Chapter 31 Chapter 31 Daily Life in Prince Zhongshun's Mansion
Daiyu, along with Jia's mother and others, had just returned from a Taoist temple. She felt ill upon arriving home. Fortunately, although she had occasionally slacked off in recent years, she had Lu Chen watching over her, so she hadn't neglected her Daoyin exercises. With the imperial physician constantly at her side, she was only a little dizzy, nothing serious.
Despite this, Lu Chen and his companions still invited the imperial physician to come. After examining the patient, the physician said that it was too hot and the patient had a heat stroke, and that a bowl of cooling soup would be enough.
Zijuan hurriedly ordered someone to bring some tea. Daiyu finished drinking and rested for a while. After getting up, she sat there blankly to wake herself up. She wanted to ask someone if Wu Tianyue had returned, but she was afraid he would misunderstand. So she took a break from thinking and picked up a book from the bookshelf at random, then leaned over the table to read.
He read half of the book and wrote a few words. Seeing that it was getting late, he told Zijuan to prepare water for washing. Before he finished speaking, Wu Tianyue ran in.
Seeing that his forehead was sweating from anxiety, Daiyu took a handkerchief and was about to wipe it for him, but suddenly thought of something and put it down. She just smiled and said, "It's just that I feel a little dizzy. Why are you making such a fuss?"
Wu Tianyue saw her actions and felt a little depressed. He asked sullenly, "What did the imperial physician say?"
"It was too hot, and there were so many people there, it was a bit stuffy. I drank some fragrant rush drink at noon, and now I feel better."
Wu Tianyue was relieved and said, "Don't go tomorrow. It's hot and there are too many people. When it's cooler, I'll take you to Huguo Temple. The vegetarian food there is good."
"You think about eating all day long." Daiyu pretended not to notice his disappointment and teased him as usual, "Where have you been today?"
"I wanted to go back to the mansion to see my mother, but she was so busy that she had no time to pay attention to me." Wu Tianyue adjusted himself, took the tea brought by Zijuan, took a sip, and looked up and said, "By the way, the emperor has given a Dragon Boat Festival banquet, you have to go too."
"Why should I go?" Daiyu frowned and asked in confusion.
Although Wu Tianyue knew that the emperor was trying to appease Lin Ruhai, whose naval training had been quite effective recently, he could not reveal this and could only vaguely say, "My mother often goes to the palace to talk to the empress dowager, and perhaps she mentioned you in passing."
If she had mentioned it, why hadn't the Empress Dowager summoned her to the palace in recent years, and why did she insist on going to the banquet given by the Emperor? Daiyu was a little confused, but she guessed that Wu Tianyue didn't know, so she didn't ask.
Wu Tianyue was drinking tea when he suddenly frowned and said, "Mother originally wanted to take you over tomorrow and go with her to give alms on the third day of the first lunar month, but you are in such a state that it would be better for you to take good care of yourself."
Although Daiyu felt it was hot outside, she didn't want to sit in the house all day. Besides, she hadn't seen Princess Zhongshun for some time, so she retorted, "It's not a big deal. I'll just be careful when the time comes."
"Health is important." Wu Tianyue shook his head, "But it would be better to return to the palace tomorrow. It would be more comfortable."
Let’s talk about it after we get there. Daiyu nodded and asked, “What should we pay attention to at the palace banquet?”
Wu Tianyue thought for a moment and said, "There's nothing to worry about. Just follow Mother. However, you should eat more at noon that day. There will be sacrifices during the day, so even though it's a noon feast, the banquet will be basically in the evening. The food will be good, but it's different from what you usually eat. You have a weak spleen and stomach, so it will be difficult to digest. Besides, I guess you will have to accompany Mother to talk to the Queen Mother, so I'm afraid there won't be much to eat."
Seeing him giving instructions seriously, as if it were something very important, Daiyu laughed and said, "The Queen has a lot of experience, so she will definitely take all this into consideration. I will just follow her when the time comes."
Wu Tianyue thought about it and snorted, "Then I've been worrying about you for nothing."
"Although what you said was nonsense, considering that you came all the way here to deliver a message and that you were sincere," Daiyu smiled, stood up and took a piece of cake, "I will reward you with a piece of Eight Treasures Cake."
Seeing her joy, Wu Tianyue feigned disappointment and echoed her, saying, "The servants all say Miss Lin is very generous with her money. I never thought that after all the hard work and all the talk, I would only get a piece of cake."
"If you don't like it, I won't give it to you." Daiyu snorted and pretended to take it back.
