Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 823 "Teaching Some Life Skills" [Thank you! Thank you again! 8k words owed]

at night,

The Great Zhou Imperial Palace

Consort Rong's bedroom

"This servant went to see Miss Feiyan first! It's clear that the wedding is approaching, and Miss Feiyan is very happy."

"In the afternoon, this servant went to the Xu family with Young Master Rongxiu."

The emperor, dressed in casual clothes, sat at the table, holding a cup of digestive drink, and looked with a smile at the female official speaking not far away.

Consort Rong sat to the side of the emperor, smiling and waving a round fan in her hand.

If you look closely, you'll notice that although Consort Rong is waving a fan, the breeze she's creating is actually directed towards the Emperor beside her.

"I didn't expect that Xiu-ge'er, at such a young age, could memorize all these sentences. It's clear he's been working hard," Consort Rong said with a smile.

"Your Majesty is absolutely right!" The lady-in-waiting nodded and replied, "The two ladies from the Xu family who are accompanying you also speak highly of Young Master Rongxiu."

"Hehe!" The emperor chuckled as well: "My beloved concubine, I never expected the Rong family's children to be so intelligent."

Consort Rong hurriedly replied, "Yes, Your Majesty, I didn't expect the shop to be set up so smoothly today! My mother told me that since Xiu-ge'er was old enough to understand, Fei-yan has spent more time with him."

"Hmm!" The Emperor nodded. "Speaking of Feiyan, I've watched her grow up. Such a fine girl, it's such a good deal for that Xu family boy."

"You've had a hard day, you can go now!"

Consort Rong waved her hand at her personal female attendant, then looked at the emperor with a radiant smile and said, "Your Majesty, I dare to disagree with your words."

Emperor: "Oh?"

Consort Rong smiled and said, "If it weren't for the miraculous powers of the Prince of Wei, how could I have had the chance to give birth to a royal heir?"

As she spoke, Consort Rong turned to look at her son, who was wearing pajamas and playing with the chief eunuch and the princess, who was also wearing pajamas.

"Besides, Feiyan has been in love with the Prince of Wei since she was a child."

Upon hearing this, the emperor, who knew the inside story, smiled helplessly: "My beloved concubine is right."

"In any case, the dowry cannot be less! I think it would be better to add more."

Before the emperor could finish speaking, Consort Rong hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, I feel that Feiyan's dowry is already more than enough!"

"Zhengzheng only wears a flower hairpin and a crown, but Feiyan can wear a phoenix crown, which is a great honor for her."

The emperor smiled and waved his hand: "Feiyan is the imperial sons' aunt, so she is a member of the imperial family and it is only right that she wears a phoenix crown."

"Mmm!" Consort Rong looked at the Emperor with a happy expression.

At this time,

The princess, who had been playing with her younger brother, walked over.

After glancing at the departing female official, the princess, who was quite beautiful despite her young age, asked in confusion, "Father, Mother, I heard the female official say that making the beds usually takes until the afternoon!"

"But why did that lady-in-waiting return to the palace so late?"

The emperor smiled upon hearing this and said, "Haha! Good girl, let your mother explain it to you."

After speaking, the emperor looked at Consort Rong with a playful expression, as if waiting for her answer to the question.

Seeing Consort Rong give him a charming glare, the emperor's smile widened, but he suddenly thought of the scene when Consort Rong first entered the palace.

Hearing the emperor's laughter, the young prince looked over curiously.

Consort Rong held the little princess's hand, pondered for a moment, and then smiled and said, "Why did the lady-in-waiting return so late? You'll only know when you reach the age to get married."

"Oh!" The little princess nodded with a regretful expression.

Looking at the smiling emperor and Consort Rong, the little princess's eyes flickered as if she had thought of something.

"Alright, we have to get up early tomorrow. My dear concubines, you also need to leave the palace for the Rong family. Let's go to bed now."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Oh! Time to sleep!" Upon hearing this, the little prince, drooling, happily walked towards the bed.

Seeing this, the emperor gave Consort Rong a meaningful look.

Soon, the princess and the young prince were coaxed and tricked away by the female official to another place.

The next day.

Early in the morning, the emperor, looking refreshed, went to the morning court with his chief eunuch.

Later that day,

Dressed in her finest attire, Consort Rong led her two children out of the palace gates and headed towards the Empress's bedroom.

