Chapter 23

  The empress dowager smiled and leaned to the left on the couch, her smooth black braid hanging down from her shoulder. Kneeling beside her, peeling melon seeds for the empress dowager, occasionally stealing a glance at Eighth Brother standing below, then quickly lowering her eyes again, as if afraid of being seen by others.

  Ba Er Ge knew she was here, so he came over to pay his respects to the empress dowager on purpose. Ping An thought this way, and her heart couldn't help but beat faster again, her cheeks seemingly flushing with rouge.

  The Empress Dowager smiled at Eighth Brother: "It's hard for you to have a heart and come see me. You're a good child, I've always thought you were okay, your mother mentioned things about you to me, I think they're fine, tell her not to worry."

  The Eighth Prince's face lit up, and he hastily performed a grand bow: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness!" His birth mother's status was low, but if he could really marry Ping An, others would no longer dare to look down on him. Moreover, the Empress Dowager was willing to help him, so his face became even more respectful.

  The empress smiled and waved her hand: "No need to be like this, I really like you from the bottom of my heart." As she spoke, she gently patted Ping An beside her, and Ping An hurriedly raised his head, just in time to bump into Eighth Brother's boundless warmth.

  The smile on the empress dowager's face grew a few degrees thicker.

  The imperial concubine sat on the couch, constantly twirling the purple sandalwood Buddhist beads in her hand, as if she would stop at any moment and something would happen.

  The eldest brother opened his robe and sat on the chair, seriously talking to Empress Hui: "...... Attacking Galdan is a great opportunity for my son to make achievements, Emperor Ama intends to let Feiyangguo be the general, at that time my son will inevitably work under him, not for anything else, just this one thing. When the fourth brother's child is full moon, you have to send a thick gift, it's best to say a few words to Feiyangguo's wife, this counts as helping my son's big business!"

  Hui Fei's heart skipped a beat, and with great difficulty, she lifted her eyelids to look at the eldest brother: "You are the elder brother, why must..."

  "Da Ge interrupted Huifei: "You know what, as a great general, Fei Yanggu has some grudges against his son. If he slightly hinders his son, his son won't be able to achieve any decent military merit. Wouldn't that make his efforts all in vain?"

  The Empress's face stiffened: "Why didn't you say this earlier?"

  "You've just realized this now?!"

  The more Eldest Brother spoke in this manner, the less Empress Hui dared to tell him things. She forced a smile and said: "I understand, I will definitely send a generous gift."

  The eldest brother only got up now, as if he had just thought of it: "My wife is pregnant, and I haven't asked her to follow the rules for a few days. She has had a miscarriage before, and her body is not good."

  The Empress Dowager was pregnant, but Consort Hui surprisingly didn't show any excitement at all. Moreover, her son had even deliberately mentioned the abortion issue in order to get her to agree not to let the Empress Dowager come to her place. She felt a mix of emotions and finally only responded faintly: "The child she bears is also my grandson, I'm not that cruel."

  The big brother rubbed his head and smiled casually: "Then let's go."

  The inner and outer halls of Yonghe Palace were filled with female relatives, and the four consorts who were busy serving the crowd were surprisingly radiant and didn't look like they had given birth to children at all. It was unclear who started it, but everyone soon knew that the two gege (imperial sisters-in-law) who would be entering the mansion with the fourth prince were personally invited by the fourth consort. The older consorts of the imperial clan couldn't help but sigh: "The Empress Dowager is so blessed to have such a virtuous daughter-in-law!"

  No matter what the younger daughters-in-law think, this is the moral standard of this era. If they knew about it, they had to praise her. The words that were whispered among them reached the ears of Empress De, who covered her mouth and smiled lightly: "You don't know how good she is, a thousand times more considerate than my own son." What Empress De said was true, but everyone just thought she liked her daughter-in-law and was giving her face, so they couldn't help but praise her even more.

  Wu Fu Jin's three concubines beside her rolled their eyes: "Look at that..."

  San Fu Jin poked her and said: "Heartless, in vain was Quan Pei's kindness to you in the past!"

  Wu Fu Jin smiled dryly: "I'm like this, you know."

