Fu Rou threw him a side glance. “How am I cruel?”
“Asking Ma Hainiu to find my sister. Is that not cruel?” It was not like he didn’t know how influential his sister could be. She stopped him from bringing any girl home.
“Alright, I am cruel. If you do not like it, you can chase after her.” Fu Rou smiled brightly.
“Don’t even think about it.” Sheng Chumu hugged Fu Rou. “According to what Ma Hainiu said, you are my ship. My one and only ship.”
Ma Hainiu wore a peony flowered dress and carried a large bowl of water on her head as she struggled to learn the proper etiquettes of a lady. She would never have imagined herself falling into Fu Rou’s trap even as she was repeatedly beaten by the etiquette teachers with a ruler.
Fu Rou had also suffered in the hands of Consort Han before she entered the palace due to an unexpected turn of events. She had no way to get out, let alone the careless Ma Hainiu.
Ma Hainiu could not stand the work that she was put through. If she had known this beforehand, she would never have gone to Consort Han. Consort Han only mentioned that she had to be like Fu Rou, learn the proper manners, read books and learn embroidery in order to marry Sheng Chumu. Ma Hainiu had been rash and had immediately agreed to Consort Han thinking that it was going to be an easy process. Who would have expected to go through the bone-breaking suffering that she had to go through now.
Consort Han gleefully watched Ma Hainiu for half an hour before she said, “The first round today will be two hours. From tomorrow onwards, it will be three hours long.”
Dumbfounded, Ma Hainiu blinked her eyes and asked, “There is another lesson tomorrow?”
“The sitting posture is basic knowledge. You have to persevere everyday. Oh yes, as the wife of a Duke, you must also be knowledgeable in literature.” Consort Han waved and called for the palace maids to bring a stack of books. “Normally, I would give three days to memorize these books. However, I will give you four days. Fu Rou has also memorized these books.”
Another two palace maids brought an embroidery screen forward.
“This is Fu Rou’s work and it is considered average among other things she has embroidered. She has also embroidered a peony screen that the Empress really liked and brought to the palace.” Ma Hainiu was about to speak but Consort Han interrupted her, “Rest assure, I favor you more than Fu Rou and I will not demand that you embroider better than her. As long as you can roughly achieve the standard of this embroidery screen, it will be good enough.” She could only blame her brother for attracting the wrong people. However, it seemed that Fu Rou was the good fortune that her brother attracted.
“I have never held a needle my whole life.” Ma Hainiu pouted and wore a pitiful expression. She only knew how to pick up swords.
“Do you not want to marry my brother?” Consort Han frowned. Was she going to give up so easily?
“I… I want to.” Ma Hainiu’s eyebrows furrowed together.
“I am putting in so much effort just so that you can beat Fu Rou and walk into the Duke Lu Residence proudly. Are you not willing to do something so simple for Chumu? Do you not have him in your heart?” Consort Han shook her head and sighed.
“I do…!” Ma Hainiu rebutted loudly and was hit fiercely by the ruler from the teacher nearby.
Ma Hainiu whimpered and softly mumbled, “I have him in my heart…”
Consort Han sighed, “That is good. I will support you and you must persevere.” She turned around and instructed the servants beside her, “Let her stand for two hours then get her to memorize the books. Lastly, make her practice her embroidery. This is the future wife of a Duke, you must treat her well.”
The servants nodded in understanding.
Chapter 40.2: Crickets and Ants
In the evening, Sheng Chumu accompanied Fu Rou to the palace gates before reluctantly bidding farewell to her.
“What day is it now? The cowherd boy and the weaver girl were banished to opposite sides of the Milky Way by the Empress Goddess. You and I are the living examples of them and the high walls of the palace is the Milky Way.”
“Then who is the Empress Goddess?” Fu Rou had already accepted her fate.
“Isn’t it obvious? It is the Empress…” Fu Rou quickly brought her hand up to clasp Sheng Chumu’s mouth. “You are so bold, you even dare to complain about the Empress.”
“I will even dare to go against the Emperor for you, not to mention a few complains.” Sheng Chumu was fearless and declared, “Rou’er, when I please the Emperor and there is an opportunity, I will ask for permission to bring you out of the palace.”
“Is it so easy to please the Emperor?” Everything was always down to opportunities.
“You may not know but the Emperor looks highly upon me. We can be together soon. Please just bear with it for a while longer.” Sheng Chumu was not only fearless, he was also proud of himself.
Fu Rou laughed, “Is it me bearing it or you?”
Sheng Chumu also laughed, “Hehe, we will bear it together.” He pointed to his lips. “Kiss me and I will let you go.”
“This is not appropriate in front of the palace gates. If someone spreads a rumour, we will no longer be able to see each other.” Fu Rou had the foresight and she took more precaution.
Sheng Chumu did not press her further, knowing that she was right. He stared foolishly after her but did not enter the palace. He could bear the distance between him and her. However, the palace was merciless and he was afraid that he would lose her forever if he did not take action now.
When Fu Rou returned to her quarters, her underling, Li Zhangyan, informed her that the Imperial Concubine Sun had requested her audience at Yudan Palace. Fu Rou was puzzled but these were people of a higher rank than her and she could only be more cautious as she obeyed the orders.
Fu Rou walked into Yudan Palace but no one was there and only the candle lights danced in the dark. She was about to turn back to question the internal attendant that brought her here. To her surprise, the internal attendant had not followed her in but had quickly closed the door behind her. Fu Rou jumped in shock and rushed to open the door only to hear the sound of metal locks. She had been locked into the room.
“Fu Siyan’s beauty is well regarded. Under the misty candle light, you are even more stunning.” A well dressed man walked towards her from the inner depths of the palace.
Fu Rou swivelled around quickly. The man before her appeared smart and proper but he wore an evil grin. His eyes shone in the dark and a nasty look crossed his face. Fu Rou immediately guessed that he was Grand Prince Liang. He used Imperial Concubine Sun’s name to lure her out. It was well known that Grand Prince Liang was unscrupulous and Fu Rou had heard about the incident of how he demanded for Princess Xinnan’s servant, Zhenzhu.
Fu Rou wore a determined expression as she bowed respectfully. “Your Highness, I received Imperial Concubine Sun’s orders to come here. Since Her Highness is not here, please excuse me.”
“Fu Siyan, you must be mistaken. It was me who called you here, not my mother.” Grand Prince Liang smiled, “I heard that you were a beauty in the palace and I have always wanted to see you. It was a coincidence that I saw you and General Xuanwei Chumu together today. He was an expert in womanizing in the past but he changed after he met you. I am very curious and wanted to meet you.”
Grand Prince Liang stepped towards Fu Rou and circled her as he spoke. He breathed in deeply and sighed, “What a nice fragrance.”
Fu Rou remained calm as she stepped backward and stealthily pulled out her hairpin.