As the morning court session ended, Song Zhiyuan was summoned again to the Imperial Study, which made everyone quite envious.
Fan Zhang snorted and left with a flick of his sleeve. After walking a few steps, he saw a eunuch bowing as he approached, who then respectfully called out, "Pri Minister."
Fan Zhang saw the eunuch and frowned slightly, asking in a low voice, "Does the Lady have any matters?"
The eunuch, called Xiaochunzi, smiled and said, "The Lady just misses her family and wishes to have so family mbers co into the palace for a chat."
Fan Zhang furrowed his brow, looked around, and said, "The Madam at ho has a minor illness, so she won’t enter the palace to pay respects to the Lady, to avoid spreading the illness." After a pause, he added, "Tell the Lady, regarding the morning court discussions, His Majesty has no thoughts at the mont. Small impatience spoils great plans; the ti is not yet right, so the Lady should remain steady."
"Yes. I humbly see the Pri Minister off." Xiaochunzi bowed his head and stepped back.
Fan Zhang left with his hands behind his back.
After he walked away, Xiaochunzi then turned and returned to the Harem.
Chang Chun Palace.
A beautiful woman in ornate palace attire lay half-reclined on a beauty couch, her eyes half-closed. Her delicate fingers were being carefully applied with alizarin by two palace maids, while another young maid gently massaged her legs with a beauty mallet.
"Lady, Xiaochunzi has returned." An overseeing maid ca over, bending slightly to report.
Consort Fan opened her eyes and waved Xiaochunzi over when she saw him approaching.
Besides the young maid massaging her legs, the palace maids applying alizarin were trusted confidants and did not leave.
Xiaochunzi stepped forward, shook his sleeves, knelt down to pay respects, and, after being acknowledged, went closer to relay the words from the Pri Minister.
Consort Fan pursed her lips and said, "I understand, you may go. Chunying, prepare so dicinal herbs as a gift to the Pri Minister’s Mansion, so Madam can recuperate in peace."
"Yes, Lady."
"Lady, the Third Prince has arrived."
Upon hearing this, Consort Fan’s face imdiately broke into a smile. She sat up straight and looked towards the hall entrance, indeed seeing a tall and handso young man walk in.
"This child greets Mother Consort." Chu Hongzheng knelt on one knee and paid respects to Consort Fan.
"Quick, stand up." Consort Fan, smiling warmly, raised her hand and asked as she looked at her handso son, "Does Zheng’er have so free ti today to co and greet Mother Consort? Is there not much howork in the Study Room today?"
Chu Hongzheng supported her hand and walked to sit at the edge of the Arhat bed, saying, "No matter how much howork, I should still co to greet Mother Consort."
Consort Fan was so pleased, she felt as sweet as if she’d tasted honey. She instructed her trusted maid Zi Lan, "Go and bring the bird’s nest simring in the small kitchen for the Third Prince to enjoy."
"Yes, Lady."
"Mother Consort, that is your tonic; how can I eat it?" Chu Hongzheng frowned and said, "I’m a man, there’s no need for to eat such trivial bird’s nest."
Bird’s nest is mainly for young ladies. If he ate it, how would that look? If word got out, they’d think he was effeminate, lacking masculinity.
"Nonsense, bird’s nest can be eaten by anyone, regardless of gender, and it’s beneficial for the body." Consort Fan playfully scolded him and touched his face, saying, "My son is handso, and so he should eat well to beco even more so, making all the young ladies unable to take their eyes off."
Chu Hongzheng blushed slightly. He was fifteen years old and not yet involved with won, nor had he chosen a consort. He occasionally heard bawdy jokes from his older brothers or even younger ones close to his age, giving him so fanciful notions.
Seeing him like this, Consort Fan pulled him into her embrace and laughed lightly, "Our Zheng’er has grown up and should also choose a consort. Mother Consort has already gathered the na lists of various young ladies; shall we choose together when the ti cos?"
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