  Huifei sat on one side, and as soon as she saw Quan Pei, she felt that the ruby hairpin on Quan Pei's head was dazzling her eyes. She turned away and saw Jueluo Shi, but after thinking for a while, she didn't say anything. With something on her mind, she didn't respond much to the people beside her, just staring blankly at the blooming chrysanthemums, as if admiring flowers.

  The full moon banquet of Bao Ge'er went smoothly, but the reputation of Quan Pei's virtuousness and magnanimity also spread out. The palace staff delivered the full moon gifts to A Ge's residence. Quan Pei thanked De Fei with a smile: "Thank you, Mother." If it weren't for De Fei mentioning her request for a princess for Yongzheng, how would outsiders have known?

  The imperial concubine smiled: "I'm just telling the truth."

  Jueluo walked slowly, and Quan Pei said a few more words to her. She looked deep in thought, and when she saw Quan Pei, she only spoke to her in a low voice: "I plan to put Ruyi under my name, that child is really too poorly raised, and in the future, marrying out will not be your face."

  Ruan Yu raised her eyes to look at Jueluo, saw the dark circles under her eyes that even makeup couldn't cover up, and let out a light sigh: "Have you encountered some kind of trouble?"

  The girl is already having a hard time in the palace, and A'ruo doesn't want to distract her with her own affairs. She forces a smile and says: "It's nothing, it's just that these few times I took her out to see the girls outside, they really can't compare, so I had this idea. I'm only mentioning it to you first, so you have an idea in your mind. When we get back, we'll still need to ask for your mother's opinion."

  Rong Bao gently grasped the hand of Empress Dowager Ci Xi and softly said: "I am doing well in the palace, I have also given birth to a robust little prince, my position is unshakeable by others, you don't need to do anything against your will for me."

  The daughter's thoughts were transparent, and she had already guessed a few points after just one sentence. Jueluo Shi looked at Quan Pei's bright, warm, and moist eyes, smiled, and held Quan Pei's delicate and soft hand: "Alright, Mother knows what to do, you just take care of yourself."

  After leaving Yonghe Palace, Quan Pei headed east, intending to return to Ah Ge's residence along the shaded alley. Just after passing through a gate, she saw Empress Hui standing not far away. Quan Pei stood in the sunlight, while Empress Hui stood in the shade, making it difficult for her to discern the expression on Empress Hui's face. She lowered her eyes and walked over slowly: "What brings you here?"

  The concubine should head west.

  The Empress Hui silently scrutinized the Fourth Imperial Concubine, who had few rumors and stories surrounding her. Previously, she thought the concubine was timid, but now she realized it was because she was calculating. The concubine stood in the early autumn sunlight with a relaxed expression, yet subtly exuding an almost imperceptible aura of dominance. Empress Hui tried to raise the corner of her mouth to reveal a suitable smile, but ultimately failed.

  "What do you want to achieve by summoning Guifei to threaten?"

  "You're overthinking it, I'm just trying to protect myself."

  In order to protect herself? Huifei's face revealed a few strands of cold smile: "I was defeated by your hands, but don't let your mother trouble Da A'ge because of this!"

  How could this be? If Big Brother doesn't become powerful, who will contend with the Crown Prince?

  Wei Ya tidied up her hair: "You think I'm too capable, how can I control my Ama? If I tell my brother a little about what you're doing, who knows what he'll think? My brother is an upright person, but you always drag him down, this isn't good."

  Hui Fei's eyes widened in unbelievable surprise, how did she even guess this?!

  The golden silk embroidery skirt swayed gently in the sunlight, its dazzling beauty captivating the eye. The soft tinkling of the ring pendant was like a elegant melody, accompanying the tall and stately figure as it gradually walked away.

  Huī Fēi slightly closed her eyes, standing still on the spot, was she really being completely taken in by this Fourth Mistress?

  Baoge had been making a fuss for more than half a day and fell asleep early. Quan Pei changed into another set of clothes, took a look at the child, and sat beside him for a while before leaving the room. After having a child, she finally understood the feeling of being a mother. Every day, she had to take a few glances, otherwise, she would feel uneasy in her heart. She looked up and saw Song Shi hanging clothes in the courtyard, and whispered: "From now on, if you want to see Da Gege, just go and look."

