For Yinzhen, Song Rusi was his first woman and the woman who bore him his first child.
He truly loved this woman.
The two men looked at Yunhui, who was drinking tea with her head down, and couldn't help but feel sorry for the woman.
Even if they look alike, she is still not that person. Besides, this Yunhui is far inferior to Song Rusi.
Yunhui was well aware that most people in the mansion looked down on her.
On her first day of paying respects to the Fujin (wife of the emperor), she sensed that most of the people around her looked down on her.
But she didn't believe it, convinced she could definitely gain a foothold in this magnificent prince's mansion. And the two princesses before her, Geng Gege and Niohuru Gege, were her first and second targets.
In the past two weeks, she has gained a fairly good understanding of the situation in the Prince's mansion.
The First Lady had no children, but she held most of the power in the Prince's mansion; the Second Lady had just lost a daughter, but because of her brother, she was very favored, but she was also very arrogant.
The three who have children are: Consort Li, who has one son and one daughter; Princess Niohuru, who has one son; and Princess Geng, who has one son.
Unlike Consort Li, the latter two, although they both gave birth to princes, remained as princesses, with Consort Geng being more favored.
It must be said that Yunhui did use its brain; at least it chose the right people.
After that, Yunhui would occasionally go to Geng Youran's or Niu Hulu's courtyard, saying that she was afraid to be alone.
That day, as soon as Yunhui left Gengyou's room, Qianxue stepped forward, tidying up the tea set while complaining:
“Princess, this Princess Yun clearly knows that you are favored and see the Prince often, so she comes here to stop people. But you are so kind-hearted, and every time she comes, you ask me to brew such good tea.”
Geng Youran put down the book in her hand, smiled and shook her head, saying:
"Qianxue, haven't you noticed something wrong with this?"
"What problem could there be? She just looks like Consort Song. Apart from her appearance, she is far inferior to Consort Song in terms of temperament, not to mention compared to you and the other masters in the manor. I really don't know what the Prince sees in her."
Geng Youran got up and walked to the door, looking at the chrysanthemums that were already in full bloom in the courtyard, and said with a wry smile:
"Men either crave novelty or can't forget their past relationships. That's normal. I'm not angry, so why are you arguing with her?"
Qianxue picked up the tray and came behind Geng Youran.
"Princess, I just feel sorry for you."
"There's nothing wrong with it, it's all consensual. Alright, brew me a pot of fresh tea."
"yes."
Geng Youran returned to her seat, looking at her favorite book, but now she couldn't concentrate at all. Her mind was filled with Yun Hui's words before she left:
"The prince said that he liked me the way I was originally and told me not to change."
What it originally looked like?
He's not the Fourth Prince he used to be, so where does the original Geng Youran come from?
After that, Geng Youran claimed to be ill and refused all visits.
"Your Majesty, according to a report from Li Shude, the Governor of Shandong, the White Lotus sect is now prevalent in Henan and has spread to Shandong. I believe that we can no longer allow these people to continue causing trouble."
"Father, this matter probably needs to be considered carefully."
The voices in the court immediately split into two factions: one advocating for complete annihilation, while the Eighth Prince's faction advocated for severe punishment.
"What do you think, Fourth Brother?"
"Your Majesty, I believe that while severe punishment is effective, it is not enough to deter them. The White Lotus Sect has existed since the Southern Song Dynasty, and it would be extremely time-consuming to wipe them out in one fell swoop. It would be better to have Li Shude and the General of Taiyuan arrest the local White Lotus Sect members. This would prevent further unrest and maximize the elimination of their main force."
Many officials present agreed, and Emperor Kangxi also thought it was a good idea, so he directly issued an edict to let Li Shude take charge of the matter.
After the court session, Yinzhen returned to the Yongqin Prince's Mansion and went directly to his study. In the evening, he went to Yunhui's place.
"Your Highness, may you be blessed."
When Yinzhen entered the room, he noticed that the furnishings had changed. He felt a sense of familiarity, yet at the same time, there was a feeling of something abrupt.
Then he noticed a book on the table in the main room.
"You like poetry collections?"
"Your Highness, I am not very literate and wish to learn more characters, so I borrowed a collection of poems from Consort Nian."
Yinzhen nodded:
"It's good that you want to learn to read, but since you're just starting out, there's no reason to use poetry collections to learn characters. I'll have someone send you some calligraphy practice books later, and I'll teach you myself."
"Really? You can't fool me, sir."
As she spoke, Yunhui leaned against her in a coquettish manner.
Yinzhen then picked Yunhui up in his arms.
"A promise is a promise."
The news spread the next day that Yinzhen had once again stayed overnight at Yunhui's place.
"Smack!"
Nian Yunrong was looking at the account book when she saw Qingyan whispering with a maid at the door. Displeased, she called Qingyan in, and Qingyan told her mistress what had happened. After that, Nian Yunrong swept the teacup next to her to the ground.
"Please calm down, Consort."
"Calm down? Fine, I'll calm down. Go and invite Princess Yun here. Doesn't she want to learn to read? I'll teach her 'personally'."
Yunhui had just returned from paying her respects to the Fujin when she saw the smoke rising from the courtyard and hurried over.
"Miss Qingyan, what brings you here?"
"Princess Yun, my concubine requests your presence."
Yunhui sensed the unfriendly tone in the voice. However, since it was Consort Nian who had summoned her, she naturally had no right to refuse.
"Since it was Consort Nian who invited me, I will naturally go. In that case, please lead the way, Miss Qingyan."
Upon arriving at Consort Nian's residence, Yunhui first gave Nian Yunrong a proper greeting.
But Nian Yunrong didn't even raise her head.
"I heard that my younger sister wants to learn to write. I happen to have some account books here that need to be copied. This is a good opportunity for her to practice. Your Highness is very busy with official duties, so I'm sure she wouldn't want to trouble you."
Yunhui was about to mention the prince when Nian Yunrong stopped her.
"This humble servant thanks Consort for her kindness."
Qingyan led Yunhui to a desk not far away, where several large ledgers were placed:
"Princess Yun, please."
She handed the calligraphy brush she had prepared to Yunhui. After the brush was taken, she did not leave, but stood aside to grind the ink.
And so, Yunhui spent the entire day at Nian Yunrong's place.
"Qingyan, let's leave it at that for today. Send Princess Yun back."
"yes."
Yunhui reluctantly returned to her courtyard. She had planned to confide in the prince that evening, but to her surprise, Yinzhen did not come.
For the next five days, Yunhui spent all her time at Nian Yunrong's place.
On the afternoon of the sixth day, Yinzhen finished his work early and went to Yunhui's place, only to find that Yunhui was not there. A maid told him that Consort Yun had been invited away by Consort Nian early that morning.
Yinzhen then went to Nian Yunrong's courtyard.
Before he even entered the house, he heard Nian Yunrong's scolding and Yun Hui's cries of pain coming from inside.
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