Jiang Ning smiled and said, âDonât you want to know why Concubine Xian suddenly wanted to serve in bed?â
âTo gain favor. Probably for her son, the Prince of Huai.â
âOf course not! The Prince of Huai has already been deposed, no matter how much effort she puts in for him, what difference would it make? Besides, youâve known Concubine Xian for a longer time, do you think she is such a loyal and righteous person in your eyes?â
âThen you tell me why she wants to serve in bed.â
âOne of the important reasons for concubines and imperial consorts to serve in bed is to have children apart from gaining favor, status, and material needs.â
Concubine Jin laughed, âTo have children? Do you know how old Concubine Xian is?â
âOver forty, not that old.â
âIn the palace, women who are over thirty-five are no longer serving in bed, do you know why? They get too old.â
âIsnât Your Highness still serving in bed?â
ââ¦What Iâm talking about is a normal situation.â
âThatâs what Iâm talking about, too. Normally, women over forty donât have children. But peopleâs spirits canât be suppressed.â
âSo after talking for so long, you just want to say that Concubine Xian still wants to have children. What if she does? She can have children if she wants to! It has nothing to do with me.â
Jiang Ning smiled, âBut if she has children, it will affect your son and daughter-in-law.â
Concubine Jin looked at her, âYouâre overthinking it. Even if she really has a son, what threat can such a young child pose to you?â
âNot now, but children eventually grow up. His Majesty is in his prime, living another twenty years is not a problem. By then, Li Hongyuan will be old, and Concubine Xianâs son will be in his youth. What do you think?â
âIf you canât even compete with a child, then you really have no ability. Stop being the crown prince and move to the Prince of Yuâs residence early.â Concubine Jin said sarcastically.
Jiang Ning said, âI think being the Princess Consort is pretty good. If you go to the commoners and ask, which daughter-in-lawâs status can be higher than her mother-in-law? Only I, the Princess Consort. His Majesty has so many women, the harem is like a flock of birds, I have a bunch of in-laws of various statuses, they have to bow to me when they see me. It feels quite satisfying.â
Concubine Jin:
What an annoying person!
âIs this your reason for being the Princess Consort?â
âThis is just one of the benefits of being the Princess Consort.â Jiang Ning said, âAnd the harem is not bad, I quite enjoy living here.â
âSo?â
âSo I canât leave.â
âWhether you leave or not has nothing to do with me.â
âAre you sure Your Highness doesnât want your son and daughter-in-law to stay in the palace, where you can see them every day?â
âI donât mind.â
âOh.â Jiang Ning had Gucheng stop the swing, âOnce my mood is bad and I move out of the East Palace, I wonât be in the mood to make delicious dishes and wonât be able to serve Your Highness every day.â
ââ¦Are you threatening me?â
âMaking food has a lot to do with oneâs mood. If my mood is bad and I put too much salt or overcook the dish, can it still taste good?â
âWhat do you want?â
âI want to stay in the East Palace, safe and secure as the Princess Consort.â
âThen stay there and behave.â
âThen Concubine Xian shouldnât be fighting for favor and having children.â Jiang Ning jumped off the swing and leaned against Concubine Jin, âYour Highness, you must work hard, fight back, and use all your charm to compete with Concubine Xian!â
II II
Is there a daughter-in-law in this world who teaches her mother-in-law to fight for favor?
Simply outrageous.
âNo need for you to remind me.. Mind your own business!â