Inside Yonghe Palace,
Consort De was doing her needlework absentmindedly, not even noticing that the two sleeves were sewn together, her gaze always inadvertently sweeping towards the doorway.
Granny Green thought to herself, "My lady, who is as steady as Mount Tai, is so anxious today." She couldn't help but comfort her, "Your Highness, Zhou An and his apprentice are waiting at the palace gate. As soon as they see the Fourth Prince and his wife, they will come back to report immediately. Don't miss them, so please rest assured."
Consort De continued her needlework without responding. Granny Green looked at the milk cakes that she had been watching make since last night and wanted to laugh. Prince Honghui was only a few months old and probably couldn't enjoy them. Her mistress was just too worried.
Consort De touched the tiger-head hat that had been prepared long ago, her thoughts drifting back to when Yinzhen was just born.
At that time, she was still young and had not experienced much of the joy of becoming a mother for the first time. After giving birth, she was exhausted and fell into a coma. When she woke up, everyone in the palace knew that the Imperial Noble Consort had a son, and she had become a Noble Lady.
That was the child she gave birth to with her life, and the emperor made him someone else's son with just a casual remark, and she still had to be grateful.
No one knows how much pain I felt lying in that dark room during those days.
However, Consort De did not consider herself an ignorant or foolish woman, and never showed even a hint of maternal affection for Yinzhen in public. Since the child had already been adopted by the Imperial Noble Consort, he could only be her child and could not have her, a mother of lower birth.
The bi-weekly greetings were the happiest time for her during that period, as it was only then that she could occasionally catch a glimpse of her growing child. The Imperial Noble Consort had raised him exceptionally well; even at a young age, he would clasp his hands in thanks after eating the milk cake she had prepared.
"Thank you, Yinzhen likes it very much."
Later, Consort De became pregnant again. Overwhelmed by the newborn, she completely neglected her son, Yinzhen, during that time.
Someone in the palace with ulterior motives told Yinzhen about his background. Consort De still remembered the question the young boy asked her after he forced the servants away, stubbornly waiting at the entrance of Yonghe Palace.
"Are you my biological mother?"
What did I say back then?
“Your mother is the Imperial Noble Consort, and I am your stepmother. Please don’t get it wrong, Your Highness.”
Children raised in the palace are certainly not naive and innocent. Although Yinzhen was still young, he was quite sensible. The Imperial Noble Consort was furious about this, and in addition to the servants being sold off, Yinzhen was also punished.
From then on, Consort De dared not even show the slightest concern, and with the children she raised providing her with more comfort, the relationship between the two became extremely distant.
Later, after the Imperial Noble Consort passed away, Yinzhen naturally returned to Consort De's side. This time, he didn't ask that naive question again, nor did he ever call out "Mother Consort" again.
The title "Your Majesty" is an honorific title used in the imperial palace to address the head of a palace. It is somewhat ironic that it comes out of the mouth of one's own son.
Consort De knew that many people in the harem were secretly laughing at her, saying that she was selling her son for personal gain, using her own son to exchange for a life of wealth and honor.
Back then, she was just a palace maid. With a casual gesture from the Imperial Noble Consort, her fate for the rest of her life was decided. How many people could understand the humiliation of not being able to control their own body and mind?
It wasn't that Yinzhen was unfilial; it was just that their conversations and mannerisms were so standard and dry, like reciting a script, devoid of any warmth.
But now that the child is grown up and has reached the age to be a father, Consort De is powerless to change anything and can only maintain a distant and indifferent relationship with him.
"Your Majesty, the Fourth Prince has arrived," Zhou An, the chief eunuch of Yonghe Palace, reported respectfully.
Consort De pulled herself out of her reverie: "Granny Green, quickly go and bring her in. Add another charcoal brazier to the room."
With Yinzhen's help, Yihua carried Honghui and stepped into the gate of Yonghe Palace.
The room was extremely hot, and Granny Green was unusually enthusiastic: "Her Majesty has been waiting for the Prince and Princess for a long time. They've finally arrived. This must be Prince Honghui. He's so clever, just like the Fourth Prince."
Thanks to little Honghui, Yihua and her husband were treated to an unprecedentedly warm welcome at Yonghe Palace.
Consort De glanced at Yinzhen first. He looked normal and his figure hadn't changed much. He did know how to care for his wife. He even helped her as she entered the room.
Then, her gaze was drawn to the swaddled baby in Yi Hua's arms: "Fourth brother's wife, quickly bring Hong Hui to me for a look."
Consort De was well-prepared; she had removed all the jewelry that would get in the way, except for a hair ornament at the end of her hair bun. She had long since taken off her nail guards and other protective gear.
Yi Hua handed her son over with peace of mind. Consort De's technique was skillful, and it seemed that she had personally taken care of the child quite a bit. She touched Hong Hui's little clothes.
"She's dressed warmly, and the child is quite heavy. You've raised her well." Consort De rarely praised Yihua.
Honghui had slept well on the way, and now he was looking around with his big, round eyes wide open, as if he knew he had arrived in a new place. He was very curious and kept making "ba aba" noises, but it was unclear what he was saying.
Suddenly, his gaze was drawn to the hair ornament on Consort De's head, and he reached out his little hand to grab it.
Consort De immediately noticed the safety lock on the child's body, which was the gift she had given him on his third-day celebration. Now that he was wearing it like this, Yinzhen must have already discovered the secret behind it.
Thinking this, a warm feeling flowed through her heart, and Consort De's smile deepened. She took Honghui's small hand and removed the hairpin: "He does know his stuff. This was a gift from the Empress Dowager on the day I was conferred the title of Consort, and she gave it to Honghui."
"This is too precious. He is too young to appreciate such a valuable gift from Your Highness," Yi Hua quickly said, refusing on Hong Hui's behalf.
Consort De waved her hand: "What's the value of this? All my things belong to those two brothers anyway."
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