There were two storerooms in the front courtyard. One was managed by Liu Bajin, the chief eunuch of Yinzhi, and the other by Yinzhi's wet nurse. The storeroom that Yinzhi took me to was the one managed by the wet nurse. The wet nurse's surname was Zhao.
Granny Zhao was quite surprised to see the master leading his wife into the front courtyard, but she lowered her head to hide her surprise. However, He Zhuo was no ordinary person; although his cultivation had been sealed, his senses were still far beyond those of ordinary people.
"Granny Zhao, bring me the storeroom keys."
"The Princess Consort is truly remarkable. Has she managed to persuade the Master to also manage the storeroom in the front courtyard? No, if that's the case, we must inform the Empress."
Granny Zhao was very surprised and thought to herself, but little did she know that Yinzhi's next words would make her give up the idea of complaining to Consort Hui.
"The master wants to personally select some good things for his wife."
Qiufen was accompanied by two young maids.
Two eunuchs were carrying a full load of things.
They followed the master and his wife back to the main courtyard.
To everyone's surprise, the people from the backyard arrived right after the couple left. After Donghui explained to them that the Fujin was not there, they all said they would wait there, so Donghui invited them to a side hall.
Upon hearing this, Yinzhi returned to the front courtyard and said he would come over for dinner.
"Granny Shi, tell me about the situation of those concubines and maids in the back courtyard."
The old woman stood beside me, turning slightly to the side, and said, "This way, people outside can hear what's being said, but they can't understand it through lip reading."
"The master's sons have a total of 3 princesses and 2 concubines."
The first to enter the household were two concubines, who entered the household two years ago in March. They were given to the young master by Consort Hui for his early education.
Of the two, the concubine, née Chao, was more favored. She was the eldest son's first woman. Her father was an eighth-rank scribe in the Imperial Household Department. She was born in the sixth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign and was five years older than the eldest son.
Concubine Gao was also born into a bondservant family. Her elder brother was a minor steward in the Imperial Household Department's treasury. She was still a woman, born in the 10th year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, one year older than the eldest son.
Among the princesses, Guan and Fan were bestowed by the emperor. They entered the prince's residence in June two years ago. The most favored was Princess Fan, a Han Chinese bannerman from Guangdong. Her father was a seventh-rank official in the local area. She was born in the eighth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign and was three years older than the eldest prince. Usually, the eldest prince would stay in her room the most, five or six days a month.
Princess Guan was also a member of the Han Banner Army and a native of the capital. Her father held a sinecure of the seventh rank. She was born in the eighth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, three years older than the eldest son, and was quite favored. The eldest son would usually rest in her room for one or two days each month.
Princess Li is a candidate for the imperial concubine selection this year. She entered the household six months ago and was chosen by Consort Hui to enter the young master's harem. She was born in the 11th year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign. The young master usually spends one or two days a month resting in her room.
"Madam, that's all I know for now. Also, the one who just told the princess in the back courtyard that you weren't here was Bai Xia, and the one serving tea in the side hall was Chun Fen. You can call her over and ask her."
"Alright, call them over. Any progress on yesterday's orchids and bed curtains?"
"The inability to redeem slaves has not yet been discovered."
"Alright, thank you for your hard work, Granny. After the tea ceremony, please have all the servants in the courtyard come here. Granny, please have someone call Chunfen, Bai Xia and Granny Shao come in."
"Yes, this servant takes his leave."
"Autumn Equinox, find a place to arrange the decorations that Master and I just chose. Replace the previous ones and put them in the west wing. Put the jewelry in my jewelry box; I'll be wearing it in the next couple of days. Send the clothing and other materials over as well." The orders were given in an orderly manner. "Also, distribute the greeting gifts for the princesses and concubines."
As soon as she finished speaking, Granny Shao, Bai Xia, and Chunfen entered.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
