Chapter 89 The Legend of Zhen Huan, Nian Shilan 27

Yongrui then walked to Zhangjia Yunyan's side, "Princess Zhangjia is lively and clever, beautiful and intelligent, with a kind heart and gentle nature. She is a suitable candidate for a secondary consort. Here is a sachet for you."

"Thank you, Great Prince." Zhang Jiayun blinked, her face beaming with a cheerful smile, and then secretly glanced at Yongrui.

Yes, he looks more like the Empress. Father is right, the eldest prince is handsome!

After selecting his consort, the Emperor issued an edict to bestow upon Yongrui the title of Prince Chen, and to betroth Niohuru Jingyi as his primary consort and Zhangjia Yunyan as his secondary consort.

Yongrui did not establish a separate residence; he lived directly in Chonghua Palace, where the Emperor had previously resided. His primary consort, Niohuru Jingyi, entered the residence first.

After the young couple had cultivated their relationship for a period of time, Consort Zhangjia Yunyan entered the household.

Cining Palace —

A young eunuch ran joyfully into Cining Palace to announce the good news, "Your Majesty, good news from Chonghua Palace! Prince Chen's wife has given birth to twins, a boy and a girl!"

"Good, good, good." Nian Shilan was overjoyed. "Have someone select some nourishing foods from the storeroom and send them over, and send double the usual amount as a birth gift."

"Send my gift over as well." Consort Li gestured to the maid beside her, instructing her to go to her storeroom to select a reward.

"Yes." The palace maid curtsied and left the hall.

"Pick out more valuable items!" Nian Shilan said to the palace maid's retreating figure.

"Don't go too far! Most of my storeroom funds were used to add to Longyue's dowry, and what I've saved over the years is meant for my grandson! Unlike you, who are so rich!" Consort Li glared at Nian Shilan with displeasure.

"I have many treasures in my storeroom, but it hurts to think about giving them to the Empress and concubines, to Yongrui, to Yongrui's wives and princesses, to Jing Shu and the others, and to my future grandchildren and great-grandchildren."

Thinking about it this way, Nian Shilan suddenly realized that she shouldn't have been so generous and extravagant, as her storeroom was visibly shrinking!

"Haha, I'm suddenly glad that I only have Longyue. As a Dowager Consort, I don't have to give gifts to those other concubines. So it's more comfortable to be a Dowager Consort."

Consort Li couldn't help but laugh at Nian Shilan's pained expression.

If Yongrui weren't Nian Shilan's niece's child, she wouldn't have needed to send this gift. But what could she do? She just happened to be in that situation.

Even if you miss it, you still have to send it off. That's the price of being sisters with Nian Shilan—it's a huge financial burden.

“You don’t need to send it next time, just this once.” Nian Shilan rolled her eyes at Consort Li.

All these years, she's been rolling her eyes at her old friends, and occasionally at the Empress. But she can't help it; she has to be dignified in front of others, after all, she's the Empress Dowager.

"Yes, just this once." Consort Li knew that Nian Shilan meant what she said, so she agreed immediately.

"When are you going to Princess Longyue's residence?"

Consort Li said with displeasure, "What? You're not happy about being here with me?"

"I know you're worried that I'll be bored by myself. I have so many daughters-in-law and granddaughters around me. Wouldn't it be better for you to go and enjoy your grandchildren?"

If you're really worried, then come back to my Cining Palace every year for a while, and when we're at the Yuanmingyuan for the summer, we can stay together again, wouldn't that be nice?"

Nian Shilan advised that her old friend was truly a good friend. Although she had always wanted to go to Princess Longyue's residence, she stayed in the palace for her sake.

"That works too." Dowager Li smiled; it was indeed a perfect idea.

"Since it's fine, then pack your things and I'll talk to the Emperor. You can move to the Princess's residence. I know that Princess Longyue has already prepared a courtyard for you, so you can move there anytime."