After walking a few steps, Consort Rong discreetly rubbed her aching lower back.

"Your Highness?" Seeing the concerned look in the eyes of her personal maid, Consort Rong shook her head: "It's nothing, just a little sore from moving around so much all of a sudden."

The lady-in-waiting nodded, walked to Consort Rong's side, and supported Consort Rong's body even more forcefully.

After paying her respects to the Empress and exchanging pleasantries for a short while, Consort Rong emerged from the Empress's bedchamber.

As Consort Rong looked in surprise at the carriage parked in front of the palace gate, the Empress's personal maid said, "Your Highness, this was specially prepared for you by the Empress."

Consort Rong quickly bowed and said, "Thank you for your trouble. Please convey my gratitude to Her Majesty the Empress."

"Your Highness is too kind. I will certainly convey your message."

Subsequently, Consort Rong arrived at the palace gate in her carriage. After joining the ceremonial guard inside the Donghua Gate, the group headed in a grand procession towards Nanjiangtang Lane.

When Rongxian got married before, the Fuchang Marquis's residence had welcomed Consort Rong's carriage and entourage. Today, they came again, and it seemed like they were quite familiar with the process.

After welcoming the imperial concubine's carriage into the Rong family residence, Consort Rong led her two children to the backyard of the Rong family residence.

On the way, Consort Rong listened with a smile to the words of her sister-in-law, Lady Dou.

"Your Majesty, the Xu family just sent a dowry gift, led by the second son of the Gu family, who is currently enjoying the feast in the hall."

"Yes." Consort Rong smiled and nodded: "You must be careful, lest the chief minister find fault with you."

After glancing into Consort Rong's eyes, Lady Dou quickly replied, "Yes, yes, I understand."

As they spoke, Consort Rong and her children took their seats in the main hall of the backyard.

"The Rong family has many matters to attend to today, sister-in-law, please go ahead and take care of them," Consort Rong said with a smile.

After glancing happily at the little prince being led by the princess, Lady Dou quickly nodded in agreement.

Just as the Rong family maids were serving tea, another maid hurried over, curtsied, and said, "Your Highness, Madam, the Xu family's best man has learned of Your Highness's arrival and has come to pay his respects."

The Marquis of Fuchang and his wife remained silent, only looking at Consort Rong, who sat at the head of the table.

Seeing Consort Rong nod, Lady Fuchang quickly said, "Please come in!"

As they were talking, Consort Rong's personal maidservant exchanged a glance with the palace maid who had come with her.

When Gu Tingye and Liang Han arrived at the main hall,

A large screen had been placed in front of the open door.

After taking a few steps, Gu Tingye bowed and said, "Your humble servant Gu Tingye greets Your Highness the Imperial Concubine, Your Highness the Prince, and Your Highness the Princess."

Liang Han then greeted them.

"Get up quickly!" Consort Rong's cheerful voice came from behind the screen.

"Yes."

After Gu Tingye and Liang Han straightened up, Consort Rong smiled and said, "I am grateful to Erlang and Liulang for coming to the Marquis's residence today to deliver the betrothal gifts! Please forgive me if the banquet is not well-organized."

Gu Tingye quickly replied, "Your Majesty, you flatter me! The banquet at the Marquis's residence is of the finest quality!"

"It was excellent, especially the pastries; they were so delicious I almost bit my tongue," Liang Han echoed.

"Hehe!" Consort Rong's melodious laughter rang out: "That's good then, it's worth the hard work of the imperial chefs."

"Your Majesty, we have a favor to ask," Liang Han asked, bowing respectfully.

"Today is a joyous day, Sixth Prince, you can decide what to do," Consort Rong said with a smile.

"Well... if we can't finish these dishes of pastries, could you pack some up and take them with us?"

After Liang Han finished speaking, smiles filled the hall again.

"Sixth Prince, you're so thoughtful!" Consort Rong praised. As the eldest son of a marquis, Liang Han naturally had his share of pastries; his words were merely to liven up the atmosphere and amuse everyone.

"Xian-ge'er is drinking with you, but you two mustn't get him drunk!" Consort Rong added.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Gu Tingye replied with a smile.

Then, Gu Tingye and Liang Han bowed and took their leave.

After meeting with the families of Rong Xian's subordinates, including Shen Congxing, in the hall, Consort Rong led her children toward Huixue Courtyard.

