"In the past, when I visited your study, there were never such good pastries. They were all overly sweet biscuits, and I remember you didn't like them. Why have they all been replaced with these elegant ones that suit your taste?"
Feng Jinxu's hand, which was reaching for a tea snack, paused for a moment, then he said calmly,
"Before, it was Auntie who prepared them. Now it's Madam."
"Oh? I thought you were still at odds with this Madam. But that's understandable. If you were at odds, how could you have another child? Your Auntie must be hiding somewhere crying. It's not easy to make a living in the back courtyard after losing your husband's heart."
He himself had a secondary consort and concubines, though not many, so he was not surprised by the concept of multiple wives and concubines.
Feng Jinxu, however, did not follow up on his words. He picked up the tea beside him and took a sip, which refreshed him.
"Alas, you're about to have another child. A few days ago, Mother Consort summoned me to the palace and even mentioned my marriage."
Feng Jinxu was curious. The position of the Sixth Prince's primary consort had always been vacant.
The reason was his rather awkward status. In terms of paternal lineage, he was of royal blood, and thus could not be married off carelessly.
However, in terms of maternal lineage, he could not compare to other princes. Thus, many years had passed, and the matter had been delayed. Why was it being brought up now?
"Does Consort Xian have a suitable candidate in mind?"
"Mother Consort said that Aunt Fu Lin wants to arrange a marriage between me and the granddaughter of Elder Xu. I heard that Miss Xu is learned and virtuous, and is currently a tutor at Wenjin Academy. She must be quite accomplished in her studies. I'm just afraid she might look down on me, as my awkward status is not a recent development."
The Sixth Prince's expression was somewhat somber as he spoke these words.
Over the years, he had been in a rather awkward position, both in court and in the imperial harem.
Consequently, he gradually developed a personality that disliked being in the spotlight, always preferring to avoid trouble. He had never considered seeking a powerful father-in-law for the position of primary consort.
However, this Miss Xu was a good prospect. Her family background, age, appearance, and character were all excellent. The only drawback was that he had barely spoken two sentences to her. If they were to become husband and wife, he wondered what their future life would be like.
For some reason, a figure suddenly appeared in his mind. If he could marry that person, he would be more than willing.
"I heard that your sister will be coming of age in April. I imagine suitors will be flocking to the Feng manor's doorstep."
Mentioning A'yao at this juncture, Feng Jinxu was not foolish.
Could it be that the Sixth Prince was interested in A'yao?
After a brief thought, he replied calmly, "A'yao's marriage will be decided by my maternal grandfather. You know his temperament; he is stubborn. Even my father and mother combined cannot sway him. So, we can discuss potential suitors later."
Feng Jinxu had no intention of letting A'yao marry into the royal family. Given her status, position, character, and abilities, it would not be difficult for her to secure the position of a prince's consort. However, after the incident with Linlang, he had learned a valuable lesson.
It was best for couples to have fewer external influences. Otherwise, the inner chambers would be restless, and the family would be disharmonious.
He had experienced the bitterness of this recently. It was no wonder his father had only ever been devoted to his mother his entire life, without any concubines or maids. If given another chance, he would never take a concubine again!
It had almost cost his wife and child their lives!
But the royal family was different. As a prince's consort, one not only had to be magnanimous and accommodate the various secondary consorts and concubines in the harem but also had to deal with constant probing from the palace. Life would not be easy.
He did not want A'yao to suffer. However, after hearing the Sixth Prince mention Miss Xu, he felt a sense of pity for her.
"Your Highness should be more cautious about your marriage. The fact that Miss Xu broke off her engagement with the Liang family clearly shows she is not one to tolerate others. If she were to become your primary consort, I wonder if the inner chambers would be peaceful."
His words were implicitly blaming Xu Mingyue, but he was taking a calculated risk.
Xu Mingyue was a close friend of A'yao and Si Ru. He believed they would not wish for their sisters to marry into the imperial family and live a life like a quagmire. Thus, he dared to speak these words.
As expected, the Sixth Prince fell into thought. He had no reason to refuse this marriage, but Feng Jinxu's words were pertinent.
Xu Mingyue's temperament was as resolute as Elder Xu's. If, in the future, there was any slight misstep and they fell out, it would be difficult to resolve. Thinking of this, he felt that the marriage needed further consideration!
He sat for a while longer and then departed.
Feng Jinxu watched him leave in haste and knew that his words had had an effect on him.
The Sixth Prince left in a hurry and did not notice Feng Jinlin, who had just returned.
Feng Jinlin, however, cast a sidelong glance at the departing figure of the Sixth Prince and began questioning a young servant.
"When did the Sixth Prince arrive? What was his purpose?"
"He's been here for about half an hour. Second Master, why do you ask? Of course, he came to see our Master. If you ask me, the Sixth Prince is truly remarkable. Despite being of royal blood, he is very polite to people like us, with no airs whatsoever."
The servant had a very good impression of the Sixth Prince, not only because of his elegant demeanor but also because of his generous rewards.
Feng Er tugged at the servant's ear and "scolded" him,
"You rascal, you eat the Feng family's food and yet speak well of others? Do I, your young master, have airs? Huh? What a kind and amiable family we are! You just don't know how fortunate you are!"
His ear hurt from being tugged, and the servant immediately changed his tune, "Yes, yes! Second Master is absolutely right! Our Feng family is the best. Every single master is kind and dotes on us servants."
"That's more like it." He gave the servant some loose silver to buy tea.
Then, he said to Yin Canwen again, "When I return, I'll take two jars of good wine to compete with Brother Fan and the others, so they stop saying we're always freeloading drinks."
Yin Canwen smiled faintly and remained silent, but his heart was pounding like a drum.
Now, with the arrival of the Sixth Prince, another person he could not reach.
If the Third Miss's marriage were to be finalized, would he not have even a sliver of a chance?
He desperately wanted the results of the imperial examination to be released quickly. The questions this time were not difficult for him, and he was absolutely confident that he would pass!
As long as he obtained an official title, he would bring up the matter with the Feng family. Perhaps there was a one-in-ten-thousand chance!
Feng Jinyao slept soundly, unaware that so many people were thinking of her. Meanwhile, a certain person, looking at the news delivered by his subordinate, had a somewhat ashen face.
Yin Canwen, Wen Mengsheng, and now the Sixth Prince.
She was truly very popular!
It was just a pity that the person he had set his sights on, if she wished to have any dealings with others, would likely not be able to.