Upon catching sight of Amber and Jade, Song Liyun couldn't help but cough.
At this moment, the two women were dressed in brightly colored clothes that accentuated their slender waists, and a string of vibrant beads adorned their snow-white wrists, making it hard not to notice their fair and delicate skin.
She would certainly be qualified as a hostess. Her charm not only made Lin Qingyuan and Song Dekui stare blankly, but even Song Liyun was almost blinded by her allure.
Needless to say, she knew that the clothes the two were wearing must have been made by Aunt Li.
These two were beauties bestowed by the emperor, and their looks were naturally top-notch. Even with light makeup and simple clothes, they were as beautiful as lotuses emerging from clear water.
But now Zhao Tinglei has sent the two to be trained by Aunt Li, and he has only one requirement: to be obedient and docile.
Zhao Tinglei had spent his childhood in the military camp and was a true roughneck from the border town.
If the garrison commander's wife were here, things would be better; at least the two ladies-in-waiting would be trained in etiquette as taught by the palace matrons.
What insight could a concubine possibly have? All she knows is how to serve a man.
Aunt Li catered to the garrison commander's wishes and managed to train the two young ladies to become top courtesans at Cuiwei Tower.
As Amber and Jade entered, their gazes fell upon a young gentleman standing next to the garrison commander.
Although the young man was not as fair-skinned as the noblemen of the capital, he had a brocade sash around his forehead, a silver crown on his head, and light chestnut skin. With his sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, he was exceptionally handsome and dashing. Next to Lord Zhao, who was as dark as charcoal, he was simply irresistible.
They already knew they were to serve the Third Young Master, and with Aunt Li's guidance, they immediately understood that this person was their master.
He had initially thought the man was just a boorish and unruly fellow, but he was surprised to find that he was such an outstanding individual, and he was overjoyed.
Zhao Tinglei waved his hand: "You two come over and pay your respects to your future master."
The two girls blushed and shyly stepped forward to greet Zhao Tingduo, saying, "These humble servants greet the Third Young Master!"
Zhao Tingduo didn't respond. Instead, she put down the chopsticks she was using to serve food to Song Liyun and turned to ask with a bewildered look, "Ayun, is this the maid you prepared for Granny Qi?"
Song Liyun: "...?"
When they were in the Wuda tribe, Song Liyun saw that Granny Qi was unable to move around easily and only had Yuquan as her personal maid.
Thinking that the other maids in the Wuda tribe had to do rough work and were naturally a bit rough in taking care of people, he said he would buy a few maids from the Wu Dynasty and send them over.
I've been so busy lately that I haven't had time to choose a suitable one.
These two women weren't bought by Song Liyun, but rather given to her younger brother by Brother Zhao as a bed warmer.
Song Liyun did not answer, but Aunt Li, who was standing to the side, spoke up with her head bowed: "Third Young Master, these are the maids bestowed upon you by the palace. Although they all come from commoners, they were carefully selected by the Imperial Household Department. I was specially trained by you on your behalf, and I am sure they will serve you well!"
Zhao Tinglei added from the side, "The palace originally bestowed four upon you, but I kept two, and I even specially kept the most beautiful one for you to be your concubine."
"For my concubine?"
Zhao Tingduo finally understood what this meant, and her voice rose involuntarily.
"Yes! You're getting married soon. Although it's a time of national mourning and not auspicious for marriage, taking two concubines is still fine."
Zhao Tinglei didn't care that the old emperor had only been dead for a hundred days, and that there was nothing wrong with him, as a member of the royal family, taking a concubine.
He had to be discreet and tolerant in front of foreign officials, but he had fewer scruples in front of his own family.
If the Emperor's cousin can bestow it, then I can accept it.
Lin Qingyuan and Song Dekui exchanged a glance. How did this matter get involved with the royal family?
It's better not to listen to it.
After exchanging knowing glances, the two, having already eaten half their fill, quietly got up and left, not daring to look at Song Liyun who was "leisurely drinking tea."
That old lady thought she was doing it all so calmly, unaware that she was almost squeezing the teacup dry and didn't know what she might do next.
Apart from Aunt Li and the two maids, only Song Liyun and her two brothers remained in the room.
Zhao Tingduo straightened her face and said, "As you know, my family rules forbid taking concubines. We won't do it now, and we won't do it in the future!"
Zhao Tinglei was taken aback, and then realized that it meant there were no concubines in the Di tribe.
He chuckled and said, "Third brother, why take it so seriously? You're being raised by Madam Wuya in Hecheng, and as for Miss Song..."
He finally looked at Song Liyun and continued, "Miss Song is from the Wu Dynasty, so she naturally understands that a woman who is the principal wife must not only be magnanimous and not stop her husband from taking concubines, but also manage the inner quarters for her husband and keep an eye on the concubines and illegitimate children."
Song Liyun finally understood the root cause of Aunt Li's repeated opposition to her.
In the minds of noble men in the Wu Dynasty, taking concubines was a normal phenomenon, and not taking concubines was considered unusual.
These two concubines were bestowed upon Zhao Tingduo by the Emperor, and as his future principal wife, he should show magnanimity and get along well with them, treating them like sisters.
She originally intended to be a bystander and see how Zhao Tingduo would handle the situation, but she never expected that the fire would burn her own feet.
Song Liyun snorted coldly: How could Zhao Tinglei, a man, be interested in his brother's private affairs and even interfere in his bedchamber life?
He apologized publicly for his conflict with Aunt Li, but in reality, he was using this method to retaliate.
It's hard to believe that the seemingly rugged General Zhao is such a petty person.
Before Song Liyun could figure out how to respond to vent her resentment, Zhao Tingduo calmly said, "Since it is a gift from the Emperor and specially presented by my elder brother, I will accept it without hesitation!"
Song Liyun looked at him in surprise: "Ashi, are you going to take a concubine?"
She was so surprised that she didn't even bother to hide it from others before asking directly.
Zhao Tinglei, standing nearby, was in a good mood, relieved that his worries of the past two days could be put to rest.
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