Returning to Snow Courtyard
Inside the room, in front of the dressing table, Rong Feiyan was looking at her makeup in the bronze mirror.

suddenly,

Upon seeing the palace-dressed beauty reflected in the bronze mirror, Rong Feiyan was startled for a moment before turning around and exclaiming in delight, "Sister!"

After calling out the name of the person, Rong Feiyan gave Ningxiang, who was following behind Consort Rong, a reproachful look.

"Don't blame her, it was my fault for not letting them announce it," Consort Rong said with a smile.

"Auntie, you look so beautiful today," exclaimed the little princess beside Consort Rong.

The little prince, holding the princess's hand, nodded and smiled repeatedly, saying, "Auntie is like a fairy from heaven!"

Rong Feiyan smiled at the young prince and asked, "Is your aunt prettier, or is your mother prettier?"

"aunt."

"Mother concubine."

Hearing the princess and prince's different answers, the people in the room chuckled a few times.

Consort Rong gently tapped her daughter's forehead: "You little traitor."

"Mother, your daughter," the princess said shyly to Consort Rong.

"But you're not wrong, no one can be more beautiful than the bride today," Consort Rong said with a smile.

Then, Consort Rong said, "Alright, your aunt and I have something to talk about. Go play somewhere else! Don't touch anything!"

"Yes, concubine."

The little princess nodded and led her younger brother outside.

Soon only the two sisters remained in the room.

Walking up to the dressing table, looking at Rong Feiyan with her exquisite makeup, Consort Rong carefully examined her for a few moments before smiling and saying, "Your Majesty is absolutely right."

Rong Feiyan: "Ah? Sister, why do you say that?"

Consort Rong smiled, reached out and stroked Rong Feiyan's forehead, which was exposed after her bangs were combed back, and said with a smile, "That Xu family boy really got a good deal!"

Upon hearing this, Rong Feiyan pursed her lips, feeling a mix of shyness, pride, and melancholy, and then lowered her head.

Consort Rong turned her gaze away from the phoenix crown beside her and smiled, "Speaking of which, you've liked that boy for so many years, and today you've finally gotten what you wanted."

Rong Feiyan glanced at her sister and nodded a few times with a smile on her lips.

"What do you remember about what my personal lady-in-waiting explained to you in detail last night, Feiyan?"

Before Rong Feiyan, who was slightly embarrassed, could speak, Consort Rong smiled and waved her hand gently, saying, "It's alright if you don't remember, there are drawings prepared there anyway! Just take them out if you don't understand anything."

"Sister!" Rong Feiyan called out, embarrassed and annoyed.

"Last night His Majesty told me that the young master of the Xu family still had the energy to exercise for an hour this morning after his wedding night."

Rong Feiyan, observing Rong Fei's expression, said, "Sister, His Majesty was with you last night."

"We're talking about your business! Don't mention me and His Majesty, okay?" Consort Rong said reproachfully.

"Oh." After nodding in response, Rong Feiyan pursed her lips and looked at Rong Fei tentatively, saying, "Sister, could it be that Sister Zhengzheng's birthday was unlucky? Brother Xu Wu cherishes Sister Zhengzheng, so he only had time this morning..."

"If that's the case, why did Madam Chai go to the palace yesterday to ask the Empress for a prescription for women that invigorates qi, strengthens the kidneys, nourishes yin, and replenishes blood?"

Seeing the expression on Consort Rong's face, Rong Feiyan awkwardly stopped talking.

"That young man from the Xu family has practiced martial arts since childhood and has been diligently training for many years. He is naturally highly skilled and exceptionally brave! Otherwise, he would not have achieved such merits."

"There are only three or five of these strong and skilled martial arts practitioners," Consort Rong said, but seeing that her younger sister already understood, she stopped speaking.

Rong Feiyan also felt unsure where to look, so she quickly changed the subject and said, "Sister, after I become a disciple, should I pay more attention to..."

"What should we pay attention to?" Consort Rong asked, looking puzzled.

"Be careful not to have a child before Zhengzheng, if..."

Consort Rong waved her hand to interrupt: "Feiyan, you don't need to be like this. Now that you've entered the Xu family, when you'll conceive, and whether it's a boy or a girl, is up to fate."

"Mm." Rong Feiyan nodded, pursing her lips.

