Although Suo'etu was released from the Imperial Clan Court, the Crown Prince's position in the court suddenly became awkward.
Or rather, the entire Crown Prince's faction found themselves in an awkward position in the court.
The Fourth Prince originally planned to visit Suo'etu once he had recovered somewhat, but the Emperor was in high spirits on his birthday, opened a special imperial examination, and bestowed positions upon all civil and military officials below the rank of Prince and Duke, as well as promoting many members of the imperial clan.
The Ministry of Revenue naturally became busy as well.
The Eight Banners Salary Office has been extremely busy these past few days. As a result, many merchants have been donating money to buy official positions. Naturally, many of the larger expenditures and incomes require the Fourth Prince's personal review and approval, along with the Minister of Revenue and the Left and Right Vice Ministers.
However, even in his busy schedule, Fourth Master still heard many jokes from the officials' families, either from the officials themselves when they had some free time, or from the officials revealing each other's secrets after a hurried meal.
Take the Left Vice Minister, for example. He was a Han Chinese scholar who rose to his position step by step. He is a very honest and upright person. He has served in the Ministry of Revenue for many years and climbed the ranks step by step. Now he is well past middle age and still has a refined and scholarly appearance.
"Minister, please don't even mention inviting me to dinner. My wife can't stand the smell of alcohol, and I'm afraid I won't be able to get back in the door." The Left Vice Minister and his wife were a young couple. His wife was also of Han Chinese descent, and it was said that she came from a merchant family. She was very supportive of the Left Vice Minister's social engagements.
As soon as the Left Vice Minister opened his mouth, the Right Vice Minister couldn't help but complain: "You're lucky. If I visit one of the concubines more than once a month, she'll find fault with me no matter what..."
The wife of the Right Vice Minister was from the Eight Banners and had the typical Manchu lady-like temperament. Both of his concubines were given to him by others. His wife set a number of times each month for the Right Vice Minister to visit the concubines, which was quite a strange thing.
Fourth Master rarely spoke of his female relatives in public, so everyone just joked around and naturally didn't dare to make fun of the usually serious and rigid Fourth Master.
However, the Fourth Prince lowered his head and fell into deep thought after hearing the words of the Left and Right Vice Ministers.
Li Chenjiao has always been spoiled. If he went somewhere else, who knows if she would cry her eyes out behind his back. With her temper, she would never dare to blame him or question him about going somewhere else...
She never showed the slightest hint of jealousy in front of him...
The thought of Li Chenjiao secretly crying where he couldn't see made Fourth Master feel heartbroken. He barely ate any lunch that day, which worried Su Peisheng, who was standing next to him.
The Fourth Prince had been busy for several days in a row. When he returned to the mansion, he mostly rested in the front yard. One day, he took a break and visited the First and Second Princesses in the front yard. Afterward, he went to the East Courtyard for dinner and did not have time to settle down and rest.
Having finally found some free time, the Fourth Prince went to visit Suo'etu at his residence.
In the past few days, quite a few people have been visiting the Suo family mansion. Although the Fourth Prince was delayed for a few days, the number of people visiting the Suo family mansion did not decrease.
When the Fourth Prince arrived at Suo'etu's residence, he couldn't help but frown at the lively scene. Suo had just come out of the Imperial Clan Court, and the Crown Prince had just been scolded. Now, so many people had come to Suo'etu's residence to pay their respects...
It's really... a bit too eye-catching.
The Fourth Prince did not have to wait long before he saw Prime Minister Suo. Prime Minister Suo was still bedridden, but his complexion was much better than when the Fourth Prince had seen him at the Imperial Clan Court.
Soetu knew that he had received a lot of secret help from the Fourth Prince in the Imperial Clan Court in the past, and he was very polite to the Fourth Prince. The Fourth Prince did not say what was on his mind. It was not appropriate for the Fourth Prince to interfere in other people's family affairs. Seeing that Soetu looked tired, the Fourth Prince did not stay for long.
When Fourth Master came out of Prime Minister Suo's residence, he still felt a little heavy-hearted.
He hesitated for a moment as he mounted his horse. After a busy day, people often feel a bit aimless when they have some free time. The Fourth Prince was like that now. After a moment's thought, he decided to return to his residence first.
However, Su Peisheng rode forward on his horse and said, "The Empress sent someone to ask when Your Highness will be free, saying that she wants to invite you to the palace to ask for your opinion."
Fourth Master really doesn't remember anything about this.
He held the riding whip and asked what was wrong.
Su Peisheng replied in a low voice, "These days are the time for the young ladies from various families to enter the palace for the imperial concubine selection. The Empress probably came to ask for your opinion."
The Fourth Master frowned upon hearing this.
"Didn't you tell Mother about this, Master?" Fourth Master had already told Mother about his intention not to take in any new concubines in the back courtyard after returning from Jinan.
Su Peisheng replied, "I heard that His Majesty remembered you and inquired about you."
His Majesty has always been concerned about the princes who have lost their children, and he has been thinking about them all along. He had already spoken to Consort De about this year's general election.
When the Fourth Prince heard that his father had inquired about it, his expression remained unchanged. He simply raised his whip and said, "Go to Mother's place."
As usual, when the Fourth Prince entered the palace, he first went to pay his respects to his father, the Emperor. However, the Emperor was not in the Qianqing Palace or the Yangxin Hall at the moment. It was said that His Majesty had gone to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager.
The Fourth Prince remained unperturbed, performing his usual courtesies before heading to Yonghe Palace.
When the Fourth Prince arrived at Yonghe Palace, Consort De was feeding the fish in the fish tank.
Consort De held fish food in her hand. She was dressed in a dark green palace dress and looked exceptionally refreshing and kind.
She waved lightly to the Fourth Prince when she saw him: "What brings you here now? You must have had a lot of work to do at the Ministry of Revenue today, right?"
The Fourth Prince bowed first, and then said, "I'm not so busy anymore. How is Mother's health?"
Consort De gestured for the Fourth Prince to come closer: "You don't need to worry about my health. But you, you're always running around. Luckily, it's not too hot today. Now that you're free, I'll also tell you about the matter of taking in new concubines. I understand what you mean. You child, you still complain about the crowds in the inner courtyard... But what about your Imperial Father..."
When the Fourth Prince last came to talk to Consort De, he said that he already had enough people in his harem. If he added any new ones, he wouldn't be able to keep track of them all, and it would only delay the young ladies' prime years.
Fourth Master is very busy. He never misses his daily duties and usually returns to the mansion late at night. Even after returning home, he still has to handle official business.
He didn't want to neglect the education of his children, and he always kept Li Chenjiao in mind...
He couldn't visit all the places in a month, and taking in a new concubine was no different from delaying things for the Fourth Prince.
So he had already expressed his attitude to his mother before the imperial concubine selection, and he did not expect that his father would be interested in his harem.
The Fourth Master gave the same answer: "Son..."
He couldn't tell his father the truth; if he did, his father would only suspect that the women in his harem were being unruly.
Consort De tossed aside the fish food in her hand, picked up a handkerchief, and wiped her hands. "Too many people can cause trouble. I know you want peace and quiet. I'll speak to your father on your behalf, but if he's already made up his mind, then I'm afraid I'll have a hard time doing so."
Fourth Master immediately thanked him.
It would be most appropriate for Mother to handle this matter.
Having spent many years in the palace, Consort De was naturally gratified to see her son so clearly. Throughout history, life has been difficult for women. Although entering the imperial family brings endless wealth and glory, only women can truly understand the hardships involved.
Moreover, becoming a concubine is not easy in itself.
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