On the sixth day of the lunar new year, Grandma Qi and Mrs. Wan entered the palace. As usual, they first paid their respects at the Cining Palace and the Kunning Palace.
Perhaps because Qi Daiyu was now a concubine of the Pin rank, the Empress Dowager kept the two for tea this year.
When they arrived at the Changchun Palace later, the old lady remarked, "The Empress Dowager doesn't seem much different from ordinary folks, just younger and more imposing." She had heard the Empress Dowager was already in her fifties, yet she looked like someone in her thirties. Not like herself, an old woman who truly looked the part. Even though she had left the farmlands years ago, she still looked like a farmer's wife.
There was a touch of melancholy in the old lady's tone. But she quickly cheered up again. Today, she had seen the Empress Dowager! This would be a fine story to tell back home, surely making her old sisters green with envy.
Grandma Qi and Mrs. Wan then looked around the main hall of Changchun Palace. "This is much bigger than the previous place!"
That was natural. The main hall had five principal rooms, along with east and west side halls, a small kitchen, storerooms, and rear rooms for the servants. There were five storerooms alone. Apart from holding Qi Daiyu's belongings, Qin Saizhu's personal effects had also been moved here, but these were to be left for Si Yu in the future; Qi Daiyu was merely keeping them in trust.
Overall, the main hall was more than twice the size of Yanqing Residence.
The most convenient feature was the underfloor heating. In winter, one wouldn't have to endure the smell of charcoal braziers. If a rug were laid on the floor, one could even walk barefoot.
During the days of the move, Qi Daiyu had been in low spirits, so all the arrangements were completed by Yan He and the others. Except for the study, which was an exact replica of the one in Yanqing Residence, other areas like the dining room, main reception hall, and bedroom had been altered. As it was the New Year, only fine items were used for decoration, making everything look luxurious and exquisite.
Grandma Qi looked here and touched there, utterly fascinated.
Mrs. Wan, meanwhile, held her daughter's arm. "Might we see the Third Princess?"
They had received news outside the palace that her daughter was now raising the Third Princess, and this promotion was because of it.
Mrs. Wan was overjoyed. In her mind, whether a woman had a child to rely on made a world of difference, a principle that held true for both common families and the imperial household. Although the Third Princess was not her daughter's biological child, since the Emperor had decreed that her daughter raise her, it was unlikely to change easily. Thus, the Third Princess was her daughter's child.
Having a child meant having support. In terms of status, it naturally provided more stability; as long as one didn't commit major errors, the latter half of life would be secure. In terms of favor, even if the Emperor later doted on new beauties, her daughter wouldn't have to face desolate loneliness, as the child would be her solace.
With these thoughts, even before meeting the Third Princess, Mrs. Wan already regarded her as her own granddaughter and adored her immensely.
When she finally saw her, she couldn't stop calling her "my precious darling." The baby, just a full month old, had shed the wrinkled skin of a newborn, becoming fair, soft, and plump. Her eyes were now open, round and shiny like black grapes, her little mouth red, and her tongue poking out now and then, occasionally blowing tiny bubbles. Such an adorable sight would melt anyone's heart.
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law vied to hold her.
Si Yu wasn't shy with strangers either, or perhaps she knew Qi Daiyu was nearby and wasn't afraid. She was well-behaved for whoever held her, utterly delighting Grandma Qi and Mrs. Wan. Grandma Qi immediately took off the Buddhist prayer beads from her wrist and gently placed them beside Si Yu's pillow.
"This string of beads was blessed long ago by Master Linghui. It bathed in incense and prayers before the Buddha for a full forty-nine days. I've worn it for decades, and each bead remains round and lustrous. I originally thought to pass it down as a family heirloom, but today I'll leave it for our Princess." The Qi ancestors weren't wealthy and left no valuable items; only this string of beads held some worth.
Master Linghui was once the most renowned monk in Zhao State, with countless followers. Objects blessed by him were once worth a fortune and hard to come by. It was only because Master Linghui did not discriminate based on status and only guided those with a connection that Grandma Qi was fortunate enough to obtain this string of beads.
