During this period of closed doors, the Xingyuan Marquis Mansion welcomed an unexpected visitor - Concubine Shoukang.
It has been more than 30 years since Concubine Shoukang entered the palace to serve the late emperor. Compared with those concubines who had very different fates, she was very lucky to be able to live out her old age in the harem in peace.
However, unlike Lu Fengqing, who gave birth to a prince and was promoted to the position of Empress Dowager, and Concubine Shu, who lived a quiet life in the palace with her daughter by her side, Concubine Shoukang never gave birth to an imperial heir in her life.
However, since she came from a military family, the late emperor treated her with great courtesy and even asked her to assist the late empress in managing the six palaces. However, all these honors and favors became a thing of the past with the death of the late emperor.
After Li Longze ascended the throne, she chanted Buddhist scriptures every day in Shou'an Palace to stay away from disputes and to bless her mother's family, the Weiwu General's Mansion, with peace.
In the deep palace of the Great Zhou Imperial City, she seemed to have lived her life as a transparent person, hiding all her joys, sorrows, anger and happiness, and creating an image that satisfied everyone and did not require any defense.
Until a few days ago, the powerful eunuch Chen Jin from the Imperial Household Department came to Shou'an Palace in person and made an unreasonable request to her.
"Marquis Xingyuan died for his country. It would be unbearable to marry his daughter off to the Western Rong. Although Prince Linjiang is a royal relative, I cannot hide this from the Queen Mother. He is extremely ambitious and is not a good match for her."
"I, your humble servant, have taken the initiative and wish to ask the Concubine to adopt Lady Rongde as your adopted daughter, allowing her to temporarily reside in Shou'an Palace and be raised by you personally to avoid this current turmoil."
Although Concubine Shoukang had lived in seclusion in the palace for many years, she had heard of Chen Jin's reputation. She had never imagined that this close minister of the emperor would be so respectful and humble to her, an old woman with no power or influence.
"The Queen Mother has always doted on the two daughters of the Marquis' Mansion. Wouldn't it be safer with the Queen Mother's protection?" Concubine Shoukang couldn't help but wonder why the other party chose her?
Chen Jin smiled faintly and explained, "I've heard that the Dowager's father, the former mighty General Ding Weishan, had a semi-mentorial relationship with Xingyuan Marquis Xue Yonghuai. Given this connection, the Dowager will surely sincerely protect Rongde County Lady and help her get through this disaster safely."
After hearing these words, the wariness in Concubine Shoukang's eyes when she looked at Chen Jin had been reduced by a lot.
She sighed inwardly, this man was truly a man of great intelligence, no wonder he could become the emperor's trusted minister at such a young age.
Concubine Shoukang nodded and smiled, agreeing to Chen Jin's request.
She admitted that she had always intended to adopt Xue Shanqiu as her adopted daughter for many years, and now that this wish has come true, her heart is filled with joy.
Soon inside Shou'an Palace, the palace maids and eunuchs were busy cleaning the house, decorating the originally gloomy palace to make it look brand new, elegant and comfortable.
After everything was ready, Concubine Shoukang asked for permission to leave the palace. She rode in the gorgeous imperial carriage and headed to the Xingyuan Marquis Mansion in a grand procession, surrounded by the splendor of the world. She couldn't wait to meet her adopted daughter in advance.
When the Xingyuan Marquisate learned that Concubine Shoukang was coming, everyone in the mansion was busy and orderly preparing to welcome her.
In the peaceful atmosphere of the Xiangyun Hall, Concubine Shoukang and Old Madam Hong Yingrong sat on either side of the main seat, demonstrating their respective dignity.
At this moment, except for the male relatives who were unable to come and greet due to etiquette, the female relatives Jiang Shuxiu, Xue Huichun and Xue Shanqiu were already waiting.
Jiang Shuxiu was six months pregnant and her pregnancy was obvious. Concubine Shoukang asked the palace maid to help her up quickly, without any formalities, and gently took off the white jade hollow bracelet with flowers and birds on her wrist and put it on Jiang Shuxiu's slender wrist.
