When someone from Huaqing Palace came to ask Qi Zhenzhen to return, Jin Rong was still speaking with lingering reluctance. She subconsciously asked, "Are you leaving already?"
"Her Highness knew the Princess would cling to Miss Qi and not let go, so she specifically asked this servant to inform the Princess that there will be plenty of opportunities in the future, no need to rush this moment," the palace maid said with a smile. "You are family now, and you'll have many more chances to interact."
Hearing this, Jin Rong nodded in agreement. "That's true. Then, Sister Zhenzhen, I won't keep you any longer. Don't forget what you promised me, and help me ask County Princess for more fruit preserves."
Qi Zhenzhen nodded solemnly, "Don't worry, I definitely won't forget."
Upon returning to Huaqing Palace, Consort An spoke a few words with Qi Zhenzhen before instructing Eunuch Lai Fu to escort them away.
"Congratulations to the Old Madam, congratulations to the second young lady," Eunuch Lai Fu said after they left Huaqing Palace, cupping his hands. His attitude was sincere, showing more warmth than when they first met.
Qi Zhenzhen didn't think he was being opportunistic. Instead, she felt he understood his mistress's thoughts and made the most appropriate choices. In the beginning, Consort An's attitude towards them was ambiguous, and Eunuch Lai Fu had judged the distance perfectly, neither too close nor too far. Later, when Consort An treated her as one of her own, Eunuch Lai Fu showed corresponding enthusiasm, but in a way that was comfortable and not at all off-putting.
This was a skill, a remarkable one that not everyone could master.
Granny Fang took out a purse from her sleeve and handed it to Eunuch Lai Fu. The Old Madam said, "We'll ask Eunuch Lai Fu for your continued care in the future."
Lai Fu did not refuse, accepting the purse with a calm expression. "Old Madam, rest assured, this servant knows what to do."
It was always easiest to speak with intelligent people; there was no need to explain everything one by one, as they could grasp the intended meaning on their own.
From now on, although Qi Zhenzhen's visits to the palace would not be a daily occurrence, they would be unavoidable. The imperial palace was a place with many people and complexities. Even if Qi Zhenzhen was as cautious as possible, she couldn't guarantee she wouldn't offend anyone. Eunuch Lai Fu, having agreed, would naturally look out for her. As the head eunuch of Huaqing Palace, he had many informants within the palace, making it easy to care for Qi Zhenzhen.
Huaqing Palace.
Consort An frowned. "Granny Gu, what exactly does my mother mean? Ah Nian has always been a person of good judgment, and Mother knows this. How could the person Ah Nian himself favors be flawed? Yet, why does Zhenzhen seem so unworthy in Mother's eyes? If I listened to her and ruined this marriage, my niece-nephew relationship with Ah Nian would be over. Doing so would be detrimental to me, the First Prince, and the Gu family. How can Mother not understand these connections?"
"Perhaps the Old Madam has another young lady in mind? Or perhaps she feels that Miss Qi the Second's status is not befitting the Heir? Your Highness, this matter needs clear communication. If it is not communicated well, there may be trouble in the future," Granny Gu said.
Consort An knew this all too well. Her sister-in-law had always been rather uninvolved in household affairs; her mother still managed the household. Regarding Ah Nian's marriage, if her mother harbored resentment, conflicts would inevitably arise in the future. At that time, a rift would surely form between Ah Nian and her mother. She knew that so-and-so's son was always ambitious.
"Have someone investigate thoroughly to find out why. The Gu family is my reliance, and it will be the First Prince's reliance in the future. With everyone united, it will be easier to act," Consort An instructed.