Chapter 780 - 373: Madness_3
Pan Yue and the others also rose to greet her. Out of consideration for Zhu Sujin’s face, they all gave her a smiling welcome.
Huo Shuqin’s eyes swept around those present before settling directly on the rosewood armchair by the bed and taking a seat. This was the seat that Pan Yue had occupied earlier, while Qian Yixiu and the others were sitting on cushioned stools.
Among these women, besides Qian Mandua being of lower status than Huo Liangyuan, Pan Yue, Qian Yixiu, and Qian Manxia all held positions higher than hers.
The Excellent Beauties of the Crown Prince were merely of the fifth rank. Meanwhile, Pan Yue was a Commandery Princess, Qian Yixiu a County Master, and Qian Manxia a fourth-rank Wife of the Imperial Decree, each outranking her. If we consider their relations with the Crown Prince, Huo Liangyuan was just one of his concubines, whereas Pan Yue was like a foster mother to the Crown Prince, Qian Yixiu grew up with the Crown Prince as his foster sister, and Qian Manxia was the aunt who had taken care of him for many years—all of them much closer to the Crown Prince than she.
Seeing Huo Shuqin’s behavior, Qian Yixiu was so angry she wanted to say something, but Pan Yue shook her head at her, indicating that for Qian Manting’s sake, she should not lower herself to argue with such a person.
A maid of Qian Manting’s brought over another chair from the side of the wall to the bedside for Pan Yue.
Huo Shuqin said, "Where’s the child? Bring him to me to have a look."
At that moment, the infant was in Qian Mandua’s arms. Hearing her request, Qian Mandua passed the baby to her.
Huo Shuqin holding the baby made everyone’s hearts rise. Thankfully, the child was well-wrapped in blankets, and his head was supported by the thick layers; otherwise, his little head might just have flopped down.
The baby was already distressed and began to cry with his mouth open. Huo Shuqin, holding the baby in one hand, pinched the baby’s little face with the other and said, "So dark and ugly."
Her grip was a bit strong, causing the baby’s face to turn red and his cries to become more piercing.
Qian Manting cried out, "Little auntie, be gentle, please."