Chapter 42

  It's said that they can move out of the palace immediately, and Quan Pei was overjoyed. Yongzheng even humorously handed the blueprint of the mansion to Quan Pei: "Take a look at which place you like to live in, how to arrange it, I'll have someone take care of it right away."

  The mansion bestowed by Kangxi is located in the northeast direction of the Forbidden City, farther away from the Forbidden City than the mansions of the eldest prince and the third prince, but closer to the Imperial River, which makes it convenient for transportation. Although it's a bit far from the emperor, everyone feels comfortable and free.

  In the future, I won't have to live under the watchful eyes of everyone in the palace, and I'll be able to do things freely. I'll be my own master, and no one will be able to interfere with me. Only when I can stretch out my arms and legs to get things done can I truly be considered a master.

  Kwon Pae was delighted, and the atmosphere of the whole courtyard became lively. Everyone gathered in Kwon Pae's room to chat and laugh. Kwon Pae took out a map and asked several gege (young ladies) to choose where they wanted to live. Song Shi appeared more proactive than usual: "I'll follow Da Gege and Fu Jin to live together, Da Gege is closest to Fu Jin, and without Fu Jin, even meals are not appetizing."

  Song said so exaggeratedly that Li slightly curled her lip in disdain, but she also hoped to live in Quan Pei's courtyard: "I also want to live with Fugui in the same courtyard, if Ergge can learn from Fugui, it will be enough for this life."

  Lian Na Lan and Ming Yue both hastily made statements, afraid of being left behind.

  Everyone is clear in their hearts that Yongzheng has always liked to stay in the Fu Jin's house. Now they are all in one yard, even if they are in the Fu Jin's house, they can't see each other when they lift their heads and can only see each other when they lower their heads. They can always think of these gege when they are together. Once separated and living alone, although it is spacious and free, I'm afraid that seeing Yongzheng will be less frequent.

  Wei Niangzi smiled and handed a grape to Da Gege, who puckered up her lips with a smile, reached out to take it, and after taking a bite, closed her eyes and exclaimed: "The grapes of the Di'e Mother are really sweet!"

  "Look, this child usually doesn't say that grapes are delicious, she only likes to eat what the mistress gives her!"

  Mrs. Li looked at Erge who was still sleeping soundly in the arms of her wet nurse and couldn't help but feel anxious about whether her own child would ever be able to speak.

  Xiao Yue stood by and listened to the several gege talking, secretly sighing. Fu Jin had always been happy with quietness, probably never thinking of having a gege living in the courtyard.

  Guo Zhen and Li Shi still expressed their good intentions for a long time, but Quan Pei just said lightly: "I think the house in Jinxiu Garden is quite big, Da Gege and Er Gege are two children who can keep each other company. Why don't you two live together in Jinxiu Garden?"

  The Li and Song families' faces were immediately filled with disappointment, and they didn't dare to make any further comments about Quan Pei's decision. They could only force a smile and say: "Thank you, Fu Jin, for your kindness."

  Nalan Mingyue thought she had been chosen by Quan Pei, but before she could show her delight on her face, she heard Quan Pei say: "Let Nalan and Wu live in Ruiyuan together. Although the house is not big, it's exquisite and a good place to go."

  The several courtyards in the Hou Zhai, except for the largest courtyard Xiangxiangyuan with many houses and unique structure, the next best are Jinxiu Garden and Ruiyuan. It is already a great honor to let a few gege live there.

  Nalan Mingyue's face showed a childlike grievance, and she couldn't even force a smile: "The house is nice, but it's not as good as following Fuhuang."

  This is a big truth.

  Having decided on a destination, the house was to be packed up according to its status, and Xiaomantou was called out to spread the word, and there were people below who would follow the rules and take care of it.

  Yongzheng again followed Quan Pei's meaning and ordered the demolition of several houses around the horse racing field in the backyard, expanding the field by a considerable amount. Quan Pei's intention was that if they couldn't even play polo in the imperial palace, it would be embarrassing if they couldn't do such things at their own home.

