While Lady Zhaojia was taking a nap in Lanqin's study, Hongli came to find Lanqin with his personal servant, clamoring to go out and play with Hongzhou.
"Mother, I'm almost twelve, you don't need to worry at all. Just let Tursuo come with us," Hongli said confidently. Lanqin looked at Hongli, who was now almost as tall as her, and felt a great sense of happiness. After all, her son was already as tall as her, and he was handsome with a strong and resolute appearance, upright and composed, with a dignified look and the air of a graceful and elegant gentleman.
“You are only twelve years old, still a primary school student. Besides, there are so many people outside. If you and Hongzhou go out and encounter bad people, your mother cannot let you take the risk.” Lanqin did not want Hongli and Hongzhou to go out like this. Until now, they have not left her sight, except when they were summoned to the palace by Kangxi.
“Mother, I’m not a ‘primary’ student anymore. Even my grandfather praised me, saying that what I’ve learned is already what a scholar should learn. If I had taken the imperial examination, I might already be a scholar by now,” Hongli said indignantly. He didn’t want his mother to always treat him like a child.
“That won’t do either. Now is the time when we can’t afford any mistakes. What if something happens to you two outside?” Lanqin still disagreed.
"Mother, we'll just go play for about an hour and then come back. Nothing will happen, okay? Hongli has never been out of the palace on his own before!" Hongli persisted. He had been confined to the palace by Kangxi, and even after returning, he was still stuck in the inner quarters. He really wanted to go out and see the world, especially after listening to Kangxi tell him so many interesting stories and about so many places in the palace. Hongli really wanted to revisit all the places his grandfather had mentioned to him.
Seeing how pitiful Hongli was pleading, Lanqin's heart softened, and she relented, saying, "Alright, let Tursuo go with you, along with two guards. You can only go out for an hour, and then you must come back immediately. Don't make your mother worry, understand?"
When Hongli saw that Lanqin had finally agreed, he nodded heavily with joy and said, "Hongzhou will go with me!"
"Hongli, then have Hongzhou go and tell Aunt Geng," Lanqin reminded him. Hongzhou and Hongli's relationship is incredibly close these days; they're practically inseparable.
"I know!" Hongli turned around and jumped up excitedly, the emerald green tassels on his long braid disappearing at the threshold.
Lanqin stared blankly at Hongli's vanished braid tassel, slightly stunned. The tiny baby who once lay in her arms had now grown into a handsome young man. In another seven years, would he be a dashing young man, perhaps already married to his primary wife and no longer clinging to her?
“Consort, the Thirteenth Prince’s wife has woken up. Should we invite her over?” Yu Xiao came in and saw Lan Qin standing there in a daze.
"Oh. Alright, quickly invite the Thirteenth Princess over to talk." Lanqin hurriedly pulled herself out of her reverie.
Just as Lanqin finished instructing Baoqin to bring out her finest tea and the latest pastries, Zhaojia entered, supported by her maid. She had taken a short nap on the couch in Lanqin's study and felt much more comfortable.
"Qin'er, I just saw Hongli go out. The little guy has grown so much. This year's New Year's gift for you also includes a fine ink stick for Hongli." Zhao Jia Shi now only thinks about how to repay Lan Qin for her guidance, so she carefully prepares gifts for Lan Qin's children on their birthdays or during festivals.
“Hongli will really appreciate his thirteenth aunt’s gift.” Lanqin walked to the door herself, took Zhaojia’s hand and led her inside.
The two sat down and chatted for a while, talking about everything under the sun. Ever since Zhao Jia started the Da Qing Hot Pot business with Lan Qin, her personality had become much more lively than before, and she talked to Lan Qin about everything. The relationship between the two seemed to have changed from just an asymmetrical sister-in-law relationship to that of close confidantes.
"You know what? My best friend is now married to someone who makes me feel a little ashamed. I don't know how to address her properly." Zhao Jia told Lan Qin about a secret she knew from the Jin Cheng noblewomen's circle.
"Oh, who did she marry?" Lanqin has now begun to pay attention to news from high-society women's circles. Because these people might be able to reveal information about their husbands' whereabouts.
“That’s our master, he’s also Fourth Brother’s uncle. And he was even a concubine. Sigh!” Zhao Jia’s wife glanced at Lan Qin hesitantly.
"Longkodo's concubine?" Lanqin asked in surprise.
“Exactly!” Zhao Jia said. “Her family used to live next door to our mansion. They were a well-off family, but they later fell on hard times. I never expected that she would become someone’s concubine.” Zhao Jia said, still in disbelief.
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