The wet nurse holding Fuerguochun stood up and bowed. Hongli was also pushed to stand up by the nanny, but before he could bow down, Nian Shi held his arm.
Lady Nian looked at Hongli with a smile: "Fourth Prince is indeed as lovely and intelligent as others say. I liked him at first sight, Xiuer."
A palace maid behind her handed her a purse, which Lady Nian handed to Hongli with a smile: "It's a small gift for our first meeting, I hope my sister won't find it offensive."
"You're too kind, Consort Nian. You already spent a lot of money on the Fourth Prince's birthday a few days ago..." Qian Shengyan declined.
Lady Nian was adamant: "I took a liking to the Fourth Prince at first sight. Please accept this small gift, little sister."
There was no point in arguing back and forth, so Qian Shengyan got up to thank her, then put away her purse and chatted with Nian Shi for a few more minutes with a smile.
A moment later, Folgochun suddenly started crying. Qian Shengyan felt a little embarrassed and stood up, saying, "Folgochun is probably sleepy..."
"Then you should go back quickly." Lady Nian smiled gently, then looked at Hongli, "Does Fourth Prince still want to play? Why don't I stay here to look after Fourth Prince, and you can go back now."
Qian Shengyan: ?
Before she could say anything, Hongli spoke up first: "Mother Nian, Hongli doesn't want to play anymore. Hongli wants to go back and eat some fruit."
"Fruit, what would you like to eat? I'll have someone fetch it?" Madam Nian smiled and took Hongli's hand. Hongli took a step back and bowed to her, saying, "Mother Nian, Hongli wants to go back."
“This…why don’t you come to my place for a while?” Madam Nian looked at Hongli earnestly. Even though Hongli was intelligent and precocious, he was a little scared and wanted to hide behind Qian Shengyan.
Qian Shengyan protected Hongli and said with a smile, "Please forgive me, Consort Nian. Fourth Prince still has homework to finish today and should go back."
“…Okay.” Madam Nian’s eyes darkened, then she forced a smile. “Alright.”
Qian Shengyan then led the children in a bow, and then turned and left.
She could feel Nian's gaze still fixed on her back without turning around, but Qian Shengyan didn't understand what Nian meant.
Could it be that she has taken a liking to Hongli and wants to adopt him?
Not to mention that Hongli was already two years old and could remember things, even if he had just been born, it wouldn't be something that a mere concubine could decide to raise.
At least Yinzhen would definitely not agree.
...They probably won't agree, right?
Qian Shengyan bit her lip. Back in Pianyun Shujuan Palace, she was still uneasy. She thought about the historical Yongzheng Emperor's favor towards Lady Nian, and then about Nian Gengyao's power and military authority. Suddenly, she was a little uncertain—if Lady Nian really came to compete with her for Hongli, would Yinzhen help her?
If he helped, wouldn't that be a direct embarrassment to Lady Nian? He married Lady Nian to befriend the Nian family, so perhaps Yinzhen wouldn't care about such a "trivial matter."
Anyway, no matter who raises him, he is still his son, but if he can get the Nian family's favor... perhaps he thinks it will be better for Hongli?
Moreover, according to the old rules of the Qing Dynasty, a mother could not raise her son herself. Although this was not the case in the palace, it did not matter, but... what if Yinzhen used this as an excuse?
How could she possibly refuse?
Lady Nian has been in the household for half a year, without favor or children. Under these circumstances, what are the chances that she will want to raise a child by her side?
It's very big.
If she were to actually ask, what are the chances that Qian Shengyan would refuse?
...very small.
Thinking of this, Qian Shengyan shuddered and even accidentally knocked over a teacup. The sound of the porcelain shattering on the ground woke up the sleeping Folgochun. The sound of a baby crying rang out, but Qian Shengyan suddenly paused.
She remembered that historical records indicated that Lady Nian had given birth to many children.
There were men and women, but none of them survived.
Although she didn't know whether it was man-made or ordained by fate, if she didn't interfere and let Lady Nian get pregnant and give birth, wouldn't Lady Nian have no time to take care of Hongli?
Besides, she couldn't possibly have a child, nor would she pose any threat to Hongli's future...
Qian Shengyan's body trembled slightly. If she wanted Nian to get pregnant, she naturally couldn't do it on her own.
Yinzhen...
Although Qian Shengyan no longer feels completely dependent on him as she did when she was pregnant after having a child, does she really want to urge her man to go to another woman's bed?
It's a bit dirty.
But compared to Hongli... it's not so unbearable...
Besides, even if she was unwilling, could Yinzhen, or rather Emperor Yongzheng, possibly dote on only one woman and play the game of "one man for life" with her?
Absolutely impossible.
She already knew this, so what was there for her to argue about?
After a long while, she let out a long sigh and slowly sat down in the chair.
Even if she doesn't care that much, there are some things she can't do on her own.
"Master?" Qingxue curiously leaned over to look at Qian Shengyan. She hadn't even comforted Fuerguochun when she cried. You know, Qian Shengyan usually takes care of the little princess herself.
Qian Shengyan nodded, indicating that she was alright: "Does the recent letters from the Fujin still exist? Find them, let me take a look."
"Which letter does Master want?" Qingxue asked.
Qian Shengyan hesitated for a moment, then read through all the letters sent from home after the New Year. After a short while, she felt relieved—Ulanara's words conveyed the same message: she was willing to come to Rehe.
Since she's interested, things will be easier.
In addition, Yinzhen was still a bit angry because Hongshi refused to come, so she might as well give him a push.
She picked up the newly replaced teacup, took a sip, and whispered to Qingxue, "There are too few princes in the Lion Garden, and the Fourth Prince has no brothers to accompany him."
“In that case, the Fifth Prince is almost a year and a half old. It’s a pity he hasn’t seen his father for almost a year.” Qingxue was very perceptive. Seeing that Qian Shengyan first asked for the Fujin’s letter and then mentioned the other princes, she knew what she was up to.
Qian Shengyan nodded, but continued to look at her, seemingly encouraging her.
Qingxue thought for a moment and said, "Around May, when the weather gets warmer, the Emperor will definitely go hunting again. It wouldn't be appropriate for the Third Prince not to be there at that time."
Qian Shengyan breathed a sigh of relief: "Yes, after all, the Third Prince is already eight years old and is the eldest son of our household." She hesitated for a moment, but decided to proceed slowly.
She has always shown that she deeply loves Yinzhen. She even gets jealous when Lady Nian comes to Rehe. If she were to suddenly change her attitude and urge Yinzhen to bring more women over, it would be inconsistent with her image.
We can only take it one step at a time.
Qian Shengyan slowly exhaled, but still felt a lump in her throat, which was very uncomfortable.
It was just a woman surnamed Nian, who only glanced at Hongli a few times, and she was already scheming like a frightened bird... In the end, it was still because she was incompetent.
This is only in the Yong Prince's mansion. If she goes to the harem in the future, does she expect Hongli to fight for it on his own at such a young age?
As a mother, she always had to do something for her child.
Qian Shengyan looked calm and composed as she picked up her teacup and slowly took a sip.
That night, before Yinzhen returned, Qian Shengyan learned that Lady Nian had sent someone to wait for someone at the Lion Garden gate. Qian Shengyan could roughly guess who she was waiting for and what they were waiting for. She was somewhat worried, but there was nothing she could do; she could only send someone to keep an eye on Lady Nian's situation.
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