The Consort of Prince Xian and the Consort of Prince Xiaoyao exchanged a look and silently gave the Regent Consort a thumbs-up.
Born into wealthy families, they knew these ladies always spoke with an agenda. It was unexpected that the Regent Consort had managed to deflect them with just a few words. It was safe to assume these ladies were filled with disappointment.
After Xiao Mi saw the ladies off, Su Ya remarked, "I don't understand these ladies. What good does belittling others do for them?"
Zhao Jiaqi, having grown up in the countryside, wasn't quite familiar with the dynamics of such circles, but she surmised it was all about intertwined interests.
"They all have their own little schemes, but their schemes aren't very well executed," Zhao Jiaqi replied, lowering her gaze.
Jasmine, her personal attendant and a veteran of the palace, boldly stepped forward. "Your Highness, Madam Li Bai and Madam Zhao Tang are at odds because Madam Zhao Tang wanted to betroth her legitimate daughter to Madam Li Bai's legitimate daughter, Li Yang. Madam Li Bai politely refused. Later, rumors spread throughout the capital about the legitimate daughter of the Minister of Revenue, and then, somehow, the family of the Vice Minister of War also started circulating rumors about their legitimate children's alleged affair."
Upon hearing Jasmine's explanation, Zhao Jiaqi, Gan Jiaojiao, and Yao Yao exchanged glances. It seemed a failed marriage alliance had turned into animosity.
Was this what they called "failed to marry, became enemies"?
Seeing that the Regent Consort understood, Jasmine added, "Madam Zhao Tang's son is seventeen this year. He excels in poetry, calligraphy, music, chess, and painting. Madam Zhao Tang usually carries herself with great pride. Her visit to the manor today, I suspect, has ulterior motives."
With Jasmine's elaboration, Zhao Jiaqi suddenly grasped the situation.
This was a case of a failed alliance turning into a feud.
The ladies' circles in the capital were truly adept at this game, turning friends into enemies and even tarnishing their own reputations in the process.
What was the point of it all?
As she pondered what these ladies were after, Pin Ting entered with delicate steps. Seeing Zhao Jiaqi looking pensive on the chair, she inquired with a servant and learned what was on her mind.
A maid removed her cloak and handed her a hand warmer. Pin Ting settled into a comfortable posture and smiled at Zhao Jiaqi. "Sister-in-law, anyone with a bit of standing in the capital is trying to climb higher, seeking to leverage others' influence to reach new heights."
She elegantly picked up her teacup, took a sip, and continued, "If you were to toss a shoe from your foot onto the street, you might just implicate the relative of some official. We certainly don't lack officials in this capital."
Zhao Jiaqi playfully responded, "If you put it that way, does that mean there are no ordinary commoners in our capital?"
Pin Ting gave her a firm look and nodded. "No need to doubt it. The most ordinary commoner might be the steward of a minor seventh-rank official's household. If you don't believe me, go out and grab one to ask."
Zhao Jiaqi was left speechless. If that were truly the case, then the capital was indeed too small.
Perhaps this was the political center, where marriages were necessary to consolidate family prosperity. It was just a pity for those involved in such alliances.
The sisters-in-law chatted for a while longer in the room. Pin Ting, however, grew restless. Having not returned to the capital for years, she was eager to explore the bustling city. She invited her sister-in-law, the two consorts, and General Xiao's wife to join her.
All eyes turned to Zhao Jiaqi. The others wanted to go, but they were somewhat intimidated by her and were waiting for her to speak.
They looked at her expectantly, which left Zhao Jiaqi feeling rather bewildered. She wasn't some fearsome figure; why were they all looking to her for approval?
After some thought, she concluded they must be respecting her, or perhaps giving her face, by waiting for her lead.
As for their true desires, she didn't have the mental capacity to decipher them.
"Alright, with the flower viewing banquet approaching, we should get some new jewelry and clothing. Let's go out and have a look around. If we get hungry, we can have a meal at a restaurant. My treat!"
Upon hearing her sister-in-law offer to treat them, Pin Ting was so delighted she nearly jumped. Her excitement was akin to a child receiving candy.
She exclaimed, "I want to eat the braised pork knuckle and braised pig trotters from the Zhenbao Tower, several of them!"
Zhao Jiaqi raised an eyebrow. "Even if you eat all the pork knuckles and trotters in that establishment, I wouldn't object!"
She paused, then teased, "But what did the pig do to you? Why are you so set on going after its legs and feet?"
Jiaojiao and Yao Yao covered their mouths and chuckled. Su Ya chimed in, "It must be that the pig's legs are so delicious, they've left our princess with an unforgettable craving!"
Pin Ting wasn't embarrassed. Despite the teasing, she smiled radiantly. "When the skin on the pork knuckle is stewed to perfection, it's tender and melts in your mouth. It's so fragrant, who wouldn't want to eat it?"
"Besides, pig trotters are a beauty enhancer. Didn't you say that, Sister-in-law? Eating a few more pig trotters is indirectly a beauty treatment for me. If my looks fade and that brute Fan Xu Dong takes another concubine, I won't even have a place to cry."
Take a concubine?
Zhao Jiaqi chuckled and shook her head. If anyone dared to suggest Fan Xu Dong take a concubine, even with a hundred pairs of daring eyes, Fan Lao Er wouldn't have the nerve.
Pin Ting was certainly brave enough to perform surgery on Fan Lao Er, which would directly cripple his third leg. Therefore, Fan Xu Dong was the most obedient among their husbands.
The group left the manor, chatting and laughing, drawing considerable attention on the road.
It wasn't that Zhao Jiaqi, Pin Ting, and Su Ya were unattractive. While not stunning, they possessed a pleasant, enduring beauty.
However, the presence of Jiaojiao and Yao Yao beside them, these two women of unparalleled beauty, commanded glances wherever they went.
Facing the adoring gazes, the sisters had clearly grown accustomed to them.
Pin Ting felt a touch of jealousy and nudged her sister-in-law. "See that? The moment they appear, we become mere background decorations. No one's looking at me anymore."
Zhao Jiaqi nodded gently and said with mock seriousness, "Hmm, you must not have eaten enough pig trotters. I'll buy you a sackful later to replenish you. Perhaps your face will return to how it was before you were married."
Pin Ting secretly pinched her and pouted. "How is that possible? I've already had five children, and my stomach is loose. Forget a sack of pig trotters, even a cartload wouldn't help me regain my former self!"
"Enough, you. How old are you now? You've had children all over the place, and you still want to pretend you're fifteen or sixteen? You can't pull off being youthful, but you're in your prime now, a flower wherever you go. Only immature youngsters who don't know any better would prefer youth. Those with taste will appreciate someone like you. Stop being so self-pitying. You're actually quite lovely as you are."
With a few words, Zhao Jiaqi managed to amuse Pin Ting. She touched her face and realized it was true, her eyes crinkling into a smile.
Su Ya, standing nearby, overheard their conversation and sighed, shaking her head.
One moment she was sighing sorrowfully, and the next she was as happy as a child, completely unlike someone who had given birth to five children.
Her temperament was comparable to Yu Meng's – when she said it was sunny, it was sunny; when she said it was raining, it would be weeping rain the next second. Her mood could change faster than flipping a page.