Dazhou, Shengjing City.
What happens inside the Imperial Palace is like a massive storm that stirs a bloody tempest in the court. However, among the common people, they rarely concern themselves with the lives of the upper class and continue to struggle for their livelihood.
In the warm spring month, grass grows, and orioles fly; the breath of spring sweeps across the earth, awakening all things.
In front of a luxurious mansion, carriages and horses co and go, along with carts delivering goods.
The crowd bustles and flows incessantly, with people entering and leaving the mansion, making the place exceedingly lively.
Above this mansion stands the grand and solemn golden characters: "Mu Prince Mansion"!
Inside the mansion, Long Yue sat quietly in the small pavilion in the rear garden, threading needles. In her hands was a small garnt, while beside her was a small cradle where Rui’er lay sleeping soundly, peaceful and beautiful.
The little child, perhaps sensing the absence of his father and his mother’s grief, had beco very quiet and had not caused any trouble.
A spring breeze swept in, brushing across the loose strands of Long Yue’s hair and waking Rui’er. The little one uttered a sound, lazily turned over, and continued his deep slumber.
Long Yue finished tidying a garnt and set it aside, glancing down at the little one in the swaddling clothes with a flash of pity and sorrow in her eyes. She rose gently and held him close to her chest.
"Rui’er, my dear Rui’er, you are a child born to misfortune, so young and already without your father. I’m sorry, it’s all your mother’s fault..."
Two months had passed since Li Qingmu’s departure, yet everything seed as if it had just happened. Long Yue, on several occasions, felt dazed and wondered if it was all a dream?
Just like her own rebirth, was it all a dream? A long, prolonged nightmare, perhaps one day she would awake and A Mu would be back by her side.
However, no matter how much she waited and hoped, all had beco reality.
Across from Long Yue sat Chai Qiao’er, their relationship having smoothed considerably; ever since Li Qingmu’s passing, Long Yue’s spirit had faced collapse, and she accompanied Yang Zhuoya and each other in offering comfort.
Their words were few, spending more ti silently accompanying her, likely fearing that she might do sothing foolish due to excessive grief.
But one cannot simply sit idly by, thus Chai Qiao’er also brought over needles and silk satin, intending to make so embroidery.
Ever since arriving in Shengjing City, she sought to integrate into the noble circles and rarely engaged in embroidery, her hands felt rusty, but her skills, after a few moves, returned to familiarity.
She worked on an embroidery skirt, dark green, with intricate and refined weaving intended for older people.
This embroidery skirt was for Old Madam Xiang, whose sixtieth birthday was approaching, and offering this as a gift would express her intentions as a granddaughter-in-law.
Chai Qiao’er noticed Long Yue’s sorrowful expression, thinking to console her, but the words stalled on her lips.
If it were herself, she would certainly feel the sa, understanding from her perspective that no amount of comforting words would ease the pain.
"Princess Consort, many have co to visit you outside, shall you et them?"
Ning Xiang walked in proudly; her master was the Princess Consort, concubine of the Emperor’s most cherished son, with an undeniably elevated status.
Previously she walked the streets unnoticed, but now when entering noble circles, many sought her favor.
This feeling could easily make one conceited, yet Ning Xiang felt she needed to maintain composure.
And ever since Qi Yun posthumously bestowed the title of "Prince Mu" upon Li Qingmu, the Mu Prince Mansion had beco bustling, its gates crowded with visiting dignitaries.
In theory, even though Long Yue beca Princess Consort, she ought to be only supervising a lonely mansion without such visits. Yet, with offspring, everything had changed.
The difference between having offspring and not was vast; with a child, the title of Prince Mu could be inherited, promising generations of prominence.
Long Yue’s deanor remained calm, ever since her rebirth she had co to see through human nature, yet they were rely bustling seekers of profit.
She who had just endured the loss of her husband, still clad in mourning attire, many ca to congratulate her elevation to Princess Consort; it was truly laughable!
"Send them all away!"
Long Yue coldly remarked, giving no quarter.
Ning Xiang was taken aback, "Princess Consort? But those are nobles, including many officials’ wives..."
Before Ning Xiang could finish, Long Yue’s icy gaze pierced her, "What, has my word as Princess Consort lost its influence?"
"Forgive , Princess Consort!"
Long Yue’s words were rather severe, frightening Ning Xiang, who promptly knelt down.
"Send them away, they’re a bother!"
Long Yue spoke, then continued her needlework.
"Yue’er." Chai Qiao’er sensed her heavy displeasure, worrying she might be overly vexed, "Calm down, those maids are uninford, don’t let them anger you. Oh, I heard there would be a poetic gathering and dance performance at Yunshui Building in two days, shall we go?"
Yunshui Building is a high-class brothel, markedly different from Tianxiang Building Li Qingmu had visited before.
Tianxiang Building possessed more worldly airs, exclusive to n, whereas Yunshui Building differed, offering refined entertainnt, attracting even noble ladies.
Moreover, many of the girls here perford art rather than engaging in immoral acts, their skills held in high regard, so even earning top bills, backed by elite patrons throughout Shengjing City.
Yunshui Building is located in the East Suburb of the Capital, backed by lush green mountains and waters, hosting not only singing and dancing activities but theatrical performances, poetry gatherings, tea gatherings, even behind it is a dedicated grass field where people enjoy cuju, horseback archery, and more.
Though a fine place for leisure, Long Yue preferred to avoid it.
Too much liveliness brings ss, she had no desire for that but wished to quietly accompany Rui’er, watching him grow into adulthood, waiting for him to establish himself, then she would reunite with A Mu.
"Yue’er, you can’t always be cooped up at ho! You should go out and enjoy yourself."
Chai Qiao’er saw Long Yue unresponsive, understanding her thoughts, she worried that prolonged confinent would surely result in illness!
"In fact, I even invited Zhuoya, now that her child has grown a bit, left with household maids, she has ti and plans to visit Yunshui Building too! It’s said there’s the winding waters of the ornantal stream, along with the most beautiful dancing, along with cuju and fragrant soup bath..."
Chai Qiao’er spoke of Yunshui Building’s delights, eyes gleaming with excitent, Long Yue easily discerned her intentions.
Yunshui Building was too upscale, frequented by noble offspring, while Chai Qiao’er’s own background wasn’t high, with her husband being a re wealthy rchant, gaining entry would be too difficult.
But including Long Yue changed everything; she was Princess Consort, receiving courteous treatnt wherever she went, her leading the way ensured respect.
It was human nature, Long Yue understood, glancing at Chai Qiao’er with hopeful eyes, she subtly nodded: "Alright."
"Ah? Yue’er, you’re wonderful!"
Chai Qiao’er was overjoyed, almost dancing; Long Yue simply smiled lightly.
At this mont, a servant rushed in, whispered in Long Yue’s ear, and her expression instantly changed.
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