"Jinzhi, it's been over a year since you married the Fourteenth Prince. Your mother is looking forward to you giving me a grandson soon." Consort De finally turned the topic back to the Fourteenth Prince's household.
"Mother, I really want to get pregnant soon, but this isn't something you can just decide by wishing for it. It also depends on whether Heaven will grant me a child," Wanyan said aggrievedly.
Alas, in ancient times, the responsibility of childbirth was completely pushed onto women. Little did they know that men play no less of a role in childbirth than women, and in fact, a significant portion of infertile couples are due to the man's actions.
Lanqin silently cast a sympathetic glance at Wanyan. Although this princess of the Later Jin was indeed a bit arrogant, based on the information she had gathered in the past half day, Lanqin believed that she was not a bad person at heart, but was just spoiled by the people around her because of her noble birth.
"Why don't you come to your mother's place every day to pray to the Guanyin Bodhisattva who grants children, and then sincerely copy ten pages of Buddhist scriptures each day? Perhaps Guanyin Bodhisattva will be moved by your sincerity and grant your wish, allowing you to conceive a fourteen-year-old child soon." Although Consort De was not willing to spend the rest of her life worshipping Buddha, after a year or two of worship, she had gradually come to believe in these numbing things.
Oh my god! Luckily, the Fourth Prince left the palace and established his own residence long ago, otherwise he would still have to live in the palace like Wanyan, coming to pay his respects to his mother every few days. If he couldn't conceive, he would have to be mindful of his mother's feelings! Consort De wasn't just inviting Wanyan to worship Buddha; she wanted to keep a close eye on her until Wanyan conceived!
"Mother, I have a Buddha statue in my room. I pray to it devoutly every day, hoping to conceive soon. I really dare not disturb you, Mother." Wanyan glanced at the Fourteenth Prince and could only decline in this way. Before, she would only come to pay her respects to Consort De every few days, but now she had to come every day to worship Buddha and copy scriptures—wasn't this going to kill her?
Fourteenth Prince pretended not to see Wanyan's displeased look, but kept blinking at Lanqin. Lanqin dared not provoke this prince who was always causing her trouble, so she quickly lowered her head and silently prayed that this day trip to the Forbidden City would end soon and that she could return to the Fourth Prince's residence as soon as possible.
"Jinzhi, do you not want to come to your mother's place? Or do you not want to devoutly worship Buddha and copy scriptures?" Consort De asked with a displeased frown.
"Your subject dares not, Your subject obeys the decree!" No matter how arrogant Wanyan was, she seemed to be very afraid of Consort De. Seeing that her husband did not speak up for her, she could only pout and agree to Consort De's order.
"Fourth Prince, you can't just focus on the Ministry of Revenue's affairs; you also need to pay attention to the affairs of the inner quarters. Fourth Prince Consort, the two newly arrived princesses, and the previous ones—I remember besides you and Canlian, and that Princess Song—none of the others have given birth yet. That's not good. What is the role of a princess? It's a rule set by our ancestors—to ensure the continuation of the royal family." Consort De continued, "Fourth Prince, your Imperial Father has always said that your offspring are a bit few. I hope you won't disappoint him in this regard!"
This statement is cryptic and its implications are quite intriguing!
The Fourth Prince's wife and the Fourteenth Prince's wife exchanged a glance, each understanding how the First Prince's wife felt upon hearing her mother-in-law's words. Although she didn't mention the title of "Prince's wife" at all, the implication was that they shouldn't control their husbands too tightly, shouldn't be too jealous, and should let the princesses bear children for their husbands!
As Li Shi's nanny pondered Consort De's words, a possibility suddenly came to mind, but she immediately dismissed it upon encountering it. However, she couldn't help but think about it anyway.
"Mother, I am an unfilial son, having few children and causing you worry. Mother, rest assured, I understand what to do," the Fourth Prince suddenly said.
"Your son is also unfilial. When I return, I will definitely work hard with Jinzhi, hoping that Mother can hold her grandson again soon!" The Fourteenth Prince quickly expressed his attitude.
Consort De was finally satisfied. She looked at the palace gate and said, "You may all go back now. I am also tired. Just don't forget what we said today."
The crowd felt as if they had been granted a pardon, and immediately rose to their feet, lined up in two rows, and bid farewell to Consort De: "Your Majesty, we take our leave. We hope you will take care of yourself!"
Consort De waved her hand and helped Qiu Ci walk towards the side room.
The Fourth Prince watched Consort De's figure until it disappeared into the porch before turning to leave. Seeing the Fourteenth Prince leading his wife, he couldn't help but urge her, "Mother is getting older. It's more convenient for you to come from the palace than for me. Spend more time with Mother."
"Of course, you don't need to tell me." The Fourteenth Prince has always been on good terms with the Eighth Prince. Now that the Fourth Prince has returned to the Ministry of Revenue, he is bound to have another falling out with the Eighth Prince, who is also working there.
The Fourth Prince stared at him for a moment, then turned and strode away without saying a word. His wife and Lady Li nodded slightly to Lady Wanyan and followed him out. Lanqin noticed Lady Wanyan staring at her, and, no longer wanting to look at the Fourteenth Prince, immediately followed him out of Yonghe Palace.
She had wanted to say a few words to Fourteenth Brother, to tell him to stop picking on his own brother, but obviously she didn't have the chance.
As the group walked out of the Meridian Gate, the sun was already setting. The evening glow in the west was as magnificent as Shu brocade, painting the Forbidden City under the setting sun with extraordinary beauty.
But Consort De's last words clearly dampened the spirits of the women. Not only was the Fujin unhappy, but even Lady Li was disheartened. Consort De's words were simply a plea for the Fourth Prince to favor the princesses more and have them bear more children!
The Fourth Prince wasn't very happy either, because Consort De seemed completely uninterested in the white deer he had given her, never mentioning it again until the very end, probably having long forgotten about it. However, the Fourteenth Prince, despite not having prepared anything, received a jade pillow from his wife, and she kept mentioning it, even instructing Lady Wanyan to go and worship Buddha daily, clearly treasuring the Fourteenth Prince's "gifts."
Sigh, we were born from the same womb, why are we so different! Lanqin's gift wasn't anything priceless or rare, but it still managed to elicit a smile from Mother. When will Mother ever smile at her son again?
After getting into the carriage, Lanqin seemed to have exhausted all her strength and collapsed onto Nianxue's shoulder.
"Princess, what's wrong?" Nianxue asked.
"It's nothing, it was a really tiring day. I knew coming to the palace to offer birthday wishes wasn't a fun thing!" Lanqin said honestly.
"Princess, please don't say that. If someone hears this, it will be terrible." Nianxue was shocked and nervously urged Lanqin to stop talking, not expecting Lanqin to say such rebellious words.
"I only wanted to tell you two. I'm tired, I'm going to sleep for a while." After saying that, Lanqin nestled in Nianxue's arms and really fell asleep.
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