The Beloved Imperial Consort Chapter 178

Tian Fu Shan wore a peculiar expression as he looked over the list of people Mistress Yao had chosen, individuals who met her expectations.

The list was entirely made up of those who had been screened, fulfilling Mistress Yao’s criteria for the ages of children in their households and their deep loyalty to His Highness. Nearly seventy percent held important positions, either entrusted with critical duties by His Highness or showing potential to be noticed. Yet, Tian Fu Shan simply could not comprehend the rationale behind the selection of the others.

Because these people had been with His Highness for a long time and happened to have children of the appropriate age at home, Tian Fu Shan, annoyed by their persistent requests, only reluctantly agreed to put their names on the list. In terms of official positions, they were nothing more than ordinary among the master’s subordinates.

He had initially thought that Mistress Yao wouldn’t be interested in those who used their connections, yet surprisingly, she picked out five of them at once. The Chief Steward couldn’t help but marvel that Mistress Yao of Danruo Courtyard had such perplexing criteria. Thus, filled with confusion, he proceeded to carry out his duties as per protocol.

Mu Xi Yao sat on a chaise lounge, carefully examining each of the ten or so people below her.

“Mistress, how would you like to go about the selection? Should they be asked questions individually, or would you like to pick a few yourself?” Zhao Momo glanced at the women in the hall, who were clearly divided into two groups based on their attires, unable to grasp the mistress’s thinking.

Why did the mistress only give a brief glance to those who appeared neat and respectable, but take a greater interest in those dressed more plainly?

“The reason for calling you here today is to select playmates for His Highness’s eldest son. As his mother, Qie has only four requirements. If you can meet these, then send your children here; if you find it difficult, then consider this matter settled. You should also have no concerns about facing any trouble on account of this after taking your children back home.”

Seeing that they understood, Mu Xi Yao nodded and meticulously specified the requirements that made everyone very nervous, one by one.

“Firstly, as playmates for Cheng Qing, they will take turns staying at the Prince’s Residence for a better part of the day. Every ten days, they might stay overnight at the residence for one or two days, making it inconvenient to return home.

Secondly, once your children enter the residence, the prince’s household will take full responsibility for their upbringing. Should any child display exceptional talent, Qie will inform His Highness. Upon starting their education, they will begin as Cheng Qing’s study companions. How each child is raised will be entirely up to the prince’s household; no outside interference will be allowed, not even from their closest relatives. Their future prospects will depend solely on their own abilities.

Thirdly, His Highness’s eldest son will not have anyone with questionable character by his side. Should anyone be found harboring dishonest motives, and violating this rule, they will be immediately sent back home.

The last requirement is especially crucial. No one is to use this status to throw their weight around outside or carry out misconduct in the name of the Prince’s Residence.”

Mu Xi Yao’s requirements were quite simple: obedience, following arrangements, and possessing good moral character. Cheng Qing’s playmates do not need to be exceptionally clever; matters requiring intellect fall under the advisors’ responsibilities. The only requirement for personal attendants was loyalty and reliability.

Mu Xi Yao was aware that her demands might be strict, but for Cheng Qing’s sake, she had to be cautious. At this moment, with a dozen individuals, retaining half of them would be enough.

Sending children at a young age to a completely unfamiliar place to be raised, without the right to question the upbringing methods, was unjust in Mu Xi Yao’s opinion. Perhaps those from better-off families would find it difficult to accept.

Regrettably, things turned out quite differently from what she had expected. Apart from three people who came forward and expressed their reluctance to part with their children, the rest of the women were overjoyed and rushed to be the first to agree, eagerly sending their sons to the Prince’s Residence without any further discussion.

Seeing the situation before her, Mu Xi Yao was somewhat taken aback. With so many, even a weekly rotation wouldn’t be enough! Could her son clearly remember everyone? With such frequent changes in playmates, is it possible that her little bun might develop face blindness? More importantly, if he got along particularly well with one playmate, would he insist she ‘change shifts’?

