The Princess's Notebook

In the evening, Wang Kang had not yet returned to the mansion, but he sent his personal servant to come to his wife Qiao Xin with a smile and brisk steps to convey his will.

Qiao Xin and Nanny Qiu listened to the servant's words with half-closed eyes. It was as if they had swallowed a live fly, which was not only running and jumping around, but also swinging like a swing in their stomachs.

The servant lowered his eyebrows but couldn't hide the smile on his face. "Madam, the fourth master said that today is a big day, so please arrange a good dinner for us to make it lively. I want some Liuxia from Chunfeng Tower. Also, I want some drunken chicken from Zuixiang Tower outside the East Gate..."

It was such a long speech that if you didn't know, you would think he was a storyteller telling the story of some noble family hosting a banquet.

After ordering the dishes, the waiter stood still, waiting for Qiao Xin's instructions.

Sitting on the official hat chair, the fourth lady Qiao Xin, wearing half-worn clothes, could not hide her helplessness and disgust. She had nothing to say. Aunt Qiu, who was following beside her, saw that she was really not in a good state, and quietly reached out to pat the fourth lady on the back.

Qiao Xin then gave the servant a straight look and ordered in a cold voice: "Go and tell your fourth master, word for word, to take off that official uniform and sweep every corner of the house. If you can sweep out half a copper coin, I will give him a hundred taels of silver.

If he wants to eat the food at Chunfeng Pavilion, why doesn't he go to Qingliang Palace for the imperial banquet?"

As he said this, he swung his sleeves and scolded the servant, "Get out. In the future, if you guys have money, you can contribute to celebrate for the Fourth Master. You don't have to come back to me."

After being scolded, the servant walked out of the house with his back hunched and in shame.

The few people left in the room lowered their heads and said nothing in silence.

After Qiao Xin sighed several times, Nanny Qiu dared to speak, "Fourth Madam, please relax. No matter what the Fourth Master does, you..." It's none of your business. Nanny Qiu didn't say these words. She changed the subject and talked about the young masters in the mansion.

"When the Tenth Young Master gets married and has children, and the Fourth Master retires, life will get better."

Qiao Xin brushed off the dust on his clothes with disgust and took three or five sips of tea. "I know all this. But look at him, he's living well, he doesn't look like he's going to retire. I'm afraid I'll be so angry that I die before that day comes."

Aunt Qiu: "Pah, pah, pah, what nonsense are you talking about, Madam? How can you curse yourself like that?"

"Since I got married, I haven't had a good day. If I could get to the Buddha's side early, it would be a relief. In the early years, there was a concubine today and a concubine tomorrow. These were all fine, just men being more romantic. But look at what he has done in recent years. His official position has not changed, his salary has not increased, but his tone has become more and more arrogant. He always says that he will be promoted soon and be on par with the master. He doesn't even look at what he is like..."

Before he could finish his words, the maid guarding the door suddenly knelt down and shouted, "Fourth Master, you are back. What good news have you encountered? I see that you are so radiant."

The people in the room paused and looked outside. They saw a man who was more than seven feet tall, wearing a green official uniform, a leather belt around his waist, and looking energetic. Although he was old, he was still a little thin, with a few strands of beautiful beard on his chin, which swayed slightly when he moved, making him even more handsome.

After hearing the maid's congratulations, the man quickly stepped forward, lowered his head and said excitedly: "You are a servant in the main courtyard, what is your name..."

Without waiting for the maid to reply, he twirled his beard and said, "No matter what your name was before, from now on you will be called Xi'er. Yes, Xi'er, very good, very good. You are right. Master, I have encountered a great event. Is the Madam here?"

Xi'er didn't stand up either. She turned her head and looked inside the room. She saw everyone busy with their own things. The fourth lady was sitting at the desk and nodded slightly. "The lady is here."

The fourth master, Wang Kang, walked in quickly, his clothes fluttering, "Madam, guess who I met today?"

Qiao Xin couldn't do that in front of the maids, as it was too disrespectful to Wang Kang, so she replied angrily, "What? Did the Bodhisattva come down to earth to enlighten you?"

"Ah, Madam, what are you talking about? I am old and I still want to live a good life with you for a few more years. Guess who it is today? It is God's blessing that it is His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Suspecting that this person was crazy about getting promoted, Qiao Xin retorted, "It's not as convincing as the Buddha."

"What Buddha?" Wang Kang turned to look at Aunt Qiu. "Did Madam go to worship Buddha?" Seeing Aunt Qiu shaking her head silently, Wang Kang was puzzled. However, he was so happy that he wanted to tell others about it, so he simply ignored him and continued to talk to Qiao Xin.

"It's really His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, but it's not His Royal Highness himself, but General Sun Du of the Eastern Palace. General Sun came to find me this afternoon and praised me a lot, saying that I have been conscientious and self-disciplined and diligent over the years, which is really good. He also said that if he gets the right opportunity in the future, he will hire me..."

