The Noble Consort is the most favored in the harem

Chapter 106 - Strict Family Tradition

In Shengjing City, there was a common folk saying: "North noble, South rich; East wealthy, West working."

This described how the northern area was home to the aristocracy, while the southern part was a prosperous market district. Merchants dominated the east and the northwest was where craftsmen and common folk gathered.

The Dong family, which had been rooted in Shengjing City for generations, had their residence in the southeast corner of the market district. The area was neatly divided into streets and alleys, and the part where the Dong family resided had a lovely name: Dengwen Street.

The street was bustling with vendors and the lively shouts of shop assistants. Although it wasn't overly crowded, it was full of life. The Dong residence stood at the entrance of Dengwen Street. From the outside, it appeared rather modest. If you didn't look closely, you might mistake it for an ordinary courtyard house. But inside, it was a different world.

It was a three-part courtyard with an eastern annex, featuring flowing water over small bridges, quaint and elegant in its design. Although the family was of merchant stock, there was no air of sudden wealth. Instead, the residence was planted with many pines, cypresses, plums, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemum — all plants beloved by scholars and refined guests. The scenery was so beautiful, that it seemed as if they had moved a Jiangnan garden into their home.

Madam Dong's carriage stopped at the entrance, and her maids, Chanjuan and Sujuan, helped her down. The doorman, upon seeing the family's Third Young Lady had returned, hurried over with a beaming face and said, "Greetings to the Third Lady! What brings you back today?"

"Is the master at home? Are they all here?" Madam Dong asked.

"They are, but the First Master and Second Master, as well as the Second Madam, are out," the doorman replied.

Madam Dong thought for a moment, then instructed him, "Go and fetch them at once. Tell them I have urgent business to discuss. Be quick, understood?"

Seeing Madam Dong's serious expression, the doorman dared not delay and quickly responded, "Rest assured, Third Madam, I'll go right away!" With that, he trotted off toward the Dong family's medical hall.

Madam Dong, familiar with the place, walked through the Dong family gates and headed straight for the main courtyard where her parents lived, not even glancing at the beautiful scenery along the way. Unexpectedly, she ran into her sister-in-law, Madam Wang, halfway there.

Madam Wang's family had been close with the Dong family for generations, and ever since she had married in, the two families had lived in harmony. She was slender and well-kept, and though a merchant's wife, she had no habit of wearing gold and silver, preferring jade and pearls instead. In the sunlight, the sheep-fat white jade bracelet on her wrist gleamed softly — one of the three Dong family heirlooms.

The eldest daughter-in-law, the second daughter-in-law, and Dong Qinzhen (First Madam) were all present. Upon seeing her elder sister-in-law, Madam Wang, First Madam Dong immediately went up to her. Madam Wang looked at Third Madam Dong with a face full of confusion and curiously asked:

"Why has Third Sister suddenly returned? You didn't send word ahead—I could have sent someone to greet you at the gate."

"Elder Sister, I was in a hurry, so I didn't have time to notify you in advance."

"What's going on?"

"I received a message from the palace. In a couple of days, I can enter the palace to see Qianqian."

"Really?"

Madam Wang's face lit up with joy. The whole family adored Lin Wanyi, the young girl. When they first learned she was to enter the palace, none of them were happy. They had feared that once she entered the palace, it would be like an ocean between her and the family, severing ties forever. But unexpectedly, they could now visit her so soon.

Quickening their pace, Madam Wang and Madam Dong hurried toward the main courtyard.

The main courtyard exuded refinement. Its elegance didn't come from carved beams and painted rafters but from the meticulously tended flowers and trees, many of which were rare species brought in from Jiangnan. Particularly striking were the two symmetrical Chinese junipers, also known as "money pines," standing on either side, which were beautifully cultivated.

The elderly Dong couple were inside, one practicing calligraphy and the other organizing threads. In the peaceful atmosphere, undisturbed by outsiders, it was as though time itself had slowed down.

The eldest daughter-in-law, Madam Wang, respectfully greeted them, saying, "I pay my respects to Father-in-law and Mother-in-law. Third Sister is here."

The Dong family patriarch and matriarch looked up, surprised to see their daughter arrive unexpectedly. They feared that something serious had happened and immediately put down what they were doing. Madam Dong rushed over and anxiously asked, "What's going on? Is your husband's family giving you trouble again?"

Madam Dong smiled wryly and quickly explained, "No, it's nothing like that. The palace sent word that I can visit Qianqian, so I hurried over to bring you the good news."

Once they understood her reason for coming, the elderly couple relaxed.

"Oh my, you scared me. I thought something had happened to you again!" Old Madam Dong clutched her chest, calming herself while showing a bit of playful reproach. Standing next to her, Old Master Dong said nothing, but his eyes showed the affection he had for his daughter.

At over sixty years old, Old Master Dong was still in robust health—neither plump nor frail. His features revealed that he must have been a handsome man in his youth, and even now, he showed no signs of aging. As for Old Madam Dong, she was also well-preserved, likely due to the love of her husband and the filial piety of her children. Although slightly plump, it was a sign of good fortune in the eyes of others.

Seeing that her parents were in good health and spirits, Madam Dong hesitated briefly but then spoke, "I've come today not only to share the good news but also to ask you to prepare a few medicinal prescriptions for me to bring into the palace."

"Medicinal prescriptions? What for? Is there trouble with Qianqian?" Old Master Dong, known for his sharp insight, immediately guessed the situation from his daughter's first few words.

Madam Dong's expression shifted from joy to worry as she explained, "I didn't say anything earlier because I didn't want you to worry. But when He Song returned from participating in the dragon boat race, he mentioned that Qianqian had injured her foot. And recently, when my husband was summoned to the imperial palace, he was informed that Qianqian had been poisoned. So..."

Before Madam Dong could finish, her mother's legs gave way. If not for Old Master Dong's quick reflexes, she would have collapsed to the ground. Grabbing Madam Dong's hand, the Old Madam Dong anxiously asked, "How could this happen? How?"

Though they knew life in the palace wasn't easy, they had never imagined it would bring such grave dangers. An injury? Poison? It was too shocking to believe.

The Dong family had always been known for their strict and upright household rules. There were no concubines, and no unfilial descendants. They had lived in harmony for many years, with relatives helping each other. Every time they heard about the oppression faced by the Lin family's main branch, they would sigh in sorrow for days. Now, knowing that their beloved granddaughter was living a life of peril within the palace, the entire Dong family was overwhelmed with worry.