CHAPTER 188: CHAPTER 6: STRIFE BETWEEN LEGITIMATE AND ILLEGITIMATE OFFSPRING (PART 6)

"Fifth Imperial Brother, we have been close since childhood. Jing Yi has always thought of you as an extraordinary person, able to survive in such circumstances. Why does Brother conceal his talents and bide his time? Now, look at yourself in the mirror, do you know what you resemble now?"

The Seventh Princess sighed, "Fifth Imperial Brother, you’ve never met someone but hold prejudices against others because of one person’s words, don’t you think that’s too much?"

"Today, I went to the Li Family, and Li Shumeng, being a concubine’s daughter, should have been greeted by Li Shuning. However, Li Shumeng was always vying for the front, which Jing Yi witnessed firsthand. Is this the gentle and considerate woman Brother often spoke of? As for Li Shuning, throughout the entire time, she maintained poise without a hint of dissatisfaction."

The Fifth Prince seemed a bit at a loss. He didn’t quite understand why his Imperial Sister was saying these things, but upon hearing the Seventh Princess mention Li Shumeng, he couldn’t help defending his beloved: "Imperial Sister, you know Shumeng and I have met. She knows I’m on good terms with you, which should make her happy to have you visit, hence her rashness. Imperial Sister, what happened to Shumeng? Is she alright?"

The Fifth Prince didn’t dare to ask if Li Shuning had played a trick this time; he didn’t want his Imperial Sister to think Shumeng held too much sway over him.

The Seventh Princess watched her Fifth Imperial Brother quietly. This brother, who lacked affection from a young age, certainly Li Shumeng schemed beautifully.

Yet, everything was a choice Brother made himself. We can only hope he doesn’t regret it one day. Which proper lady meets with a man privately?

"Brother, your Shumeng is fine. Today’s matter had nothing to do with Li Shuning. In the biting cold, Li Shumeng even suggested going boating on the lake. Li Shuning played for a while then went ashore with Yanran to brew tea. Jing Yi didn’t like boating in such cold weather either and was about to leave; Li Shumeng became anxious, causing the small boat to shake, and she fell into the lake herself. Thanks to Aunt Huan holding Jing Yi, she didn’t fall into the water. Aunt Huan checked the boat, and nothing was tampered with. Moreover, the boating itself was entirely arranged by Li Shumeng."

Moreover, the Seventh Princess was also on the boat. If anything had happened to her, the Li Family would bear the responsibility. The Seventh Princess didn’t believe anyone daring enough to tamper with the boat.

The Fifth Prince was somewhat incredulous, but the Seventh Princess said no more. Remembering the friendship with the Fifth Prince, she couldn’t help but sigh, "Brother, that Li Shumeng is not a simple woman. Do not be deceived by appearances."

Li Shumeng had no idea so many aftereffects would flow from one of her performances.

June 6 was the day of Li Shumeng’s grand wedding.

When a Prince marries, the Emperor allows the Prince to move out of the Imperial Palace and establish his own mansion.

This time, with the Fifth Prince’s marriage, a mansion was also built, and he was conferred the title Prince Kang by the Emperor.

Li Shumeng got up very early, and after a busy morning, she was thrilled and thought all her wishes were coming true, and that everything would turn out well.

What she wanted would always come true, one by one.

Prince Kang also fulfilled his desire; as he lifted Li Shumeng’s bridal veil, he was full of surprise and delight.

Li Shumeng was dressed in red, yet her makeup was not of this era but was quietly redone by her.

Modern makeup techniques are naturally incomparable to those of this time.

Although it was beautiful, the ladies watching the ceremony felt inexplicably displeased.

This kind of distinctiveness, how dare this woman be so different in a wedding when everyone is supposed to be the same?

Prince Kang, of course, had no perception of what those attending the ceremony thought. He gazed at Li Shumeng dreamily, even forgetting what to do next, fortunately receiving a discreet reminder, thus avoiding a faux pas.

The Prince’s wedding was quite lively, and it was only at the third watch of the night that Prince Kang returned to the bridal chamber, and after a passionate night, fell into a deep sleep.

They were unaware that the Li Family’s concubine daughter’s distinct demeanor had already begun spreading out among people.

It must be said, the jealousy among women can be fearsome.

The following day, when Prince Kang and the newly minted Princess Kang entered the palace to pay their respects, the Emperor was already waiting with the Empress.

After paying respects, the Emperor subtly reminded them, once a daughter-in-law of the Royal Family, one must know one’s place.

The Empress was more straightforward: "A woman’s three obediences and four virtues. Princess Kang is still young; such behavior on your wedding day should be avoided. The Full Virtue Person is not just for show; it would do well to read the ’Female Precepts’ more."

Li Shumeng’s face turned ghostly pale as she failed to understand what she did wrong. Wasn’t her makeup beautiful?

Previously, under the Full Virtue Person’s supervision, after opening her face, she wore thick white powder. How could the only grand wedding in a lifetime be like that? She washed her face when the Full Virtue Person left and reapplied her bridal makeup.

She wanted to argue a few points, but seeing the Empress’s cold eyes, Li Shumeng just knelt and kowtowed, "Thank Mother Empress for the advice."

The Empress nodded, awarded them some items, and sent them to visit other concubines.

After touring the palace, returning to Prince Kang Mansion, Li Shumeng was very tired, yet her heart was even more weary.

The Imperial Palace truly isn’t a place for staying.

Recalling the humiliation faced before the Empress today, her resolve grew even stronger.

Why should she be bullied? One day, she too will stand at the highest position, no longer allowing anyone to humiliate her.

Though Prince Kang was a free-spirited prince, now with his own mansion, the Emperor had assigned him some tasks.

As a prince, though forced to bide his time due to his mother’s lowly status, Prince Kang’s heart wasn’t entirely without ambition.

He daily busied himself, trying to perform well.

Li Shumeng also started to manage the household’s affairs.

Proud and self-assured, Li Shumeng considered herself a modern woman who had learned everything; how could she err in managing a household?

Before marriage, her legitimate mother sent people to instruct her, which she hardly heeded.

Yet, Li Shumeng underestimated the challenges.

At her maternal home, she hadn’t shown much respect towards An Xin. When An Xin sent people to instruct her, she didn’t care. An Xin arranged some dowry gifts, especially some old servants, all of whom Li Shumeng disregarded, making almost all decisions by herself.

However, when it came time to pay the allowances to the servants of the mansion, Li Shumeng didn’t consult the mansion’s steward. Instead, she based it on her personal maid’s allowance, roughly distributing it to the servants.

This caused an immediate uproar.

The Prince Mansion was not your typical noble household; its lifestyle differed from the Li Mansion.

All of a sudden, the slaves’ attitude towards the Princess Consort changed noticeably.

Yet, they didn’t inform the Fifth Prince about this matter, and gradually, it leaked out.

When Prince Kang was mocked by Prince Rui (the Third Prince), asking how he could be so frugal, had he run out of money already right after establishing his mansion? If money was scarce, why not ask Brother for help? Only then did Prince Kang realize what his Princess Consort had done.