Afternoon 2:42

  Biyun entered the house and saw Yanglan still writing, so she quietly stood by and didn't make a sound. Biyue was on the side grinding ink for Yanglan.

  "What's going on? But didn't Big Sister send someone over?" Yang Lan finished writing the last stroke of the auspicious character, nodding in satisfaction.

  Bixue smiled and said: "Today, Miss's words look particularly comfortable. Shall I put them away for you?"

  Yang Lan smiled and nodded, "Today's mood is good, the words written are still pleasing to the eye, keep it, I'll compare with it later."

  "Yes!" Biyue carefully blew the large characters dry, put them aside, and after a while, she would put them together with the previous ones, also marking the date, leaving them for Miss to take out later to compare and see if there was any progress.

  Bi Yun smiled and replied, "But Miss guessed it, Xiao Hong came over, not a bit of propriety, a slave girl speaking with her nose in the air, coming and going without knowing who's who, I thought she was the mistress! Let me stop her, do you want to go see tomorrow?"

  Yang Lan shook her head and said, "Don't go. You can go tomorrow and tell her that I blew some wind today, my head is a bit uncomfortable, and I want to lie down for a while. Bring her a few of the specialty items from Fengyuan Prefecture as a gift, it's my apology."

  She didn't want to get too close to Li, this person's mind is muddled, but her heart is quite big, getting too close would inevitably lead to trouble. From the way she dressed for today's birthday banquet, you can tell that this person has a soft spot and lacks principle, with a wild heart, really an unclear-headed person, didn't want to bother with her.

  Biyun nodded in understanding, "I understand, I'll go tomorrow afternoon. I'll pick out a few delicate trinkets that girls like and bring a pair of yellow jade hairpins, how's that?"

  Yang Lan nodded casually, "You decide then!" She never lacked these things and didn't care about them either.

  She was in charge of the jewelry, Biyue was in charge of silver and money, Biqing was in charge of clothes and fabrics, Bilian was responsible for tea and refreshments; The four senior maids were under Biyun's command, and the affairs of the courtyard were all listened to by Lin Mama. Nanny Yue Mama only took care of her food and occasionally made some clothes, shoes and socks. Nanny had a gentle temperament, didn't like to argue with people, was relatively quiet and cautious, and didn't want to be in charge of things. She got along well with Lin Mama.

  The affairs outside the princess's mansion were handed over to Lin Guanshi, who was also the husband of Yang Nai, a very cautious and calculating person. He had followed his father into battle and was one of his trusted attendants. After being injured, he retired and married Yang Nai through the arrangement of Princess Zhang. They have a son named Chang Fu, who is also considered to be Yang Lan's older brother. He follows Big Brother around as a young servant, learning from him with humility and respect, recognizing characters and reading books. He hasn't signed any contract to sell himself into servitude, which is the only honor given by his mother. In the future, if Chang Fu reads well, he can take the imperial examination and become an official!

  Yang Lan is a high-born lady in two lifetimes, influenced by her family environment, with a broad vision and a wide heart. Her uncle in the previous life was a company owner who didn't lack money at all. The Yang family had descendants serving in both military and political circles, and they were very accomplished. The upbringing of the Yang family's children has always been different. She grew up with her grandfather since she was young, as her parents were busy with work and had no time to take care of her. During holidays and festivals, high-ranking officials would come to visit, including a number one leader who came to pay respects to her grandfather, who was one of the few remaining elderly people who had genuinely participated in the Red Army revolution.

  Such a family and ordinary children are different, and the people she comes into contact with are all top-notch, the people around her are all dignitaries. She likes to play with smart people and there are few who dare to let her lose out. She doesn't like people who are too showy and foolish.

  There are some habits that can't be changed in this life, for example, the maidservants who serve by one's side must be able to read and write, understand etiquette and be capable of handling matters, they should also know a bit about accounting, collecting information, etc.

  She doesn't need to know all the maids, nor does she need to know their little secrets. Those who can squeeze in and get her recognition are capable people, not lacking in insight. If they're useful and obedient, I'll use them; if not, I'll throw them out and someone else will deal with them.

  Killing a chicken with a bull knife, she doesn't need to play tricks on the maids at all, it's all up to me being happy, I'm the master and you're the slaves, born unequal, as long as I give orders, that's enough, those who play with me are the young ladies and princesses of the same status as me, this is what I should use my brain for, what game we play doesn't matter, what matters is who plays with whom.

  These principles were taught to her by her grandfather, father and princess mother in life, bit by bit. When playing, it is also with people of equal status, don't play tricks on those who are lower or worse than you, that's losing face, that's bullying the weak, only people without dignity do such things!

  This life, her mother only told her one thing: if you like it, use it; if you don't like it, throw it away. Don't mind whether this person is good or bad, they want to get close to you and make you remember them. For example, Biyun Biyue, even Qingya knows that she's good at embroidery, and many shoes and socks are made by her. That's skill. If you can't get it, it's because you don't have the skills, don't expect me to go find you, that's impossible.

  The mother said that the master should have the demeanor of a master, and the servant should have the demeanor of a servant. If the master cannot stand up for himself, it will lead to the servant bullying the master. This kind of thing happens often in the palace! Don't just look at how the princess is called with respect and honor, even among women, they are all exceptional, but there are also princesses who are bullied and don't dare to speak out, their lives are more bitter than those of servants!

  The slaves in the palace are very capable, they bullied you and made you speechless, crying without a place to cry, their skills for tormenting people are all according to the rules, absolutely making you unable to say anything wrong, just see if you can stand up by yourself.

  Currently, in the imperial palace of Da Chu, there are fifteen princesses who have survived and are still alive. Only three to five of them are favored by the emperor and receive gifts from him during festivals, but the rest are left to fend for themselves. Those without mothers are raised under the name of a concubine, and as for how they live, only heaven knows!

  She has been in and out of the palace many times, occasionally seeing a few princesses paying respects to the empress dowager. From their clothes, jewelry, and fabrics, you can tell which one is favored, which one is protected by her mother, and which one is struggling to survive on her own with no one by her side. The more you see it, the more you sigh. This is just what's visible on the surface; within those towering palace walls, countless women have shed blood, tears, and their youth.

  Being a princess doesn't necessarily mean being happy, and not being one doesn't mean you'll have a better life. The people of Chu are relatively open-minded, there are princesses who keep concubines, and some even marry multiple times. Compared to the Qing dynasty, the princesses' lives are slightly better, but it depends on the power of their maternal family; otherwise, there are also princesses living miserable lives.

  A princess from a weak and useless noble family can be imagined to have an ending that is worse than that of ordinary high-born ladies.

  Bi Yun looked at Yang Lan sitting in the chair deep in thought, and suddenly remembered Qing Ya's matter. She had a mind to mention it to her, so that she could show her face in the future. "I let Qing Ya go and investigate Xiao Hong's affairs. I coldly glanced at this maid, who seemed to be a kind-hearted person."

  "Well, do you think the sprout can be used?" Yang Lan asked Biyun's opinion again, seemingly serious.

  I've got a nose infection, and it's running like crazy! I'm so miserable, I just want to block it all up!