Afternoon
Liu Ying respectfully reported the news from the previous dynasty: the thirteenth daughter of Duke Tao Sai, the Duke of Fu Guo, was betrothed to the Wanyan family, and an auspicious day was chosen for the wedding.
The fifteenth daughter of the second wife of the Duke of Fuguo, Tao Sai, was betrothed to the fifth son of the Xu Mu'er family, with the marriage to be arranged again in three years.
Upon hearing this, Xu Lejin smiled.
"Very good, very good. All my sisters, who are born of the same mother, have married well. Now, my fifth brother, Huaizhen, has also received a marriage decree from the Emperor. His future wife will be from the imperial family, which is excellent."
The expressions on their faces were similar to those in the painting and the shadow play.
After careful consideration, Ru Hua said softly, "Congratulations, Your Highness! Congratulations, Your Highness! Congratulations, Fifth Young Master! Fifth Young Master is a good student. He passed the provincial examination last year and will take the imperial examination in two years."
"The future Fifth Young Mistress is a member of the imperial family with an excellent background. Her maternal family will surely prosper in the future."
Xu Lejin nodded slightly.
A moment later, Xu Lejin asked Nongying to prepare pen and ink. She wrote a letter and sent it out of the palace to her mother, Xie, asking her to inquire about the fifteenth daughter of Duke Tao Sai, and what her character was like.
Three days later
Looking at the letter her mother, Madam Xie, had sent to the palace, Xu Lejin frowned slightly.
The Duke of Fuguo, Tao Sai, had two daughters, the thirteenth and fifteenth, who were born to his second wife, Ulanara. However, Ulanara died in childbirth at a young age, and the current head of the Duke of Fuguo's mansion is his third second wife, He Er.
He'er had sons, so he naturally neglected his thirteenth and fifteenth daughters from his second wife. Over time, the legitimate daughters of the Duke of Fuguo and the princesses of the imperial clan developed a timid and reserved nature.
With a soft sigh, Xu Lejin frowned in thought.
At this moment, Consort Que came to visit. Seeing Xu Lejin's worried expression, she inquired about her concerns and learned of her worries. She smiled softly and said, "Consort Yu, are you perhaps confused?"
"As a noble consort in the palace, my sister is deeply favored and trusted by the emperor. Now that the emperor has bestowed a marriage upon my sister's younger brother, it is quite normal for my sister to give one or two nannies to her future brother's wife."
"Within three years, as long as the fifteenth daughter of the Duke of Fuguo’s mansion is not stupid, she can be well taught and will be able to shoulder the important responsibility of being the matriarch of her elder sister’s maternal clan in the future."
Upon hearing this, Xu Lejin suddenly realized what was going on.
Isn't that exactly right?
Although the fifteenth daughter of the Duke of Fuguo is timid and reserved, with her protecting her and the Xu Muer family having their mother in charge, there is no need to worry about the future five younger siblings not being able to shoulder great responsibilities.
Consort Que paused, then covered her mouth and continued, "Elder sister, as your future sister-in-law, will be provided with a governess to teach you manners. Younger sister..."
"In the Duke of Fuguo’s mansion, there are two legitimate daughters, the thirteenth and the fifteenth. They were both granted marriage by the Emperor. The elder sister was given a governess to the fifteenth daughter, and the younger sister followed her sister’s lead and was given a governess to the thirteenth daughter."
"In this way, we can not only demonstrate our respect for the Duke of Fuguo's mansion, but also relieve your worries, sister. What do you think, sister?"
Nodding slightly, Xu Lejin looked affectionately at Consort Que and spoke softly.
"My sister's suggestion is excellent."
February 16
Consort Hui, dressed in a royal blue palace gown, sat upright at the first seat on the right. She tugged at the handkerchief in her hand and gave Consort Mu a wink. Consort Mu looked conflicted and troubled, quickly considering her options.
Xu Lejin observed this with a calm expression.
With a slight smile, Consort Que said, "I heard that Consort Hui summoned the families of several ministers to the palace the other day, including a few young girls who were fourteen or fifteen years old."
"The Second Prince is currently fourteen years old. Although the Emperor has bestowed upon him the daughter of the Darhan Prince of the Khorchin tribe as his primary consort, the wedding date is yet to be set, and his future consort will be too young."
Consort Hui's expression changed.
After a quick moment of consideration, Consort Hui spoke softly, "Your Highness, I am the mother of the Second Prince, so it is only natural that I should take care of matters concerning the Second Prince's household."
"Your Majesty, I am no match for Consort Que. The Twenty-Second Princess is still young and has a long time before she is to be married."
After speaking, Consort Hui slightly raised her head, her face showing arrogance.
Upon hearing this, Consort Que smiled, "I am not as fortunate as Consort Hui. Consort Hui has a second prince and is also raising a third princess. I understand Consort Hui's desire to choose a concubine to serve the second prince so she can hold her grandson as soon as possible. However—"
After a pause, Consort Que continued coldly, "Consort Hui, don't forget that the Second Prince's future wife is the daughter of Prince Darhan of Khorchin. If the concubines in the Second Prince's household are of high birth, or if they have given birth to children before the future Second Prince's wife..."
The words, spoken only to the point, caused Consort Hui's face to turn from white to pale.
The Yikun Palace fell silent instantly.
Xu Lejin frowned and pondered for a moment before speaking softly, "The Second Prince is fourteen and the First Prince is fifteen. Indeed, they should have a maidservant in their room to take care of them."
"I am pregnant and should not overexert myself. The affairs of the concubines in the rooms of the First and Second Princes shall be handled by Consort Hui and Consort Duan. They must select obedient and quiet women from the families of court officials to serve the First and Second Princes."
Consort Hui and Consort Duan quickly stood up and respectfully replied, "Yes."
February 24
Consort Duan was reporting to Xu Lejin about the princess serving in the First Prince's room. Consort Duan had initially selected a palace maid named Cao Jia to be the First Prince's personal maid.
In addition, Consort Duan selected two women from the families of sixth-rank officials in the court, from the Hasut and Jirut clans, to be the princesses of the eldest prince.
At this moment, Nongying entered the hall with a solemn expression and respectfully reported to Xu Lejin, "Your Majesty, Consort Duan, the Emperor favored a palace maid yesterday and bestowed upon her the title of Lady."
"Um."
Xu Lejin nodded, her expression indifferent.
Consort Duan paused for a moment, then asked softly, "What is this palace maid's surname? Has His Majesty issued an edict assigning her to which palace?"
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