Why was he summoned to the palace again? Princess Mingchang frowned, subconsciously thinking that she had not seen Emperor Yuanfeng several times before. In fact, there were rumors in the court earlier that Emperor Yuanfeng fell ill after hearing the news of Xiao Heng's accident in the enclosure. Could it be true? Could it be that Emperor Yuanfeng was really dying
She coughed and didn't bother to question Madam Li anymore. She waved her hand to signal Aunt Zheng and the others to change her clothes. Then she frowned and said to Madam Li, "Take good care of the house. If there is anything, wait until I come back."
Madam Li nodded respectfully and personally escorted her out. When she turned back, her face was as cold as ice.
Li Jinniang stood beside her and called out "mother" somewhat anxiously. Only then did Lady Li come back to her senses. She hummed and gently patted her daughter's hand. She raised her eyebrows and ordered the people below: "Go and call back the eldest young master. Also, go and ask the second and third wives to come back as well. Tell them that I have something to discuss with them."
The second and third wives went to the mountain to worship Buddha and said they would have lunch outside. Calculating the time, they should be in the restaurant now, and the people below should have run away in a hurry.
Li Jinniang shook her mother's arm and asked, "Did something happen? I see you've been worried lately."
"Yes, there are some things, but they are not bad things." Madam Li said bluntly. She stared at her daughter for a while and raised her eyebrows earnestly. "You have grown up. You should understand the right and wrong of many things. Your mother has told you all these before. Now your mother will tell you again. You must learn to walk the right path in the future. No matter what, you must leave room for others in everything. Don't learn the style of those who kill them all. Okay, I have something to discuss with your aunts. Go and play with your sisters and get along well with them."
It was obvious that Madam Li was really upset, but she refused to say anything. Li Jinniang knew that she couldn't get anything out of her, so she had to suppress her uneasiness, nodded, and followed her mother's instructions to go find her sisters.
The second and third wives came back soon and saw that Madam Li was the only one in the flower hall. They couldn't help but feel angry. They thought Princess Mingchang wanted to see them because she called them so urgently. They didn't expect it was Madam Li, so they became a little cold.
The Third Madam, in particular, said in a somewhat strange tone, "Sister-in-law is really... Seeing that mother is ill, she already starts to act like a sister-in-law? What is there to make such a fuss about? She even called us back from the restaurant? We haven't even had time to eat yet!"
Madam Li had seen enough of this kind of face and was used to it. Facing provocation, she just raised the corners of her mouth slightly and snorted lightly, "My mother has gone to the palace. I wonder if this is a big deal?"
The second and third wives were stunned, looked at each other, and couldn't help frowning: "Isn't it normal for mother to enter the palace? Is this something that the eldest sister-in-law is so anxious about?"
"It's not surprising that mother went to the palace." Madam Li looked at them expressionlessly: "But what if mother's coming to the palace this time is not a good thing?"
Now the Second and Third Madams threw away their previous perfunctory attitude, sat up straight and looked at Madam Li with half belief and half doubt.
The atmosphere was tense for a moment, and the second wife spoke first: "Sister-in-law, you are not joking with us, are you? Mother-in-law has always been deeply favored by the emperor, how can it be a bad thing for her to suddenly enter the palace?"
Madam Li glanced at her with a half-smile: "How could it be so sudden? What kind of life is going on in Tianfu these days? Don't you all know?"
The second wife was speechless, and her face suddenly looked a little embarrassed.
Of course she knew that the days in Princess Mingchang's mansion had been much more difficult recently than in previous years. As for why, they knew it very clearly in their hearts. It was clearly because Li Jiamin acted as a troublemaker, causing unrest in this family.
But this matter has passed.
The Third Lady was somewhat indignant: "Sister-in-law, why are you exaggerating here? The most angry time of His Majesty has passed, and he didn't do anything to our family. Could it be that he will settle the score now? If you don't know, you might think that Sister-in-law is hoping that something will happen to Mother-in-law. It really makes us sisters-in-law feel uneasy."
Li Jiamin was the apple of the eye of the second and third wives. They used to fight against each other for a while, but when Li Jiamin grew up, the second and third wives simply formed a group and everything revolved around Li Jiamin. But Princess Mingchang was partial to her, and as a result, no one in the family took the first wife seriously.
The second and third wives also lacked respect for their sister-in-law.
In the past, they couldn't do anything because of Princess Mingchang, but from now on, they don't have to endure it anymore. Madam Li lowered her eyes and looked at them coldly, which was completely different from the way she used to endure it. After looking at them for a long time, the second and third wives couldn't hold their temper and felt guilty. She snorted coldly: "Whether it is true or not, you will know when the news comes from the palace! I only have one thing to say now! So many things happened in the family, and it has come to this point, all because of Li Jiamin's nonsense! The emperor has already said that he will never inherit the title, he is just a commoner. I hope that the two brothers and sisters will remember this clearly. If you want to do something, don't blame me, your sister-in-law, for turning against you!"
It was the first time that Madam Li acted so domineeringly. The Second and Third Madams were not used to it and thought she was deliberately putting on airs and acting like a sister-in-law.
However, they did not say anything more in response. Seeing Madam Li's abnormal behavior, they were also afraid that Madam Li really had some news and knew some inside story.
If it is really as Mrs. Li said, then someone else might have to be the head of the family in the future.
The adults all had their own thoughts, but the atmosphere among the children was surprisingly harmonious. Without Li Jiamin, the family was actually less hostile. Li Jinniang in particular seemed like a different person. She was no longer clinging to Princess Mingchang as she used to, as if she was the only one worthy of being the princess's granddaughter. Everyone in the family was vying for her favor.
The group waited until noon, but Princess Mingchang still didn't come back. The second wife sneered secretly, "In the past, when mother came to the palace, she would basically stay for dinner. If she really angered the emperor, why would she not come out so late? It must be my sister-in-law who is pretending!"
The third wife also suspected this, but before she could make a fuss about it, the doorman ran in and said that Princess Mingchang had returned.