"No." Wu Tianyue leaned over and took the cake with his mouth, "Thank you for the reward, young lady."
Then she saw Daiyu's cheeks flushed red, and she realized that she had been too reckless, and her ears also blushed. She said hurriedly, "It's getting late, I'll go back first."
Without waiting for Daiyu to reply, and without looking at Zijuan and Luchen who suddenly lowered their heads to do needlework beside her and pretended not to see anything, she left in a hurry.
Daiyu hadn't expected him to take the cake with his mouth. She rubbed her fingertips helplessly. Seeing Lu Chen snickering, she blushed and glared at her: "Aren't you ready to rest yet?"
Lu Chen suppressed his laughter and went down to get some water. Zijuan stepped forward to help Daiyu remove her hairpins and rings, whispering worriedly, "Miss..."
The heat on Daiyu's face dissipated. She lowered her head and remained silent for a long time before she said softly, "Don't worry, I understand."
As he spoke, Lu Chen came in with some water. The two of them quickly stopped talking, washed up, and went to bed. They didn't say a word all night.
The next day, Princess Zhongshun sent someone to deliver the Dragon Boat Festival gift and took Daiyu to the palace.
When Grandmother Jia learned that it was the emperor who gave the banquet, she was overjoyed and went to the Xiaoxiang Pavilion in person to arrange for Daiyu to leave.
Seeing how much Princess Zhongshun valued Daiyu, Baoyu felt that there was no hope for him with Daiyu. Every day, apart from going out to drink and party with Xue Pan, Feng Ziying and others, he would sit at home and lament. Seeing this, the maids in the mansion would comfort him with words. With their company, even though Baoyu had not let go, he felt much more open-minded.
But these are all later stories. Daiyu didn't know and didn't want to care what he thought now. After she arrived at the palace, she tried on the clothes she would wear to the palace tomorrow. Seeing that the weather outside was just right, she thought of teasing Wu Tianyue and persuaded him to go fishing.
Wu Tianyue had been practicing his skills diligently these days, but the harder he worked, the more heartbroken he became. Sometimes he would sit for a whole day and still not catch a single fish. If Daiyu knew about this, he was afraid he would be ridiculed for days to come. So he refused again and again: "It's terribly hot by the lake. You just had a heat stroke yesterday. You'd better not go."
"You're just afraid of getting nothing again like before." Daiyu said with a smile, "Don't worry, I won't laugh at you today."
"That day was an accident." Wu Tianyue said stubbornly, "I've always had a catch whenever I go fishing since then."
Daiyu didn't believe it. She found his stubbornness quite amusing, so she deliberately said, "Since that's the case, why don't you let me see it today?"
"It's too hot today. I'll let you experience it another day."
Everyone laughed when they saw him trying hard to save face. Daiyu even laughed until she cried while leaning in Princess Zhongshun's arms.
"That's too much." Wu Tianyue was happy to see everyone happy, and said exaggeratedly, "Not only did you not give me face, you also laughed at me."
Daiyu laughed for a long time before she sat up straight and said, "I'll let you go today."
Wu Tianyue stood up and bowed: "Thank you Miss Lin for your understanding."
"You are so sarcastic." Daiyu smiled and slapped his hand away. She turned around and hugged Princess Zhongshun and said coquettishly: "Your Majesty, I heard that there will be a charity at the palace tomorrow. I want to go too."
Princess Zhongshun only learned today that Daiyu had suffered a heat stroke yesterday. Although she was not seriously injured, she did not dare to let her suffer any more. She coaxed her, "It's hot there, and there are so many people. Even if there is a place to rest, it's not as good as the mansion. You were not feeling well yesterday, what will happen if you get tired tomorrow? I'll take you there next time when it's cooler."
"I'm fine now." Daiyu refused, shaking Princess Zhongshun's arm. "With you all away from home, I'm bored all alone. And Ling'er said the alms will be given at a teahouse in the city. If I get tired, I can go there and rest. I'll be fine."
Princess Zhongshun couldn't stand her coquettishness and said helplessly, "Then it's up to you. Xia Jin will accompany you. If you feel tired, just tell her. You can't force yourself."
Seeing that she agreed, Daiyu jumped up with joy and said, "Thank you, Madam."
Princess Zhongshun sighed fondly at her joy. She was about to order Xia Jin to move tomorrow's alms-giving ceremony forward to the morning, but then she worried that Daiyu might be sensitive and would reflect on herself after hearing this. So she smiled and said, "We have to go there early tomorrow. Don't get up late."
