Prince Qing was scheduled to get married after the Mid-Autumn Festival.
During Qi Yunruo's second month of stewardship, he worked to prepare for this event. The prince estate did not have a precedent for sending wedding gifts to the imperial family. As such, Qi Yunruo searched for the records depicting what Prince Jing had given during Li Chen's wedding. He used it as a reference, adding some items, removing some others. He edited the gift list many times, before preparing to let Li Chen take a look.
Because Qi Yunruo never consulted with Granny Song about anything, it drove the old servant furious. Despite this, he acted as though he didn't hear any of her complaints, solely focusing on his responsibilities. Now that Qi Niqun had lent out Granny Song, the latter could not go to Winter Plum Courtyard often to complain. It made her feel powerless. The act of sending gifts to Prince Qing's wedding was an important task. She did not believe Qi Yunruo could handle it by himself. Just wait until His Highness lectures him. Then let's see if he will still refuse to seek help from me. Hmph!
At Lakeside View House, the servant in charge of delivering messages and external affairs was Yuzhi. The one in charge of the interior was Lulan. She prepared Qi Yunruo's food and drink and serviced him at his meals, among other things. That said, Granny Song wanted to boost Liusu in order to deal with Lulan. However, Lulan wasn't an ordinary female official. She was a proper sixth-rank female official of the imperial palace. Although Granny Song believed her own seniority to be higher, she did not dare to go against her for no reason. Much less Liusu.
Liusu was currently at Lakeside View House. She was in charge of teaching the lower-ranked servant girls. Originally, Liusu pitied her master. She was also not as competent as Lulan at her duties. As time pa.s.sed, she felt less able to compete with her colleague.
Taking advantage of that, Granny Song said, "Young lady, you're in the position to easily attend to the master. Back in our old household, each of you eight girls with the name of Liu were capable. To attend to third young master is to have wronged you. Your current responsibilities aren't those of a first-rank servant girl."
Embarra.s.sment painted Liusu's cheeks red. "Granny doesn't know my suffering. Master does not trust me. What can I do about that? If master cares for me just a little, I'll be able to stand up straight and compete with Lulan. But master is quite fond of her. So there's nothing I can do."
"If nothing were to occur, master would be unaware of it." Granny Song's words were but a mere mumble. "But if something does happen, then master would see for himself who his most loyal servants are…"
Liusu's heart trembled. Then she couldn't help but to consider those words. Granny Song had a point. These past few days, her master had offended a lot of people. If it caused His Highness annoyance, Lulan would no longer be as attentive to him. However, Liusu would still be there, and she would stay loyal and work diligently for Qi Yunruo.
Today Li Chen was off duty. As such, Qi Yunruo made a trip to the forecourt, bringing the list of wedding gifts to see him.
Su Ge greeted him. "His Highness is discussing matters with his advisers in the outer study. Please wait in His Highness' main chamber."
"Alright, thank you," said Qi Yunruo with a smile.
War had suddenly broke out in Beiqiang. Debate struck the court like a monsoon, so much so that Li Chen had to consult with his advisers on his day off.
During the break to their meeting, Su Ge said to Li Chen, "Young master Little Qi has sent the list of gifts to Prince Qing's wedding."
Li Chen grunted in acknowledgement. He rose to his feet. "May the gentlemen wait a few moments. This prince will return soon."
