Folgochun had no idea what she was about to face. The young girl, just beginning to experience love, was filled with shyness and joy, and the sweetness in her smile was almost overflowing.
She said softly, "Actually, it's nothing... It's just that once when I went out with my fourth brother, we ran into his friend and had tea together... He was different from the others; he sat there very quietly, but every word he said was... very eloquent..."
Qian Shengyan listened patiently for a while and felt that there was nothing unusual about it. It was just that a spoiled and cute little princess met a talented young man of similar age. At first, she was curious and admiring, and later she was moved and liked him. Gradually, she took notice of him.
Qian Shengyan then asked, "So, what does he think of you?"
“He…” Folgochun shifted his body, avoiding Qian Shengyan’s gaze, “He wrote a poem for me…”
Qian Shengyan: ...
You little rascal, you've got some nerve, flirting with the princess!
Qian Shengyan was genuinely amused and exasperated. What was wrong with that child?! It was as if he had responded, yet his father said those things. He flirted with Ferguchun but then rejected her. Good heavens, was he playing hard to get with her?
But looking at her daughter's bright and happy face, Qian Shengyan couldn't bear to tell her the truth, but...
Yinzhen had already selected several candidates for consorts, all of whom were sons of noble families. Although not the eldest sons, they were legitimate sons and of good character. He had even hinted at the selections of some of these families, and the adults of those families were all overjoyed yet trembling with fear when they agreed.
If she married a man like that, Folgochun could probably live the life of a high-ranking princess, being served very well.
But... to put it sentimentally, that wasn't love.
To disrupt Folgochun's current relationship, should they force a man she doesn't know into her life?
Qian Shengyan hesitated for a long time, but in the end she didn't say anything. She only said, "You should know your place. Even if you are a princess, it's not good to spread certain things."
"I know, but... anyone who dares to gossip, I'll tear their mouth apart!" Folgochun raised her chin, clearly a proud little princess.
Seeing her like this, Qian Shengyan couldn't bring herself to say anything that would hurt her. She could only suffer in silence. After thinking it over, she decided to discuss it with Hongli.
My eldest son is reliable.
"Mother, have you had dinner? I'm hungry." Folgochun looked at her with doe-like eyes. "I want to eat hot pot..."
“…Your imperial father is still discussing matters with others up front; the smell of the pot is too strong.” Qian Shengyan said helplessly, “Let’s change it.”
"What would you like to eat, Mother? I'll eat with you."
Seeing that it was indeed very late, Qian Shengyan sent someone to prepare dinner, and then sent someone to find Hongli and Hongshan who were playing outside. Finally, she sent someone to the front to ask Yinzhen if he wanted to eat first before discussing matters.
Then... her reliable eldest son walked in, his cheeks flushed.
Hongshan ran ahead of his brother and threw himself into Qian Shengyan's arms, raising his smiling little face and saying, "Brother tore the palace maid's skirt!"
Qian Shengyan: ? ? ?
Even Foerguchun stared wide-eyed in surprise: "Fourth Brother?"
This is really not something Hongli would do!
Hongli's face turned even redder. He glared at Hongshan in annoyance and explained to Qian Shengyan, "I was playing outside with Hongshan just now. He went to Yongshou Palace to get his toys, and when he ran back, my son was afraid he would fall, so he chased after him a little too fast. Who knew he would bump into someone..."
He coughed lightly, then touched his nose somewhat sheepishly: "Who knew I'd stepped on her skirt? As soon as she stood up, her skirt..."
"..." Qian Shengyan looked at him speechlessly, "Where is he?"
"Ahem, my son ran into Green Willow and asked her to take him to Yongshou Palace to change his clothes," Hongli said, barely managing to remain calm.
As luck would have it, when the palace maid was brought over by Green Willow, Yinzhen also arrived.
Qian Shengyan glanced at the palace maid from afar and saw that she was delicate and graceful, with a look of fear on her fair face, which made her eyes look even bigger.
Afraid of startling someone, Qian Shengyan couldn't help but lower her voice: "It's Fourth Prince's fault, he didn't see the road clearly and trampled your clothes..."
"No, no, it's all my fault..." The palace maid knelt on the ground and whispered, "It was I who offended the Fourth Prince. I am grateful that the Imperial Noble Consort does not blame me. It's all my fault."
"Get up. Which palace maid are you from? Why are you walking around Yongshou Palace?" Qian Shengyan asked kindly, but in fact, the moment she saw the maid, she had already decided that she was probably here for Hongli.
There's no other reason than that this palace maid was simply too beautiful.
"This servant...this servant is from the Imperial Household Department, and I have been ordered to deliver silver charcoal to the ladies of the palace. I just happened to be delivering it to Yongshou Palace," the palace maid said in a low voice.
"People from the Imperial Household Department?" Foerguchun asked curiously.
The palace maid kowtowed to Folgochun: "Indeed."
"You are Gao Bin's daughter?" Yinzhen, who had just washed his hands, came out and happened to hear this. He smiled and said, "Gao Bin just told me a few days ago that he selected his daughter to help in the Imperial Household Department during this year's selection. You must be the one he was talking about?"
"Your Majesty's inquiry is appreciated. Gao Bin is indeed my father," the palace maid replied, bowing her head.
Gao Bin's daughter?
Qian Shengyan's heart skipped a beat. Could this person be the famous Gao, the first Imperial Noble Consort of the Qianlong era?
Wow, what a coincidence.
After Gao answered a few more questions, Yinzhen granted her a favor and made her leave. After she left, Qian Shengyan glanced at her eldest son, whose eyes were constantly darting towards the door, and knew that the wheels of history had begun to turn again.
She originally thought that since it was Hongli who ruined the woman's dress, and the palace maids were all selected from the Eight Banners, it wouldn't be right to ruin her reputation so inexplicably. If it was found out that no one had instructed her, then sending the palace maid to serve Hongli would be the best course of action.
But who would have thought it would be the Gao family?
And it was quite obvious that her eldest son, who knew nothing of romance, was already somewhat tempted.
However, the little girl was indeed beautiful, and Qian Shengyan liked her very much.
Sure enough, after the meal, Hongli, who should have left immediately, insisted on sitting there until Fuerguochun and Hongshan had both returned, and Yinzhen had gone to the front to continue the meeting. Only then did he hesitantly look at Qian Shengyan and say, "Mother..."
"Hmm?" Qian Shengyan looked at him with amusement.
Hongli hesitated for a moment before finally speaking, "That Gao family member from earlier..."
"Hmm?" Qian Shengyan uttered only that one word, but she was already suppressing a laugh.
"My son tore her skirt. A woman's reputation is precious. My son wants to... wants to..." Hongli had no experience with this and couldn't say what he wanted for a long time.
Qian Shengyan sighed, "She is, after all, the daughter of the head of the Imperial Household Department. Even if she were to become a palace maid, she wouldn't be destined to serve others."
"Then...then go to your son's courtyard and be a princess." Hongli pretended to be nonchalant, but his ears were already red.
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