As night fell and the lanterns were lit, candlelight flickered in the magnificent palace. Emperor Yongzheng sat upright before his desk, intently reviewing memorials.
The emperor's desk was piled high with all sorts of memorials, some with ink still wet, others worn from being read so many times.
Emperor Yongzheng would sometimes frown in deep thought, and sometimes pick up his pen to make annotations.
The surrounding palace maids and eunuchs held their breath, not daring to make the slightest disturbance.
The entire Jiuzhou Qingyan was immersed in a tranquil and solemn atmosphere.
Finally, Yongzheng gently put down his pen and said in a deep voice, "Serve tea."
The palace maid carefully served the fine tea, bowed, and stepped aside. Yongzheng waved his hand and said, "All of you, leave."
The palace maids and eunuchs filed out one after another, leaving only Su Peisheng waiting on the side.
After taking a sip of tea, Yongzheng kept his dark eyes fixed on the distance, calm and aloof, making it impossible to fathom his emotions or discern his true feelings.
Yongzheng suddenly spoke up: "Su Peisheng."
Su Peisheng immediately bowed and stepped forward, saying, "This servant is here."
"In the next two days, compile a list for me of Manchu women in the capital who have participated in the general election but are not yet engaged." Yongzheng's voice behind the desk was solemn and cold, devoid of any emotion.
Su Peisheng quickly replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."
In fact, Emperor Yongzheng thought to himself: I must choose two clever women for Consort Shu's twin brothers.
That day, Ituma Shushu was sitting in a chair, waving a broken drum.
In front of Ituma Shushu were the Eighth Prince and the Ninth Prince, supported by Chu Yin and Chu Ling.
The Eighth Prince and the Ninth Prince shouted excitedly, "Mother! Mother! Mother! Mother!"
Ituma Shushu was speechless. She didn't know where the Eighth Prince and Ninth Prince, who were so young, got their competitive spirit from.
The two brothers were both unhappy if one of them walked faster.
In short, the Eighth Prince and the Ninth Prince seem to have fallen in love with this game these past few days, playing it every day without getting tired of it.
The Seventh Prince, Hongzhao, had just gone to practice calligraphy.
Ituma Shushu didn't know whether to say that Emperor Yongzheng was just too charming!
Anyway, the Seventh Prince Hongzhao was particularly happy practicing calligraphy.
At this moment, Xiao Linzi hurriedly ran in and bowed to Ituma Shushu, saying, "Congratulations, Consort Shu! Congratulations! News has just come from the court that the Emperor has bestowed marriages upon your two younger brothers."
Ituma Shushu has been waiting for news these past few days!
Upon hearing this, Ituma Shushu quickly and happily replied, "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."
The servants bowed and said, "Congratulations, Your Majesty!"
Ituma Shushu then said gently, "You have all worked hard serving the Seventh Prince, the Eighth Prince, and the Ninth Prince during this time, and you will all be rewarded."
Everyone was overjoyed and bowed deeply, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
In Consort Ning's palace.
At this moment, a eunuch hurriedly ran in, bowed, and said to Consort Ning, "Your Majesty, news has just arrived from the court that the Emperor has bestowed marriages upon Consort Shu's two younger brothers."
Consort Ning looked shocked: "Is this true?"
The eunuch bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, this matter has now spread throughout the palace."
Consort Ning waved her hand and said, "You may leave now."
"Yes, Your Majesty." The eunuch bowed and withdrew.
Consort Ning gently stroked her slightly protruding belly, a hint of envy flashing in her eyes, thinking to herself: she also hoped to give the Emperor a prince soon.
Consort Ning was still lost in thought when a young eunuch trotted in, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, Consort Yu and the Fifth Princess have come to see you."
Consort Ning came to her senses and urged, "Quickly invite Consort Yu and the Fifth Princess."
"You've heard about it, haven't you, Consort Yu?"
Just as Consort Yu had finished arranging for the servants to attend to the Fifth Princess, Consort Ning couldn't help but ask in a low voice.
"Sister Ningpin, are you referring to the Emperor's bestowal of marriages upon Consort Shu's two younger brothers?" Consort Yu asked with a faint smile.
Consort Ning nodded and said in a low voice, "Consort Yu, I really didn't expect His Majesty to bestow such a great favor upon Consort Shu. When His Majesty ascended the throne, all the princes were already married. This is the first time His Majesty has granted a marriage since his ascension."
A hint of envy flashed in Consort Yu's eyes, and she also whispered, "Yes, Consort Shu is truly blessed."
"However, Consort Shu now has three princes, so it's no wonder the Emperor bestows such great favor upon her," Consort Yu sighed and continued in a low voice.
Consort Ning's brows furrowed with worry as she whispered, "Has Consort Yu ever thought about having another prince?"
Consort Yu frowned and said in a low voice, "Sister Ning, to be honest, which concubine in the harem doesn't want to give birth to a prince? When I was pregnant with the Fifth Princess, I hoped to give birth to a prince."
Consort Yu paused for a moment, a hint of tenderness flashing in her eyes, and continued in a low voice: "But after giving birth to the Fifth Princess after ten months of pregnancy, and watching the Fifth Princess grow up day by day, I am still content with my life compared to before."
It's no easy feat to conceive another prince. When Consort Shu was pregnant with the Eighth and Ninth Princes, I was truly worried for her.
At that time, I thought, if I had been pregnant with twins, I might not have had the same good fortune as Consort Shu, who was able to have both mother and children safely delivered.
With a smile on her face, Consort Yu continued in a low voice, "So now I'm thinking of cherishing this blessing and raising the Fifth Princess well, so that she can stay in the capital in the future."
A slight look of surprise flashed across Consort Ning's eyes; she hadn't expected Consort Yu to be so open-minded.
Consort Yu understood Consort Ning's meaning, and a bright smile appeared on her face. A hint of cleverness and intelligence flashed in her eyes, revealing a glint of wisdom.
Consort Yu chuckled for a moment, then whispered to Consort Ning, "To others, I seem gentle and weak, while you, Consort Ning, appear aloof and cold."
But actually, I am much more cheerful than Consort Ning, while you are much more sentimental than me.
Consort Ning must be worried about the baby in her womb. In my opinion, it would be best if Consort Ning didn't think about it so much.
Consort Ning's tightly furrowed brows relaxed a little, and she said in a low voice, "Indeed, I am not as open-minded as Consort Yu."
When I wasn't pregnant, I longed to be pregnant. Now that I am, I'm determined that it will be a prince, and I fear it will be a princess.
But thinking back to the ten years or so that Consort Yu and I lived together, we gradually gave up hope of conceiving a royal child. We never dared to imagine what we are living now.
Therefore, whether this child is a prince or a princess, I should not force it, and I should cherish this blessing like Consort Yu.
Consort Yu took Consort Ning's hand and said softly, "Consort Ning, you are right to think this way. I know your personality, Consort Ning."
I was worried that you, Consort Ning, would overthink things after hearing about Consort Shu, so I rushed over as soon as I heard the news.
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