  Song Shi was stunned for a long time, staring blankly at the swaying soft curtain, Xiao Rong smiled and said: "Is Gege happy to be silly? Fu Jin is showing mercy to you, calling you to take care of Da Gege in the future!"

  "Madam is so kind! Madam is so kind!"

  Li pouted, stroking her swollen belly, and glanced at Song outside. If she did well, would the mistress also ask her to often look after her own child, or even take care of them?

  There are three rooms in each of the east and west wings. In the west wing, two rooms were occupied by the Song family and the Li family respectively, leaving one room that Quan Pei planned to clean up for Nalan Mingyue to move in. As for Wu Ruoxi, being a later addition, she could only live in the annex behind the main house. In September, Nalan Mingyue was about to enter the household, and the rooms needed to be cleaned up quickly. Quan Pei just gave a few instructions to Xiaoyue and Xiaorong, who knew what to do themselves.

  No more sweltering heat of July, the weather in August is a bit more refreshing. The osmanthus flowers in the courtyard are about to bloom, and when they do, opening the window will fill the room with fragrance. If accompanied by a pot of osmanthus wine and a plate of crab, watching a polo match would be even more delightful. Raising the mosquito netting, the azure sky leaps into view.

  Song Shi bowed her head and carefully entered the inner room, standing beside Quan Pei with her hands hanging down. Quan Pei put down the silk window and turned to look at her, only then did Song Shi speak up: "I think two new sisters are coming into the courtyard, it's best if they live in the western wing in front, I'm someone who can't be shown off, moving to the embracing hall in the back would be fine."

  Da Gegie is now being raised in the back of the house, she wants to move and has many reasons because of her daughter.

  "Ruan Ruan, you're the oldest in the courtyard and have just given birth to Master's first child. If it's because of the new person entering the household, I'll move you to the back. What will others think of you? You should consider not only yourself but also Da Gege. Regardless of whether Master favors you or not, I won't let newcomers look down on you. Can't you understand? I know who belongs in what position and what treatment they deserve. You may go."

  Kuan's words brought up all sorts of feelings in Song Shi's heart, she bowed her head respectfully and backed away, sitting quietly on the kang like a peaceful moonflower on a windowsill, lost in thought.

  Even if Grandfather abandoned her, she didn't become much lower in status within the household because of it. It was all Madam Fu's intention; even if Madam Fu treated her this way more often due to the rules that should be followed in the inner courtyard for the sake of the tranquility of the rear residence, Song Shi still felt a strange emotion piling up in her heart. Laughable that she had previously thought Madam Fu would harm her, now thinking about it, Madam Fu could crush her like an ant, and she didn't amount to anything.

  She thought about it and got up, lit incense and worshipped the Bodhisattva, wishing for good fortune and a long life of over 100 years.

  The pure king's side concubine, Nalan clan, for the sake of her sister, had already made many clothes and done many hairstyles, but she still felt it was not enough. She then begged the pure king to agree to let Nalan Mingyue marry out from the pure king's mansion, which once again elevated Nalan Mingyue's status.

  On the second day, Nalan Mingyue was to be married off, and at night, the two sisters slept together like they did when they were young. Their mother couldn't come over, so all matters regarding marrying off her daughter fell on Nalan's sister.

  The bedside only left a small pear flower lamp, which made the room warm and cozy. Nalanxi hugged her sister and whispered about the way to get along in the back house: "...... You just entered the palace without any foundation, you can't compare with Songshi and Lishi, let alone compare with the fourth Fu Jin. I know you are competitive, but when you first enter the palace, you must endure it, endure until you have a son born smoothly after getting favored, at that time, even if not for yourself, for the child, you should also plan."

  Nalan Mingyue felt a bit wronged: "But if the Fourth Prince doted on me, should I still endure it?"

  "Silly child, you know what? A man's doting will never be as reliable as having a son." Seeing her sister's despair, she couldn't help but comfort her: "But you don't have to be too hard on yourself either, after all, I'm still here for you, and in the end, I'll always protect you!"

  Nalan Mingyue was delighted and began talking about her own dreams: "I will definitely become a magnificent Ce Fujin like my sister!"