Volume 1 Chapter 29

  Chunxi residence, Mrs. Lao was sitting upright on a couch, savoring the silver ear bird's nest congee with an expression of enjoyment.

  Xia Tingning was also informed of the matter left by Jing Wangfei, but unlike Li Shi, she didn't think about how to get rid of Xia Tingning, but rather how to gain the most benefit from her.

  She swallowed a mouthful of sweet and smooth silver ear yam porridge, and Old Lady Xia smiled and said, "I really didn't expect that this second girl would actually be chosen, and was the first one to receive an invitation from the quiet king's consort."

  The autumn servant girl who was waiting beside her glanced at the old lady's face and felt that she seemed to be in a good mood, so she opened her mouth and said "Yes, this second miss is now selected, entering the Wang Fu as a concubine is definitely settled."

  A good girl from a good family entered that Rong Wang Fu, probably won't be long before she has to guard her widowhood.

  Old Lady Xia scooped up another spoonful of silver ear yam porridge and blew on it gently. "These two maidservants are born with a good appearance, I suppose they should be able to gain the favor of King Jing's son after entering the Wang Fu."

  Qiu's mother was taken aback, somewhat puzzled. "Even if she can gain favor, what's the point? The body of Jing Wang's son... Second Miss will likely be a widow soon."

  Old Lady Xia glanced at Qiu with a slanted gaze, "You don't understand, that Prince Jing's illness may be severe, but even if he were to die, it would still be a year or two from now. What's important is the present moment, do you really think no one would be willing to marry their daughter into the Prince Jing's household?"

  Auntie Qiu heard this and became even more bewildered, doubtfully saying "Isn't that so? We will all die sooner or later, it's just a difference of one or two years, who would be willing to marry her off?"

  Mrs. Xia laughed and said, "There are many officials in the court who want to marry their daughters off to him, although that Prince Jing's health is not good, but he has great power and influence, he not only has the emperor's trust and favor, but also is the emperor's nephew. The power in his hands is unmatched in the entire capital, which family can compare with him? Those princes and young masters, who doesn't want to get close to him?"

  She paused, took a sip of tea and continued: "Take another look at those who sent their daughters' birth dates to the palace for selection. Which one didn't report all the eligible girls from their own households? What's the point of doing so? Isn't it just to hope that at least one will be selected, even if it means entering the Wang household as a concubine? Do you think these people are foolish? They're more cunning than anyone else, knowing that the Crown Prince of Jing might not live long and is reluctant to marry off his legitimate daughter. Yet they all want to climb onto this big ship, using his power to gain official positions and wealth. That's why each one is actively trying to send their own daughters into the palace."

  Auntie Qiu's eyes widened in surprise, and she muttered to herself, "So there are such things... Now that the second young lady has been chosen, our Xia Manor will...". Just like Old Madam had said, they would be able to climb aboard the powerful Jing Wang Fu's ship. If the second young lady could gain the favor of the Jing Wang Ye, then Xia Manor would naturally rise with the tide as well.

  Mrs. Xia suddenly burst out laughing, "Of course, if it weren't for the fact that King Jing's son was not in good health, we wouldn't have had a chance. If he were healthy, with his family background and the emperor's favor, I'm afraid even princesses would be eager to marry him. Even the daughters of high-ranking officials who wanted to become concubines in the palace would still need to wait for an answer from the king's household. When would it have been Er Ya's turn?"

  At the same time, Old Lady's face was full of surprise. The old lady was afraid that she wanted to take advantage of Second Miss, so she asked tentatively: "So, what does the old lady mean by letting Second Miss..."

  Mrs. Xia smiled complacently and said, "That's right, as long as the second girl enters the Wang Mansion and gets the favor of King Jing's son, then at that time, my son will be the father of the second girl, and his official career will naturally go smoothly, all the way to success. My eldest grandson can also take advantage of this to marry a young lady from a noble family. Moreover, when attending banquets and other events in the Wang Mansion, let the second girl bring along Lian'er and Rong'er, so that my two daughters can get a good marriage, marrying a marquis's son or something."

  At that time, the Xia family will be able to prosper and flourish, and may even be granted a title by the Emperor. Thinking of this, Old Lady Xia was so delighted that her eyes narrowed into a slit. However, she didn't consider whether Xia Ting Cong was willing to help the Xia family in this way. Perhaps in her heart, Xia Ting Cong doing anything for the Xia family was only natural.

  At this time, a maid came in from outside and reported: "Old lady, Juxiang has arrived."

