The news of Wu's birth of the eldest prince was told to Consort De by the Fujin herself, who went to the palace to offer her congratulations, her face beaming with a smile.
Consort De learned of the Fujin's good fortune during the Double Ninth Festival. As soon as the Fujin entered the palace, Consort De invited her to sit down and talk. The atmosphere between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law seemed quite pleasant.
After congratulating the First Prince, the First Princess naturally inquired about the baby's third-day celebration and thanked Consort De for her gifts on behalf of the First Prince. Then, the First Princess casually asked about the Second Princess, but naturally, she used a veiled approach as before.
"This pregnancy of Princess Wu was truly difficult. It took her almost a day and a night to give birth to the eldest prince. Even the midwife who delivered the baby said that Princess Wu was very lucky and had a long life, otherwise she would have had a difficult birth. Her mother didn't see it, but when I went to see Princess Wu before I went to the palace, Princess Wu's face was deathly pale."
Consort De was still all smiles. The addition of a new member to the Fourth Prince's household was naturally a great joy, especially since the Fujin in front of her was also pregnant.
Now that Consort De has reached this age, it's natural that she wants to see a house full of children and grandchildren.
"Fourth son's wife, I understand what you mean. Childbirth is indeed very difficult for women. You have reminded me of this. We should give Wu a generous reward."
The Fujin still couldn't figure out what Consort De meant. She forced a smile, gritted her teeth, and thought about the baby in her belly before finally asking what was on her mind.
"Your daughter-in-law is foolish. I heard that the Fourth Prince had the idea of making a concubine. I am so worried that I can't sleep. Please give me some advice, Mother."
When Consort De saw that the Fujin was about to kneel down, she quickly gave a wink to Zhao Mama, who was standing by, and said, "You child, you are the Fujin. Even if the Fourth Prince establishes a concubine, he will not be able to surpass you. You have always been a strong-willed child. You have been with the princesses in the back courtyard for a long time. It's just that your status has changed a bit. What is there to be afraid of?"
The Fujin was helped up by Zhao Mama, and only after hearing Consort De's words, "Even if the Fourth Prince establishes a concubine, he still can't surpass you," did she feel reassured.
What she feared most was that Consort Wu, relying on the Empress Dowager De's backing, wielded power like a chicken feather, and that there was also Granny Xu in the household to hinder her. This was what worried the Fujin.
Seeing that the Fujin had put her mind to herself, Consort De sighed, "Now that you are pregnant, and Li Shi has no children to rely on, why should you worry about the Fourth Prince's wife? Besides, you have Wu Shi in your household to share the burden. I think the inner palace is quite worry-free. When Li Shi comes to the palace at the end of the year, I will give her a little nudge. If there is anything, just come to the palace and tell your mother."
Consort De gently patted the back of the Fujin's hand as a gesture of comfort, and it was the first time she had ever spoken to the Fujin in this manner.
Of course, only Consort De herself knows how much of these words are true and how much are false.
The two Fujin were stunned by what Consort De said.
It took the Fujin a long time to react: "Your Highness, are you mistaken? Why is it Li Shi? Isn't it Wu Shi?"
Seeing the Fujin's reaction, Consort De belatedly realized that the Fourth Prince hadn't told her yet. She sighed inwardly, but on the surface, she still had to smooth things over: "Isn't it Li Shi? Didn't the Fourth Prince tell you? The Fourth Prince even told me that he had discussed it with you before informing me. This Fourth Prince!"
Consort De feigned anger.
It took the Fujin a while to realize: "No, it's not that. Yesterday, the master was talking to his daughter-in-law about establishing a secondary Fujin. It's just that his daughter-in-law remembered it wrong."
The princess consort lowered her head in deep thought.
If it were Lady Li who was invited to be made a secondary consort, then the situation would be different.
Firstly, Li has no children, but currently enjoys the favor of the Fourth Prince.
