Main courtyard

When Zhaoxia heard the news, she couldn't laugh anymore. She cursed the vixen under her breath. Seeing that the Fujin was about to finish her breakfast, she quickly composed herself and went inside.

Granny Fu remained as composed as ever. She gave Chaoxia a look, signaling her to have someone clear the table, and then walked over to the Fujin's side, whispering, "Last night, Consort Fucha served the emperor and called for water five times."

The princess squinted slightly and said, "Go and increase the gifts by three times."

"Yes." Granny Fu turned and left.

Qingzhiyuan

"Let's apply more powder," Changning said in a hoarse voice, sounding somewhat troubled.

Looking at the ambiguous red marks on her neck, Changning felt a little shy, while Chuixue remained very calm. "Your Highness, please take a break and have some breakfast. We still need to pay our respects to the Fujin later."

Although she hadn't met the Fujin yet, Changning sensed that she wasn't the type to cause trouble. She didn't need to pay her respects daily; once every five or six days was enough. She also wouldn't send anyone to bother her, and she spent most of her time taking care of the children. She certainly seemed to be a model of a virtuous wife and loving mother.

Changning knew that the Fujin cherished her reputation. Since she valued her virtuous name, she would not do anything wrong in public. Therefore, she was not afraid to pay her respects today.

"My lady, which one would you like to wear today?" Chuixue called out to Tingfeng, Wangyue, Pinhua, and several other first-class maids, who lined up in rows. Each of them held several qipaos in their hands: moon white, lilac, pear blossom, snow blue, and crimson purple, in various colors and patterns. They were all newly made, with exquisite embroidery and a subtle fragrance.

The clothes, fabrics, and dozens of boxes were purchased from various places and were part of the dowry specially prepared by the Fucha family.

"This fabric was sent by my mother. I wonder if Zhuiyu took my letter with her."

Changning's selection was completely unexpected by the Fucha family. According to their plan, such a family background should be decided by the family itself. Boder also sent his wife, Lady Suochuoluo, to Consort Xiaotong in Chengqian Palace to request that they arrange the marriage themselves.

Although he hadn't received any definite news, Bodel could only guess which member of the imperial clan might be betrothed. He planned to submit a few memorials to the emperor to inquire about his opinion so he could make arrangements as soon as possible. Unexpectedly, Changning was betrothed to the Fourth Prince.

It wasn't that Bodel was arrogant; his daughter could easily have been a princess, but instead she was a concubine. He couldn't help feeling resentful, but with the emperor above all else, both thunder and rain were expressions of imperial favor, so he could only accept it. All he could do now was make plans for his youngest daughter.

Fortunately, even before Changning was born, her family had already been preparing her dowry. As a Manchu noble family, and with Boder having traveled all over the country and served in various positions for many years, he had accumulated a lot of valuables. Therefore, it was not an exaggeration for Changning to have a ten-mile-long red bridal procession on her wedding day.

Because of Changning's good family background and generous dowry, the entire Prince's Mansion Street was astonished by the grand procession of Consort Fucha's arrival at the mansion that day. Consort Ulanara's dowry that day was only 180 loads, while Consort Fucha's was only 5 loads less, but it was clear to everyone that they were all large items, precious things accumulated over many years.

I've heard there are still quite a few treasures from the Ming Dynasty.

This is only what's publicly known; the private subsidies in silver notes are even more unknown to the public.

Zhuiyu was a trusted maid who had served Changning since she was young. Because she had entered the mansion, Changning asked her to go home and see her father and mother in person, so that she could convey any instructions her father and mother might have.

In the end, Changning chose a gamboge embroidered with colorful butterflies; the vibrant and delicate colors made her skin appear exceptionally fair. Adorned with a kingfisher feather headdress featuring a phoenix and peony design, she was a graceful and elegant lady.

She didn't need to deliberately avoid his sharp edge. Although she had the title "side wife" in her name, a side wife could still be included in the ancestral hall. With her family background, she absolutely could not bring shame to the Fucha family.

Main courtyard

When Changning arrived, all the princesses in the backyard had already gathered. They were all busy drinking tea and no one spoke. When they saw the concubine, they bowed and greeted her, only daring to secretly observe her.

They had no way of knowing what was going on in the Fourth Prince's front courtyard, so they didn't know whether this concubine was favored. However, upon seeing her today, they found that Concubine Fucha's temperament was innate, completely overshadowing all the women present. She bowed to the Prince's wife with neither servility nor arrogance, displaying such grace and elegance.

It seems that things are about to change again in this manor.

"You have only recently entered the manor, so you must serve the Prince well and take care of his health. If you have time, you can have tea and chat with the other ladies."

Ulanara didn't look very old, but she had an air of authority that made people overlook her delicate features.

"Yes, but I'm usually in poor health and don't go out much," Changning smiled faintly, her emotions unreadable.

Ulanara's heart sank. She had given her a warning, but Fucha had so easily countered. She tightened her grip on the teacup. "If you're weak, then take good care of yourself. It's the height of summer now."

"Drinking more cooling tea will do the trick. Thank you for your concern, Madam." Changning said casually, as if she hadn't caught the hidden meaning in her words. Want to confine her? Unless you say it outright, Changning intends to play dumb. She doesn't believe that a Madam who values ​​her reputation would confine a concubine on the very first day.

Ulanara did not speak again, put down her teacup, and gently twirled her prayer beads.

Neither of the two powerful figures above spoke, and the little princess below dared not utter a word. It was Geng Shi who was the boldest.

"Consort, the kingfisher feather hairpins on your head are truly magnificent," Geng Shi said, mustering her courage to step forward and flatter her.

Wu snorted coldly. "And she's doing this in front of the Fujin (the wife of the deceased prince)!" Geng Shi was always a fence-sitter.

Changning glanced at her. Geng was quite pretty, with a round face and a somewhat naive, perhaps a little dim-witted, nature. But such an appearance belies a heart of sorts. Therefore, Changning simply smiled and said nothing.

Seeing Changning's cold demeanor, the other princesses present all labeled her as someone not to be trifled with. It's unclear whether she or Consort Li is more formidable.

Lady Li has always been domineering. Today, she probably wanted to prove her favor by deliberately not coming to pay her respects, using the excuse of taking care of the Second Prince. Hilarious! The Second Prince has always been served by wet nurses, nannies, and maids, and she's never shown him much concern.

The women in the backyard secretly observed Changning, each with their own thoughts.

Changning was also observing discreetly. Geng Shi had stepped forward, and Wu Shi seemed to be at odds with her. Wu Shi had a striking appearance, but there was always a hint of sharpness and meanness in her eyes, making her seem less magnanimous.

Song kept her head down the whole time, and when she did smile, it was shy and gentle; she certainly didn't seem to have a bad temper.

The remaining Tang woman was young and seemed timid, not daring to speak much. Liu woman was supposedly Yinzhen's trial marriage concubine, but had long since fallen out of favor.

Among the concubines, Yu and Dong were more outstanding in appearance, each with their own merits.

"Alright, if there's nothing else, you can all go back now. I'm going to see Honghui too." The Fujin picked up her teacup to see the guests off.

Then everyone withdrew.

“Sister, you’ve just entered the manor, so you probably don’t have anyone to talk to. Why don’t you come sit with me and we can play cards together to pass the time?” Madam Geng chased after Changning again.