Xiao Xizi nodded. Luo Zhiheng thought to herself, no wonder he's so thin and weak, often not eating or unable to eat. Even a normal person couldn't stand that, let alone a patient. But she couldn't be bothered with such things. What relationship or feelings did they have? Besides, she was powerless to change anything, wasn't she?
"You should eat something, otherwise you'll feel even worse. I'm going to see my mother. Are you coming?" Luo Zhiheng had no choice but to speak to him.
Mu Yunhe groaned weakly, "Get out of here!"
"You might as well die of illness! You're sick and still so annoying!" Luo Zhiheng roared inwardly, but to please her mother, she still smiled and said, "I'll get out of here now."
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026 Princess
Updated: 2013-06-06 20:01:23 Word Count: 1632
"Did she really say that? And she even saw you to the door?" the princess asked in surprise, her face initially showing worry.
The old woman who had just returned from Luo Zhiheng's place nodded and smiled, "That's right, she was standing at the door watching me leave. After meeting her today, I really didn't feel the irritable, arrogant, rude, or absurd person I'd heard about. She was very gentle and obedient when she spoke. I just don't know if she was faking it."
"She even jokingly told you not to tell me she was lazy in bed?" The princess was even more surprised.
"Yes, this old servant finds it strange. Isn't she afraid that I'll say these things to the Princess? But for some reason, she said them so frankly and openly that it actually feels comfortable and genuine to this old servant. It's much more refreshing than the cloying tone of those vixens," the old woman remarked with feeling.
The princess paused for a moment, then said, "Mother Hu, you wouldn't have accepted some favors from her to speak well of her, would you?"
Upon hearing this, Madam Hu's eyes reddened, and she said anxiously, "Your Highness, aren't you stabbing this old servant in the back with your words? This old servant is your dowry maid, and my heart is with you. No one can give me more benefits than you."
"I know, I know! It was my fault, Madam Hu, please don't be discouraged by these words." The princess's eyes also reddened.
"This old servant understands your feelings. You still can't get over that sordid thing from years ago. But that Zhang woman is an ungrateful wretch who betrayed you after taking the money. But this old servant won't. This old servant will follow you for the rest of my life. Your well-being is my well-being," said Mama Hu with emotion.
The princess said self-deprecatingly, "It's also my fault for being blind and unable to judge people. I used the wrong people, which in the end harmed both myself and others. It even caused my eldest daughter's son, my little grandson, to die young, and it also harmed my Yunhe. In the end, everything was lost. The prince became someone else's, and all I have left is you."
Both master and servant fell silent, still deeply saddened by the sorrow of the past.
Then another old woman came in with a message, reporting everything that had happened between Luo Zhiheng and Mu Yunhe, even detailing what Luo Zhiheng did, said, and how she acted. She was a spy.
The princess was shocked and surprised upon hearing this. Before she could say anything, a maid announced from outside the door: "Your Highness, the young princess has come to pay her respects."
The princess smiled at Mama Hu and said, "This girl came really fast. This time I'll have to see what's so special about this little princess who can make my son so angry. Let her in."
Led by a servant, Luo Zhiheng walked with her head held high, unafraid of the various gazes from the servants along the way, to the Princess's courtyard. She was actually quite uneasy; at this moment, the Princess was practically the bandit leader directly in charge of her, and if she wanted to live a good life, she had to please her boss.
Thinking back on what had just happened with Mu Yunhe, although she sometimes got angry, she managed to hold back. Even if someone tipped her off, it shouldn't be a big problem.
"Please come in, Your Highness." The maidservant led Luo Zhiheng into the magnificent territory of the mistress of the house.
In this antique-style room, she saw the old woman from before, as well as the middle-aged woman sitting in the main seat. This woman was definitely still charming, dressed in gorgeous clothes, with a gold hairpin in her hair. Her face was somewhat similar to Mu Yunhe's, but she did not have Mu Yunhe's sharp features and handsome appearance. Instead, she appeared very gentle and kind.
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027 Meeting the Mother-in-Law
Updated: 2013-06-06 20:01:23 Word Count: 1506
When Luo Zhiheng first met her mother-in-law, she didn't show the shyness and timidity that most girls do. Instead, she looked at the princess with a bold and curious gaze, her lively eyes filled with obvious surprise, giving her small face a mischievous and playful look.
This was the first time the princess had met Luo Zhiheng. At first glance, Luo Zhiheng did not give her the impression of being arrogant, domineering, or unreasonable, like someone from a small, third-class noble family. Instead, she was a clean-cut young woman, refreshing and natural, curious about everything, and possessing a fearless and undaunted spirit.
