The Virtuous Concubine

Nalan was a little surprised. After all, the Fourth Prince and Yinzuo could be matched with better Manchu surnames.

As far as he knew, the Tongjia, Socholo, Hesheli, Fucha, and Nara families all had their eyes on the Fourth Prince and Yinzuo. Even Wen Xian, after rejecting the Empress Dowager's proposal for a marriage alliance, many people speculated whether the princess would make an exception and marry in the capital, and they were also ready to make a move.

He thought for a moment and said, "Girls of the right age... are indeed not worthy of the two princes. You are more partial to Wen Xian than to marrying her to the Nalan family. Do you have a family in mind?"

Malu sighed faintly, "You don't know, my daughter has a very awkward personality. The arranged marriage a while ago caused a lot of uproar, and no one could do anything about her. Her future marriage will be a hassle, and I don't want to hurt our relationship, so I'm saying this in advance. If the Nalan family really wants to marry, they should consider my brother."

Malu thought, Yinzuo was still young, and Yinzhen... was willing to do anything that could expand his power, unlike Wen Xian.

Nalan also thought about his own marriage and felt sympathetic: "Then don't force it. Let's wait until she finds someone she likes, so as to avoid adding another pair of resentful lovers."

"Again?" Malu's eyebrows immediately stood up when he heard this, and he kicked him off the bed, "You should leave." Nalan got up from the ground in embarrassment and looked at Malu helplessly, "I just said it casually, why are you angry?"

Malu turned her back and stopped looking at him. "You haven't sorted out your own affairs yet, but you're talking about others. You're already a couple with grudges, so why don't you make peace with her and live happily together? Why do you come to my place?"

Nalan knew he was in the wrong, so he quickly apologized with a smile, "It's my fault. I shouldn't have said that. Don't be angry. It's not good for your health to get hurt by anger."

Malu was still angry, "Go away, don't bother me here."

Nalan had no choice but to tidy up his clothes. He took out a box from his arms and put it on the table: "Then I'll leave first, calm down. It's really late, I'll apologize to you when I come back."

As Nalan sneaked back, he shook his head and muttered to himself, "Oh, his temper is getting worse!"

After returning to his residence, Nalan was still thinking about Malu. He knew that what he said just now was a little inappropriate, and it was reasonable to make Malu angry.

He thought that he must coax her well the next time they met and not be so reckless. Meanwhile, Malu looked at the box on the table, and the anger in his heart gradually dissipated.

But she had just exercised, and she was feeling lazy, so she didn't get up. When Bai Xia came in, she saw a box on the table for no apparent reason, and smiled: "Madam, what's in this box? Do you want me to put it away for you?"

Malu raised his eyes slightly, glanced at the box, and said softly: "Help me open it and take a look."

Bai Xia then reached out to open the box, and inside was a short dagger and its sheath.

The dagger's handle and sheath are connected together to form a vivid fish. The patterns on the dagger are tortuous and uneven, and the patterns on the blade are exposed, just like fish intestines.

Although the dagger is short, once it is taken out, it exudes a murderous aura, as if it can easily pierce through the air and light.

Bai Xia exclaimed repeatedly: "This dagger looks really extraordinary, but what are the uses of these patterns?"

Malu took the dagger, looked at it carefully and said, "It's probably used for bloodletting." He fumbled with it for a while, put on the scabbard of the dagger, and pressed a small button on the handle. Sure enough, the blade of the dagger retracted with a whoosh.

At this moment, the dagger looked like an ordinary purple-gold bronze fish pendant. Malu took the pendant in his hand and shook it gently. The bronze fish seemed to come alive, but it did not reflect light. Compared with other pearls and jade pendants, it looked very inconspicuous.

She gently stroked the copper fish pendant and decided to carry it with her for self-defense in the future.

Compared to the previous flounder rose pendant, this one is much more practical. It can even save lives at critical moments.

After that, she asked Bai Xia to ask the Sixth Prince to make a purple gold bronze fish for her. Yin Zuo naturally agreed and quickly made one and sent it to her.

As soon as Kangxi issued the order to lead the army in person, everyone became busy. Kangxi had been visiting the harem less frequently during this period, but the high-ranking concubines were very tacit and took turns to go to the Qianqing Palace to see Kangxi, which was considered a small private farewell.

Malu naturally followed the order and took some soups to the Qianqing Palace. However, the timing was unfortunate, as it started to rain lightly halfway.

The fine rain wet the road, adding a touch of tenderness to this solemn palace. Fortunately, Bai Fu asked the accompanying maid to bring an umbrella, so it didn't matter.

While walking on the road, Bai Fu reminded Malu: "My lady, be careful with your steps, don't slip."

Seeing that the continuous rain could not cover the eaves in the distance, Malu sighed: "I walked this road countless times when I was a palace maid. How could I slip?"

Life was hard back then, but it was simple and pure. Now that I am pampered, I am too idle to sit still and lack a sense of reality.

Bai Fu next to her did not feel as sad as Malu. Instead, she shared the same feelings as Wen Xian at this moment. She felt that she had accompanied the Empress all the way and her career ambition had been fully satisfied.

As the queen rose step by step, her own status also rose. Of course, some people came to flatter her but actually tried to sow discord between her and Bai Xia, saying that they were both born as palace maids, so who was nobler than the other.

Thinking of this, Bai Fu sneered in her heart. These people tried to use such a lowly method to create chaos. They really underestimated her. She and the queen had experienced many ups and downs together. How could they be separated by a few provocative words?

Of course, after being punished, he was sent back to the Ministry of Internal Affairs for processing.

The group soon arrived at the Qianqing Palace, and it was Wei Zhu who was guarding the door. Wei Zhu respectfully greeted Ma Lu and said, "Your Majesty, the Emperor is discussing something with Concubine Wang and Imperial Physician Rong inside. Your Majesty, please wait here for a while, and I will go in and report later."

Malu did not take it as an offense and stood calmly by the side waiting. Bai Fu and the others also stood quietly behind, not daring to make the slightest sound.

Wei Zhu was hinting that the emperor and Wang were discussing something and it was not appropriate to go in and disturb them at this moment. At worst, he could just wait a while.

After a while, unexpectedly, Doctor Rong came out first. He looked hurried, and when he came out, it was obvious that he had not expected to see Malu here today, and the joy on his face was almost uncontrollable.

Fortunately, he reacted quickly and lowered his head in time: "Your Highness, I greet you."

Malu was not shy about it and acted as if he had met an old friend. After all, he was the imperial physician who had taken care of him in Yonghe Palace for so long. If the distance was too great, it would seem fake.

She smiled and nodded: "It's been a long time since we last met, Doctor Rong. Are you used to being in the presence of the Emperor?"