In this situation where everyone is protecting Tong Wanyan and regarding her as a fragile piece of glass, Longkodo suddenly requests to see his cousin.
Longkodo was Empress Tong's younger brother and was always favored by Emperor Kangxi, maintaining close relationships with the princes. Even Yinzhen (Emperor Yongzheng) had to address him as his uncle.
Some princes whose maternal families were not prominent even had to curry favor with him when they met him in the palace.
However, this has nothing to do with Tong Wanyan.
Yinreng was the crown prince, and Longkodo couldn't show off his power in front of him.
Tong Wanyan is his cousin, Tong Guogang's beloved daughter, and Longkodo, as her cousin, also has to coax her.
Consider how later generations viewed Longkodo: arrogant and domineering among nobles, acting eccentrically. And then there's the widely circulated story of him stealing his father-in-law's concubine.
Feeling utterly bored, Tong Wanyan decided to meet him.
"This servant greets Consort Tong." Longkodo's eyes lit up when he saw Tong Wanyan. He then knelt down and bowed without any perfunctory manner, his demeanor elegant.
It was obvious that Tong Guowei had reprimanded him at home, telling him not to act recklessly inappropriately.
"Cousin, please rise," Tong Wanyan said gently.
Longkodo and Orondai are similar; you have to stroke their fur in the direction of their hair.
Tong Wanyan treated him well, and he reciprocated by treating her even better.
"I haven't congratulated my little cousin yet. She looks great; she must be a healthy and strong young man." Longkodo brought many gifts with him when he came over.
When Chunque presented the gift list to Tong Wanyan, Tong Wanyan was slightly taken aback. What a generous gesture!
"Thank you for your kind words, cousin. This child is indeed obedient. The gift you gave me is so valuable, I dare not accept it." Tong Wanyan supported her belly with one hand, her face radiating maternal glow.
Longkodo waved his hand dismissively: "Our Tong family is not short of money. If my cousin had grown up in the Duke's mansion since childhood, she would have received far more gifts than this one or two times."
“Giving gifts to my cousin is my sincere wish as her older brother. However, I do have a favor to ask,” Longkodo said.
Tong Wanyan stuffed the gift list back into Chunque's hand, and continued to look at Longkodo with a smile, waiting for him to continue.
People don't visit temples without a reason; offering lavish gifts is definitely not a good thing.
“This servant has taken a fancy to a woman and wishes to take her as a concubine,” Longkodo said bluntly.
Tong Wanyan, who possessed foresight, suddenly understood why she had been able to find her.
“My cousin’s wife is not the type to be jealous and quarrelsome. If my cousin wants to take a concubine, he should just let her know,” Tong Wanyan said softly.
Longkodo couldn't understand the meaning behind Tong Wanyan's words, but he didn't care.
“I fell in love with that woman at first sight, but I pity her humble origins. I would like to ask my cousin to say a few words of praise for her, to give her a good reputation. That way, she won’t be easily looked down upon after she enters my household,” Longkodo said.
Tong Wanyan suppressed her urge to complain.
She coaxed him gently, "Cousin, just tell me directly, which family's daughter is she? If she comes from a respectable family, even if she comes from a poor background, as long as she is of good character, I am willing to help you with this favor."
Longkodo simply couldn't go against his conscience. Li Si'er had neither a clean family background nor even a clean body. Secondly, she wasn't exactly a paragon of virtue. What Longkodo liked about her was her unconventional and unrestrained nature, which suited his temperament.
“She is the concubine of my father-in-law,” Longkodo said.
Tong Wanyan's eyes widened in excitement, and a memorable scene unfolded.
Longkodo, however, thought she was frightened.
His pregnant cousin was terrified by him, and Longkodo still had a shred of humanity left.
He was unusually kind, and softened his voice to explain, "She was just a concubine, and my father-in-law had only had her for a few days. Since ancient times, concubines have been bought and sold. It was a refined and elegant affair for officials and literati to exchange concubines."
Forget his romantic escapades; Tong Wanyan suspected that Longkodo was treating her like a fool.
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