Because of yesterday's overexertion, Qingyin woke up rather late the next day.

When she regained consciousness, Qingyin felt sore and tired all over. She opened her eyes drowsily, and the allure she revealed made even Maya, who saw Qingyin every day, blush.

"Maya, when?"

"Madam, it's Shenshi (around 3 PM)."

"I slept for so long?" Qingyin was shocked.

Maya blushed, not daring to look at Qingyin's lustful face, and whispered, "It's all Master's fault for tormenting you for so long."

Recalling the intense lovemaking of the previous day, even Qingyin, a woman who had lived through many lifetimes, couldn't help but blush slightly when her maid mentioned it.

She glared at Maya reproachfully, "You've even started teasing your master now."

"You'll have to go through this when you get married in the future."

Maya blushed and said, "This servant will not get married. I will stay by the side of the Princess and take care of her for the rest of my life."

Qingyin smiled and said, "You're still young and don't quite understand yet. I'll ask you about marriage when you're older."

Maya frowned and retorted, "My lady, I am not young anymore. I am already sixteen. Among many young women, I am already a mother at my age."

Qingyin was amused by Maya. "When I say 'growing up,' I don't mean age. It means when you understand more and know how to move forward in the future. That's what growing up is all about."

Looking at the Manchu girl who was getting more and more confused by her words, Qingyin's eyes were full of smiles. Sixteen years old, in modern times, she would still be a high school student. She was still young.

"Alright, stop thinking about it. Go serve the food, I'm hungry."

"Yes, Madam."

Maya couldn't quite figure out what the Fujin meant by "growing up," but she was extremely skilled at serving food. She nimbly and quickly ran out of the courtyard and notified several chefs to bring out their signature dishes. The light yet delicious dishes were then placed on Qingyin's dining table.

Apart from the few nourishing soups that the master had instructed about, the rest were all dishes that Qingyin liked to eat.

Qingyin was tired yesterday, so her appetite was much better today.

Qingyin even drank an extra half bowl of those somewhat peculiar-tasting tonic soups, making Maya, who wanted to fatten up her wife, feel overjoyed.

"If the Princess Consort likes to eat like this, then shall I have the chef serve these dishes again tomorrow?"

Maya asked.

Qingyin refused, saying, "We need to change up the dishes every day. It gets boring eating the same thing every day."

"Yes, Madam."

Maya nodded in realization.

Tomorrow she would have the chef prepare a few more dishes according to the wife's taste, ensuring that the wife would eat happily and enjoy something new every day.

Maya clenched her fist secretly.

And just like that, three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Although the time was short, a lot happened.

First, on the second day of the second month of 1637, Huang Taiji returned to the capital from Korea.

From then on, the Qing Dynasty replaced the Ming Dynasty and made Korea a vassal state. Korea's relationship with the Qing Dynasty changed from one of brotherhood to that of a vassal. Soon after, Ajige led troops to conquer Pi Island, beheading Ming general Shen Shikui and others, thus completely eliminating any worries the Qing Dynasty might have about advancing into the interior of China. (Baidu)

Huang Taiji was overjoyed, and his confidence in attacking the Ming Dynasty grew even stronger.

In this context, military officers were valued even more by Huang Taiji.

Nan Chu, who had rendered meritorious service, was also valued by Huang Taiji and promoted to Minister of State Affairs and Judicial Review. This position was established in the 43rd year of the Wanli reign (1615) and consisted of five people, all of whom were trusted ministers and military commanders of Nurhaci, also known as the Five Ministers. At the same time, ten Zhalguqi were appointed, also known as the Ten Ministers of State Affairs, who assisted the Five Ministers in governing the country and regulating the administration and punishments. (Baidu)

This shows the importance and importance that Huang Taiji placed on Nanchu.

Nan Chu, who had obtained this official position at a young age, breathed a sigh of relief. He was grateful to Huang Taiji for giving him such an important position, but that did not mean he was willing to give up his wife for Huang Taiji.

Now that he has climbed so high, even if it's just for personal gain, Huang Taiji can no longer touch his wife.

Nan Chu breathed a sigh of relief.

Perhaps he can take his wife out more often in the future?

It seems that the Princess Consort must have gotten tired of spending every day in the palace.

While Nan Chu was discussing with Huang Taiji how to attack the pass, he couldn't help but glance at Qingyin. At the same time, Physician Hu, who had been inquiring about his niece Qi Yue's successful appointment as a maid to the Sixth Princess, also brought good news to his wife.

Upon hearing the good news, Madam Hu immediately rushed to the Yehenara Mansion to visit Qingyin.

The guards of Yehenara Mansion, reminded by Maya, the maid of the former princess, did not stop Madam Hu this time and let her in directly.

As soon as Madam Hu stepped into the familiar courtyard, she saw the still stunningly beautiful woman, and a smile spread across her face. "Oh my, Madam, what good news!"

"I've come to bring you good news."

Qingyin exclaimed in surprise, "Could it be that Madam Hu's niece has become Mary's maid?"

Madam Hu covered her mouth and laughed, "Your Highness is indeed wise. I hadn't even finished speaking when you already guessed it."

Qingyin smiled shyly, "Madam Hu is too kind. I was just being clever. Madam Hu only said this a few days ago. As soon as you came, I guessed it."

"It's quite a coincidence. I just finished embroidering the purses these past few days. Thanks to Madam Hu, I'd like to trouble you to send these silver notes and two purses to the palace. Also, please ask my niece Qi Yue to pass on a message to Mary."

Looking at the two purses, which were not very well embroidered but had dense stitches, and the several thousand taels of silver notes, Madam Hu's eyes showed no greed, but rather pity: "It is a blessing for the two princesses that they have a wife who cares for them."

Qingyin said dejectedly, "How can I be considered their good fortune? Apart from giving birth to them, all I can do outside the palace is give them some money and a little something. I can't help them with anything else."

"Princess Consort, please don't say that. If the two princesses in the palace knew that you were worried about them, they would be overjoyed. Besides, the princesses certainly wouldn't want you, their mother, to be so sad; it would break their hearts."

Madam Hu said with heartache, looking at such a beautiful woman whose beauty was not diminished by her melancholy, Madam Hu finally understood the absurdity of King You of Zhou in the late Western Zhou Dynasty who lit the beacon fires to amuse Bao Si. For such a beauty, what did it matter if the country was handed over?

Lady Hu did not know how beautiful Bao Si was in history, but she thought she was no better than the Lady of Zhalute before her.

"Madam is just teasing me. Xinyu is only a few months old, how could she know how to care for her mother?"

Qingyin was amused by Madam Hu. She took a handkerchief and wiped away the glistening tears from the corners of her eyes with a resentful expression, and then laughed.

Madam Hu flattered, "You mustn't think like that, Your Highness. The two princesses are of one heart with their mother, and they will surely care about their biological mother in the future. Perhaps we'll even have a chance to see the two princesses someday?"

"Oh well, never mind, let's not talk about it anymore. Madam, you should just have some snacks. If you hear about my sad story, you'll only feel sad too," Qingyin said softly, lowering her brows.

Madam Hu knew that Qingyin clearly did not believe her, but she also knew that it was extremely difficult for Qingyin, now a subject's wife, to see the two princesses in the palace. Fearing that Qingyin would worry if she mentioned the two princesses again, she hesitated and did not mention the two princesses again.