Shen Qi was at the perfect age and was already beautiful. Shen Jin was still young, but she was extremely adorable too. Her face was flushed, her eyes moist. Although her looks were not as striking as his other daughters’, that pair of almond eyes made her seem both innocent and lovely.
Princess Consort Rui was also very beautiful, but on ordinary days she mostly presented herself in a dignified manner, lacking a little softness and charm. Yet at this moment, she was unexpectedly stunning.
“What are you all laughing about?” Prince Rui asked as he walked in.
In truth, Princess Consort Rui had long known the time Prince Rui usually came. Shen Qi and Shen Jin hurriedly separated and called out somewhat embarrassedly, “Father.”
“Haha.” Prince Rui was not angry. He sat beside Princess Consort Rui and said, “You two sit as well.”
Only then did Shen Qi and Shen Jin sit down. Seeing that his two daughters were somewhat nervous, Prince Rui smiled and asked, “What were you playing around about just now?”
“Jin girl embroidered a handkerchief for me.” Princess Consort Rui took the initiative to hand over the handkerchief. Then she pointed at the lotus leaves and red carp for Prince Rui to look at. “Your Highness, can you see anything unusual?”
Prince Rui had seen countless treasures. Naturally, Shen Jin’s embroidery could not compare with that of embroiderers who made a living from the craft, and it was not even comparable to that of ordinary noble girls. But Shen Jin was not yet ten years old, and given her status, it could already be considered quite good. Even the eldest, Shen Qi, was not as good as her. “Mm… I think the lotus leaves and fish are a little too plump?”
“See? Father says so too.” Shen Qi poked Shen Jin and laughed. “Just now, when I said it, Younger Sister refused to admit it.”
Prince Rui smiled. “It is embroidered quite well, though. Just don’t tire yourself.”
Shen Jin was used to being ignored by Prince Rui. Hearing such words so suddenly, her face flushed and she said, “Father, I’ll make something for you too.”
Prince Rui was startled. No daughter had ever made anything for him before. Seeing Shen Jin’s face full of expectation and nervousness, he smiled and said, “All right.”
Princess Consort Rui smiled from the side and said, “Jin girl really is thoughtful.”
Shen Qi said, “Younger Sister, don’t forget mine.”
“I won’t forget.” Shen Jin moved closer to Shen Qi and promised, “Older Sister is the best.”
“So obedient.” Shen Qi looked rather smugly at Prince Rui. This appearance made Prince Rui like her even more. After all, she was his only legitimate daughter.
Princess Consort Rui’s two sons usually stayed in the palace, and even when they returned during holidays, they lived in the outer courtyard. Therefore, only the four of them ate together. They did not have servants waiting on them either. Shen Qi, however, kept taking care of Shen Jin. Shen Jin looked very adorable when she ate. She took small bites, one after another, and her posture was very proper. Yet watching her made people feel comfortable and increased their appetite. Even Prince Rui ate an extra bowl of porridge.
After breakfast, Shen Qi brought Shen Jin to class. Prince Rui had specially hired teachers for them. He did not expect every one of them to become talented ladies, but they at least had to understand the basics.
Because he did not need to attend court, Prince Rui kept thinking about the scene he had seen when he entered. He could not help taking Princess Consort Rui’s hand. Princess Consort Rui’s face reddened, and she lowered her head slightly, showing a charm she did not usually reveal.
The servants in the room were also very perceptive and quietly withdrew. Prince Rui felt pleased and, unable to help himself, pulled Princess Consort Rui close. Princess Consort Rui did not refuse either…
Shen Zi did not come today. Shen Jing, however, brought her younger sister Shen Rong along. Shen Rong was the youngest, but the teacher had once said that she was quite gifted in music, so her studies leaned more heavily in that direction.
When Shen Jing saw Shen Qi and Shen Jin arrive together, her eyes darkened slightly. But she immediately revealed a smile and took the initiative to call out, “Eldest Sister, Third Sister.”
Shen Rong also greeted them along with Shen Jing, then sat to the side and looked at a music score. Although she was young, she already carried somewhat of a talented girl’s proud aloofness.
