Since Niohuru Wanru and Geng Youran became pregnant one after the other, the affairs of the mansion were basically handled by the Fujin and Consort Li, while Nian Yunrong spent her days writing and painting, showing no intention of managing the mansion.

"Sister, why do you think the concubine was unwilling to assist the prince in managing the palace that year? I heard that the prince had tried to talk to her many times, but they hadn't reached an agreement."

Geng Youran lay half-reclined on the couch, chewing on peeled melon seeds while reading the book in her hand.

"Wanru, don't underestimate Nian Yunrong. Part of the reason our prince dotes on her is because Nian Yunrong doesn't manage the palace."

Why is that?

Geng Youran put down the sunflower seeds in her hand, looked up and said:

"The First Lady and Consort Li have been managing their power in the Prince's mansion for many years. In fact, neither of them wants to let others take away even a bit of their power. As for Nian Yunrong, she has been a Consort since she entered the mansion. She is good-looking, good at both poetry and painting, and her brother is a favorite minister of the Prince. Naturally, she doesn't need to use power to increase her bargaining chips."

Wanru nodded and sighed. Although she and her sister seemed to be doing well now, everyone knew that they were only benefiting from her pregnancy.

The truly favored person in this household has long since changed hands.

"Alright, let's not talk about that anymore. I had Xinyi go to the small kitchen to make soup this morning, and it should be almost ready by now. After we have some soup, let's go to the garden to soak up some sun."

Wanru squinted her eyes, resting her chin on her right hand.

"Sister, is Xinyi still refusing to agree to Amut's request?"

A while ago, Wanru came over to chat with Geng Youran, and the two of them ended up talking about Xinyi and Amut.

Niohuru Wanru was always very meticulous, and she felt that Xinyi's reason for rejecting Amut was probably not as simple as she said.

"Sister, do you want to talk to Xinyi again?"

"Never mind, if she doesn't want to talk about it, it's not convenient for me to ask. Xinyi has always had her own ideas, and I trust her."

This was the first time Niohuru Wanru had ever seen such a peculiar master and servant.

The two chatted about everything from gossip to the child's appearance, and then to the gender, when Xinyi came in carrying soup.

"Your Highnesses, this is black chicken and chrysanthemum soup. Please try it. I also added the codonopsis that the Princess Consort gave me last time."

"Xinyi, where did you learn all this?"

“Oh, I’ve seen others make it before. When my mother was pregnant with my brother, the maids in the mansion would make this soup, and I would drink some with her every time. But after my mother miscarried, no one made this soup anymore.”

Geng Youran put down the soup in her hand and thought of the original owner's mother, who had devoted herself to her mother and lost a child because she was framed.

Seeing Geng Youran suddenly fall silent, Xinyi realized that she seemed to have touched on Youran's sad story.

"Princess, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean it. Please drink your soup, and then we'll go to the back garden to bask in the sun."

In fact, Geng Youran did miss that home a little.

Although she didn't have much affection for the original owner's father, she was still very grateful to her loving mother.

The next day, Xiao Anzi was secretly dozing off at the door when Gao Wuyong kicked him awake.

"You little brat, instead of staying by the princess's side, you dare to doze off here? Have you no patience?"

"Eunuch Gao! Please don't tell the Prince. This servant knows his mistake and will never dare to do it again."

Geng Youran was always kind to his servants. He rarely called people in to serve him when there was nothing to do. Even when there was something to do, he would usually just ask Xiao Anzi to light a fire or run an errand.

"Alright, alright, hurry up and go in and tell your princess that Madam Geng is arriving soon, and tell her to get ready quickly."

"Yes, sir!"

When Xiao Anzi heard that Gege's mother was coming, he was happy for his master.

Lately, my master's mood has been fluctuating, and he's even stopped making his favorite desserts.

The fact that the Prince has suddenly invited Madam Geng is a great blessing!

"Princess! Princess! Eunuch Gao just arrived and said that Madam Geng will be here soon!"

Upon hearing this, Geng Youran suddenly stood up.

"What did you say? Say it again!"

"His Highness has invited Madam Geng, and she will be at our residence shortly!"

"So suddenly? Xinyi, quick, help me change my clothes!"

While things were being tidied up in a flurry, Xiao Anzi went to wait at the entrance of the Prince's Mansion.

After getting off the sedan chair at the gate of the Prince's Mansion, Madam Geng first went to the Princess Consort's courtyard to pay her respects, and then, led by Xiao Anzi, she came to Geng Youran's courtyard.

It had been four or five years since the mother and daughter last met.

"mother!"

Geng Youran strode quickly to the middle of the courtyard, while Madam Geng was terrified:

"Slow down, watch out for the children!"

Seeing her daughter's current success and the birth of her child, Mrs. Geng was very pleased.

My daughter has grown up and is going to be a mother too.

Geng Youran led Madam Geng into the main room, where Xinyi presented freshly brewed tea.

"Madam, this is your favorite Tieguanyin tea, please try it."

"This must be Xinyi, right? How did you know I like Tieguanyin tea?"

Xinyi's hand paused for a moment, then she smiled faintly and said:

"Your Highness misses you very much and often mentions you, so it's not surprising that I remember your preferences."

Madam Geng smiled, glanced at her daughter Youran, then looked at Xinyi, thought for a moment, and took off a bracelet from her wrist.

"This bracelet was a gift from my father when I was pregnant with Youran. Now, I'm giving it to you as a way of thanking you for taking such good care of my daughter."

"Madam, this is absolutely unacceptable!"

Xin Yi declined to accept, while Geng Youran spoke up for her mother.

"Keep it. My mother loves this bracelet the most. Giving it to you now is a way of showing her affection for you."

"This...then this servant thanks Madam for the reward."

Madam Geng looked at Xinyi with affection, thinking that the girl was cheerful and generous, and also intelligent. She thought she was quite a good match for the boy in her younger brother's family, and he was good-looking too.

Seeing that her mother was staring at Xinyi, Geng Youran had already guessed what was going on.