20demayo Chapter 252 Fang Nanxi's Transmigration to the Qing Dynasty 6
Chapter 252 Fang Nanxi's Transmigration to the Qing Dynasty 6
Xingluo, seeing that it was almost time, gently woke Fang Nanxi. Qinglan Garden was far from the main courtyard, so they needed to get up early to prepare.
Fang Nanxi sighed inwardly, realizing that the leisurely days of sleeping until she naturally woke up were gone forever.
Fortunately, the Fujin was quite virtuous, or perhaps because the Empress Dowager stipulated that the concubines should pay their respects on the first and fifteenth of each month, the Fujin also set the rule of paying respects on the twenty-sixth of each month, and the Fujin also had to go to the palace to pay her respects on the first and fifteenth of each month.
Today, because Fang Nanxi served the emperor, the women in the back courtyard gathered in the main courtyard to pay their respects, which also made it easier for Fang Nanxi to get to know everyone.
Fang Nanxi carefully selected a light pink cheongsam, paired with a light pink hairpin of the same color. She was already young and beautiful, so she didn't need much embellishment. With just a touch of makeup, she was already very charming.
Before the time for paying respects, Fang Nanxi had already arrived at the main courtyard. Qinglan Garden was quite far from the main courtyard, requiring about 30 minutes to walk.
Led by the bamboo shadows, Fang Nanxi entered the main courtyard and saw Song Gege and An Gege. She thought she had arrived early enough, but she didn't expect there to be people who had arrived even earlier than her.
"Princess Song, Princess An." Fang Nanxi respectfully performed a curtsy.
After the three exchanged greetings, Fang Nanxi sat down at the spot indicated by the bamboo shadows.
Zhu Ying said, "Princess, the Princess Consort is still washing up. Please wait a moment."
Since Song Gege was a senior member of the household, she naturally responded, "Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Madam. It is only right that I pay my respects to you."
After finishing her sentence, Zhu Ying returned to the inner room. Song Gege, being a talkative person, quickly started chatting with Fang Nanxi and An Gege. Although Fang Nanxi didn't actively participate in conversations, every time she spoke, she hit the nail on the head, making her presence hard to ignore.
With the time for paying respects fast approaching, Consort Wu arrived just in time. The four of them had only been seated for a short while when the Fujin (princess) emerged from the inner chamber.
"Greetings to the Princess Consort, may the Princess Consort be blessed," everyone said in unison.
"Get up," the princess said, her voice steady and authoritative.
As Fang Nanxi stood up, she secretly glanced at the Fujin out of the corner of her eye.
The princess's appearance was only average, fitting the image of a noblewoman of the Manchu ethnic group. However, her slightly old-fashioned qipao made her look like she was in her thirties.
Fang Nanxi vaguely remembered that the Fujin was a few years younger than the Fourth Prince, and was only about twenty-five years old this year.
"Alright, yesterday was Consort Fang's turn to serve the Emperor. It's been almost a year since Consort Fang entered the household, so let's gather everyone together today," the Fujin said after sitting down at the head of the table.
Then, Lanxin brought over a cushion and a teacup. Fang Nanxi knelt on the ground according to the rules, raised the teacup, and said, "Please have some tea, Madam."
The princess took the teacup and took a sip, signifying that Fang Nanxi had officially become a member of the inner courtyard.
Fang Nanxi sat in the last seat. The seat to her left was empty; it was the seat of Consort Li, who was currently under house arrest by the Fourth Prince and had not yet been released. Fang Nanxi sat to the left of Consort An, and opposite Consort Wu.
"Li Shi has been confined to her quarters by the master, so you all better behave yourselves. If you anger the master, don't blame me for turning against you." The princess glanced at everyone and warned them sternly.
The four princesses quickly stood up and said in unison, "We will remember what the Princess Consort said."
"Please sit down." The Fujin was quite satisfied with the reactions of the princesses. She naturally understood the principle of using both kindness and severity. She then said, "There are still too few offspring in the manor. Whoever gives birth to a prince first will be richly rewarded by the master and me and will be made a concubine."
These words instantly lit up the eyes of An Gege and Wu Gege.
Princess An entered the Kangxi Emperor's household in the 40th year of his reign, and almost four years have passed since then, yet she has not conceived.
Princess Wu, on the other hand, looked arrogant. She felt that compared to other princes' residences, there were fewer people in her household, which would increase her chances of getting pregnant. She was also very confident in herself.
Fang Nanxi lowered her head. She didn't expect the Fourth Prince to favor her exclusively, but at least some affection would make her life in the backyard better.
Moreover, most of the servants in the Fourth Prince's mansion are snobbish. Before she served the emperor, she had to pay for whatever she wanted to eat. But after she served the emperor yesterday, breakfast was already prepared before Xingluo even had a chance to get the money.
"Thank you for your kindness, Madam." The princesses echoed in agreement.
