14 A Chilly Heart

Therefore, Lord Fourth changed the topic. "I will find some time and take you to the capital to shop around. Also, the household seems fine. If there are any disobedient servants, please let me know."

Ruoyin shook her head and responded, "My Lord, you are busy with your work. How can I let you take me out? There are no disobedient servants either. Ever since you supported me last time, they have been extremely obedient when they see me. The servants left in my residence are all pretty great."

If Lord Fourth took her out to shop, she probably would not be able to settle her issue.

She needed to find an opportunity to head out without Lord Fourth around.

Hearing that all was well, Lord Fourth stroked her spine and placated her to continue resting before taking his leave.

Only after he had left the front courtyard did Lord Fourth remember Consort Li, whom Ruoyin had mentioned.

During this period, he had been intentionally cold to Consort Li. Even when he missed his daughter, he would ask his servant to bring her over to the front courtyard instead of stepping into Consort Li's house.

If not for Ruoyin's reminder, he would have almost forgotten about this concubine named Consort Li. The administrative key was still with her.

It was no wonder that Consort Li would say such words. It was outrageous. How could a concubine speak to his first wife in such a manner?

When it was dusk, Lord Fourth headed to Consort Li's place. When she heard the announcement from the eunuch standing outside, she was unable to contain her joy.

Since Lord Fourth's return from Jinan, he had gone to find Consort Song and the Fujin but had yet to visit her.

Now that he was here, she knew she was right. She didn't believe that the situation would continue like this. She knew that Lord Fourth would miss her eventually.

She had to hold on tight to this opportunity and let Lord Fourth's heart continue to stay with her. She would see if the Fujin would remain so unbridled after.

However, Lord Fourth had just stayed at the Fujin's place the day before. According to Lord Fourth's usual routine, he wouldn't come to hers today.

She brought her doubts along with her as she carried her daughter and went out to receive Lord Fourth. "Paying my respects to my Lord. May you be auspicious."

Despite carrying a child, she still bowed as per the regulations. She was no longer like herself in former days.

Seeing that she was carrying his daughter and still bowing fully with respect, Lord Fourth went forward to help her up.

Consort Li was elated. She smiled as she stood back up. "These past few days, our daughter has been calling out for her father. She probably misses you, my Lord."

"Is that right, my princess?" Lord Fourth received his daughter from Consort Li's hands and teased her.

Their daughter had been fed well by Consort Li. She was chubby and lovable as she continued to call out "Ama1, ama."

Although she could only say ama and eniye2, a few simple terms, and could not answer Lord Fourth yet, she still made funny, incomprehensible noises in response to Lord Fourth.

Lord Fourth was unable to restrain his smile from the amusement. There wasn't a father who wouldn't love his children.

Lord Fourth was no exception. He carried his daughter into the house and sat down.

Consort Li personally poured a cup of tea for Lord Fourth. He drank a sip of it and began to chat idly, mainly about their daughter.

After about ten minutes, Lord Fourth had someone carry their daughter out and asked the servants in the house to leave.

Witnessing this, Consort Li began to feel bashful. Lord Fourth sure was impatient.

They had yet to have dinner and the sky wasn't even dark yet, yet he was anxious to dismiss their child and her servants.

It seemed as if she still had her charms.

Just as these thoughts began to form, Lord Fourth spoke with a dull tone. "Previously, the Fujin had fallen sick. That's why I temporarily handed the administrative key to you. Now that she is feeling better, you can send the key back to the Fujin."

Consort Li was ultimately the mother of their daughter and the ashan i fujin3. That's why Lord Fourth had asked the servants to leave so that Consort Li would not lose her face.

Consort Li was stunned for a few seconds. Her expression stiffened for a long moment before she smiled in response. "My lord is right. I will send the key back to the Fujin later."

Lord Fourth's words instantly struck her excitement down to nothingness.

Although this was how she responded to him, she was the only one who knew what she was feeling in her heart.

But Lord Fourth was rather wise. He could immediately tell that there was something wrong with Consort Li's expression.

He instantly believed that Consort Li did not know the rules. He had asked her to be only a temporary proxy. Why had she begun to form other thoughts about this?

In this household, only the Fujin was the legal wife of the master.

At that moment, the atmosphere became a little awkward.

Lord Fourth was not an expert in conversing awkwardly. After casually giving a few reminders, he returned to the front courtyard.

This left Consort Li with a chilly heart. She thought that Lord Fourth would stay here tonight. What was this horrible situation?

After Lord Fourth had left, Consort Li did not dare to disobey him. She carried the key box and headed toward the main courtyard.

Ruoyin had been preparing for her meal in the main courtyard when she heard Li Fukang announcing Consort Li's arrival.

Ruoyin looked at the darkening sky and asked Nanny Liu to prepare another set of cutlery and bowl.

She had ordered fish with pickled vegetables today, which wouldn't taste nice if the dish turned cold.

For Consort Li to come and look for her at a time like this, she probably had an issue she needed to settle. Therefore, she couldn't reject her.

Since that was the case, she would add another set of cutlery for Consort Li.

Whether she would stay to eat or not was entirely up to Consort Li.

Consort Li entered with her servant, Chun Mei, by her side. In her hands, she held a mahogany box.

Ruoyin had seen this box before in the original Fujin's memories. It held the administrative key.

"Paying my respects to the Fujin." Consort Li and the servant beside her bowed.

"Have a seat. You came just as I was about to start my meal. If you can handle spicy food, please join in." Ruoyin received a bowl of rice from Nanny Liu and began to eat.

Consort Li was somewhat angry. She had rushed over before having her food, yet the Fujin cared only about eating.

An ugly person will always think badly about others.

Consort Li completely disregarded Ruoyin's kind intentions and courtesy, only remembering the inappropriate part of her.

However, the dishes on Ruoyin's table did indeed look delicious. Secretly swallowing her saliva, Consort Li sat down opposite Ruoyin.

She glanced secretly at the dishes on the table. She didn't know the name of a single dish.

She could only recognize the light peanut soup with pig trotters.

The rest was just a sea of red. The corners of her mouth turned into a small frown. It seemed like Chun Mei was right, the Fujin had recently developed an appetite for saltier food!

"Fujin, I came here today to give you the key." Consort Li placed the key box on the table as she continued, "Fujin, do be careful of excessive internal heat from eating so much spicy food. I do not have the same luxury as the Fujin as my daughter is still waiting for me to feed her some milk. I do not know how to eat spicy food, so I will return to my place now."

Since the subject of Consort Li's daughter had been brought up, Ruoyin did not want to bicker with her.

Regardless of whether Consort Li's words were true or not, she still smiled and said, "Since that's the case, please head back quickly to avoid your daughter's getting hungry."

She did not believe children should be affected by the acts of their parents.

Hearing this, Consort Li covered her mouth with her handkerchief and bowed with a smile before leaving.

She intentionally did not want to tell the Fujin that it was Lord Fourth who had asked her to deliver the key.

Why would she help to build Ruoyin's backbone while diminishing her own authority?