The Qing Palace Never Meets Spring

Qingwan responded to Consort Liang's words a few times, and Consort Hui followed up with a few more instructions. Qingwan obediently responded to them all, and Consort Hui and Consort Liang nodded in satisfaction at her behavior.

Then Consort Hui let them go back. Before they left, Consort Hui said to Zhang Jia, "You are too sensible. Don't come back this time. The child is the most important thing, as is your health. I will be happy if you are all well."

He then instructed those around Zhang Jia: "Take good care of your wives. If the young master is safe, you will all be rewarded. If anything happens to your wives, I will only hold you responsible."

Lady Zhang Jia smiled and said, "I know that the Prince is busy with affairs and doesn't come to the palace often. I also want to do more to show my filial piety to the Prince. Besides, I am young and inexperienced. Even just sitting and listening to you speak will be very beneficial." This made Consort Hui even happier.

Consort Liang also said to the Eighth Prince's wife, "You should go back too. I'll stay here with you a little longer."

The Eighth Princess Consort then spoke her first words upon entering the room: "Yes, daughter-in-law takes her leave." Qingwan naturally followed the two away.

Although Consort Hui was reluctant, she still handed the child over to the wet nurse beside Lady Zhang.

After the group left, Lady Zhang Jia stood in front, with Qing Wan and the Eighth Prince's wife following behind, standing shoulder to shoulder. After they left, Qing Wan overheard Consort Hui saying to Consort Liang, "You're dissatisfied with your daughter-in-law, yet you use my daughter-in-law as an excuse to talk. And the Thirteenth Princess, seeing that child listening to you so blankly, I almost burst out laughing." There was resentment in her words, but her tone was amused.

Qingwan: "......"

Then came Consort Liang's voice: "What kind of status does she have as a princess of the Guo Luo Luo clan? How dare I be dissatisfied?"

Although Consort Yi and the Eighth Prince's wife were both from the Guoluo clan, Consort Yi came from the Manchu Bordered Yellow Banner bondservant, while the Eighth Prince's wife was from the Manchu Plain Blue Banner. They were not from the same clan, so Consort Liang was not afraid of offending Consort Yi when she said this.

As the two women walked, their conversation inside the room faded into the background and gradually became inaudible. The head palace maid who was seeing them off naturally overheard the two concubines' conversation, but her expression remained unchanged as she escorted them to the palace gate.

Qingwan thought so too. These words were probably said on purpose for the Eighth Prince's wife to hear. It is clear that rumors cannot be believed entirely. At least the Eighth Prince's wife's situation in the palace is not good. Fortunately, the Eighth Prince has already left the palace to establish his own residence, and the Eighth Prince's wife only needs to enter the palace from time to time.

She wondered if the Eighth Prince's current situation would be her future situation. She admired the Eighth Prince for his words to Consort Liang, although his expression was not good at first, but afterwards he showed no signs of being in a bad mood.

The two had just left the gates of Yanxi Palace when Qingwan was about to exchange pleasantries with the other two before leaving. She heard someone calling her, and when she turned around, she saw Yihuan. She couldn't help but smile. The Eighth Prince's wife said, "I suppose the princess has something to discuss with you. Sister-in-law, go ahead. My sister-in-law and I will be leaving the palace now."

After saying goodbye to them, Qingwan couldn't help but quicken her pace to Yihuan's side. Yihuan simply nodded to the other two and then left with Qingwan.

When they couldn't find her, they asked, "Sister-in-law, how did it feel to pay your respects to Consort Hui today?"

Qingwan gave a wry smile: "Actually, it's not that great."

Yi Huan couldn't help but laugh and said, "My sister and I heard that Consort Liang went to Yanxi Palace today. We also said that the day you chose was unlucky, but you had already gone by then, so we couldn't just stop you directly."

Besides, the rivalry between Consort Liang and Eighth Sister-in-law isn't new; her sister-in-law was bound to catch them in the act sooner or later.

Qingwan nodded, then asked hesitantly, "Is it because of the child, or because of Consort Liang's background?"

Yi Huan said, "I think so. Actually, Eighth Sister-in-law had a daughter a few years ago, but the child died shortly after birth. Later, neither Eighth Sister-in-law nor the concubines in the mansion had any more children. So Consort Liang inevitably resented Eighth Sister-in-law, and it was rumored that Eighth Brother was very accommodating to Eighth Sister-in-law."

Furthermore, Consort Liang's background was not as low as the outside world claimed. Although she was registered in the Xin Zhe Ku (a place for those who had been convicted of crimes), she was not there because of a crime. However, the Xin Zhe Ku sounded unpleasant, so when Eighth Sister-in-law first entered the household, she couldn't help but show it on her face when she heard others talking about her. Consort Liang knew this and was naturally uncomfortable.

