A Crossover of Film and Television: Miao Miao's Life Transmigration

Chapter 271 Fang Nanxi's Transmigration to the Qing Dynasty 25

Time flies, and it's already late November. After a difficult journey, Princess Geng successfully gave birth to the Eighth Prince. The child's cry was loud and clear, and he appeared very healthy. This year, the household has welcomed two princes and one princess, a truly joyous occasion filled with celebration and peace.

The Fourth Prince, however, became increasingly busy, and all indications suggested that he seemed to be deeply embroiled in the struggle for the throne.

Fang Nanxi frequently corresponded with her father and brothers. In one of her letters, her father, Fang Qiyang, mentioned that the situation in the previous dynasty was turbulent and unpredictable. The emperor was increasingly dissatisfied with the crown prince's attitude, and many ministers in the court also had grievances. It seemed that the crown prince might be deposed again.

Fang Qiyang currently holds a position in the Ministry of Works, a rank of third grade, a position that is neither high nor low. Fortunately, he is cautious, and those in high positions of power in the court do not take a third-grade official seriously.

The eldest brother, Fang Jingxuan, went to serve as an official three years ago and has now risen to the rank of fifth grade. The third brother, Fang Jingze, finally passed the imperial examination this year, ranking among the top ten and entering the Hanlin Academy.

Judging from this situation, in a few years, he will probably be sent to a post outside the capital, just like his elder brother, and then find an opportunity to be transferred back to the capital.

Through their efforts, the Fang family gradually rose to prominence. As long as the eldest brother and the third brother acted prudently in their official duties and did not commit serious crimes such as treason, the family's foundation would not be shaken.

As for her second brother, Fang Nanxi wasn't very close to him since childhood. According to her father, her second brother was a businessman who traveled between the north and south, and his business was now thriving.

Fang Nanxi stood before her desk, paintbrush in hand, but her mind had already wandered far away. The bamboo she painted was haphazard and lifeless. Xingluo, watching closely, asked softly, "Consort, are you missing your mistress?"

“Yes, Father and Mother were transferred back to the capital in the 48th year of Kangxi’s reign, but the Crown Prince of the previous dynasty was deposed that year, and the situation was turbulent. I dared not let Mother come to the mansion to accompany me during childbirth.”

"The twins' full moon celebration was just a simple affair, and the Fourth Prince wasn't in the capital for their first birthday celebration, so it was really inconvenient to hold a grand one. The Fujin originally wanted to invite her mother and the others, but back then, Li Shi didn't specifically invite her family either. If I were the only one to make an exception, I'm afraid my father and mother would be gossiped about."

"Moreover, back then, my father's position in the officialdom was not yet secure. Now it's the fiftieth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, and it's been almost eight years since I last saw my mother."

Fang Nanxi was filled with emotion. She was not pregnant at the moment, so it was really inappropriate to invite her family members into the mansion. After all, the Fujin (principal wife) only saw members of the Ulanara clan two or three times a year.

Seeing Fang Nanxi's worried face, Xingluo couldn't help but suggest, "Consort, why don't you plead with the Prince? If the Prince agrees, you will be able to see the Madam."

Fang Nanxi pondered for a moment, then gently shook her head and sighed, "Fourth Master is busy with court affairs, so I won't bother him with such a small matter. Besides, it's been over a year since Lady Nian entered the manor, and I haven't heard of her wanting to see her family."

The Fourth Prince happened to be walking in front of the door when he heard Fang Nanxi's disappointed words. He immediately said, "Since you miss Madam Fang, let her enter the mansion the day after tomorrow."

Fang Nanxi was startled. The Fourth Prince was always so elusive, often hiding outside Shaoguang Courtyard to eavesdrop. Fortunately, she hadn't said anything she shouldn't have. She quickly stood up and bowed, "Greetings to the Fourth Prince, may the Fourth Prince be well."

The Fourth Prince reached out to help Fang Nanxi up, his face beaming with joy and a smile playing on his lips. He said, "Tomorrow, I will speak to the Princess Consort and ask that Madam Fang come to the manor the day after tomorrow."

"Thank you, Fourth Master." Fang Nanxi was overjoyed, her bright face radiating happiness, and her eyes sparkling with starlight.

As if remembering something, Fourth Master suddenly said, "I have to thank you properly for giving birth to such a smart child as Hongxu."

