After becoming a concubine, she lived a miserable life every day.

Chapter 14: Luoyanju

Jinxiu Hall, the princess’s residence.

The princess was having dinner with her children at the moment.

"Shao'er, how are your studies these days?" The princess didn't have so many rules about not talking while eating or sleeping when she was eating with her own children. Thinking that she had been so busy these days and hadn't asked about her son's studies, she asked casually today when they were all together.

Hearing this, Qi Shao put down his chopsticks, straightened his face and replied calmly and seriously, "To answer my mother, everything is fine."

"More than okay, mother, you don't know that the tutors in the palace are just short of praising my brother like a flower, haha!" Qi Shu on the side winked at Qi Shao, and then spoke to the princess proudly, as if she was the one being praised.

She also heard her grandmother say this when she went to the palace to accompany her grandmother before, that the tutors in the study all praised her brother.

Hearing these teasing words, Qi Shao's face flashed with shyness, but he quickly returned to normal. He just secretly glared at his sister who smiled slyly at him.

Seeing this, Qi Shu winked at him again, very playfully.

When the princess heard this, her face looked visibly better. The tutors in the upper study were all great scholars, and their abilities were needless to say. She also saw all the little actions of her two children. The older one had already begun to look steady at a young age, and the younger one was also quirky and more generous than the other illegitimate sons and daughters in the mansion. She was really happy.

"Oh? It seems that Shaoer really works hard, that's great!"

Qi Shao blushed when he heard what his mother said. Like his father, his mother rarely praised him.

Seeing her son like this, the princess' heart softened. "However, as the eldest son and the prince of the royal palace, you still need to work harder and not lose to other bastards. Of course, you can't be worse than other royal grandchildren, so as not to disgrace the Rui Palace!"

Hearing this, Qi Shao immediately straightened his face and replied seriously, "Son knows, mother, son will definitely not let you down."

He will definitely become the proudest son of his mother and father! Qi Shao's eyes glowed with burning light.

"That's right. My brother is a genius who is both civil and military. Those illegitimate sons and other people in the royal palace are not even as good as him!" Qi Shu echoed.

"You better keep your skin tight too. I heard that you've been slacking off a lot these days and even lost to that girl Qi Lin in piano lessons." The princess glanced at her daughter and spoke calmly.

Hearing this, Qi Shu's raised head suddenly drooped, but in an instant it was raised again aggressively, "That was my mistake. I didn't play well and that gave her the opportunity to take advantage of me. I will definitely win back next time."

"Then your mother is looking forward to your performance. After all, it won't sound good if you lose to a sister who is two years younger than you next time, right?" The princess began to use provocation. Her daughter was very competitive, and if she didn't say this, she was afraid that she would slack off again.

As the eldest daughter of the royal family and the only princess, she must be proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting. She represents not only the face of the royal family, but also her own face. Naturally, the princess has strict requirements.

"Well, mother, just wait and see." Qi Shu was full of fighting spirit.

Seeing Qi Shu like this, the princess and Qi Shao looked at each other and saw the results they wanted to see.

After dinner was over and the two siblings left, the princess asked someone to clear the uneaten food from the table, and then said to Aunt Zhang, "Aunt, the Qiao mother and son should have finished dinner and are ready. Go and help Qiyun send them back to Haitang Courtyard. Just take care of anything they need, and make sure they are sent there in good condition. Oh, and how many maids are there in Haitang Courtyard now?"

Upon hearing this, Nanny Zhang said without hesitation, "My lord, there are only two maids in Haitang Courtyard now. One is Qinglian, who came with Master Qiao as a dowry, and the other is Zhuyun, a maid who did menial work when Master Qiao first went to Haitang Courtyard." Needless to say, the other one was called Qingyue, who had colluded with Concubine Ye to frame her own master and was beaten to death with sticks.

Hearing this, the princess tapped the table with her index finger and asked, "Whose is Zhu Yun?"

Upon hearing this, Aunt Zhang shook her head and said, "That maid never speaks. Since she was bought into the mansion, I have never seen her interact with anyone. She has no contact with any of the masters in the mansion."

"It seems that there is no master behind this." The princess raised her eyes dimly, wondering how Qiao had gotten rid of the people arranged by Ye. It was impossible that no one helped her. Could it be this Zhu Yun? But at that time, how did two weak women get rid of the people? The princess really couldn't figure it out.

"The nanny and maid who took care of Qi You before are no longer suitable to stay by his side. In two days, you should select a new nanny and three maids to go to Haitang Courtyard to serve him. Keep an eye on Zhu Yun."

The princess did not like the feeling of losing control. She had already placed people in other people's courtyards, and it was impossible for their every move to escape her eyes. She had thought that the Qiao family was completely hopeless, so she did not care.

Thinking of the prince's previous actions, she felt that someone had to watch over him. Moreover, Qi You had been taken to Haitang Courtyard to be raised, and anyone with a son would be a threat.

"Yes, master." Nanny Zhang certainly knew what her master meant. This backyard must be under the control of the princess.

At this moment, Luoyanju is a warm and cozy place.

After having a good meal and a good drink, Prince Rui took Chen's delicate hand and rubbed it, resting his head on her shoulder. He relaxed for a rare moment, his face looking a little tired.

"Your Highness? Can I give you a massage?" Chen said softly.

Upon hearing the voice, Prince Rui embraced Chen with his big hands and held her in his arms, looking down at her closely.

Chen's appearance was rather gentle, a bit like a beautiful girl from a small family. Her looks weren't even among the best in the entire palace's backyard, but with her, he could always relax physically and mentally, and the fatigue of the day could be washed away. She could always attract him. He felt comfortable and at ease with her, and he could completely be himself.

She was different, different from all the women in the backyard. She disdained fighting, disdained his favor, and even if possible, she would not stay in the Prince Rui's Mansion.

Although she looked weak and vulnerable, he knew that she was actually stronger than anyone else. What she wanted was not just the small world of Prince Rui's Mansion. She longed for freedom the most. Her heart was as solid as a cage and difficult to open. After so long, he didn't believe that she would not understand the meaning of his every move, but he never saw a trace of love in her eyes.

Although she obeyed him in everything and even cared about him, he still knew that he had never entered his heart.

Prince Rui felt somewhat unconvinced in his heart, and subconsciously pinched Chen's chin and rubbed it gently, with emotions swirling in his eyes.

Seeing that Prince Rui was in a bad mood today, Chen was confused and a little scared. However, she couldn't resist the strong sense of oppression and asked softly, "Prince, what's wrong with you? Is there something bothering you?"