Lanqin couldn't help but say again, "I remember that the Third Master's eldest son married a principal wife, right? Why did the Third Princess Consort come to ask the Princess for help today?"
The Third Prince's wife said, "Yes, although my eldest son married a principal wife, Your Majesty, you don't know that she's not very virtuous. Not only did she not give birth to a legitimate son, but she also likes to be jealous and envious. I previously arranged for several concubines for my eldest son, but she either killed or ostracized them. At this rate, when will I ever be able to hold a grandson? Now I can only trouble Your Majesty to recommend a few princesses from high-ranking families to help the Third Prince's family produce offspring."
Lanqin said, "Perhaps you are too hasty. It's not that the Fujin can't have children. They have only been married for two or three years. There's nothing wrong with you finding a concubine for your eldest son. However, it's good for the wives and concubines to be harmonious. If the former princesses bring quarrels to the Third Master's mansion, that would be bad."
"I don't care what she thinks. Just because she can't have children herself doesn't mean she can't let others have them!" the Third Princess Consort said.
Lanqin didn't want to get involved in the Third Princess's family affairs; her question just now was merely a polite remark.
The Third Princess Consort sensed that Lanqin seemed somewhat reluctant, and quickly said, "I know Your Highness is kind-hearted and will definitely help me with this. Your Highness probably doesn't want to cut off the family line like the Third Prince!"
The Third Princess's words were a direct rebuke to Lanqin, leaving Lanqin speechless.
Sitting to the side, Madam Wu was surprised that the Third Prince's wife was so tactless. She said that if Lanqin didn't arrange a princess for her eldest son, their family line would end and it would all be Lanqin's fault.
Madam Wu slammed her teacup heavily on the table and said, "Third Prince Consort, are you implying that if the Third Prince has no grandson, it's all Consort Xi's fault?"
The Third Princess Consort said, "This concubine did not mean that, Your Majesty has misunderstood."
Wu Shi pursed her lips and ignored the Third Prince's wife.
Seeing her embarrassed expression, the Third Princess Consort wanted to laugh, but because Lanqin was there, she could only hold it in.
Lanqin then said, "Third Princess Consort, the stability and harmony of Prince Cheng's mansion should be what you value most. His Majesty specifically instructed me this time that when assigning concubines to members of the imperial family, the most important thing is harmony. I think that Third Princess Consort should not just criticize your daughter-in-law for not being virtuous, but should teach by example and make the inner quarters peaceful and harmonious."
The Third Prince's Consort waved her hand and said, "Your Majesty is absolutely right. I have been the Third Prince's Consort for so many years and have long been fed up with the troubles of wives and concubines vying for favor. My daughter-in-law would never dare to bully anyone! And Your Majesty, rest assured, I will definitely train the inner quarters well and make them live in peace."
Lanqin knew that the title of Prince Cheng of the Third Prince would eventually be given to his eldest son, so the concubine's request was not excessive and was quite reasonable.
However, after several encounters, Lanqin developed a very bad feeling towards the Third Prince's wife. Although Lanqin did not like this Third Prince's wife, she could not refuse her request, since it was in accordance with the rules and no one could say anything about it.
Lanqin had no choice but to agree, saying, "Alright then, I understand. I will arrange a princess for your eldest son."
When the Third Princess Consort saw that Lanqin had agreed, she immediately beamed with joy. She curtsied to Lanqin and said, "This concubine thanks the Noble Consort Xi."
Sitting to the side, Madam Wu was surprised that Lanqin would agree, but she was too embarrassed to say it outright, so she could only give Lanqin meaningful glances from the side.
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