This sudden question surprised Hong Yingrong, but she also vaguely sensed that there seemed to be a deeper meaning behind it.
Her mind was in turmoil, but in just a moment, her face returned to that dignified and steady smile.
"The Concubine has a good memory," Hong Yingrong praised softly, "Ji Yan has indeed had a rash after eating ginger since he was a child, but we have been extra careful over the years and have paid attention to his diet."
Upon hearing this, Concubine Shoukang nodded slightly, with a hint of understanding in her eyes. She didn't say much afterwards, as if the question just now was just a casual mention.
Hong Yingrong became more and more confused. She didn't understand why the concubine suddenly brought up these private matters in the mansion, and why she knew so much about her youngest son's dietary restrictions.
However, before she could think about it, Aunt Zhao's voice came from outside the door: "The Third Young Master has arrived."
Following the sound of footsteps, Xue Jiyan appeared at the door of Xiangyun Hall. He was wearing a royal blue brocade robe with a jade belt of the same color tied around his waist. He looked tall and slender, with an imposing demeanor and a heroic look between his brows.
"Greetings to the Dowager Concubine." Xue Jiyan walked up to the Dowager Concubine Shoukang and bowed respectfully.
Concubine Shoukang looked Xue Jiyan up and down with a probing look in her eyes, as if she wanted to see something from this young man.
Hong Yingrong tried to lighten the mood, saying, "I never knew who this child looked like since he was little. He's handsome, but his temper is like the old marquis. He can be quite stubborn at times."
Upon hearing this, Concubine Shoukang smiled warmly. She nodded and said, "He is indeed a handsome man. The old marquis would surely be proud of him."
After saying this, she didn't seem to want to say anything more. Her eyes slowly moved away from Xue Jiyan and turned elsewhere.
Hong Yingrong and Concubine Shoukang were chatting about trivial matters in the mansion, while Xue Jiyan was listening quietly on the side. The atmosphere in Xiangyun Hall gradually became relaxed. He occasionally interjected a few humorous remarks, which made the two elders laugh.
Concubine Shoukang followed the palace rules. When the eunuch came to remind her that it was time to return to the palace, she slowly stood up and said, "Once the Ministry of Internal Affairs selects an auspicious day, they will send a carriage to welcome Shanqiu to the palace."
"Yes, Concubine Dowager, everything will be arranged by the palace."
Old Madam Hong Yingrong respectfully left the house as Concubine Shoukang left, watching the ceremonial carriage go farther and farther until it disappeared from her sight.
Back in the mansion, the youngest son Xue Jiyan couldn't help but ask Hong Yingrong: "Mother, I don't remember ever meeting the Concubine Dowager..."
Although Hong Yingrong was also puzzled, she didn't want to show it in front of her son, so she changed the subject and said with a smile, "There are many nobles in the palace. Perhaps you heard the Queen Mother accidentally mention that the Concubine Dowager lives in seclusion in the palace. It is a great honor for her to come to our house today... It's getting late, you should go and rest."
Xue Jiyan responded and retreated.
Hong Yingrong stood alone in the hall, looking at her youngest son's receding back and the gradually darkening sky outside the door. She couldn't help but feel an inexplicable melancholy in her heart, and recalled the time when the old marquis was alive.
She and Xingyuan Hou Xue Yonghuai had three sons and two daughters, and she always believed that she had never been too obviously partial to her children.
However, if she were to ask herself honestly, she would indeed involuntarily show more love and care for her two daughters.
The youngest son Xue Jiyan was different from his two elder brothers Yuanchu and Zhongfu since he was born. He was weak and sickly since childhood.
Even after the birth of her younger sister Xue Shanqiu, the child's health was still worrying, and the shadow of illness always lingered.
This incident made the old marquis and Hong Yingrong deeply desperate, and they worried whether Ji Yan could grow up safely.
Until one day, a bald monk came to the mansion to beg for alms. He looked around and was impressed by the prosperity of the mansion, but pointed out that the flowers and cosmetics around him were the cause of the third young master's lack of yang fire and many disasters and illnesses.
He asserted that the more pampered Xue Jiyan was, the more difficult it would be for him to get rid of the entanglement of this disease.
The bald monk made a seemingly incredible suggestion: let Xue Jiyan stay in the army for a year.
In that place full of masculine and righteous energy, perhaps he could fight poison with poison, overcome the weakness he was born with, and win him a chance of survival.
It was difficult for Xue Jiyan to stay safe in the marquis' mansion, let alone going to such a harsh border military camp. Which of the food, clothing, housing and transportation could a six-year-old child like him bear?
When Hong Yingrong heard this, she was extremely reluctant and refused to let the old marquis take Xue Jiyan away no matter who tried to persuade her.
Just as she was taking care of her youngest son day and night without taking off her clothes, a shocking news suddenly came from the palace.
Imperial Concubine Mei, who was deeply favored by the late emperor, and her five-year-old little prince were both killed in a sudden blazing fire, and their bodies were never found.
The merciless fire not only devoured the two lives, but also reduced the once magnificent and prosperous Fengzao Palace to ashes.
This incident dealt a heavy blow to the late emperor, who was devastated and mentally depressed. His physical condition also deteriorated, and he was even powerless to deal with the urgent political affairs at the border.
In the court, three censors who spoke frankly and risked their lives to make suggestions were beaten to death. This cruel storm plunged the entire capital into a gloomy and miserable situation.
The old marquis Xue Yonghuai, seeing that the situation at the border was becoming turbulent again, was worried about the world and resolutely asked for permission to guard the border. Then, despite his wife Hong Yingrong's objection, he resolutely took Xue Jiyan with him and set off.
Fortunately, a year later, the old marquis and Xue Jiyan returned to Beijing safely, which made Hong Yingrong, as a wife and mother, finally breathe a sigh of relief.
A year naturally brings a lot of changes to growing children.
After recovering from his illness, Xue Jiyan grew taller, his skin became darker, and his eyebrows and eyes grew more mature. Unlike the thin boy he was when he left, he had become a cute and naughty big boy.
Hong Yingrong couldn't help but feel a sense of strangeness in her heart at first, but this doubt was soon drowned out by the laughter of the people in the mansion.
Everyone was sincerely happy for the young master's safe return.
Yuanchu and Zhongfu spent the entire day circling around their younger brother, as if they wanted to make up for all the longing and regret they had felt for him over the past year.
In such an atmosphere, Hong Yingrong also buried the doubts in her heart deep in her heart, and just wanted to enjoy the warm time of family reunion.
"Old Madam, are you reluctant to let the Fifth Miss enter the palace?"
Nanny Zhao carefully observed the old lady's expression and softly consoled her, "The Concubine Dowager has already said that from now on, every first and fifteenth day of the lunar month, as well as festival days, the Fifth Miss can return home to reunite with you."
Hong Yingrong sighed softly, as if Zhao Ma's words had touched a chord in her heart.
"As long as the child is safe..."
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