As the mistress and servant were talking, Li Chenjiao combed her hair with a wooden comb, while Qiu Hu went out again to change the hot water before bringing in the copper basin.

After Li Chenjiao finished washing up, breakfast was ready.

However, before Li Chenjiao could have breakfast in the outer flower hall, Qiu Ci rushed in and said that Yu Ru from the main courtyard had come to visit Li Chenjiao on behalf of the Fujin.

At this moment, the Fujin (wife of the emperor) was indeed very "concerned" about Li Chenjiao's pregnancy.

Before Li Chenjiao could even invite Physician Zhou, someone from the main courtyard had already arrived.

Li Chenjiao stopped smiling when she was talking to Qiu Hu: "Please go to the east wing to talk. I'll be there after having a couple of sips of porridge. You can keep me company for a while."

Qiu Ci nodded in agreement.

Li Chenjiao did drink half a bowl of porridge before gracefully getting up and heading to the east wing. She was still a little hungry when she got up.

In life and in whatever you do, you should never compromise yourself.

Li Chenjiao didn't want to talk to people on an empty stomach.

However, she didn't keep Yu Ru waiting for long; it was less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

When Li Chenjiao arrived, Yu Ru showed no sign of impatience. Yu Ru was dressed in a dark green dress and her hair was very simple. She stood on the side of the screen, some distance away from Qiu Ci.

Her position was clever; she could detect anyone coming in or making any noise at any time.

Even when chatting with Qiu Ci, he never looked at her directly.

When Li Chenjiao walked in, Yu Ru had already curtsied gracefully without the maids summoning her.

However, Li Chenjiao also noticed that there were several maids standing at the door. They looked like second-class maids from the main courtyard, each holding a red silk tray. She guessed that the Fujin had sent them over.

"Greetings to Consort Li. May Consort Li be blessed."

Li Chenjiao exclaimed, and after sitting down, she pretended not to know Yu Ru's purpose in coming: "Did you come here now because the Fujin has some orders for you? Don't stand there, you are the Fujin's most capable maid, have some tea."

Since Yu Ru was being very polite, Li Chenjiao naturally wanted to maintain the same courtesy.

Yu Ru quickly bowed and said, "This servant dares not. It was yesterday that the Fujin heard that the Consort was having a difficult pregnancy and was worried about her. So this morning she asked this servant to open the storeroom and find some medicinal herbs to nourish the body for the Consort."

So that's what it was all for.

Li Chenjiao lowered her head and took a sip of sweet water, her slender fingers twirling the porcelain Ru kiln teacup: "As expected of the Fujin (principal wife), she is so considerate. After the imperial physician comes to check my pulse and burn moxa later, I will go to the main courtyard to pay my respects and express my gratitude to the Fujin."

Yu Ru quickly shook her head and curtsied, saying, "When the Fujin came, she said that this pregnancy of the Consort is very important. Since the Master has told you to take care of yourself during this time, all the greetings these days are naturally exempted. I will convey your wishes to you."

Li Chenjiao nodded slightly, her words perfectly measured: "In that case, thank you."

Yu Ru did not intend to stay any longer and quickly bowed, saying, "It is getting late, and I dare not delay the imperial physician's greetings, nor may I disturb the concubine's peace of mind during her pregnancy. This servant will take my leave now."

Li Chenjiao stood up, supporting her waist, and said to Qiu Hu, "Go and see Yu Ru off."

Qiu Hu agreed.

Qiu Ci then had several servants take and put away all the things sent by the main wife.

She glanced at it and said, "As usual, Green Plum, you should take it to the storeroom and register it with Granny Lin."

"Is the porridge that Granny Chen asked me to cook yesterday ready? Green Chrysanthemum, go and check on it."

"Hey, hey, hey, Green Orchid, what are you doing outside again? This courtyard was slovenly all night yesterday. If the master sees you when he comes out, he'll punish you. Hurry up and tidy it up."

Qiu Hu was seeing Yu Ru off when she heard Qiu Ci speaking behind her with her hands on her hips. The smile in her eyes deepened, and she turned to Yu Ru and said...

"The little girl below is ignorant and has made you laugh at her, Yu Ru."

Yu Ru's smile froze for a moment, but she quickly forced a smile and said, "It's alright, it's alright. These little girls are always a bit lazy."

Qiu Hu also laughed: "In the end, it can't compare to the proper training in the main courtyard."

The two maids were talking when they saw Dongsheng leading Dongli out for a stroll from the back room.

"You sly fox, the sun's high in the sky and you still remember to bring it out. Be careful, or you'll get a beating if you disturb your master."

Dongsheng quickly replied that he dared not.

Yu Ru glanced at it from afar. The beast was pure white, and the wounds from the previous bite seemed to have healed. It looked quite docile.

She pondered further, although the princess in the main courtyard kept two parrots, they still needed to be teased and played with to be interesting.

It's not as lively as these cats and dogs.

Besides, didn't the eldest prince of the South Courtyard like this dog before? Now the second prince is not well, and the main courtyard is always lifeless. If we could bring a cat or dog, maybe the second prince would be happy and feel better.

The beasts trained by the Imperial Household Department are always the most docile.

They only picked the smallest one, planning to raise it until it grew up and then discard it.

Although she didn't get to speak with Green Orchid on this trip, she still gained something, and Yu Ru left the East Courtyard with a smile on her face.

Naturally, no matter what, she couldn't leave the East Courtyard with a grim face.

This mansion has never lacked people who spread rumors and gossip.

When the Fujin heard Yu Ru's report, her expression did not improve much.

"Wait until Physician Zhou comes out of the East Wing and invite him to the Main Wing to examine my pulse."

It was one thing for Li Shi not to have any good fortune in the past, but things are different now.

What if Lady Li was carrying a prince?

The Fujin (Prince's wife) had to be on guard. She secretly hoped that Li's pregnancy would be difficult and that she would never be pregnant again and be disliked by the Fourth Prince.

Yu Ru nodded in agreement and continued, "It would be good to have Physician Zhou examine the Second Prince as well."

Upon hearing this, the Princess Consort sighed: "Is the Second Prince feeling any better?"

Yu Ru quickly reassured him, "Don't worry, Madam. The wet nurses are taking good care of him, and the Second Prince's high fever has subsided, but he is still a little confused."

The princess hummed in agreement, still feeling somewhat uneasy. She stood up and said she was going to check on the second prince when suddenly Granny Qian rushed in, looking flustered.

"Madam—Madam, a messenger has arrived from the manor, saying—saying—"

Granny Qian had obviously run back; she was still panting as she spoke.

The princess's heart skipped a beat. She stood up, but suddenly felt weak in the legs and fainted: "What's wrong? Speak slowly, Granny. Has Mother fallen ill again because of those little wretches?"

Yu Ru quickly stepped forward to pat Granny Qian's back to soothe her.

Granny Qian calmed down a bit, but before she could even speak, tears streamed down her face.

"Madam—Master, he...he's gone—"