The main courtyard of the inner residence is called Zhengxi Hall, which was personally named by the father. It was taken from one character in the mother's name, reflecting the mother's status as the principal wife and demonstrating the father's affection for her.
When she arrived at Zhengxi Hall, Sixth Sister Yan Yue was already waiting outside. Upon seeing her, she hurried forward and complained with dissatisfaction, "You've finally arrived."
Heyue felt a little embarrassed, it was all her fault for oversleeping and making her sixth sister wait so long.
Although Yan Yue complained, she didn't dwell on it and took He Yue's little hand towards the main room.
Wang Mama, who was at the door, had heard the commotion and lifted the curtain to welcome the two in with a smile: "You two princesses have arrived. Please come in. Master and Madam are waiting."
The two sisters greeted Granny Wang with smiles: "Hello, Granny Wang."
In my memory, Granny Wang was the most capable person by my mother's side. She was my mother's personal maid who came with her when she got married. After she became a maid herself, she stayed with my mother and treated her sisters like her own children.
"This old servant wouldn't dare," said Granny Wang, her face beaming with joy as she invited the two inside.
Marhan was an elderly man in his seventies, thin but vigorous.
The woman, surnamed Yiergenjueluo, who already has five daughters, is no longer young. Her hair is gray, and the fine lines around her eyes are clear, but she is still energetic. Her cheekbones are slightly high, and the elegance and wisdom of her youth can still be faintly seen in her eyes.
The two were sitting on a couch in the west side room, drinking tea.
Heyue and Yanyue stepped forward to greet their father and mother: "Your daughters greet your father and mother."
When Marhan saw his two daughters, he smiled and gestured for them to get up. His gaze fell on his younger daughter's rosy cheeks, and he nodded with satisfaction: "It seems that Seventh Sister's trip out of the manor was the right one."
A loving smile appeared on Irgen Gioro's stern face as she beckoned him gently, saying, "Little Seven, come here and let your mother take a look."
With a smile, Heyue stepped forward and nestled affectionately in Irgen Gioro's arms. Irgen Gioro took her hand, carefully examined her complexion, and nodded: "You look better than yesterday. Did your trip out of the manor go smoothly?"
Heyue blinked and nodded without hesitation: "Everything went very smoothly. There were so many fun things outside that Xiaoqi had never seen before, and we even bought a lot of beautiful jewelry." She didn't mention the hitting incident at all, and her expression was cheerful, showing the innocence of a young girl.
Irgen Gioro tapped Heyue's forehead with her finger, smiling and scolding, "You little child, how would you know what's good and what's bad? How good can things outside be? If you like something, your mother will have it made for you. Don't let Xiao Liu lead you astray."
"Mother is so biased! How did I become such a bad influence? Look how happy Xiao Qi is! As long as Xiao Qi is happy, why are you so concerned?" Yan Yue sat on the other side of Yiergenjueluo Shi, hugging Yiergenjueluo Shi's arm and complaining unhappily.
Irgen Gioro's face immediately darkened, and she snorted coldly: "Spend more time in the manor with Xiao Qi, that's better than anything else. Don't always think about playing around. Your sister is weak and can't take any more stress."
Yan Yue grumbled unhappily, "Where did I go out of my way to play? We're not Han Chinese women who have to stay indoors all the time. If that were the case, wouldn't people be bored to death? What fun would Seventh Sister have if she stayed at home all day?"
"You think you're so right? Do you think Xiao Qi is like you? Listen, you're going to stay home and keep Xiao Qi company. You're not allowed to go out again." Yiergenjueluo Shi was a woman of her word, and she gave a firm order.
Yan Yue's face immediately fell, but she didn't dare to talk back and could only reluctantly agree.
Heyue chuckled inwardly. Her sixth sister had never won against her mother. Although her mother treated her sixth sister very seriously, Heyue knew that her mother was only tough on the surface. Her mother cared for her sixth sister no less than she cared for herself, so she was not worried.