Mrs. Wan also took a pouch from her sleeve, containing a pair of silver bracelets as thick as a thumb and a tiger-head shaped longevity lock. This year was the Year of the Tiger.
"Wear the peace bracelets for a lifetime of safety; wear the longevity lock to lock in peace and security. Our Third Princess must grow up safe and sound."
Qi Daiyu felt her eyes grow warm. "Grandmother, Mother..."
Mrs. Wan smiled and patted her hand. "These things are what the maternal family ought to prepare anyway."
She had heard that Consort Zhuang's hometown was in Sichuan, a long and arduous journey from the capital. They likely didn't yet know about Consort Zhuang's passing and naturally wouldn't have thought to prepare these things. Since she regarded the Third Princess as her own granddaughter, she, as the grandmother, had to be thorough.
After playing for a short while, Si Yu grew sleepy again. Not wanting to disturb her, the women left the warm chamber for the outer room.
Only then did Mrs. Wan ask her daughter how she was faring in the palace, about her health, and whether her winter cough had returned.
Qi Daiyu answered each question.
Mrs. Wan then spoke of family matters, starting with the eldest brother, Qi Chuchu. Qi Chuchu had followed his father-in-law to the border regions, taking his wife and daughter with him.
"Your sister-in-law is pregnant again!"
Qi Daiyu: "What?" Hadn't Lang Tianyu given birth just half a year ago?
Mrs. Wan: "I've already written to scold your brother. He has no sense at all! No one at home was pressuring him, yet he doesn't know how to cherish his wife properly! If he were at home, I'd certainly give him a beating!"
In such matters, she could only scold. It was also a way to show her daughter-in-law that their family wasn't that sort. However, it wasn't appropriate for her, as an elder, to advise against it or interfere too much in the young couple's intimacy...
Qi Daiyu pursed her lips. "Then have Elder Brother find a good physician and arrange for a midwife early." She currently felt some aversion towards childbirth. Even without that, she didn't approve of Lang Tianyu getting pregnant again so soon. Her body hadn't recovered fully just half a year after giving birth.
Mrs. Wan: "Naturally."
After speaking of her son, she moved on to her younger daughter.
"Your sister's marriage arrangement is about to be settled."
Qi Daiyu: "So soon?"
She remembered Mrs. Wan mentioning last year the intention to arrange a marriage for Qi Qinglong, and Qi Daiyu had thought it would take some time to consider candidates slowly.
"If we don't hurry, it might be too late." By next spring, there would likely be another imperial selection of consorts. The marriage had to be settled before that.
Mrs. Wan said with a smile, "We were quite fortunate. Last year, wasn't there the military imperial examination?"
The civil examination the year before had been grand, while last year's military exam, due to border conflicts, hadn't attracted as much attention. Judging by Mrs. Wan's tone, could it be... "Is it one of the military graduates?"
Mrs. Wan nodded. "The man's name is Zhou Yuan. He placed thirteenth in the military examination. His ancestral home is in Suzhou. His grandfather serves as a Battalion Commander in the Gansu Guard, so the family has some means. He has four brothers and is the youngest. Despite being the youngest, he wasn't spoiled but is very steady."
And precisely because he was the youngest son, not expected to inherit the family estate, there was less need to be overly picky about the choice of a daughter-in-law.
Although the Qi family is currently flourishing, their foundation is still shallow, and they lack support from relatives and connections. In terms of marriage alliances, there aren't many suitable choices—at least within the capital, there truly aren't any good options.
There are indeed those willing to seek Qi Qinglong's hand in marriage. However, some are prominent families seeking a match for a lesser son, aiming to win over Qi Caishang, the Vice Director of the Waterways Department. Others are social climbers hoping to curry favor with Qi Daiyu, the imperial consort. None are truly suitable candidates for a proper, stable life.
Mrs. Wan cannot bear to marry her youngest daughter into such situations.
By comparison, the Zhou family is genuinely good. Even having many brothers isn't a bad thing; in fact, in contemporary eyes, numerous brothers signify a thriving family lineage, meaning there's always help available no matter what troubles arise.
