freenovelworld Chapter 272 Fang Nanxi's Transmigration to the Qing Dynasty 26
Chapter 272 Fang Nanxi's Transmigration to the Qing Dynasty 26
Upon learning of the Fourth Prince's promise, Fang Nanxi immediately spread out some stationery, picked up her pen, and wrote a letter home, detailing her mother's visit to the Prince's residence. After finishing, she handed the letter to Xiao Linzi, instructing him to deliver it to the Fang family as soon as possible.
The next day, just as dawn was breaking, Madam Fang got up early to begin preparations. This time, she had specifically brought Xu, Fang Jingze's wife, with her when she visited Prince Yong's residence.
After passing the imperial examination with flying colors, Fang Jingze, leveraging his father Fang Qiyang's prestige, married the eldest daughter of the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy. Although the position of Chancellor of the Imperial Academy was not considered high-ranking or powerful, it was extremely prestigious, with leisurely daily affairs and a wide network of students and connections.
Madam Fang, accompanied by Madam Xu, arrived at the Prince Yong's residence and presented an invitation. The guards at the gate had already received orders from the Prince and knew that a member of Madam Fang's family was visiting today.
A young eunuch hurriedly came forward and led Madam Fang and Madam Xu into the Prince's Mansion through the west gate.
Having grown up in a scholarly family, Xu was quite worldly-wise, but faced with the royal grandeur of Prince Yong's mansion, she was still so nervous that she dared not even breathe loudly or look around carelessly.
Her father was Han Chinese, but he hadn't even joined the Han army's banners. He was currently just a fourth-rank official, rarely seeing royalty or nobility. Marrying into the Fang family was already an immense blessing for her.
As a member of the Bordered Yellow Banner of the Han Army, Fang Jia gained prominence before the emperor thanks to Fang Qiyang's strategy regarding wool and cotton, and his future looked bright.
The two women, mistress and servant, followed the young eunuch along the winding corridors. After about fifteen minutes, they finally entered the backyard of the Prince's mansion. Led by the young eunuch, they arrived at the main courtyard.
The Princess Consort did not appear in person; instead, Granny Gui received them on her behalf. After exchanging a few pleasantries, Granny Gui instructed a maid to lead Madam Fang and Madam Xu to Shaoguang Courtyard.
Inside the Shaoguang Courtyard, Fang Nanxi was already waiting with great anticipation.
From afar, I saw a young maid leading two people toward me. One was about forty years old with a kind face; the other was quite young, around sixteen years old, with a gentle appearance.
Based on her memory, Fang Nanxi recognized the older woman at a glance as her mother, Madam Fang, and tears welled up in her eyes instantly.
"Greetings to Consort Fang, may Consort Fang be blessed." Madam Fang and Madam Xu bowed respectfully.
Fang Nanxi quickly stepped forward and helped her mother up, while Xingluo also hurried to help Xu Shi up. Xingluo knew Xu Shi; she knew that Xu Shi had only married into the Fang family last year.
"Mother, how can you perform such a grand ceremony?" Fang Nanxi said, her eyes reddening.
"The proper etiquette must not be disregarded." Madam Fang raised her head, staring blankly at Fang Nanxi, her eyes filled with heartache.
When they sent their daughter to participate in the imperial concubine selection, they didn't have high expectations. Unexpectedly, their daughter became a princess in Prince Yong's mansion, and later gave birth to three sons, and was made a secondary consort. She must have suffered a lot along the way.
Seeing tears in her mother's eyes, Fang Nanxi quickly instructed, "Xingluo, go see if Hongxi and Hongchen are awake. If they are, bring them over so they can see Guo Luo's mother."
When Mrs. Fang saw the loving look on her daughter's face when she mentioned the child, her worries lessened somewhat.
She had originally planned that if her daughter failed the imperial examination, she could marry a noble official and live a peaceful life as a proper wife. However, her daughter ended up staying in the capital and entering this deep and secluded mansion.
"Come here, this is your third brother's wife, Xu. They got married last year, as you know," Madam Fang said, pulling over the somewhat reserved Xu.
Fang Nanxi certainly knew Xu Shi. Xu Shi was gentle and dignified, and a rare good sister-in-law.
Fang Nanxi chatted warmly with Madam Xu. Seeing that Fang Nanxi was in a life of wealth and honor, yet had a gentle and unpretentious attitude, Madam Xu gradually relaxed her tense nerves.
Not long after they started chatting, Xingluo brought the twins over, followed by their wet nurse.
As soon as the two little ones saw Fang Nanxi, they immediately broke free from Xingluo's embrace, ran over with their short legs, and respectfully bowed in their childish voices: "Greetings to Mother."
