Consort De's birthday finally arrived. On this day, the Fourth Prince saw Lanqin get up early for the first time ever. When he asked her what she was doing, she simply said, "Going to pick peaches for your mother!" and then went to the garden with several maids, including Nianxue and Xicha.
Fourth Master asked several times, but Lanqin refused to say. If he weren't so busy, he really planned to go to the garden to see those mysterious peaches.
Meanwhile, the other women in the garden had also gotten up early. Although they were only going out to see him off, for those who weren't qualified to enter the palace together, even just catching a glimpse of the Fourth Prince at the gate was good enough.
Needless to say, the Fujin (princess's wife) had her hair styled by Granny Li long ago. On the dressing table sat a radiant headdress, called a kingfisher feather and jewel-encrusted five-phoenix hairpin. This hairpin was dazzling and precious, adorned with 50 large pearls, hundreds of second and third-grade pearls, and over two hundred gemstones. The front was decorated with five gold filigree phoenixes, inlaid with pearls and gemstones, each holding pearl and gemstone tassels in its beak. Below the phoenixes were nine gold pheasants, made of silver plated with gold, also holding tassels strung with pearls, coral, turquoise, lapis lazuli, rubies, and sapphires; several strings of tassels also dangled from the back of the hairpin.
"Madam, this hair ornament was a gift from the Emperor when you and Master got married, wasn't it?" Li Mama and Chunliu stood behind Madam, tucking strands of her hair into the net.
"Yes, most of the things here were bestowed upon me during that time. Also, in the first year or two after Honghui was born, there were frequent rewards from the palace, and the Fourth Prince's allowance was always the best of what he could get." The Fujin spoke of the past leisurely.
“Madam, you and Master shouldn’t be so awkward with each other. Why not take this opportunity to go to the palace to celebrate Consort De’s birthday and mend your relationship with Master? This old servant thinks Master is a very filial son and spares no effort for Consort De. You should also visit the palace more often in the future. If you get along well with Consort De, Master will naturally treat you better in return.” Granny Li and Chunliu picked up the gold hairpin and then fastened it together on Madam’s hair.
In an instant, Ulanara radiated beauty and grace. Looking at herself in the bronze mirror, she silently proclaimed in her heart: "That's right, I am the legitimate wife of Aisin Gioro Yinzhen. Honghui is the eldest son, and only I am qualified to be buried in the imperial mausoleum with the Fourth Prince after my death."
Then, Lanqin led her maids to the peach orchard. She instructed them to split up and pick the largest and best peaches. After the red paper was removed from the peaches, everyone was stunned by the delicious peaches before them, their faces showing surprise.
"Princess, is this what you're going to give to Consort De?" Nianxue's face was no longer filled with doubt, but with surprise.
“That’s right. Consort De is extremely noble and has seen all kinds of treasures. Besides, what I have is not worthy of her attention. So your princess came up with a different idea and gave her a unique gift.” Lanqin said with a smile, looking smug.
At this moment, four carriages were parked at the entrance of the Fourth Prince's residence. The first was a ceremonial carriage befitting a prince, adorned with a red hat and golden staff, naturally reserved for the Fourth Prince and his wife. The second was a more ordinary carriage, but still better than the third, presumably for Consort Li. The third carriage was even more ordinary, intended for Lanqin. The fourth carriage, however, carried not people, but the white deer captured on the estate—a birthday gift the Fourth Prince intended to give to Consort De.
At this moment, the Fourth Prince and his wife had arrived. When Li saw the wife dressed in autumn red and gold, she knew in her heart that she was always inferior to this woman. Whether it was her headdress and clothes or the carriage she was riding in, she was always the primary wife of the Prince's mansion. Even if she had another son, she would not be able to surpass her.
Today, Lady Li wore a light orange qipao embroidered with gold thread and floral patterns, perfectly suited to her status. Her hair was styled in a large, elaborate updo, adorned with countless precious pearls and flowers on each side of her square face, with a gold filigree peacock hairpin hanging from her left side. She walked to the door, surrounded by several princesses including Lady Song, Lady Geng, Lady Wang, and Lady Wu. Except for Lady Yin, who was under house arrest, everyone who was supposed to come had arrived.
"Su Peisheng, go to the South Courtyard and see why Madam Niu hasn't arrived yet." After waiting for a while, the Fourth Master said somewhat displeased.
Upon hearing this, several princesses who were jealous of Lanqin sneered inwardly: Niohuru is really arrogant. Just because she is a princess, she was able to enter the palace today, and now she is late, making the primary consort and secondary consort wait. She is too arrogant.
"Yes, sir!" Su Peisheng quickly gave a greeting, then turned and jogged towards the door.
"Oh dear, I heard that Sister Niu prepared a special gift for Consort De. I really want to see what it is, which is why Sister Niu is late!" Wu said to Li with a concerned expression, but in her heart she had long been jealous of Lanqin who was able to enter the palace to celebrate the birthday.
“Sister Niu is intelligent and kind; her gift must be extraordinary. Unlike someone as common as me, who can only give such a vulgar gift,” Madam Li said meaningfully.
Upon hearing this, the Princess Consort maintained her composed and dignified demeanor, her gentle and virtuous expression unchanged, but inwardly she understood: Li was subtly mocking her gift to Consort De for being too vulgar. How dare she! How did she know my gift list!
Just then, Su Peisheng suddenly turned back, and behind him stood Lan Qin, who had arrived late. When she appeared in everyone's sight, an awkward silence fell over everyone.
Today, Lanqin was wearing a light green cheongsam, the very same one Huanbi had tried on that day. Indeed, it looked even more beautiful and fitted on Lanqin than on Huanbi. To complement the dress, Nianxue had styled Lanqin's hair into a flat, square style, adorned with a pearl headdress. Each plump, round pearl shimmered within her dark hair, perfectly highlighting Lanqin's youth and charm.
Both are made of pearls, but while the jeweled headdress worn by the Fujin was exceptionally ornate, it also appeared somewhat solemn and dignified, giving a grand and luxurious feeling. Although the pearl headdress worn by Lanqin was not as ornate, the materials and craftsmanship were exceptionally exquisite, and it was made by the Imperial Household Department. Considering Lanqin's age, it was also very eye-catching.
"I am late, please forgive me, Your Highness, and the Secondary Consort!" Lanqin walked up to the Fourth Prince's wife, squatted down slightly, and gave a curtsy.
"Sister, get up quickly, we haven't been here long." The Fujin reached out and gently helped Lanqin up.
The Fourth Prince glanced at Lanqin, said nothing, then turned and stepped onto the carriage from the small stool prepared by Su Peisheng. The Princess Consort, supported by Granny Li and Chunliu, also boarded the carriage. The First Prince, Honghui, followed. Lady Li waved her handkerchief to the other princesses, then, supported by Mingyan, walked to the second carriage. Behind her were the Third and Fourth Princes, each led and carried by one of their wet nurses, who also entered the carriage with Lady Li. Lanqin, accompanied by Nianxue and Xicha, nodded slightly to the princesses standing at the door and walked to the third carriage.
"This humble servant respectfully sees off Fourth Master and his consort and concubine!" Several women watched with envy as Lanqin boarded the carriage.
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