This bracelet is crystal clear, the floral and bird patterns are lifelike, and the hollowing craftsmanship is exquisite. It is obviously a rare heirloom.
Seeing this, Hong Yingrong's heart moved slightly. She vaguely remembered the origin of the bracelet, "Could it be from your mother's family..."
Concubine Shoukang nodded with a smile. "This bracelet was specially prepared for me as a dowry by my grandmother when I entered the palace. It was originally a pair, and the other one is now on my niece's hand."
Jiang Shuxiu was terrified when she heard this. How could she easily accept such a valuable gift? She looked up at her mother-in-law, Hong Yingrong, her eyes full of questions and uneasiness.
However, Concubine Shoukang seemed to have anticipated her reaction and spoke gently, "Young Madam, there's no need to worry. Back then, my father and the old Marquis were close friends, regardless of age. Now that the Marquis's family is about to welcome a child, what does this gift mean?"
Hong Yingrong could see that Concubine Shoukang was trying to show goodwill. If she simply refused, it would make the Marquis's Mansion seem distant and deliberate.
At the signal from her mother-in-law Hong Yingrong, Jiang Shuxiu finally put aside her worries and sincerely thanked Concubine Shoukang.
Xue Huichun and Xue Shanqiu also received rewards and thanked Concubine Shoukang with great grace.
Concubine Shoukang turned her gaze particularly to Xue Shanqiu, her eyes full of admiration. The girl in front of her was tall and graceful, beautiful and intelligent, which made her nod repeatedly and admire her secretly in her heart.
"Don't worry, old lady," Concubine Shoukang finally said, her tone revealing a certain firmness and commitment. "Shanqiu is already my adopted daughter. I will do my utmost to protect her. From now on, no one in my Shou'an Palace shall be disrespectful."
Hong Yingrong was grateful. Concubine Shoukang was a dignified and virtuous person. With her protection, Xue Shanqiu could be safe in the palace.
Regarding what happened on the day the Western Rong delegation left the city, Hong Yingrong did not blame her second son Xue Zhongfu for acting on his own initiative.
If it were my previous life, I would probably use the engagement with Prince Linjiang as an excuse to reject Nurhatu's proposal.
But in this life, she didn't want her youngest daughter to marry into the royal family and cause trouble again.
Eunuch Chen Jin was able to come up with such a clever compromise on the spot to delay time. For her, it was undoubtedly a timely relief that resolved her little daughter's predicament.
"Madam, is the young man who won the third place in the imperial examination in your house today?" Concubine Shoukang gently picked up the exquisite teacup and gently brushed away the tea leaves floating on the water with the delicate rim of the cup. There was a subtle expectation in her words.
Hong Yingrong keenly captured this subtle change in mood, and couldn't help but feel a little confused.
She suddenly remembered something. The younger brother of Concubine Shoukang, the famous and powerful general Ding Dayong, had only one daughter who just turned 15 last year.
Of course, Concubine Shoukang did not say anything, so Hong Yingrong did not speculate too much and simply responded truthfully: "It just so happens that he is not on duty at the Ministry of Revenue today, so he is at the mansion."
After saying that, she turned to Aunt Zhao beside her and ordered, "Aunt Zhao, go to Yasongzhai and ask Ji Yan to come and pay his respects to the Concubine Dowager."
"Yes, madam." Madam Zhao agreed respectfully.
Hong Yingrong originally thought that Concubine Shoukang had simply asked her youngest son Xue Jiyan to come and pay her respects as usual, but the Concubine spoke in a leisurely tone, as if there was something else behind her words.
"Third Young Master," Concubine Shoukang whispered softly, her tone filled with reminiscence and concern, "Does it still happen like when you were a child? Does eating ginger still cause a rash?"
Hong Yingrong was slightly stunned when she heard this, and she couldn't help but feel puzzled. The dietary restrictions of her youngest son Xue Jiyan were just a trivial matter in the mansion. How could Concubine Shoukang know such trivial matters when she had lived in the deep palace for a long time?
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