Consort Hui covered her mouth and smiled as she looked at Consort Wan and Consort Ning, saying, "Congratulations, Consort Wan and Consort Ning. His Majesty issued an edict yesterday to bestow the two princesses of Prince Gong's Mansion upon the Khorchin tribe."

Consort Wan's expression changed.

Consort Ning glanced quickly at Xu Lejin, then spoke softly to Consort Hui, "Consort Hui, congratulations! The Second Prince's wife is a princess from the Khorchin tribe."

"、、"

Consort Hui paused, glanced at Consort Ning with a gloomy expression, and said, "In the past, I only thought Consort Wan was clever, but I never realized that Consort Ning is also very quick-witted."

Consort Ning remained calm and composed, saying, "Your Highness Consort Hui is too kind. I was merely stating the facts!"

Consort Hui, Consort Wan, and Consort Ning chatted amongst themselves.

Xu Lejin, Consort Que, and Consort Duan watched with smiles, seemingly oblivious to their own thoughts, while Consort Liang, sitting at the end of the table, kept her head down, lost in thought.

Half an hour later

Xu Lejin dismissed everyone and sat in the main seat of Yikun Palace, pondering as she spoke, "The Emperor's thoughts are becoming increasingly unfathomable. The eldest princess of Prince Gong's mansion, raised in the palace in her early years, is the adopted daughter of Empress Xiaozhao, and was betrothed to a member of the Khorchin tribe. Now, perhaps the second and third princesses of Prince Gong's mansion are also betrothed to members of the Khorchin tribe..."

"The Khorchin army is strong and well-equipped, and is the leader of the forty-nine Mongol tribes..."

Ruhua and Nongying exchanged a glance.

Nongying lowered her voice and whispered, "Your Highness, it's a good thing that the two princesses from Prince Gong's Mansion are betrothed to the Khorchin. Our Seventh Princess is twelve years old, and the Fourth Princess from Prince Gong's Mansion is eleven. In a few years, they will come of age and be betrothed."

"With the second and third princesses of Prince Gong's mansion betrothed to the Khorchin, our seventh princess, the fourth princess born to Consort Xu, will be able to stay in the capital and won't have to marry far away."