All eyes turned to Jiang Si, then to the infant in the wet nurse’s arms.
The Consort of Prince Yan, dignified and virtuous?
How could the Emperor utter such insincere words?
As for whether this baby girl possessed her mother’s grace, it was even more laughable. The Emperor hadn’t even seen this tiny infant yet!
Bestowed a name and title of Princess at just three days old—this treatment rivaled that of a legitimate Imperial Princess.
Not just the Consort of Prince Qi, but even the other princes’ consorts and married princesses found their smiles stiffening.
Was the Emperor’s astonishing move intended to drive people mad with jealousy?
Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Xiao Lezi cleared his throat, “Consort of Prince Yan, please thank the Emperor on behalf of the little Princess.”
Jiang Si received the imperial edict with both hands, expressing her gratitude solemnly.
“You may rise, Consort. This servant will return to report,” Xiao Lezi said with a smile, quickly glancing at A Huan a few times.
He wondered what was so special about this infant that the Emperor would confer a title now. Not just the nobles, even he was shocked.
“Thank you for your trouble, Sir,” Jiang Si signaled to A Qiao with her eyes.
A Qiao immediately presented the reward and escorted Xiao Lezi out.
“Ahem, the little Princess has already won the Emperor’s favor at birth. Congratulations, Consort,” a married princess coughed, breaking the strange atmosphere.
As if awakening from a spell, the crowd came to their senses, composing their complex emotions and offering congratulations to Jiang Si.
Even after returning to their respective residences, their feelings remained complicated and indescribable.
In the Ci Xin Hall of the Dong Ping Earl’s Mansion, Old Madam Feng stood up abruptly upon hearing Third Madam Guo’s words: “What? The Emperor conferred the title of Princess on the Consort’s daughter?”
Madam Guo replied with lowered eyes, “Daughter-in-law was in the hall and witnessed the Consort receiving the edict personally.”
If she saw Jiang Si receive the edict with her own eyes, it must be true.
Old Madam Feng slowly sat back down, her gaze bewildered.
Had she grown too old to understand the ways of the world?
That girl Jiang Si wasn’t of good temperament. Though marrying into the Prince’s household brought honor, she had always been worried, fearing the girl’s foul temper would bring disaster someday.
Although a married daughter was like spilled water, marrying into the royal family was different. If she made a mistake, how could the natal family avoid being implicated?
The Consort of Prince Jin was a prime example before their eyes.
Shortly after Prince Jin’s family went to guard the imperial mausoleum, the Consort’s father was demoted and had to leave the flourishing capital with his entire family to serve as an official in the provinces.
But how did Jiang Si keep defying her expectations?
The Emperor praised the fourth girl as dignified and virtuous—Old Madam Feng shook her head as she pondered.
Even more perplexed than Old Madam Feng was the Consort of Prince Qi.
At this moment, Prince Qi hadn’t received the news and was discussing matters with his advisors in the study when an attendant suddenly reported: “Your Highness, the Consort has returned and requests your presence.”
Prince Qi frowned instinctively.
Li Shi was usually sensible and rarely disturbed him during important matters. If she called for him, it must be significant.
Realizing the Consort of Prince Qi had returned from Prince Yan’s residence, Prince Qi understood it must be related to Seventh Brother again.
Lately, anything concerning Old Seven made his heart sink. He wondered what it could be this time.
Prince Qi hurried over, immediately noticing the Consort’s complex expression.
“What’s the matter?” he asked.
The Consort of Prince Qi gestured for the servants to withdraw. She pursed her lips and said, “Does Your Highness know what happened at Prince Yan’s residence during the third-day celebration?”
“Just tell me. How would I know?” Prince Qi frowned.
Nothing good, certainly nothing good.
The Consort’s expression grew more complex as she slowly said, “Father Emperor has conferred the title of Princess He Shu on Prince Yan’s eldest daughter.”
Prince Qi was stunned.
Princess He Shu?
Rubbing his face, Prince Qi said fiercely, “Has Father Emperor lost his mind?”
When had the usually calm and courteous Prince Qi ever lost composure like this?
The Consort’s face changed slightly as she lowered her voice, “Your Highness, please be careful with your words.”
No matter how senile they thought the Emperor had become, it couldn’t be said aloud.
“Your Highness, what do you think Father Emperor is thinking? How could there be any reason to confer a title on a three-day-old infant…”
Prince Qi massaged his temples, calming down, and sneered, “It seems Father Emperor remembers Old Seven’s merits in Qianhe County.”
Mentioning Yu Jin’s great achievements in Qianhe County and his current good reputation among the common people, the Consort of Prince Qi was left speechless. She even thought secretly: If it had been Your Highness who went to Qianhe County, you might not have performed as well as Prince Yan.
Prince Qi regained his composure and instead felt it was a good thing: “This is fine. After all, it’s just a daughter. Conferred or not, she’s still just a princess. It’s better than Father Emperor keeping Old Seven’s merits in mind and compensating him elsewhere.”
“Your Highness is right.”
Prince Qi glanced at his Consort and sighed, “Don’t fixate on this. Taking care of your health and giving birth to a legitimate son for me as soon as possible is more important than anything.”
The Consort of Prince Qi trembled slightly, nodding gently, but her heart was filled with bitterness.
Although she had recovered mentally from this miscarriage, her monthly cycles had become increasingly irregular. It seemed unlikely that she could conceive again in the short term.
Thinking of this, the Consort sighed inwardly but forced a smile, “Your Highness, I’ve selected two clever and nimble maids for you. Would you like to take a look and choose one to serve you tonight?”
Prince Qi had no interest in the concubines his Consort selected. He said indifferently, “All the women you’ve chosen in the past have given birth to girls without exception. Don’t be so rigid, Consort. Perhaps you could try selecting a couple of outstanding beauties.”
This Li shi, all the concubines she gave him were ordinary women. Not only could they not bear sons, but the daughters they bore all took after their mothers. None of them stood out. Just thinking about the situation in ten or more years made his heart sink.
It all came down to false virtue, unwilling to give him a few beautiful concubines.
As Prince Qi thought about this, his dissatisfaction with the Consort deepened another layer, though his face revealed nothing.
The Consort of Prince Qi’s hands, hidden in her sleeves, clenched tightly as she smiled faintly, “I understand.”
“Then I’ll return to the study. Consort, please rest.”
Back in the study, Prince Qi mentioned to his advisor the matter of Prince Yan’s eldest daughter being conferred a title.
The advisor stroked his beard and said, “Your Highness need not concern yourself with these matters. Prince Yan is the seventh son; everything must come after Your Highness. Currently, Your Highness has only one task: to make that person fall from his position as soon as possible…”
Prince Qi nodded silently.
The advisor was right. The Crown Prince was the biggest stumbling block. As long as he occupied that position for a day, others could only watch helplessly.
Fortunately, while they had to search for weaknesses in others, that fool of a Crown Prince was covered in them. It was hard to decide where to start.
They would take it step by step.
In June, another event occurred.
Yu Jin’s birthday was in June, and this year he turned twenty, the age for his coming-of-age ceremony. When a man comes of age, it truly marks his entry into adulthood.
A prince’s coming-of-age ceremony had to be held in the Imperial Ancestral Temple. The entire process was complex and solemn, not needing elaboration.
June passed in the blink of an eye, and Prince Yan’s residence welcomed Princess He Shu’s full-month celebration.
Unlike the third-day celebration, which only invited close female relatives, the full-month celebration would host a grand banquet for guests.
This time, even the Crown Prince attended.