"Xiayu will certainly keep in mind her mother's teachings," the Fujin said meekly.
"Fourth Sister-in-law, there's really no need to worry. As Consort De said, you're only 25 years old, you can definitely have another child," the Eighth Prince's wife suddenly said.
"Yes, it's a real pity that the eldest prince drowned. But it's not good if the principal wife doesn't have a legitimate son." The Ninth Prince's wife always spoke in unison with the Eighth Prince's wife.
The Tenth Princess Consort, born on the Mongolian grasslands, was never sensitive to such roundabout remarks. Seeing her two sisters-in-law speaking like this, she said frankly, "If Fourth Sister-in-law has another child, then she will have a legitimate son. I think Fourth Sister-in-law is very healthy, so there shouldn't be any problem."
The Fourteenth Prince's wife chuckled and said, "The Tenth Prince's wife is comparing the Fourth Prince's wife to an ox or a horse."
Upon hearing this, Consort De looked somewhat displeased, and the Fourth Prince's wife, standing beside her, was even more embarrassed, her sorrowful face displaying an unnatural expression.
Because of the Thirteenth Prince, the Thirteenth Prince's wife was naturally closer to the Fourth Prince's wife. Seeing them say this, she tried to smooth things over by saying, "Your Highness, I heard that Fourth Sister-in-law has a garden at her residence. Why don't I accompany Your Highness for a stroll, so that we don't just sit here and listen to people chattering?"
When the Eighth and Ninth Princes saw Consort De rise, they also rose to see her off.
Fourth Princess looked at Thirteenth Princess with gratitude and said softly, "Thirteenth Sister-in-law, please accompany Mother to stroll around the garden. We'll send someone to call her when the funeral procession starts. There are so many people and so many mouths to feed these days, I really haven't been able to entertain you properly."
Thirteenth Prince's wife nodded, and Consort De patted her hand understandingly before following her out.
Seeing that Consort De had left, the remaining people each went to talk to people they knew.
"Sister, won't you offend Consort De with what you just said?" Ninth Prince Consort Dong'e asked worriedly.
"Where did I offend her?" The Eighth Prince's wife, Lady Guoluo, glanced at the Ninth Prince's wife, showing great disdain for her timidity and cowardice.
“Why don’t you just say that Fourth Sister-in-law is only 25 years old? It sounds to me like you’re implying that Consort De gave birth to the Fourteenth Prince at that age,” said Ninth Princess Consort.
"Even you could tell? Heh, it seems there's no way Consort De couldn't have missed it." The Eighth Prince's wife said sarcastically.
Ninth Princess Consort glanced at Eighth Princess Consort with displeasure and said, "Eighth Sister-in-law, you look down on me? Then I'll just leave." After saying that, she pretended to leave.
The Eighth Prince's wife grabbed the Ninth Prince's wife's sleeve and said, "Good sister, I was just joking with you, why are you so angry!"
Ninth Prince's wife quickly followed suit and stepped down from the stage. In fact, she and Eighth Prince's wife were just like Ninth Prince and Eighth Prince, so she wasn't really angry at all.
"Come on, let's take a walk in the small garden inside the mansion. It's so boring staying cooped up in this room." The Eighth Prince's wife pulled the Ninth Prince's wife out.
Meanwhile, the Crown Princess sat alone in a corner, observing that the wives of the other princes didn't seem to respect her. After Consort De left, they didn't even bother to greet her before going off to talk to their own people. Guarjia felt a surge of anger; if it weren't for the Fourth Prince's good relationship with the Crown Prince, she wouldn't have come at all!
"Your Highness, I've been so busy that I'm completely overwhelmed. It must be so boring to leave you here all alone." After Consort De left, Fourth Princess Consort hurriedly went to greet the Crown Princess. Although she was not favored by the Crown Prince, she was still the Crown Princess personally appointed by Emperor Kangxi.
"It's alright, Fourth Sister-in-law. Now that Honghui is gone, you must take care of yourself. As the primary consort, we must be tolerant and generous. Even if those children aren't our own, we should still treat them as our own, okay?" the Crown Princess said solemnly.
"Yes, thank you for your guidance, Your Highness! I will keep it in mind," the Fourth Princess Consort replied.
"This concubine greets the Crown Princess!" The First Consort walked over and bowed to the Crown Princess.
"Come and chat, Fourth Sister-in-law. You've been busy and tired today, go ahead. The First Princess can keep me company while I talk." The Crown Princess's expression finally softened a bit.
Then, the Eighth Prince's wife and the Ninth Prince's wife went hand in hand to the small garden outside. They saw servants with white waist ropes moving around everywhere, probably preparing for the banquet.
"Eighth Sister-in-law, after what you just said, I'm afraid Consort De is holding a grudge against you," Ninth Prince's wife said worriedly.
The Eighth Prince's wife, Lady Guoluo, flicked her pink fingernails and hummed softly, "I didn't say anything. If she's angry, let her be. After all, she's not my mother-in-law."
Ninth Prince's wife chuckled and said, "You shouldn't act like that in front of your sister-in-law, or she might go and tell your real 'mother-in-law'!" With that, she patted Eighth Prince's wife's hand with her handkerchief.
The Eighth Prince's wife sneered, "Although my mother-in-law is a concubine, she has no real status in the palace. Consort Hui can also be considered my mother-in-law, but she only cares about her own son. Our Eighth Prince has never relied on her for anything. My aunt still has some influence with the Emperor, so what do you think I have to be afraid of? Besides, I didn't say anything, and even if I did, I didn't say anything wrong!"
Ninth Prince's wife raised her hand and pinched Eighth Prince's wife's cheek, saying, "You have such a sharp tongue. Sigh, Eighth Prince, I wonder where he and our Ninth Prince are now. Why is it that Fourth Prince can return to the capital with the Emperor, while they have to travel around outside?"
The Eighth Prince's wife glanced at the Ninth Prince's wife and said, "You can only say that to me. You must never express any dissatisfaction with the Emperor in front of others. Otherwise, your Ninth Prince will shut you up!"
The Ninth Prince's wife lightly spat at her and said, "Consort Yi can certainly stand against Consort De, but we can't let others use our weaknesses against us. What do you say?"
Despite her seemingly foolish appearance, Ninth Prince's wife has never made a mistake in important matters. On the contrary, Eighth Prince's wife, being the granddaughter of Prince An and supported by the matriarch Guo, is strong-willed and often offends people without realizing it.
Instead of being grateful for Ninth Princess's reminder, Eighth Prince's wife said unhappily, "Sister, you're being too cautious. I was just saying she could have another child, I wasn't implying anything about anyone. You're all overthinking it."
Although she tried to defend herself so forcefully, she was still somewhat uneasy inside. What she had just said to the Fourth Prince's wife was indeed a sarcastic remark about Consort De's advanced age and childbirth. Now that the Fourteenth Prince was favored by Emperor Kangxi, many people had begun to speak disrespectfully of Consort De.
Alas, life was truly difficult for women in ancient times. At 29, she was considered an elderly mother, gave birth, gained favor, and was still accused of being a vixen. Although Consort De held a high position in the palace, she was highly regarded by Emperor Kangxi, who granted her half of the authority to manage the affairs of the harem, causing some dissatisfaction among the others, especially Consort Yi, of the Guoluo clan.
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