Li Chenjiao got off the carriage with Qiu Hu's hand, while several maids kept a close eye on their mistress's hand.

Li Chenjiao stepped off the carriage steadily. Bai Jia Gege and Liu Gege followed her off and bowed to her, clearly waiting for her to speak.

Li Chenjiao waved her hand wearily: "The roads are slippery in the rain, you should go back early too. Drink some ginger soup to warm up and be careful not to catch a cold."

Her voice, carried on the fine rain, sounded very gentle and soothing.

Regardless of what Bai Jia and Liu were thinking, both of them thanked them very respectfully and accepted the thanks.

After thanking her, Lady Baijia said, "Since Consort is pregnant, she should take extra care of herself. This servant will accompany you."

The smile on Li Chenjiao's lips faded, and she waved her hand: "There's still a lot of luggage to pack, so go back early. We need to go to the main courtyard to pay our respects to the Fujin later."

She wasn't stupid. If Bai Jia Shi really went with her, who knew what would happen if word got back to the Fujin?

Li Chenjiao didn't want the Fujin to think that she had learned to form cliques after returning from being away for a few months, especially since she was pregnant and it was even more inappropriate for her to do so.

Bai Jiagege looked somewhat embarrassed upon hearing this, but she still waited respectfully until Li Chenjiao's figure disappeared into the distance before leaving.

After Li Chenjiao entered the mansion, Qiu Ci and Dong Sheng, who had been waiting, came to greet her with tears in their eyes.

Li Chenjiao patted Qiu Ci's hand reassuringly and asked through the rain, "Is everything alright?"

Qiu Ci simply nodded, unable to speak for a long time.

Today is the seventh day of the tenth lunar month.

It's been about five months, and Li Chenjiao has been away for almost half a year.

This was not the time for crying and wailing outside. Qiu Ci supported her mistress on the other side, Qiu Hu held an umbrella, two green-clad figures followed behind, and Xiao Lu Zi and Dong Sheng led the way in front. Li Chen Jiao was protected in the very middle, and they finally returned to the East Courtyard.

Because it was raining, Li Chenjiao went back to the East Courtyard to change her clothes before she had time to ask the Second Princess.

Granny Lin replied that the Second Princess had just finished her lunch and gone to sleep.

Li Chenjiao returned after noon.

Two green-clad servants went to keep an eye on the servants carrying the luggage they had brought back, and Qiu Ci, feeling uneasy, went along as well.

Green Plum took Green Orchid to the kitchen to order lunch.

Li Chenjiao's appetite was not great at the moment, so she just asked the two maids to keep an eye on her.

There were only Qiu Hu and Granny Lin in front of him.

Li Chenjiao felt a little relieved after hearing what Lin Mama said, but she was still very worried about the Second Princess and wanted to go see her.

She went quickly when she decided to go, and as she walked under the covered walkway listening to the rain, she thought to ask, "Is the Princess Consort here? I will go to the main courtyard to pay my respects after I have seen the Second Princess."

Granny Lin shook her head: "The Princess Consort went to the palace early this morning to pay her respects to the Empress. She hasn't returned yet."

With Lin Mama's words, Li Chenjiao became less anxious, but she still said, "Qiuhu, go to the main courtyard in a little while."

Although he knew that the Princess Consort was not there, he still had to put on a show.

As for why the Princess Consort went to the palace so early this morning, well, do we even need to think about it?

Li Chenjiao went to check on the Second Princess who was sleeping.

After not seeing her for several months, the little girl had grown even more. In her sleep, the little girl's mouth was slightly open, and she was muttering something. Li Chenjiao stood by her side for a long time without getting tired of her at all.

Even when Aman is asleep, she is still so cute.

Li Chenjiao resisted the urge to touch the little girl's nose, and finally raised her hand to touch her own nose before returning to her west wing.

Although she had just returned and there were still many things to do in the courtyard, the maids and Xiao Luzi were all very capable and efficient, and with Granny Lin in charge, everything was proceeding in an orderly manner.

When she had a spare moment, Granny Lin would come and ask Li Chenjiao how she was feeling.

Li Chenjiao belatedly realized that she had forgotten something, and suddenly slapped her forehead: "That's right, that's right, look at me, I forgot about the important matter. Later, I'll ask Xiao Luzi to go to the Imperial Hospital and invite Physician Zhou to come and check my pulse."

After pondering Li Chenjiao's tone for a moment, Lin Mama tentatively asked, "Is Master trying to—get away with this?"

Li Chenjiao sighed softly and said something from the bottom of her heart: "Otherwise, how can we get others to lower their guard?"

There's no such thing as being able to guard against thieves for a thousand days if you're a thief for a thousand days.

All Li Chenjiao can do now is to make the Fujin (principal wife) less wary of her.

Upon hearing this, Granny Lin sighed, and after a long while, she said, "In the months that Master has been away from the mansion, there have been all sorts of open and covert struggles between the main courtyard and the one in the south. Master's current choice to protect himself is quite appropriate."

Li Chenjiao simply smiled at Lin Mama's praise and asked, "There won't be any welcome dinner tonight, will there?"

Granny Lin did not answer this question.

Then Li Chenjiao understood.

She suddenly felt overwhelmed; clearly, she couldn't hide her good news for more than a few days.

However, Li Chenjiao didn't expect to be able to keep it a secret, since both Bai Jiagege and Liu Gege knew about her pregnancy.

Li Chenjiao still felt overwhelmed.

Li Chenjiao finally perked up when Green Plum announced outside that lunch was ready.

Although Li Chenjiao hadn't been at home for more than half a year, the kitchen staff didn't dare to neglect their duties in the slightest.

Li Chenjiao didn't order any food today, so the kitchen prepared all the dishes that Li Chenjiao used to like. Now that Li Chenjiao was hungry, these dishes were just what she wanted.

After lunch, Li Chenjiao finally couldn't stay awake any longer and went to sleep.

The maids then quietly went about their business.

The rain was still falling outside, but it didn't disturb Li Chenjiao's good sleep at all.

Although the sound of rain wouldn't disturb Li Chenjiao's sleep, there were always other things that would disturb her good sleep.

Li Chenjiao opened her eyes groggily, only to be met with a pair of large, bright eyes, drool that was about to fall on her face, and laughter and clapping sounds in her ears.

The second princess had somehow crawled up to her bedside, her bottom sticking out.

Li Chenjiao quickly supported the little girl, and at the same time, Chen Mama, who was standing nearby, quickly took a handkerchief and wiped the drool from the Second Princess's mouth.

Although she was her own daughter, Li Chenjiao, who was very clean, still felt disgusted for half a second at her daughter's bad habit of drooling.

However, the slight displeasure at being woken up vanished amidst the Second Princess's laughter. Li Chenjiao sat up and faced the Second Princess, their heads touching.

"Does Aman still remember his mother?"