"Princess, Princess! Wake up!" Nianxue walked to Lanqin's bedside and whispered in her ear.
She dared not speak loudly, fearing the maid outside would hear and report it to the Fujin (principal wife). This new princess had only been in the manor for a day, yet she had already fallen asleep, seemingly showing no respect for the Fujin. Shouldn't she be anxiously waiting to pay her respects to the Fujin?
"Hmm... Xue'er, stop fooling around!" Lanqin reluctantly opened her eyes for a moment, then closed them again.
"Princess, the Fujin is here to invite you. Please wake up." Nianxue had no choice but to muster up the courage to pull back Lanqin's blanket and call out in her ear.
Ah! The Princess Consort has arrived!
The thought that the first wife was coming to inspect immediately jolted Lanqin awake! She sat up abruptly and asked in a panic, "Where is the Fujin?"
Nianxue said, "The Fujin sent a maid over to ask the princess to go to the main courtyard now."
"You scared me to death! Um, let me do my hair." Lanqin got out of bed. Nianxue was about to put that pink dress back on her when Lanqin stopped her. "Change me into something simpler, and make my hair simpler too."
Actually, she felt that since she was going to steal someone else's husband, it was better to keep a low profile, keep a low profile, and not be too arrogant.
Nianxue was a little confused. Shouldn't the more grand the occasion be when meeting the Fujin for the first time?
However, she still followed Lanqin's suggestion and found a light blue cheongsam. She simply styled her hair into a bun with a butterfly hairpin on the left and a delicate little gauze flower on each side. A pearl tassel adorned the swallowtail and she wore a pair of pearl earrings. That was all she had to do.
Lanqin, supported by Nianxue, walked out of her bedroom. The little maid was eating pastries with Xicha. When she saw the new princess come out, she immediately went up to her, curtsied, and said in a soft voice, "This servant greets the new princess! The princess's wife invites the new princess to the main courtyard."
Lanqin smiled amiably and followed the maid out of the west courtyard.
By then, it was already dark. The maidservant led Lanqin through a long corridor, seemingly past a garden, and after turning past a few houses, they arrived at a courtyard.
The maid knocked on the door and announced her arrival. Only then did the old woman guarding the gate open the courtyard gate.
When Lanqin entered the courtyard where the Fujin lived, the difference between it and theirs was enormous; it was like the difference between a villa and an apartment.
Inside, there was a large courtyard. Lanterns hung all around, and shadowy figures moved about.
Upon entering, Lanqin saw a woman sitting regally in the main seat of the house. She was truly elegant and noble, and was probably the Fujin (princess).
"This servant greets the Princess Consort!" Lanqin walked up to her and bowed respectfully to the Princess Consort.
"Get up quickly, sister, there's no need for such formality," the Fujin said with a faint smile.
Sitting at the head of the left, Consort Li kept looking at Lanqin, making her feel as if she were being stripped naked and stared at.
"Is this Princess Niohuru?" she asked jokingly.
"Lanqin greets Consort Li and all the sisters!" She had no choice but to look around, give a slight curtsy, and then sit down next to Madam Geng with Xue'er's help.
"Alright, both new princesses have arrived, let's begin. Li Mama, go and invite the Fourth Prince here," the Fujin instructed.
Lanqin then looked up and around, and saw a little girl sitting directly opposite her, head down, looking very shy and bashful. She guessed that this was Princess Yin, who had come in with her.
Servants had already begun setting up a round table, and a moment later, someone outside the courtyard called out: "Greetings, Master!"
Lanqin's heart pounded! She was filled with anxiety. Only now was she starting to worry about what the Fourth Prince, the future Emperor Yongzheng, would look like. What if he was an ugly man? Probably not. Consort De was so beautiful; her son shouldn't be too bad.
As she was lost in thought, pondering her next move, everyone else stood up, including the Fujin (princess's wife).
In her haste, Nianxue quickly rubbed her back with her fingers.
Lanqin looked up and immediately stood up. This slight oversight of hers was noticed by the Fujin.
At this moment, Fourth Master and Su Peisheng had reached the door. He was wearing a dark purple robe and had already walked in.
"This servant greets Your Highness!" All the women in the room curtsied. Lanqin followed suit.
Under the watchful eyes of his wives and concubines, the Fourth Prince walked to the side of his wife.
Lanqin hadn't looked up at all, but now that she did, she was even more terrified than if she'd seen an ugly man. She thought to herself: How could it be him?! The important person she met at Huangjue Temple!
Oh my god! What a small world! He's actually the Fourth Prince! Lanqin wailed inwardly.
In fact, back in Lingzhu's mansion, Lanqin had already considered how she should serve her long-term meal ticket. Should she be a dutiful and submissive concubine, or should she be true to herself and live a carefree life? Or should she do nothing and just wait for the Fourth Prince's favor?
Oh dear, I didn't study Qing history much back then. I don't know at all when Qianlong's mother became favored!
The Fourth Prince glanced at all the concubines, his gaze finally settling on Lanqin. He thought to himself: It really is her!
Today, people came to the manor, and all the elders dressed themselves up in their finest attire, afraid of losing out to the newcomers in terms of presence. The First Lady wore a bright red dress, Consort Li wore an orange-red one, and Lady Song, Lady Wu, Lady Wang, and Lady Geng all wore warm-toned Manchu dresses. Even Lady Yin wore a crimson new dress. Only Lanqin, in her light blue dress, stood out.
Seeing that Fourth Master's gaze was fixed on Lanqin, everyone felt a little embarrassed.
Oh dear, I really didn't mean to compete for favor. I just didn't expect all the ladies to like wearing red!
The feast was served, and the Fourth Prince, his wife, and a room full of concubines sat in a circle according to their status as masters and concubines.
"Why are you always keeping your head down?" Fourth Prince suddenly spoke up, addressing Lanqin across from his wife, Consort Li, and Lady Geng.
Upon hearing this, everyone's gaze fell upon Lanqin.
Consort Li was secretly displeased, thinking to herself: It seems that this Niohuru clanswoman is quite good at pretending, and she was able to arouse the master's interest immediately.
The princess saw this and sighed inwardly: as expected, she was the one who caught the prince's attention first.
Song, Wu, Wang, and Geng each had their own thoughts. Yin looked at Lanqin and saw that she was not as good-looking as herself, but she was able to attract the master's attention first, which made her feel a little uncomfortable.
"I'm just a little nervous, please don't take offense, Your Highness." Lanqin looked up and met the Fourth Prince's gaze directly, her words sounding so unbelievable even to herself. The reason she kept her head down was because she was afraid he would immediately recognize her as the woman who had spoken outrageously at Huangjue Temple and offended the Bodhisattva.
The Fourth Master's gaze startled her; his eyes clearly seemed to be asking: Are you still nervous?
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