"Your Highness, Consort Niu has arrived!" Granny De entered Consort De's warm chamber and said to Consort De, who was reading inside.
"Quickly, call her in! It's very cold outside," said Consort De.
"If Mother doesn't let me in, I'll freeze to death," Lanqin said with a smile.
"Come in quickly, sit here." Consort De smiled at Lanqin affectionately. Niohuru had given birth to two sons and two daughters for the fourth prince, truly a great contributor.
"Thank you for your kindness, Mother! I've come today to bring you a New Year's gift!" Lanqin, with Cui Niang's help, untied her white fox fur cloak, holding a gilded purple hand warmer in her hand. Judging from her imposing manner, it was clear that she was living a very comfortable life in the Fourth Prince's mansion.
Sigh, my niece is probably far from good enough. She's been in there for so long, and there's still no good news coming out.
"Your mother is waiting for your gift list!" Consort De said jokingly.
“Mother, our master received a lot of gifts from his subordinates this year, all because he was promoted to Prince. He wanted to send you all the nicer things among them! Knowing that you love Buddhism, he prepared a Buddhist robe for you! All the threads on this robe are made of gold thread! This gold-threaded robe was also recited with the Diamond Sutra for ten days by a highly virtuous monk from Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou, and was kept on the altar for three years before it was finally brought down,” Lanqin said.
As expected, Consort De lost interest in gold, silver, and jade artifacts, but became very interested in things related to Buddhism. Lanqin had deliberately chosen this gift to tell Consort De first, hoping to please her.
"You're so thoughtful! How is Hongzhou's health now?" Consort De smiled, her gaze softening as she looked at Lanqin. In truth, Consort De also hoped that her niece could bear children for the Fourth Prince. That would inevitably lead to conflict with Lanqin, but Consort De still hoped for peace and harmony.
“Hongzhou is much better. After I personally asked a high-ranking monk to chant sutras for him, he is much better than before. In addition, the people taking care of him no longer dare to neglect him, and he is getting better day by day,” Lanqin said. Lanqin was always worried about Hongzhou’s fate, but she really didn’t want to be separated from her child, so she refused to face the issue and only thought about taking good care of Hongzhou herself.
"Hmm, the fourth prince has never had many children. This time you have two at once, you should cherish your good fortune!" Consort De said, squinting her eyes.
"Yes, I've been thinking about it." Lanqin felt a slight pang of sadness. She had originally come to discuss with Consort De the matter of the women Emperor Kangxi intended to give to the Fourth Prince. The Fourth Prince had expressed little interest in bringing any women into the household, but he couldn't openly refuse his father's favor. Therefore, Lanqin thought of seeking help from her mother-in-law, Consort De, one of the four consorts. Consort De had the power to influence the decision; if she could say a few words, perhaps those women could be spared from entering the residence.
But now, Consort De's words imply that the Fourth Prince should have more children!
"Lanqin, it seems like you have something to say?" Consort De noticed Lanqin's hesitant expression and asked.
"Mother, I heard that Father Emperor is going to assign women to the princes!" Lanqin decided to give it a try. She felt that the Fourth Prince already had a good number of women in his harem; if more were added, there would be more trouble. In any case, Lanqin didn't want any more people to join, especially those of high status!
"That's right, your father has already selected a batch to come in. Two for the fourth prince and two for the fourteenth prince," said Consort De.
Lanqin felt a knot in her heart as she listened. Was this already a done deal?
"Mother, I wonder who came in this time?" Lanqin asked. "The Fourth Prince's mansion is still occupied by the same people. If someone comes in suddenly, we have to prepare a room for them beforehand!"
Lanqin hoped that someone would join the household, but not someone of too high a status. The inner quarters were already busy enough with only one person, Nian Shi. If someone of high status joined now, the inner quarters would become very lively.
Consort De glanced at Lanqin and already knew that she wanted her to suppress people, or at least not people from high social classes!
Consort De's expression turned somewhat stern. The most taboo thing for royal women is jealousy and possessiveness. Especially for women in the inner quarters, they must not have the idea of monopolizing their husbands, but rather be tolerant and able to share their husbands with other women.
Seeing this, Lanqin knew that Consort De would not help her. She sighed inwardly that she had been too naive. How could a royal family like that possibly consider a woman's feelings? Even if she was favored by the Fourth Prince, she would still have to share everything with many other women.
After leaving Consort De's place, Lanqin went to Qianqing Palace to see Hongli.
"This concubine greets Eunuch Liang!" Lanqin bowed and greeted Liang Jiugong.
"Oh dear, how could I possibly accept such a greeting from Consort Niu! You've put me in such a difficult position." Liang Jiugong stood and offered a gesture of support.
Lanqin knew that Liang Jiugong was Kangxi's personal eunuch, and his understanding of Kangxi was probably unmatched! Understanding this eunuch well would be of great benefit. Moreover, Hongli would need his care.
“My father-in-law is almost the same age as my own father, so what’s wrong with me personally paying my respects?” Lanqin said.
Hearing this, Liang Jiugong felt a warmth in his heart. No master had ever bowed to him before; they all treated him as just an old servant!
“The concubine has come to see the young prince, hasn’t she? Come with me quickly!” Liang Jiugong said.
Lanqin saw that Hongli was very well-cared for. She remembered what the Fourth Prince had said about someone attacking Hongli, and she was still a little worried.
"You all go downstairs, let the concubine and the young prince get along well!" Liang Jiugong said to the palace maids in the room.
Lanqin looked at Liang Jiugong gratefully, and began to think about how to send a New Year's gift to Eunuch Liang as well!
After they all left, Lanqin hugged and kissed the six-month-old Hongli repeatedly, she really missed him!
“My lord, the Sixth Prince is so adorable. I really don’t know who is so heartless as to try to harm our little prince,” said Cui Niang.
"Hmph, they're just jealous of a baby!" Lanqin said.
"Alas, if only we could bring the Sixth Prince back! I wonder when His Majesty will return the Sixth Prince to His Highness?" said Cui Niang.
Lanqin stayed with Hongli until the Fourth Prince came to pick her up. After spending some time with Hongli, the two reluctantly left.
"Master, when can we bring Hongli back?" Lanqin asked directly.
"There's a reason why Father Emperor keeps Hongli by his side. I still don't understand what Father Emperor is really thinking!" the Fourth Prince said, emphasizing his words.
"Has Your Excellency found out who exactly plotted to harm Hongli?" Lanqin asked.
“That little eunuch wouldn’t say. But I think the most likely candidate is the Crown Prince!” the Fourth Prince said firmly.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
