Princess Jiarong and Princess Shuo obtained a white jade carving of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy who grants children, from Tong Wanyan and happily left the palace.
Things are valued for their rarity, and she wouldn't be foolish enough to let Tong Wanyan give her a cartload of Guanyin statues that symbolize fertility.
That would be disrespectful to Buddha, and no one else would care.
After court, Tong Qinian was at home playing with his son when he was surprised to see his wife return so early.
"It's really strange that you didn't stay in Yuqing Palace until the palace gates were closed today," Tong Qinian joked.
Jia Rong and Princess Shuo slapped their foreheads and stamped their feet, saying, "I knew I'd forgotten something."
Tong Qinian looked at her with doting eyes, his gaze questioning her: "If you've forgotten, you've forgotten. Don't make yourself stupid by slapping your head."
Jia Rong and Princess Shuo said angrily, "That little rascal Xiao Yan, she trusts anyone who treats her well. I finally managed to go to the palace to remind her to be careful of the Crown Princess, but she just kept fooling me and evaded the topic. When I went there, Chun Que had just brought Prince Hong Sheng over from the Crown Princess. I was worried at the time, that the Crown Princess is now winning over Hong Sheng, and what will happen if she sows discord between the mother and son in the future?"
Tong Qinian had someone take the child away; he needed to soothe the older child in front of him first.
"The concubine has been intelligent since childhood and is good at judging people. I know you are worried about her, and I have seen the infighting in the inner palace. However, there are always people of noble character in the world, or people who do not like to fight for favor. I have heard a little about the Crown Princess's style of doing things; she is very open and fair, with clear rewards and punishments, and always follows the rules. The concubine never acts willfully or recklessly, and always conforms to the palace rules. Even if the Crown Princess has ideas, they cannot succeed." Tong Qinian patiently analyzed for Jia Rong and Heshuo Gege.
Jia Rong and Princess Shuo retained the willfulness of a pregnant woman: "Xiao Yan is still your sister, so why don't you praise her like this? On the contrary, the Crown Princess, whom you've only met a few times, is highly praised by you."
Tong Qinian laughed out loud: "Princess is so cute."
"Don't treat me like a child. Xiao Yan and I aren't just casual sisters-in-law like some other families. I treat her like my own sister," Jia Rong and Princess Shuo said.
“Does that mean my concubine isn’t my own sister? I admire the Crown Princess because she is truly talented. Even if I have little contact with her, I can still glean some insight from her. If she were a man, she would surely be a high-ranking official. My concubine is certainly good in every way, but she is not as open-minded as the Crown Princess in terms of temperament,” Tong Qinian said.
Seeing that Jia Rong and Princess Shuo were still a little confused, Tong Qinian said, "To put it simply, the Crown Princess studies the classics and the art of governing the country and serving as an official, while the Consort studies poetry, calligraphy and painting and the art of managing a household and serving as a wife. The Consort's horizons are already exceptionally broad among women, but they are ultimately different from those who have received formal education as officials."
Jia Rong and Princess Shuo waved their hands: "The Prince is incredibly talented, a reincarnation of Zhuge Liang, praised by the Emperor himself. The Crown Prince is also a wise man with considerable skill. You all trust him, so how could I not? What you've said so much basically means you treat the Crown Princess like a man. Men don't fight over other men; they only want to achieve great things. The harem can't interfere in politics, so if the Crown Princess has ambitions, she has to rely on the Crown Prince. And Xiao Yan is a lovable girl; the Crown Princess will definitely like her."
"The Lady's summary is correct," Tong Qinian praised politely.
Jia Rong and Princess Shuo's cheeks were flushed, and she puffed out her cheeks in a sigh, "You keep going on and on, calling me Princess and then Consort, you're making me dizzy. If we can talk things out, I won't have to worry so much every night. And Xiao Yan, you should just explain things to me clearly, instead of trying to fool me."
Tong Qinian's eyes softened with joy; he wanted to spoil his wife just like she did before she got married.
He reminded him, "She's in the palace."
Even a brick in the palace could be a spy eavesdropping and gossiping. How could anyone utter a word of criticism about the Crown Princess? Speak and act with caution—this was a mantra everyone in the palace kept in mind.
Jia Rong and Shuo Gege turned away coquettishly, ignoring Tong Qinian: "You're complaining that I'm stupid again."
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