  Quan Pei's house should be cleaned and arranged according to the rules, but also according to the owner's preferences. Quan Pei himself drew several diagrams, with clear labels on where to place what, even the patterns on the door curtains and the thickness of the cushions on the kang were specified in detail, so meticulous that it made the servants who handled the chores speechless. Yongzheng held the diagrams in his hand, looked at them for a while, then looked at Quan Pei's current house, and paused for a long time: "I only now realize that living here is really an insult to you."

  Everything in the palace is arranged according to rules and regulations, not according to personal preferences. The rooms of several princes are similar, but they already look very good in the eyes of many people. If it weren't for seeing Quan Pei's various requirements for arranging her own room today, Yongzheng wouldn't have known that Quan Pei's life could be more exquisite and luxurious, making this prince feel inferior, and he didn't know how Fei Yanggu and Jue Luoshi raised this daughter.

  Everyone was excited about the upcoming singles' day, until they heard that Madame Zhang had given birth to a plump and white little boy, then they suddenly remembered that Madame Zhang was also due to give birth.

  After giving birth to four princesses, she finally gave birth to a young prince, which was a great joy for Empress Hui and the eldest prince. Even Emperor Kangxi felt that his eldest son was not easy to come by, and specially granted permission for the young prince's third-day celebration and full moon ceremony to be held on a grand scale.

  Wanfu Jin came to find Quan Pei early in the morning, wearing her clothes and accessories. She was always complaining: "You and San Shu are both moving out, now it's just me left, look at you two, busy with everything these days!"

  "Seven younger brothers and sisters and eight younger brothers and sisters are married soon, aren't you still with your companion?"

  "The seventh brother's wife is a secondary concubine, and the eighth brother's family has a high social status, I'm afraid they wouldn't even bother to talk to me!"

  Just a few steps out of the courtyard, she bumped into Sanfu's wife who had just come out. Sanfu's wife only heard a rough idea and smiled to ask: "Who didn't want to talk to you?"

  Third Lady Mei's face lit up with joy, clearly thrilled at the prospect of leaving the palace alone. Fifth Lady, on the other hand, seemed to have spilled a jar of vinegar and immediately turned sour: "Hey, look who's back! You've been gone for days, and your tone has gotten a lot bolder!"

  San Fu Jin knew Wu Fu Jin, but was too lazy to bother with her. She grasped the arm of Quan Pei and said: "These past few days have been exhausting, everything has to be taken care of personally, I'm afraid that if one is not careful, something will be forgotten and not entrusted to others, and it will end up being my own fault." Then she quietly asked Quan Pei: "...how did you arrange for those Gege in your household? I can send them as far away as possible, the farther the better! I'm tired of seeing them every day, all crowded together in one courtyard!"

  "I'm just like you, I don't want to be in a crowded courtyard either, I also like quietness."

  Third Lady Jin was delighted to find that she shared the same aspirations as Quan Pei, and thinking of her carefree days after leaving the palace made her smile even more happily. Fifth Lady Jin rolled her eyes and muttered: "What's there to be so pleased about!"

  The house of Da Furen was already filled with guests who came to congratulate her. Da Furen lay peacefully on the kang, receiving blessings from everyone, looking quite spirited. The white and plump little prince slept quietly beside Da Furen, also receiving many praises from the crowd, perhaps because she finally had a son, Da Furen looked more confident than before.

  Ruan Pei glanced at Xia Ao and said a few auspicious words, but although Da Furen was still smiling, there was wariness in her eyes. They had a grudge, and it was because of the child. No matter whether Da Furen had been willing or not initially, she had once wanted to harm Ruan Pei and Bao Ge'er.

  Ruan Yu smiled and said to Da Furen: "Little A Ge is very robust, he will definitely live to be a hundred years old."

  Dai Furen forced a smile: "Thank you for your kind words." But she always felt that Quan Pei seemed to be hinting at something, and no matter how she listened, it didn't feel quite right. Whatever the people behind her said, Dai Furen couldn't help but feel less happy than before.

  Among the people present, Princess Consort of Gong was another focus. The Princess Consort of Gong, who had been ill for so long with a fierce and violent disease, suddenly recovered and reappeared in public. Whether it was new or old people, they all showed great interest in her. She smiled and responded elegantly: "Thanks to the blessing of the Bodhisattva, I met a divine doctor, and this illness was cured!"

