Irgen Gioro's expression was solemn. Upon seeing Heyue and the other two, her expression softened slightly, and she spoke gently: "This is Granny Sun, who serves the Fourth Princess Consort."
Heyue and Yanyue looked at each other, their minds filled with questions. The Fourth Princess Consort?
Although she didn't understand why the people around the Fourth Prince's wife had come here, she still bowed respectfully and said, "Greetings, Granny Sun."
Granny Sun quickly stepped aside, returned the greeting, and glanced at Heyue and Yanyue, who were as beautiful as spring flowers and autumn moon, with a beaming smile: "They are truly two lovely children. Madam has indeed taught them well."
For some reason, Heyue vaguely felt that the last few words were a bit heavy, as if they had a hidden meaning. Although Granny Sun in front of her was smiling, Heyue could not feel any warmth.
It's strange. My family has never had any dealings with the Fourth Prince's wife, yet she not only sent someone to visit, but also seemed to have ill intentions.
Could it be that Father offended the Fourth Prince in court? This is terrible! I've heard that the Fourth Prince is extremely petty and vengeful. He's the future emperor! If Father is targeted by this prince, he's bound to suffer.
He Yue was secretly anxious.
"You flatter me, Granny. They are just two ignorant little girls. May I ask what brings Fourth Princess Consort to see my daughter and me?" Lady Irgen Gioro asked tentatively with a smile.
So it turned out they wanted to see the mother and her two daughters. He Yue felt a little relieved, but since her family had never had any contact with the Fourth Prince's wife, it was a bit strange that they suddenly wanted to see them.
Yan Yue opened her eyes wide, looked at her mother, then at Granny Sun, her face full of confusion.
"I've heard that your two daughters are clever and bright, and I like young and pretty girls, so I thought I'd like to meet them. I have no other intentions." Granny Sun said with a smile, but her words made Lady Irgen Gioro fall into deep thought. Her heart was in turmoil, and she looked at her two daughters with worry in her eyes.
Xiao Qi is still young and not a concern. Xiao Liu is also young, and she should be able to enter the palace after the selection of concubines in three years. Now, the Fourth Prince is just over twenty years old, and there are only a few women in his household. Could it be that the Fourth Prince's wife intends to find women for the Fourth Prince's harem?
In any case, since the Fourth Prince's wife had invited her, she could not refuse. She could only sigh inwardly and reply with a smile, "This humble woman will make preparations to bring my daughter to the mansion. Please wait a moment, Granny."
Granny Sun smiled and nodded respectfully: "Please proceed, Madam."
Irgen Gioro gently gestured to her two daughters, "Go back and make yourselves some preparations. You will be leaving the mansion with your mother now."
Heyue and Yanyue obediently agreed and withdrew.
After leaving the main courtyard, Yan Yue stroked her chin, puzzled, and asked, "Seventh Sister, why did Fourth Princess invite us over?"
He Yue shook her head casually: "Perhaps they just want us to come over and have a chat."
Yan Yue rolled her eyes at He Yue's nonchalant attitude: "You really are a child, not caring about anything. The Fourth Prince's wife has never had any dealings with our household, so how can we not find it strange that she has invited us over? However, I've heard that the Fourth Prince's wife is the most virtuous and gentle among all the princes' wives, while the Fourth Prince is known for being cold and aloof. I'm really curious how this Fourth Prince's wife gets along with the Fourth Prince, and whether she's been scared by this cold-faced Fourth Prince."
"It's not as terrible as Sixth Sister said. Even if he's heartless, it's only towards outsiders. How could he treat his wife like that? They would definitely treat each other with respect."
He Yue remembered that Empress Xiaojingxian was a virtuous empress in history. Although Emperor Yongzheng was cold and harsh, he had a good relationship with his principal wife. Even though Empress Xiaojingxian had no legitimate sons, she remained firmly in the position of empress. After Empress Xiaojingxian's death, Emperor Yongzheng did not have another empress during his reign.
"What you say makes sense. Father is so powerful outside, but he's as obedient as a rabbit in front of Mother." Yan Yue covered her mouth and giggled.
He Yue remained silent. How could they be the same? At best, her father was just a paper tiger. The other man was no ordinary tyrant. To emerge victorious from the fierce struggle for the throne, he was certainly no benevolent person.
Of course, how many men could love and respect their mother as much as their father did throughout his life, ignoring other women? There's no comparison at all.
The two quickly changed their clothes and returned to the main courtyard. They left the main courtyard with Lady Irgen Gioro, boarded a carriage at the second gate, and headed out of the mansion towards the Fourth Prince's residence.
After entering the mansion through the side gate of the Fourth Prince's residence, Heyue and Yanyue followed closely on either side of Lady Irgen Gioro, keeping their eyes straight ahead, and followed Granny Sun in front of them all the way to the inner courtyard.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed that the Fourth Prince's mansion was much larger than the Vice Minister's mansion, but it did not have the carved beams and painted rafters I had imagined. Instead, it was filled with flowers and trees, dense shade, and exuded elegance and solemnity in its coolness.
After walking for about 15 minutes, with a slight sweat on their foreheads, they arrived at the main courtyard where the mistress of the house lived. Granny Sun asked them to wait a moment and then lifted the bamboo curtain to go in and announce their arrival.
A moment later, a pretty maid wearing a silver-gray vest came out and invited them in with a smile: "Madam and the two princesses, please come in."
Lady Irgen Gioro nodded slightly, took her two daughters' hands and entered the main hall. She curtsied to the young noblewoman sitting in the armchair in front of her and said, "Your Majesty, I greet you. May you be blessed with good fortune and peace."
"Your subject wishes the Fourth Princess Consort good health." He Yue and Yan Yue also curtsied in return.
"Please rise quickly." The Fourth Princess Consort smiled, put down her teacup, and stood up to personally help Lady Irgen Gioro. Heyue and Yanyue also straightened up.
"Please sit down, Madam." The Fourth Princess instructed the two maids beside her to bring her a brocade stool.
Irgen Gioro thanked her and took half a seat to the left of the Fourth Prince's wife. Heyue and Yanyue sat down behind Irgen Gioro.
The maids served tea, and the Fourth Princess Consort sat down again. She looked Yan Yue and He Yue over and said with a smile, "Your two princesses are indeed very beautiful and lovely. They are truly delightful to behold."
"Fourth Princess Consort, you flatter me," said Lady Irgen Gioro with a smile, speaking modestly.
"I've heard that Madam's first few daughters have all married, and only her two youngest daughters are still unmarried. They must be very much loved and cherished. If I had such sensible and beautiful daughters, I would also be as reluctant to part with them as Madam." The Fourth Princess smiled warmly.
Upon hearing the words "waiting to be married," Lady Irgen Gioro felt increasingly uneasy. At this moment, the Fourth Princess Consort changed the subject and asked, "I heard that the Sixth Girl is named Yan Yue and the Seventh Girl is named He Yue. Is that correct?"
Yiergenjueluo hurriedly replied with a smile, "Yes."
"Sixth Miss is so spirited, and Seventh Miss, though young, is full of intelligence and gentle as water. Madam is truly blessed." Fourth Princess smiled gently and kindly, her tone filled with undisguised envy.
Lady Irgen Gioro carefully replied, "How can my fortune compare to that of the Fujin? I only have two little maids, who are very mischievous. I really have no choice but to give them a hard time."
Fourth Princess Consort smiled and said, "Madam, you're too kind. What child isn't mischievous?" She then looked at He Yue, who was sitting properly with her eyes downcast and seemingly oblivious to her surroundings, and waved her hand with a smile, "Seventh Girl, come here to me."
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