Gao (surname)

  Fuling looked at Hongli holding the spoon in the bowl, turning it around and taking two mouthfuls before putting the bowl down, lightly biting her lip, saying: "But not to your taste? It's all my humble skills are not refined."

  "Is this what you did?" Hong Li's long eyebrows rose, the cold intent in the depths of his pupils slightly relaxed. She must have done all these things to compete for favor too? Which woman in the harem doesn't compete for favor? Never mind, as long as she doesn't harbor evil intentions and ruin his good deeds, it's fine.

  Her cheeks slightly lowered, Fu Ling said: "I also want to wash your hands and make a soup for you, Master, to show my devotion... it's just that I'm not good enough."

  Hongli saw that her apple face was as red as the sunset, and she added a few more shy and beautiful glows. Although he suspected that she was playing with him in front of himself, he couldn't help but think of how she had served him wholeheartedly since coming to his side. A hint of smile appeared on his face: "It's rare for you to have this heart." He didn't know that his clear and handsome eyebrows, due to this hint of a smile, unconsciously revealed a warm and gentle aura, which, combined with his innate noble and elegant demeanor, was actually attracting women to unknowingly fall into it and become intoxicated.

  Fuling was overjoyed by his smile, feeling that her efforts had been rewarded and that he also liked her... However, she still needed to continue working hard to increase Grandfather's favor towards her, making him dote on her even more. Even if many other women entered the Yuqing Palace in the future, she would still have the upper hand.

  "The other day, your sister-in-law came to the palace to see you. Did she mention anything about the situation in the mansion? The selection of concubines is approaching." He spread out a new sheet of paper and Fuling Ah stepped forward to grind ink for him. Upon hearing this, he smiled and said: "How could there not be? I don't know how many families have sent people to inquire about your preferences."

  "What's my hobby?" Writing poetry? He only thought of those two unforgettable chrysanthemum poems in his mind. Painting? With outsiders around, it wouldn't be suitable to paint her portrait... Ah, paint yulan then. He started dipping ink and began painting the magnolia flower on paper...

  "Hmm, what kind of woman does the master like?" But she wouldn't ask directly. The person asking was also aware that as the daughter of General Sa and the princess consort of the Fourth Prince, she wouldn't help other women gain favor with him, so those who came to inquire were just some minor characters who couldn't wait... However, Fuling thought it would be better to give them a warning before they arrived, so she spoke bluntly. Her slightly jealous and charming expression was also perfectly done.

  Such things were not uncommon before the draft, and similar things would happen to anyone who could be considered a royal relative, especially the concubines' families in the harem, some of whom secretly accepted gifts until their hands were soft.

  "Oh, so your sister-in-law is here to ask about your father's pleasure?" The clear and melodious voice had a hint of seduction. Fuling Ah's face turned red as she glared at him with a pout: "How could that be?! Even if my sister-in-law asked me, I wouldn't tell her." Then, her expression turned melancholic as she said, "I know Father won't only belong to me, and I don't dare monopolize his affection... but it's hard for me to just let him go to someone else..."

  The last sentence was indeed sincere and pleased Hongli, who chuckled quietly.

  Fuling knew she had guessed correctly, and pouted with her soft red lips, saying: "You can laugh, anyway, this humble concubine's small mind can't be hidden!"

  Hongli shook his head, "Does your family have any dealings with Marquis Qi's household?"

  Fuling didn't expect him to suddenly change the subject, so she casually replied: "There's no interaction between us, although we share the same surname. However, our branch of the Fuca clan is under the Zhenghong Banner, while Marquis Ma Qi's branch belongs to the Xianghuang Banner. Even if there were any blood relations, they would be too distant to investigate. In official matters, there's also no interaction." Her Ama was only a deputy leader of a banner, whereas Marquis Ma Qi was a high-ranking minister who had served in two dynasties and was conferred the title of Earl... Their branch had been favored since the time of Taizu, with many descendants flourishing, deeply rooted and influential in both the military and the Imperial Guard. This is what it means to be an aristocratic family.

  He had known all along that the two families were not related, but he had been holding onto a glimmer of hope, thinking that since they shared the same surname, Fu Cha, she might have heard of Yun Zhu... For a moment, Hong Li felt somewhat disheartened. "Mm, you can go now, I still want to read for a bit."

  Fuling knew that he occasionally went to the study to read books now, and besides, the study was not a place where she could stay for long. Hearing this, she felt somewhat disappointed, but didn't say anything and obediently retreated.

  "Master, are you back? I've made lotus seed paste," Ping's nanny led her into the house, glanced at Chunhua who took over the food box, and saw Qiuyue quickly poured a cup of tea, hurriedly took it over and handed it to Fulinga who sat down.

  "I used it, but didn't eat much, maybe it's not to my taste." Fulinga was thinking about how Hongli would ask about Mazi, could it be... She suddenly realized that Mazi also had a niece who was participating in the selection! She had always thought that the rich Fu girl was unlikely to be appointed as the legitimate wife of the master, after all, Mazi had a title, but he had also been separated from Li Rongbao's mansion, and Li Rongbao, although favored by the emperor, did not have much real power, and his official position was not high... His son, although serving in the Imperial Guard and the Ministry of War, was not prominent... Could she have guessed wrong?! However, the right to choose a marriage partner is not in the master's hands, even if he has that intention, it still depends on the emperor and the empress, as well as Xi Fei's decision. Thinking of this, she calmed down again. Now she thought that thinking too much was useless, who would be appointed as the legitimate wife of the master was not something she could decide, let alone a small gege like her.

