A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Lady Hou looked at her with a face full of pain.

”As the County Princess, you could have refused, but you are so understanding!”

”Lanlan, you’ve been wronged!”

Yilan pretended to be magnanimous.

”What’s the big deal? In our Great Chu Dynasty, which man doesn’t have several wives and concubines? There is no reliable person by Master Prince’s side, so I should be concerned about it, and it is also what I should be doing!”

Yilan tried her best to show her virtuousness and filial piety, which moved Lady Hou deeply, who praised her again and again while holding her hand.

In Yilan’s heart, while she sneered, she also saw through people’s hearts once again.

’No matter how well a person treated her before!’

’Regardless of how kind and amiable they were to her before, when it involves the interest of one’s own son, everyone becomes an outsider!’

Actually, she had nothing to complain about, it’s human nature; she shouldn’t have had any hope in the first place, should she?

Yilan also smiled as she returned the grip to Lady Hou.

”Mother, you overpraise!”

”Let’s discuss how to bring Sister Tan in as soon as possible!”

She tugged her sleeve and smiled.

”I’m young and inexperienced, and I’ve heard that Sister Tan is the apple of both my aunt and uncle’s eye, so I dare not visit uninvited, still seeking mother’s help!”

Lady Hou chuckled and patted her shoulder.

”That’s no problem!”

”I’ll either write a letter or take you there once, and a good conversation will do!”

”I can’t guarantee other things, but they still hold our family in high regard! There will be no problem!”

Yilan pretended to breathe a sigh of relief and flattered with a smile.

”Mother has the means, in that case, I’ll have someone tidy up the courtyard!”

”We must let Master Prince and Sister Tan be a loving couple soon!”

Upon hearing this, Lady Hou immediately denied it.

”She’s only a concubine from a minor branch, marrying over as a concubine surely doesn’t count as a married couple!”

”Zeze’s wife is only you, no matter who is in the backyard, no one can surpass you!”

”Good child, you don’t need to worry about those outside rumors!”

”Your generosity and virtue, I have all seen it with these eyes as your mother!”

Yilan felt these words were somewhat superficial, so she couldn’t be bothered to say more, expressed her thanks, and then got up and left.

...

Three days later.

Lady Hou took Yilan to the Tan Mansion.

Madam Tan, who was Nan Yunze’s aunt, received them.

After some pleasantries, the ladies dismissed the servants and began discussing the matter.

”I’ll keep it short!”

Lady Hou said with a smile.

”Zeze is now married, and you have seen Lanlan, she is virtuous and filial!”

”Not only proposed to accept a concubine for Zeze, but also took the initiative to visit!”

As Lady Hou said these words, her face lit up with pride, every word was filled with pride.

As if to tell everyone: See, how outstanding my daughter-in-law is?

Yilan, on the other hand, bashfully kept her head down, allowing Lady Hou to praise her.

Madam Tan, after understanding their intentions, let her smile bloom.

”This is not a big deal!”

”Although she was raised by my side, she is ultimately a concubine’s child, this status cannot be changed!”

”When it comes to marriage proposals in the future, if not a concubine, she would have to marry into a small household, such a match Old Master might not agree!”

If there were several legitimate daughters, it would be different, but a concubine’s daughter should just stay where she is!

However, Old Master Tan under his care only had this one concubine’s daughter, still raised by the legitimate wife.

For so many years, he cherished her like his own most beloved daughter.

He had long forgotten the fact that she was not of legitimate descent.

But just because he forgot doesn’t mean everyone else will, to be precise, everyone will remember this!

For example, Madam Tan remained very clear-headed.

Talking about Tan Biluo’s affairs seemed like talking about matters of someone else’s house, completely devoid of a sense of closeness.

(One shouldn’t expect a Family Matriarch to have a good relationship with a concubine’s daughter, best not to think about it!)

Lady Hou was very pleased to hear her say this.

”So that means... the matter is settled?”

Madam Tan quickly shook her head.

”No, no, no! Such a big matter cannot be decided solely by me! It still needs to be discussed with the Old Master!”

Perhaps... the Old Master doesn’t want a concubine, fearing it demeans her, right?

”However...” Madam Tan smiled and said.

”The County Princess has a face that one can tell is a carefree, decisive, virtuous, and filial person! The Old Master should likely agree!”

”Rest assured, I will ask tonight and will immediately send a message once I have any news! Is that alright?”

Lady Hou nodded in satisfaction.

”Just as you said!”

The three women chatted for a little while longer, after which Lady Hou and Yilan rose to leave.

...

Three days later, the Tan Mansion sent someone to the backyard of the Hou Mansion to deliver the message; they said the matter was approved over there.

Lady Hou immediately smiled.

”Good!”

”This is a good thing! Truly a good thing!”

Just as Yilan was coming in from outside, holding up the corner of her skirt, she smiled and asked.

”What good news makes Mother so happy? Tell me!”

Lady Hou, without much thought, told her about the matter of accepting a concubine.

Yilan simply laughed.

”It is indeed good news!”

”I’ve already tidied up the courtyard next door, and she can move in before the end of the month!”

Lady Hou held her hand and nodded repeatedly, praising her for her capability.

Yilan didn’t bother to say much more.

She forced herself to exchange pleasantries for a while before leaving with a wave of her sleeve.

...

It was now the winter month, cold, with ice and snow everywhere.

But fortunately, there was still some time before the New Year.

Yilan was thinking, why not have her come over before the New Year, with the real purpose of making the Hou Mansion lose face in social circles.

Of course, losing face is not ideal, even causing some criticism would be good enough! It would show that her grievance was not in vain.

It couldn’t possibly be just her alone who was unhappy, could it?

So... she proposed the idea to Lady Hou.

Lady Hou immediately frowned.

”This seems a bit inappropriate, why not wait until after the New Year?”

Yilan just smiled.

”What’s wrong with it, everyone has multiple wives and concubines, it’s the same in every household! Mother, you overthink!”

In fact, Lady Hou was not overthinking.

Taking a concubine within half a year of marriage is somewhat disgraceful.

However...

Thinking about the fact that this was the perfect proof of her son and daughter-in-law’s harmonious and respectful relationship, and her only channel for garnering vast envy and compliments.

Her mind wavered and she agreed, even specifically instructed.

”Even if done before the New Year, it should be done properly, not too miserably to invite ridicule, after all, it’s a Concubine!”

”Understood, Mother, you don’t need to worry so much!”

Yilan assured confidently.

Lady Hou nodded in satisfaction and let the matter go.

...

That night, Marquis Pingan learned about the matter, and he frowned on the spot.

”Isn’t this a bit too abrupt?”

”Not willing to take her as a legitimate wife, yet accepting her as a concubine!”

”It’s one thing to take her as a concubine, but why so hastily?”

Lady Hou casually took a hand warmer in her arms, nonchalantly saying.

”There wasn’t much thought, it’s just a concubine after all, why should Old Master keep it on his mind?”

”Moreover, she’s not from the legitimate Tan Family, Old Master doesn’t need to always feel that he’s wronging someone.”