Hongxu began studying in the palace in the second half of this year, with a day off every ten days. Although he was not particularly outstanding among the many imperial grandsons, the Fourth Prince knew in his heart that Hongxu was exceptionally intelligent.

To be able to cleverly conceal himself in a place as full of talented people as the Imperial Study, and still leave an impression on the Emperor, must have required a lot of hard work.

Then look at Hongshi, he's really stupid. He always comes in last place in every exam and gets scolded by the teacher a lot. Luckily, it was his study companion who got the beating, otherwise Hongshi's body wouldn't have been able to take it.

Fang Nanxi was unaware of the comparison between Hongshi and Hongxu in the Fourth Prince's heart. She simply said gently, "How could I possibly teach Hongxu? It is all thanks to the Fourth Prince's excellent teaching. It is evident that the child has inherited the Fourth Prince's intelligence." This remark amused the Fourth Prince, who burst into laughter.

Fourth Master walked to the desk and saw the bamboo painted by Fang Nanxi. The lines were crooked and twisted, lacking any beauty and charm.

Seeing Fourth Master staring at the painting, Fang Nanxi blushed, snatched the paper, crumpled it into a ball, and threw it far away. This was truly an embarrassing moment in her life; she had been distracted by thinking about her family and that's why the painting was so bad.

After throwing away the paper, Fang Nanxi realized she had been somewhat out of line. She secretly glanced at Fourth Master and saw a smirk on his lips, which immediately made her feel embarrassed and angry.

"Alright, alright, I'll stop laughing." The Fourth Prince quickly composed himself.

A moment later, the twins Hongxi and Hongchen, who had just woken up, came running and jumping over, calling out, "Mother, Mother..."

Upon seeing the Fourth Prince, Hongchen immediately shouted excitedly, "Father, Father, you're here! That's wonderful! Your son has missed you so much!" Hongxi, on the other hand, was more shy and said with a blush, "I missed you, Father."

Fourth Master had no manners at Shaoguang Courtyard. He simply picked up one child in each arm, walked to the couch, and had the twins sit beside him. The two children, one big and one small, started playing and chatting amongst themselves.

Hongchen is full of clever ideas and can always make the Fourth Prince laugh heartily; Hongxi is thoughtful and knows how to get along with the Fourth Prince, unlike some children who are like mice seeing a cat when they see the Fourth Prince.

The next day, after the Fourth Prince left Shaoguang Courtyard, he immediately sent Su Peisheng to tell the Fujin (wife of the Prince) to let Madam Fang come to the mansion to meet Fang Nanxi.

Lanxin saw Su Peisheng off and returned to her wife's side. She had always looked down on Li and Fang. Their fathers used to be just minor officials, and Li's father had even been convicted of corruption. Now, Li was just the daughter of a disgraced official.

"Granny, since His Highness has sent someone to say this, then I'll trouble you to go and fetch Madam Fang to the manor tomorrow." The Fujin bowed her head and busied herself with the affairs of the manor.

Lanxin muttered softly, "Madam, none of the other concubines have asked their families to come to the mansion to meet them, so why is Concubine Fang the exception?"

Granny Gui was displeased to see Lanxin's lack of discretion. Lanxin had been assigned to serve the Fujin (the wife of the emperor) in the fortieth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign. She was only promoted after several of the Fujin's senior maids married. Lanxin was loyal to the Fujin, but she was too impetuous and lacked composure.

"Lanxin, go to the Buddhist room and kneel for an hour," the Fujin said coldly.

"Madam..." Lanxin was filled with resentment. She had spent a lot of money to be transferred to Madam's side, thinking that Madam would promote her to a princess and she would live a life of wealth and honor. But Madam had no such intention at all. Feeling wronged, she reluctantly withdrew.

The princess suddenly spoke up: "Lanxin is almost twenty-five years old, isn't she?"

“Yes, Madam, you’ll be twenty-five next year,” Granny Gui replied.

"Lanxin has served me diligently for so many years. Let's do her a favor, find her a good family, and marry her off in style."

The princess had actually seen through Lanxin's thoughts long ago. Lanxin was usually quite sensible, but the closer she got to twenty-five, the more impatient she became.

"Yes, Madam." After saying that, Granny Gui withdrew, while Zhu Ying stayed by Madam's side to help check the account books.