In the evening, An Ning leaned on the couch, pondering how to bring this matter up with the princess consort. After all, her current status was merely that of a minor concubine. Even her own younger brother, strictly speaking, couldn't be considered proper family in the mansion. Moreover, he was nearly grown into a man, which made the situation rather delicate.
The mansion had never set such a precedent before. If handled poorly, the princess consort might think she was getting above herself, using her child to challenge the consort's authority. Life was going smoothly now, and An Ning had no intention of inviting trouble.
But before she could even broach the subject, Prince Zhuang, who came as usual in the evening to see his beloved son, took the initiative: "I heard from the palace maids today that A Ning has been missing her family recently?"
"Please forgive my foolish sentiment." Leaning against him with his support, An Ning didn't deny it.
"What nonsense!" Boguoduo shook his head dismissively, clearly not considering this a matter of concern. His gaze remained as gentle as ever: "We're all family here, no need for such formality. I've already informed the princess consort on my way here. Tomorrow I'll have Xia Zi go fetch him."
He added considerately: "It was my oversight. A Ning entered the palace young and hasn't properly seen her family in years."
Indeed, An Ning thought to herself, when a man truly cares, even the busiest can be attentive. It all depends on whether they're willing. In the dim lamplight, An Ning looked up at the man before her.
Prince Zhuang Boguoduo - historical records described him as principled and elegant, with a refined temperament. He loved poetry and books, enjoyed painting orchids and bamboo. His bamboo paintings particularly captured the essence of misty moonlight and snowy winds. Among the Manchu royalty, he was a rare truly cultured figure. Unlike most rugged Manchu men, years of cultivation had endowed him with a scholarly grace.
This was one reason she'd chosen him initially. An Ning couldn't help lowering her gaze. Even without the later Fertility Pill, she likely would have chosen this path anyway.
But if none came, so be it. A prince's daughter would still live better than a palace maid. Besides, in her view, why bring children into the world unless they were truly wanted? To suffer like Kangxi's numerous princes, scrambling for scraps of paternal affection leaking from the crown prince's portion? To be routinely berated by their father like dogs?
In truth, since her arrival, apart from obligatory visits to the princess consort on the 1st and 15th of each month, he hadn't summoned any other concubines.
An Ning wasn't vain enough to think a prince in his thirties, who'd seen countless beauties, could genuinely love her. The first two months were likely novelty, plus her striking beauty. After confirming her pregnancy, it was probably concern that jealousy might affect the unborn child.
Even though she'd never shown any such tendencies.
See? Nestled in his arms, An Ning couldn't help but note - men understood everything. Even this feudal prince, born into a system allowing multiple wives and concubines, wouldn't naively think women didn't care about sharing their husband's affection.
They simply didn't care, or pretended not to notice.
But as the beneficiary, she couldn't care less why he treated her well. Since the benefits were there, she'd take them. Only fools refuse advantages.
Without hesitation, An Ning accepted his thoughtfulness. She even went so far as to air family dirty laundry, tugging his sleeve: "Your Highness may not know, my mother passed early. The only family I worry about is my younger brother. I just hope the boy can make something of himself."
Her worthless father went unmentioned.
Fortunately, the prince was perceptive - no member of the imperial family lacked intelligence. In two sentences, he'd grasped her family situation and abandoned any thought of helping her so-called "father." His brief surprise probably stemmed from encountering someone so blunt about family shame. Seeing her eager expression, Boguoduo couldn't help chuckling:
"In that case, I'll have Xia Zi fetch only your brother." As for other irrelevant parties, best not bring them to upset A Ning.
Blissfully unaware she'd just destroyed her father's prospects with one sentence, An Ning nodded firmly.
Remembering the original host's harsh treatment at home, she'd be damned if that worthless father benefited even slightly from her light.
With the master's orders paving the way, by late morning the next day, a maid came announcing that Young Master Majia had arrived and was currently in the prince's study.
Upon receiving the news, An Ning hadn't yet risen when a man in navy blue python robes with a gold-jade sash strode in, followed by a moon-headed boy of about twelve or thirteen.
Seeing him, tears welled unbidden in An Ning's eyes - the original host's residual emotions. She didn't suppress them.
The youth couldn't be more than twelve, yet was painfully thin, standing stiff as an unripe beanpole. Clearly, life at home hadn't been kind.
Witnessing this, perhaps influenced by the original host's feelings, rage surged in An Ning's heart. Why must such people exist? If they didn't want their children, why have them at all? To abandon them, ignore them, leave them to struggle alone in this cold world - was that amusing?
Taking a deep breath, An Ning barely contained her fury before rising to curtsey: "Greetings to Your Highness!"
"Enough, we're family - no need for formalities!" Understanding the siblings needed privacy, Prince Zhuang tactfully excused himself, saying he'd return for dinner. Noticing something amiss, he added gently before leaving: "Don't worry. I examined your brother earlier - his studies are decent, showing real effort. Tomorrow I'll arrange for him to enter the Imperial College."
"My deepest gratitude for Your Highness's care for my brother!" An Ning's thanks were utterly sincere.
The Imperial College! Only sons of powerful officials could enter. Not only did it offer top-tier resources and connections, but even if he failed the imperial exams, this credential could secure him at least a clerk position.
With this, half of the original host's second wish was fulfilled. An Ning couldn't help feeling pleased.
Easily reading her thoughts, Prince Zhuang chuckled and shook his head: "Very well, you two catch up. I'll take my leave!"
"Oh, since you rose late, I've had the kitchen keep porridge warm. Don't forget to eat, A Ning."
At this, An Ning's mouth twitched. They said bird's nest was nourishing, but whether psychological or not, she found the taste peculiar. Still, under her benefactor's gaze, she forced herself to agree, prompting his satisfied departure.
Once alone, An Ning studied the youth. Given the Majia household's circumstances, the siblings had practically raised each other.
The original host's memories included scenes of this half-grown boy desperately clutching her sleeve, kneeling to beg their father to pull strings to exempt her from palace selection.
Alas, with their father's affections long strayed, he wouldn't expend favors for an unimportant eldest daughter.
As for how eight-year-old Long'an survived under their worthless father and stepmother to grow up safely and even attend school - that was thanks to the girl's brilliant maneuver back then:
"Father and Stepmother shouldn't think me powerless just because I'm leaving. Remember - I'm entering the palace, where I might see the Emperor himself."
"I may lack talent to enrich our family, but if pushed too far, ensuring our nine generations perish together would be quite simple!"