Mu Xi Yao suddenly experienced annoyance at having put herself in a difficult position. If she had known that parents in the Great Wei were so indecisive, wouldn’t directly selecting people have been better? When will she be free from the nuisance of such hindsight?

She now needed to carefully think about how to start a conversation with the big boss; the funds she had obtained yesterday would need to be doubled. After finally sending off the crowd of happy faces, Gui Momo’s brows furrowed.

“Mistress, by allowing so many people into the residence all at once, even if we divide them into batches for rotation, additional staff will need to be assigned to watch over them. However, where should we best accommodate them?”

Gui Momo was not the only one harboring doubts, Zhao Momo and others also felt that their Mistress might have lacked consideration this time.

Naturally, Mu Xi Yao understood their thoughts. She pondered briefly but did not dismiss anyone.

With the child in her belly about to pop out, selecting everyone at once suited her fine, conveniently sparing her any hassle. Moreover, those she specifically chose, though not renowned yet, had other reasons for their lack of fame.

To explain their current unsatisfactory circumstances in one sentence, it would be because they mingled in circles that were too ordinary to catch the eye of Di Wu Yi Zhao and had been misplaced by those in higher positions.

Yesterday, when Zong Zheng Lin was choosing people, he overlooked several promising candidates. After some thought, she understood the key issue. Although at this time talents were selected through civil and military examinations in Great Wei, most candidates were from noble families. If a student from a humble background has no one to recommend him, he will not even be qualified to register for the exam, let alone apply for an assessment report from designated educational institutions based on the noble family household registry issued by the government.

Mu Xi Yao rested her chin in her right hand, her eyes downcast in deep thought for a moment.  Finally, she came up with a suitable place.

“Tell Tian Fu Shan to clean up the vacant courtyard on the left of Danruo Courtyard and merge the two courtyards into one. Break through the outer wall as soon as possible and build either an arched door spanning the lateral court or a corridor; it doesn’t matter which. As long as people can pass through, let him handle it as he sees fit.”

“But Mistress, for major construction in this residence, the rules dictate that we need to seek He Lian Principal Consort’s approval.”

Oh, Mu Xi Yao suddenly realized. She was so used to managing the affairs of Danruo Courtyard as she pleased that she had forgotten about the top authority in the inner yard.

“Then Qie will have to trouble Momo to make a trip to Chanruo Courtyard. If Qie’s is not mistaken, Lady He Lian will likely come up with an excuse and just stall without agreeing.” Only a fool would believe that woman wouldn’t make things difficult!

Ever since their agreement was nullified, she and He Lian’shi had gone their separate ways. Though she had secretly helped that woman, there was no guarantee of gratitude. By now, she was undoubtedly the target of He Lian’shi’s jealousy and resentment once again.

“Momo, there’s no need to refute her. Listen to what she has to say and come straight back. As long as the rules are observed on the surface, how we handle things privately is a different matter.”

How else could she handle it? Wasn’t it just about tearfully hugging the boss’s leg and openly seeking unspoken methods? Mu Xi Yao was well-practiced at this, and Zong Zheng Lin had complied with her more times than he could count on one hand.

That evening, Zong Zheng Lin returned to the residence and readily acknowledged Mu Xi Yao’s ‘the number of people was slightly high’, recognizing it as an embellished excuse. However, he did not agree with the plan to merge the courtyards.

“Jiao Jiao plans to move Cheng Qing out? That courtyard is not suitable.” Zong Zheng Lin, who was very attentive to his son, uncharacteristically dismissed Mu Xi Yao’s terrible idea on the spot upon hearing it.

His son’s status was so prestigious, and yet he was to live in a side courtyard? Only Mu Xi Yao, this woman, would think of something like this. The Sixth Highness’s finickiness was acting up again. Looking at Mu Xi Yao, he could only wish he could straighten out her thinking.

Other women were constantly striving to climb up the ladder of wealth and fame, but she couldn’t care less and even neglected their son.