But how long can this favor last? The grand election is just two years away, and once new women enter the household, what will Li Shi's favor amount to?
A concubine who has fallen out of favor and has no children naturally poses no threat.
Even if she has children, they will only be born later than her, the wife of the firstborn, and it will be neither the eldest nor the legitimate heir, so it's not surprising at all.
But Wu, who gave birth to the eldest prince, was only a princess. So what did it matter that she gave birth to the eldest prince of the mansion?
Upon careful consideration, this does indeed seem to be the most appropriate.
The Fujin was spared the life-and-death struggle with Wu Shi over the management of the household.
The Fujin understood everything and silently looked up: "With Mother's words, there is naturally nothing for your daughter-in-law to worry about. Li has always been well-behaved in the household, so she is indeed a suitable choice."
Moreover, once the memorial requesting the official title arrives, Lady Wu will likely be furious.
Let them fight it out," the princess consort said meekly, lowering her head to hide the smile on her lips.
As for the memorial requesting the bestowal of titles, His Majesty was in a fairly good mood when it was presented to him.
The Crown Prince had just arrived to pay his respects. It had been a long time since the father and son had sat down to have a simple chat about their studies. Of course, it was His Majesty who asked the Crown Prince the questions.
The Emperor seemed to be in a good mood.
When His Majesty saw that it was handed over by the fourth prince, he was taken aback: "This fourth prince, it seems he has remembered to ask for the appointment of a concubine?"
After reading it, His Majesty asked again, "Li? A girl from the Han Banner Army?"
Given the fourth son's status, it was indeed a bit of a condescension.
The "identity of the fourth prince" naturally refers to the identity of the fourth prince as the adopted son of Empress Tongjia.
Liang Jiugong agreed, and then replied, "This year, Consort De also selected a girl from the Han Banner Army for the preliminary selection."
The Emperor opened the memorial and understood the meaning of those words.
"Consort De, she's still the same as always," the Emperor remarked, clapping his hands in admiration.
"Keep an eye out for a girl from a prominent family for the fourth prince during next year's general election." The Emperor looked at the memorial and then asked, "What about the fourth prince's harem?"
Liang Jiugong noted it down: "At noon, Consort De sent someone to say that the Fourth Prince had a healthy new son in his harem."
This is where Consort De's cleverness lies; she only said that a prince had been added to the Fourth Prince's harem, but did not say who the father was.
The Emperor said "Oh," and without asking anything else, picked up his brush and wrote: "The Fourth Prince is going to send Wen Ke to Khorchin in a few days? Tell the Imperial Clan Court to approve it as soon as possible."
This means that you think there's no problem.
Liang Jiugong agreed, but then he heard the Emperor scolding him: "The younger brothers have all come to their senses, but the eldest is a fool."
Oh dear, Liang Jiugong lowered his head even further.
Fourth Master naturally received the news from the Imperial Clan Court very quickly.
Fourth Master wasn't too surprised, but it was unusual that he left the Ministry of Revenue and rode back to his residence before evening.
Today, Fu Lu came along too, and even gave his master a look, as if to say, "Is Fourth Master going to Consort Wu's courtyard?"
Right now, Princess Wu is indeed the most popular person in the entire mansion.
First, the Empress bestowed gifts upon the First Prince and Consort Wu, and naturally, the Fourth Prince and his wife also bestowed gifts. The three-day celebration for the baby's third day was another lively affair. All the servants in the mansion were waiting for Consort Wu to be invited to be promoted to the rank of Secondary Consort, and they were all trying to curry favor with her in advance.
However, Fulu, having been advised by his master, did not fawn over Princess Wu, and when he delivered things to her courtyard, he did so as usual.
Fu Lu was a little confused when Su Peisheng reminded him to pay more attention to Li Gege in the East Courtyard. It had been a while since Fourth Master had visited Li Gege's courtyard.
Fu Lu had just received a glare from his own master when he heard Fourth Master give instructions after dismounting.
"Go to the East Wing."
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