When the Princess Consort arrived at Yonghe Palace, Consort De was still having her meal. The palace always followed the Manchu and Mongol rules, eating only two meals a day, with breakfast a little later and dinner a little earlier. However, in addition to these, each palace would still have tea and snacks, which could actually be considered a meal.

Seeing that Granny Zhao was standing to the side, the Fujin (principal wife) stepped forward to serve food to Consort De.

Fortunately, it was just breakfast, and there weren't many intricacies involved. The princess had been served meals for so many years, so she wouldn't make any mistakes in the general rules.

Before entering the palace, the Fujin had already discussed things with Granny Qian during her meal. With Granny Qian's instructions in mind, the Fujin felt somewhat at ease this time.

After Consort De had finished her breakfast, she helped Consort De into the inner palace and spoke first in a soft voice: "Originally, Mother did not summon her daughter-in-law to the palace, but I was also preparing to come to the palace to pay my respects to you. I just wanted to ask for your opinion."

The princess spoke first.

Consort De didn't rush to embarrass her. She glanced at the Fujin indifferently, then sat down and gestured for the Fujin to sit as well: "Is there something wrong in the manor? I'm just a muddle-headed old woman, how can I make any decisions?"

Granny Zhao and two maids brought up hot tea.

The Princess Consort wasn't in a hurry to drink her tea. She cleared her throat first: "The first matter is the Haha Beads by the First Prince's side. Last time, Barhuda, who was by the First Prince's side, left the mansion because of smallpox. Now that the First Prince is getting old, he will be of school age in two years. Naturally, the Haha Beads by his side cannot be missing. I can't make up my mind, so I can only come to ask Mother for help."

The Princess Consort's words were quite meaningful.

Where did the Fourth Prince originally pick those haha ​​beads? Wasn't it from the Uya clan, the maternal clan of Consort De? Because of this, Uya even went to the palace for several days to apologize.

Compared to the eldest prince of the fourth prince's mansion, a mere Haha Pearl in the Uya clan was nothing, especially since it was Haha Pearl who contracted smallpox first.

Consort De held her teacup, lifted the lid and skimmed the foam on the surface: "You've asked the wrong person about this, Fourth Prince. What do I, an old woman, know? This matter should be arranged by Fourth Prince... If you ask me, other things are not so important. As long as the child is healthy and patient enough to accompany the First Prince in his studies, that's fine."

"Speaking of starting school. Go, open my storeroom and take out the writing materials I've prepared. They're from the fourth prince's family. When you return to your residence later, take them to the eldest prince. That child loves to read, and I also like her love of reading."

Granny Zhao curtsied and noted it down.

As long as the child is healthy, that's good; that child is good at studying...

These words pierced the heart of the Fujin, yet Consort De spoke of them with nonchalance, and when she put down her teacup, she didn't even glance at the Fujin.

The princess was silent for half a second, then quickly realized, "Mother, it makes it seem like I, as the legal mother, am not very attentive. When we get back, I will also pick some good ones to take to the eldest prince. In this backyard, no matter whose child it is, aren't they all the daughter-in-law's children? I also hope that the children in the prince's backyard can grow up healthy."

The Lady's words were quite eloquent.

Consort De nodded slightly upon hearing this: "It's good that you have such a heart. I heard that Lady Li gave birth to the Fourth Prince's son safely yesterday? How is the child? I heard that Lady Li almost had a difficult childbirth?"

The princess's heart skipped a beat at the question. She pursed her lips and said, "Yes, Your Highness has been keeping watch for a day and a night. This time, Sister Li's life is truly hanging by a thread, which is very worrying."

The Fujin (Prince's wife) completely avoided the main issue. She didn't mention Li's health or the Fourth Prince's condition, but instead mentioned that the Fourth Prince had stayed by Li's side for a day and a night.

Consort De understood what the Fujin meant. She smiled with some surprise and casually raised her hand to smooth her hair: "Your words have reminded me. I forgot to reward Lady Li for risking her life to give birth to children for the Fourth Prince."

"Go, open the storeroom and find the century-old wild ginseng that His Majesty bestowed upon us before the New Year, as well as the donkey-hide gelatin that the Shandong governor presented as tribute this year. I remember there is also a pair of longevity locks that His Majesty bestowed upon me when I gave birth to the Fourteenth Prince. Find them all, as a gift I have prepared for the newborn Fourth Prince."

Although the Fujin's expression turned somewhat unpleasant upon hearing Consort De's words, she couldn't help but feel a little puzzled.

The Empress's words sounded like she was not very satisfied with her, but she seemed unaware of the details of Li's difficult childbirth.

The Fujin waited a while longer. Although the Consort De's attitude towards her was indifferent, she did not mention anything else. This confirmed the Fujin's suspicions and calmed her down a bit.

After leaving Yonghe Palace, the Fujin was followed by a string of rewards, but none of them were for her or her second prince.

After seeing off the fourth prince's family, Consort De personally brewed tea.

"Last time, the fourth prince came and told me that Haha Zhuzi, who was by the side of the eldest prince, was going to choose a suitable child from the Wu family. I thought that a child from the Han Banner Army would be a good choice."

Granny Zhao added, "It's a bit unfair to the eldest prince."

Consort De took a deep breath: "Have you become confused from staying by my side for so long? Fourth Prince understands perfectly well that this is for the good of the First Prince, but the meaning behind it is also very clear."

The attendants of the princes are not only their study companions but also their most important confidants in the future. Naturally, it is best if they come from good families.

As for the Second Prince, Consort De knew without a doubt that the Fujin (Prince Consort) had already prepared children from the Ulanara clan.

The fourth prince's actions clearly indicated that he did not intend to give the eldest prince too much support.

The fourth prince is a good boy, much better than his father, the emperor, in that respect.

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