Seeing how protective he was of Cheng Qing, Mu Xi Yao smiled charmingly and quickly explained. “Qie was planning to move the little servant girls to a separate courtyard so the vacant rooms could be put to use. There’s no need for Cheng Qing to move. Besides, Qie wouldn’t feel at ease having him so far away. It’s just that…”

Mu Xi Yao felt a little regretful, “With more people around, the courtyard for Cheng Qing to play in would seem a bit small. There are also many new toys Qie planned to get for him, but there’s not enough room. We can’t have him playing and making noise in the main house every day; when children get rowdy, it would be impossible for anyone to have peace.”

After listening to her plan, Zong Zheng Lin pulled her into his arms and gently stroked her delicate hand.

“In that case, there’s no need to move the servant girls; the side courtyard is too far for you to conveniently manage. As for Cheng Qing’s courtyard, have Tian Fu Shan find someone to redraw the blueprint and rebuild the Danruo Courtyard. Anything Jiao Jiao wants to add, let them handle it. The courtyard for the one you’re carrying also needs to be prepared in advance.”

Zong Zheng Lin couldn’t bear to see his son mistreated. Since Mu Xi Yao said the courtyard was too small, she might simply get a larger one. There was no need for her to go through the hassle of merging and patching up courtyards. Besides, the Sixth Highness had other considerations in mind.

Mu Xi Yao would certainly have more children in the future, so this courtyard would need to be built sooner or later. What others saw as a significant expenditure was negligible to the well-off Sixth Prince.

“Your Highness, is it really necessary to go to such lengths? Qie is distressed about her private funds.” She was more distressed that the money would be spent in vain! Zong Zheng Lin will soon depart for an expedition to Mobei, and upon his return, the Yuancheng Emperor will bestow titles on a large scale. When Zong Zheng Lin is granted the title of prince, this residence will be replaced with a more magnificent one, so why bother with the current layout?

However, Mu Xi Yao couldn’t openly say this. She couldn’t possibly tell the boss, ‘When you rise to prominence in the future, Qie’s money will have been spent for nothing and that would make Qie feel deeply pained’.

“Such petty ambition.” Zong Zheng Lin lowered his head and saw that the woman who had been smiling just moments ago was now furrowing her brows. He disliked seeing her worried expression, even if it was just an act; Zong Zheng Lin couldn’t bear it.

Encountering this mischief-maker, he could only let her act and play her games. Pinching the tip of Mu Xi Yao’s nose, the Sixth Highness, frustrated by her lack of ambition, said, “Only Jiao Jiao would be interested in those small profits from Jiayi Workshop. Just keep your little stash hidden; the money will come from the public treasury.”

Where did the little woman’s greed for money come from? Watching her face instantly brighten, Zong Zheng Lin raised an eyebrow, secretly amused. This content belongs to thehlifestyle.com, if you see this translation elsewhere, it’s been stolen!

“Your Highness, just go ahead and spoil Qie all you want; Qie won’t get tired of it.” After receiving the good news, this shameless one immediately pounced on him and planted two very loud kisses on Zong Zheng Lin’s chin.

Public treasury? Excellent news, absolutely excellent! All public money has to go through He Lian Min Min’s hands. That woman tried to put a spoke in her wheel this afternoon, but now that the big boss has given the order, let’s see how she can put on airs and flaunt her power.

“Your Highness is indeed perceptive and considerate of how difficult it is for Qie to manage the household. With your protection, Qie’s days can finally improve even under the suppression of others.”

Complaining, blatantly complaining! Who else could ‘suppress’ her other than He Lian’shi, who had a higher status?

Zong Zheng Lin kissed this troublesome one’s little mouth, his mind exceptionally clear.

Mu Xi Yao was remarkably precise in handling affection. She would frequently come over to be sweet and clingy. On the surface, it seemed like she was complaining, but in reality, it was a display of intimacy. When it came to knowing what men liked, Zong Zheng Lin believed that Mu Xi Yao was definitely an expert, highly accomplished in this art.

In another day, Mu Xi Yao would let the Sixth Highness know that when it came to retaliating against those she resented, she was equally skilled and formidable.

Translation notes:

Relationship Diagram  (by Sith Kazar)

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