The arrangement of concubines for princes also varied. For example, the marriage of a concubine to a prince, like that of Concubine Cao in the Third Prince's mansion, was mostly handled by the Imperial Household Department, with the prince then hosting a banquet for his brothers.
The last time Bai Jia was punished was because the Fourth Prince had brought his concubine to the Third Prince's residence to get drunk, right?
The most common reason for requesting the title of secondary consort was due to childbirth, as was the case with Lady Zhaojia in the former Third Prince's mansion.
The process of being granted the title of Consort is not handled by the Imperial Household Department. The Imperial Household Department will simply prepare the Consort's formal attire and send a proper etiquette instructor to teach her the proper manners.
Li Chenjiao had learned these rules when she was a candidate for the imperial concubine examination, but there were some other rules as well, which always required some effort.
After learning the rules, one can then wear the attire made by the Imperial Household Department for a secondary consort and go to the palace to pay respects to Consort De.
After that, Li Chenjiao would have to go to the palace like the Fujin during various festivals and holidays if she had nothing else to do. If she gave birth to a child, she would also have to bring the child with her.
Of course, offspring refers to all the offspring of the Fourth Prince's household.
According to custom, the eldest princess should have entered the palace to be seen by Consort De during the New Year last year, but the eldest princess was sick at the time, and Consort De took pity on her health, so she was exempted.
After listening to Qiu Ci finish speaking, Li Chenjiao, supporting herself with her hand, asked, "Does everyone in the mansion know about this?"
Qiu Ci replied, "The people from the Imperial Household Department were in the front courtyard to make arrangements. Originally, the people from the Imperial Household Department were also going to come to the Princess's place, but the head of the main courtyard, Granny Qian, said that the Princess was pregnant less than three months ago and it was not advisable to disturb her, so she did not let the people from the Imperial Household Department come to disturb the Princess."
This makes it seem as if Li Chenjiao has become more pampered after her pregnancy, as even the messenger from the Imperial Household Department has disappeared.
Unfortunately, Granny Qian used the excuse of caring for and understanding Li Chenjiao's health to justify her actions.
Li Chenjiao said "Oh": "Let's change our clothes and go to the main courtyard to thank Consort Xie."
Qiu Hu had just sent Xiao Luzi ahead to ask for more information, and he was busy responding to that now.
One maid tied up Li Chenjiao's hair and helped her wash and comb her hair, while the other picked out clothes for her.
As Qiu Hu ran a peach wood comb as big as a small mountain through Li Chenjiao's hair, she said softly, "Eunuch Fulu said something to help, saying that when the princess is pregnant, the tailoring should take into account changes. The people from the Imperial Household Department didn't say anything when they heard this, they just said that they would have the tutor come to the mansion in a few days to take her measurements and tailor the clothes after the princess is three months pregnant."
It wasn't for nothing that Li Chenjiao had been taking care of the people in the front yard. Of course, Fulu was able to say this mainly because of Li Chenjiao's current status.
Both maids were very well-behaved and did not change their address before Li Chenjiao had properly completed the ceremony of becoming a concubine.
To prevent others from gossiping would make the servants in their courtyard seem arrogant.
Li Chenjiao hummed in agreement: "If Fourth Master hasn't returned to the manor to get some silver for Xiao Luzi by the time of the Beginning of Winter, let Xiao Luzi treat Fu Lu to a feast to thank him."
Qiu Hu understood what her princess meant and smiled in agreement.
The maid told the Fujin that when Princess Li came to express her gratitude, she was praying in front of the small Buddhist hall in the main courtyard.
The princess knelt before the statue of the Goddess of Fertility, closing her eyes and palms together.
The two incense sticks in front of the hall emitted wisps of smoke. Only when the last bit of ash fell into the auspicious beast incense burner did the Fujin, with Yuru's help, stand up from the prayer mat.
"Why are you still calling her Princess Li? You should address her differently from now on." The Princess Consort frowned.
The maid who came to deliver the message quickly apologized.
The princess consort didn't care, and simply left the small Buddhist hall with Yu Ru's help.
As the maidservant was leaving her side, she overheard the princess say very softly, "She certainly arrived quickly."
Granny Qian was already waiting outside. She was old and didn't like the smell of incense, so she stayed outside the whole time.
Li Chenjiao was politely invited to the main courtyard, and the Fujin (principal wife) arrived shortly after she arrived.
The princess smiled and dismissed her formalities: "You're pregnant, so these formalities are unnecessary. What brings you here again?"
These seemingly natural words are merely superficial. If Li Chenjiao were to actually skip the proper etiquette just because she is overjoyed, the Fujin (principal wife) would likely offer a completely different explanation.
Li Chenjiao came to the main courtyard today to ask for the title of Consort and to have some dealings with the current wife, to let her know that she had no other intentions.
Just like when Princess Wu sent the jade ruyi last time, they kept to themselves and didn't interfere with each other.
"I didn't quite believe the rumors at first. It's true that with Consort Wu in the household, I am unworthy of her, being neither talented nor virtuous. I'll only cause more trouble and make a fool of myself in the future. I just hope that I can take advantage of this happy occasion to be lazy. When I was at home, I heard my mother say that the capable should do more work. But I'm stupid and not good at anything. I'll have to ask my wife to take care of me in the future."
As Li Chenjiao spoke, she unconsciously lowered her eyelashes, casting two shallow shadows to conceal her eyes, looking quite embarrassed.
Li Chenjiao's words were very clear: she knew nothing, and was completely clueless about housekeeping. She would not show off in front of the Fujin in the future, and of course, she would not compete with the Fujin for housekeeping power, so the Fujin did not need to worry.
These were the words that the Fujin (principal wife) wanted to hear, and what Lady Li said was true.
Even before Wu entered the mansion and when Li was at the height of her favor, Li never once coveted the power to manage the household.
However, the Princess Consort still exchanged a glance with Granny Qian first.
“Mrs. Li, you are still too modest. After you become a concubine, I will naturally have to ask you about things that need to be addressed.”
Upon hearing this, Li Chenjiao stood up in great fear: "This concubine of mine is truly unworthy of the title. It would be an exaggeration to say that she was forced into this position. How could she possibly know anything about such things?"
Li Chenjiao was too lazy to make enemies with the Fujin at the moment, and she really didn't want to get involved in the housekeeper's affairs.
She became a concubine, gained a respectable status, soon had a child to rely on, and was not short of her own money. Why bother trying to get involved in the household management?
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