Seeing that there was nothing else to discuss, the Princess Consort dismissed everyone and sent them home.
Fang Nanxi was walking at the back when she unexpectedly ran into Wu Gege as soon as she left the main courtyard. Judging from Wu Gege's appearance, it seemed that she had been waiting for her.
"Oh, Fang Gege, you've finally reaped the rewards of your suffering. But with your frail appearance, you still want to conceive a prince?" Wu Gege mocked without any politeness.
Fang Nanxi raised an eyebrow, thinking to herself, "Is this Wu Gege not quite right in the head, or does she think that the Fourth Prince has feelings for her, which is why she's so unrestrained?" She should know that this was at the main courtyard gate, surrounded by the Fujin's people.
"Of course, I am not as blessed as you, Consort Wu. Consort Wu is in good health and will surely conceive a little prince soon." Fang Nanxi did not want to have a conflict with Consort Wu at the main courtyard gate. After all, she had to give face to the princess, so she responded tactfully.
"Hmph, you're smart to know what's good for you." With that, Princess Wu left haughtily.
Xingluo hesitated, but Fang Nanxi gave her a look, indicating that they should talk about it later.
In the main courtyard, the conflict between Fang Nanxi and Wu Gege was quickly reported to Lanxin by the servants, who then relayed it to the Fujin (the wife of the deceased).
“That Wu Gege is such an ambitious fool. Granny Gui, make Wu Gege copy the manor rules five times as punishment. She is not allowed to come out until she finishes copying them.”
A hint of displeasure flashed in the Fujin's eyes. She didn't want another person as difficult to manage as Li Shi to appear. Fortunately, Wu Gege was only pretty and did not win the Fourth Prince's favor.
"Yes, Madam." Granny Gui accepted the order and left.
When Fang Nanxi returned to Qinglan Garden, Xingluo looked indignant and said, "Princess, why didn't you talk back to her? Wu Gege went too far. We are both from the Eight Banners, and our master's official rank is even higher than Wu Gege's father's."
Fang Nanxi chuckled lightly, a hint of fierceness flashing in her eyes. Of course she knew all this, but it was not a wise move to start a conflict in the main courtyard.
"Alright, Xingluo, go and find out how the Fujin is punishing Wu Gege later," Fang Nanxi instructed Xingluo to do.
Less than an hour later, the Fujin sent Granny Gui to Qingfeng Garden (Wu Gege's residence) to punish Wu Gege by making her copy the household rules and to confine her to her quarters.
"Your Highness, you are truly remarkable! Your Majesty is so fair in your rewards and punishments," Xingluo said happily.
Just as Fang Nanxi was about to speak, a commotion came from outside.
"Princess, Eunuch Su has arrived," Qiu Shuang's voice came.
Su Peisheng led his men into Qinglan Garden, presented Fang Nanxi with the Fourth Prince's reward, and then said with a smile, "Last night, the Fourth Prince noticed that there weren't many people serving the Princess, so he arranged for some people to come and serve her."
According to the rules, a princess should be served by one head maid, two junior maids, and two eunuchs.
Before Fang Nanxi had served the emperor, the Fujin (principal wife) only arranged for two people to serve her, one of whom was Xingluo, Fang Nanxi's dowry maid.
But everyone knew perfectly well that having two maids serving one was the treatment of a concubine. If one didn't serve the emperor, then one was still a concubine, after all, everyone went through that.
"Thank you for your concern, sir." After saying this, Fang Nanxi bowed in gratitude towards the front yard.
Fang Nanxi wasn't in a hurry to choose, but instead asked, "Tell me what you all do?"
Three maids and five eunuchs introduced their skills. Fang Nanxi then selected one maid and two eunuchs.
Seeing that the matter was settled, Su Peisheng returned to the front yard, and Fang Nanxi asked Xingluo to see him off.
“Song’er, your name clashes with Song Gege’s name, so it’s not appropriate to continue using your original name.” In the Qing Dynasty, generally only names that clash with the emperor’s were avoided, but even within the same household, similar names could be taboo.
Song'er was a clever girl, and she immediately knelt down and said, "Please, Princess, bestow a name upon me."
"Let's call her Qiuzhu." Xingluo was the person Fang Nanxi trusted most, and the two had a childhood friendship, so Fang Nanxi treated her differently and thought of having this girl stay by Qiushuang's side.
"Qiuzhu thanks Your Highness for bestowing this name upon her." Qiuzhu quickly expressed her gratitude.
"Xiao Lengzi and Xiao Linzi, you don't need to change your names. Just do your jobs well," Fang Nanxi instructed.
"Yes, Princess." The three of them finished speaking and then left.
Fang Nanxi had Xingluo give the three people loyalty pills. She didn't want any disloyal people around her. Regardless of whether they were originally loyal or not, they would eventually become her confidants.