Hongli's expression was originally quite relaxed. He was sitting at the table with a book in his hand when he heard the words "eldest son". His eyebrows furrowed and his eyes darkened. He did not say a word, as if he was deep in thought.
Judging from his expression, he seemed very reluctant to share a room with her.
Yu Ying felt a pang of pain in her heart at being rejected, but reason told her she shouldn't hold a grudge. She quickly regained her composure and tried to see the situation from an outsider's perspective.
“I understand that Fourth Master only has Consort Su in his heart and does not want to be too close to other women. As your wife, I should not interfere, but a wife also has responsibilities, and my responsibility is to give you a legitimate son.”
If Consort Xi didn't urge me, I wouldn't be in a hurry. But she sends someone to inquire every month. What can I do? I don't want to pressure you, but you know that what Consort Xi cares about most is a legitimate son. If I can't conceive soon, she might vent her anger on Consort Su and find ways to make things difficult for her.”
When she was halfway through her sentence, Hongli's anger flared up. He thought that his wife was using his mother to suppress him again. But after listening silently, he thought about it carefully and suddenly realized that although her words were unpleasant to hear, they were not without reason.
The mother already had a prejudice against Yu Shan, so it was hard to guarantee that she wouldn't blame Yu Shan for the fact that the Fujin couldn't conceive.
Hongli didn't respond, but he didn't refute either, presumably taking her words to heart. Yuying pressed her advantage and continued:
“Even if you don’t consider my situation, but rather think of Consort Su, Fourth Master, you should grant Her Majesty’s wish. Once I am pregnant, Fourth Master, you will no longer have to sleep with me against your will, and you can dote on Consort Su exclusively.”
Hongli understood the current situation better than anyone else. The only problem was that Yushan wasn't a Manchu, so he had to marry a Fujin (principal wife), and the legitimate son could only be born to her. No matter how much he favored Su Yushan, the rules set by the ancestors could not be broken.
Last time, he entered the palace while ill because of Yu Shan, which angered Consort Xi and the Emperor. At that time, the Emperor warned him that it was understandable for a young man to value his personal feelings, but if he disregarded the overall situation because of his personal feelings, or even forgot the mission and responsibility he bore, then it was not being devoted, but being truly foolish!
At the time, the emperor did not specifically refer to him, and he thought the emperor was just saying it casually. Now, thinking back on it, Hongli suddenly realized that perhaps the emperor was referring to the matter of offspring.
After pondering for a long time, Hongli finally put down the book in his hand, stood up, walked to the edge of the tent, lowered his eyes, and calmly instructed:
"undress."
So... does that count as agreeing?
Yu Ying, who had been feeling uneasy, breathed a sigh of relief and agreed. She walked to his side and reached out to unbutton his coat...
The autumn night was chilly, and although the room was filled with the warmth of spring, his eyes remained indifferent, devoid of any warmth.
The next morning, Hongli went to court as usual.
Today is Su Yushan's birthday. She originally wanted to cook herself, but Hongli said that she shouldn't work hard on her birthday and should just rest. He told her to just have the kitchen prepare a banquet.
Since that's the case, Su Yushan didn't make any more arrangements. After she woke up from her lazy sleep, Chang Yue helped her wash and change.
Today is a joyous occasion. Chang Yue has chosen a scarlet quilted cloak for her, embroidered with pink peonies and butterflies on the brocade. The colors are bright and vibrant.
Such a brightly colored cloak should not be adorned with too many beads, so Yu Shan chose a string of giant clam shell beads, which were pure white and lustrous, complementing the cloak perfectly.
As Yunfang fastened the buttons for her, she pondered, "Yesterday I secretly asked Li Yu what Fourth Master had prepared for Sister Yu, and he even kept it from me, saying that Fourth Master forbade him to reveal it and that he couldn't tell me. That's too much!"
Chang Yue joked, "No wonder Fourth Master trusts Li Yu so much; he's so tight-lipped, he won't even let his own wife speak up!"
Yunfang blushed and retorted softly, "We're not married yet, so I'm not a wife."
"It'll be soon! Your wedding is just a few days away. I've already prepared the wedding gift, and I'm just waiting to send it out!" Chang Yue teased her again, and Yun Fang was so embarrassed that she didn't dare to respond. She quickly changed the subject and continued talking about the Fourth Master's birthday gift.
Su Yushan wasn't particularly looking forward to the gift. "He's already given me enough during holidays and special occasions. My two suitcases are almost overflowing."
"It's precisely because he usually gives me so many precious gifts that I'm even more curious to see what special gift he'll give you for your birthday." Yunfang's bright black eyes darted around as she made a bet.
"I bet Fourth Master will give you jewelry. Chang Yue, what about you?"
Chang Yue guessed, "Perhaps it's an antique ornament."
They were all guessing, and Su Yushan couldn't resist taking a gamble, "I guess it's poetry and painting."
Chang Yue covered her mouth and laughed, "That's very possible, after all, Fourth Master loves to write poetry!"
Su Yushan didn't take it too seriously, but Yunfang waited curiously. An hour later, Hongli finally returned, followed by Li Yu, who was holding a box and standing respectfully to one side.
Hongli approached with a smile, "I have been preparing this gift for a long time, and today I can finally give it to you."
As he spoke, Hongli slightly raised his index finger, signaling Li Yu to present the congratulatory gift.
Su Yushan took the box and opened it, only to find that inside was a jade bracelet.
This bracelet is completely green, with a very rich color. While there are many rings, pendants, or small items with such a rich green color, bracelets are quite rare.
The more emerald green a jadeite contains, the more valuable it is. However, the emerald green in a raw stone is often unevenly distributed, and a bracelet that has half of its color green is considered top-grade. Su Yushan had only heard of jadeites as completely green as this one; this was the first time she had ever seen one.
"Where did you find such a perfectly green bracelet?"
It was something he had carefully sought out. "In early summer, Baoyunzhai acquired a piece of jadeite rough. The green color that came out was very pure, and the translucency was excellent. I immediately gave him a deposit and asked him to make a full green bracelet. The master craftsman polished it for five whole months and finally finished it before your birthday. I hope you like it."
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