"What should I do? Send you out of Kyoto?"

Seeing that what he said was very convincing and different from the past, Qiao Xin asked according to his true feelings.

Wang Kang looked back and smiled, like a rat stealing fish. "I didn't go into detail. But I thought, if there is a vacancy in the East Palace, I must be transferred there to serve. If there is no such thing, what would General Sun, a cold man, say to me? If he has this free time, he might as well go home and practice how to smile and greet people so that he can find a new wife."

He started to behave inappropriately again. Qiao Xin teased him, "Perhaps General Sun heard that the master is a playboy and is quite popular with girls, so he came to talk to you. Don't get the wrong idea, or you will be happy for nothing."

"What a flowery name, it's too unpleasant. Every man and every master is like this. I am liked by others, that's romantic, that's literary talent. Others can't reach this level. I'm talking to you, you are always jealous and don't discipline your children. Look at what they have become. My father is about to be promoted, and he will lead everyone to live a good life soon, a better life than the first wife, but no one came to congratulate him.

It's not decent, it's not decent. Besides, I sent someone here before..."

Before anyone could finish, Qiao Xin asked, "Master, since you have such a good opportunity, have you told the eldest master about it? And, have you told the old lady about it?"

"What can I tell them? My eldest brother looks like he is always hoping for my well-being. Besides, although my mother loves her youngest son and likes me very much, she can't do anything too much under the eyes of my brothers, so I won't bother her."

Qiao Xin said nothing, just looked at him and laughed.

Oh, that sounds really nice.

It is true that Wang Kang is the youngest son in the family, and he has always been the least successful. The eldest master took care of him for a few years, but he gave up when he saw that he was really useless. Besides, the old lady in the family doesn't dislike this youngest son, but she doesn't like him at all.

When they see their father like this, the children in the fourth room can only go to the old lady in the middle road on the first and fifteenth day of the lunar month to greet her. On weekdays, if they don't see him, they can live a long life.

When it comes to Wang Kang, the story becomes different.

Qiao Xin was too lazy to pay attention to him and said directly: "For the banquet tonight, if you have money, you can go to the restaurant to eat wine, watch a variety show, and do whatever you want. With me, it doesn't cost a single copper coin."

Wang Kang was so angry that he jumped up, "I really gave you face, but you forgot who is the master in the family! Half a month ago, your maid, the one with a lame leg, came to give you money. You thought I was blind and didn't see it! I arranged for the servant to come and talk to you earlier, and you should give the money properly. Why did you have to accept my scolding again? Women and villains are hard to raise."

Mrs. Qiao also stood up suddenly, "Difficult to support? Humph, when has the master's money been used for household expenses? When has it been used for me and the children? Even your concubines, Aunt Li and Aunt Sun, can't get your money. Now you have the nerve to put on airs in front of me. I advise you to worry less and don't waste your energy."

There was not a single false word in what he said. Wang Kang had nothing to say, and the joy he had felt when he came here was completely gone.

Considering her own face, she raised her head and said, "Just wait, I will be promoted soon and work in the Eastern Palace. Then, I will divorce you, a shrew." After that, she turned away.

Qiao Xin was so angry that he chased to the door and said, "Hurry up, don't miss it. When you are old, you won't be able to walk when I invite you to my wedding."

Aunt Qiu, who was standing by, shuddered with fear when she heard this, and rushed forward to pull the man back. "Oh, my lady, my girl, you can't say that. You can't say that. It's unlucky, unlucky..."

"What good fortune do you want? The fourth wife of the Wang family, whoever wants her can take her. Do you really think I am precious?"

Nanny Qiu asked everyone to close the doors and keep the news secret.

"My girl, even if you have had enough, even if you don't think about yourself, you can't help but think about the young master. You and the fourth master have parted ways, but the young master is the young master of the Wang family. What if you want to see and say a few words at that time... My girl..."

Let’s not talk about how Nanny Qiu comforted her own daughter, and let’s talk about Master Wang Si.

Wang Kang was so angry that he came out of the main room and turned around the corridor. He did not see the little maid from Lanxiang Courtyard, and felt a little strange. Aunt Li from Lanxiang Courtyard was always looking forward to him and never refuted him like the lady did.

A being like a flower that can speak.

He turned around and headed for Lanxiang Courtyard. When he reached the door, he saw a little maid and asked, "Where is Aunt Li?"

"Auntie was exposed to a cold wind last night and felt unwell, so she went to bed early."

Wang Kang's plan was in vain, so he left without staying any longer. He went to Aunt Sun's place again, but was turned away as usual. He felt quite embarrassed.

