The Qing Palace Never Meets Spring

Qingwan watched Guarjia's expression with some amusement. After Yinxiang entered the bedroom and closed the door, she led her people to the main hall where guests were received.

Upon arrival, tea had already been prepared. Guarjia knelt down to serve the tea, saying:

"Concubine Guarjiafuling greets the Lady."

Qingwan didn't make things difficult for her in this matter. After drinking tea, she called her to rise, gave her some gifts, and asked her to sit down before inquiring:

"Have you brought the eldest princess yet?"

Guarjia looked at the maid behind her who was carrying the things, and the maid reported, "They have already been brought. The wet nurse is holding them outside and waiting for the princess."

Qingwan disagreed with this statement. The possibility of the child dying young was very high, even for royalty, especially for a princess of that age. Who knew if the child might have waited outside the door for a while today and then come home to say that she was not feeling well?

They hurriedly called for someone to bring the person closer. The wet nurse came in, hugged the eldest princess, and kowtowed, saying, "Princess, I greet you."

Qingwan had the wet nurse bring the child closer and found that the child was well-cared for and looked very much like Guarjia. The child was not shy around people and smiled when he saw her. The two-year-old child, after being taught by the wet nurse, clearly called out "Enie".

Although Qingwan, who had just gotten married, had no romantic feelings for Yinxiang and knew that he had a daughter, she was still taken aback by being called that, and managed to control her expression so that she wouldn't make a fool of herself.

He then responded and gave the wet nurse two more sets of necklaces and bracelets for the children before letting her take the children back.

After she became acquainted with the Fourth Prince's wife, Ulanara, she talked about her current predicament and was laughed at by the Fourth Prince's wife: "It's clear that you are still young. At least when you entered the family, the Thirteenth Prince only had one concubine and one daughter."

Most of us who became princes' wives already had both sons and daughters when we entered the family, and some were even concubines who were listed in the imperial genealogy.

"Look at the fourteenth prince's wife, she's only just entered the family and she already has a son." Her tone was smiling, but there was a hint of helplessness in her words, but that's another story.

As Qingwan watched the wet nurse carrying the eldest princess away, she casually said to Guarjia:

"You've taken excellent care of the eldest princess, and I'm at ease with that. However, today the wet nurse had to hold her outside for a while. Although it wasn't long, she's young and delicate, so you must take good care of her today and make sure she's not uncomfortable."

Guarjia, upon hearing this, composed herself and agreed. Then another servant came to report:

"The master sent someone to say that the crown prince has summoned him, and it is unknown when he will return. Therefore, the princess consort need not wait for the master to have dinner today."

"The Crown Prince?" Qingwan was a little puzzled. Yinxiang was still on leave and he had already summoned him like this. Was there something urgent? However, since it involved the Crown Prince, it was not something she could ask.

Breakfast in the palace was served at a different time than at home. Although breakfast was supposed to be at the end of the Mao hour (5-7 AM), it was actually served according to personal preference and usually between the Mao hour and the Si hour (9-11 AM).

Because Lady Guarjia arrived early today, and Yinxiang had not yet washed up, she skipped breakfast. Now that Yinxiang was not here, she ordered someone to set out a meal.

Seeing this, Guarjia did not leave. She simply took off her ring and bracelet, washed her hands, and stood behind Qingwan to serve her meal.

Qingwan and the people around her let her be. After she finished rinsing her mouth, they asked about the situation in the courtyard. Finally, they remembered to ask, "Has the eldest princess been named yet?"

Fuling said, "Not yet. Master means to name it when it's a little older and more settled."

Qingwan nodded slightly, indicating that she understood. This situation was within expectations. Unlike princes, princesses had to have names with the radicals "Hong" and "Ri" in them. Those who were favored even had their names bestowed by the emperor in the palace.

Qingwan spoke with her for a while longer before saying:

"Alright, you can go back now. You don't need to come over normally, just come to the main house to pay your respects on the tenth of each month."

"The eldest princess is Grandpa's eldest daughter and only child. Children her age are usually quite mischievous, so if you take good care of her, you'll be relieving Grandpa and me of our burdens."

Lady Guarjia quickly bowed and said, "The Princess's kindness is a blessing to us servants. I would never dare to fail to pay my respects because of the fact that she is the eldest princess."

Qingwan smiled and said, "I'm happy to see that you know the rules. But I only have this one daughter. If you can take good care of yourself and give birth to a prince soon, your good fortune will be even greater."

Just listen to me on this matter, no need to say more. Go back and take good care of the eldest princess. If she feels unwell, I will only contact you.

Upon hearing this, Fuling also excused herself and returned to her room. Qingwan also returned to her bedroom with her entourage.

Chenxiang was somewhat puzzled: "Master, you've just exempted Guarjia's concubine from the formalities. Isn't that too lenient on her?"

Qingwan chuckled: "She's always hanging around in front of us. You might not find it annoying, but I am. She's the only one in this courtyard now, but that doesn't mean she'll be the only one in the future. Just thinking about her hanging around in front of me every day gives me a headache."

Besides, she gave birth to the master's eldest daughter and was the first to serve him. If the master remembers her one day, she might very well become a concubine.

Mu Xiang was still a little worried: "Judging from what she said today, she probably has some resentment about what happened yesterday."

Chenxiang laughed and said, "So what if she does? What else can she do? Can she cause trouble for the Fujin or the princess? She'll probably just break a couple of cups and plates, and in the end, she'll still have to come to our Fujin for help."

Qingwan was amused by these words and said with a smile, "Alright, let's leave it at that. If you relax a little today, you won't be able to do it again in the future."

Even if you harbor malicious intentions, you must be wary of others. The palace is not your own home; be careful in your words and actions from now on, lest someone find fault with you.

Then he stood up and said, "Alright, let's get all the things we brought into the palace out first. Oh, and take out the books first, so I can pass the time."

As for the affairs of this courtyard, Qingwan asked about some things today, but she's not in a hurry to take over.

Yinxiang had not yet established his own residence. According to what Yi'an said yesterday, all the supplies for this courtyard were drawn from the Imperial Household Department. To put it bluntly, Yinxiang and his wives, concubines and children were all supported by his father, Emperor Kangxi. Not only him, but also the twelfth prince Yintao and the fourteenth prince Yinzhen were in the same situation.

As for the servants, there are palace rules for them to follow, and the status quo has been maintained for so many years. It would be bad if she were to break this balance so hastily.

This matter is both good and bad. Qingwan only hopes that Yinxiang can leave the palace and establish his own residence as soon as possible, which is more convenient than living in the palace.