Favored Concubine

  "Today, we received many gifts. I made a list for the kids and had them put it away. When they're older, they can take it out and wear it." Li sat on the kang, feeding Yu water, chatting about trivial matters.

  "Ah, just take care of these things yourself. I also have a small piece of good jade in my study, which was obtained from the northwest years ago. It would be perfect to bring it out another day and ask Master to carve it into pieces for each of the children."

  Mr. Li was delighted that he regarded his children in this way, and from then on these three children were her backbone, so it was only right to get more attention.

  She smiled softly, "Then I won't decline, our Lianlian hasn't given a good jade to shake yet."

  Murong Jin attaches more importance to his son, but he also values and loves this daughter with a good dragon and phoenix head. He usually doesn't give her fewer good things, and if there's something for his brother, there must be one for her too.

  "This child is really too good-looking." Murong Jin said thoughtfully, and couldn't help but think of He Yiniang's stunning beauty.

  Mr. Li smiled proudly, "Isn't it? You don't even look at how good He Niang looks, Yuwen and Qi Ge will definitely be a perfect match in the future."

  Murong Jin said with a smile: "That's right, his aunt looks good, and this child will say that he has great luck in the future."

  Li's face stiffened for a moment, and his eyes darted at him as he tentatively asked: "Is there something on your mind that you can't make up, just tell me so I can arrange it early."

  Murong Jin held Qi Ge and watched him play with the jade pendant around his waist, his eyes filled with warmth and softness. "I haven't thought about it yet, the child is too young. Yesterday when we entered the palace, the Emperor asked how old Li Ge was, I was thinking that maybe he wants to choose a study companion for the Crown Prince."

  Li's heart suddenly rose, the companion said it was a great opportunity, but in reality, it was not easy to do. The princes were all spoiled and pampered, what if they made mistakes while reading books in the imperial study? Definitely couldn't hit the prince, so could only hit the companion, the wooden board fell with a loud slap, and the person hitting the board was usually a eunuch. At this time, if someone wanted to cause trouble, they would use excessive force, and the companion's hand would be crippled.

  I remember that the second son of the Wang family used to be a study companion of one of the emperor's uncles. Because the uncle didn't like reading and always made mistakes, he ended up ruining a good child. Now he can only find an idle job in the Ministry of Rites. With his hand crippled, he can't write well, let alone practice martial arts. A fine young man was wasted, it's really a pity.

  Li thought of this and couldn't help but tense up, her face even turning a bit pale. "Sir, Lige is still young and doesn't understand things well, sir?" She pulled on Murong Jin's sleeve with pleading eyes.

  Murong Jin let out a soft sigh, his eyes showing some reluctance. "Wife, it's not that I'm unwilling, but the Emperor has already made up his mind. Let's just hope the Fourth Prince isn't too foolish." There was one thing he didn't say: in the future, Li Ge would be the Crown Prince, and was far superior to other people's children.

  Li's eyes welled up with tears, although it was likely that she would be a companion reader for her sister's son, the fourth prince Rui Cheng. She still felt heartbroken, as soon as she entered the palace, her son became shorter than others by a head, only slightly stronger than the eunuchs and guards. Would he not still have to endure beatings? And wouldn't he still be beaten just because of his relationship with her sister?

  "I don't want to, I'll go tell my sister, I don't want to." Li's stubborn resistance was: what makes your son so noble that mine has to be the accompaniment?

  "What nonsense is this? Is this what you said was settled, Your Majesty told me so himself, don't you understand the situation?" Murong Jin's face fell, and he appeared dignified in his anger.

  "Why should I let my son suffer? The whole family will enjoy wealth and honor together." Li shouted out, as a mother, protecting her child was her instinct.

  Murong Jin opened his mouth, but couldn't say a word. His wife knew the hardships and contributions she had made to this family, he wasn't a wooden person, but some things had to be done, after all, he was the head of the household.

  "This matter has not been settled yet, it's too early to say now, and at the earliest, it will be next year or even later." Li's attitude made him a bit annoyed, and he waved his hand, unwilling to discuss this topic further.

  Li did not insist, and in her heart, it was also a mess. In fact, she also understood that choosing someone else was unlikely, her sister would definitely not agree, and she didn't trust her son to be handed over to unfamiliar people. The best candidate was actually her own son. As for the nephews from her mother's side, they were already too old and not suitable either.

  But she was still unwilling in her heart, she didn't want to rush for this glory, and didn't want her son to be used by others, let alone the danger.

  Wanyu, who was playing aside, quietly didn't say a word. This wasn't the right time to be cute, but she could understand her mother's difficulties. Wealth and honor are hard to come by, and sometimes there aren't many choices.

  She can't help with this matter at all, she herself is struggling to protect herself, the only thing she can do is to cultivate well and grow up quickly.

  The little kid grew up quickly, and in the blink of an eye, two years had passed. The big brother was still chosen as a study companion. This was Li's indecisive decision, but fortunately, they were all relatives. Jing Fei repeatedly promised to take good care of Li Ge. This was intended to cultivate Li Ge as her own son's right-hand man. Given Murong Jin's military achievements and honors, she wouldn't slack off either.

  Big brother got busy after becoming a companion reader, and in these two years, the mansion added new members again. First, someone from the second house wrote back from Fuzhou, saying that the aunt had given birth to an illegitimate daughter, named Murong Yunqing, who was the second child. Soon after, Wangshi gave birth to a legitimate daughter, named Wanyi; The third house also added a son, named Murong Hao, who was their fifth child and the eldest among them.

