The Third Prince, Yinzhi, has recently been experiencing a series of good things.
The first good thing was naturally that his father, the Emperor, appointed him to oversee the compilation of the *Peiwen Yunfu* at the Hanlin Academy. This not only affirmed his literary cultivation but also gave him the opportunity to interact with renowned scholars among the Han officials. Although Emperor Kangxi never held high hopes for the Third Prince and never gave him any serious official duties, the Third Prince had still harbored ambitions of becoming a Prince of the First Rank. As a prince, who hadn't dreamed of that supreme position? Therefore, even without much ability and possessing a flirtatious nature, the Third Prince still harbored a faint, lingering thought in his heart.
The second piece of good news was that his favorite concubine, Lady Tian, had given birth to a healthy baby boy, who had just turned one month old. Naturally, all the brothers went to offer their congratulations. Since Lady Tian was a princess, the Fourth Prince, besides bringing his wife, would also bring one or two princesses. This was the so-called equal treatment. The wife went to speak with the Third Prince's wife, while the princesses naturally went to congratulate Lady Tian, the Third Prince's wife.
The Fourth Prince's backyard, where his wife resided.
The Fourth Prince told his wife yesterday to prepare gifts and to think about which princess to take with him.
Yesterday, because Lanqin told the Fourth Prince that she wanted to go out for a stroll, the Fourth Prince immediately sent word to his wife early this morning that he wanted to have breakfast with her.
The princess got up early and had Li Mama personally style her hair. She also ordered breakfast from the kitchen long ago.
"Madam, the Third Prince's wife, Lady Tian, has given birth to a son. I imagine the Third Madam is only smiling on the surface. You should go over and offer her some words of comfort," said Granny Li as she pinned a flower on the Madam's head. The reason she said this was naturally because the Third Madam's father, Lady Dong'e, and the Madam's father were brothers-in-law, making them cousins.
“That’s natural. However, she’s still better off than me, having given birth to two princes. Even if the other princesses are favored, her position is secure,” the Fujin said.
Recently, the Fourth Prince has been doting on Princess Niohuru, even the pregnant Lady Yin has been relegated to a secondary position. He has simply assigned more people to serve her, and the room that Princess Niohuru originally lived in has also been given to her.
Granny Li naturally knew what the Princess Consort was worried about, and comforted her, "Princess Consort, it's hard to say what will become of Consort Niu in the future. But I think that Li Shi has completely calmed down. The other day, although the Master went to her place, it seemed that he didn't do anything."
A slight smile appeared on the Fujin's face.
Granny Li continued, "Princess Niohuru has no children now, so even if she is favored, she wouldn't dare to overshadow you. That Li family has two sons, but now they have finally been abandoned by the master. You can put a weight off your heart for now, Madam. Madam, if I may be so disrespectful, you should find a way to win back the master's heart."
The princess glanced at Granny Li and said, "Granny, you've been here with me for ten years. When has his heart ever been open to me?!"
Upon hearing this, Granny Li sighed and helplessly continued to arrange the jewelry for the Fujin.
Just then, a servant outside called out, "Greetings, Master!"
The princess raised her hand to adjust the silk flower at her temple, then immediately stood up and, supported by Granny Li, walked to the main room outside.
The Fourth Prince had already taken his seat on the main couch, and his wife gave him a slight curtsy.
"No need for formalities, Madam. Breakfast is ready, isn't it? Have them bring it up." The Fourth Prince took off his boots and sat cross-legged on the couch.
The servants began to bustle about, some moving tables, others bringing basins and towels for washing hands, and the servants quickly followed. They were a little impatient, as their master hadn't come to the lady's house for breakfast in a long time.
"Have you prepared the gift?" Fourth Master asked while drinking his porridge.
“Everything is ready. I’ve made a longevity lock out of gold. And a pair of jade Qilin beasts.” The princess picked up some seaweed strips and continued, “My lord, please try this. It’s very well made. It’s delicious with porridge.”
Granny Li smiled slightly, thinking to herself: That's right, husbands and wives should be more affectionate towards each other.
Fourth Master paused, but still picked up a piece of seaweed and took a bite.
It's really good!
He then reached for his chopsticks, picked up some seaweed strips, and ate them with the porridge.
"Which princess are you planning to take?" the Fourth Prince asked again. He still respected his wife's wishes when it came to such matters concerning the inner quarters.
"I want to take Princess Niu and Princess Wu with me," the Fujin said calmly.
The Fourth Prince glanced at his wife, then reached for the seaweed strips with his chopsticks.
"It's better not to go to the Wu family. Take the Geng family instead." Fourth Master took another bite of seaweed.
The princess suddenly wanted to speak, but didn't. She simply said, "My lord, although this seaweed is delicious, we can't abandon our ancestors' old rules. Things shouldn't be done more than three times. Even the most delicious food is harmful if eaten in excess."
The Fourth Prince paused, then put down his chopsticks. His complexion, which had just improved, darkened slightly again. He put his legs down and said to his wife, "I'm full. Hurry up and get ready. The sedan chair is ready. Go and tell Madam Geng to let her know. I will inform Consort Niu myself."
After saying that, he got up and walked out of the main house.
The Fujin still held her chopsticks in her hand, slightly dazed. She sighed inwardly, thinking: Did I say something wrong? He clearly liked the seaweed I put on his plate just now, why the sudden change of heart? Was he preventing Consort Wu from going because he knew that Consort Wu had embarrassed Niohuru during that court audience?
Granny Li sighed inwardly, stepped forward, and said to the Fujin, "Your Highness, please hurry and pack. The Master is waiting for you. I will send Xiahe to inform Madam Geng."
"Go then," the princess said quietly.
"My lady, please don't be sad. That Lady Yin has given birth, so she's not qualified to raise the child. In the end, you'll just have to raise it yourself." That's all Li Mama could say to comfort the lady.
"Is raising his children the only way I can have a place in his heart?" the wife choked up.
...
The Fourth Prince was enjoying his seaweed when his wife brought up the old matriarch's words again, saying, "What a rigid woman! Why? She's been with me for ten years, yet she still doesn't know the Prince's temper and personality. She's not even as good as a little princess who's only been here for two months."
I grew up in the deep palace, and I know all those things from our ancestors by heart. Do I really need someone to bring them up? To use those things to bind me in my own home... truly...
And that Wu family member, she has too explosive a temper. It's best not to take her out, lest she cause trouble for the master and make him a laughingstock.
After returning to the front courtyard, the Fourth Prince instructed Zhao Quan, Su Peisheng's apprentice, to deliver a message to Lanqin, telling her to get ready and that she was about to head out to the Third Prince's residence to offer her congratulations.
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