"Mrs. Cheng has a good daughter and a good niece."
"You flatter me, Madam. They're just two young girls." Although she said this, the smile in her eyes was genuine.
It is evident that Madam Cheng greatly enjoyed receiving praise for her daughter and niece.
The woman introduced her daughter and niece to Tong Cheng'er, and then sent her daughter and niece to visit the home of an unmarried girl.
Later, through Mrs. Cheng's introduction, Tong Cheng'er met the wives of powerful and wealthy families in Anhui.
Compared to the formalities among adults, gatherings of unmarried young women are obviously more interesting.
In the garden pavilion, many young ladies gathered in twos and threes, chatting and laughing.
At this moment, a young woman spoke up: "I heard that a distinguished guest has arrived today, from the capital. I wonder who this important person is."
Another girl chimed in, "I know that. I heard it's the wife of Prince Yong who's here."
Everyone knows that Prince Yong was rebuilding the river embankment in Anhui. The embankment was started after the disaster. Some time ago, people also heard that Prince Yong returned to Beijing. It is said that his mother in the palace passed away.
This time, he even brought his wife with him.
No one had heard of this news.
"How did you know?" another girl asked.
"Of course I know. My aunt married and moved to the capital. She came back a few days ago. How could what she said be false?"
Suddenly, a girl whispered, "Didn't they say that Prince Yong's mother just passed away? Why is Prince Yong bringing his wife to Anhui? Isn't he indulging in beauty a bit too much?"
She spoke softly, surrounded by her childhood friends and sisters, and didn't shy away from discussing it.
"It shouldn't be that bad! He just brought his wife along, perhaps just to make it easier to take care of her daily needs."
"Perhaps so!"
The girl who had just mentioned that her aunt had married into the capital suddenly said mysteriously, "Do you know that there's a story about Prince Yong and his wife in the capital that we can't tell?"
She successfully piqued everyone's curiosity.
"What story?"
"I've heard that Prince Yong only has his wife in his harem, and he dotes on her alone. They have only one son. Prince Yong is not interested in women, and he is only kind to his wife. My aunt heard that once someone invited Prince Yong to a restaurant for drinks. In the middle of the meal, they called over a girl to accompany them. Just as the girl was about to touch Prince Yong, he threw her out. Since then, people in the capital have always said that Prince Yong's wife is a tigress, but Prince Yong is very protective of her. Many young women in the capital wanted to enter Prince Yong's harem, but he refused them all. I've also heard that His Majesty didn't say anything."
What he said was somewhat misleading, but that didn't stop everyone from listening with great interest.
Some ladies from prominent families in Anhui had heard rumors about Yinzhen's exclusive favor towards Tong Cheng'er, but few believed them, and almost none of them spoke of it to the younger generation in their families.
After all, that's how the world is. When a girl gets married, especially if she comes from a prominent family, it's inevitable that she'll take a concubine or have a maidservant. Talking about these things gives women fantasies about how to bear the trivialities of married life, so it's better not to talk about them.
But there are always a few who can't control their mouths, and now quite a few people know about it.
"How is that possible?"
"Why not? Do you all remember the extremely famous Miss Liu'er from Yichun Pavilion?"
"Why is my sister bringing up women of pleasure? It's an insult to our ears."
"Well, it's related, sister, let me explain in detail."
Some people got so into it that they started to jeer, "Sister, hurry up, don't listen to her."
The girl continued, "This Miss Liu'er was once a famous courtesan in our area. Although you may not have met her, you ladies should have heard of her. Recently, however, we've lost contact with her. Do you know why?"
Some people are curious: "Why?"
"She once stopped Prince Yong's sedan chair on the night of the farewell banquet for Prince Lian."
"You mean she was taken as a concubine by Prince Yong? No, that's not right. Didn't you say that Prince Yong was indifferent to women?"
“Let me finish. She did try to stop the sedan chair, but Prince Yong ignored her and just threw her into the banquet. In the end, it seems that Prince Lian took her away.”
"So, Prince Yong even rejected the most beautiful courtesan?"
"Yes, that's why they say Prince Yong is deeply devoted to his wife!"
"Isn't it said that Prince Lian is gentle and refined? I've only heard my father say that Prince Lian is humble and mild-mannered. On the other hand, Prince Yong, isn't everyone saying that he likes to be cold and doesn't give people face?"
"Who knows? Anyway, if I had to choose, I would definitely choose a man like Prince Yong as my husband." Who wouldn't want a man who only has eyes for them as their husband?
But that's just wishful thinking. For them, let alone Prince Yong, even Prince Beile is someone they can't reach.
"That's true!"
When young girls from all families gather together, and they are all approaching marriageable age, the topics they talk about naturally include choosing a husband.
This was the first time Cheng Yue'er had heard the story of Prince Yong and his wife. She had just learned about the woman who was the only one favored in the story. She recalled the Prince Yong's wife she had just seen. She had a delicate face and a happy expression. She could see the most beautiful side of a woman in her.
It's not surprising that men like women like this, but she's the one they dote on exclusively!
Cheng Yue'er asked her cousin, "Sister Zhinan, do you think what they said is true?"
Qi Zhinan shook her head: "I don't know if it's true or not."
She didn't want to find out the truth or falsehood, probably because she was wise enough to know that the truth or falsehood had nothing to do with her.
She wouldn't dwell on things she shouldn't desire; sometimes, excessive wishful thinking can only ruin you.
“My cousin is still young, and your aunt wants to keep you here for a few more years. Your uncle is the prefect, and my cousin will surely find a good man in the future.”
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