After glancing at her beautiful younger sister, Consort Rong sighed softly.

Rong Feiyan looked at Consort Rong with a puzzled expression: "Sister, what's wrong?"

"Feiyan, I know you have been proud since childhood. When you were old enough to understand, our family was already a marquis."

"Hmm." Rong Feiyan looked at her sister, waiting for her to continue.

“The Sheng family girl is the last of the three of you to enter the Xu family. In terms of family background, although the Sheng family does not have any hereditary titles, it can be said to be a family of officials for generations.”

Rong Feiyan nodded and said, "Sister, I know. Although the sixth young lady of the Sheng family is a concubine's daughter, she was raised by the old lady of the Sheng family! Brother Xu Wu has always respected this aunt."

Consort Rong smiled and said, "Yes! This sixth young lady of the Sheng family comes from the lowest social class, but..."

"Is that alright?" Rong Feiyan asked, looking puzzled.

Looking at the sensible Rong Feiyan, Consort Rong continued, "But the Sixth Miss Sheng is the only one of the three of you whom Xu Wulang mentioned personally."

Rong Feiyan was taken aback. After staring blankly at Consort Rong, she lowered her head and said in a muffled voice, "Sister, I know this. Why are you telling me this?"

"Alas!" Consort Rong sighed, "Feiyan, now that you've entered the Xu family, don't have too high expectations, thinking that Xu Wulang will only have you in his heart. If your expectations are too high and they can't be met, you'll easily harbor resentment."

"Regardless of what he does, the fact that he mentioned Miss Sheng in front of His Majesty shows that he cares about her."

"Do you understand?" Consort Rong asked softly.

Rong Feiyan pursed her lips, nodded a few times with feigned strength, and said, suppressing the soreness in her nose, "Sister, I understand."

Consort Rong reached out with heartache and used her soft sleeve to wipe away the tears welling up in Rong Feiyan's eyes: "Don't cry! It's not good to cry on such a day."

Upon hearing this, Rong Feiyan quickly forced a smile and nodded in a relaxed tone, saying, "Sister, actually, I've thought about this matter several times already!"

"I'm happy that I can join the Xu family and see him often! Even if I can't see him, my sister is happy too."

Consort Rong also felt her nose sting, and after wiping away Rong Feiyan's tears, she said, "Silly girl! You have suffered so much for the Rong family and for me."

Rong Feiyan shook her head repeatedly, and two crystal tears rolled down her cheeks.

With tears in her eyes and a smile on her face, Rong Feiyan looked at Consort Rong and said firmly, "Sister, it's not bitter!"

Seeing her sister's state, Consort Rong took a deep breath and then hugged Rong Feiyan in her arms, stroking Rong Feiyan's cheek.

Consort Rong looked into the empty space with an unfathomable yet resolute expression.

If Consort Rong's personal maid were here, she would surely be able to see the meaning in the Consort's eyes: if Xu Zaijing dares to wrong Rong Feiyan, Consort Rong will definitely make Xu Zaijing give her an explanation!
"The Chai family's daughter is the principal wife, and you two are both concubines, each with your own powerful backers! From now on, no matter what that sixth Miss Sheng does, you must not overstep your bounds and offend her!"

"Mm." Rong Feiyan nodded gently.

Just then, someone outside the screen said, "Your Majesty, the Xu family's second dowry gift has arrived."

"Oh, I see."

Consort Rong quickly wiped her eyes with a handkerchief and said with a smile, "Alright, let's stop crying. This afternoon, Xu Wulang will welcome you into the family."

Rong Feiyan smiled.

Consort Rong said wistfully, "When the Sheng family's daughter also enters the family, and you all go to the palace to express your gratitude, then the two of us sisters can have a proper chat."

Rong Feiyan nodded again.

Then, the two sisters exchanged a few more words.

Just as Consort Rong was preparing to leave with her children and return to the front hall of Huixue Courtyard,
The princess quickly ran to Rong Feiyan's side and whispered in her ear, "Auntie, what was the lady-in-waiting who served Mother Consort doing at the Rong family yesterday? Why did she return to the palace so late?"

After a moment of shyness, Rong Feiyan quickly became serious and said, "The lady-in-waiting is teaching me some... some life tips."

"Oh!" The princess nodded and sighed upon hearing this, "Is that so!"

(End of this chapter)