Chapter 304: Gratitude for the Princess Consort's Grace
Madam Liu arrived promptly.
Dressed in a white gown with her hair tied up high, her relaxed brow gave off a gentle aura.
After exchanging greetings with Yun Chu, Madam Liu proceeded to the classroom.
The two girls were already seated properly, their curious wide eyes fixed on Madam Liu.
"My surname is Liu, you may address me as Teacher Liu," Madam Liu said with a warm smile. "Since this is our first meeting, would you two please come up and introduce yourselves?"
Chu Changsheng was terrified. Naturally timid, she feared standing before others even with just three people present.
She immediately looked toward Xie Xian.
Xie Xian wasn't much better off. Back in the Xie household, she had always avoided taking the lead.
Now in this unfamiliar Prince of Pacifying the West Manor, how could she dare to walk to the front? She'd rather find a corner to hide in.
But as the study companion to the princess, she could no longer retreat.
Gritting her teeth, Xie Xian stood up, though her entire body trembled.
Chu Changsheng pressed her lips together. "I'll go first."
She gave Xie Xian's hand a reassuring press and strode up to the lectern.
This was her home. She ought to set an example first, so Xian wouldn't be afraid and would be willing to stay and be her friend.
Stepping onto the platform, Chu Changsheng mustered her courage and said, "My name is Chu Changsheng, you can call me Changsheng."
After speaking, she immediately descended and breathed a heavy sigh of relief.
She whispered, "Xian, it's not scary at all. I'm watching you, don't be afraid."
Xie Xian nodded, imitating her approach, walked up to the lectern and said, "My name is Xie Xian, teacher may call me Xian'er."
Madam Liu smiled warmly. "Both Changsheng and Xian'er did wonderfully. Now, let's begin our studies. Please open the Three Character Classic on your desks..."
Yun Chu stood outside the classroom where a lattice window provided a clear view of Changsheng.
Witnessing this scene in the classroom, Yun Chu's anxiously suspended heart finally settled.
She had previously worried that two timid girls together might make each other more fearful, and had privately considered finding a bolder girl as an additional study companion.
The reality proved her concerns unnecessary.
Both timid girls, Changsheng and Xian Jie'er, were willing to become brave for each other's sake.
The two girls were progressing and growing together.
Yun Chu instructed the servants to wait by the classroom entrance while she returned to the flower hall to manage affairs.
Her responsibilities had multiplied - first, her own dowry matters; second, the internal affairs of the prince's manor; third, the extensive estate properties requiring management.
While giving instructions to Mother He, Ting Feng entered and announced, "Princess Consort, Er Momo requests an audience."
Yun Chu set aside the account books and gestured for her to enter.
Er Momo walked in with bowed head. "This old servant pays respects to the Princess Consort."
"No need for such formality, Er Momo," Yun Chu said with a smile. "Ting Xue, serve tea."
When a cup of tea was presented, Er Momo accepted it but didn't dare drink. In a subdued voice, she said, "Those three matrons who caused trouble last night were all trained by this old servant. Their mistakes ultimately reflect my failures... After contemplating all night, I increasingly feel this old servant grows more useless with age. Therefore, I've come specially to beg a grace from the Princess Consort."
Yun Chu curved her lips. "What grace might that be?""I beg the Princess Consort to grant this old servant permission to leave the estate." Er Momo lowered her head. "Having committed such grave errors, I am unworthy of remaining in the princely residence to live out my remaining years in comfort. I only seek a shelter from wind and rain to call my own, and would be content with that. I implore the Princess Consort to grant this wish."
Yun Chu's lips curved into a subtle smile.
Er Momo had truly mastered the art of tactical retreat.
She sighed and spoke: "If Er Momo's resolve is firm, then I shall arrange for you to retire to a manor with mountains and waters."
Though Er Momo had her selfish motives, she had nonetheless raised Chu Yi.
Regardless, Yun Chu would not mistreat her in matters of retirement.
Having already gained control of all the princely estate's properties, she knew of a large manor under Chu Yi's name featuring mountains and waters, complete with a grand residence where living standards rivaled the princely estate itself. Sending Er Momo there would ensure her peaceful twilight years.
Er Momo's fingers clenched abruptly.
Her proposal to leave wasn't about preserving dignity, but rather a strategic withdrawal meant to make the Princess Consort insist she stay.
She had thought that if the Princess Consort initiated the retention, Granny Guo would find no fault with her.
Unexpectedly, the Princess Consort didn't play by conventional rules.
After a long pause, she finally said: "I thank the Princess Consort for your grace."
She turned and left the main courtyard.
She understood clearly that if she wanted Ding Dong to become the Prince's woman, she herself as the wet nurse must not remain in the princely residence.
Yet Ding Dong and the Prince hadn't even begun to develop any relationship - she had hoped to wait until there were some prospects before departing.
What she thought would buy her time through tactical retreat had instead sealed off all her escape routes.
Now, she had no choices left.
"Mother!" Ding Dong, having heard about last night's events, hurried over. "Those troublemakers Li Pozi and the others - did the Princess Consort blame you for it?"
Er Momo shook her head: "The Princess Consort has shown grace. Your mother will soon leave the estate for honorable retirement. When you're alone in the princely residence hereafter, you must be cautious in all matters..."
"How could the Princess Consort do this?" Ding Dong's eyes widened. "I'll go see the Prince, make him see clearly who his true allies are - one is the wet nurse who raised him, the other is a Princess Consort who hasn't even been here half a year..."Er Momo grabbed her daughter's arm: 'Granny Guo said only one of us mother and daughter can remain in the princely residence.'""
These words poured over Ding Dong like cold water.
She had previously believed that with her mother's help, she could quickly become the Prince's concubine, and given her mother's status in the residence, might even advance to low-ranking imperial concubine...
Never imagining the princely residence couldn't accommodate both mother and daughter simultaneously...
Her lips parted, voice hoarse: "Mother, don't worry. I won't let your departure be in vain."
She had previously been bold in her actions, knowing her mother would always cover for her. Henceforth, being alone, she would no longer act recklessly.
Er Momo stroked her daughter's hair. If her departure could secure her daughter's lifelong happiness, she would willingly leave the estate.
The mother and daughter shared some private words before parting.
Just then, Ting Xue led Chu Changsheng and Xie Xian, freshly returned from school, into the courtyard: "Princess Consort, the Young Miss and Miss Xie have arrived."
"Mother..."
Chu Changsheng directly pulled Xie Xian's hand as they rushed into the main hall.
Er Momo's eyebrows furrowed.
Miss Xie?
No prominent family in the capital bore the surname Xie.The Princess Consort's former husband's family name was Xie. Could this Miss Xie possibly be the illegitimate daughter the Princess Consort had previously raised under her name?
A shrewd glint flashed in Er Momo's eyes.
Since she was leaving anyway, why not pave the way for Ding Dong...
She went straight to the front courtyard and waited at the entrance of the princely estate for Chu Yi to return from court.
Around noon, the sound of hoofbeats finally echoed at the estate entrance. Er Momo immediately stepped forward: "Your Highness!"
Chu Yi dismounted, removed his court robes, and tossed them to an attendant nearby. Still walking, he asked: "What is it?"
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