Her little face showed undisguised surprise and joy, making the princess think that this child was someone who couldn't hide her feelings; everything was written all over her face. What evil schemes could she possibly have? The truly unfathomable people are those smiling tigers. A seemingly gentle and weak woman doesn't necessarily mean she's truly frail; she might just be the most venomous snake! Strike a fatal blow when you least expect it!
So, because of Luo Zhiheng's clean-cut nature, the princess felt less disgusted with her and more intrigued. Would this girl really beat her own sister so badly that she bled, recklessly and without regard for the consequences, to take her place in the marriage?
Luo Zhiheng keenly noticed the fleeting smile on the princess's face when she saw her, which gave her some confidence. As long as the princess didn't hate her to the point of no return, she was confident that she could carve out a place for herself in this house. It didn't have to be big, just enough to establish herself.
"People always say that Luo Ningshuang is both beautiful and talented, but they overlook the fact that her twin sister, Luo Zhiheng, must also be outstanding in appearance. Even I, the princess, have overlooked it." The princess spoke slowly, her gentle voice carrying a hint of amusement, unlike the coldness of yesterday.
Luo Zhiheng's big eyes crinkled with laughter, and her white little tiger teeth made her look even cuter and more charming: "Is Your Highness praising Heng'er's beauty?"
Her question was so direct that both the princess and Mama Hu were taken aback for a moment, then seemed to burst into laughter. Mama Hu laughed and said, "Your Highness, you see, what this old servant said is true. This little princess is so straightforward. She even dares to ask such a question. How shameless!"
The princess's gloomy mood faded away with Luo Zhiheng's unruly, toothy smile. She pointed to the chair next to her and said, "It's a compliment to your beauty. Come and sit down."
Luo Zhiheng smiled even more brightly. She obediently knelt before the princess and respectfully kowtowed, saying, "Daughter-in-law Luo Zhiheng kowtows to the princess. Please forgive Heng'er's previous mistakes."
There was no reluctance in her bowing; it was perhaps a way of atoning for Luo Zhiheng's previous unruly behavior. Moreover, she was born in an era where feudal superstitions and old traditions still existed, and bowing to elders was a matter of courtesy.
The princess naturally knew that the mistake she was referring to was the substitute marriage, but her frank admission of error made it impossible to blame her. The junior had bowed and admitted her mistake; to refuse would make the elder seem unforgiving and unkind. It was acceptable, indeed; this child's actions were absurd. Moreover, they had only just met; one can only know a person's face, not their heart. How could one open one's heart to Luo Zhiheng based on a single encounter?
Seeing that the princess did not express her opinion, Luo Zhiheng's expectant expression immediately collapsed. She slowly lowered her head, and the dejection spreading around her was obvious. She said in a low voice, "Does the princess not want to forgive Heng'er? Heng'er really knows that she was wrong. Heng'er was too willful. If the princess really hates Heng'er, then please switch Heng'er back with her sister."
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028 My mother-in-law isn't bad
Updated: 2013-06-06 20:01:24 Word Count: 1590
Good-looking people are very captivating whether they are crying, laughing, feeling wronged, or acting coquettish. Just like Luo Zhiheng's dejected mood at this moment, like a little lamb, it seems as if she has just flown from the light and fallen into the darkness and rolled around, which makes people feel heartbroken.
The princess couldn't help but gently stroke her hair and said, "What nonsense are you talking about? It doesn't really matter which of you sisters marries into the family. You are twins with similar birth dates. Since you have already had your wedding ceremony with Yunhe, and Yunhe chose you herself, then you are a legitimate couple. This matter is not about forgiveness or not. If we really need a reason, then I would rather believe that it is fate. Perhaps it is because you and Yunhe are destined to be together that this marriage came about by chance."
The princess's hands were so warm that Luo Zhiheng was almost greedy for them. She suddenly missed her mother. Although her mother had never touched her so gently since becoming a bandit's wife, she still missed her mother's scent and gaze.
"Why aren't you saying anything?" The princess looked down curiously, only to find that Luo Zhiheng was crying. She panicked a little and said, "Why are you crying? Get up quickly. You've already married into the family, so you're family now. What's with all this talk about forgiveness?"
Luo Zhiheng shook her head and said, "No, I miss my mother a little."
If Luo Zhiheng's actions just now had an element of acting and flattery, then this time it was a genuine expression of her feelings.
Princess was taken aback. Suddenly, she remembered that Luo Zhiheng's mother had died in childbirth, leaving the child without a mother at birth. Yet, she was moved to tears by Luo Zhiheng's tender words. How bad could such a sensitive child be?
