Rebirth of the Cannon Fodder in the Entertainment Circle
Chapter 510: Cannon Fodder Princess Consort (3)

Chapter 510: Cannon Fodder Princess Consort (3)

The words made the Imperial Concubine stunned for a moment.

She could not quite tell if Luo Ning was being deliberately sarcastic and contrary, or serious.

She tentatively asked, "Really? Have you come to terms with this?"

Luo Ning picked up a handkerchief and pretended to wipe away non-existent tears from the corner of her eye, but her eyes genuinely reddened—it was naturally time to compete in acting skills.

"I have been married into the Prince Mansion for more than a year and have not been able to give birth to an heir for the Prince, while the other princes all have both sons and daughters. I feel very guilty."

"It was previously all because the Prince insisted that he did not want to take concubines, and I just went along with him."

"But now I feel that this is not right. For the sake of the Prince Mansion’s offspring, I cannot selfishly heed the Prince’s words and prevent other women from entering. The royal lineage should be considered most important."

The implication was, previously, it was your son who adamantly refused to take concubines, don’t blame it all on me.

She continued, "Besides, it’s too quiet in the Prince Mansion with just one Princess Consort. The Prince is so busy with official duties, I too wish for more sisters to keep me company and have someone to talk to."

"The other princes have the fragrance of ladies’ sleeves to accompany them. I pity the Prince, and can’t let my Prince be deprived of these things compared to the other princes."

"So please, Consort Mother, help choose a few more sisters to accompany me in the Prince Mansion, to be there for the Prince."

"Whoever is able to give birth to an heir first, be it a boy or a girl, I suggest can be promoted to concubine."

After hearing Luo Ning’s words, the Imperial Concubine was astonished.

Previously, Luo Ning would not have been keen on her son taking concubines, but now, not only was she eager, she even wanted to add many more.

Regardless of whether Luo Ning was showing magnanimity or had suddenly had a lapse of judgment, the Imperial Concubine was happy to go along with it.

Her face brightened from dark to sunny, and she said with a smile, "I knew you were a good child, and no wonder Xiao’er cherishes you so much. You really understand the bigger picture."

Luo Ning thought to herself with amusement, so if I do not let him take concubines, I’m a bad child who doesn’t understand the bigger picture. As it turns out, it’s all up to them, mother and son, to say.

"Consort Mother flatters me. Now, I just hope that the sisters can flourish and prosper the family for the Prince Mansion."

She further proposed, "Why don’t I take the sisters back to the Prince Mansion today to attend to the Prince?"

Just as good concubines of the Prince Mansion, there was no need for a grand palanquin; they could be taken directly back.

The Imperial Concubine’s smile grew even warmer, "That’s fine."

"They happen to be in the palace, so you can take them back with you later."

She had originally planned to put pressure today to get Luo Ning to take someone back; she hadn’t expected that her daughter-in-law would finally get the hint and show some tact.

Luo Ning said with a smile, "Great!"

She stood up and curtsied again, "Besides them, I also ask Consort Mother to help look for a few more sisters to keep me company. I thank Consort Mother in advance."

The Imperial Concubine’s face was beaming with joy, "There’s no need for politeness between us, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law."

She tried to add, "By the way, my family has a niece who was previously betrothed, but her fiancé turned out to be unfortunate and passed away a year ago. How about I send her to accompany you at the Prince Mansion?"

Luo Ning said happily, "Really? That would be wonderful."

She even took the initiative to suggest, "Since the sister is Consort Mother’s niece, it would be too degrading for her to just be a concubine. How about making her a side consort?"

Previously, the Imperial Concubine first suggested that the original bearer of the body bring two concubines back, but was firmly refused on the grounds that the Prince would not be happy.

Subsequently, the Imperial Concubine suggested allowing her niece—Lu Xiao’s cousin—to enter the Prince Mansion. Influenced by Ziqing’s instigation, the original bearer cried and played dumb, refusing to agree.

This caused the Imperial Concubine to be furious and to dislike her daughter-in-law even more.

