The Grand Secretary has no heir? His concubine gives birth to triplets.

Pei Yan brought back a kingfisher feather and pearl hairpin from the palace. It was a gift from the Empress Dowager to Jiang Shi to calm her nerves. Overnight, it spread to every corner of the Pei residence.

As soon as dawn broke, Jiang Guo'er's side room was in constant turmoil.

The second, third, and fourth wives, all dressed in their finest attire and beaming with smiles, squeezed into the small side room one after another.

They said congratulations, but the meaning in their eyes was different.

"Oh my, dear sister, you are so lucky! Who in this entire household has received such a gift from the Empress Dowager? You are the first to receive this!"

The second wife held Jiang Guo'er's hand, her handkerchief almost dancing in the air.

The third wife covered her mouth and laughed:

"That's right! I heard that the pearls on that hairpin are all as big as soybeans, and the kingfisher feathers are so bright they look like they're dripping with water. Sister, please wear it and show us!"

Surrounded by them, Jiang Guo'er felt dizzy from the strong scent of cosmetics.

They're not here to offer congratulations; they're clearly here to watch a show, and they want to put her on the hot seat.

If she really wore it, word would spread that "the concubine is arrogant and oversteps her bounds as the mistress of the house."

Not wearing it would be considered "disrespectful to the Empress Dowager and a betrayal of her grace."

The stage was all set up; they just wanted to see her make a fool of herself.

Unfortunately, my great-aunt isn't singing this play today.

Jiang Guo'er lowered her head, looking both flattered and apprehensive.

"It is all thanks to the Grand Secretary and the Dowager Empress. I... I dare not accept such praise."

"What's there to be ashamed of!" The Second Madam's voice rose eight octaves. "You are the Prime Minister's darling, even the Lady Lingyi has to take a backseat."

This is a blatant attempt to sow discord between her and Xue Lingyi.

Jiang Guo'er sneered inwardly, but her face showed even more panic as she waved her hands repeatedly:

"Second Madam, please don't say that. Madam is the one the Prime Minister loves and values ​​the most."

Just then, Lüyi lifted the curtain and came in, curtsying.

"Ladies, my lady says that on such a joyous occasion, we should go to Songhe Garden to pay our respects to the Old Madam and share the good news with her."

Xue Lingyi was trying to help her out of a tight spot.

The ladies exchanged glances and, realizing that nothing much could be done in this small house, they escorted Jiang Guo'er to the Old Madam's Pine and Crane Garden.

When Old Madam Pei saw them enter in a large group, she smiled kindly.

"Everyone's here."

"Greetings to the Old Madam." Everyone bowed in unison.

The second wife spoke first: "Grandmother, this is a joyous occasion! The Empress Dowager is bestowing gifts upon the women of the Pei family; this is an immense honor, and we are all fortunate to share in the glory!"

The old lady's sharp gaze fell on Jiang Guo'er.

Before the old lady could speak, Jiang Guo'er took out a brocade box from her sleeve, held it respectfully with both hands, and handed it to her.

"Your Majesty, I am foolish and unworthy of such a generous reward from the Empress Dowager."

"Such treasures are only worthy of a virtuous elder like yourself."

"I dare to offer this hair ornament to you as a token of my respect, wishing you good health, longevity, and evergreen vitality."

Everyone in the room was stunned.

The second wife opened her mouth wide, unable to close it for a long time.

She had considered that Jiang Guo'er might become complacent or cautious, but she never imagined that she would actually give the Empress Dowager's reward to the Old Madam!

How could you bear to part with something so good?

The old lady remained silent for a long time, then slowly smiled.

The smile spread from the corner of his eyes to the corner of his mouth; it was genuine joy.

"Good, good child." The old lady had Qin Li, the old nanny, take the brocade box from her. "She's a sensible child."

She opened the brocade box, and inside lay the kingfisher feather and pearl hairpin, its shimmering light dazzling everyone's eyes.

"Since it's out of filial piety, then I'll accept it."

The old lady neatly closed the brocade box and handed it to Granny Li.

The expressions on the ladies' faces were incredibly varied, like a dye shop in full bloom.

This little vixen truly lives up to her reputation as the Prime Minister's favored concubine; her temperament and vision are unmatched by ordinary concubines.

The old lady's gaze swept over Jiang Guo'er's belly without leaving a trace.

"Now that you're a concubine, why don't you try to charm the Prime Minister and ask for a courtyard?"

"I think Qingyi Garden is quite nice; it's quiet and spacious. I'll have Granny Li and the others prepare it today, and you can move in there."

Upon hearing this, the wives of the various households were once again dumbfounded.

