Liangdi in Chonghua Palace was naturally not as noble as the Crown Princess. The Crown Princess was the Crown Prince's principal wife, while Liangdi was the Crown Prince's secondary wife. Being listed in the imperial genealogy meant she was a respectable concubine. In ordinary households, there were several types of concubines, such as noble concubines, good concubines, secondary concubines, and lowly concubines.
Lady Yang and the Duke of Rongguo had been devoted to each other for half their lives, and naturally she hoped that her daughter could also be with one man for life, but the status of the Crown Princess prevented that.
Li Shiyue looked up and saw Yang's face filled with suppressed sorrow, and couldn't help but be startled. She looked away and met the calm gaze of Old Madam Xu.
"It's only a matter of time. Right now, besides Yuan Niang giving birth to the Crown Prince, there are only two palace maids who serve the Emperor in Chonghua Palace. Yuan Niang is in charge of these two, and they are appointed as the lowest-ranking concubines. If we really want to talk about it, the Crown Prince is the heir apparent, so it's naturally better for him to have many children."
"What are the character traits of those two women?" Old Madam Xu asked calmly, as this matter was entirely within her expectations.
Madam Yang understood, but was just a mother's concern: "I found out that the daughter of the Left Censor is the eldest daughter in the family. She is proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. She has a younger brother who is said to be well-educated and reasonable."
As for General Yunhui's sister, Lady Du, she was flamboyant and had a great fondness for martial arts, quite unlike ordinary women.
"After the Awakening of Insects, we will carry them together into Chonghua Palace to serve tea to His Highness and Yuan Niang, thus completing the ceremony."
Madam Xu seemed lost in thought. She picked up the teacup beside her and said only, "They were carried in in a small sedan chair, and they had to kneel down to serve tea to the mistress and mistress. Being a concubine isn't so easy."
As soon as she finished speaking, Li Shiyue lowered her eyes and suddenly felt a warm sensation on her palm. When she looked up, she saw the meaningful gaze of Old Madam Xu.
"The two concubines bestowed by the Emperor are provided with the best food and drink. If His Highness likes them, he would not refuse his principal wife. Not to mention whether His Highness is that kind of person, even the Emperor would be the first to object."
“Even with Yuan Niang’s character, she wouldn’t treat people badly for those empty things. You raised her yourself, how could I not know what kind of child she is?”
After talking for a while, Madam Xu coughed twice, covering her mouth: "But you should still sound out their intentions tomorrow, lest you do something wrong because of a moment of anger."
Madam Yang nodded, understanding the deeper meaning: "Your daughter-in-law understands."
Li Shiyue lowered her eyes, holding the embroidery frame in her hands. When she looked up again, Madam Yang had long since left, and only Old Madam Xu was watching her with a smile.
She was so engrossed in listening to what Old Madam Xu said that she didn't even notice Yang leaving.
"Grandmother".
With a smile on her lips, Madam Xu patted her hand and said, "What's wrong? Did what your grandmother said scare you?"
Li Shiyue shook her head. No, there was no need to be afraid because of a few words, but she felt a sense of sadness. That day in Chonghua Palace, she clearly felt that the Crown Prince liked Xu Lingyu.
But now, as the Crown Princess, Xu Lingyu has to share her husband with others. Li Shiyue lowered her eyelids, as if a white mist had descended and obscured her vision, and her voice unconsciously lowered: "I think His Highness really liked my cousin back in Chonghua Palace."
“I think so, at least what I see and what I feel,” Li Shiyue repeated with certainty, but when she met Madam Xu’s gaze, she felt uneasy again.
"That makes sense. As the Crown Prince, His Highness naturally prioritizes having many children."
Only now did Madam Xu's eyes show heartache, and she said with pity, "Now that Yuan Niang has taken that position, she will have to endure far more than just two Liangdi (a high-ranking concubine). There will be four imperial concubines, six concubines, nine Jieyu (another high-ranking concubine), and countless other beauties and talented women."
"Your maternal aunt was here just now. If I had shown her the same pity, what would have become of her and her daughter? But from another perspective, Yuan Niang has already become the Crown Princess. If she asks for too much, wouldn't it be like trying to fill a well with water and then losing it?"
"And so, she stayed by the side of the Crown Prince and His Highness, managing palace affairs. I believe she will make her own decision on this matter."
Li Shiyue grasped Old Madam Xu's hand in return, raised her eyes, and listened attentively to Old Madam Xu's words. After Old Madam Xu finished speaking, she pressed her face against Old Madam Xu's palm, her lips moving as if she were murmuring to herself, so softly that it was difficult to hear clearly.
"If it were me, I would be selfish and marry an ordinary man. He cannot have anyone else by his side, only me. If he cannot, no matter how powerful he is, I will not marry him."
Madam Xu smiled wryly: "What, you want to get married now?"
Li Shiyue shook her head slightly: "Not really. I don't have my cousin's magnanimity and composure. I would never tolerate that."
"Since you're willing to tell the truth, then tell your grandmother what kind of person you like." Old Madam Xu raised the corners of her eyes, clearly wanting to hear a clear answer.
"Tell your grandmother today what kind of husband you want to marry." She wanted to ask Li Shiyue if she had any interest in any of the Xu family's sons. If she thought any of them were suitable, that would be great. But she was afraid that Li Shiyue had no interest at all.
Li Shiyue sat up straight, her almond-shaped eyes filled with seriousness and determination: "It is what I said, one man for life, one woman for life. Feelings can be cultivated slowly, but I will never share my husband with anyone else. Life is for me to live. If other women have to share my husband to show my magnanimity, then I would rather not have it."
“Even if someone is a good person, if they don’t respect me, I won’t accept it. Although I am a woman and don’t have the power of a man in the court, I still have my own world. I’m here to suffer because my mother gave birth to me and you and my grandmother love me.”
“If there is no such husband, I will stay with my grandmother for the rest of my life and never marry. In any case, my cousin, the steward, will not kick me out after I pass away.”
She spoke with conviction, but her last sentence sounded somewhat irreverent to Old Madam Xu. Old Madam Xu laughed and scolded, "Nonsense, you're not really going to stay single. When that day comes, your grandmother will prepare a large dowry for Jiaojiao, so you can stand tall with your head held high."
"I'll just find a reliable young man like Jiaojiao suggested, and when we have children, I'll bring them all back, and then I'll have great-grandchildren!"
She had been living a very comfortable life these days. Since the day she politely declined Xu Yunyang's advances, she had not seen a single trace of him.
Li Shiyue smiled and said, "That's a sure thing. You have to listen to Granny Chang and take good care of your health. Otherwise, your great-grandchildren won't be able to see you, which would be such a pity. Besides, you have to watch them grow up. I have to ask my maternal grandmother for the dowry for my children's weddings."
“I don’t want ordinary things. I’ll pick out some things that my grandmother values and save them for when I find a wife.”
Madam Xu pretended to be angry: "You just said you didn't want to get married, and now you're already thinking about my things."
"Oh, Grandmother!"
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