With nowhere to go and no one to tell about his joy today, Wang Kang was neither left nor right, shuttling back and forth in the mansion. For some reason, he walked to the door of Qiu Shuang Residence. He saw the whole garden was desolate and bleak, with fallen leaves all over the ground. It was the same scene in early spring as it was in autumn. Wang Kang was a little confused. In his memory, Qiu Shuang Residence was a perfect place for reciting poems and painting, with wisteria in spring and red maples in autumn. But now it has fallen to such a state.

If he loses, he loses. Anyway, he, as a master, doesn't have any extra money.

Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly remembered that someone had whispered in his ear yesterday that Wang Shiqi Niang had committed a crime and had been put in solitary confinement by the Madam. What crime had she committed?
After pacing for a while, he finally remembered that Shiqi Niang had gone to the Huitong Bookstore to discuss literature.

That is a post worth a fortune! ! The young lady is so wealthy!

He immediately smiled and walked in.

Because he had not been in the courtyard for a long time, the maids in the courtyard looked like they had seen something rare, and they investigated blatantly but quietly. Wang Kang ignored everything, and after standing in the courtyard, he casually called the maid, "Go and call Seventeenth Lady here, I have something to ask her."

After a while, Wang Shiqi Niang was particularly reluctant to go out, so she bowed and said, "Father, you are looking for me."

Wang Kang looked at Shiqi Niang with loving eyes and said lovingly, "Shiqi, after this year, you will be fifteen and come of age. Your father is a lowly official with little talent, and the others in the family are nothing special and can't be relied on. Do you blame your father for not being able to choose a good husband for you?"

All the children in the family knew what kind of person their father was. But today, Wang Kang seemed to be possessed by a demon. He was bathed in the light of being a father, so dazzling that he even outshone the glow in the sky.

Because of this, Shiqi Niang's heart was pounding.

This year is not going well for me, I feel like God is going to kill me!

"Father, Seventeen doesn't want to get married. She wants to stay with you and your wife and be filial to them."

Wang Kang became more gentle, "Silly child, girls have to get married when they grow up. With the way you look, how can your father feel at ease in the future? But, maybe the days to come won't be sad anymore." After the greetings, he repeated what he had said to Qiao Xin not long ago.

My father is about to be promoted... Money is not a problem... The Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace thinks highly of me and will send me to the Zhanshi Mansion to take up the post soon...

Finally, Youyou said, "Seventeen, it's such a big event, why don't you celebrate for dad."

Who is Wang Shiqi Niang? She has never seen the outside world, but she has heard a lot about her father's deeds. If it were someone else, they would have congratulated her, paid money, and congratulated her.

Shiqi Niang pretended to shrink back, "Father, I heard that the Crown Prince has a bad temper. How about we talk to General Sun tomorrow and quit this job. So that we won't make mistakes in the future and lose the current situation."

Wang Kang roared, "Foolish young lady, you have long hair but little knowledge. The prince is the heir to the throne, and has been loved by His Majesty and the Queen for many years. How can you command the people without dignity? Hurry up, where is the money you got from the literary meeting yesterday? Lend some to Dad, and I will pay you back double when I get my job at the East Palace."

"Father, where do I get the money?"

"Still trying to make excuses. You are following your brothers and that crazy woman, and you are not learning anything good! There are so many princes and nobles attending the literary gathering at Huitong Bookstore, and you don't have a single penny, so how can you get in?"

The father and daughter argued back and forth for several times, and Wang Kang became more and more impatient. Shiqi Niang had no choice but to go inside and take out half a dollar and hand it to Wang Kang.

It was considered a gain. Wang Kang took the silver and money, muttered "poor", and walked out quickly to enjoy himself.

……

At night, Sun Du reported to the prince, "Your Highness, after Wang Kang returned home to change his clothes, he went to Chunfeng Tower to drink and ordered two elegant dancers to accompany him."

Zhao Feiran paused while holding the brush, extremely puzzled, "Drinking? And ordering a dancer?"

Sun Du nodded.

"Where did he get the money? Didn't his family cut off his money?"

Sun Du explained, "I heard that every master of the Wang family can receive thirty taels of silver from the front yard every month. But since the fifteenth year of Taikang, the old lady of the Wang family has said that Wang Kang can no longer use the money from the outer yard. The monthly expenses of the fourth room are all paid by the fourth lady from the first lady. Today, Wang Kang gave half a tael of silver to the gatekeeper to pay for the wine in Chunfeng Tower. He went in and found a few hangers-on, shouting..."

"Just say what he wants to say."

Sun Du paused, lowering his head even lower, "It is said that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince intends to appoint him to the Zhanshi Mansion, and a few people who like to watch the fun invited him to a banquet."

Hearing this, Zhao Feiran didn't know whether to cry or laugh.

Well, Wang Kang is indeed a talented person.

However, why is it so difficult to deal with Wang Shiqi Niang and vent my anger?

Wang Shiqi Niang, who was hiding under the south window writing a storybook, looked up to the sky and sighed, "You have a hard time, but I have an even harder time!"

(End of this chapter)