In early March, the Imperial Examination results had not been released yet, but the palace draft had produced outcomes.
Prince Gui, Wei Jing, was bestowed the daughter of the Wang family, slated to be married in May of that year, with the two side concubines entering the mansion the following year.
Prince Duan, Wei Yang, was granted two side concubines, who would enter the mansion simultaneously in July.
Prince Chu received two side concubines, who would enter the palace in September.
Prince Xiang, Wei Xuan, was bestowed two side concubines.
The marriage of the princes to side concubines was a simpler affair than marrying a wife, prompting the ceremonial department to become busy within a short period.
The Imperial Decree of bestowing marriage was dispatched to various palaces.
In the Chu Mansion, Ji Xianxian read the Imperial Decree and discovered that her mother-in-law had chosen Li Jingrou, a niece from her natal family, to be Wei Yan’s side concubine. Despite being informed in advance, Ji Xianxian felt furious. As cousins, they shared a special bond. Considering her mother-in-law’s age and enduring charm, Li Jingrou was likely to be a beauty, and she was only a fifteen-year-old girl. How could she compete for favor?
She blamed Wei Yan for having too many uncles. With four uncles, their wives, and concubines, he had numerous cousins. However, Li Jingrou was almost young enough to be his daughter.
Though she was just a concubine, Li Jingrou happened to be the daughter of Wei Yan’s second uncle, Xu Xian.
Ji Xianxian sulked at the Imperial Decree. As for the other concubine, it was rumored that she looked ordinary. Therefore, she didn’t give her much attention.
After her outburst, Ji Xianxian suddenly became curious about Yin Hui’s situation. Given Yin Hui’s modest background, the Emperor and Empress were expected to provide two renowned side concubines to compensate Prince Shu.
“Prepare the carriage; I’m going out!” Ji Xianxian raised her voice and ordered before heading to change her clothes.
At the Shu Mansion, Yin Hui was trying on some new spring clothes. The sun had been shining brightly for the past few days, and the sky seemed to have suddenly become hot. Sometimes it was so warm that Yin Hui felt like she could just wear summer clothes. However, the spring clothes had just been made, so it would be a shame not to wear them.
“Mother, you are looking so pretty!” Xiao Ning stood aside, watching her mother walk back and come out wearing a beautiful dress with amazed eyes, as if she couldn’t get enough of it. Even the singing of birds and the blooming flowers in the yard couldn’t attract her.
Yin Hui smiled and said, “Ning Ning, you will also have new clothes, and they will be delivered soon.”
Hearing that, Xiao Ning was very happy.
At that moment, the guard sent someone to tell her that Princess Chu was there.
Yin Hui guessed why Ji Xianxian came and asked Jinzhan to go to the hall to entertain her first. She then proceeded to go back to the inner room to change clothes. Ji Xianxian was in a bad mood at the moment. If she went to meet her in a fancy dress, it would be like adding fuel to the fire. Although Yin Hui was not afraid of Ji Xianxian, they were all sisters-in-law, and they usually got along well. So, why bother to give Ji Xianxian any reason for envy?
Taking off one set and putting on another set took some time. When Yin Hui finally came to the hall, Ji Xianxian stabbed her habitually when she saw her, “You just made me wait.”
Yin Hui said with a smile, “I just played with Ning Ning, and my hair was messed up, so I combed it again.”
Ji Xianxian listened and looked at her curiously, saying, “You still have the mood to coax the child? Haven’t you received the marriage decree?”
Yin Hui said blankly, “What marriage decree?”
Ji Xianxian: “Of course, it’s the decree to appoint side concubines.”
When Yin Hui shook her head, Ji Xianxian frowned and said in confusion, “It shouldn’t be; we live so close, and the eunuch must have passed your mansion.”
Yin Hui sat across from her, motioned the maids to back down, and asked with concern, “Second Sister-in-law, did you receive the degree? Which family are the two side concubines from?”
Ji Xianxian explained to her first, with a calm tone, as if she didn’t take the side concubines to heart at all.
Yin Hui was silent for a moment and then said in a low voice, “I’m not going to hide it from you. Prince Shu mentioned to me about the side concubines, saying that he didn’t want to accept them, so he went to talk to Father. But I didn’t know until the last moment if there would be side concubines coming or not, so I didn’t tell you before.”
Ji Xianxian’s eyes widened. “The Third Master doesn’t want side concubines?”
Yin Hui nodded, saying that Wei Luo didn’t like to socialize with women.
Ji Xianxian didn’t believe it at first, as no man would reject such a beautiful blessing. Still, it was true that the Shu Mansion had not received the Imperial Decree. With that fact in mind, Wei Luo was such a cold person, and that kind of strange thing seemed nothing unusual about him.
Ji Xianxian looked at Yin Hui again.
Yin Hui’s face was rosy, and she looked even more charming because she changed her clothes frequently and rushed over to treat guests.
Ji Xianxian couldn’t help thinking, Wei Luo rejected the side concubines, was it because he was cold in nature and not greedy for women, or because he liked Yin Hui so much that he was willing to give her special favor?
Yin Hui saw a trace of jealousy in Ji Xianxian’s eyes.
Fortunately, the two of them did not serve the same husband. If they did, Ji Xianxian might have eaten her alive.
“Maybe the eunuch hasn’t come yet.” Yin Hui looked at the yard, looking for something to divert Ji Xianxian’s jealousy.
Ji Xianxian was in a complicated mood, but it was indeed possible.
“Forget it; there may not be any on your side. I’ll go to see the Eldest Sister-in-law and Fourth Sister-in-law. Do you want to go with me?” Ji Xianxian asked casually.
Yin Hui reminded her, “It’s not a good time, isn’t it? We are close, and we usually meet around a lot. But today the side concubines’ affairs have just been settled. If it spreads that we, the main wives, met with each other, it may cause gossip.”
It would seem that the main wives were going to fight against the side concubines.
Ji Xianxian forgot about her impatience. As soon as Yin Hui reminded her, she reacted and smiled, “You’re right, so I’ll go back first.
Yin Hui sent her out.
Ji Xianxian went back to the Chu Mansion.
Wei Yan was working in the Ministry of Household Affairs. As for the side concubines, his mother-in-law had already told him the candidates she liked, but he was also curious about who was chosen in the end, so he came back earlier in the afternoon.