It Was This Concubine's Reckless Words

"Actually, Mistress, you didn't have to give it to them. They'd still complain it's too little. Those people are used to siding with whoever is in power," Lian Rong pouted.
Jiang Jin Xin smiled helplessly, "It's all because I'm too poor. This money is what I've saved for a long time."
Lian Rong said nothing more. These past few days, she had also realized Jiang Jin Xin's predicament. Every time she returned from the Princess Consort's courtyard, her fingers were covered in blood scabs. Even after cleaning them thoroughly, traces of blood could still be seen under her fingernails. Yet, she didn't allow Lian Rong to report it to Prince Rui, always saying it wasn't the right time. Every time Jiang Jin Xin went to the Princess Consort's place, Lian Rong was very worried.
For several consecutive days, Prince Rui stayed at Wan Yue Ju, making Consort Cao incredibly smug. But Jiang Jin Xin felt much relieved, because the Princess Consort wouldn't pick a fight with her the next day.
At noon, Jiang Jin Xin was feeding fish in the pavilion, watching the plump carp swimming in the pond. She couldn't help but sigh with emotion, "These fish live so freely. Every day, they just wait for others to feed them. After eating their fill, they go play. Being a fish is good too."
"But wouldn't they be very lonely, being confined to this small pond all day, unable to see the rivers and lakes outside?" Lian Rong asked curiously.
"Aren't we the same? Trapped within four square walls, unable to gaze upon the sky outside."
That day, she read the travelogue and saw descriptions of various places, which made her exclaim how colorful and diverse the outside world truly was. How wonderful it would be if she could also experience those mountains and rivers.
She still wanted to continue reading that travelogue.
"What? Trapped within this Prince's four walls, do you feel wronged?"
Prince Rui had just returned to the manor from outside when he heard her lament. He immediately approached, just in time to hear her words.
Jiang Jin Xin quickly straightened up, her expression slightly agitated. Seeing him approach, she bowed in礼, hastily saying, "It was this concubine's reckless words. I beg Your Highness not to be angry."
Prince Rui stood before her, seeing her bowed and humble posture, and his heart relaxed a little. He then looked at the clothes she was wearing, which indeed made one's eyes light up. He said gently, "Raise your head."
Jiang Jin Xin slowly raised her head, her features lightly made up, her eyes both alluring and innocent, with a hint of fear and unease, and a submissive demeanor. This beautiful yet delicate appearance made a man hold his breath. After only a few days apart, this girl seemed to have become even more beautiful. Her married woman's hairstyle added to her charming allure.
This style of dress, on the contrary, suited her very well.
"These clothes suit you very well," Prince Rui said with a smile, then extended his hand for her to take his arm and stand up.
Jiang Jin Xin's eyes curved into a smile, "It's all thanks to Your Highness's excellent taste in clothes. This concubine only wears them for Your Highness to see."
These words immediately pleased him. He pinched her cheek, "You are very good at winning this Prince's favor."
Of course. She hadn't been idle in the manor these past few days. After several nights of service, she had gradually probed and realized that he disliked women who were too rigid and proper, and also disliked women who lacked restraint.
Being too proper or lacking propriety—the balance was difficult to grasp.
From a young age, Jiang Jin Xin had been accustomed to reading others' expressions and knew how to curry favor. Back in Qi Yuan Marquis's Manor, if she hadn't been sharp-eyed, Madam Marquis would have killed her long ago.