Chapter 237

Rong Guo Mansion, inside a pavilion in the garden.

The ladies of the Jia Mansion were chatting and laughing with Lady Li, and Nian Shilan would occasionally interject a couple of proper remarks, showing her upbringing as a lady of good family.

Just then, in this leisurely and pleasant atmosphere, suddenly, a servant woman from the Jia Mansion hurried in.

She said to Jia Mu, Tan Chun, and Wang Xifeng:

"Grandmother, Third Miss, Second Madame, the Princess Consort of Bei Jing has arrived!"

Jia Mu, Tan Chun, and the others were startled upon hearing this; the Princess Consort of Bei Jing is paying a visit?

If one says the Jia Mansion and the Northern Peace Prince's mansion indeed have close ties, or that the Rong Guo Mansion and the Northern Peace Prince Shui Rong, among the four opposite-sex princes of the founding lineage, have the closest relationship.

If either household has any major event, they will send people to pay mutual respects.

For example, not long ago when Jia Jing passed away, the Northern Peace Prince himself came to offer condolences on the road.

At that time, the Northern Peace Prince also took the initiative to summon Jia Baoyu, personally presenting him with an imperial-bestowed wagtail-scented prayer bead string, and invited him to frequently visit the prince's mansion to meet with scholars.

And the reason the Northern Peace Prince and the Jia Mansion have such a close relationship is that the Princess Consort of Bei Jing, Lady Zhen, played a very important role in it.

Lady Zhen is the second daughter of the affluent Zhen family of Jiangnan, while the Jiangnan Zhen family and the Jia Family are old friends, generations of intermarriage!

How close is the relationship between the Jia and Zhen families?

In the original text, it is recorded that whenever the Zhen family goes to the capital, they first come to the Jia Mansion to pay respects to Jia Mu, their words full of respect.

Moreover, the Jia Family even deposited fifty thousand taels of silver with the Zhen family, showing the depth of their trust.

In the original text, Jia Mu also once said to the Zhen family members who came to the capital:

Your eldest daughter and second daughter's families are both very close to ours.

Your second daughter is even better, not arrogant or self-important, which is why we have become so close.

This second daughter refers to the Northern Peace Prince's consort, Zhen Yi.

However, as the Northern Peace Prince's principal consort, Zhen Yi holds a noble status and often moves within the palace.

Although she frequently sends people to the Jia Mansion to pay respects, her personal visits are still rare.

She is not particularly fond of socializing; the last time she came to the Jia Mansion was several years ago, on Jia Mu's birthday.

Her sudden arrival today has left Jia Mu and the others somewhat startled and puzzled, wondering why!

Daiyu and Baichai beside them narrowed their eyes, silently wondering, 'Could she be here to discuss a marriage again?'

These days, a steady stream of imperial ladies, princesses, and noblewomen have come to the mansion to propose marriages, leaving them somewhat on edge!

Li Shi and Nian Shilan haven't even left yet, and now the Northern Peace Prince's consort arrives—Third Brother is practically 'attracting bees and butterflies'!

Yuan Chun's plump face also showed a hint of contemplation.

She knows Northern Peace Prince's consort Zhen Yi: she is exceptionally bright and beautiful, yet sparing with words—not the type to act as a matchmaker for others.

Li Shi and Nian Shilan furrowed their brows slightly, their radiant complexions dimming a little.

For a moment, the pavilion fell silent, save for a few croaks of frogs from the lotus seeds in the pond echoing back.

Jia Mu, having experienced much, was the first to regain her composure and laughed:

"It's rare for the consort to visit for the first time; Eldest Maiden and Feng Maiden, go greet her—don't neglect her!"

Although Jia Mu harbored doubts in her heart, she still expressed great delight at Zhen Yi's arrival.

After all, she is the daughter of an old family friend, and in Jia Mu's eyes she belongs to the younger generation of her own household.

Feng Jie and Yuan Chun immediately rose and walked out of the pavilion together.

Not long after,

Under the escort of Feng Jie and Yuan Chun, Northern Peace Prince's consort, the Zhen lady, leading a group of maids and matrons, entered the rear garden of the Jia Mansion.

