The next morning, the three princes' wives came to pay their respects to the Empress.
Yan Nangui had to get up early again, and the three princesses probably got up even earlier.
After the three people knelt and bowed in the main hall of Zhaochun Palace.
Yan Nangui said, "There's no need for such a grand ceremony next time. I'm about the same age as your mothers, so I can accept it. But it's too much of a formality for family members to do this every time. Since you're here today, tell me about your household."
The First Prince's wife glanced at the Second Prince's wife and the Third Prince's wife, then rose and said, "Replying to the Empress Dowager..."
"Sit down and talk." Yan Nangui waved his hand: "It's just some family matters, nothing serious."
"Thank you, Mother." The eldest prince thanked her and sat down.
"Everything is fine in the manor now. Although it's newly built and I'm still getting used to some things, it's been quite a while now. The people serving His Highness are all very dedicated. The two concubines are also easy to get along with. Although the estates and such that my father bestowed upon me are currently being managed by the stewards because I'm young, I can still manage the affairs of the manor."
After she finished speaking, the Second Prince's wife, Lady Ding, said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Everything at home is fine. The Second Prince has been very helpful in teaching me. Although the affairs of the household are complicated, I can learn them well with time. As for matters outside, Your Majesty has arranged for people to handle them. The Second Prince also said that they will stay. So everything is well taken care of. However, with the New Year approaching, there are some things that I don't quite understand and should ask you for advice."
"My daughter-in-law is the same," the Third Prince's wife hurriedly added. "Things are all fine in the mansion; we'll learn to manage them. The concubines are also quite well-behaved."
Yan Nangui smiled and nodded: "It's good if you can manage things well. You are all principal wives now, and if you don't understand something, you can ask your elders at home. If you need me to send someone, just tell me. There are rules for the New Year, and you can ask the people in the Imperial Household Department. As for the people in the inner courtyard, you can choose whichever one you want to serve. Just one thing, don't cause any trouble. Otherwise, even if I'm not the princes' birth mother, I won't be lenient when it's time to discipline them."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will follow your teachings." The three women quickly rose.
"Alright, sit down." Yan Nangui waved his hand again.
He told the three of them to sit down and that they only needed to come on the first and fifteenth of each month.
After chatting for a while, he waved his hand and told the three of them to go and pay their respects to their respective mothers.
As for those without a mother, well... you may leave the palace or go sit somewhere else.
After waiting for a while, Shuanzi came in: "The Third Prince's Consort has gone to the Empress Dowager's place."
Yan Nangui nodded in agreement.
"In the past, we never saw the Empress Dowager and the Third Prince being particularly close," Shuanzi said.
“Yes, we weren’t close before, but now that Consort Ke Hui is gone.” Yan Nangui smiled and said, “Speaking of which, the Third Prince has really figured out the Empress Dowager’s thoughts.”
Shuanzi shook his head: "What's the use? If we get close now, I'm afraid His Majesty won't even look at our ploy."
The Empress Dowager followed the same approach, only becoming close to those she deemed useful.
Now that Murong Wanqing is dead, perhaps supporting the Third Prince will be useful?
This idea was conceived by the Third Prince on behalf of the Empress Dowager.
But how does His Majesty see it?
If those two really get together, it's a disaster.
How hypocritical would that be?
After a while, Shuanzi came again, smiling helplessly, and said, "Consort He stopped the Third Prince's wife and said some unpleasant things."
"Consort He? What grudge does she have against the Third Prince's wife?" Yan Nangui asked in surprise.
"It must be an old grudge, related to the Murong family," said Shuanzi.
"And now?"
"The party's over by now; the Third Prince's Consort has left the palace." Shuanzi chuckled, "She must be too embarrassed to come looking for you."
"Then let's leave it alone. Consort He's temperament is just... well, let her vent her anger if she wants to. As long as she doesn't cause any trouble, we'll leave her alone."
The women of the Ye family are quite interesting. It seems the Empress Dowager, after giving up on supporting the next generation, has become a rather eccentric character.
The Empress is always being asked questions...
Consort He had long since given up on being favored and had become a contrarian.
Unlike Consort Jing back then, who simply copied because of vested interests.
Consort He is now... specifically targeting the Empress Dowager.
The rest of the time, she would just bicker with the other concubines. Nothing serious happened; she wouldn't hit or scold anyone, she would just pick a fight with you.
She doesn't side with anyone except the Empress. She'll argue with you today and with her tomorrow. She's always busy whenever she goes out.
After the princes' wives left the palace, His Majesty arrived.
When he arrived, thick clouds were rolling in the sky, which looked like it was about to snow.
Sure enough, the wind picked up as soon as we came in.
It was already late November, and the weather was terribly cold.
Yan Nangui ordered the door to be closed and then sent someone with a large oil-paper umbrella to fetch the Seventh Princess back.
"Who came in today? Did they say anything?" Shu Chengfeng asked as he sat down.
“Everyone has their own little thoughts. People are really interesting. When you get a bit older and are willing to think, you can really see a lot of interesting things.” Yan Nangui stood up.
She walked to the tea table, picked up the freshly boiled water, rinsed the tea leaves, and then started brewing more.
The finest Yunnan black tea is indeed a good tea.
She poured a glass for Shu Chengfeng and took one for herself.
"The eldest son's wife told me tactfully that she is generous and tolerant. However, the eldest prince is unwilling to give her all the power in the manor. She can't manage the estates and such outside."
"As for the second son's wife, it is said that the couple will live in harmony. If she doesn't know something, she can learn it slowly. Everything the Empress Dowager gives her is good, so it's best to keep it. If she doesn't understand something, she can come and ask for advice."
"The third son's wife doesn't talk much, but she gets to the point. The people in the backyard aren't very well-behaved, but she can keep them in check."
Shu Chengfeng chuckled: "That's really something. You see things very clearly."
"It's no use seeing through them. Even if they weren't my biological children, they still have to live their own lives. Adults' experience is sometimes useless. Even if you tell them, they won't listen. It's just that I suddenly feel that time really flies. I didn't realize it when I wasn't looking at them, but after seeing them, I think back to when I entered the Crown Prince's residence, you didn't even have any children yet. Now, you're almost going to have a grandson."
Shu Chengfeng frowned upon hearing this; he didn't feel old at all.
How could this be...?
“Sigh, the children are growing up and they all have their own little thoughts. I told Bao’er that I wanted to keep my second brother’s daughter in the palace, and she was very happy.”
"That's good. It's fine if she stays." Shu Chengfeng watched the geese fly south. "Do you still have any plans to send your daughter away?"
“Yes, there are. There are only two months left until the New Year, and she will be a year older after the New Year. She will want to go out herself. Other princesses can also go. However, I suppose their mothers will not agree. Instead of trying to stop her, Your Majesty should consider arranging guards for her,” Yan Nangui said.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
