Song Yixuan's birth was the cause of Concubine Rou's death, so he never got to meet her.
However, since he was old enough to understand things, he had heard Song Yihuan talk about Concubine Rou many times.
He knew that their birth mother was a beautiful and kind woman. She was skilled at embroidery and was also very good at making delicious snacks. When she served the old madam of the marquis's mansion, her dessert - making skills were highly praised even by the old madam.
But he also heard from the people in the marquis's mansion that their concubine mother was a low - class temptress. Taking advantage of the old madam's serious illness, she shamelessly seduced the marquis and got into his bed, which ultimately led to the old madam's death.
Originally, with her status and actions, Concubine Rou was not qualified to stay as a concubine. It was the legal mother who showed mercy. When she found out that Concubine Rou was pregnant, she drank the tea to recognize Concubine Rou as a concubine.
Although Song Yixuan didn't know much, in his limited understanding, he knew that "concubine" was not a good term.
The eldest sister was kind to them now because the fourth sister was well - behaved. But if the fourth sister became the eldest brother - in - law's concubine, would the eldest sister still be so kind to them?
Song Yixuan thought with a worried frown.
Although he liked the eldest brother - in - law and thought he was very capable, he didn't want the fourth sister to be the eldest brother - in - law's concubine. He didn't want the little baby the fourth sister gave birth to to live a hard life like them, and he didn't want the eldest brother - in - law to dislike them either.
Fu Ling didn't know what was going on in Song Yixuan's mind. Seeing that he fell silent again after asking the question, she continued to wave the broom to clean.
The carriage of the Prince Ning's mansion headed straight for the East Market, making its way to Duobaozhai, the largest antique and jade shop in the capital city.
Song Nanxin was a regular customer of Duobaozhai. As soon as she walked into the shop, the shopkeeper's wife recognized her and warmly greeted her:
"Your Highness the Princess of the Heir Apparent graces our humble shop. Our shop is truly honored!"
There were quite a few customers in the shop. Hearing this address, they all turned to look at Song Nanxin, and the envy in their eyes was so obvious.
"Is that the Princess of the Heir Apparent of Prince Ning? She's really a beauty."
"She's so lucky to marry the Heir Apparent of Prince Ning."
On the day Ji Lingchuan returned in triumph from the war, riding a tall horse and leading the Black Armored Army into the city to pay homage to the emperor, the grand occasion was extremely shocking. Many commoners in the capital city flocked to watch. His majestic appearance on the horse was engraved in the hearts of many young girls, winning the admiration of many women.
Hearing the envious and praising voices around her, Song Nanxin's smile widened.
Marrying into the Prince Ning's mansion really allowed her to hold her head high in the entire capital city.
But there were also discordant voices.
"I think the woman behind her is even more beautiful. If I could have a third of her beauty, I'd be satisfied."
Song Nanxin's expression froze for a moment, and the smile on her face faded a bit.
The shopkeeper's wife of the jewelry store warmly greeted Song Nanxin: "Your Highness the Princess of the Heir Apparent, what do you want to buy today? Our shop has all kinds of antiques and jewelry. I'm sure you'll be satisfied!"
Song Nanxin shyly stroked her temples, and the pearls on the hairpin shook: "I'm here today to choose a return gift for the Heir Apparent. I don't know what to give a man. Do you have any good suggestions, shopkeeper?"
Seeing the hairpin in her hair, the shopkeeper's wife suddenly understood: "I see! The Heir Apparent and the Princess of the Heir Apparent have such a good relationship. It really makes us envy!"
The shopkeeper's wife thought for a while and said, "As the saying goes, a gentleman never takes off his jade without a reason. Since it's a return gift, Your Highness the Princess of the Heir Apparent should give a gift that the Heir Apparent can carry with him and will think of you whenever he sees it."
After saying that, she led Song Nanxin up to the second floor of the shop. Song Yihuan didn't want to follow at first, but Song Nanxin seemed to see through her intention and firmly grabbed her hand, pulling her up as well.
The second floor of the shop was more elegant and quiet than the first floor. Song Nanxin pulled Song Yihuan to sit down at a table. The shopkeeper's wife told the clerk to fetch several wooden boxes and placed them in front of the two of them, smiling:
"These are all high - quality jade pendants. They have excellent luster, no impurities, and feel warm to the touch. They are most suitable to be hung on a man's waist. Your Highness the Princess of the Heir Apparent, take a look?"
Song Nanxin looked at the various jade pendants on the table and showed a troubled expression: "They all look good to me. How can I choose? Yihuan, come and help me take a look. Which one is more suitable for the Heir Apparent?"
Song Yihuan subconsciously looked at the green and transparent hollowed - out coiled dragon jade pendant.
Ji Lingchuan was a military general with a fierce and war - like aura. This coiled dragon jade pendant, with its intertwined and coiled shape, was very imposing and just right to match him.
Song Yihuan raised her head, meeting the eldest sister's insincere smile, and replied, "This is a gift from you to the elder brother - in - law. My taste is not as good as yours, sister. You can make the decision."
Hearing Song Yihuan admit that her taste was inferior to hers, Song Nanxin proudly raised her eyebrows. Her eyes scanned the jade pendants and finally she chose a double - sided white jade pendant carved with a lotus pattern.
"Let's take this one. How much is this jade pendant?" Song Nanxin asked.
The shopkeeper's wife beamed with joy: "This jade pendant is made of top - grade Hetian jade. It costs eighty taels of silver."
Eighty taels?
Song Yihuan was secretly shocked.
She never expected a jade pendant to be so expensive.
As a concubine - born daughter of the marquis's mansion, her monthly allowance was only three taels of silver. She would have to save for nearly three years without spending a single cent to afford such a jade pendant.
Moreover, she didn't always receive her monthly allowance smoothly. Due to the step - mother's harsh treatment, the servants in the marquis's mansion looked down on her. Sometimes, they would delay giving her the allowance for ten days or half a month.
If it weren't for her excellent embroidery skills and good calligraphy, earning silver by selling embroidered products and copying books, she would have starved to death in the small courtyard of the marquis's mansion long ago.
But her eldest sister, Song Nanxin, frowned not at all and simply said, "Wrap it up."
Song Nanxin then looked at a few other jade ornaments and small ornaments. She bought gifts for Prince Ning and the Princess of Prince Ning respectively. She spent a total of one hundred and thirty taels in Duobaozhai before leaving satisfied.
Song Yihuan looked at the brocade boxes held in Baizhi's hands, and her expression became increasingly cold.
Song Nanxin was very generous, and the shopkeeper's wife was extremely delighted. She warmly saw Song Nanxin out of the shop, and Song Yihuan followed not too far behind.
After going down the stairs and reaching the first floor of the shop, just as everyone was about to head towards the door, a voice suddenly rang out from around: "Your Highness the Princess of the Heir Apparent?"
The voice was very unique, with a hint of coquettishness. The tail - sound rose slightly, as if she were singing a play, making it impossible for anyone to ignore.
Hearing this voice, Song Yihuan looked up and saw that Song Nanxin's way was blocked.
It was a very tall woman. Standing in front of Song Nanxin, she was half a head taller than her. She was extremely beautiful, but her beauty was different from that of ordinary women. There was a hint of heroism between her eyebrows, and the upturned corners of her eyes and the flowing eyes carried a charming allure.
Song Yihuan recognized this person. She was Cui Ying'er, a famous actress from the "Qiongliban", a well - known opera troupe in the capital city. People called her the pillar of the troupe.
It was Cui Ying'er that the eldest sister had invited to teach her ventriloquism back then.