After performing the rites, Hongchen ran to Fang Nanxi's feet and curiously looked at Madam Fang and Madam Xu, who were sitting in chairs. He had never seen these two people before.
Fang Nanxi put her arms around one child and introduced them to Hongxi and Hongchen with a smile: "Come here, this is your Guo Luo's mother, and this is your aunt."
Hongxi and Hongchen, being well-behaved and sensible, immediately bowed to the two. Madam Fang and Madam Xu quickly stepped aside, knowing full well that the people before them were princes and grandsons of the emperor, and dared not accept such a grand gesture.
"What good children." Madam Fang affectionately patted Hongxi and Hongchen's little heads.
Looking at the adorable twins, Madam Xu's eyes were filled with envy. She had been married into the Fang family for over a year, but her belly remained empty. Now, seeing these two blessed royal offspring, she thought to herself that she should try to share in their good fortune.
For a moment, Shaoguang Courtyard was filled with laughter and chatter as the three children and two others chatted happily. However, time flies, and an hour passed in the blink of an eye.
Since Madam Fang and Madam Xu were not members of the royal family, it was inconvenient for them to stay long. The fact that they had this one hour together was already quite precious.
Before leaving, Fang Nanxi had Xingluo hand over the generous gifts she had prepared to Madam Fang, and solemnly instructed her: "Mother, please take good care of the family affairs. Although our family is now wealthy and prominent, there are countless high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital, so the Fang family must still be cautious in everything we do."
"My son, rest assured, I will definitely instruct you to serve the Emperor faithfully." Madam Fang, well aware of the importance of being cautious in her dealings with others, nodded in agreement.
After Xingluo led Madam Fang and Madam Xu away, the wet nurse carried the twins downstairs as well. Fang Nanxi looked in the direction they had left, feeling a pang of melancholy.
Seeing that Fang Nanxi was in low spirits, Dongsong quickly stepped forward to comfort her: "Consort, when you get pregnant again, Madam Fang will be able to come to the mansion to accompany you during childbirth, and then you will be able to see each other again."
Fang Nanxi did not respond. She did have plans to have another child, but she wanted to wait until the twins moved to the front yard before making arrangements. However, she could not tell Dongsong about this idea.
"There's no such thing as getting pregnant just because you want to. There are countless women in the manor who are hoping to get pregnant these days. These things have to be left to nature," Fang Nanxi said, feigning melancholy.
News of Fang Nanxi's reunion with her family quickly spread throughout the mansion. The women in the inner quarters, having been in the household for many years, all longed to see their families.
In Ruixiang Courtyard, Li Shi sat absentmindedly on the couch, a rare sight for her.
Back when she gave birth to the eldest princess, Hongpan, and Hongyun, she was just a princess and, according to custom, could not meet her maternal family.
After giving birth to Hongshi, she longed to reunite with her family, but her father was convicted of embezzlement. Although the prince intervened and the Li family was not exiled, their property was confiscated, and they now rely on her for occasional assistance.
"Secondary Consort?" Chun Tao called softly.
Lady Li has lost her former pride. Her son, Hongshi, is not outstanding among the many princes in the mansion, and the Fourth Prince does not value him much.
Moreover, the eldest princess is getting married next September. It was only after the Fourth Prince pleaded with the Emperor for a favor that the eldest princess was able to marry in the capital.
"Go and prepare quickly, Hongshi will be returning to the manor tomorrow." Coming back to her senses, Madam Li instructed Chuntao and Xiatao.
In Shuyu Courtyard, Madam Nian was filled with resentment. She had been in the manor for almost two years and had never seen her family. Why was Madam Fang, whose background was inferior to hers, able to meet her family?
"Consort Fang, you haven't seen your family for many years, and the Prince only granted you this favor because of the three princes. If you become pregnant, the Prince will surely grant you the same favor, and then you can come to the manor to accompany me during childbirth," Yanliu quickly comforted her.
Qingsi frowned slightly. She had just advised Nian to take care of her health before getting pregnant, but now that she saw Nian was trying to force herself to get pregnant again, she knew that her efforts had been in vain. However, Qingsi didn't say anything. Nian was in a bad mood, and she couldn't afford to offend her now.
……
In the blink of an eye, it was the fifty-first year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign. Fang Nanxi released Qiu Zhu, who was by his side, from the mansion and found her a good family to marry into.
Xingluo and Qiushuang were still unwilling to leave, so Fang Nanxi stopped forcing them. She promoted Dongsong to take over Qiuzhu's work and also promoted Dongzhi to a second-class maid.
Meanwhile, two new maids, Fangfei and Huaying, were added to Dongzhi's retinue, and Dongzhi was tasked with instructing them. During this time, the manor remained peaceful and all was well.