After that incident, Old Master Xia increasingly favored Lady Wen.
In the name of caring for his two children, he had transferred all the little authority that was in Lady Yaoâs hands over to Lady Wen. He obstinately refused to leave any for Lady Yao, remaining completely unyielding no matter how much she protested.
Lady Wen did not refuse; she calmly accepted it, taking on everything that was given to her!
Old Master Xia was very satisfied with this and treated Lady Wen even better.
Lady Wen was a sensible person. She didnât fight for power or cause trouble but diligently took care of her duties.
In my heart, though, Iâve long since become despondent towards Old Master Xia. The young, girlish mentality I had when I first married him has long since vanished. The only reason Iâm willing to put effort into things for him now is for the sake of the children. Itâs better for a mother to have a legitimate status than to be a lowly concubine. It would look better for the children. Otherwise, how embarrassing it would be for the children of a prestigious Marquis to have a mother who was a lowly concubine. This applies to my daughter too. As Cai Yang was born of a concubine and her birth mother came from a humble background, it would be a disadvantage in marriage negotiations. Fortunately, her older siblings are accomplished, and her eldest sister-in-law is from a respectable family in the Capital City. Having been raised in the Hou Mansion from a young age, Cai Yangâs manners and background are somewhat better. In the future, she should find a husband in the Capital City; itâs better not to bother with such small places. Even if her husbandâs family is of a lower status, what matters most is that they have good character. As a main wife, with the support of her siblings, her husbandâs family wouldnât dare to look down on her. That child Cai Yang is so well-behaved. If she has a husband to dote on her and her siblings to protect her... For her whole life, I donât ask for great wealth or nobility, just stability, peace, joy, and no worries about food and clothing. As her mother, I would then be content.
Thinking of Cai Yang, Lady Wen started to count on her fingers.
"Cai Yang will turn fourteen after the New Year. Should I start considering potential suitors for her?"
Hong Rui, the senior Maid beside her, said with a smile upon hearing this, "Madam, if youâre worried, why not take some time to visit?"
"Itâs been so long since youâve seen her!"
"Although the eldest sister-in-law is kind, she is, after all, not the same as a birth mother. There are things a young lady cannot express!"
What kind of husband she desires... if others asked her, she would surely be shy and might not be willing to say. Probably only her birth mother could truly find out!
Lady Wen also felt torn. "Would the Old Master agree? How will the household affairs be handled?"
Hong Rui raised her eyebrows slightly. "Isnât there the Main Wife? Doesnât she eagerly want to manage the household? Well, you could let her handle it for a while. Besides, there isnât much in this back court for the Old Master to manage. Moreover, you donât need to exert yourself too much; weâve gotten by without a Madam managing things for so many years, havenât we?"
After thinking for a moment, Lady Wen nodded thoughtfully.
Hong Rui continued, "If you are worried that the Old Master wonât agree, why not send a letter and ask the Marquis to come and fetch you? It would be proper for you to go and stay for a month or two to get some rest. And besides, donât you want to see the Little Heir?!"
The last sentence truly moved Lady Wen.
Itâs true! My grandson has been born, and I havenât even seen him yet!
"Alright!" Lady Wen made up her mind. She immediately wrote a letter and had it sent out.
Only then did Hong Rui smile. "This is much better!"
Madam has been stifled in this back court for a lifetime, and now, with the support of the Marquis, she can finally hold her head high.
Hong Rui genuinely felt happy for Madam.
"Now, think about what gifts to bring for Miss Cai Yang and the Little Heir!"
Lady Wen couldnât stop smiling. "What good things do I have! They have everything in the Capital City; it would just be embarrassing!"
Yet Hong Rui shook her head. "Madam, you mustnât say that! As long as itâs something youâve sent, both the Marquis and Miss Cai Yang will certainly love it and will surely treasure it!"
Lady Wen thought of her son and daughter, her eyes shining. She tried to suppress her laughter as she chided, "You girl, you always know how to cheer me up!"
"Not at all, this servant speaks only the truth!"
Lady Wenâs smile grew even brighter. Though she said she had no good items, she began preparing things from that day on. For her daughter, for her son, for her grandsonânone were particularly valuable items, but all were handmade. Every stitch and thread contained the affection of a mother, of a grandmother.
And that letter, carrying Lady Wenâs expectations, arrived in the Capital City half a month later, but letâs not dwell on that for now.
...
ăCapital City, within the palace.ă
After the New Year and before the Lantern Festival, there was a brief period of respite.
Once Xia Ruqing had recuperated, she began planning to give Qingya Residence a thorough cleaning. People were too disorganized these days, and with many children around, she was truly concerned. After several days of deliberation, she finally devised a perfect plan: she would replace the Stewards of various areas in Qingya Residence with her own trusted confidants. This way, even if something were to go wrong, the damage would be contained. It wouldnât be a disaster and would be easier to manage.
No sooner had she thought of it than she set to work. But who could have known that just as she was ready to roll up her sleeves, an imperial edict suddenly arrived.
On the morning of the sixth day, Eunuch Li, from the Emperorâs side, came personally to deliver the edict. Although Xia Ruqing was surprised, she still knelt with everyone from Qingya Residence to receive it.
Eunuch Li, with a respectful smile, recited the lengthy imperial edict with cadence and pauses. The words of the edict were complex and meticulously chosen, leaving Xia Ruqing somewhat dazed. However, she understood the key points: âConsort Xian, of the Xia family, has been respectful and modest, virtuous and gentle, serving faithfully by Our side for many years, never slackening in her duties, and has also borne Us three Princes! We hold her dear to Our heart and thus especially promote her to First-Rank Noble Consort, and bestow upon her the title Xian...â
Upon hearing this, Xia Ruqing was stunned.
Noble Consort? Noble Consort Xian? This is too unexpected! Is the Emperor, my husband, promoting me? But on second thought, it makes sense. Since the birth of the twin sons, there hasnât been any significant reward yet.
She wasnât a saintly, white lotus noblewoman who cared not for status and sought only true loveâthat was all nonsense. She was no stranger to the mortal world. On the contrary, she was born amidst the bustle of life.
At the thought of such a grand promotion, my heart is nearly bursting with joy! As a Noble Consort, with the Empress not in the palace, Iâll be the highest authority here. As for Noble Concubine Shih, isnât it finally time for a satisfying slap in her face?
The mere thought made her ecstatic. Xia Ruqing hurriedly kowtowed, her hands held high. "This consort thanks the Emperor for his grace, thanks to His Majestyâs great kindness!"
Eunuch Li placed the imperial edict into her hands, his smile full of reverence. "Congratulations, Your Ladyship! Please rise, Noble Consort Xian!"
Being called Noble Consort for the first time made her heart pound. She quickly said, "Thank you, Eunuch Li. Zi Yue!"
Zi Yue had already prepared a purse. Xia Ruqing handed it over personally. "Itâs still cold, Eunuch. Take this and have a warm cup of tea!"
Li Shengan did not refuse, smiling as he accepted it. "In the future, this servant humbly requests Noble Consort Xianâs continued favor! This servant will now take his leave!"
"You are too kind, Eunuch Li; I will still need your guidance. Someone, see Eunuch Li out!"
"Yes!" Zi Yue responded and personally escorted Li Shengan out.
Xia Ruqing returned to her inner chamber and read the contents of the imperial edict again carefully.
She confirmed to herself,
Itâs real! Iâve really become a Noble Consort! Iâm not dreaming, am I?