"What's wrong with a daughter? A daughter is a mother's warm little cotton-padded jacket. At worst, we can find a husband for her." Rong Zhen said it very easily, and he said nonchalantly, "Don't worry about it!"
After a long while, Mingwei finally responded softly.
She rested her head against Rong Zhen's chest again, listening to his strong heartbeat and feeling his warm and refreshing breath, feeling both sweet and heartbroken.
Can she really believe in promises of a lifetime together?
******
Peaceful days always pass quickly, and before they knew it, it was time for the banquet at Prince Yu's residence.
The guest list was prepared by Rong Zhen's study and affairs office. The opera troupe invited was the famous Qingyun Troupe. The selection of the banquet venue and the furnishings were all discussed by the stewards sent from the three princes' mansions. Ming Wei was the most relaxed one, and in the end, she just made the final decision.
To keep the people from those three princely residences in check, Mingwei had each of them come up with a set of suggestions, and then chose the best one. As a result, all three groups put in their best effort, using every trick in the book to showcase themselves. Consequently, every detail of the banquet was executed flawlessly.
Mingwei did not rely solely on people from any particular prince's mansion. In the end, the management resulted in them checking and balancing each other, allowing each to have their own strengths.
The main courtyard of the Prince's Mansion.
As dawn broke, Mingwei was already up and washing. Rongzhen had also changed into his princely robes, a deep blue with dark purple cloud patterns, and fastened the jade crown that signified his princely status. After washing and dressing in the washroom, he repeatedly instructed Biyun and the others to take good care of the princess before heading to the outer study.
Dongyue brought out all the jewelry and clothes she had chosen long ago.
On the same day, Mingwei was dressed as radiantly as ever, with an added touch of luxury.
This time, she chose a bright red jacket with a hundred butterflies and floral patterns, covered in gold, and paired it with a vest with a subtle gold peony pattern. Because of her pregnancy, she didn't dare to choose a flamboyant and beautiful floor-length skirt, for fear of tripping over it and losing more than she gained. She only wore a sixteen-panel Xiang skirt with a royal blue wave pattern and gold embroidery, tied with a blue-gold and green double-ringed auspicious sash, which looked quite eye-catching.
Today, Yue Lin styled her hair into a high bun as usual.
A large peony flower inlaid with red gold and rubies was tucked diagonally into her cloud-like hair, which was tied up like a waterfall of black silk. Two red gold filigree hairpins with rubies were inserted on the other side. Behind her hair, she wore a red gold phoenix knot with four bright jewels in its beak. Although all the jewelry was red gold, Mingwei did not look vulgar at all. Instead, she looked even more elegant.
Two bright pearl earrings shone brightly and flawlessly, radiating a warm glow. A brand-new red gold dragon-shaped necklace was worn outside her jacket. On Mingwei's fair wrist, she wore only a red gold nine-turn beaded bracelet, which made her skin appear even whiter than the first snow.
The beads on the gold-thread embroidered double-petaled lotus shoes were all carefully selected pearls from the East China Sea. Even for ordinary noblewomen, it was extremely rare to obtain them, let alone use them to make hairpins.
Despite the simplified procedures, Mingwei allowed them to "manipulate" her for nearly an hour before finally yawning and seeing her radiant reflection in the full-length mirror. There was no other way; today was a contest of presence between the four princesses, and she wasn't about to be outdone.
“Your Highness, it’s still early. Would you like to relax for a while?” Biyun asked. “You’ve been so busy all day.”
Mingwei hesitated for a moment, but only sat on the chair for a short while. Her outfit was messed up, and it wasn't something that could be fixed in a short time.
"Your Highness, please have your medicinal meal." While Mingwei was resting with her eyes closed, Tangli brought over a set of sweet white porcelain bowls and plates. "You must eat it while it's hot; if it gets cold, the medicinal taste will be stronger."
From initially having to pinch her nose to finish the drink, to now being able to calmly drink a whole bowl without blinking, Mingwei couldn't help but admire her own adaptability and marvel at the greatness of maternal love.