  Mrs. Xia composed herself and called out loudly, "Tell her to come in." This Ju Xiang was someone she had planted by Li's side, and it was unclear what business she had coming over now.

  Jasmine walked in with small steps, wearing a light red dress, and bowed to Old Lady Chao Xia.

  Old Lady Xia waved her hand for her to get up and asked, "Is there something going on with the Li family?"

  "Chrysanthemum fragrance respectfully reports, 'Madam, the mistress just specifically told Shui Niangniang that Second Miss is going to marry into the Wang Manor as a concubine. Upon hearing this, Shui Niangniang couldn't withstand the blow and fainted. She has now been supported back to the Pear Courtyard by the maids.'"

  Old Lady Xia snorted heavily, "This Li family is truly incompetent in success but excels in failure."

  If it weren't for the fact that Li was her mother's family, she would have to be severely punished, what a fool, not knowing how to consider the interests of the Xia Manor at all.

  He then waved his hand at Ju Xiang and said "I already know, you can go down now."

  Qiu Ayi said with some concern, "Old Madam, if Second Miss finds out about Shui Cai's fainting spell, won't she get angry and refuse to listen to you?"

  Old Lady Xia slammed the bowl in her hand onto the table "She dares, I am her grandmother, she wouldn't dare to disobey and be unfilial."

  Auntie Qiu said, "Then shall we send some gifts to the Pear Courtyard to let Second Miss know our intentions."

  The old lady's eyebrows rose, and she said with a self-important tone, "I am her grandmother, when do I need to go and please her? If she wants to stand firm in that palace, she needs the support of her maternal family. It won't be long before she comes to me herself to beg for my help. At that time, I will teach her a good lesson, and naturally, she will work for the benefit of the Xia family when she arrives at the palace. There's no need to send any gifts over, it's not like she's some precious treasure." Her tone couldn't hide her disgust towards Shui Shi.

  Lizhen was carefully examining the few pieces of jewelry that had been sent over by Manager Yu's uncle. Some time ago, when she was selecting fabrics, she had noticed a jewelry store with poor business. At the time, she had thought about buying it out, but didn't know how skilled the craftsmen in the store were, so she drew a few designs and asked Manager Yu to give them to the other party to make.

  These ornaments were made in that shop, with exquisite workmanship, and the craftsman's skills are very good. The reason why the business was so cold before is probably because the shop lacks new and interesting jewelry styles.

  She has now decided to buy this shop and continue to employ the original craftsmen, formally starting a jewelry business.

  Suddenly, Bi Luo rushed in flustered and exclaimed "It's bad, miss! The madam has fainted."

  "What's going on?" Xia Ting was shocked and hastily threw down the jewelry in her hand, stood up and walked while asking.

  Arriving at Shui's house, Xia Zi Yun was also here. Seeing Xia Ting Cong hastily came forward and called out "Sister, mother has been crying non-stop."

  "Xia Ting comforted him by touching his head and said 'Don't worry, it's okay.'"

  When she arrived at the bedside, Shui had already woken up and was covering her face with her hands, crying uncontrollably. Xia Ting had heard from Bi Xiao on the way that something had happened in Qinghua Hall, so she knew that her mother was heartbroken for her sake.

  "Hurry up and come forward, 'Mother, don't cry, be careful not to cry yourself sick.'"

  Shui's eyes couldn't stop shedding tears, and she sobbed, "Ning'er, it's all my fault. If I hadn't been eager to reunite with your father in the capital, you wouldn't have been chosen to enter the palace as a concubine... still, to be a concubine for that dying prince. The mere thought made Shui's tears flow even more fiercely.

  Xia Ting's head was aching as she watched her mother cry, the tears flowing out like an open faucet.

  "Mother, don't worry, it's not settled yet. I'll think of a way. You'd better stop crying." Crying now is useless, thinking of a solution to the problem is the most practical thing to do.

  Shui Xi struggled to hold back tears and sobbed "Really, what can you do?" Shui Xi heard Xia Ting's words as if he saw hope.

  Xia Ting took a handkerchief and gently wiped her mother's face, saying "I know that Prince Jing of the Qing dynasty."

  It's probably that Li didn't think she would run into the Crown Prince of Nijing on her way out. So when Biyu told her that she was going to be a concubine for the Crown Prince, she finally let out a sigh of relief.

  Since it's him, things are much easier to handle; those people wanting her to be a concubine don't stand a chance.