Today, the fourth prince came to pay his respects, so Consort De kept him here.
"What happens in your backyard is none of my business as your mother, but... I've noticed you've gotten thinner these days..."
The Fourth Prince and Consort De were sitting opposite each other. Upon hearing his mother's words, he quickly stood up and said, "Your son is useless and has caused you so much trouble, Mother."
"It's not your fault. Things outside are naturally different from the intricacies of the inner courtyard. Your mother has thought it over and over, and I've decided that your inner courtyard can't be without someone in charge. Wu's status and family background are both a bit lower, and she's not as fortunate as Li, who has both a son and a daughter. As a wife, you still need to manage the household..."
The Fourth Prince raised his eyes, his expression as calm as a still well, showing no anger at Consort De's words: "Yes, son will obey Mother's orders."
Consort De looked at the Fourth Prince, whose temples throbbed with pain, and said with a hint of helplessness, "The Second Prince has suffered under your care. He is your legitimate son, so for his health, you should move him to your front courtyard. There will certainly be people to serve him. With the Second Prince being cared for in your front courtyard, you, Consort... should be able to have some peace and quiet for a while."
Consort De's method directly grasped the crux of the Fujin's heart and held her at her weak point.
The Fourth Prince couldn't let Lady Wu manage the household forever, even if she became a concubine. So he simply took Lady Wu's second son away. Lady Wu treated the second son like the apple of her eye. With the second son taken away, it was as if a sharp sword was hanging over her head all the time. No matter how much resentment and anger she felt, she had to suppress it for the sake of the second son.
Fourth Master hesitated for a moment.
Consort De could tell from the Fourth Prince's expression that he did not approve of this approach: "I have another reason for telling you this method. The Second Prince is the legitimate son of your household, and he will probably be the only legitimate son. With you, his father, raising him every day, he won't be bad. Perhaps it's even better than the Fujin being unable to take care of him. As for the person who takes care of the Second Prince, my Granny Yun is quite capable. She used to work in your household. If anything happens to the Second Prince, you can take him back to the Fujin's side."
The deeper meaning behind Consort De's words was that moving the Second Prince from his wife's side to the front courtyard was a delaying tactic, not necessarily a long-term solution.
Fourth Master remained silent for a long time before finally standing up and saying, "Son thanks Mother for her guidance."
That was an acceptance.
Upon hearing this, Consort De finally showed some relief: "By the way, Wu Shi in your household is indeed a capable woman. Your third brother already had two concubines, and now there's still one vacant position for a concubine in your harem..."
Consort De always spoke to the Fourth Prince in a consultative and inquiring tone.
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