Chapter 863: Chapter 863: A Relative Comparison
Looking at Nanny Liu’s grateful expression, Ye Jiu suddenly didn’t want to say what was in her heart.
Letting her think that she’s been forgiven is also good; after all, nothing matters anymore.
Sometimes, acceptance doesn’t necessarily mean forgiveness. Just like Ye Jiu’s current mindset, she could welcome Princess Consort Jing back without any ill will, but to truly treat her like a mother—Ye Jiu thought she might really not be able to do that.
"By the way, I just searched the courtyard but couldn’t find any charcoal. According to custom, there should be a distribution of charcoal from above, right?" As for what custom, even Ye Jiu didn’t know. She was just finding an excuse to ask.
Nanny Liu’s previously happy expression vanished without a trace, replaced by a few traces of indignation, "The Commandery Princess might not know; the Princess Consort has always been kind-hearted, sincerely praying for blessings here, not wanting to meddle or start conflicts with anyone. But precisely because of this good nature, the Crown Princess Consort bullies her everywhere. The issue isn’t just with the food, but now, in this harsh winter, even our charcoal has been taken away. Otherwise, how could the Princess Consort’s health be so frail..."
As Ye Jiu had just anticipated, there wasn’t even any charcoal here, which was indeed the Crown Princess Consort’s doing.
"Isn’t the Crown Princess Consort also praying at Songye Temple? Which courtyard is she in?" Ye Jiu casually asked.
Nanny Liu instinctively glanced at the neighboring spot, and then replied, "The Crown Princess Consort is in the courtyard next door."
Thinking about the stark contrast between next door and here, Nanny Liu felt even more unsettled.
Having obtained the information she wanted, Ye Jiu waved her hand decisively, "Alright, Mother Consort just took her medicine, so Nanny, go on in and take care of her."
Afraid Ye Jiu might get impatient, Nanny Liu didn’t dare linger and had to forcibly suppress many words she wanted to say, replying: "Yes, this old servant will go right away."
After Nanny Liu left, Qin Zhou said, "Elder sister, that Crown Princess Consort is being so excessive; couldn’t we teach her a lesson?"
"No," Ye Jiu refused outright.
Qin Zhou didn’t expect such a result, and couldn’t accept it, "Why not? She’s so excessive!"
"No matter how excessive she is, she hasn’t done anything to me. Why should I go?" Ye Jiu retorted directly.
"You..." Qin Zhou was furious, looking angrily at Ye Jiu, "You’re so heartless!"
After speaking, Qin Zhou truly didn’t want to sit with her any longer and simply went back inside.
After Qin Zhou left, Ye Jiu sat for a while longer. When the doctor arrived, she suddenly stood up and walked out of the courtyard.
Reaching next door, Ye Jiu found a lush tree close to the wall and used her Qinggong to climb up it.
Standing on the tree provided a clear view, allowing her to see the scenery of the next courtyard.
Both were here to pray, but comparing the Crown Princess Consort’s courtyard to that of Princess Consort Jing, the disparity in treatment was striking.
Unlike the desolate scenery of Princess Consort Jing’s courtyard, the Crown Princess Consort’s was clearly more luxurious. In the middle of winter, it was still blooming with colorful flowers, losing none of its status and grandeur.
At this moment, the Crown Princess Consort was sitting on a stone bench in the courtyard, and across from her sat none other than the esteemed Crown Prince himself!
Watching the two in the courtyard conversing, occasionally with some intimate gestures, Ye Jiu chuckled quietly to herself on the tree, and an idea formed in her mind.