The things each of them studied were different. The worst students were Shen Jin and Shen Zi. However, Shen Zi was beautiful, so if one truly counted it, only Shen Jin was good for nothing. In the past, although the teacher would not deliberately make things difficult for Shen Jin, she was somewhat inattentive toward her. But today, seeing Shen Qi personally holding Shen Jin’s hand as she brought her in, the teacher was slightly surprised. Still, she quickly returned to normal.
At noon, Shen Jin did not follow Shen Qi back to the main courtyard. Side Consort Chen was waiting for her in the courtyard. When she saw her daughter, a smile appeared on her face, and she said gently, “Why did you walk so quickly? You’re sweating.” As she spoke, she took a handkerchief and helped Shen Jin wipe her forehead.
“Mother.” Shen Jin’s eyes were bright, and her face was flushed, making her especially adorable.
Side Consort Chen had originally wanted to ask a few questions, but seeing her daughter like this, she understood in her heart. She led her daughter into the room and had someone bring warm water for Shen Jin to wash with.
“Mother…” After Shen Jin finished washing, she moved close to Side Consort Chen.
Just like when Shen Jin was little, Side Consort Chen brought the water to her lips and fed it to her. Although Shen Jin finished drinking it, she still said, “Why is it warm?”
“How could you drink cold water right after coming back?” No matter how much Side Consort Chen doted on Shen Jin, she paid special attention to her health. “All right, let’s eat.”
“Mm.” Shen Jin agreed.
Naturally, the food here was not as abundant as in the main courtyard, but it was not lacking either. In any case, Shen Jin felt that there was fish, meat, vegetables, and soup, and the taste was all quite good. No matter how unfavoured Side Consort Chen was, she had still given Prince Rui a daughter and was a side consort. The kitchen did not dare neglect them.
However, Shen Jin did not know whether it was her imagination, but she felt that today’s food was slightly different from usual. It seemed to suit her tastes even better.
Shen Jin understood inwardly that it was probably related to the things Prince Rui and Princess Consort Rui had sent over yesterday. But she did not think much of it. Previously, the kitchen had not shorted them either; everything had been according to their allotted share. If they truly wanted to eat something, they could inform the kitchen and the kitchen would make it. Now, it was merely that they were putting in a little more effort.
After eating, Side Consort Chen took Shen Jin for a few turns around the small courtyard before letting her return to her room to rest. Because Prince Rui had not visited this courtyard in a very long time, Shen Jin sometimes pulled her mother to sleep with her, and Side Consort Chen indulged her. Today, mother and daughter lay on the bed together, and Shen Jin softly told Side Consort Chen what had happened in the main courtyard.
Side Consort Chen stroked Shen Jin’s head and said, “Since the Princess Consort treats you well, you must properly show filial respect to her, understand?”
“I know.” Shen Jin said, “I want to make Mother Consort a forehead band.”
“Then make one.” Side Consort Chen said gently, “Mother will slowly teach you.”
“And Older Sister’s pouch,” Shen Jin mumbled with her eyes closed.
“All right.” Side Consort Chen smiled. “Mother still has a very pretty piece of fabric. I’ll take it out for you when the time comes.”
“And Father’s…” Shen Jin was already somewhat dazed and almost asleep.
“All right.” Side Consort Chen turned sideways and gently patted her daughter. “Sleep. We’ll talk about it after you wake up.”
“Mm.” Only then did Shen Jin fall asleep peacefully.
Taking advantage of the time while Princess Consort Rui was bathing, Cuixi had already reported everything that had happened in Side Consort Chen’s courtyard. Princess Consort Rui was satisfied. She did not want to raise an ingrate. “No need to comb it properly. Just loosely put it up.”
“Yes.” After serving Princess Consort Rui, Cuixi helped her out.
Prince Rui had also finished washing. When he saw Princess Consort Rui, he took the initiative to step forward and support her as they sat together at the table. Only then did the maids bring in the dishes. It was rare for Prince Rui to personally ladle a bowl of soup for Princess Consort Rui.
Princess Consort Rui also picked up dishes Prince Rui liked and placed them in his bowl. For a time, the two of them were even more intimate than when they had first married.
After eating, Prince Rui directly took his afternoon rest at Princess Consort Rui’s place. Only after lying on the bed did Princess Consort Rui speak. “Your Highness, in a few days, I plan to bring Jin girl to Marquis Yongle’s manor.”
“You decide.” When a man had eaten and drunk his fill, he was at his easiest to speak to.
