Chapter 46

  She had a simple hair bun at the back of her head, with a single jade pin tucked behind it. Her delicate and refined face was even more striking, with a pair of eyes that shone brightly, accompanied by a faint smile and an air of languid elegance. The bright red satin cheongsam with intricate floral patterns was resplendent, yet also served as a foil to her noble and elegant demeanor, making her appear even more refined and dignified.

  San Fu Jin reluctantly greeted her, while the pure and noble Princess Dong E Shi looked at this fourth Fu Jin who had never really interacted with her before, thinking about how to start a conversation.

  "This is the pure and noble princess consort Fu Jin, who is also my cousin. She says she wants to talk to her younger siblings about something, but is afraid that since they haven't crossed the threshold yet, it's not good for them to enter without someone leading the way." The third Fu Jin explained her intentions, awkwardly rubbing the tea bowl in her hands.

  Quan Pei smiled at the pure and kind prince's wife, Dong E Shi: "I didn't think the prince's wife would come."

  Pure King's son Fu Jin Dong E Shi also smiled: "I heard that the four Fu Jin moved house, so I came over to take a look, don't know if there's anything busy that can be helped?"

  "There's someone else who can handle it, I don't need to worry about it."

  The fourth lady-in-waiting, Dong E's wife, grasped the fine official kiln celadon tea bowl in her hand: "Just now on the way here, I heard that you encountered some ruffians on the road who caused trouble, was anything wrong?"

  "The prince's move encountered such a thing, it's really uncomfortable for people to hear, I don't know when the 49th city became like this. I'm fine, but there's a princess at home who has moved her fetus and can't move until now. Our grandfather is very angry."

  Finally getting to the point, San Fu Jin felt restless and couldn't sit or stand still.

  Dong E's expression changed to one of surprise: "How could it be that everything was fine and then suddenly the fetus moved due to anger? That is really... Don't worry too much, I think as long as the imperial physician is skilled, they will definitely be able to turn danger into safety. Coincidentally, I know a master in this field who can be recommended to treat the illness of the princess, and it's guaranteed that the child will be saved. This way, you will also appear to be taking care of things."

  Furong's overbearing behavior was largely inherited from Dong E, and it was feared that she would intentionally harm Wu Shi and cause a miscarriage, so they wanted to send a strong doctor to take charge. It's really ridiculous, why would you agree to let others interfere in your own family affairs?

  "The De Fei princess in the palace also recommended a imperial physician to come over, now he is already living in our mansion, I suppose he won't be worse than the one Shizi Furen mentioned, so there's no need for Shizi Furen to worry about it."

  Quan Pei refused without leaving any room for sentiment, and the smile on Dong E's face faded a bit: "The saintly hand I mentioned has been praised by the Empress Dowager several times."

  The Empress Dowager was naturally older than De Fei.

  The princess and the third princess were really not alike, the third princess listened to her elder sister's words, almost ashamed of burying her head in a tea bowl, while Dong E's eyes still had a few points of intimidation.

  I've never seen anyone like you who comes to negotiate terms.

  Quan Pei was getting impatient, twirling the gemstone ring on her finger: "The Crown Prince's consort said so, but now I'm starting to wonder what the Crown Prince's consort is here for?"

  In Rong Bao's eyes, the faint mockery made Dong E feel as if she was being ridiculed. The corner of her mouth twitched involuntarily: "I came over to take a look at Fourth Mistress and chat with Fourth Mistress."

  Ya Tou came in from outside: "Wu Gege doesn't look very good again!"

  Ruan Yu got up: "Then I won't accompany San Shu and Shi Zi Fu Jin." She said, walking out, but Dong E Shi got up and followed her to the front: "I'll go with Si Fu Jin to take a look."

  Dong E's family didn't let go of Quan Pei's arm, and just as she lifted her arm to adjust the hairpin on her head, Dong E missed and took a few steps back. All that could be heard was Quan Pei saying indifferently: "Something has come up at home, you two take your time."

  Dong E stood still, watching Quan Pei walk away, and angrily swung her handkerchief. Seeing San Fu Jin walking out while facing outward, she said: "Eldest sister isn't leaving yet?"

  Dong E snorted in response.

  Madam Dong on the carriage couldn't help but complain to San Fu: "I used to think that this Si Fu was a gentle and polite person, but now I finally see her true colors. She says she's leaving and then just leaves, abandoning our guests without a care, and when she speaks, she's so overbearing and intimidating. It's really unbearable!"

