As the 44th year of Kangxi's reign drew to a close, there was little to do in the palace. The Third Prince was highly favored by Kangxi, as the book he was compiling was nearing completion. Kangxi was overjoyed, and for a time, the Third Prince, Yinzhi, became the most favored prince in the emperor's court, even surpassing the Crown Prince and the Prince of Zhi.
Besides this, another thing that made the Third Prince proud was that Princess Wenyi, who was to be married off to the Dzungar Khanate, would be arriving in the capital on the first day of the twelfth lunar month. To welcome his beloved daughter back to the capital for a visit, Emperor Kangxi had already dispatched a welcoming entourage that stretched for ten miles.
Aside from generals who had achieved great victories and returned to the capital to resume their duties, receiving such treatment from the emperor was unprecedented among princesses. She was the eldest daughter of Emperor Kangxi and Consort Rong, and was greatly favored by him even in the palace.
The princes and court officials began to speculate whether Kangxi's grand welcome of his beloved daughter home was related to the recent rise in prominence of the Third Prince. For the first time, the Crown Prince truly felt Kangxi's neglect. The rumors that had circulated in the palace had been gradually eradicated by Kangxi, but he had indeed begun to feel disappointed in the Crown Prince.
The Fourth Prince simply took sick leave and stopped going to the palace. There wasn't much to do at the end of the year, and he probably wanted to avoid the Third Prince's growing favor. The Fourth Prince spent his days chatting with Li Wei, Mr. Wei, and others in his study, discussing all sorts of things. He rarely visited the South Courtyard anymore.
Although Lady Yin and Lady Wu occasionally stayed by the Fourth Prince's side, he never seemed to stay overnight. This made the Fujin, who had been convinced that the South Courtyard was slowly falling out of favor, begin to have doubts again.
On this day, Lady Wu finally stepped into the main courtyard again, supported by Hong Qian's hand. The Fujin was having lunch when an announcement came from outside that Lady Wu had arrived.
The princess said calmly, "Let her in."
Lingxiu put down her chopsticks, which were serving the dishes, and took a handkerchief to wipe the food juice from the corner of Fujin's mouth.
Wu Shi, dressed in a jade-green cheongsam and as usual with a moon-white cotton overcoat, curtsied to the Fujin as soon as she entered the room and said, "This concubine greets the Fujin!"
Looking at this charming figure, the Fujin couldn't help but lament the reality of her own fading youth. Looking at Wu Shi's delicate face, not yet twenty, her youthful beauty was like the most beautiful flower blooming in the spring breeze, something she could never compare to.
"It's been a long time since Princess Wu came to pay her respects to me alone," the Princess said, suppressing her inner turmoil.
"I was foolish for a time, but fortunately I have now realized my mistake. So I have come here to serve the Princess Consort her meal," said Madam Wu.
The Princess Consort smiled and touched the jade and gold-inlaid bracelet on her wrist, saying, "This Princess Consort has no idea what Princess Wu is regretting?"
Wu frowned slightly, then knelt down gently and said, "I shouldn't have joined Niu in opposing the Fujin. Only now do I realize that only the Fujin truly cares about the Prince's offspring and the peace of the household. Niu has been the sole favorite and has always monopolized the Fourth Prince's affections. Otherwise, it would be unacceptable for us sisters to have any say in the matter. I beg the Fujin to do justice for us sisters."
The Fujin smiled slightly, a glint of shrewdness flashing in her eyes as she stared at Wu Shi and said, "I used to value Wu Gege very much, but Wu Gege never seemed to have any interest in me. When Li Shi was around, Wu Gege liked to go to her courtyard. Now that she's gone, you've gone to rely on Niu Shi, as if you've never paid any attention to me."
Wu felt as if there were thorns in her back. After thinking for a moment, she said, "I was foolish before and did not know that the Fujin was the master of the inner quarters. Now that Li has passed away and Niu is the only one favored, my sisters and I are really suffering. I beg the Fujin to understand Ruyi's feelings."
After exchanging a glance with Lingxiu, the Fujin said calmly, "Sister, get up quickly. Lingxiu, go and help Princess Wu up."
Lingxiu quickly came down, grabbed Wu Shi, and helped her up.
"My dear sister, I fell in love with you the moment I saw you. Back then, I even gave you a string of red coral beads, do you remember?" The princess's distant expression seemed to be recalling something from a long time ago.
Wu felt a tightness in her chest, but she forced herself to say, "Of course I remember that red coral beaded necklace. It's just that I wore it for a long time before, and the beads became a little loose, so I took it off."
The princess consort looked regretful and said, "It's loose. Let someone fix it. I still prefer seeing you wearing that string of red coral beads; it really keeps you company."
Wu forced a gentle smile and said, "If the Princess Consort likes it, I will have someone divorce her tomorrow and put it on her."
The Fujin nodded, took Wu's hand, and asked her to sit down beside her, saying, "Why don't we sisters dine together?"
Wu was flattered and said, "How could I possibly eat at the same table as you, my lady? Let me serve you your meal."
The princess did not press the matter further, and smiled slightly, saying, "If they were all as well-behaved and sensible as you, I would have less to worry about."
Wu took the serving chopsticks and placed the Fujin's favorite eggplant in her bowl, saying, "They are all delusional. The Fujin is the Emperor's own bestowed wife, and no one can replace her."
The princess's eyelashes fluttered like crows, casting a deep shadow under her eyes.
“As you know, Consort Niu has been monopolizing Fourth Prince’s affections, which has led to our master having very few children. Consort Niu is very worried about this. If everyone else could understand Consort Niu’s feelings as well as Consort Niu, things wouldn’t be like this now.” Seeing that Consort Niu was silent, Lingxiu spoke up for her.
"I know that my wife is kind and benevolent. I am uncouth and cannot fathom your thoughts, and thus I have not won your favor," said Madam Wu.
“You are already far superior to them. Who else would dare to compete with the Fourth Prince? Only you would. I, the Princess Consort, would like to go to the palace to beg Mother to keep an eye out for bestowing a few more upon our Prince. There are simply too few now,” the Princess Consort said. Lingxiu, who was standing to the side, also slightly raised her eyebrows upon hearing this.
Upon hearing this, Lady Wu immediately said anxiously, "What you are worried about is very true, but what if another woman like Lady Niu comes in?"
The Princess Consort smiled and said, "My sister is worried that the new concubines might dilute the Fourth Prince's favor. Don't worry, as long as you trust me, I will definitely not let you spend every night in solitude."
Wu said with a hint of dejection, "Master occasionally summons Ruyi to keep him company, but she has never stayed overnight. I am worried that this awkwardness between Master and Niu may not be a true sign of neglect."
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