She didn't mention Brother Gui, only Sister Bao, because she knew that with Sister Bao around, Brother Gui would never suffer a loss.
Yan Zhili said seriously, "Don't worry."
Baojie was unaware of her mother's scheme. She slept soundly, even though she had been thinking about Xu's pregnancy before going to sleep. But the journey had taken its toll, and she was exhausted, so she slept very deeply.
In her dream, she seemed to have returned to the Prince's mansion. It was snowing lightly outside that day, and she was working in the kitchen. Because she was young, she couldn't do anything too heavy, so she was assigned to pick and wash vegetables, which was not an easy task.
It felt cold even when I was near the water, let alone putting my hands in it.
Baojie was already used to it, but she heard that in the early years when the madam was in charge of the household, the Wang family used warm water to wash vegetables in winter. However, in the past two years, the madam was too saddened by the death of the young master and damaged her health. She handed over the affairs of the household to the concubine. It was said that the concubine was someone that Master Wang insisted on taking in. She brought a daughter with her when she entered the household, and gave birth to a son for Master Wang in less than six months.
Baojie also overheard the old women saying in private that Master Wang's wealth was all thanks to Madam Wang's family. However, Master Wang is now richer than Madam Wang's family, which is why he dares to bring the women and children he keeps outside home.
Because Baojie was young and had little presence, these old women didn't hide their conversation from her, and she ended up hearing quite a few things.
No matter how much she heard, Baojie felt it had nothing to do with her, and she never expected to meet Madam Wang.
It was a coincidence that Madam Wang noticed Baojie. That night, she dreamed that her son wanted to eat the noodles she made, so she went to the kitchen and saw Baojie carefully washing vegetables.
Baojie was wearing an old cotton-padded jacket, huddled up in a small ball, rubbing her hands from time to time because she was cold, but her eyebrows and eyes were curved, which made people feel comfortable just looking at her.
Madam Wang loved children. Looking at Baojie's appearance always reminded her of her own daughter when she was young. Her daughter had married far away, and now, with the chaos outside, there was no news of her at all. Madam Wang transferred Baojie to her side, not requiring her to do any work, but simply to keep her company and talk to her.
The more time Lady Wang spent with Baojie, the more she liked her, because Baojie was a grateful person.
Baojie could go home for two days a month. Every time she returned home, she would bring some small gifts for Madam Wang. They weren't anything particularly valuable, but included game that Baojie had caught herself, delicious fruit, and wildflowers blooming beautifully by the roadside...
It's worthless, but it was made with great care.
Madam Wang smiled more often, and with Baojie by her side, even her appetite improved.
Although some snobbish people in the mansion have sided with the concubine, she is really not cut out to manage the household, and she is harsh and unpopular, so many people are on Madam Wang's side.
After her son died, Madam Wang ate vegetarian food. However, after discovering that Baojie liked to eat meat and steamed egg custard, every time Baojie accompanied her to eat, she would ask for a bowl of steamed egg custard and a plate of meat dishes. With Baojie's coaxing, Madam Wang would also eat a little steamed egg custard, and her complexion improved.
Mr. Wang also noticed the changes in his wife, and he found that when his wife was in charge of the household, everything seemed to go smoothly for him. He always had his favorite dishes at meals, and his wife handled all the social interactions very well without him having to say anything.
Now that the concubine is in charge of the household, if he hadn't discovered it early, he probably would have offended everyone.
For example, when a family celebrates the birthdays of their legitimate son and their illegitimate son, there are specific customs regarding what to give as gifts. Even among illegitimate sons, the gifts vary depending on whether the illegitimate son is favored or not. In families with only illegitimate sons and no legitimate sons, the gifts given are different.
These are things that Master Wang's concubines don't understand. Master Wang has also suggested that his wife take over managing the household again, but Madam Wang has not agreed.
After Mr. Wang noticed the change in his wife, he brought up the matter again. This time, Mrs. Wang hesitated for a moment before agreeing.
Baojie did ask, but Madam Wang smiled and didn't explain. Instead, she patted Baojie's head and sent a lot of grain and cloth to Baojie's family. They weren't particularly good, but they were very practical. After discovering that things were not stable in the city, she even invited Baojie's family to her residence.
Yan Zhili didn't really like to manage things in the backyard. He was now focusing more on the court, but he couldn't ignore these matters: "I've already mentioned it to my sister-in-law, and we'll select a suitable person to send over in the next couple of days."
Liu Qin put some cabbage on Gui Ge's plate and said, "That's great."
After the family finished eating, Yan Zhili looked at the expectant expressions on her daughter and son's faces and smiled, "How about we go pick out a name?"
"want."
Bao Jie and Gui Ge said in unison.
Yan Zhili led them into the study, which was filled with books. Gui Ge was immediately attracted to them. Yan Zhili patted his son's head and said, "These are for others to see. You are not old enough to read these."
Gui Ge nodded and said, "I'll be able to see it after I finish a few more years of schooling."
Yan Zhili said, "Yes, I'll give them all to you then."
Brother Gui nodded with a serious expression.
Yan Zhili came up with a lot of names, all on paper, and the family of four leaned over the table to choose one. Actually, the most important thing was that Bao Jie and Gui Ge liked them.
In the secluded courtyard, Madam Xu looked at the maid and asked, "You're saying the master refuses to come?"
The maidservant lowered her head and said, "They told the madam to fetch a doctor."
Madam Xu touched her belly and said after a long while, "In that case, let's go and fetch a doctor."
The maidservant quickly agreed.
Granny Sun brought over some bird's nest porridge and advised, "Miss, have a little."
Xu responded, took a few bites, and then refused to eat any more.
Granny Sun asked, "Should we ask the kitchen to make some noodle soup for the young lady?"
Just as Xu was about to refuse, Granny Sun advised, "Even if you don't care about yourself, you should still take care of the child in your womb."
"Then make me a bowl of noodles," Xu said. "Don't make it too oily."
Granny Sun thought for a moment and said, "For the chicken noodle soup, I'll have the kitchen carefully remove the oil and add some cabbage."
Xu nodded in agreement.
Granny Sun quickly told the kitchen to prepare.
In the study, Baojie and Guige were hunched over the table, carefully looking at the names. They would occasionally huddle together to discuss them, and for a moment they were overwhelmed by the choices, thinking that every name was good: "Dad, we can't choose. I wish I had many names."
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