“Not only did they not pay for the venue and freeload on food and drink, but they even scribbled all over the place—damn bastards!” The emperor left after enjoying himself with a good beating and writing, but the Prince Consort’s residence still had to have the calligraphy mounted, carved into a plaque, and hung up.

This would cost more money, which made Thomas Foster very unhappy. He had always been the one to take advantage of others, but now he was the one being taken advantage of, and not just once, but over and over again with no end in sight. How could he stand it!

“Wife, are officials of the Great Song allowed to engage in business?” When it came to matters of state, Thomas Foster could turn a blind eye, but he really couldn’t stand always being taken advantage of. He planned to make his brother-in-law a little uncomfortable. But since he wasn’t very familiar with the Northern Song’s system, he thought it best to ask first.

“Of course they can. Most of the inns and shops in the city are run by high-ranking officials from the court.” The princess was no longer surprised by her husband’s questions. These days, she was asked all sorts of things almost every day. Even if she was confused, she had become numb to it. Not only numb, but she also had to explain everything in detail.

“Oh... I see your complexion is rosier today, which must be the effect of playing badminton. His Majesty and you have always been close, and the concubines in the harem are often bored. Why not bring the equipment to the palace and teach them? It would give them something fun to do and also strengthen their bodies.” Once he got an answer, Thomas Foster immediately changed the subject, showing concern for his brother-in-law’s family.

“You really have changed, my dear... I’m so happy...” The princess was almost moved to tears by these words. Her husband had gone from ignoring her to becoming a caring, attentive, and considerate family man. The change was so great that she felt like she was dreaming.

“That’s more like it... If you’re happy, smile; if you’re not, cry; if you’re angry, shout! People have to express their emotions to be happy. It’s getting late—why don’t we go back to our room and make a baby? We can also review that new style I taught you the other day. Didn’t the ancients say, ‘Isn’t it a joy to review what you have learned from time to time?’”

Not only had Thomas Foster changed a lot, but the princess had also changed quite a bit in recent days. She had gone from a timid, anxious, and gloomy woman to a cheerful young lady who loved to talk, laugh, play, and dress up.

And that was just on the surface. In their bedroom, the princess had changed even more. Her gentle and virtuous nature, combined with the bold soul hidden inside Thomas Foster’s body, made for scenes that were beyond description.

“My dear, we can’t. It’s still broad daylight...” But faced with her husband’s increasingly outrageous requests, the princess still couldn’t get used to it. How could they indulge in such things in front of the servants in broad daylight?

“It’ll be dark soon!” Thomas Foster didn’t care about any of that. If persuasion didn’t work, he’d just take action. If she could tolerate Charles Bennett bringing his concubine into the room to fool around, what couldn’t she tolerate now?

“Lian’er! Come back here! What kind of behavior is that, following your mistress like that!” Seeing her mistress being carried away by the master, the personal maid was about to follow, but Nanny Bennett grabbed her by the arm.

“Doesn’t the master need me to serve while he reviews his lessons?” The little maid was only thirteen, still a bit naive about some things, and actually believed the master’s nonsense.

“When you’re needed, you’ll be called. For now, tell me—what did the master take you to the riverside for yesterday?” The little maid didn’t understand, but Nanny Bennett certainly did.

As long as the Prince Consort treated the princess well, she didn’t care about daytime indulgence. Not only did she not care, she even stood guard at the courtyard gate herself to keep watch for the couple, and took the opportunity to get some information out of the little maid.

These days, only Lian’er had been following the Prince Consort. At first, Nanny thought the Prince Consort’s old habits had returned and he had taken a liking to the little maid. But after observing for more than half a month, the little maid was still just a little maid, doing nothing but wandering around with him every day. This made Nanny a bit puzzled.

“The master tied a stone to a rope and threw it into the water, as if he was measuring the depth. He also made two little wooden boats out of small pieces of wood and put them in the water, but they were washed away by the river... Nanny, will the master’s illness get better?” The little maid recalled carefully. For someone widely regarded as insane, these actions didn’t seem all that strange.

Chapter 10: Shopping

“Don’t have any improper thoughts. Mind your own business!” Nanny Bennett knew exactly what the little maid meant and immediately gave her a stern warning.

“It was the madam who said it while burning incense... ah...” The little maid didn’t really understand what Nanny Bennett was scolding her for and tried to argue, but before she could finish, her cheek was pinched, making her jump in pain.

“If you don’t want to be sent back to the laundry bureau in the inner palace, never say such things again. Not even the madam can save you then. Do you understand?”

“...” The little maid’s cheek was still being pinched, and she was on the verge of tears, nodding quickly.

“Nanny, you’re getting rougher. I’m not talking to you anymore. I’m going to the kitchen to tell them to prepare hot water...” But as soon as the hand left her face, the little maid came back to life, dashed off, and complained as she ran.

“It’s not that I’m harsh, it’s that the young master’s illness is strange... His Majesty is much harsher than I am. Just look at Mr. Bennett, so powerful, but when His Majesty said to demote him, he was demoted.”

The little maid’s complaints brought a wave of melancholy to Nanny Bennett. She had raised the princess since she was a child, and her feelings for her were no less than those of a real mother. Of course, she hoped the princess would have a good future.