Now that Luo Ning had taken her place, she naturally wanted to expand the family tree for the Prince Mansion and be an exceptionally "virtuous" Princess Consort.

The more women in the Prince Mansion the better, especially with a niece of the Imperial Concubine who had quite an uncommon status—things would get interesting.

With Lu Xiao being accompanied by beauties every day, he would undoubtedly be very unhappy, and her sister in the palace would probably be green with envy.

The more displeased those two were, the happier she would be.

Indeed, as soon as Imperial Concubine heard Luo Ning’s words, she suddenly found this daughter-in-law very agreeable.

"Good, then I will go to the Empress Dowager later and ask for a concubine to be granted to Xiao’er."

Had it not been that the late Emperor had already chosen a bride for her son, she would definitely have wanted her niece to be the Princess Consort.

Now that her niece’s fiancé had died, leaving her slightly flawed, it wouldn’t be bad for her to become a concubine for her son.

As long as she bore a son first, she could then exert her influence from the side, and eventually, the Prince Mansion would be under her niece’s control.

As for other concubines, the Imperial Concubine didn’t mind; the more, the merrier.

After all, no matter how close they were, her own son was closer to her heart, and she still hoped he could have more children.

The two individuals, each with their own intentions, prepared a generous gift for Lu Xiao.

Thus, when Luo Ning returned to the mansion, she brought back two beautiful "sisters."

This news quickly spread throughout the harem, surprising everyone.

Clearly, no one had expected Luo Ning, who had adamantly refused to allow Prince Rui to take concubines, to suddenly relent and even bring back two.

Originally, everyone thought Luo Ning would stand up to the Imperial Concubine and not let Lu Xiao take concubines, thereby making the despised Luo Chun, who heard the news, so angry that she smashed several sets of cups.

After Lu Xiao finished his official duties and returned to the mansion, he heard an attendant say that the Princess Consort had requested to see him.

He had thought that Luo Ning must have been aggrieved by his Consort, and he was prepared to comfort her.

However, upon entering, he saw Luo Ning chatting with two unfamiliar women.

Seeing him come in, she even pushed the women forward.

"Quickly pay your respects to the Prince."

The two women immediately stood up and shyly glanced at Lu Xiao before promptly bowing, "We pay our respects to the Prince."

Lu Xiao was confused, "Who are they?"

Luo Ning replied with a smile, "They are good concubines granted to you by Consort, whether our Prince Mansion can flourish its lineage depends on them now."

Lu Xiao’s expression changed, "You brought them here?"

Luo Ning nodded with a smile, "Yes."

Seeing her smiling face, devoid of the usual dismay and distress when concubines were mentioned, Lu Xiao felt very uncomfortable.

He gestured to the two women, "You may leave, I have something to discuss with the Princess Consort."

Although the two women wished to speak more with the Prince, they did not dare to disobey and left.

Only then did Lu Xiao seriously turn to Luo Ning, "Why did you bring them here? Haven’t I said that you are the only one in my heart, and I do not wish to be with other women?"

Luo Ning took a sip of her tea leisurely and said, "Prince, such thinking is wrong."

"Ah!" Lu Xiao was stunned again.

Luo Ning then looked at him and continued, "As a Prince, how could you have only one woman? I cannot bear children, and we cannot continue to make Consort sad."

"Moreover, your brothers each have lovely wives and beautiful concubines; how can you be inferior to them?"

With feigned concern, Luo Ning added, "I feel for you, but recently my health has not been very good, so I thought having a few more ’sisters’ to keep you company in my stead would be good."

"It would be even better if they could quickly ensure the lineage of our Prince Mansion."

Lu Xiao looked at her with a mix of shock and anger, "You don’t wish to be with me for life, without anyone else to disturb us?"

Luo Ning disagreed with Lu Xiao, "Prince, how can you be so selfish?"

"I followed your wishes before, but now I realize we were both wrong. As a Princess Consort, I should consider your interests, not selfishly cling to you."

"Children are of the utmost importance; please, Prince, do not continue to act wilfully. I will supervise you from now on."