  The son did something wrong, and it's actually the one who should apologize, but in the end, they even asked others to treat them kindly, where is the logic in that? The elder sister was not like this before, after becoming the Crown Prince's consort, she gradually became more and more overbearing.

  San Fu Jin only hoped that Quan Pei wouldn't get angry with her. Dong E Shi complained for a while, and San Fu Jin calmly said: "In the future, when older sister goes to that place again, don't call me anymore. We just moved into a new house, there are many things to do at home, I'm afraid I won't have free time to accompany you."

  Dong E hesitated for a moment, sizing up San Fu: "Are you afraid of offending Si Fu? What's there to fear? In any case, I'll be behind you, so just do as you please!"

  Does a prince's son's consort, Fu Jin, really think she is more noble than an emperor's son's consort?

  San Fu Jin didn't want to argue with Dong E Shi, she just said: "You know, our master doesn't like me getting involved in outside affairs. As a woman, I still rely on men to make a living. If he's not happy, I don't dare go too far."

  It was because of Third Brother that Dong E seemed to think it was acceptable: "What you said is also right, after all the men in our family are superior."

  Wu Ruoxi was fine, where could she move her fetus energy? Quan Pei left the courtyard and went to the flower garden at the back of the house along the alleyway. She called for a maid to pick several flowers and put them in a vase, then sat in the pavilion for a while before returning to the house.

  Dong E went to see Chun Qinwang Fu Jin, bringing grievances and saying: "...... You don't know that Si Fu Jin, as soon as she saw me, her nose wasn't a nose and her eyes weren't eyes, she didn't even use proper eyes to look at me. She said nice things but didn't pay attention to me, and when she left, she said there was something going on at home and walked away with a straight face, leaving me and San Fu Jin in an awkward situation, making it hard for us to save face!"

  The pure and kind princess frowned, feeling both annoyed and angry: "So to say, the fourth prince doesn't plan on having a good talk with us? What benefit do they get from causing trouble for our household?"

  Dong E looked at the expression of Chun Qin Wang Fu Jin and added: "Where is the willingness to talk, if willing, words should be said well? I see that Si Fu Jin doesn't put our mansion in her eyes."

  The pure and kind Wang Fujin ultimately didn't get happy either: "A bald Aguo Fujin is also too arrogant!"

  Dong E's eyes drooped to conceal her complacency, and she dabbed at the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief. She called out to this Fourth Imperial Concubine, wanting to see if she could make her submit and lower her head in apology. If not, then being the wife of the Prince would be pointless!

  Yongzheng was busy for a whole morning before returning to the rear courtyard, and he also gave Quan Pei a list of names of the guards and attendants in the front courtyard, asking about the situation when Dong E's wife came that morning.

  Wei Yan comfortingly leaned back on the headrest, her body sinking into the soft and comfortable satin cushion, a hint of relaxation appearing on her face: "He's someone who resembles that Fule Jun somewhat, overbearing and intimidating, it seems this isn't purely the intention of the royal family either. But no matter what, things are probably even more awkward now. Master should quickly cut through the chaos and settle things as soon as possible."

  The new house is spacious and bright, making everything feel free and easy. Although there's still a tricky matter at hand, it hasn't affected Yinzan's mood yet. He lay down comfortably like Quan Pei: "I've already given instructions, quickly bring the family members of that dead person to ask them again, take their statement and sign it."

  "Better to have someone keep an eye on this family, in case the Prince of Jing's household tries any tricks. If someone comes over and tries to intimidate or bribe them, that would be perfect - we can catch them in the act. Whether or not the Prince of Jing's household can be brought down depends on the Emperor's intentions, but if the Prince of Jing tries to cover up his own wrongdoings and crosses the Emperor's bottom line, he'll likely end up with nothing good to show for it."

  Yuan Zhen was already drowsy, these past few days of moving had been truly exhausting, but his mouth still didn't forget to respond: "Got it, don't worry."

  The maid on the side saw that the window had been lowered early and blocked out the strong light, and the house showed a cool shade.

  Juan was quietly reading a book on one side.

  Perhaps even Yi Zhen himself didn't realize it, but he always liked to discuss things with Quan Pei and listen to her opinions. It wasn't necessarily that he wanted to rely on Quan Pei for anything, but having her by his side made him feel at ease, as if things weren't as bad as he had imagined.