  "How could this be? This soup was specially cooked for your taste—"

  "Even the things you love to eat can be unappetizing at times." She said absent-mindedly, and thought of that painting that Hongli had put away. He attached so much importance to it, had he already met that person? "Nanny, have you heard any news in the palace recently?"

  "The master is referring to... the selection of daughters?" Ping YaYa had already prepared her words and immediately began to talk about several noble ladies she had inquired about, which was not much different from what she had told Fu Ling Ah.

  "Has Auntie ever heard of Marzi's niece?"

  Ping An said casually: "I've heard of it, but compared to the noble ladies of other families, her family background is not particularly impressive. Although she was also born into a earl's household, the title was conferred upon her uncle and inherited by her cousin... Her father Li Rongbao had an old friendship with the emperor, but in their family, he was not prominent, only inheriting a minor official position."

  But others have been secretly accumulating their strength, unfortunately, there are too few people with such foresight, even Yongzheng was more impressed by Li Rongbao's family and Yunzhu's excellent qualities.

  Fuling nodded and thought it was her own overthinking.

  Ping's mother-in-law didn't take Yunzhu to heart either, "Besides, the master is already the fourth prince's princess, as long as she gives birth to a little prince and asks for the title of Ce Furen, it's not impossible... At that time, all the legitimate and concubine Fu Jin by the side of the fourth prince will be surnamed Fuca, which is also unacceptable. The emperor and empress must have thought of this point, so there's no need for the master to worry."

  She smiled faintly: "The Imperial Concubine Xi? That's also a matter for the future..."

  "The master's words are extremely correct, and there is a matter at hand...". Ping YaYa leaned in close to Fulinga's ear and whispered for a while before saying: "It's not that I'm overthinking, but this Gao Shi, although young in age, has an extremely pleasing demeanor, and with such deep thoughts, who knows what the future holds, maybe she'll rise to a high position. Moreover, although she was born as a servant, her father is no ordinary person, he's someone who has earned the emperor's trust, managing the Suzhou weaving factory, it's hard to say how far he'll advance in the future." With his current temperament, treating those who followed him from the palace with kindness is truly good, as long as they work diligently.

  "How was she discovered?" Fuling was startled, not expecting that there would be such a person under her eyelids, and it was really too careless. Ping's concerns were indeed necessary. The legitimate Madame was not someone she could aspire to, but whoever got the favor of the legitimate Madame was her enemy. However, this Gao Shi was just like what Ping said, having a remarkable background, although her family background was not high, but the power in the official circle was obvious, better than their own... Plus, with an uncommon appearance and cleverness, if she really got the opportunity, she would definitely be a formidable opponent.

  "She only noticed it because she happened to overhear a small palace maid reporting the master's affairs to her." Ping Guigu was quite indignant, "This Gao Shi has only been in Yuqing Palace for half a year, but she is already familiar with the fourth prince's preferences and habits, and has even placed her own eyes and ears by his side... It can be seen that the Gao family had intentions to curry favor with the fourth prince from the very beginning, and the forces they have secretly built up in Yuqing Palace are probably not small... The servant also noticed that she has some dealings with Zhang Shi and Liu Shi."

  Furong Ah was greatly shocked by this, she was originally a clever and calculating person. After being appointed as the concubine of Hongli, with only two attendants, Ping and Chunhua, by her side, she managed to establish herself in Yuqing Palace within a few months and suppressed Hongli's previous two concubines. She thought she had everything under control, but unexpectedly, things were not that simple... Those palace servants who were obedient and listened to her might actually be someone else's informants, loyal only to others, this completely shattered her self-confidence!

  This Gao cannot stay!

  No, calm down! She grasped the armrests of the bed tightly with both hands, this Gao family's daughter couldn't move, if something happened to her, with her father's position in the emperor's heart and his official post in the court, they would definitely investigate to the end... What to do? Can she just watch as she gets what she wants step by step?

  "It can't be anyone else, how infuriating! She's been lurking by Master's side for half a year, studying his preferences, with the intention of hitting it off with him at once. Thinking to make Master think she's considerate and gentle, and in tune with his heart? Hmph."

  "Master, I have an idea." Ping's nurse also seemed to be mindful of the power represented by Madame Gao, and she leaned in close to her ear, whispering: "The most important thing for a woman is having children. Without children, even the greatest favor is just an illusion. Let's take advantage of this fox spirit not knowing that Master has taken notice of her, and we'll give her medicine, guaranteeing that she won't be aware of it."

  Fuling's eyes lit up, what a great idea! A man's favoritism can't just be about vying for attention every day, the future is what matters, so let her have her way for now. "Just follow your lead, but specifically how to do it..."

  "Don't worry, Master. She's still not the fourth prince's person now. No matter how much power she has, it can't be used in actuality. You are the highest-ranking person by the fourth prince's side after all. It shouldn't be difficult to deal with a palace maid like her. I have my own way."

  She thought to herself, intentionally or unintentionally, she didn't believe that she couldn't handle a little girl like her.

  "Get it over with cleanly." Fuling curled up her lips, thinking that Gaoshi would not be able to have children no matter how much favor she gained in the future, and felt relieved.

  "Yes." Such things should be done quickly, lest there be many dreams in a long night. Ping's nanny immediately went to make arrangements.