Wasn't Qingyi Garden reserved for the legitimate son of the main wife?

Before the legitimate son was even born, a concubine was allowed to move in.

This Jiang Guo'er is truly remarkable!

Jiang Guo'er's heart skipped a beat, but she dared not show any joy on her face. "Grandma, what virtue or ability do I possess..."

"Just move it when I tell you to! Why are you making so many demands?" The old lady made her final decision, leaving no room for argument.

This morning, before dawn, Pei Yan came over to pay his respects and mentioned this matter to her.

As Jiang Guo'er's pregnancy progressed, her pregnancy progressed further, although Ling Yi's fake belly attracted everyone's attention.

But as long as Jiang Guo'er still lives in the same courtyard as the other concubines, no matter how she tries to hide it, it will easily be exposed.

It would be better to assign her a separate courtyard.

It just so happens that the Empress Dowager has rewarded her, so mentioning it at this time will also convince the public.

Jiang Guo'er bowed slightly to express her gratitude.

Xue Lingyi smiled and patted her hand.

"You are a blessed person, you deserve to live in a better house, even if some people are jealous... so what?"

"If they're so capable, why don't they go to the Empress Dowager and beg for a hairpin?"

These words were clearly a warning to the other wives.

She was dressed loosely today, with a fake belly pad on her abdomen that looked slightly protruding, and she walked more slowly than usual.

The second wife, not having seen Jiang Guo'er's blunder, was resentful and then turned her attention to Xue Lingyi's belly.

"Sister-in-law, you look great lately. Do you prefer sour or spicy food?"

Xue Lingyi smiled gently: "Thank you for your concern, sister-in-law. I've been craving spicy food lately."

The second wife paused for a moment, then quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

"They say sour foods mean a boy and spicy foods mean a girl, no wonder you don't have morning sickness or feel tired, you're such a sweet girl!"

"Unlike me, when I gave birth to Yuan Ge, I vomited every day until the sky turned black, and I couldn't even get out of bed."

May our ancestors bless Xue Lingyi so that this baby will be a girl!

In that case, her Yuan-ge'er might be able to be adopted by Pei Yan!

Everyone was waiting to see Xue Lingyi turn on them, but to their surprise, she wasn't angry at all. Instead, she started to worry about Xinyuan.

"Speaking of which, isn't next month Yuan-ge'er's birthday?"

"That child is intelligent. He can recite entire passages of the Four Books and Five Classics at such a young age. It's all thanks to my cousin's wife for raising him so well."

"Second sister-in-law, are you planning to throw him a birthday banquet? Just tell me what Yuan-ge'er likes, and I'll prepare it."

The second wife's smile froze on her face.

She was the wife of Pei Duo, the second son of Pei Duo. Pei Duo was born out of wedlock, and so was their son, Yuan Ge'er.

It is against custom for the main wife to hold a grand birth banquet before the legitimate son has even been born.

Xue Lingyi's words struck a chord with her. She had wanted to do it for a long time, but Pei Duo refused!

She replied awkwardly, "Thank you for your kind words, but this matter still needs to be discussed further, further discussion."

In the afternoon, accompanied by Lüyi, Jiang Guo'er went to Qingyi Garden to familiarize herself with the surroundings, when she heard news from the Xiaowei.

Xiao Liu informed the two of them:

"The rumors that the Marquis of Dingyuan's mansion left behind relics have already spread. Our people are watching the abandoned mansion around the clock, and we'll be able to detect any movement from the mastermind behind it."

Meanwhile, news also spread from the palace.

Consort Yu died suddenly last night. The Crown Prince was forced to kneel in the ancestral hall as punishment and was not allowed to leave without the Empress Dowager's decree.

Anyone with a modicum of sense could see that these two things are related.

But what exactly the connection is remains a closely guarded secret, and no one dares to discuss it publicly.

"By the way, when will the Prime Minister be back?" Jiang Guo'er pursed her lips and couldn't help but ask.

She hadn't yet thanked Pei Yan for the ointment he specially asked the guards to bring back for her that day. And also for his reminder to Xue Lingyi that day...

"The Prime Minister should be back today... uh, tomorrow. Please rest assured, Aunt Jiang." After answering, Xiao Liu immediately slipped away.

Xue Lingyi shook her arm, her eyes full of laughter: "What, did you prepare a thank-you gift for him?"

Jiang Guo'er blinked. "I was just asking casually."

"However, he must have had a tough time battling the Crown Prince this time. I'd like to make him a new net. Could you give me your opinion?"

In fact, she did prepare a thank-you gift.

But... it can only be shown to Pei Yan.