Consort De was taken aback, and her usually gentle words suddenly became difficult to utter: "Is it because there are fewer people in your household? It was my oversight..."

According to custom, it is common for the primary consort to be appointed as a secondary consort before entering the family. However, since the fourth prince is not fond of lust, it is not appropriate for her, as his mother, to bring it up. Now that the third and fifth princes have already appointed secondary consorts, Consort De naturally wants to bring it up.

Fourth Master hurriedly stood up: "That's not the case. It's just that things are going well in the manor, and I don't want the troubles in the backyard to keep happening. Both Madam Li and Madam Song are excellent."

Consort De remained silent for a long time, clearly deep in thought.

The fourth son has fewer relatives and fewer children, but compared to the third son's unruly and messy affairs, it's already much better.

"It's good that you know what you're thinking. Since you've said so, your mother won't force you. But you should also decide on a candidate for a secondary consort. Tomorrow, your mother will bring the list of last year's unsuccessful candidates to take a look and pick someone you like."

Without a second thought, the Fourth Prince replied, "Yes, thank you for your concern, Mother. I will think it over carefully. However, let's postpone the matter of taking a new concubine for now."

Fourth Master certainly doesn't like having a bunch of people in the backyard; it's a nuisance. Third Brother's experience was a stark lesson in this regard.

As for offspring, Fourth Master is in the prime of his life and not in a hurry to have children.

Consort De sighed softly: "You silly child, alright, I'll listen to you. We'll bring the chosen girl into the manor next spring, how about that?"

Upon hearing this, the Fourth Master stood up and thanked him.

The mother and son had always had a good relationship. Mainly, the Fourth Prince was very similar to Consort De in some ways, and Consort De felt guilty, so she naturally thought of the Fourth Prince in everything.

Consort De invited the Fourth Prince to stay for lunch. During lunch, Consort De mentioned Lady Zhangjia: "I heard from the imperial physician that she may not make it through this autumn."

Fourth Master frowned: "How could this be..."

Consort De shook her head slightly, a rare hint of sadness in her voice: "Her heart was burdened with unresolved issues, coupled with her long-standing ailments... she was a hopeless person..."

Both were palace maids, but look at the Eighth Prince's birth mother, Lady Wei, who at least had a title. Lady Zhangjia, with one son and two daughters, didn't even have a title. How can this not be disheartening?

Moreover, the Thirteenth Prince has never been favored by Emperor Kangxi, and he is too young to do much.

Fourth Master understood this, so he said no more.

After thinking for a while, Consort De carefully spoke: "I know you are working with the Crown Prince, but don't be too rigid in everything you do. You don't have to protect the Crown Prince in everything, and you don't have to cut off your relationship with Prince Zhi for the sake of the Crown Prince."

She knew her son well; he was straightforward and reliable, but being too reliable wasn't a good thing.

Given the current situation, it's hard to say whether the Crown Prince can actually reach that position. If he fails to do so, the Prince of Zhi... he's not someone to be trifled with, and I'm afraid he'll settle scores later.

As a mother, she naturally hopes that her son will have a way out.

Fourth Master understood and couldn't help but smile: "I understand what Mother means, and I will think about it more carefully in the future."

Consort De smiled slowly: "Alright, then I can rest assured. You don't need to worry about Fourteenth. Although he's a bit muddle-headed, he's also a very perceptive child. But Thirteenth... you should keep a closer eye on him. That child has had a tough time too."

Fourth Master readily agreed: "Mother, don't worry, your son understands."

Many things... gradually became clear, especially as the brothers grew up and the affairs of the court... were naturally understood without being spoken of.

After leaving the palace, the Fourth Prince was in a good mood, but he missed the Thirteenth Prince. He asked Su Peisheng to visit the Thirteenth Prince at the Princes' Residence and also instructed Su Peisheng to make a trip to the Imperial Hospital.

In July, the days gradually get hotter, and the sun shines down, making people feel restless.

...

In the house.

When Li Chenjiao heard Xiao Luzi say this, she said "Oh": "You stay up all night tonight. If they don't come back, we'll dig that thing out tomorrow."

Xiao Luzi respectfully replied.

Li Chenjiao came out all dressed up, but unexpectedly, she ran into Bai Jiashi as soon as she came out, and her good mood was immediately ruined.

Bai Jia was somewhat surprised to see Li Chenjiao, but she still greeted her with a smile: "It's been a while since I've seen you, you look even more beautiful now."

The way she said that made it sound like Li Chenjiao and she were very familiar with each other.

Li Chenjiao waved her round fan, half-closing her eyes: "Perhaps it's because the food in the manor has improved a lot, you look quite plump."

Bai Jia smiled, her smile revealing genuine joy: "Ah, with those useless servants gone, I feel much better, so naturally I've been eating more, and my body has become fuller."

Li Chenjiao waved her round fan repeatedly, and after listening to what Bai Jia said, she gave Bai Jia a meaningful look.

The two walked along the path, their maids following closely behind, creating a rare scene of harmony.

Bai Jia smiled faintly: "It's just that after sending away the useless servants, some unpleasant things still came up. Princess Li, you should be careful."

After speaking, she left with a charming laugh.

Li Chenjiao watched Bai Jia's departing figure and couldn't help but sigh: "Indeed, the women in the backyard have more than one face. Bai Jia... I really overlooked that."

Qiu Hu stepped forward to support Li Chenjiao: "Gege, did you sense something was wrong?"

Li Chenjiao stood with her hands behind her back, looking inscrutable: "Dan Gui... is the Fujin's person. Bai Jiashi already knew that. She spent so much time pretending to be stupid to make the Fujin lower her guard, and then sent Dan Gui away. What a cunning scheme."

Qiu Hu asked in surprise, "Then why did she tell the princess? Is she no longer pretending to be stupid?"

Li Chenjiao gently waved her fan: "Because she's going with the flow! Going along with the Princess's wishes, and then slowly ruining them."

The Fujin initially wanted to promote Baijia, but then gradually turned against her, and Baijia was always following the Fujin's wishes.

Rather than letting the Fujin control her, Bai Jia probably wanted the Fujin to think that she was no longer useful, so that Bai Jia could find her own way out.

Today, Bai Jiashi told her, "You showed off, didn't you? You stirred things up, didn't you? You probably reminded me of things, didn't you?"

She boasted about the good show that Bai Jia had put on, and the next thing she said was to sow discord. What was the troublesome thing? It was the thing under the crabapple tree. It seems that Bai Jia had also realized this.

As for the reminder, Li Chenjiao couldn't explain it clearly, but it was definitely more than just a reminder.

Li Chen chuckled. Sure enough, there were no easy people in this backyard. Bai Jia was quite the schemer.

"Dan Gui, who are you serving now?" Li Chenjiao asked as she walked back.

Qiu Hu hurriedly replied, "Is it to serve Princess Song?"

Li Chenjiao suddenly realized that the Fujin was probably... planning to make a move against Song Shi.

The Princess Consort is going to ruin Bai Jia Shi and Song Shi as well, all with just a little maid!

The name Zhebaijia comes from the surname Baijia, and the name Zhesong comes from the child in Song's womb.

But why specifically osmanthus?

Is it because using a maid saves money?

Li Chenjiao couldn't figure it out, so she stopped thinking about it and slowly returned to the courtyard.