Pregnant Before the Royal Marriage

Chapter 569: Chapter 559: The Reason Li Xiu Was Punished to Kneel

“Let her in.”

Although Li Yuanyuan was in charge of the East Palace’s domestic affairs, at least on the surface, she was impeccable. She came to pay her respects to Jiang Ning, the Princess Consort, every day and provided her with everything she needed for clothing and daily necessities without any neglect.

She always chose the best things to send over.

From Jiang Ning’s perspective, she couldn’t find any fault with Concubine Li.

Moreover, Li Yuanyuan was graceful and gentle, always treating Jiang Ning with humility and respect.

Jiang Ning felt that Li Yuanyuan was much more agreeable than Li Hongyuan.

She walked in gracefully, kneeling down to pay her respects to Jiang Ning: “This humble one pays her respects to the Princess Consort.”

“You may rise, sit down.” Jiang Ning raised her hand and smiled as she looked at her, “Concubine Li, your pink dress is very bright and beautiful. It’s rare to see you wearing such a color.”

Li Yuanyuan usually preferred light and elegant colors.

Li Yuanyuan smiled and said, “This fabric was a gift from His Highness. Although I don’t particularly like this color, I dare not let his kindness go to waste.”

Chunlai sneered, “If you don’t like it, then don’t wear it. It’s not like someone’s forcing you…”

She stood by the door, speaking softly enough that only she could hear.

But she was still pinched by Xiachu, “You and your loose lips! Can’t you stop talking behind people’s back?”

Chunlai grumbled, “I hate people who act pretentious.”

Suddenly her eyes lit up, “Didn’t the master make us each a few sets of winter clothes a few days ago? I remember you have one in the same color! Is her fabric the same as yours?”

Xiachu glanced at Li Yuanyuan and shook her head, “The fabric is not the same. The fabric the master gave us was sent from the Prime Minister’s Mansion. It’s better than what Concubine Li is wearing.”

Chunlai whispered something in her ear.

Xiachu shook her head, “No, that was given to me by the master. I haven’t even worn it yet.”

“I’ll trade you two new ones for it! Look at you being so stingy. It’s just a piece of clothing! It’s not like the master has treated you poorly.”

“The master is generous, but I like to be frugal. Is that wrong?”

“Fine, fine, I’ll trade you three new ones for it, is that okay?”

“…Alright.”

The two of them went out, whispering and muttering.

In the room, after Li Yuanyuan sat down, she also mentioned the matter of Li Xiu being punished to kneel.

“Sister, do you know why Eunuch Li was punished?” Li Yuanyuan asked with a smile.

“Probably because my servant asked Eunuch Li for information yesterday,” Jiang Ning said frankly.

As Li Yuanyuan had dined with the Crown Prince the night before, she wasn’t too concerned about the matter.

Having the Crown Prince visit her room was a blessing for her. She hadn’t done anything wrong and didn’t need to feel guilty in front of the Princess Consort.

She smiled and said, “Sister, you are mistaken. His Highness didn’t punish Li Xiu for telling Huang Ying about his whereabouts.”

“Then what was the reason?”

“On the contrary, it was because Li Xiu didn’t reveal it earlier.” Li Yuanyuan smiled, “It caused the Princess Consort to wait in vain for half the night.”

Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow, “Are you sure?”

“I have been with His Highness for much longer than you, sister. I can somewhat understand his temperament.” Li Yuanyuan sighed softly, “In the end, His Highness still cares about you. Even if he appears distant on the surface, he does so with concern in his heart.”

Jiang Ning didn’t respond.

It was only Li Yuanyuan’s speculation.

As for the real reason, only Li Hongyuan himself knew.

Jiang Ning smiled and asked, “Since you knew about this early on, why didn’t you take the opportunity to plead for Li Xiu? Li Xiu is in charge of the Crown Prince’s affairs and will become the Chief Eunuch in the future. Many concubines will compete to curry favor with him. Why hasn’t Concubine Li taken advantage of the current situation in the East Palace to build relationships?”