The thought that Luo Zhiheng had no mother because of a difficult childbirth with Luo Ningshuang, and the rumors that Luo Ningshuang was a jinx to her mothers, made the princess stiffen. She felt a chill run down her spine. What if such a resilient woman married Yun He and also harmed him? And it was Consort Li who had been so eager to arrange this marriage; that vixen was indeed up to no good. Thankfully, Yun He didn't marry Luo Ningshuang. At this moment, the princess felt a sense of relief, even feeling that heaven was blessing Mu Yun He, and she also found Luo Zhiheng more pleasing to the eye.
Both children were born of the same mother, so why didn't Luo Zhiheng bring death to her mother? It shows that Luo Zhiheng is blessed; no wonder General Luo likes this child so much.
Luo Zhiheng was unaware that her heartfelt outpouring had led the princess to fill in many things that were in her favor.
"Good child, stop crying. You just called me your daughter-in-law and my princess." The princess helped her up and teased her.
Luo Zhiheng wiped away her inappropriate tears and longing, wiped her face haphazardly, and called out boldly, "Mother!"
The princess laughed, and Mama Hu chimed in, "Oh my, the way you call me 'Mother' all this time makes this old servant feel so close to you, as if Your Highness has gained another daughter."
Princess Consort patted Hu Mama and laughed, "You're so talkative. Go and get something to eat. Heng'er hasn't eaten anything yet."
The princess's unintentional remark made Luo Zhiheng's heart skip a beat. Sure enough, someone had tipped her off before she could. Otherwise, how would the princess know that she hadn't eaten yet? Fortunately, she hadn't done anything too wrong and had served that great demon Mu Yunhe. Otherwise, the princess wouldn't be so easy to talk to.
However, this mother-in-law seemed very kind and didn't make things difficult for her from the beginning. Apart from not letting her serve tea in the morning, which was a veiled way of not acknowledging her status, she wasn't a bad person.
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029 Love and Hate in a Wealthy Family
Updated: 2013-06-06 20:01:25 Word Count: 1656
This situation is already considered good, after all, the mess left by Luo Zhiheng cannot be cleaned up all at once.
After the meal, Luo Zhiheng generously displayed her cheerful and innocent nature, making the princess laugh heartily. She left with a bunch of nice things and a happy smile.
The first step in winning over my mother-in-law has been a success!
When the boss is happy, the subordinates can have a good life.
Madam Hu massaged the princess's shoulders, and the princess said calmly, "Madam Hu, what do you really think of this girl? Is that innocent and naive appearance genuine or fake?"
"The princess knows the answer herself, so why ask this old servant?" Madam Hu didn't want to comment on this, as it might affect the relationship between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.
The princess said, "I can't say for sure. I can feel her trying to please me. She doesn't hide it at all. It's as if she's telling me that she's trying to please me. Her smile is very cheerful and her personality is lively. She's very different from the rumored Luo Zhiheng. But what they might have in common is her boldness."
“She does have a good eye; she knows how to please you, her true master. The fact that she’s willing to please you proves that she’s pragmatic. Let’s see,” Mrs. Hu said thoughtfully.
The princess suddenly opened her eyes, her expression bitter and mocking. She said with hatred, "You're wrong. She has no sense at all. In this palace, I'm no longer the mistress of the house. The real mistress is Consort Li! I can't even interfere much in my own son's marriage. To the point that she actually wanted to find a man with a strong fate to bring good luck to my son, she's trying to kill him! And I, as his mother, only realized this today! Tell me, what kind of mistress am I?"
Madam Hu paused, her expression changed, and then she said in a trembling voice, "Isn't that right! That second young lady of the Luo family is a curse on her mother! This old servant was confused; how could I have been fooled by Consort Li!"
The princess patted her hand and said, "Fortunately, Heaven also favored my poor Yunhe, letting this little girl disrupt this conspiracy-filled wedding, so that Yunhe did not marry that jinx. So in the end, this child is still my benefactor."
"She is also my benefactor. But that Consort Li is really too much. How can the Prince indulge her like this? Your Highness, should we..." Mama Hu said resentfully.
“No, we can’t do anything now. I can’t let the prince’s dislike of me implicate Yunhe. As long as Yunhe is alive, I, as his mother, must remain the princess. I must ensure that my son, as the legitimate heir, is not humiliated. No matter how humiliated and pathetic I am as the princess, I will endure it! None of those women or their sons can ever step on Yunhe’s head! If one day Yunhe really does pass away before me…” The princess’s voice went from hatred to ruthlessness to trembling and choking: “Then I will go with my son. Whoever wants this position of princess is none of my business.”
The mother and son occupy the two most prestigious positions in this scheming and intrigue-filled royal palace, not for wealth and glory, but simply so that they, who depend on each other for survival, can live a better life.