  Also, when Old Master went to the northwest, Lin Niang gave birth to a daughter, Mu Rong Yun Shu, who was also her younger sister. Li Shi didn't say anything about it, and Mu Rong Jin only wrote a letter to report it, without any intention of bringing the child back for Li Shi to raise. It's said that Lin Niang was a songstress sent by a subordinate, who could sing and play music, and she gave birth to a daughter after getting pregnant with her master, but Li Shi didn't take it seriously either.

  Even this time when Murong Jin returned, he didn't bring Lin Niang and Yun Shu back with him. It seemed like he intended to leave them in the northwest for a while longer. Li Shi couldn't understand what he meant by doing so, but not bringing them back and not raising them in the manor was the best outcome for Wan Yu. Li Shi pretended not to know anything about it anyway. After all, Murong Jin would be leaving soon to head to the northwest again.

  After two years of getting along, Wanyu and Li gradually became truly close, treating her like a biological mother with genuine respect and love. She was indeed kind-hearted towards him and his brother, never mistreating them.

  "Sister, younger sister, fourth brother, I'm back! Look what I've brought for you all!" Li Ge hurriedly ran back, with a servant behind him carrying a food box.

  Li heard his son's cry and came out from inside, scolding: "What kind of behavior is this loud shouting?"

  Lige looked around and found that no one was there, so he stuck out his tongue in relief. Then, with a flattering smile, he went over to Li Shi and cooed, "Mother, I brought some pastries from the palace for my sister and brother. The Fourth Prince said he'll come visit us next time and pay his respects to you."

  Li smiled and nodded at Lige, "He is the prince, and you can't forget to show respect where it's due. You can't just forget about hierarchy because he gave you a good face."

  Lige smiled and nodded, "Mother, I know, although we are relatives, he is my cousin and I am his younger brother, but he is a prince and I am a subject. However, in private, we will still play together as usual, otherwise our relationship will become estranged. Don't worry, I have it under control."

  The six-year-old Li Ge has changed a lot in just half a year in the imperial palace, looking more and more dignified, with bright and spirited eyes, like a little adult. The imperial palace is indeed a good place to temper people.

  Mrs. Li saw her son growing up, and she couldn't help but feel a little lost, yet also a little happy. After all, that place wasn't a simple place, and her son being able to be more cautious could protect himself. But seeing her son grow up so quickly was inevitable, and it was a great honor, a proud face, she couldn't even say a word of grievance.

  "Why did the fourth prince come?" Li held Qi Ge and fed him some snacks.

  Lige hugged Xiangxiang's sister and refused to let go, carefully feeding her some palace snacks. He said nonchalantly, "Come see my sister, I told him that my sister is the most beautiful, he didn't believe me so I brought him here to take a look. It's also a good opportunity for him to have some fun outside the palace, being cooped up in there all day is suffocating."

  Li thought that this was also a good way to deepen their relationship, and couldn't help but ask: "What does he like to eat? I'll have the kitchen prepare some delicious dishes for you two to enjoy?"

  "Uh, he loves to eat jujube paste yam cake, loves to eat pork knuckle and chicken, eats everything, also likes pumpkin pie, and boiled fish is also a favorite of his. But can't just have these, need to add some other dishes too, or it's too deliberate." Lige said seriously.

  "Alright, got it. Anything else?"

  "In the palace, everything is available. Let's talk about something that is not in the palace and analyze the situation in the imperial court and its connection with **. He would be happy to hear this." Lige thought for a moment and added this sentence.

  Also in the palace, which one is a real child? They are all adults.

  "Brother, is the palace fun?" Yuwen asked curiously while holding onto a pastry.

  Lige smiled and said: "When I have the chance, I'll take you to see it. It's magnificent inside, but not as fun as playing outside. The rules are too strict."

  Wan Yu nodded casually after hearing that, and didn't know if she could go in to take a look. It was said that there was dragon energy inside, and if she could absorb some of it, it would be beneficial for her injuries.

  Li said with a smile: "Actually, it's not impossible. During the New Year, I can also bring the dragon and phoenix twins to see Queen Jing, I'm sure Her Majesty would like to meet them too."

  Jokingly, even the common people's dragon and phoenix twins are not often seen. It can't be said that if things go well, they can still give their sister a good face. Looking at the good face, it's also possible to let the sister care about her son a bit more. After all, they are all on the same rope, no one can escape.

  It was clear that Li thought of something, and Murong Jin also thought of it. After coming back at night and hearing about this idea, he hesitated for a moment before asking: "Has the princess ever mentioned it?" Meaning to ask if she had ever mentioned the twin siblings, otherwise it would be too strange to suddenly run up to them.

  Li smiled confidently, "The princess has long heard of it and wanted to see you, but it's just a matter of passing on a message."

  "Hmm, since that's the case, let's ask and choose a suitable time." Murong Jin thought for a moment, after all, they were just two kids, what could possibly go wrong?

  "I understand," said Li with a smile.

  I mistakenly swapped the fourth and fifth chapters, now corrected. I also changed Murong Jin's character from "jin" to "jin", which means steady and cautious according to Kangxi Dictionary. The original character "jin" has a similar meaning to Qi Ge's "qi", but after some consideration, I decided to change it anyway.