The fool has become a spirit, and she can speak

Chapter 1843 Madam Wan's outward appearance was cheerful, but her heart was filled with sorrow.

In the end, Hong Jiutong decided not to report the matter. Reporting it would only make the Crown Prince dislike her more, distance himself from her, and perhaps even expel her from the Crown Prince's residence. Although the Crown Prince was young, he was capable of anything. While she didn't fawn over him like the other concubines, she still needed to assess the situation, know when to advance and retreat, and understand the gains and losses!

“Mother, it’s really nothing serious. The Crown Prince was playing outside the palace and training the dog. Jiu Tong wanted him to go back inside and copy the ‘Crown Prince’s Instructions.’ I spoke a bit harshly at the time, and the Crown Prince was displeased. So he told his daughter-in-law to go home and stay for a few days. I will go back after the Crown Prince’s confinement is lifted!”

"Just because of such a small thing?"

“Mother, Jiutong’s words were too harsh!” Hong Jiutong straightened up and pleaded with Shang Xi: “Mother, could you let Jiutong stay at the Prince’s Mansion for a few days? Firstly, it would be convenient for me to serve Grandmother, and secondly, Jiutong wouldn’t have to stay at my parents’ house! My mother is not in good health. Yesterday, when my mother saw me carrying a bundle home, she became suspicious and, within three sentences, started to send me back to the Crown Prince’s Mansion!”

Shang tide understood Hong Jiutong's situation, so how could she refuse this request? "Jiutong, don't worry about this. The Prince's Mansion is your home. You can stay as long as you want. When I have time, I'll send you back to the Crown Prince's Mansion. I'll back you up; he won't dare to do anything to you!"

“Mother, Grandmother needs someone to take care of her at this time, so I might as well stay at the manor for a few more days. You don’t need to send me back to the Crown Prince’s residence!” Hong Jiutong felt that doing so would only cause some unnecessary trouble, and she didn’t intend to provoke the Crown Prince!

"You are indeed sensible, but there are many things in the Crown Prince's residence that require your attention. There are also several concubines in the Crown Prince's residence, so it is not advisable for you to stay in the residence for too long!" Although Shang Xi did not say it explicitly, it was not much different from what she meant. She was worried about those foreign princesses in the Crown Prince's harem without Hong Jiutong to manage things! No matter how young the princesses were, they would not be of one mind with the Crown Prince!

Hong Jiutong was still worried about Shang Xi. Just thinking about those princesses who had been sent to marry foreign rulers to curry favor with the Crown Prince by copying the "Crown Prince's Instructions" made Hong Jiutong furious. This was not helping the Crown Prince at all! It was clearly leading him astray! If he was punished, someone would help him copy books, and the Crown Prince would repeat the same mistakes in the future!

Hong Jiutong thought about what her mother-in-law had said and decided to prioritize the overall situation. "I will listen to my mother. If my mother wants me to stay, I will stay. If my mother sends me back, I will go back with her. As long as it is for the good of the Crown Prince and the good of the Crown Prince's residence, I will do whatever it takes!"

Shang tide used to dislike this person because of his age, but now she sees that being older has its advantages. He is sensible and knows what's important. The princesses who came for the marriage alliance can't compare to him. Those people don't know how to care for You Ning! They only know how to eat well, drink well, and use the best things!

Shang tide glanced at the small red-gold and kingfisher feather hairpin that was slanted in Hong Jiutong's hair. It was too plain. This person was not lively to begin with. If he dressed so plainly and his headdress was so plain, in Shang Xi's eyes, he would look bland and lifeless.

Shang tide casually ripped off the phoenix hairpin from her head and put it on Hong Jiutong's head!

Hong Jiutong had never seen this hairpin before. It was exquisitely carved and lifelike. She guessed it must be a new hairpin her mother-in-law had acquired. She raised her hand to take it off, saying, "Mother, such a precious hairpin is most suitable for you to wear!"

Shang tide pressed down on Hong Jiutong's hand, "A gift from an elder should not be refused! Wear it, it looks better on you than on your mother!"

"Thank you, Mother!"

Hong Jiutong stood up and bowed to Shang tide. Shang tide found it tedious and pulled her back to sit down. "Jiutong, if the Crown Prince does it again, you don't need to go back to your parents' home. Just come to the Prince Pang's residence, and your mother will take care of it for you!"

Hong Jiutong's eyes reddened. "Thank you, Mother!"

At noon, Shang tide indeed cooked her signature spicy noodles for everyone, tasting just like the noodles at their Wanzihao noodle shop! A bowl of noodles like this used to cost twenty coins, but some women said it was too expensive and they couldn't afford it. They even compared the price of noodles in Mochun County with that in the capital. In order for everyone to be able to enjoy a bowl of spicy noodles with their children when they were craving it, Shang Xi managed to reduce the price from twenty coins a bowl to ten coins a bowl. Business improved, and more people ate there, but she didn't make much money. On the contrary, the price of noodles at the spicy noodle shop in Mochun County jumped from ten coins a bowl to twenty coins a bowl, and the number of people eating there didn't decrease at all!

Looking at the noodles in the bowl, Old Madam Wan smiled on the surface, but was worried inside! She couldn't eat a single bite of these noodles. Under the watchful eyes of her daughter-in-law and granddaughter-in-law, she had to force a smile and say cheerful words, "I haven't had these noodles for a while!"

Shang tide smiled and said, "Mom, I've made a whole jar of spicy noodle seasoning. I'll cook it for you anytime you want! If one bowl isn't enough, your daughter-in-law can make you two!"

"Enough! Enough! This bowl is too much for me!" Old Madam Wan looked at Shang tide and Hong Jiutong and asked, "Have you two eaten?"

Shang tide said with a smile, "Jiu Tong and I ate first, each of us ate a big bowl, but the others haven't eaten yet, they're waiting for me to cook the noodles myself!"

Upon hearing this, Old Madam Wan quickly dismissed them. What she needed most right now was peace and quiet. She didn't need anyone to serve her or keep her company; having everyone around her only exacerbated her inner pain and burden. "Then go and cook noodles for everyone. I don't need anyone here!"

Shang tide, unaware of what the old lady was thinking, remained calmly seated: "Mother, I'll watch you eat. If you like it, I'll cook another bowl for you tomorrow!"

This big bowl of oily noodles, which smelled delicious and whetted everyone's appetite, was not as easy to swallow as a bowl of plain porridge in Madam Wan's eyes!

Hong Jiutong was even more adept at serving people, handing chopsticks to Old Madam Wan, saying, "Grandmother, Mother specially made a light bowl of food for you. Please eat quickly, or it will get soggy!"

There was a layer of oil in the bowl, and you could only vaguely see two green leafy vegetables. Was this what they called bland? Old Madam Wan couldn't agree, but her daughter-in-law and granddaughter-in-law were watching! She had to grit her teeth and eat it, and not only that, she had to pretend that she loved it!

Madam Wan is a lady of high birth; it would be quite unrefined to expect her to eat noodles from a bowl that's bigger than her face! But what can she do? Her family eats these noodles two or three times a month, and the bowls they use are all this big! I've even heard that some people use bowls that are bigger!

Old Madam Wan began to eat heartily. Whether she could eat half a bowl or less, she had to make sure the first few bites were delicious and satisfying; otherwise, she would soon summon the imperial physician because of her poor appetite. She wasn't ill; her poor complexion was a result of worrying the Han family. To avoid alarming anyone, Old Madam Wan had to put on an act in front of her relatives!