Yinreng was a jinx; he spoke ill of Yinzhi's betrothed, and she came knocking on his door just a few days later.
Dong Eshi was the daughter of Peng Chun, the commander of the Plain Red Banner and a first-class brave and diligent duke. Her grandfather was Zhe Erben, a first-class duke, and her great-grandfather was Heshuo Tu, the eldest son of He Heli, one of the five founding ministers.
Given his background, it's undeniable that Emperor Kangxi doted on his children.
Even though he berated Yinzhi mercilessly, the primary consort he chose for him was by no means inferior.
If the Empress Dowager hadn't had a bad impression of the Dong E clan, Dong E would have even been able to become the Crown Princess.
Tong Wanyan couldn't figure out Dong E's purpose in coming. Logically speaking, it was not appropriate for her to come to Yuqing Palace now.
According to custom, before Dong Eshi was married to the Third Prince, she was still a subject's daughter. A subject's daughter was a royal servant, and she was not allowed to step into the gates of Yuqing Palace without being summoned by her master.
Tong Wanyan naturally dislikes socializing and is too lazy to meet outsiders.
She turned to Ling Mama and said, "Ling Mama, why did Princess Dong'e come to Yuqing Palace without being summoned? Since she's already at the gate, why don't we have Li Jia Shi receive her? They're both secondary consorts, so it's not a big deal."
No one visits a temple without a reason; Dong Eshi's sudden visit must mean nothing good.
Granny Ling was a shrewd old woman, and she thought the same way as Tong Wanyan.
Some things require someone to take the lead, while others should be left to others.
When Lady Li was told that she would receive Lady Dong'e as the mistress of the Qianqing Palace, she was so excited that her hands trembled for a moment.
She was the most cunning, and the one who was most severely suppressed by Yinreng.
After a moment's thought, Li Jia understood everything.
Tong Wanyan needs to be pampered, so it would be good if she could have some power as well.
"Thank you, Consort Tong," Li Jia said to Granny Ling.
Xie Tongwanyan reserved a place for her in Yuqing Palace, which gave her some face and prestige in the eyes of the public.
"You're too kind, Consort," said Granny Ling.
Li Jia, beaming with pride, left Ling Mama behind. This wet nurse of the Crown Prince was a very powerful figure.
Granny Ling had already been informed by Tong Wanyan, and was here to support Li Jia Shi, while also instructing her on what kind of qipao and jewelry to choose when meeting Dong E Shi.
Coincidentally, both Li Jia and Ling Mama chose the headdress that Tong Wanyan had given them last time, which was a fine item picked out from the Empress Dowager's dowry.
“Princess Dong’e is a true Manchu lady, very proud and willful. This headdress is perfect for a concubine.” Granny Ling had no intention of using this opportunity to make Lady Li lose face in front of Lady Dong’e.
People from Yuqing Palace should be considered superior to others in the outside world.
Li Jiashi understood the hidden meaning in Ling Mama's words and felt a chill run down her spine; Dong Eshi was not someone to be trifled with.
"Don't worry, Granny. They're all daughters of Manchu families. Which one of them isn't a bit headstrong from a young age?" Li Jia said with a smile. She wasn't someone to be trifled with either.
After dawdling for about half an hour, Li Jia calmly walked towards the front hall, where Dong E had already been waiting for half an hour.
When Li Jia arrived, her jade pendants jingled, and she was surrounded by servants, making her quite imposing.
"This servant greets Consort Dong'e." Dong'e rose and bowed.
She glanced at Li Jia and saw that she was beautiful and well-dressed, so she thought to herself that the person who came must be Consort Tong.
Based on the power struggles she had experienced in the inner quarters of the Dong'e Mansion, Dong'e believed that Tong Wanyan would not give up the opportunity to meet outsiders.
"I wonder what brings Princess Dong'e to Yuqing Palace?" Li Jia asked dignifiedly.
Dong Eshi said with a hint of shyness, "This servant was summoned to the palace by Consort Rong, but unfortunately the Empress Dowager missed you and summoned you to Ning Shou Palace instead. Therefore, you instructed this servant to come to Yu Qing Palace to pay my respects, so that we can visit each other in the future."
The wedding of Consort Dong'e and Yinzhi was scheduled for February 18th of the 30th year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, which, if you calculate carefully, was still half a year away.
If she weren't marrying a prince, then interacting with her future sister-in-law so early would actually show her good nature.
"Yuqing Palace has no primary consort yet, so I cannot accept a mere greeting from Princess Dong'e," Li Jia said cautiously.
Dong E's expression stiffened for a moment, then relaxed: "What Consort Tong said is true."
For a moment, Li Jia's face froze.
Even though she knew she was no match for Tong Wanyan, she was still very unhappy to be embarrassed by outsiders.
"Princess Dong'e, this is Consort Li Jia, bestowed upon the Crown Prince by the Imperial Noble Consort." Granny Ling's face was dignified, and she was clearly not an ordinary person.
Dong Eshi did not recognize Ling Mama's identity, so even though she saw that Ling Mama had an extraordinary presence and was different from ordinary nannies, she only regarded her as Li Jia's head nanny.
The pride she had been trying so hard to suppress burst forth instantly.
She was the future primary consort of the Third Prince. Even though Consort Rong was not as favored as Consort Yi in Kangxi's harem, she was among the first to enter the palace. Kangxi valued old friendships and treated those who had raised his children very well.
A mother's status rises with her son's, and a son's status rises with his mother's. In short, Yinzhi's future is limitless. Even if he has no chance of becoming emperor, he can't escape the position of a prince.
Dong Eshi's eyes instantly turned arrogant: "So you are Consort Li Jia. I wonder if Consort Tong knows that this servant has arrived?"
If the visitor is hostile, there's no need to be polite.
Li Jia also abandoned her kind smile, her expression becoming distant: "Consort Tong had to take care of the First Prince and the Eldest Princess, so she sent me here. Does Princess Dong'e have some dissatisfaction with me? If so, Princess Dong'e, please go back to Consort Rong's place and continue waiting, so as not to be unhappy sitting in Yuqing Palace."
Dong Eshi did not expect Li Jiashi to be so disrespectful to her.
Ling Mama's gaze turned cold as she looked at Dong E Shi.
Consort Rong was a fool. She summoned Consort Dong'e only because Emperor Kangxi had previously scolded Yinzhi for Yinreng's sake. She wanted to please Yinreng, but couldn't bring herself to come in person to appease her elders.
Sending a future daughter-in-law is just a fuss.
"Why does Consort Li speak so sarcastically? We are guests, aren't we?" said Consort Dong'e.
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