Meanwhile, ever since the Fourth Prince left with his two sons and two princesses, the gates of the Fourth Prince's mansion have been tightly closed. Visitors only need to leave a note, which Dai Chuze will then review and select the most important notes to send to the estate.
That day.
Lady Anjia, accompanied by her trusted nanny and several maids, arrived at the Fourth Prince's residence with gifts. She was unaware that Lanqin was not currently at the residence, nor had she sent a prior invitation. Unlike in the 21st century, where a phone call could reveal one's whereabouts.
The sedan chair was carried to the gate of the Fourth Prince's residence. The nanny stepped forward and handed the gatekeeper a note, saying that Niohuru Lanqin's mother wanted to visit her daughter.
Although no invitation had been sent beforehand, it was permissible for someone like Lady Anjia to visit her daughter, who hadn't returned home since her marriage. So Lady Anjia couldn't wait any longer; it had been almost three months since Lanqin had married into the family, and she had truly missed her terribly.
The gatekeeper, having read the invitation, knew it belonged to the household of the princess who was currently favored by the master. He dared not be negligent and invited Anjia into the house, where she first sat down to wait in the gatekeeper's room.
While sending someone to inform the main wife, Fatty Wang kept Anjia company.
"Madam, you've come at an inopportune time. Princess Niu left the manor with the master a few days ago." Fatty Wang ordered someone to bring over tea.
"Oh, then it's only right that I come to pay my respects to the Fujin." Anjia felt a pang of disappointment, but also a surge of joy. The Fourth Prince was taking his daughter out; it seemed Qin'er was favored.
"This servant has already sent someone to inform the Madam. Please wait a moment, Madam," Fatty Wang said very politely.
Anjia smiled slightly, picked up her teacup, took a sip of tea, and then gave a wink to the nanny behind her.
The old woman understood and took out a purse from her sleeve and handed it to Fatty Wang.
"Thank you for the reward, Madam!" Fatty Wang bowed and politely gave a deep bow.
Meanwhile, the Fujin (principal wife) was also receiving guests. Since the Fourth Prince left, she had arranged for her family members to come in twice. The first time was when her two half-brothers, Xinghui and Fuchang's wife, came, ostensibly to see the Fujin, but actually to discuss the matter of their sons becoming study companions in the household. The second time was today, when Xinghui's second son, Da, and A, and Fuchang's second son, Haifu, were brought by Xinghui to see their aunt. In reality, the Fujin wanted to personally observe the character and temperament of her two nephews.
"Sister, Da and A can both shoot thirty paces on horseback." Fei Yanggu's eldest son, Xinghui, was strong and powerful, and currently served as the Deputy Commander, a military rank of the second grade. He had reached his current position through military merit and the help of his family. He was thinking of sending his son to the Fourth Prince's residence, firstly for his son's future prospects, and secondly to get closer to the Fourth Prince, so that he could remove the "Deputy" title from his own.
The princess smiled slightly, took Da and A's hands and looked them up and down, then turned to Haifu and asked, "And you, how big of a bow can you draw?"
Compared to Da and A, Haifu was a much quieter child. He looked at his wife shyly and said somewhat flusteredly, "I can study, but my archery skills are not as good as Da and A's."
The princess put down her nephew's hand and said to Granny Li, "Take my brother downstairs to have some pastries and fruit. Don't keep them from leaving."
After the two children left, the Fujin gestured for Xinghui to sit down.
“Brother, I shouldn’t be involved in the affairs of the Ulanara family now that I’m married. But if the family is unstable, my position in the Fourth Prince’s residence will also be affected. The future of the First Prince Honghui will naturally be unstable as well,” the Fujin said with a stern face.
Xinghui knew that his younger sister was talking about the issue of her and her brothers vying for their father Feiyanggu's title of First-Class Duke. He was Feiyanggu's eldest son and was currently a second-rank deputy commander. All he lacked was the status of being the legitimate son. So he said in a gruff voice, "If you can help me inherit my father's title, then the Ulanara family will be secure."
Upon hearing this, the Fujin nearly choked on her tea. She truly couldn't understand what her half-brother was thinking. The title of First-Class Duke was bestowed by the Emperor, and who should inherit it was also up to the Emperor. How could she, a mere woman, possibly help him! Besides, her father wasn't without legitimate sons; her fourth brother, Wuge, was her own flesh and blood, currently serving as a Minister of the Imperial Household and concurrently a Zuo Ling (military commander), and was quite familiar with the Fourth Prince. If he hadn't yet lacked a son of similar age to Honghui, why would she have sought out Xinghui and Fuchang?
“Brother, I truly cannot agree to such a thing. Allowing Da, A, and Haifu to come and study with me is already my way of considering my two nephews' future, and even then, it's not guaranteed. Don't you know what kind of person the Fourth Prince is?” the Fujin said, frowning. Alas, what can a brother who only thinks of himself do for her and her son in the future?
Just then, Chunliu suddenly walked in and whispered a few words in Li Mama's ear.
After dismissing Chunliu, Granny Li tiptoed to the Fujin's side and told her about Anjia's visit.
The princess was taken aback. Xinghui was also perceptive. Although the princess had just rejected his request, he was actually just testing the waters and didn't really expect his legitimate sister to help him inherit the title.
"Brother, go to the side room and rest for a while. We'll talk about Da and Ahehaifu's matter after I've met with someone," the Fujin instructed.
Xinghui was then led by Granny Li to the left room of the main hall.
Led by the eunuch at the gatehouse, Lady Anjia followed the east side road, bypassed the Fourth Prince's front courtyard, passed the west courtyard, and arrived at the main courtyard of the Fujin (Prince's wife).
Chunliu was already waiting at the door. Of the nannies and maids who followed, only one nanny was allowed to go in with her; the others stood at the courtyard gate and waited.
Anjia followed behind Chunliu, while Fujin instructed Xiahe to put several more pieces of jewelry on her head.
As soon as Lady Anjia stepped across the threshold, she saw a graceful and elegant young woman sitting on the main couch in the hall. She took a few steps forward, gave a slight curtsy, and said, "This humble woman greets the Fourth Princess Consort!"
Seeing that Lady Anjia didn't seem like a scheming person, the Fujin (principal wife) raised her hand to help her up, saying, "Please rise, Madam. Please have a seat."
Lady Anjia sat on only half of the guest seat on the left. She said respectfully, "Lanqin is very grateful for the care of the Fujin. I have nothing to repay her with, so I have prepared some nourishing herbs for the Fujin. I hope you will not find them offensive."
The Fujin smiled and gestured to a square box presented by the maidservant next to Anjia, Xiahe's subordinate. She said kindly, "Madam, there's no need for such formality. Sister Lanqin is of good character and has gotten along very well with me since she came here. I've always treated her like a younger sister."
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