Since Yu Ru came by with a smile that day, not even a shadow of the main courtyard has been seen in the east courtyard.
Li Chenjiao also gave instructions to the servants in her courtyard, telling them not to go out and talk, especially about matters related to the main courtyard. At this juncture, they really needed to be careful.
Although the Fourth Prince did not personally go to the Ulanara family residence to preside over the funeral, he sent a funeral gift to Fei Yanggu on the second day after Fei Yanggu's death. Moreover, His Majesty was busy with many affairs of state, and with the Golden Festival and the Empress Dowager's sixtieth birthday approaching, how could he know that Fei Yanggu had passed away? The fact that the Imperial Household Department was allowed to help with Fei Yanggu's funeral arrangements was entirely due to the Fourth Prince's influence, and also because Fei Yanggu was the Fourth Prince's father-in-law.
The funeral arrangements for the Left and Right Madams were handled very well, and they received all the proper posthumous honors.
Although the Fourth Master did not go in person, he would have Su Peisheng keep an eye on things every day.
There was no other way; after all, the Imperial Household Department was an outsider, and some matters could only be handled with the help of their own people to feel at ease. Su Peisheng understood this in his heart as well. The Fujin's father was quite loyal and capable, but those sons—to say they were mediocre would be an understatement.
It's really true—after the Ulanara family loses Fei Yanggu, the Grand Minister of the Imperial Guard, and without a title, and with their descendants not being particularly capable, they can only decline.
A woman's survival in the inner court is often closely related to her family. Take the Eighth Prince's wife, for example. She had such a illustrious family background, but after Prince An Yue Dong was stripped of his title, she still became well-behaved.
After Dafeiyanggu passed away, the Fujin (principal wife) also looked much more haggard.
Clearly, the Fujin was aware of the sordid affairs within her family, and could only advise her eldest brother, Xinghui, that he needed to step up after their father's death. Then there was her younger brother, Wuge, who had only ever known how to cockfight and dog racing, but had finally settled down after their father's passing.
However, the princess still felt uneasy and her heart would pound in her chest at night.
When the Consort entered the palace on the day of the Golden Banquet, she couldn't help but frown as she looked at the Fujin's face. She also felt less happy looking at the several good-looking children. She first frowned and asked Zhao Mama to instruct the wet nurses to take the children away.
The death of the Fujin's father was a sad event for her. Having been immersed in the palace for many years, Consort De naturally wouldn't be so tactless as to say such things. She gently pulled the Fujin to sit down.
"I heard that the Second Prince was ill a few days ago? Today he is with the Fourth Prince, so I can't see him. How is everything at the manor?" The Princess Consort's tone also showed a hint of regret.
Just like when the father of the Fujin (Prince Consort) passed away, the Consort De, who was in the palace, could not even send a funeral gift.
Simply because Consort De was an imperial concubine.
The princess consort, whether she understood or not, wiped her eyes, which were swollen like walnuts, with a handkerchief: "I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Mother. The Second Prince is much better now. I was negligent, and it's all thanks to the servants below who have been taking care of him lately."
The Fujin's words were unusually sincere, and she was unusually extremely respectful to Consort De.
Consort De knew perfectly well the reason for this submissive manner, but she did not point it out. She simply patted the back of the Fujin's hand lightly.
“Good child, you’ve had a hard time these days. You are blessed to have such a good child as the Second Prince. When the Fourth Prince greeted me yesterday, he praised the Second Prince for being honest and obedient. It’s all thanks to your excellent upbringing.”
Upon hearing this praise, the princess's sullen face slowly broke into a smile, and she finally seemed to regain some spirits.
Consort De said a few more words, and seeing that the Fujin was still somewhat listless, she shook her head slightly. After a while, she raised her face to Zhao Mama, who was standing outside, and gestured for Zhao Mama to come in.
Granny Zhao quickly carried the things in her hands inside.
"Your Majesty, this is a warm jade pillow that your maternal family sent in during the Golden Festival. It is most suitable to lean against in winter."
Consort De lowered her head to drink tea, and the rising steam blurred her features, making her voice seem ethereal as well.
“They’re not doing well themselves, so why are they sending these things? What’s the use of maintaining appearances if they’ve lost their substance? The Uya clan doesn’t have any capable people; it’s already quite good if they can take care of their own little plot of land. Take these things for now, and pick out some others from the storeroom to send back.”
Zhao Mama smiled and said, "Your Highness knows perfectly well that these are all tokens of your affection."
Consort De chuckled: "As long as they behave themselves, they will have no trouble making ends meet. Being law-abiding is the most important thing."
The Fujin sat to the side, not really paying attention to what Consort De was saying, but her years of understanding made her subconsciously try to decipher the conversation between Consort De and Granny Zhao.
Yes, Consort De's maternal clan, the Uya clan, was not even as prestigious as the Ulanara clan. The entire clan consisted of bondservant families, and it was rare for any of them to hold a fourth-rank official position in the previous dynasty. They were considered the least respectable of the four consorts in terms of family background.
But she ended up as one of the four imperial concubines—
How far a woman can go is indeed related to her family, but more often than not, it depends entirely on her own fate.
To put it in Consort De's words, having a low social standing has its advantages, namely, a clean and simple life.
As long as they behave themselves and don't cause trouble, they can be considered a help.
Consort De has always been well aware of how important her daughter-in-law values family honor. Now that the Fujin's father, Fei Yanggu, has passed away, Consort De is not worried that the Fujin will be saddened. She is only afraid that the Fujin will get stuck in a rut and force the Ulanara clan to strive for advancement, which may cause more trouble in the end.
Consort De is using her family background to influence the selection of the Fujin (Prince Consort). Whether her family is prominent or not is not the most important thing. It is enough to be content with one's lot and not be eager for quick success.
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
