack did not cause any ripples in Defei's heart.

Concubine De responded gently and generously: "Sister, you misunderstood. You should do your job. Since I am taking over the harem, no matter how many days it takes, I will do my duty and share the worries of the emperor."

Liu Rusi, who was standing by, glanced back and forth between the two men at the right time, expressing the contrast with her obvious expression. One was calm and composed, while the other was arrogant and irritable, and the difference was obvious.

This made Concubine Xian angry again!