"Your Highness, would you like to have some tea leaves to chew later?" Biyun and the others had all consulted Doctor Zhang about how to care for Mingwei. There would certainly be quite a few people coming today, and Mingwei might not be able to handle it. Fortunately, Mingwei's morning sickness was not obvious at the moment; apart from the fright she experienced in the carriage last time, she had not had any severe reactions.
Mingwei shook her head and said, "No need. There are too many people today, and I don't want anyone to notice anything amiss. Apart from the matriarchs of a few families, the three princesses, and the two princesses, whom I need to personally pick up, the others are fine."
The first quarter of Chen Shi (7-9 AM).
Although it was still early, Mingwei, along with Biyun, Dongyue, and four maids, took a sedan chair tour around the mansion.
Looking at the newly renovated and thriving Prince Yu's mansion, Mingwei couldn't help but feel a little smug. For no apparent reason, Mingwei suddenly remembered that trash is a resource in the wrong place.
So what if those people were sent by the Prince's Mansion? With some reformation, they can still be used by them. Entice them with great rewards, and when they are immersed in pride and self-satisfaction, threaten them with a little violence. Use the carrot and stick approach, and I don't believe they won't completely turn against us.
By gradually transforming and observing, selecting truly useful people and then placing them among the people Rong Zhen had left in the shadows... Prince Yu's mansion can eventually become an impregnable fortress!
"Greetings, Your Highness. May Your Highness enjoy boundless blessings and peace." Upon seeing Mingwei's sedan chair in the distance, the people who were busy getting on and off immediately stopped, bowed respectfully, and greeted her with beaming smiles.
Mingwei was in a good mood today, and even Hu Rui's wife from the Prince Cheng's Mansion seemed much more agreeable to her.
"Mother Hu has worked hard these past few days. Today has been the busiest day of all. Once today is over, I, the Princess Consort, will reward you handsomely." Mingwei adjusted the red-gold hair ornament in her hair. The teardrop-shaped ruby pendant was bright and lustrous, swaying gently with Mingwei's movements, adding a touch of charming elegance.
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness!" Hu Rui's wife said, bowing with unrestrained joy. "It is all what this servant should do. Your Highness's kindness is too much for this servant to bear."
Upon hearing this, Mingwei raised an eyebrow, her smile becoming even gentler: "Mother Hu is certainly worthy of such an honor. I will express my sincere gratitude to Third Imperial Aunt when she arrives later."
Before she finished speaking, Hu Ruijia's expression immediately stiffened. She gave a dry laugh and dared not say anything more, simply standing to the side with her hands at her sides.
Mingwei turned around briefly, then got back into the sedan chair and went elsewhere. At the very last moment before the curtain fell, Mingwei clearly saw fine beads of sweat on Hu Rui's face. Didn't she know? Always thinking of secretly sending messages outside the mansion—wasn't she being far too eager?
Just as Mingwei was about to wander off somewhere else, she saw Laibao rush over, panting, and report: "Your Highness, Your Highness, the Dowager Lady of Chengping Marquis, the First Madam, and all the young ladies have arrived!"
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Chapter 134
This is an anti-piracy chapter. If any readers accidentally purchased it, don't worry, it will be replaced tomorrow. The word count will increase after the replacement.
This article was exclusively published on Jinjiang Literature City; all other publications are pirated. The author works hard to update daily, please support the official version, thank you!
The short candles in the palace lanterns in the corner burned quietly, occasionally flashing a few sparks, and the bedroom was completely silent.
The flickering candlelight grew louder, and the servants were all dismissed. Mingwei stopped what she was doing, took the silver scissors, and began to trim the wicks of the lamp herself.
Rong Zhen's gaze followed Ming Wei's movements. The warm orange light shone on Ming Wei's profile, making her already fair face appear even more radiant. Her movements were elegant and graceful, like a pleasing painting, instantly captivating to the eye.
Noticing Rong Zhen's gaze, Mingwei did not lower her head shyly, but instead smiled slightly, revealing a charming demeanor.
"Thump, thump," Rong Zhen seemed to hear his own heartbeat in that instant.
Rong Zhen savored that smile, pondered for a long time, and then slowly spoke. "Something has happened outside." He carefully chose his words to explain, "Prince Cheng's doubts about me have not been completely dispelled."
Something really happened!