Late September
On this day, Lady Xie brought her two daughters-in-law, one legitimate and one illegitimate, to the palace to pay their respects.
She was the daughter of Duke Tao Sai, the Duke of Fuguo, and the daughter of General Feng'en. Although their fathers held different titles, they were both members of the imperial family.
A year ago, Xu Lu's three-year mourning period ended, and Xie Shi decisively drove the illegitimate son out of the Xu family.
Xu Huainian and his wife bought a house not far from Xu Muer's house, and would go there every few days to pay their respects to Xie.
Over time, Xie naturally came to regard Xu Huainian's wife as her own daughter-in-law.
This time, when Xie entered the palace, she not only brought her fifth brother Xu Huaizhen's wife, but also Xu Huainian's wife.
Xu Lejin noticed the two women behind Xie Shi, their bellies protruding, and said softly, "Fifth sister-in-law and sixth sister-in-law, you're pregnant, why are you still coming to the palace with Mother?"
"Sixth sister-in-law's belly looks bigger than fifth sister-in-law's."
Ms. Xie nodded slightly.
"Your Majesty, the fifth son's wife is five months pregnant, and the sixth son's wife is seven months pregnant. When I came to the palace this time, the fifth and sixth sons' wives said that they had embroidered some handkerchiefs for Your Majesty and wanted to present them to you, so I brought them with me."
"Um,"
Xu Lejin nodded slightly, and after a moment spoke, "Fifth sister-in-law and sixth sister-in-law, has the doctor diagnosed whether the baby in your womb is a boy or a girl?"
Madam Xie paused for a moment, then turned her head to look at her two daughters-in-law.
Xu Huaizhen's wife, well, everyone in Xu Mu'er's household calls her Fifth Madam, replied softly, "Your Majesty, the doctor's diagnosis for this pregnancy is that it's most likely a boy."
After a pause, Madam Xu noticed that her sixth sister-in-law was standing to the side with her head down and not saying a word.
After considering for a moment, he continued, "Sixth sister-in-law is very lucky; this time she's having another princess."
Xu Lejin nodded slightly and looked at her sixth sister-in-law, who was looking down.
"A daughter is good too. A daughter is a mother's warm little cotton-padded jacket. My sixth brother and sister-in-law are still young. They'll blossom first and bear fruit later. They'll definitely have a son someday."
"When your sixth sister-in-law gives birth, remember to bring your little niece to the palace after three months, so that I, as her aunt, can also dote on her."
Madam Xu lowered her head slightly and responded softly.
Madam Xie smiled and said, "Sixth son's wife, I told you before that the Empress would definitely like the girl in your belly. Now you should believe me!"
"The fifth son and his wife have always wanted a daughter, but they've had three boys in a row, sigh..."
Madam Xu pursed her lips, smiling but saying nothing.
At this time
Liu Ying hurried in from outside the palace and respectfully reported to Xu Lejin: "Your Majesty, news has come from Changchun Palace that Consort Chen is pregnant and has been pregnant for over a month."
Xu Lejin responded with a faint "yes".
After a moment's hesitation, she spoke softly, "Nongying, go to Consort Hui's palace and ask her to instruct the Imperial Household Department not to reduce Consort Chen's food rations."
"Liu Ying went to Consort Chen's place and told her to take good care of the dragon child in her womb."
Nongying and Liuying respectfully acknowledged and withdrew.
Madam Xie and her two daughters-in-law exchanged a glance, then carefully spoke, saying, "Your Majesty, I've heard that at the end of last year, Consort Wang gave birth to a prince, but was not promoted?"
"Um,"
Xu Lejin nodded slightly. "His Majesty has his own reasons. Consort Wang gave birth to the eighteenth prince last year but was not promoted. I reckon it will be the same for Consort Chen this year."
Madam Xie and her two daughters-in-law lowered their heads and pursed their lips, remaining silent.
Afternoon
Lady Xie left the palace with her two daughters-in-law.
As they approached their doorstep, Xu Huainian's wife spoke softly, preparing to take her leave and return to her and Xu Huainian's small home.
After a moment of contemplation, Madam Xie lowered her voice and said, "Sixth son's wife, do you understand what Her Majesty means?"
"Although you are carrying a girl, she is very likely to have a great future."
With a soft hum of response, Madam Xu, clutching her pregnant belly, respectfully bowed to Madam Xie and returned to her small home, her mind heavy with worry.
Xu Muer's family
Madam Xie and her daughter-in-law entered the house.
Madam Xu hesitated for a long time before speaking softly, "Mother, does Your Majesty mean that in the future, you will betroth your sixth brother's unborn niece to one of the princes as a wife?"
Madam Xie glanced outside and nodded almost imperceptibly.
After a moment's hesitation, Xie Shi said in a low voice, "Even if she doesn't become the primary consort, she will become a secondary consort. Your Majesty has long planned for this, but over the years, you and the Fifth Prince have only been having sons."
"Never mind, Sixth Brother was raised by me since he was a child. Although he is not my biological son, he is better than my own. Sixth Brother and his wife have always been filial. Their daughter will always be Xu Muershi."
Madam Xu responded softly, her mind drifting to her sister, who shared the same mother and had married into the Wanyan family.
Madam Xu's elder sister married into the Wanyan family and has given birth to three daughters in the past few years. Now, the Wanyan family is arranging for her brother-in-law to take a concubine. If...
A bold idea suddenly popped into my head.
However, Madam Xu knew that it wasn't possible right now, but in the future, as long as her sister raised her niece well, and with her mother speaking up for her before the Imperial Noble Consort, perhaps it was possible...
Xu Lejin, who was in the palace, was unaware of the lawsuit her maternal family was involved in outside the palace.
Of course, even if she knew, she would just smile and let it go, after all, that was her original intention, hoping that one or two princes' wives would come from her family in the future.
Of course, it is impossible for her to have given birth to Yin Chu, Yin Shi, and Yin Shi.
Yu Ludai, Jianing, and Youyao will not marry back into the Xu Muer family, but the other princesses are acceptable.
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