Now, as Fourth Master left the main courtyard and was on his way back to the front courtyard, he suddenly asked, "What is Madam Li doing in the east courtyard?"
After learning from the imperial physician that Li Chenjiao was pregnant, the Fourth Prince had many of Li Chenjiao's favorite things sent to the East Courtyard, but he had not yet properly gone to the East Courtyard to see Li Chenjiao.
Su Peisheng didn't have time to ask about the commotion in the backyard. Looking at his foolish apprentice Fulu following behind him, Su Peisheng hurriedly apologized, "This servant has failed in his duty." At the same time, he glanced at Fulu again.
Fourth Master hummed in response, but he wasn't angry; he had other things on his mind at the moment.
"Find the map drawn by the Ministry of Works when the mansion was established," the Fourth Master said after a long pause.
After returning to the front yard, Fourth Master went straight into the study.
While Su Peisheng was searching for the map, the Fourth Prince closed his eyes and pondered.
Wu's courtyard was indeed a bit small, but Li's courtyard would also feel cramped after she gave birth, not to mention the eldest princess's courtyard—
When Su Peisheng unfolded the map, the Fourth Prince's gaze immediately fell on the layout of the backyard.
He picked up the vermilion brush, dipped it in ink, and wrote: "The courtyard behind the east wing of the Li family has always been empty?"
Su Peisheng replied, "That courtyard is small, so it would be difficult to accommodate everyone."
The Fourth Prince wrote: "When the time comes, extend the wall of the East Courtyard and incorporate it into the East Courtyard. The small courtyard behind it will be renovated according to the regulations for a secondary consort."
Su Peisheng clicked his tongue in amazement. It seemed like it was just an extension of two courtyards, but in reality, it saved Li Gege the trouble of moving courtyards and brought her many benefits.
"As for Madam Wu, the courtyard on the east side was too cramped, so we cleaned up this courtyard on the south side while she was in confinement. She will move there after her confinement is over."
The Fourth Prince pointed to a courtyard to the south with his vermilion brush. The courtyard was larger, but still within the regulations for a princess.
As for the Song family—
"The Song family's courtyard—repair the courtyard wall, so it doesn't take up space in the back courtyard, and expand it a bit along the wall to create a room for the eldest princess to climb, play, and rest in the afternoon."
Su Peisheng wrote them all down.
She naturally understood her master's meaning; it was a done deal to ask Li Gege to be made a concubine.
When Consort Li of the East Courtyard truly becomes a secondary consort, things will be completely different. She will be a proper mistress listed in the imperial genealogy, and she will be allowed to enter the palace during festivals. The princes and princesses born in the mansion will also have to bow and call her Mother Li.
As for when to submit the memorial requesting the official seal, the Fourth Prince already had a plan in mind.
The Crown Prince's confinement is almost over. By the Double Ninth Festival, Father Emperor should have calmed down. After the Double Ninth Festival, it will be time to act.
However, before the Double Ninth Festival in September, there is another event, which is naturally the eldest princess's first birthday banquet.
In the front courtyard, the Prince Zhi, the Third Prince, the Fifth Prince, and the Eighth Prince had all arrived, while in the back courtyard, the primary wives were naturally talking to their wives.
Although Song was the eldest princess's biological mother, she was only a princess herself and was not allowed to appear at the eldest princess's first birthday banquet.
Even the eldest princess, the fourth prince, refused to let anyone carry her out because she was in poor health.
With so many people around, it's easy for trouble to arise.
Prince Zhi was unusually quiet today, as his wife had given birth to three lovely little princesses. Now, he finally found his fourth son, who always had a sour face, somewhat agreeable.
Don't think he didn't know that the birth of a princess in the third prince's mansion didn't cause much of a stir, but the birth of a prince was something that everyone in the Forbidden City wanted to know.
Does his family have so many sons? It's annoying just looking at them.
Furthermore, the Crown Princess of Yuqing Palace gave birth to the Third Princess last year, who was immediately granted the title of Princess upon birth. No one could understand the Emperor's intentions.
That was the fate of appeasing the Mongols and establishing a marriage alliance.
Prince Zhi knew he had no way out; he and his children from the Irgen Gioro clan absolutely could not go to a marriage alliance.
Prince Zhi also claimed to the outside world that the princesses in his household were sickly and that he would not even allow them to enter the palace during festivals.
However, if the Emperor really wants the princesses to go on marriage alliances, the current Prince Zhi naturally cannot refuse the Emperor, so the only option is for him to become the one who holds great power.
Prince Zhi had drunk too much, but he had a high tolerance for alcohol and wasn't drunk at the moment. He patted the Fourth Prince and said, "In a few days, it will be the day when the Thirteenth Prince is married off to the Khorchin Mongols. Fourth Prince, I remember that Father Emperor assigned you this task. Thank you for your hard work."
Thirteen years ago, she was bestowed the title of Princess Heshuo Wenke.
The fate of unfavored princesses is generally the same. For example, the fifteenth princess, who shares the same mother as the thirteenth princess, is only six years old this year, but has already been betrothed to Dorji, a Taiji of the Borjigit clan of the Khorchin Mongols.
The Crown Princess's only youngest daughter was betrothed to a foreign ruler, wasn't that because the Crown Prince had angered his father, the Emperor?
Fourth Prince quickly understood what Prince Zhi meant. He could feel the deep love his elder brother, who was always criticized by the Crown Prince's faction as "stubborn and self-willed," had for his daughter.
"The eldest princess is born with a deficiency of constitution, so the third-day and full-month celebrations can be waived, but the first birthday celebration cannot be skipped. If the eldest brother finds it too conspicuous, then let's drink to our hearts' content today." The Fourth Prince raised his wine cup to toast the Prince of Zhi.
The two brothers exchanged a glance, and Prince Zhi quickly understood what the Fourth Prince meant.
Prince Zhi snorted, but did not refuse.
So when the news finally reached His Majesty's ears, the princes were again drunk and poured out their hearts to each other.
Ah, "confessing their innermost feelings" refers to the Third Prince getting drunk and saying that Lady Dong'e was a shrew, and even asking the Eighth Prince if his wife, Lady Guoluo, was just as jealous.
Eighth Master was so angry that his face almost turned blue, so he simply poured Third Master wine in an attempt to shut him up.
Fifth Master laughed and started practicing his boxing, saying he wanted to ask Prince Zhi for advice.
Prince Zhi was talking to the Fourth Prince and didn't bother with him.
The Emperor laughed as he listened, a rare moment of pure joy. But after laughing, he inevitably thought of the Crown Prince, who was still under house arrest.
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