  Time flies quietly, just wish we can always be together like this, never parting...

  The Empress Dowager received a card from Consort De's mother and soon met with her.

  The benevolent Empress Dowager smiled and pulled the hand of Consort Pure, "You old thing, it's been so long since you came to the palace to see me, not keeping me company or talking with me, have you forgotten about me?"

  The pure and kind queen hastily said: "It's nothing, it's just that our family has been busy lately and I really couldn't get away."

  "At your age, what else is there for you to worry about at home?"

  The Empress Dowager seemed to be speaking directly to the Pure Consort, and as long as she followed the Empress Dowager's words, she could express her own true meaning.

  The empress dowager asked one question, and she used a handkerchief to wipe her eyes: "Alas, this is all fate. My useless Fuheng, always making people worry!"

  The empress dowager furrowed her brow and thought for a moment: "What's wrong with Fuheng? He used to be quite well-behaved, even the emperor had praised him."

  "You don't know, he's a mischievous one, always wandering around everywhere. I didn't expect him to do anything great, just being ordinary and safe would be fine. Who knew that when he went out to play, he stumbled upon two others causing trouble? He went over to take a look, and as a result, one of the troublemakers was killed by the other. The family of the deceased saw that the killer was poor and couldn't afford to pay much compensation, so they dragged in Fúlùgǔn, saying he was the one who killed the person. It's really infuriating! My Fúlùgǔn may be mischievous, but he's also a kind-hearted child, how could he do such a thing? Now the Emperor has ordered Fourth Brother to specifically investigate this matter, I'm afraid Fourth Brother is young and will be deceived by others. If that happens, my Fúlùgǔn will be in trouble."

  She wiped her eyes with a handkerchief: "Can you tell me, can such things be called not worrying?"

  The Empress Dowager wept on one side, and the Queen Mother followed with a sigh: "Is there such a thing? Those ignorant common people are too arrogant, and they dare to tell such lies."

  "Of course not," said the pure and kind Wang Fu Jin hurriedly, "it's none of my business to interfere with the affairs of you gentlemen, but after all, Fuerlun is my heart's darling, I have no choice but to care about it. So I asked Eldest Sister-in-law to go talk to Fourth Fu Jin, to test the waters, who knew..."

  It's as if it's hard to say anything else, so I just stop and wipe away tears.

  The empress dowager sighed and took a sip of tea, then said: "After all, the children are still young. If they are not careful with their words, you should be more tolerant."

  The Empress Dowager is kind and always tries to mediate things that can be mediated, so it's within the expectation of Consort Fu.

  Pure and kind Wang Fu Jin followed up with: "You're right, although the four Fu Jin are overbearing and don't put much importance on the eldest daughter-in-law, after all, we have to rely on others, so we should be humble..."

  Pure King Fu Jin said with her mouth, but still spoke out all the things that were not Quan Pei's.

  The empress dowager fell silent, and after a while, she seemed to be forced to open her mouth: "Forget it, I knew about this matter from the beginning, and there's no reason not to know or ask. If things can be resolved peacefully, it's naturally better to resolve them peacefully. But I'm afraid that Old Fourth is young and doesn't know the truth of the matter, and has been deceived by those petty people. Among the princes in the palace, only Eighth Prince is a kind-hearted, gentle, and clever child. I'll have someone deliver a message to him, and he can go out and have a good talk with Old Fourth."

  It is said that Wu A Ge Mu Nun is honest, and it's not very suitable for him to be a matchmaker. The Empress Dowager chose the slightly older and surviving Eighth Prince, which seems reasonable. However, once the Eighth Prince agreed to help, he formed a good relationship with the Pure Consort's palace and showed his loyalty to them. Moreover, as the Eighth Prince was about to marry the granddaughter of An Qing Wang, he also represented An Qing Wang's lineage.

  Pure and kind Wang Fu Jin thought to herself, feeling a subtle change in her heart. This seemingly lowest-ranking Eighth Prince, from this perspective, had already quietly become someone who couldn't be underestimated.

  The empress dowager's eyebrows were still slightly furrowed, her eyes full of kindness. The pure and kind Princess Fu felt grateful and bowed to the empress dowager: "You're able to help, it's really the best!"