After the New Year, it felt as if the festive atmosphere was an illusion, and the atmosphere inside and outside the Forbidden City was just as tense as it was before the New Year.
Inside the Fourth Prince's residence, the atmosphere was both tense and lively.
In the backyard, since this year is the 47th year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, it happens to be the year for the imperial concubine selection.
Although it seems that in history, after Geng and Niu Gulu entered the household, no more people were selected for the next imperial concubine selection.
But history has changed, and no one can say for sure that no one will be admitted this year. Especially after Consort De in the palace said that the emperor has few children, it gives people the feeling that a new person will be admitted this year.
If it were a princess who came in, that would be fine. But if it were a concubine, not yet the future Lady Nian, whom we know nothing about, and she were to have a child...
With anxieties about the potential newcomers to the household, the women in the inner courtyard, especially those without children, were incredibly enthusiastic towards the Fourth Master!
They decided to take advantage of the time before the new lady entered the household, to gain more favor and increase their chances of getting pregnant, so that the arrival of the new lady would not diminish their favor or reduce their chances of getting pregnant.
Meanwhile, Lady Li, Lady Hesheli, and the Fujin (the wife) gathered more often in their respective courtyards to discuss matters, mostly revolving around how to deal with the new brides who would be entering the household this year.
They were in perfect sync. Although none of the three parties had communicated with each other, they all shared the same thought: it was fine if it was the princess, but if it was a concubine who came in, then they absolutely could not allow her to have the opportunity to get pregnant and give birth.
Jiaming from Taoyuan continues to live her quiet life, not worried at all about this year's talent show.
Having witnessed their master's calm attitude towards the imperial concubine selection in the past, Hongtao and Lvliu were also very calm about this selection, just like their master Jiaming, and no longer acted as anxiously as before.
Every day, I chat with my master, listening to gossip from the backyard or from outside.
Or perhaps they'd watch their master playfully tease the adorable Fifth Prince, living a leisurely and carefree life.
After the New Year, Xiao Hongjing's speaking skills improved rapidly. Now, he is not only greedy for money, but also a chatterbox.
He had a bit of his father's talkative mannerisms, and the little guy was delighted to hear this.
He idolizes his father, so when he hears that his father is a chatterbox like his father, he becomes even more eager to chatter on and on.
Even Jiaming, who loves to tease children, finds her youngest son's excessive talking quite a headache.
In the end, she managed to fool Xiao Hongjing by saying, "Although your father talks a lot, he doesn't talk all the time. He only talks when he's angry and scolding people. You should learn from your father."
From then on, my ears felt much more comfortable.
It was Hongxuan's day to rest again. He first went to inspect one of the estates that Jiaming had asked him to manage for a morning before returning to Taoyuan.
Hongxuan and his younger brother Hongjing sat on the kang (a heated brick bed), very close together, talking back and forth.
As they chatted, Jiaming joined in, and soon the mother and her two sons were having a harmonious conversation.
After chatting for a while, Xiao Hongjing got sleepy.
Jiaming instructed someone to take him back to his room to sleep, but the little guy was a bit reluctant. It was a rare occasion for his older brother to come back, and he wanted to spend more time with him.
Hongxuan patted his head and comforted him, "Fifth brother, go to sleep. Fourth brother is staying with Mother today and won't leave. Besides, there are some things I want to say to Mother. You're too young to understand, so take this time to sleep. When you wake up, I'll have finished discussing things with Mother."
Upon hearing this, the little guy nodded and said, "Then, brother, I'm going to sleep now."
"Hmm." Hongxuan responded and removed his hand from Hongjing's head.
After Hongjing left, Jiaming asked, "Is there anything you want to tell your mother?"
Hongxuan immediately sat up straight and earnestly explained the problems he had encountered while managing Zhuangzi recently, as well as his solutions.
Jiaming nodded and shook her head from time to time.
Shaking his head doesn't mean Jiaming rejected Hongxuan's idea; rather, it means his idea is still immature and has some minor problems.
Then, she pointed out the minor issues that Hongxuan had overlooked and guided him to think about them.
Ultimately, under Jiaming's guidance, Hongxuan refined his idea.
Jiaming had talked so much that she felt a little thirsty.
As soon as her gaze fell on the teacup, Green Willow, who was quite perceptive, poured tea for her and also poured a cup for Hongxuan.
Jiaming picked up her teacup, took a few sips, and felt much better in her throat.
Then, he picked up the dried fruit on the table and leisurely enjoyed it.
After drinking tea and eating a few dried fruits, Hongxuan gestured to Lvliu and the others in the room.
Upon seeing this, Lvliu and the others bowed to Jiaming and the Fourth Prince Hongxuan before leaving and standing guard at the door.
He wouldn't go in himself, nor would he let anyone else in, much less approach.
Inside the house, Jiaming, seeing Hongxuan's behavior, asked in confusion, "Is there something else?"
Hongxuan said solemnly, "Yes."
"What is it that you're taking so seriously?" Jiaming asked, raising an eyebrow. She put the dried fruit she was holding back down because of Hongxuan's solemn attitude.
Hongxuan: "Mother, Father has been frowning and worried, and my cousin Hongxi isn't smiling as much as before. I know that Grandfather has been scolding my second uncle, the Crown Prince, lately, but Father has scolded me in the same way before, and nothing happened! Why has the relationship between Grandfather and my second uncle become so tense? It's clear..."
"Stop!" Jiaming gestured, signaling Hongxuan to remain silent for the moment.
Hongxuan obediently shut up and stopped talking, but he stared intently at Jiaming, hoping that she could answer his question.
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