“Second Girl is outstanding in appearance, Fourth Girl also has a small reputation, and Fifth Girl is still young, so there is no rush. It is only Jin girl… Still, she is the most obedient and sensible. But this is not something we can openly tell others. In the end, I should bring her out to meet more people, so there will be more options for her marriage in the future.” Princess Consort Rui said gently, “You also know that every summer my energy is poor. Jin girl is sensible and can help take care of me a little. If I bring too many girls, I fear I will not be able to look after them all.”
“I know you.” Prince Rui said, “We have been married for so many years, and you have managed the inner courtyard very well. Don’t worry.”
Prince Rui knew that Princess Consort Rui was saying so much because she feared he would think she was biased. However, Prince Rui had never thought that way. He also felt that Lady Xu’s three daughters would have no trouble marrying. But his third daughter… she truly was not outstanding enough. It was right for the Princess Consort to plan a little more for her.
“Also, Your Highness, what do you think would be an appropriate amount of silver from the public funds for a daughter’s dowry?” Princess Consort Rui asked. “Qi’er is the legitimate daughter, so naturally hers should be larger.”
After hearing this, Prince Rui did not feel anything was wrong. In his heart, he agreed as well. Besides, the family his eldest daughter would marry into was not ordinary. If her dowry were too small, she would be laughed at. After thinking for a moment, he said, “When the time comes, the palace will also bestow quite a lot. But my daughters all hold the title of commandery princess; too little would not look good. Qi’er is the legitimate daughter, so give her fifty thousand taels. As for the remaining four girls, give each of them thirty thousand taels.”
“Mm.” Princess Consort Rui was satisfied. “There is no need to worry about Qi’er’s, but Second Girl’s and Jin girl’s should be prepared early.”
“You decide.” Prince Rui smiled.
Princess Consort Rui said no more. Although they were all thirty thousand taels, what thirty thousand taels could buy was not the same. Thirty thousand taels’ worth of antiques and fabrics was vastly different from thirty thousand taels’ worth of fertile land and shops. Princess Consort Rui did not want, after her daughter married, to let the three daughters born of Lady Xu spend all day acting obedient in front of the prince. That was why she had pushed Shen Jin forward. Presumably, Side Consort Chen knew this, but she had not told Shen Jin. Instead, she had told Shen Jin to properly show filial respect to her. That was what a truly intelligent person did.
As for Lady Xu? She could keep hopping around happily for now. In the future, there would be a time for her to cry.
Therefore, no matter how Side Consort Xu showed off or tried to monopolise Prince Rui, Princess Consort Rui was never angry, because she had never taken Side Consort Xu seriously at all. When one’s opponent was not on the same level, that too was rather melancholy.
For the next few days, Prince Rui kept staying overnight at Princess Consort Rui’s place. Lady Xu could no longer sit still. However, it was not convenient for her to go openly, so she sent her three daughters in the morning to pay respects to Princess Consort Rui.
When he had not seen it, Prince Rui had not felt anything. But when he suddenly saw them, he remembered that for so long, aside from his eldest daughter and third daughter, who came every day to pay respects to Princess Consort Rui, Lady Xu’s three daughters were coming for the first time. Thinking this, he frowned and felt that Lady Xu was far too ignorant of propriety.
Princess Consort Rui, however, did not mind at all. She even instructed people to prepare the foods Shen Zi and the others liked. Hearing that Princess Consort Rui remembered their preferences without the slightest mistake, Prince Rui sighed inwardly. As expected, one should marry a virtuous wife. “Do you usually not come to pay respects to the Princess Consort?”
As soon as these words came out, before Shen Zi and the others could speak, Princess Consort Rui said, “I was the one who did not let them come. They are all still growing. Sleeping a little longer is the proper thing.” After saying this, she even gave Prince Rui a reproachful glance. “You mustn’t frighten the children.”
Seeing Princess Consort Rui like this, Prince Rui’s dissatisfaction grew even deeper. Shen Jin lowered her head and shrank to the side. She felt that the most formidable person in Prince Rui’s manor was indeed Princess Consort Rui. It was just as Mother had said: as long as Princess Consort Rui liked her, it did not matter even if Prince Rui did not. Moreover, although Lady Xu appeared glorious, she was still firmly suppressed by Princess Consort Rui. This was not merely a matter of status, but also of intelligence.
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