"This year, it's time to put the Seventh Prince's marriage on the agenda. I think His Majesty still wants to choose a woman from a noble family. It's just that there isn't a suitable one yet." Consort De looked at Consort Cheng's expression and knew that she was worried about the Seventh Prince's marriage. Since divorcing Lady Nara, the position of the Seventh Prince's primary consort has remained vacant.
"Your Majesty has gone to great lengths. It's just that my Minjia clan is only a minor clan, and I'm afraid we're looked down upon." Consort Cheng always felt that her maternal clan was of low status, and that she herself was not very favored by Emperor Kangxi.
"Speaking of maternal clans, my maternal clan is even lower than Consort Cheng's," Consort De said calmly.
"That's not what I meant, Your Majesty! Please forgive me!" Consort Cheng seemed to realize that she had said the wrong thing and quickly stood up from her seat.
"Sit down. I'm just telling you not to always think it's your fault. The Seventh Prince is still the Emperor's son. Just for that, he has the most noble status in the world. Who would dare to look down on him? Didn't you learn your lesson last time?" Consort De said.
"Your Majesty, I will remember this. Thank you for your guidance." Consort Cheng knew that Consort De was doing this for her own good, so even though it sounded like a reprimand, she felt at ease.
"Your Majesty, the Fourth Princess and the others have arrived." A palace maid walked in and reported.
Consort Cheng quickly wiped away her tears and smiled, "Your Majesty has been waiting all morning, and you've finally arrived. All the princes and princesses in the manor have come today."
A smile spread across Consort De's face as she said to the palace maid, "Go and have Su Xin and the others take the children to the West Warm Pavilion to rest. It's cold today, so don't let them get cold. I'll go check on them later. Have the Fourth Prince Consort and the Second Prince Consort come here."
By the eleventh day, it was already quite cold in the palace. Consort De carried out most of her daily activities in the East Warm Pavilion and rarely went to the main hall.
"Why don't you go back first? The seventh prince's concubine will be here soon. You can have a private chat before coming over," Consort De said to Consort Cheng.
"Yes, then this concubine will take her leave." Consort Cheng curtsied and left, supported by her maid. Consort De glanced at Consort Cheng's retreating figure and noticed that she was still wearing a Shu satin cheongsam today, but the pattern was no longer this year's tribute, but last year's design.
Consort De sighed and said to Granny De beside her, "Go to the storeroom and get some Shu satin suitable for Consort Cheng and send it to her. I don't need those."
At that moment, Consort Cheng ran into the Fourth Prince's wife and Lanqin, who were coming in to pay their respects to Consort De, as she went out.
"Greetings to Consort Cheng!" Fourth Princess greeted, and Lanqin followed suit.
"Go quickly, Consort De is waiting for you. You are all good children," Consort Cheng said with a smile.
When the palace maid led the Fourth Princess and Lanqin into the East Warm Pavilion, they saw Consort De sitting upright on the warm couch, holding a string of amber beads in her hand.
"Greetings to Mother!" Fourth Princess stepped forward and bowed.
"Greetings to Mother!" Lanqin then stood behind the Fourth Princess and bowed.
"Rise, all of you. This is your first time here today. I'll say a few words to you, so it won't interfere with your listening to the Emperor's admonition," said Consort De.
The Fourth Prince's wife and Lanqin sat down according to their status and listened quietly to what Consort De had to say.
"You are now the primary and secondary wives of the Fourth Prince. I hope you can get along well and work together to look after his household. He only has three sons and three daughters, which is really too few. You are not even thirty yet, and if Heaven is kind, you might even be able to conceive. Do you understand?" Consort De said to the Fourth Prince's wives.
"Yes, Your Highness, I will remember your teachings. My sister Niu and I have always treated each other with respect and lived in harmony. Don't you agree?" Fourth Princess Consort smiled.
Lanqin looked at the Fourth Princess's kind and gentle face, but felt as if a huge stone was lodged in her heart.
"Niu Shi, what's wrong with you? Why aren't you answering my questions?" Consort De asked Lan Qin, who seemed to be in a daze, with displeasure.
"Please forgive me, Mother. I was so cold outside that my head was all numb and I didn't hear what you said, Sister. Please rest assured, Mother, I will definitely get along well with you, Sister." Lanqin did not answer the Fujin, but spoke to the Defei.
"Alright, Suxin, go and fetch two bowls of ginger tea for them. We have to go out later. The children are all in the West Warm Pavilion, so you can go without worry," said Consort De.
"Thank you, Mother," the Fourth Princess said gently.
"Mother, is your throat feeling any better?" Lanqin asked.
"Hmm, after drinking your water, I really feel much better. At least it doesn't flare up so often anymore. You little rascal, I didn't expect you to be so knowledgeable about medicine," Consort De couldn't help but laugh. The folk remedy that Lanqin introduced to her is now being used not only by Consort De, but also by many women in the palace suffering from chronic pharyngitis, all of whom are grateful for the kindness of the Fourth Prince's concubine.
"If Mother is using it well, that's good. Is the cook's cooking any better? Lanqin specifically told them to use less seasoning," Lanqin added.
"Yes, their cooking has suited my taste. Now that you're back, please introduce a few more dishes to them," Consort De said with a smile.
The Fourth Prince's wife was already feeling uncomfortable watching Consort De and Lanqin chatting and laughing together. Consort De was so amiable, yet she had never been so friendly with her.
"Go ahead, don't keep the fourth prince waiting." Consort De waved her hand.
The two went out of the East Warm Pavilion, and their respective maids hurriedly came up to drape cloaks over them, as they had all taken off their cloaks outside before going in.
The Princess Consort looked at Cui Niang with a pained expression, as if a grain of sand had gotten into her eyes. She couldn't help but retort sarcastically, "I almost had a moment of disbelief just now. Xiaoyun used to accompany me to pay my respects to Mother all the time."
Lanqin and Cui Niang were both taken aback. Lanqin continued, "Cui Niang, the past is the past. People should always look forward."
The princess pretended not to hear anything and led Lingxiu outside.
"Consort, it is truly my good fortune to have met you," said Cui Niang.
"Let's go, there's still a long road ahead," Lanqin said, taking Cui Niang's hand.
Consort De sat alone for a while before sending her wet nurse to call the children in. She first looked at Hongshi, then at Wuxiha, and then ordered the wet nurse to take them away and nurse them properly, letting them sleep as much as possible. In this cold weather, it would be easy to catch a cold if they went out to play.
Consort De looked at the two girls and was satisfied with their appearance and manners. She asked them if they could read and write and how well they did needlework. Then she instructed Aunt An to take them to the side hall to rest, and to serve them snacks and tea. She also gave each of them an embroidered coin.
Before long, the primary wives of the Thirteenth Prince and the Fourteenth Prince came to pay their respects to Consort De. Neither of them had children, so they only sat for a short while before leaving.
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