Later, no matter what Eighth Sister-in-law thought in her heart, she was always very respectful to Consort Liang. However, due to the events of earlier years and the child, Consort Liang never gave Eighth Sister-in-law a kind look.

Qingwan followed Yihuan as they walked and talked until they reached a palace they had never been to before. Yi'an was waiting inside, and there was plenty of food on the table. After they had exchanged a few words, someone announced that the Sixth Princess and the Ninth Princess had arrived.

Yi Huan and Yi An both looked puzzled. They didn't know these two would come. Then Yi An said with some annoyance, "I wanted to have a good talk with my sister-in-law, but it's unfortunate."

After the two entered the house, Yi An lazily asked, "What brings you two here?"

The Sixth Princess said, "What an unreasonable Eighth Princess! Not only did she not get up to greet you, but she also had this kind of attitude."

Yi An remained seated and said with a smile, "Sixth Sister, please sit down. I'd like to invite Sixth Sister and Ninth Sister to have some tea."

The Sixth Princess was born to Consort Nara, a concubine of Emperor Kangxi. She had a relatively low profile in the palace and was not yet betrothed. When she heard Yi Huan say this, she only glared at her before going to greet Qing Wan. Qing Wan quickly called her Sixth Sister and then Ninth Sister.

Qingwan was afraid that the four princesses in the room would reveal some palace secrets that she couldn't bear to hear, so she said, "Princesses, please continue your conversation. I'll head back now, as the Thirteenth Prince is probably about to return."

Yi Huan got up to see her out, then said, "I won't see you off any longer, sister-in-law. I was hoping to spend more time talking with you today."

Qingwan smiled and said, "There will be plenty of time later."

Yi Huan leaned close to Qing Wan's ear and whispered, "Sixth Sister is coming today, I'm afraid there's something on her mind, sister-in-law, don't overthink it."

Qingwan didn't seem to mind: "Why not? You should go back." Then she left.

After Yi Huan returned to her room, the Sixth Princess said, "Did you send your good sister-in-law away?"

Yi Huan just smiled obediently, and seeing that all the servants in the room except for one who was pouring tea had been sent away, she sat down and took over the job, leaving only the four sisters in the room.

Yi'an then asked the Sixth Princess, "Tell me, what brings you here today?"

The Sixth Princess had been watching Yi Huan ever since she took over the task of pouring tea. She wasn't in a hurry to reply, but couldn't help but reach out and rub Yi Huan's face before saying, "Why are you so obedient?"

Seeing this, Yi'an reached out and slapped the Sixth Princess's hand away: "What are you doing, touching her like that?"

The sixth princess angrily moved her hand away: "Look how protective you are, this is also my sister."

But he still withdrew his hand and said, "What kind of question is that? Can't I talk to you guys if there's nothing wrong?"

Yi An gave a perfunctory "hmm" before saying, "You don't come here unless you have a reason. Tell me what you've come for."

The Sixth Princess shook her head helplessly, but the Ninth Princess beside her answered the question: "The Imperial Concubine said that Sixth Sister's marriage has been arranged." However, there was a hint of worry on her face.

Upon hearing this, Yi'an and the other woman both turned their attention to the Ninth Princess. Seeing their curiosity, the Ninth Princess then said, "It was Tsering of the Borjigit clan who came to submit to us in the thirty-first year."

Yi An pondered: "I've heard Thirteen Brother mention this person. He's someone highly regarded by the Khan, and after surrendering, he was even granted special permission by the Khan to study in the inner court for a period of time."

But this person…”

"But this man has been married before and has two sons, and he is much younger than me," the Sixth Princess replied in a somewhat cold tone.

Yi Huan was puzzled: "Then why would Father Khan choose such a person?"

The sixth princess stroked the cup in her hand, puzzled: "I don't know. I asked the Khan, but she is of low status and not very favored. So the Khan naturally wouldn't tell her much. He only said that she was carefully selected and that I wouldn't be wronged."

I came here today to ask my sister to say hello to my thirteenth brother. If he has time, please tell me about Ce Ling. If he doesn't have time, then forget it.

I had seen this man before when he was with the Khan, and I had heard the Khan mention him, but I didn't know what kind of person he was, nor did I know why the Khan chose him as his son-in-law.

My thirteenth brother has many companions, so it's easy for you sisters to strike up a conversation with him. That's why I thought I'd come and find you.

“Alright.” Yi’an agreed to the Sixth Princess’s request.

Knowing the situation, the Sixth Princess changed the subject: "By the way, where did Thirteenth Sister-in-law come from just now? Was she going to pay her respects?"