After settling Xiao Ba in, He Zhuo returned to his own courtyard.

The next day, Khoja met with his two in-laws: the Princess Consort of the Balin tribe and the Duchess of the Durbet clan. Both in-laws brought their daughters-in-law to pay their respects.

The Duchess of Fuguo also brought her youngest daughter along.

"This servant, of the Jue Luo clan, greets Your Highness and pays her respects."

As the two were about to give He Zhuo a grand salute, He Zhuo quickly gestured for Bai Xia and Su Mei to help them up.

"My dear in-laws, you're too kind. We're all family."

He Zhuo's words were not made lightly. Both of his in-laws were women of the royal family. The princess of the Balin tribe was the daughter of a prince, and this woman from the Durbet clan was also a member of the royal family.

However, the Princess Consort is Hongyu's wife's biological mother, while the Duchess of Fuguo is not. She was married by her father after the eldest son's wife got married, and she only entered the family at the beginning of this year. She is about the same age as the second son's wife.

She was the third wife of the second son's father-in-law.

When the news of the second son's wife's mother's serious illness came, the second son's wife had just finished her postpartum confinement.

Hongfang requested permission to visit her, but Kangxi only granted permission for his second son's wife to go alone. To demonstrate the emperor's benevolence, Kangxi also dispatched a guard to accompany his second son's wife and sent an imperial physician.

However, things didn't go as planned. When the second son's wife arrived, her mother had already been cremated.

Mongolians believe that cremation is the cleanest form of burial, returning one to the embrace of the Eternal Heaven.

Moreover, they do not have the concept of keeping the body in a temporary resting place; it is usually placed for 3 days before cremation.

That's why it was done so hastily, which is a regrettable thing.

"Your Highness, the tea here smells wonderful."

"I didn't know what you guys liked, so I chose the new Lu'an melon tea that's available this year."

"Yes, I can taste it. It tastes just like it did when I was a child," the Queen of Bahrain replied with a smile.

"Bai Xia, pack a pound for the Princess and Madam to take back later. Also, pack some of our family's specialty flower tea for the Princess and Madam to try."

"Then thank you, Your Highness. Thank you, Aunt Bai."

"Your Highness and Madam are too kind. I am unworthy of being called 'Aunt' by Your Highness and Madam. If there is anything you need, please let me know and I will go and make you both a cup of flower tea."

After saying that, Bai Xia left.

Thank you.

Bai Xia bowed and then left.

He Zhuo: "Let's ignore her and talk about our own things. Let's stop calling me 'Princess Consort' all the time. Just call me Grand Princess Consort, like in the capital. It sounds more friendly."

The two of them didn't stand on ceremony and addressed each other readily.

Princess Bahrain married into Mongolia before Khoja married into Mongolia.

Lady Durbert and He Zhuo had met twice; she was a few years younger than Little Treasure. He Zhuo even received a dowry when she married.

In Hezhuo, it is common to give bracelets and earrings as part of the dowry.

When a member of the royal family marries into Mongolia, it is customary for members of the royal family to add to the dowry. In general, only ladies in the palace who are related by marriage will receive a dowry.

The Empress Dowager gives gifts to everyone, the amount depending on how close they are to the relationship. This matter doesn't require the Empress Dowager's personal handling; her maids and nannies will arrange everything.

As the wife of the eldest son of the emperor, He Zhuo would naturally receive something. It usually depends on the circumstances, more or less.

To be precise, all the princes' wives would provide dowries for the imperial princesses, county princesses, county princesses, and princesses who married far away.

For distant members of the royal family like Lady Durbert, Khoja would typically present them with earrings.

The three pairs of earrings Mrs. Durbert is wearing today were a gift from Hezhuo. The pearl design is instantly recognizable as a classic Hezhuo style, which has been given to many people.

It seems that Mrs. Durbert is a thoughtful person; she makes others feel comfortable and respected when someone else carries the gifts she gave.