It's clear that Mrs. Wan is quite satisfied with this potential son-in-law.
"Your father took me to meet him. His appearance is also very proper. We just need to find an opportunity for your younger sister to meet him herself," Mrs. Wan lowered her voice. "Actually, what I'm most pleased about is that he has now joined the Capital Garrison Command and will certainly remain in the capital in the future."
Instead of returning to his hometown, which means Qi Qinglong could also stay in the capital.
Qi Chuchu and his wife and daughter are at the border, and Qi Daiyu is deep within the palace; both are difficult to see. If her youngest daughter could stay by her side, Mrs. Wan would naturally be overjoyed.
Qi Daiyu said, "To be able to enter the Capital Garrison Command suggests his capabilities are quite good."
Yet she still sighed, "However, I am still reluctant to let Qinglong marry so early. If possible, could we discuss with his family, asking them to let Qinglong stay at home a few more years? If it's awkward to propose, you can place the blame on me. Say it's to pray for blessings for me, her older sister who has become Consort Hui."
With her status, presumably the Zhou family would not refuse.
Mrs. Wan replied, "There's no need to use your influence. Don't you know your father? If he hadn't considered all this, would he have even mentioned that young man to me? Your father said that Zhou Yuan is only seventeen, right in the midst of gaining experience at the Garrison Command. His three older brothers are already married, so his parents aren't in a hurry for him. If he and Qinglong are both willing, they can first get engaged. We can discuss marriage matters after Qinglong comes of age."
Qi Qinglong is currently thirteen, with two years until she comes of age. Discussing marriage after that, and then going through the betrothal rituals like presenting gifts and setting the date, would take about a year. However it's managed, it could be delayed until Qi Qinglong is sixteen.
Only then did Qi Daiyu smile. "That's good."
After talking a while longer and seeing the hour was late, Qi Daiyu watched the two of them leave the palace.
Perhaps because she saw strangers today, Si Yu was exceptionally lively. Usually, she would fall asleep as soon as dusk fell, but today she was still energetic.
Qi Daiyu carried her to the couch and played with her using a rattle-drum.
While they were playing, an announcement came from outside: "His Majesty has arrived!"
Qi Daiyu hurriedly put on her shoes to greet him.
"Rise."
Jiang Yuan still carried a chill from outside. Hearing the child's voice inside, he didn't rush in. First, he took off his heavy cloak. Shiliu brought over a basin of hot water. Jiang Yuan wiped his hands with a hot towel, and only then did he take Qi Daiyu's hand and walk inside with her.
"Haven't seen you these past few days," Jiang Yuan said as they walked, then looked back at Qi Daiyu. "You've grown thinner." She looked even more delicate, but Jiang Yuan knew the reason for her weight loss, so he didn't comment further.
He then went to look at Si Yu. Si Yu was unfamiliar with this imperial father, and Jiang Yuan wasn't as approachable as Mrs. Wan and the others. He carried the natural dignity of an emperor, an imposing aura. As soon as he reached out to touch Si Yu, her little mouth puckered, on the verge of crying.
Qi Daiyu immediately extended her index finger for Si Yu to grasp.
Smelling the familiar scent, Si Yu calmed down and even giggled, revealing the little dimples on both cheeks.
Jiang Yuan: "..."
His tone was ambiguous. "You are raising this child extremely well." Truly well, with every detail showing meticulous care.
Qi Daiyu said with a smile, "Does Your Majesty not know? Your concubine has no other talents, but she does have a bit of a knack for raising children."
Jiang Yuan then thought about how both the Empress and Consort An were willing to let her care for their princesses. He had also witnessed the changes in the two princesses. She indeed had a talent for childcare.
He also smiled, joking, "Shall I send the First and Second Princes to you another day for you to look after for a while?"
Qi Daiyu didn't take this seriously. She would be mad to get involved with the princes.
"One shouldn't treat people like governesses to be ordered about," she said, turning her body away, pretending to be angry.