  If someone asks where the divine doctor is, she would reply: "He's a wandering doctor who travels all over the place, and it's usually impossible to find him."

  Everyone who heard this couldn't help but sigh in admiration: "It's clear that the Bodhisattva has indeed manifested his spirit."

  Kang Qinwang's consort quickly and naturally turned to Quan Pei, who was sitting beside her: "The cloud-patterned yellow jacket with golden thread and red lining that Fourth Consort is wearing is truly exquisite. I wonder where it was made?"

  "The embroidery on the needle was done by a young girl, I didn't expect it to catch your eye."

  Kang Shizi's wife praised: "Only the fourth imperial concubine is such a capable and tolerant person, and there will be such an able maid in front of her."

  After saying a few words, the two of them didn't seem out of place anymore. The Consort of Prince Gong then expressed her gratitude: "If it weren't for Fourth Madame, I wouldn't be here today. I will remember Fourth Madame's kindness to me for this lifetime."

  "I didn't want those few cents back then."

  "No matter what reason Si Fu Jin had for saving me, since she saved me, I should remember it."

  Wei Xiang smiled: "You say this and make me feel a bit embarrassed."

  Kang Qinwang's consort smiled: "Let's not talk about these empty words, but today I have something to ask the Fourth Consort. I want to open a needle and thread shop, I don't know if the Fourth Consort is willing to join me."

  It's not bad to do a few more things when you have nothing to do. From the time Consort Kang helped her get those two shares smoothly, she knew that Consort Kang was not a simple character either. When dealing with Consort Kang, she was willing: "You've already spoken, and I don't seem to have any reason to refuse. Just wait until you're free, and then tell me about the rules of this matter."

  Kang Qinwang's consort heard Quan Pei's straightforward words and couldn't help but laugh sincerely: "Dealing with the Fourth Consort is always a pleasure."

  Before long, Jueluo and Wang's aunt also arrived. Quan Pei got up to accompany Jueluo and Wang's aunt, and a group of people naturally gathered around Kang Shuang's wife again.

  They exchanged greetings and naturally brought up the topic of Guan Yu leaving the palace. The Empress Dowager said, "How's the packing going? I heard the timing is quite tight. If you're short on anything or need something, let me know."

  Ruan Wan smiled and replied: "They're all fine, if there's anything missing I'll naturally tell Mother."

  She also said to Wang's aunt: "Why didn't you bring Yuan Yan together today?"

  Aunt Wang looked a bit embarrassed: "Juan's body isn't feeling well, so she didn't come."

  Juan's face didn't look quite right, and it seemed like there was still something more to the story. After waiting for Wang's aunt to greet others, Jueluo quietly told Quanpei the details: "Because of Ruyi, your aunt and sister have both gone back to their own homes to live."

  "Why is it as one wishes?"

  Jiaoluo hummed: "I was underestimating that girl, she probably thought Juanjuan stole her thunder and didn't want Juanjuan to stay any longer, so she resorted to trickery. The other day, after arguing with Juanjuan for half a day, she suddenly got diarrhea, and later it turned out that Juanjuan had given her a bad rice cake to eat. Who can still live here after something like this happens? Would you let the girl's reputation be ruined in our house? The next day, your aunt took Juanjuan back home."

  The child is young, and Jiaoyan was born and raised in a pampered environment, so it's not impossible that she didn't intentionally bully Ruyi, but Ruyi isn't stupid either, and it's also possible that she was just playing along.

  "Never mind, it's better to move back. The two girls' families will say that they can't be together anyway."

  Jueluo was displeased: "She's just a name on the list of nobles, does she really think that being recorded under my name makes her a legitimate daughter?"

  "Come on, don't always calculate with her like a child, she's still young and doesn't know anything. You raise her, and it'll be fine slowly."

  Zhuo Luo asked, "Is the Fourth Prince treating you well?"

  Just a few words were spoken, when a little girl anxiously found Xiaoyue and whispered a few sentences to her. Xiaoyue frowned and quickly walked up to Quan Pei and said something to her. Quan Pei responded indifferently...