Among the people present, only Daiyu, who often had trouble sleeping at night due to her weak health and always liked to stay in bed in the morning, blushed instantly when she heard this.
Wu Tianyue was a heartless person to begin with. He had just been teased by Daiyu. Seeing her embarrassed, he said loudly, "I'm not a sleepyhead. Unlike someone who always tries to get up and practice in the morning but still tries to get up."
Seeing that he was making fun of her, Daiyu snorted, "Morning time is precious. It's better to use it to sleep than to sit by the pond."
Wu Tianyue stopped talking immediately, and when he saw Daiyu was about to say something, he apologized repeatedly.
Xia Jin watched the others chatting animatedly and said with a smile, "A few days ago, the Imperial Household Department sent over a few sturgeons. Her Majesty had the chef from Jiangnan cook them using the Huaiyang cuisine method. Although they are stir-fried fish fillets, they are tender and fresh, not greasy at all. Miss Lin, you must try them today."
When Daiyu heard the words Huaiyang, she knew that Princess Zhongshun was worried that she would be homesick. She was deeply moved and leaned against her and said, "I'm sorry to trouble you, Your Majesty."
"It's just a matter of a word, why worry about it?" Princess Zhongshun touched her head and smiled, "These are all trivial matters. Don't listen to the gossip of the people in the palace all day long and think so much about it."
Seeing Daiyu nodded in agreement, he instructed Xia Jin, "Miss Lin had a heat stroke yesterday, so just try the fish fillets. Go to the kitchen and see if the shark fin soup I asked you to make this morning is ready."
"Yes." Xia Jin agreed and retreated. She first went to the outer courtyard and quietly told the housekeeper to change the time of the alms, and then went to the kitchen.
Lunch was ready. Xia Jin checked it one by one and then took the lunch boxes back with him.
Although Daiyu came to Beijing at the age of six or seven, she still preferred Jiangnan cuisine. However, when she was in Rongguo Mansion, although there was a small kitchen in Yihong Courtyard, Daiyu basically ate in the big kitchen of Jia Mansion for the sake of her grandmother's face. Later, when she found that she had different feelings for Wu Tianyue, she went to the small kitchen less often to order food.
She felt much more relaxed today at the palace, and the food was to her liking. So even though she remembered Princess Zhongshun's instructions, she couldn't help but eat mouthful after mouthful. The maid who served the food saw that she liked it and kept serving her more. Daiyu ate so happily that she couldn't stop at all.
But she had just suffered from heatstroke yesterday. Although the fish fillets were not greasy, they were fried in oil after all. Wu Tianyue was watching from the side and was worried that she would not be able to digest it later. However, Princess Zhongshun was there and he was afraid that she would notice something, so he hesitated for a long time and did not speak.
Princess Zhongshun didn't notice Wu Tianyue's dilemma. Seeing Daiyu's particular fondness for the fish fillet, she advised, "Try the shark's fin soup. I had it prepared this morning. It uses sturgeon gills, which moisten the lungs and dissipate phlegm. You often have coughs in spring and autumn, so eat more of this to nourish yourself."
After saying this, he saw Daiyu blushing as she ate her soup, her eyes occasionally glancing at the fish fillets. She smiled and said, "The cook from Jiangnan came into the mansion a while ago. The prince and I are not used to Huaiyang cuisine. When you go back, take her with you. It just so happens that Yihong Courtyard has a small kitchen, so it's convenient for you to cook whatever you want."
Wu Tianyue listened in and agreed happily. Daiyu hadn't eaten in the small kitchen for a long time. With this cook, she would definitely want to come, and then the two of them would have a chance to eat together. Thinking of this, he smiled and glanced at Daiyu.
"Why are you so happy?" Princess Zhongshun laughed. "Huaiyang cuisine is rather light. When did you start liking it?"
Daiyu saw Wu Tianyue looking at her and smiling. Fearing that Princess Zhongshun might notice something was wrong, she hurriedly said, "Perhaps the prince wants to change his taste."
Princess Zhongshun just said it casually. After listening to the explanation, she smiled and nodded.
She didn't suspect anything, so Daiyu breathed a sigh of relief and lowered her head to eat.
After dinner, Wu Tianyue went to the Prince's Mansion. Daiyu and Jin Ling accompanied the princess to deal with matters in the palace. In the evening, they listened to her instructions on what to pay attention to during tomorrow's charity and then rested.
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The author has something to say: Thanks to the little angels "45572230" and "Waiting for the Flowers to Bloom" for the nutrient solution~
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