Consort Chen is gone, but the remaining concubines are still here.

Following the spot they had just been looking at, the group spotted Qingyin sitting with Nan Chu quite some time ago, and their eyes widened in surprise.

Especially Consort Shu, whose face was contorted with a complex mix of jealousy and envy, asked, "Is that Zhalute?"

"What kind of magic pill did she take? How did she become like this? How can someone get prettier as they grow older?"

If she had Zhalute's face now, she would have no trouble seducing the Emperor. Even that vile woman Hailanzhu would have to kneel on the ground and lick her feet.

Bumbutai glanced at the Qingyin couple, who looked somewhat intimate in the distance, with a complicated expression. "It's her. She's now Lord Nan Chu's primary wife, so naturally she's the one who can attend the banquet."

No wonder Fulin couldn't help but praise her as a fairy sister. It's fortunate that she left the palace, otherwise the current situation in the palace would probably be very different.

Bumbutai thought about it in a complicated way.

The banquet began hastily and ended hastily.

But no one paid any attention to the main character of the celebration banquet.

Of course, these "protagonists" couldn't help but think about the wife of Lord Nan Chu.

Some people couldn't help but sigh:

"Lord Nan Chu is truly blessed!"

"To have such a stunning beauty as Lady Zhalute as a companion is enough to make one envious and jealous."

There were also exclamations like, "How could the Emperor be so willing to bestow such a beauty upon Lord Nan Chu?"

As the rumors spread, it somehow came to be that the Emperor's true love was not Consort Chen, but Lord Nan Chu. Otherwise, why would he have bestowed upon him such a rare beauty as the Princess Consort of Zhalute?

Upon returning from the banquet and suddenly hearing this rumor, Nan Chu's face turned ashen, as if he had swallowed ants.

"This is utterly absurd! Don't they know how much the Emperor doted on Consort Chen?"

“I know, sir, but they say that Consort Chen is just a shield. After all, the wife of the Zhalute is so beautiful, far surpassing Consort Chen. The fact that the Emperor was willing to bestow her upon you proves that the Emperor is a homosexual.”

Chen Si honestly replied.

Nan Chu: "..."

His face was grim. The key point was that if he hadn't known the truth, he would have actually thought there was some truth to the rumor.

Nan Chu: The thought that I was another male protagonist made me feel disgusted with myself again.

Forget it, I'll just look at the Princess Consort's face more often and cleanse my eyes.

"Alright, you keep a close eye on the security of the manor, especially the Fujin (princess). Don't let any strangers into the manor."

"Yes, sir."

When he said this, Chen Si raised his voice a little.

Since the victory banquet that day, their master has appeared with his wife. Although some absurd rumors have spread, the news that their wife is the most beautiful woman in the Qing Dynasty has become increasingly popular.

Since that day, the mansion has received many invitations, most of which are invitations for their wives to attend various banquets such as flower viewing banquets, calligraphy and painting banquets, and ancient poetry banquets.

Or they might come to visit, but Nan Chu, on behalf of his wife, refused all these invitations.

Except for Madam Hu from Physician Hu's family.

For a time, Mrs. Hu attracted many envious and jealous glances.

Of course, there were also many instances where connections were made conveniently.

If this doesn't directly please Lady Zhalute, then how about Lady Hu, who is close to Lady Zhalute?

As a result, the Hu family received many visiting cards from high-ranking officials and nobles, which was completely unusual for a family of Han officials who were usually indifferent.

Madam Hu was startled by the scene and felt uneasy sitting in the room. After thinking about it with her husband for a while, she refused to see any of the noble ladies she was originally on good terms with, and only then did she have time to go to Qingyin's house to ask for an audience.

As soon as I stepped into Qingyin's familiar courtyard.

Then Mrs. Hu began to complain.

“My lady, you don’t know, even though I barely have any connection with you, the visiting cards from high-ranking officials and nobles have piled up all over our Hu residence. It’s quite a sight.”

“I originally wanted to find a simple daughter-in-law for my son, but now all sorts of noble families, the Bo family, and the Altas family have sent messages saying that they have a woman of marriageable age in their family… I’ve never felt my son was so popular during the New Year!”

Mrs. Hu's words were exaggerated yet amusing, which made Qingyin laugh.

"Why isn't Madam happy that our son is so popular?"

Madam Hu slapped her thigh and honestly said, "It's not that my son is popular, it's clearly because of the Fujin. They sent the invitations because they know our family has a good relationship with the Fujin."

"Madam, to be honest, I don't know how I found a daughter-in-law for my son. Anyway, he came for you, Madam. Why don't you help me take a look?"

"Ah, I'll take a look for you?" Qingyin was a little surprised.

Mrs. Hu nodded seriously.

She had seriously discussed this choice with the old man. The Hu family's current situation was all due to their good relationship with Lady Zhalute, so they couldn't sever that good relationship.

The marriage is a good thing, but we have to see if they are good enough, and we also have to see if anyone has ulterior motives in trying to get close to Lady Zhalute through their family. Therefore, it would be better to let Lady Zhalute discuss the marriage directly. Even if Lady Zhalute doesn't understand, there is still the shrewd and calculating Lord Nan Chu behind her.

Nan Chu, who was attending court outside and receiving complicated looks from Huang Taiji and other ministers, couldn't help but sneeze.

Could it be that the Princess Consort is thinking of him?

"Is Lord Nan Chu ill? His health is too weak. I wonder if he can satisfy your wife?"

Someone said sarcastically, with a hint of bitterness.

Nan Chu immediately retorted, "Heh, my wife, no need for others to worry."

The man felt a pain in his heart from being blocked, and glared at Nan Chu.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!