20demayo Chapter 423 The Dowry from the Clan
Chapter 423 The Dowry from the Clan
"Master, I understand your concerns. However, the Emperor has elevated Noble Consort Shu's maternal family to the upper three banners and granted them the surname Fucha. This clearly shows his respect for them. If we do not express our gratitude, I'm afraid the Emperor will be upset."
Mrs. Fucha thought to herself that An Lingrong was lucky enough to be promoted from the daughter of a small county magistrate to a royal concubine with three children.
Such people are suitable for helping others in times of need, and they should be made friends with in advance.
She knew that her master was a cautious person, so she deliberately mentioned the emperor.
Fu Le'an was her own grandson. When he first entered the palace to be the sixth prince's companion, Lady Fucha was so anxious that she couldn't sleep all night.
This was because the eldest grandson of her best friend had unfortunately served as a study partner to the third prince Hongshi.
The third prince not only hated studying and loved to play, but also had a violent temper and often beat his study companions for no reason.
Mrs. Fucha had not seen her good friend for two months, and she almost didn't recognize him when they met again.
My friend was so worried about this matter that most of her hair turned white. How could she not worry about her grandson?
When her family received the imperial edict asking Fu Le'an to enter the palace as a companion, she wanted her husband to find a way to decline it politely.
But the master said that being a study partner with the princes is something many people dream of.
So he cruelly sent Fu Le'an into the palace.
Fortunately, the Sixth Prince, who was raised by Concubine Shu, is humble, polite and kind to others.
Every day when the grandson came back from the palace, she would tell her mother about the interesting things that happened in the Shangshufang.
When the daughter-in-law came to pay her respects every day, she would tell her the story in vivid detail.
From then on, Mrs. Fucha had a good impression of Concubine Shu.
After meeting her today, she was able to find that the Empress was indeed extraordinary, which made her even more determined to make friends with her.
The master has other illegitimate sons, and she has to make long-term plans for her children and grandchildren.
Her grandson Fu Le'an was at the service of the Sixth Prince, while she maintained a good relationship with Concubine Shu.
With the two generations of grandparents and grandchildren working together, their position as the eldest son became unbreakable.
When Ma Qi heard his wife mention that sticking to the doctrine of the mean might damage the emperor's reputation, he attentively handed her a cup of tea.
"Madam, you must have worked hard meeting the Imperial Concubine today. Please have a cup of tea to moisten your throat first."
He suppressed his desire to see Aunt Hua and Aunt Hong as soon as possible.
March knew that no matter how good the delicate concubines were, they could not compare to the resourceful old wife.
He was foolish enough to place his bet on the Eighth Prince. Later, after the current emperor ascended the throne, he did not settle accounts with him, thanks to his wife's behind-the-scenes planning.
Now how the Fucha family and Concubine Shu get along depends on what the lady thinks.
How could Mrs. Fucha not know what her partner was thinking? She did not point it out. After thanking him warmly, she also handed Machi a cup of tea.
"Master, you work hard for the country and the people from dawn to dusk. You've been tired all day. Have a glass of water to moisten your throat."
Machi glanced outside and saw that there was no one around, so he blushed and asked humbly.
"Madam! I know I'm wrong. I'd appreciate your guidance."
Mrs. Fucha took a sip of tea calmly and pretended to be in deep thought.
Seeing that his wife remained silent, March gritted his teeth and whispered in her ear to discuss.
"Madam, when I just entered the house, I heard from the housekeeper that Hua and Hong have been disrespectful when paying their respects recently. We cannot tolerate such people in our house. I hope Madam will send them elsewhere..."
Before the three words "learn the rules" were uttered, Mrs. Fucha, who had seized the opportunity, immediately took over.
"Master, you are sensible. The Emperor has always been very strict about rules. If the news that Hua and Hong came from a brothel were to leak out, it would inevitably affect the Emperor's opinion of you."
When the two vixen who were not presentable learned that the master was going to accompany him to the garden to serve, the two who usually wanted to fight each other to death teamed up to make the master lose his mind and tricked him into secretly bringing the person into the garden.
Even after coming to the garden, she was not well behaved. Not only did she pull the master to make trouble every night, but she also turned her face away when the master came to pay his respects, taking advantage of his favor.
If this were in the mansion in the capital, Madam Fucha would have taught them how to behave long ago.
Now that there is such an opportunity, Mrs. Fucha doesn't want to miss it.
With just a few words, she decided the fate of the two.
The beautiful faces of the two concubines flashed through March's mind, and he had no objection to this.
"Madam always handles things properly and will listen to you."
"It's getting late, let's go to your yard and talk."
Mrs. Fucha smiled and followed March's steps.
Although she has no feelings for her master in her old age for the sake of health, it does not mean that she is willing to give him up.
The moon sets and the sun rises, and it is a new day. Mrs. Fucha, who is in good spirits, summons her trusted nanny and housekeeper to her side.
"The master gave this lady a very important instruction last night... You two should leave for the mansion now. After consulting with the elders of the clan, return to the garden as soon as possible."
"I obey your command."
Both of them were the master's trusted confidants, so when they left, they naturally brought servants and maids with them.
Lin waited in Louyue Kaiyun for three days, but seeing that there was still no movement from the Fucha family, she became so anxious that blisters appeared on the corners of her mouth.
An Lingrong handed a small bowl to Lin.
"Mother, I asked someone to make you some snow pear soup. Please have some."
"Rong'er, you are thoughtful."
As the sweet pear soup went down her throat, Lin felt even more worried.
Nanny Chun told her about the difficulties faced by women in the imperial court in Beijing. She felt even more sorry for her daughter and was reluctant to share her worries with her, lest she become sad too.
An Lingrong asked in surprise when she saw Lin put the bowl aside.
"Mother, are you not used to living in this garden?"
There are rules everywhere here, and it is indeed not as comfortable as back home.
Just as Mrs. Lin was about to speak, Baoque came hurriedly to report.
"Master, Madam Tan, who is with Madam Fucha, requests to see you."
"Invite her in."
An Lingrong smiled slightly and thought to herself: It seems that the Fucha family has made its choice.
When Baoque left, Nanny Chun gently tugged at Lin's clothes, signaling them to avoid suspicion.
Lin nodded slightly and left quietly with An Lingrong's tacit consent.
"This servant pays respects to Her Majesty Shu Guifei. May Her Majesty be blessed with good health and happiness!"
"Madam Qin, please get up quickly. Is there something you want to do when you come to Louyue Kaiyun today?"
Nanny Qin came here on the orders of her master, and An Lingrong had no need to engage in witty exchanges with such a person.
"Reporting to the Empress, you recently gifted a large amount of snacks. Madam, thinking of the several young ladies in the clan who are about to get married, ordered this servant to send some back so that they can share in the blessing of the Empress."
"Madam, in gratitude for the gift from the Empress, personally made the most popular wedding cakes from the family's shop to express her gratitude."
Nanny Qin held the bright red lacquered wooden food box respectfully in front of her.
"Well, in that case, I will also share in the clan's joy."
After Nanny Qin left, An Lingrong took the food box and shook it slightly, and she knew there was something in the compartment below.
Before going to bed at night, Baoque opened her mouth slightly in surprise when she saw An Lingrong taking out several thick stacks of silver bills worth a considerable amount from the bottom of the food box.
"Master, what is this silver for?"
"The clan provides me with dowry."