Lanqin and Zhaojia stayed at Zhao Sijie's place until it was almost dusk before they finally emerged. After spending half a day together, the three had become even closer. Lanqin thought that Zhao Sijie was truly an anomaly; to live so freely and unrestrainedly in this era was indeed more liberating than even the principal wives.
The Thirteenth Prince's residence and the Fourth Prince's residence were in the same direction, so Lady Zhaojia simply rode in his carriage with Lanqin and left the villa together, heading back.
"Qin'er, did I scare you, my childhood friend?" Zhao Jia looked at Lan Qin with a face full of apology. Today, Zhao Si Jie'er finally showed her true nature.
“Not at all! Sister Zhao is just being genuine, much better than hiding it,” Lanqin said with a smile.
Zhao Jia has become much more open-minded in the past year or two, but she is still incomparable to Zhao Si Jie. Lan Qin actually thinks that women like Zhao Si Jie are the ones men like. Most primary wives, who are rigid and strictly adhere to rules and etiquette, are not favored by their husbands. This is also why the primary wives of Kangxi's sons were not very popular.
Seeing that Lanqin spoke naturally and not as mere politeness, Zhaojia was relieved and asked, "Qin'er, has your Wuxiha's marriage been settled?"
When Lanqin heard Zhaojia mention this, she turned her gaze away from the window and stared at Zhaojia, saying, "Not yet. There's a third princess ahead of her. This year, our household is busy with Hongshi and Namin's marriage. She's just come of age, it's still early."
Actually, Lanqin wasn't in a hurry. In about a year, the Fourth Prince would ascend the throne, and Wuxiha would be a princess then. She would be able to choose whoever married whom, so Namin, who married this year, wouldn't have that privilege. The treatment of a princess is different from that of a prince or princess.
"Qin'er, I think Wuxiha is very good. My nephew from my maternal family is just fourteen this year, a year older than Wuxiha. He is excellent in both character and appearance. I'm not bragging, I'll bring him to you to see him sometime." Zhaojia's maternal family is also one of the eight major Manchu surnames. Her father, Ma'ertai, is a minister, a high-ranking civil official of the first rank.
“Wenxiu, thank you for your kindness, but Wuxiha has just turned thirteen. I find her too impetuous, so let's wait. I'll hire a good governess to properly train this girl before we arrange a marriage.” Lanqin wasn't looking down on Zhaojia's family, but as a mother, she naturally hoped her daughter would have a smooth life. Once Wuxiha became a princess, she could find a husband. Then Wuxiha could find a husband, and she wouldn't have to serve her in-laws anymore.
Well, our Comrade Lanqin does have some ulterior motives when it comes to her children. As parents, which one doesn't love their children dearly, treat them like their own flesh and blood, want to give them the best of everything in the world, and want to keep them by their side forever?
Zhao Jia was not giving up. She thought Lan Qin was just shy, so she continued, "Let the two children meet first, so they can get to know each other. If they are compatible, they can arrange a marriage and get married in a couple of years."
Lanqin sighed, unable to refuse, and said, "Alright, I'll take Wuxiha to the Thirteen Prefectures another day."
Zhao Jia immediately replied happily, "Okay, wait for me to send out invitations."
After Lady Zhaojia left the carriage and boarded her own carriage in her own residence, Lanqin finally had a moment to think about the matter concerning Sister Zhao. From Sister Zhao, Lanqin learned about a side of Longkodo that was unknown to others. He was probably an extremely fond of food and had a fondness for women who were not so rule-abiding. As for why he was so angry that he had such a falling out with his eldest son, there should be a clue in Sister Zhao's words.
Lanqin rubbed her forehead, thinking for a moment about how to tell Fourth Master when she got back, to ask him to investigate Longkodo's family affairs? But since the last time they talked about Longkodo, Fourth Master seemed unwilling to curry favor with him.
Meanwhile, just as Lanqin was worried that the Fourth Prince would be unwilling to befriend Longkodo, the Fourth Prince had actually already made contact with this uncle. It turned out that the Fourth Prince had finished his business and was coming out of the cabinet, preparing to return to his residence.
"Yinzhen!" Longkodo appeared out of nowhere, seemingly waiting for the Fourth Prince.
When Fourth Master saw that it was Longkodo, he raised his hand and said, "So it's Uncle!"
Seeing that the Fourth Prince was in a friendly mood, Longkodo chuckled and said, "I wonder if Your Highness has time? It's been a long time since we, uncle and nephew, have had a drink together. How about we go for a drink?"
Before Longkodo gained such favor from Emperor Kangxi, his relationship with the Fourth Prince was lukewarm. After the Fourth Prince returned to Consort De's side, his relationship with the Tong family gradually became more distant, at least not as close as before. However, he was, after all, once the adopted son of the Tong family, and his relationship with them was naturally closer than that of the other princes, so every time he saw Longkodo, he would call him "Uncle".
Fourth Master recalled what Lanqin had said to him and smiled, "Alright, let's do it today. Uncle, please!"
Longkodo then left the palace with the Fourth Prince. The two decided to go to Zuibailou, so they each took their own carriages and headed one after the other to the most famous Zuibailou in the capital.
Just as Lanqin's carriage arrived at the Yongwang Mansion, the Fourth Prince and Longkodo entered Zuibailou one after the other.
After they were settled into the best private room, the Fourth Prince personally poured Longkodo a cup of tea, a gesture that made Longkodo feel flattered. He had always thought the Fourth Prince was too aloof, as if his own sister had raised him.
"Oh dear, how could this servant possibly accept such preferential treatment from Prince Yong?" Longkodo appeared apprehensive, but inwardly he was quite pleased. He was now a favorite of Emperor Kangxi and was responsible for overseeing the eastward movement of the imperial relatives and ministers in the capital. These days, countless people were eager to curry favor with him. However, he looked down on all of them, and those he did like didn't come.
However powerful Longkodo was, he still had to call himself a slave in front of these relatives, because he was indeed a slave of the Aisin Gioro family.
"My mother has been gone for many years, but Yinzhen has always raised her. Your uncle is still Yinzhen's uncle." The Fourth Prince rarely got sentimental. He didn't need to distance himself from Longkodo. In any case, it would be better to have him as an ally.
“It’s rare that Prince Yong still remembers my elder sister. If she knew this in the afterlife, she should be at peace now,” Longkodo said.
"Uncle, have some tea. This tea is quite good," Fourth Master said.
A moment later, the dishes and wine were served. The uncle and nephew, who were not related by blood, exchanged pleasantries while raising their glasses, but each of them had their own thoughts on their own.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com