The Fourth Prince's wife felt that she was nothing more than a decoration, and that Empress Tong and the Fourth Prince were just scheming against her family for their father's military power. However, she had no choice but to obey the imperial decree.
The hardships involved are beyond the comprehension of outsiders.
She felt that she was no different from a child bride in an ordinary family.
She shed countless tears in secret. She wasn't stupid; she could sense that the Fourth Prince didn't like her. She felt her fear, her pain, and her confusion. When she was wronged by Consort De, her husband would only say dryly, "She is my mother, she gave birth to me."
Without any further explanation, she merely held the title of Fourth Prince's Consort in the backyard, swallowing all her bitterness in silence.
He Zhuo watched as the Fourth Prince's wife listened to the Third Prince's wife rambling on about how the vixen was.
The Fourth Prince's wife listened attentively, while the Third Prince's wife spoke enthusiastically. However, if one looked closely, one could still see the sorrow and melancholy in the Fourth Prince's wife's eyes.
The Third Prince's wife spoke with confidence because the Third Prince liked her, her family was powerful, and all those maids who tried to seduce him were just fleeting figures. Her position as the Third Prince's wife was secure.
She dared to say that only when she had confidence. The Fourth Prince's wife didn't have much confidence. Her husband didn't like her, her mother-in-law hated her even more, and the little vixens in the backyard didn't take her seriously either.
He Zhuo: "Third sister-in-law, I don't agree with what you just said about those carefree people in the backyard."
Third Princess Consort Dong'e looked at Hezhuo and said, "Isn't that right? They are just seductive vixens."
He Zhuo said pointedly, "They are seductive, but in the end, a woman's heart is raised up. If men don't give them a chance, they can't do anything about it. So what's the point of being seductive?"
The Third Princess Consort choked on her words, thinking to herself, "Everyone knows it was the man who gave me the opportunity. With so many people fawning over me, even a man couldn't resist. It's all the fault of these vixens."
This was actually the understanding of most women in this era, but the Fourth Prince's wife seemed thoughtful when she heard this.
He Zhuo didn't want to continue the topic, so he changed the subject: "Alright, let's not talk about this. Consort Li (the Crown Prince's concubine), I heard that Yuqing Palace is going to have another baby."
Li Fujin's eyes dimmed slightly as she touched her stomach, finding it empty. It had only been a moment; if He Zhuo hadn't been a cultivator with heightened senses, he wouldn't have been able to see it.
A moment later, Consort Li's face lit up with a smile: "It's the Crown Prince's Consort Fan. The imperial physician says her due date is in June."
Her joyful expression made anyone who didn't know better think she was pregnant.
Fourth Prince's wife also quickly spoke up, saying that it wouldn't do to let Third Prince's wife continue complaining like this.
"Yuqing Palace is going to have a son. If a grandson is born, Father Emperor will be very happy."
The Fourth Prince's words had a deeper meaning. If it were a granddaughter of the emperor, Emperor Kangxi probably wouldn't have been very fond of her. The Crown Prince desperately needed a healthy son right now.
After a few words, that was the end of it.
Everyone began to admire the flowers. It must be said that the "Two Qiaos" plants belonging to the Fourth Princess Consort were quite nice. The name "Two Qiaos" comes from the Eastern Wu dynasty and refers to Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao.
Seeing that everyone liked it, the Fourth Princess Consort was also happy and generously offered that the Third Princess Consort, He Zhuo, and Li Princess Consort each take a pot back with them.
He Zhuo and the others did not refuse.
The fourth princess's desserts were also made with some thought, using camellia petals. You could taste a hint of camellia sweetness, unlike the strong sweetness of osmanthus, which was quite elegant and tasted good.
In spring, all kinds of flowers bloom. The garden is well-maintained by professionals. Peonies, azaleas, camellias, and peonies bloom in competition, creating a riot of color!
The group enjoyed the beautiful flowers and tea, feeling quite content.
At that moment, it was as if all the annoying things in the backyard had disappeared, and everyone felt very relaxed.
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