At that moment, Jia Mu, supported by her personal maid Yuan Yang, stood outside the pavilion to welcome her, with Lady Wang, Li Shi, and others following closely behind.

Although the Northern Peace Prince and the Jia Mansion are old family friends with close ties, not outsiders. The Zhen lady is also the daughter of an old family friend, a junior to Jia Mu.

But as a consort of the highest rank, proper etiquette and respect must still be observed.

With the sound of footsteps, Jia Mu and the others looked up to see Yuan Chun lightly supporting the Northern Peace Prince's consort as she appeared before everyone.

Northern Peace Prince's consort Zhen wore a stone-green brocade vest with gold weaving, paired with a moon-white skirt bearing subtle floral patterns and a horse-face cut, its collar and cuffs embroidered with intertwining lotus motifs.

The gold threads glimmered subtly in the sunlight, befitting her rank without being ostentatious.

On her head she wore a kingfisher-feather phoenix hairpin inlaid with pearls, with pearl tassels hanging on either side that swayed gently as she walked, lending her an even more dignified air.

The Zhen lady has an oval face, a slender swan-like neck, red lips and white teeth, and her brows and eyes naturally exude a gentle grace, giving her an overall fresh and lovely impression.

Everyone's eyes lit up; the Northern Peace Prince's consort possessed a heavenly beauty and national grace, her splendor tinged with feminine delicacy.

No wonder it was said that she once enjoyed fame throughout Jiangnan, with suitors coming in an endless stream to seek her hand.

Xiang Yun's apple-cheeked face bore a hint of brightness as she lowered her head and whispered softly into Daiyu's ear:

"Lin sister, this consort indeed has a graceful and poised demeanor, dignified and gentle!"

These days they have seen too many imperial ladies, but ones like the Northern Peace Prince's consort are still extremely rare.

Daiyu's starry eyes flashed; she gave Shi Xiangyun a sideways glance and asked, 'Why are you saying all this?'

Could it be that you're implying I lack virtue and gentleness?

However, Yun Maiden has always been frank and outspoken, so there's no need to doubt her.

Daiyu tilted her head slightly, carefully examining the Northern Peace Prince's consort; beneath her curved willow-leaf brows, her lustrous dark eyes held a hint of curiosity and solemnity.

Beside her, Baichai's watery almond eyes flickered, and her flawless, pear-blossom-white visage likewise bore a trace of surprise.

This Northern Peace Prince's consort is indeed majestic and resplendent, a heavenly beauty like a white peony kissed by morning dew.

Meanwhile, Madame Xue's gaze held a hint of envy—this is the consort's dignity and honor.

She had once seen Zhen Yi in Jiangnan; though outstanding then, she lacked the refined, leisurely bearing that comes with being a consort now, pampered and esteemed.

If my own dear daughter could someday be like that, I would have no regrets!

"Zhen Yi pays her respects to the Dowager Duchess of Rongguo!"

The Princess Bei Jing approached Jia Mu, made a bow, and kept her posture very low.

"Princess, please rise quickly; it should be me who pays respects to you!"

Jia Mu smiled and lightly supported Zhen Yi.

Afterward, the ladies of the Jia Mansion, Lady Li, Nian Shilan, and others all bowed to Zhen Yi.

Meanwhile, Yuan Chun stood beside Zhen Yi, quietly introducing her to everyone present.

After a brief introduction and a few casual remarks,

Everyone reseated themselves in the pavilion, host and guest taking their places, and Jia Mu smiled and asked:

"Princess, you are a rare guest; how do you have time to come here today?"

Upon hearing this, everyone turned their gaze to Princess Bei Jing Zhen Yi.

Zhen Yi had a faint smile on her face and spoke softly:

"I have come today to offer congratulations to the Grand Lady! Just now the Prince returned from court and said that the court has already decided on the reward for your grandson, the Champion Marquis."

"The emperor, the ministers, the Prince of Nan'an, and the Prince consulted together, and finally decided to promote the Champion Marquis to a duke."

"He will be promoted from Senior Second Rank to Champion General, Upper Pillar of the State, granted a python robe and jade belt; the imperial edict has been drafted and should soon be issued to the mansion."