Lanqin was finally able to return to the South Courtyard. She didn't have to wait for a third night. After the Fourth Prince reported to Consort De with his family, the group left the palace overnight!
"Master, did you tell me about that matter?" Lanqin was riding in the same carriage as the Fourth Prince. She was still leaning against the Fourth Prince's chest. The three-day court gathering was over, and it was time to return to her normal life!
"No, I only hinted at it to my mother. But there is one thing: my mother, the Empress Dowager, said she wants the Second Princess to marry the third son of her uncle, Bangu of the Khorchin," the Fourth Prince said.
Lanqin was startled, recalling what the Empress Dowager and the Second Princess had said, and said, "Back then, the Empress Dowager pulled Erlinzhu aside and said a few words. It turns out she had taken a liking to her!"
"This matter depends on Father Emperor's opinion. However, if the Empress Dowager gives it a push, perhaps Erlinzhu will really be allowed to marry into the family!" Fourth Prince's expression was calm, and it was impossible to tell whether he was willing or not.
"Master certainly doesn't want the Second Princess to marry so far away, but at this time, he can't go against Father Emperor's wishes. So there's only one way: to quickly arrange a marriage for the Second Princess before anyone knows, so that she might be spared from marrying off to the Mongolian grasslands," Lanqin said. Although the Second Princess might not be truly sincere towards her, it was ultimately a matter of her future. It seemed as if the daughters of the Qing court were cursed; almost all of them died young.
"But we can't find a suitable candidate right now. The Empress Dowager has already spoken to Mother, and if we pretend we don't know, we might offend the Empress Dowager," said the Fourth Prince.
Lanqin felt a surge of annoyance. Why was an empress dowager getting involved now?
"Master, why don't we let the Second Princess feign illness? We can't force a sick princess to marry!" Lanqin said. She genuinely despised the Qing court's practice of marrying into Mongolian families; it was simply treating women as tools for exchanging favors!
“At this moment, no reason seems appropriate!” Fourth Master said.
Since that's what Ta said, Lanqin couldn't say anything more!
When Lanqin and the others returned to the Fourth Prince's residence, she was too tired to think about anything else. She instructed the wet nurse who was taking care of the children to settle them in, and she wished she could fall asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
The Fourth Master was exhausted these past few days and didn't return to the front yard, instead resting with Lanqin in the south courtyard.
The next day, Fourth Master instructed Lanqin to be ready to receive people who came to pay New Year's visits at any time, while he himself returned to the front yard.
Lanqin finally wanted to sleep in, but being forced to get up early every day for three days in the palace was really too painful for her!
"Master, the old lady has arrived!" Nianxue whispered at Lanqin's bedside.
Lanqin shifted her body in dissatisfaction and muttered, "That old lady?"
“It’s the master’s mother! And the eldest young mistress!” Nianxue said with a smile.
Lanqin thought about it and realized that it was fine if Anjia had come, and she could let her rest while she slept a little longer. But with the addition of the eldest young mistress, she couldn't stay in bed like that.
Lanqin hesitated for a long time before letting Nianxue and Xicha dress her and prepare new jewelry for her. But Lanqin stopped them, saying, "Why wear that stuff? You are my mother and sister-in-law. Dressing up too formally will make you seem distant! Just a simple bun and a few silk flowers will do."
“My lady, although the madam and the eldest young mistress are not outsiders, you should not dress too simply now. You are a concubine and you are in charge of the household. If the people in charge come in to report and see that you are too plain, they will think that you are not favored by the master!” Si Hua picked out a pearl hairpin for Lan Qin and put it in Lan Qin’s hair.
Lanqin was wearing a cherry-red brocade cheongsam with gold flecks, over which was a lake-blue cotton overcoat trimmed with black fox fur. It made Lanqin look very beautiful. Although she only wore her hair in a simple double bun, the embroidered flowers in her hair were not ordinary items. They were all new jewelry specially made by the Fourth Prince for Lanqin to enter the palace this year.
"The old lady and the young mistress have been arranged in the right side room, it's warm there!" Xicha came in. "The eldest young mistress is very pregnant, and I have already served them tea and snacks."
"Sister-in-law is already more than seven months pregnant, right? Okay, Sihua, wear those jade teardrop-shaped earrings!" Lanqin was a little impatient.
After everything was tidied up, Lanqin strode into her main room. The right side room was located to the right of the main room.
Meanwhile, inside, Lady Anjia and Lady Shi were drinking tea. Jinju was serving them. The maids who had come to serve Lady Anjia had long since been taken out for tea by Xicha and the others.
"Miss, you look unfamiliar. Have you just been assigned to serve Qin'er?" Anjia has finally gained some respect and recognition by Lingzhu's side. Since Holland's death, Yang has been despondent, and her two sons are unambitious, spending their days with maids and causing trouble every few days, which has long since disgusted Lingzhu.
"Replying to the old lady, I have only been serving the concubine for a short time, but I am already a second-class maid. The concubine is such a kind person! No wonder, with such a kind face as the lady, it is natural that the girls she raises are extraordinary!" Jinju had a very sweet tongue.
Anjia was very pleased with the flattery and quickly took out two golden melon seeds from her sleeve to reward Jinju.
"This servant thanks the old lady for the reward, but this servant cannot accept it. The concubine usually gives us many rewards, how can I accept the lady's!" As Jinju spoke, she saw Lanqin coming in, supported by Cui Niang.
"Mother!" Lanqin exclaimed sweetly, even though it had only been a little over two months since they last met.
"Qin'er!" After hearing Jinju's words, Anjia felt even more at ease. Seeing Lanqin's rich and elegant appearance, she was even happier!
"This concubine greets Consort Lanqin!" Shi Shi, heavily pregnant, greeted Lanqin.
"Sister-in-law, get up quickly! Your belly is so big, you must be giving birth in May!" Lanqin gestured for Cui Niang to help Shi Shi up.
"Yes, she's seven months along, and she'll give birth in May!" Madam Anjia said with satisfaction, looking at Madam Shi. "We weren't originally going to have her come along today; Qiaohui insisted on coming herself. Qin'er, you must help your brother out!"
Upon hearing this, Lanqin felt a knot in her heart. Anjia had come to ask for Ling Zheng's future.
"How is it? How is Brother doing at the Hanlin Academy?" Lanqin pulled Anjia down to sit, and Shi Shi followed suit.
“No, your brother has been bewitched by some kind of magic, and he insists on hanging out with those who protect the crown prince. Your sister-in-law and I were so worried that we had no choice but to come!” said Madam Anjia.
Lanqin glanced at Shi Shi, and seeing the troubled look on her face, she asked, "What exactly happened?"
“Your brother is hanging out with a group of people who are planning to speak on behalf of the Crown Prince to the Emperor, and they’re going together! We’re worried!” said Lady Anjia.
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