Chapter 360: Chapter 360
It was clear that the Crown Princess wasn't the only one with such thoughts; the newly married princess consorts of the Third and Fourth Princes shared similar sentiments.
"So that's the legendary Imperial Noble Consort!"
She truly possessed heavenly beauty. After walking quite a distance from the Palace of Eternal Spring gates, Lady Donggo couldn't help but sigh inwardly, then deliberately glanced at the Third Prince beside her who was obviously distracted.
Unlike Lady Donggo's straightforward manner, Fourth Princess Consort Ula Nara had a rather quiet temperament. The thirteen or fourteen-year-old girl's body hadn't fully developed yet, her pale, childish little face clearly mismatched with her full princess consort regalia, yet she still straightened her back, struggling to maintain the dignity expected of a prince's primary wife.
As if afraid of revealing timidity, aside from her initial moment of distraction, every movement and gesture followed proper etiquette meticulously.
Silently cursing this cruel situation, An Ning quickly ordered seats prepared for them, while Xiangzhu and others skillfully served various fruits, teas, and pastries.
The rich milk tea was fragrant upon tasting, with an even more mellow aftertaste. Before she realized it, Ula Nara had already drunk nearly half a cup, suddenly flushing with embarrassment when she noticed.
She instinctively glanced up at the person seated above, only to find the other seemed completely unaware...
Despite this, recalling the earlier scene after returning to her rooms, the Fourth Princess Consort couldn't help testing the waters:
"I never expected someone as celestial as the Imperial Noble Consort to be so gracious!"
Not at all like the rumors described her as distant, cold, arrogant, and unapproachable.
Yin Zhen instinctively frowned, taking a light sip of clear tea before responding:
"Noble Consort Mother has always been thorough. Since taking over palace affairs all these years, she's never made a single error. Usually she just has a quieter temperament and doesn't enjoy going out socializing. Don't listen to those baseless rumors outside."
As a prince, Yin Zhen clearly had the most authority to speak.
Even after his imperial mother passed away, during that period when nobody paid him any attention, all his provisions and allowances were never handled carelessly even once.
And those younger sisters in the Western Three Compounds—no matter how unfavored they were, not a single matron or palace servant dared show the slightest neglect, let alone control the princesses.
He particularly remembered when he was younger, hearing how Consort Chen Mother had decisively dealt with a large group of palace servants and matrons next door.
For the sake of several overlooked princesses, she dared directly offend the intricately connected Imperial Household Department, showing her warmhearted nature.
The so-called coldness was merely a protective facade.
This naturally made Yin Zhen feel a sense of kinship, seeing her as one of their own.
Of course, most impressive were her methods. Just seeing how obedient these Imperial Household Department servants had been over the years proved the Emperor hadn't misjudged her.
Looking at his princess consort before him, the Fourth Prince specifically added:
"Noble Consort Mother has impeccable character and is highly regarded by the Emperor. You must show her even more respect in daily interactions, without the slightest neglect..."
Ula Nara hurriedly nodded in agreement.
Unaware of this small episode, after simply receiving her visitors, An Ning immediately removed all her accessories and makeup, washed up briefly, then climbed back into her warm, cozy bed.
These palace rules really knew how to exhaust people.
But what proved even more exhausting wasn't this.
In the thirty-fourth year, perhaps seeing several princess consorts entering the palace one after another, with the clear possibility of bearing legitimate heirs, the Eldest Young Master next door obviously grew anxious.
Several months later, during a palace banquet, looking at Lady Irgen Gioro once again trembling unsteadily with her large belly, her face visibly pale and thin, even though she'd received advance notice, An Ning still found herself speechless for a moment.
Particularly since Imperial Noble Consort Wenxi had passed away this year. As a consort mother and one of the highest-ranking imperial consorts in the rear palace, the funeral ceremonies were clearly quite elaborate, requiring all the princes and princess consorts to observe mourning and pay respects.
Despite An Ning repeatedly ordering special care, the Eldest Princess Consort still couldn't carry this pregnancy to full term.
The only consolation was that she ultimately survived.
But her physical condition—during the full-month gifts ceremony, after roughly assessing her, An Ning feared she might not have many years of lifespan left.
The long-awaited firstborn son was also just a thin, small infant, with even the imperial physicians only daring to say he needed careful nurturing.
Despite this, once able to move somewhat, Lady Irgen Gioro still visited with generous gifts, expressing gratitude for the care during that previous period.
Her gaze lingering on the other's face that even heavy makeup couldn't conceal, An Ning only responded flatly that it was her duty.
Taking a light sip of the fragrant tea, the Eldest Princess Consort's expression couldn't help showing some bitterness.
Did she regret it? Naturally she did, especially thinking about the Eldest Young Master's obviously frail health and her own clearly declining energy these days.
But then considering her husband's expectations over the years and her family's vague disappointment...
She truly didn't know anymore...
After seeing off her visitor, perhaps thinking of those several young ladies at the Eldest Young Master's residence that day with their frightened, uneasy little faces, An Ning's mood turned uncharacteristically somber.
In this lifetime, she rarely concealed her emotions.
So by evening, it naturally showed. Within less than fifteen minutes, having been rebuffed three or four times in succession, even Kangxi—as obtuse as he could be—finally caught on.
Setting down his teacup casually:
"What's wrong? Feeling stifled in the palace lately?"
After some thought, this seemed the only explanation, since currently in the palace, presumably nobody would dare offend her.
Admittedly, there had been many events in the palace this year, and they hadn't even stayed at the gardens much these past months. Considering this, seeing her in a temper didn't annoy him.
Picking up his teacup again, he said meaningfully to the person before him:
"The palace is indeed stifling. Since the Lantern Festival approaches, if A-Ning wishes to leave the palace..."
Hearing this, An Ning looked suspiciously at the person across from her: "With your status, leaving the palace?"
Aren't you afraid of something happening?
Understanding her meaning, the person opposite actually gave a light hum, speaking with considerable confidence:
"This is the imperial capital, right under the Son of Heaven's feet! If we can't even guarantee basic security here, then the Capital Prefecture Magistrate should be replaced immediately!"
True enough, the important capital region was different from Jiangnan after all. Having a chance to go out and relax, An Ning naturally wouldn't refuse.
That said, on the day they went out, with An Ning's sharp perception, she noticed at least several hundred guards along the way—both visible and hidden—all quite skilled in martial arts.
Sure enough, claiming not to be afraid was nonsense!
But what did that have to do with her.
Holding a white jade folding fan, wearing a moon-white robe and fox fur cap, once again appearing as a handsome young master strolling through the brightly lit streets, An Ning was in quite good spirits. However, the next moment, she noticed several familiar figures had appeared not far away.
Certain she hadn't mistaken them, in the crowd, a pair of wide-staring eyes scanned the two obviously intimate figures before them, lingering particularly long on An Ning's face.
In that moment, the Fourth Prince felt like the sky had collapsed.