Rebirth: The Fourth Lady Wants to Lie Down

The sunlight shines through the sparse clouds, dappling onto every corner of the Niuhulu clan's courtyard, adding a touch of warmth to this quiet morning.

In the palace, the news about the evening banquet in the palace spread quickly to every corner like a spring breeze, and the busy figures of the servants revealed their anticipation for the upcoming event.

In Niuhulu's room, she sat in front of the window, gently stroking a delicate jade pendant in her hand, with complex emotions intertwined between her brows.

When Cuiyun hurried in with the news of the night banquet, especially the news that Fu Jin accompanied Yinzhen into the palace alone, Nianhulu's heart couldn't help but ripples.

"Master, have you heard? Only Fu Jin will accompany the prince to the palace banquet tonight."

There was a hint of caution in Cuiyun's voice, as she was well aware of the sensitivity and complexity in her master's heart.

Upon hearing this, Niuhulu raised a bitter smile and a complex light flashed in her eyes: "Yes, I should have expected it."

Her tone was filled with relief and subtle disappointment. "Becoming a concubine was, after all, just a dream of my youth. In the Qing Dynasty, how could a concubine be easily deposed? Look at the Eighth Concubine next door. Even though she used tough tactics to make the Eighth Master's family heirless, she still sits firmly on the throne."

Cuiyun stepped forward and gently held Niuhulu's hand, saying in a soothing voice, "Master, why do you have to worry about these things? Although the position of Fu Jin is good, it is not the only destination. The most important thing for you now is to protect the baby in your belly. That is the future of you and the prince."

"You are right, Cuiyun." Niuhulu nodded gently, her eyes gradually becoming firm, "I can't make any mistakes now, for the sake of this child and for myself."

"Besides, do you know? The Fourth Master is becoming more and more favored by the Emperor. He may soon be conferred the title of Prince."

Cuiyun continued, her eyes gleaming with anticipation, "When the time comes, you can announce the news of your pregnancy, wouldn't that be a double blessing? If the prince is happy, he might even take the initiative to ask for you to be his concubine."

Niu Hulu felt a warm current in her heart when she heard Cuiyun's words. She looked out the window, as if she saw hope and light for the future.

Yes, she still has children and a future. Perhaps, the position of concubine is not out of reach.

Thinking of this, Niuhulu couldn't help but touch her belly, her face filled with maternal glow.

"My child, I will definitely get the best for you."

She made a silent promise in her heart, her eyes full of determination and expectation.

……

At the other end of the mansion, in Wu Gege's residence, the sunlight shone through the window lattice, onto her face, reflecting a faint smile.

When she learned from the maid about the night banquet in the palace tonight and the arrangement that Fu Jin would go alone with the prince, she just smiled lightly, and that smile contained a deep insight into the complicated situation in the palace.

"I'm afraid there's someone in this mansion who can't sit still again." Wu Gege said in a low voice, with a barely perceptible hint of mockery in her tone.

Lianxiang, the maid who had followed Wu Gege for many years, looked at her master in confusion when she heard these nonsensical words, secretly guessing the deeper meaning of Wu Gege's words.

Seeing this, Wu Gege chuckled and explained, "Lianxiang, this may seem like a simple evening banquet, but there are actually undercurrents. Although only the wife came with me into the palace, my position in the emperor's heart is growing day by day, and further advancement in my career is just around the corner. At this time, which woman in the mansion would not want to take advantage of this favorable wind to pave the way for her own future?"

"Oh, so that's how it is..." Lianxiang suddenly realized, her eyes flashing with curiosity and admiration.

"The children of Li Gege and Song Gege were chosen to accompany them into the palace, which was undoubtedly a great help to them."

Wu Gege continued, "Li Gege will definitely find ways to take care of her child in person at future palace banquets. Isn't this a desire for the position of the concubine? And Niuhulu, now that she has the prince's child, will naturally not miss any opportunity to improve her status and will definitely try her best."

At this point, a complex emotion flashed across Wu Gege's eyes, including sympathy for the fate of the women in the mansion and a hint of sarcasm towards human greed.

However, she did not finish her words: "But, in addition to these two, there is another person in our mansion who cannot be ignored—your cousin, Wu Ya."

When mentioning Uya, Wu Gege's lips curled up into a meaningful smile, which showed both recognition of Uya's identity and background, as well as foresight of her possible behavior.

"As a relative of the emperor, Wu Ya has been pampered since childhood, but if she really thinks that she can easily secure the position of concubine by relying on this relationship, then she is too naive. The struggle in this palace is far more complicated than she imagined."

Lianxiang listened to Wu Gege's analysis and couldn't help but admire her master. She realized that although Wu Gege usually did not show off, she knew everything in the mansion, and her wisdom and insight were far beyond the reach of ordinary people.

"Master, you are truly the smartest person in this mansion."

Lianxiang exclaimed sincerely, her tone full of admiration and trust for Wu Gege.

Wu Gege shook her head slightly, a hint of sadness flashing in her eyes: "So what if you are smart? In this deep mansion, who can truly escape the arrangement of fate?"

After saying this, she turned and looked out the window, as if looking for her own freedom and liberation in that small piece of sky.