The place was small, and we were close friends, so we sat not far from each other.
No matter how quietly Hongzhao spoke, he still managed to hear a few bits and pieces.
Princess Shi Er blushed. She glanced at Princess Shi Fujin, then at Shi Xiuzhu. Finally, her gaze fell on her knees, and she lowered her head, too embarrassed to ask any further questions.
Shi Xiuzhu smiled mischievously at his younger sister. In truth, his feelings for Shi Er Gege were not as deep as those for Tong Wanyan. After all, his younger sister was still young when he entered the palace. He was busy learning etiquette, and Shi Er Gege was still a baby; they spent too little time together.
"Mother, shall we let the Fifteenth Prince in to see me?" Shi Xiuzhu asked Shi Fujin, while looking at Shi Er Gege.
"Thank you for your trouble, Prince Hongzhao." Princess Shi smiled and thanked Hongzhao, which meant that the Fifteenth Prince was allowed to enter.
Hongzhao thought about the Fifteenth Prince, who had been subtly inquiring about him ever since the betrothal, and then glanced at Princess Shi. He thought to himself that the two of them were quite a good match.
Hongzhao went out to find the Fifteenth Prince in a good mood, and taking this opportunity, Shi Fujin became anxious for him.
“Consort Shi, Prince Hongzhao is three years older than Prince Fifteen,” Consort Shi said.
Her daughter had no children and had a good relationship with Consort Tong, so she cared for and worried about Hongzhao and the others as if they were her own nephews and nieces. Now even the Fifteenth Prince has a consort, so why is there no news at all about the marriage of the First Prince in Yuqing Palace?
"Is Mother worried about any changes?" Shi Xiuzhu asked directly.
Shi Fujin glared at him: "What nonsense are you spouting? What if someone with ulterior motives overhears you?"
"Mother doesn't trust my methods?" Shi Xiuzhu didn't care at all. If he didn't have this much ability, and made Yuqing Palace a sieve, how could he bargain with Yinreng?
His arrogance stemmed from his talent, which was the very essence of Yinreng's respect and tolerance for him.
Shi Fujin was too lazy to deal with this troublesome daughter. She had been independent since childhood and had seen mountains and rivers with her father-in-law and husband. She often left her speechless, and her reasoning was indeed correct.
Tong Wanyan smiled gently at Shi Fujin, and the two looked more like a mother and daughter.
“Don’t worry, Madam. Father has been carefully selecting a primary wife and a secondary wife for Hongzhao. Even the concubines are chosen with great care and not given away easily. My husband and I both think that a man doesn’t need to rush into marriage, and Hongzhao is still growing at his age. It’s a good thing that he doesn’t indulge in women,” Tong Wanyan explained.
This reminded Shi Fujin of how her daughter had also been given advance notice and kept under surveillance for several years before being officially named Crown Princess.
"Is His Majesty considering Prince Hongzhao's status as the eldest grandson of the Emperor?" Consort Shi whispered, covering her mouth with her handkerchief.
Tong Wanyan nodded gently, and Shi Fujin breathed a sigh of relief and patted her chest.
"I was worrying unnecessarily. This is good." Shi Fujin had gleaned some information about the commotion in the court from her husband, Shi Wenbing.
Knowing that the position of the Crown Prince was unstable, he was filled with anxiety and could not find peace of mind.
In the past, whenever I entered the palace, I dared not ask too many questions, and I could tell that the situation was indeed not good.
This time, taking advantage of the opportunity to let her youngest daughter and future son-in-law meet, she couldn't help but ask.
"Mother, prepare your dowry properly. Our daughters are all good. I think the Fifteenth Prince is quite good. As long as you like him, the young couple's life may not necessarily be sweet and long-lasting." Shi Xiuzhu stopped criticizing the Fifteenth Prince at this time.
He had received the imperial edict months ago; why would he say something that would make Princess Shi Er uneasy?
As long as he remains the Crown Princess for even a day, he can protect his sister.
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