Lanqin thought about these words and felt that Fourth Master's words made some sense. However, she still wanted to get to know this Zhao Si'er first. What kind of vixen was she who could marry Longkodo as a concubine and even speculate that he favored his concubine over his wife?
Naturally, Lanqin wanted to befriend her in order to find out Longkodo's whereabouts for the Fourth Prince, since this person was secretly monitoring the various imperial relatives, ministers, and princes for Kangxi.
After taking a midday rest at Lanqin's place, Fourth Master quietly returned to the front courtyard, as more people were coming to pay their respects that afternoon. Lanqin, knowing that Wuxiha and Bechuk had been at the Ling residence for several days, sent someone to fetch them back.
Meanwhile, in the main courtyard of the Fourth Prince's wife, a special little guest arrived today—Ulanara Xueying. She was exactly thirteen years old and was currently sitting in the main room of the Prince's wife's house, holding a pink teacup in her hands, sipping her tea slowly.
The teacups here are all decorated with blue and white floral patterns; I've never seen such famille rose cups before. It turns out that this cup was brought by Ulanara Xueying herself.
At this moment, Xueying was holding her cup, sipping fine bamboo tea. The bamboo leaves were brought by her maid, A'luo, who was standing behind her. This young lady from the Ulanara family was strikingly beautiful, with fair skin, a delicate nose, and a small, exquisite mouth like a cherry blossom. She was far more beautiful than her aunt, possessing none of the typical Manchu features, and was as ethereal as a fairy emerging from water. Her hair was styled in two buns, adorned with tiny jade pearl flowers, and a gold-inlaid jade carp hairpin dangled from her left side, further enhancing her charming and delicate features. She wore a pale yellow qipao with autumn leaf patterns, making her appear so tender and delicate that it seemed as if one could squeeze water from it.
The Fujin looked at her niece and felt a little uncomfortable: Inge really spoiled her a bit too much. When she came to visit, she even had to bring her own special teacup! Did she look down on her aunt?
Seeing that the Fujin was staring at her without saying a word, Xueying felt a little uncomfortable, but as a junior, she couldn't very well turn her face away and not let her see. Before coming here, Yingge had actually given Xueying a heads-up, telling her that the reason she was here was to arrange her marriage with the adopted son of this aunt in front of her, the second prince of Yongqin, Hongshi.
Seeing her father's resolute attitude, Xueying had no choice but to come. Actually, she didn't really want to be engaged to this "second cousin" she'd never met. She'd learned from her father that her aunt had been neglected by Prince Yong for many years. So she thought, what good could a son raised by a neglected consort be? Besides, Hongshi's mother was Li, the former consort's mortal enemy.
"Lingxiu, go and call Hongshi over. Xueying is his cousin, so let him meet her and have a meal together here." The Fujin, having regained her composure, instructed Lingxiu, who was standing beside her. Hongshi had been dining alone for some time, not expecting to come and eat with the Fujin.
Xueying was finally about to meet the Second Prince, with whom she was to be set up on a blind date. Although she didn't really agree with it, her father had already spoken to her elder sister, so she probably had no choice but to accept her fate.
"Ying'er, your father said your handwriting is quite good?" The Fujin liked calligraphy, so she began to use this as a way to get closer to her niece whom she had only met a few times.
"In reply to Aunt, my skills are mere trifles; compared to your calligraphy, they are simply unworthy of mention." Xueying naturally knew her aunt's preferences from Inger, and seeing her mention it, she quickly offered a few flattering words to please her. Since she couldn't defy fate, she still had to do what needed to be done.
Sure enough, when the Fujin heard Xueying say this, her expression softened, and she said kindly, "Your aunt can teach you in the future. Why don't you stay here with me for a while?"
Xueying nodded silently. She knew that she had no say in her marriage, so she had no choice but to follow her father's wishes.
Not long after, Lingxiu returned, but she did not invite Hongshi. When Xueying saw her walk to the Fujin's side and whisper a few words in her ear, she couldn't help but frown slightly.
After hearing Lingxiu's report, the Fujin was immediately shocked. An anger spread from her eyes to her face, but she could only suppress it as a feeling of resentment.
It turned out that Lingxiu had just gone to Hongshi's place to tell him to come and meet Xueying at Fujin's place, but Hongshi told Lingxiu that the Fourth Prince had already sent someone to the Irgen Gioro family to present betrothal gifts, and his marriage to that second eldest daughter was a done deal. It was impossible for him to see his cousin anytime soon.
Xueying was naturally unaware that her marriage was no longer possible, but seeing the changes in the Fujin's expression, she knew that something bad had happened, so she dared not say anything and just sat there obediently with her head down.
The Fujin looked at her seemingly weak but stubborn niece and said, "Xueying, your marriage to Hongshi is off. Stay here with your aunt for a few days and then go back."
Xueying raised her head and looked at Ulanara in surprise, unsure whether to be happy or sad.
"Don't be sad. Your aunt will ask your father to find you a good marriage. Hongshi is not fortunate enough to be your husband." A thought popped into the Fujin's mind, but she knew that her brother would definitely not agree, so she had to suppress the thought.
"Yes, Ying'er is unable to serve Aunt, it is truly my misfortune. Then Ying'er will stay here for a few more days and serve Aunt well for a few days," Xue Ying said obediently. Although she didn't know exactly how she had been rejected, she wasn't very sad. After all, she wasn't particularly fond of that Second Prince Hongshi, and now that she didn't have to marry him, she calmed down.
The news dampened the spirits of the Fujin, so she instructed Lingxiu to take Xueying down to arrange accommodations for the mistress and servants, and to treat them well and not to neglect them.
After Xueying and her servants settled in, she had her maid, A'luo, bring out all the books she liked to read. Having spent half a day with the Fujin (principal's wife), she could finally relax and do something she enjoyed.
"Princess, you still have the mood to read?" A'luo pouted.
"What's wrong and you're not in the mood?" Xueying asked, amused, when she saw that A'luo's lips were pouting so much that an oil bottle could be hung from them.
"You haven't even met the person yet, how can it be impossible for her to marry him? This servant is indignant. The master even told the princess to listen to this aunt's advice. She hasn't even met the person yet, and she's already saying the marriage is off. I'm afraid something has already happened."
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