Moreover, given Sixth Sister's personality, how could she possibly obey? When has Mother ever truly punished Sixth Sister for running off to play?
Yiergenjueluo turned around, took out a string of sandalwood prayer beads from her sleeve, held Heyue's little hand, and carefully put the sandalwood prayer beads on Heyue's wrist: "This was blessed by Master Huiming of Tanzhe Temple. Xiaoqi wearing this will ensure the elimination of all diseases and good health."
Heyue stroked the sandalwood prayer beads bracelet. After her initial surprise, her eyes welled up with tears. It was so good to have a mother. Zhao Heyue was truly blessed to have a loving father and mother, as well as a sixth sister who always cared for her. Although the happiness before her did not belong to her, Zhao Heyue, she felt content from the bottom of her heart.
In any case, now that she has replaced the original Zhao Jia and Yue, she is Zhao Jia and Yue herself, and she will cherish this hard-won happiness.
"Mother is biased. Why does Seventh Sister get it, but I don't?" Yan Yue clung to Irgen Gioro's arm and acted coquettishly.
"You little mud monkey, as long as you stay at home obediently for a month and practice a hundred characters every day, your mother will ask for one for you too." Irgen Gioro tapped her forehead and snorted.
Seeing her sixth sister's face quickly fall, Heyue covered her mouth and chuckled.
Yan Yue turned around and shook Malhan's arm, complaining, "Father, look at Mother, how can this be?"
Marhan struggled to suppress his laughter, but he genuinely pleaded for his sixth daughter: "You know that the sixth one is restless, why make things difficult for her?"
Irgen Gioro snorted coldly: "Me, make things difficult for her? She's a girl, yet she runs around like a boy every day. What princess acts like her? In a few years, Xiao Liu will be selected for the imperial concubine selection. If she's still so unruly, won't she be bullied?" After saying that, she glared fiercely at Yan Yue. Yan Yue shrank back and secretly pouted.
Marhan coughed lightly, then fell silent, giving Yan Yue a helpless look.
Don't be fooled by how imposing Father is outside; he's just a paper tiger in front of Mother. Yan Yue stopped relying on Father and sat obediently, keeping her eyes down and mind at ease, being as well-behaved as could be.
Sixth Sister is quite good at putting on a show.
A servant announced that it was time to serve the meal, and at that moment, Lady Irgen Gioro instructed Granny Wang, "Bring Guan Zhu along as well."
Wang Mama responded "Yes" and withdrew. Heyue and Yanyue each helped Yiergenjueluo Shi and Malhan to sit down at the round table in the main hall.
Before long, little Guanzhu came in, led by his wet nurse.
Guan Zhu was three years younger than He Yue. The little boy respectfully greeted Marhan and Irgen Gioro: "Son greets Father and Mother."
With a smile on her face, Lady Irgen Gioro took Guan Zhu's little hand and said, "Zhu'er, you've worked hard studying today. Come, sit next to your mother."
Guan Zhu raised a bright smile and obediently sat down in the chair next to Irgen Gioro's wife, being held by the wet nurse.
Guan Zhu was his father's only son, but he was not his mother's biological son. He was born to his aunt, Sun, but he was raised by his mother from a young age.
Whenever Heyue sees Guanzhu, she can't help but think of her mother, who was strong-willed her whole life, but succumbed to the old lady's demands when it came to taking concubines, and personally coerced her then-father to take two concubines.
No matter the era, men are bound to have multiple wives and concubines. Even a devoted father like my father could not help but go against his own heart for the sake of having offspring. Fortunately, my father was truly devoted to my mother. After Guanzhu was born, my father rarely went to the concubines' rooms.
The servants set out the food and then withdrew.
Although it is said that one should not speak while eating or sleeping, the group enjoyed their meal together in a harmonious atmosphere.
At this moment, the Fourth Prince's residence was in complete chaos...
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