Gu Qingqing has recovered her health and is even healthier than before.
She had wanted to thank Jiayin properly for a long time, and after only glancing at the post, she got busy preparing a lot of things.
Mei Lan and Xu Xi were strictly disciplined by their families. Because of Jia Yin's previous slapping of the noble lady, their families were actually not very willing for them to visit Suijintan.
But Mei Lan and Xu Xi pleaded so earnestly that their family finally relented and allowed them to go out and play one last time.
After all, they don't have much time left at their parents' home, and they have even less freedom after getting married.
Even so, Meilan's family still made her bring her two half-sisters, ostensibly for company, but in reality, they were her spies, to carefully report Meilan's words and actions upon returning home...
The next morning, after breakfast, Jiayin sent out her carriage.
It wasn't that she looked down on the shabby carriages of the other families; she was just really sorry for her friends.
Her carriage was specially built by her family; it was not only spacious and comfortable, but also made for a more stable ride.
The carriage was covered with cashmere blankets and furnished with soft plush toys and cushions.
Most importantly, there's an ice basin placed in the hidden compartment under the base, which is very refreshing.
Shui Ling sat on the carriage shaft and directed the driver to pick up Xu Xi first, then the three Mei Lan sisters, and finally Bao Zhu.
When girlfriends get together in advance, they naturally have endless stories to tell and countless little anecdotes to laugh about.
Baozhu was a glutton, but also a lovely and warm person. She was about the same age as Meilan's two half-sisters, and she quickly became familiar with them as well.
The two half-sisters were initially a little apprehensive, but who could resist a charming and sincere new companion? Before long, they were chattering away with Baozhu about what snacks were delicious.
As for the Third Princess, she had her own princess carriage and arrived at the Princess's Mansion in Suijin Beach a quarter of an hour earlier than Baozhu and the others.
Unlike the old house, where elders of the Li family and villagers frequently came and went, the Princess's Mansion was a secluded paradise, independent of the village.
Although the flowers in the orchard have already faded this season, the lush green fruit trees are still a delight to behold, making one feel refreshed and invigorated.
Jiayin led everyone into the mansion, and Baozhu insisted on going to the second-floor terrace, afraid of being cooped up inside.
Jiayin tapped her, and Shuiyun and the others quickly moved to a different place to entertain the guests.
The second-floor terrace is spacious, shaded by grapevines, and features a wooden table and exquisitely carved lounge chairs.
There is a pond by the wall, where water lilies and koi are kept. The bottom of the pond is covered with a layer of white gravel, with a few uniquely patterned pebbles scattered around.
Everything about it was far from luxurious, yet it exuded warmth and comfort.
Xu Xi and the others didn't stand on ceremony and each found a chair they liked to sit on.
Mei Lan couldn't help but sigh, "The princess really knows how to enjoy life. She's in such a wonderful place; she's not afraid of the sweltering summer heat."
“Exactly,” Xu Xi joked, “If the princess doesn’t come up with some delicious food for us today, it won’t be enough to make up for our jealous hearts.”
The Third Princess quickly chimed in, "Whatever it is, I want double! I've lost weight from hunger since Jiayin left the palace a few days ago!"
Everyone looked at her double chin with strange expressions.
The third princess blushed and snapped fiercely, "What are you looking at? I just drank too much water last night, and I'm puffy!"
This clumsy excuse drew laughter from everyone.
Mei Lan's two half-sisters, who were initially somewhat reserved, secretly breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this.
Baozhu took one of them by the hand and led them to the edge of the pond to feed the fish, while also picking out pretty pebbles.
"Sister Jiayin, these pebbles are so beautiful, could you give us a few?"
Baozhu found a pebble with a star pattern, loved it so much that she asked for it.
But she wasn't unreasonable, and added, "I came back from my great-aunt's the other day with a set of carved wooden pavilions, the kind where the doors and windows can be removed, it's so much fun. How about I trade you that?"
Jiayin rolled up her sleeves and started cutting fruit, planning to make a fruit salad for her girlfriends.
Upon hearing this, she replied, "These Yuhua stones were specially brought back for me by my seventh brother from out of town. He selected them one by one."
"I usually treasure it and keep it in this pond, but you, you bully, have taken a liking to it."
"Alright, one for each of you, that's the most I can give!"
"Haha, Jiayin is the best! I knew you would say that!" Baozhu was overjoyed and ran up to Jiayin, hugging her and acting spoiled. "I'll go back and find a fish tank, put some stones in it, and raise koi."
Mei Lan's two half-sisters were somewhat embarrassed, unsure whether to put down the pebbles in their hands.
Mei Lan smiled and said, "The princess is very generous. When she says she's giving it to you, she really means it. Just accept it."
"When you get back, whenever you have free time, you can embroider a purse or handkerchief for the princess."
With a sense of security, the two little girls happily expressed their gratitude.
Jiayin made the fruit salad, and each of the girls got a bowl. The cool, sour, and sweet taste made them squint their eyes with happiness.
Picking up her needle and thread, Gu Qingqing asked her maid to bring up a package.
Inside the package was a dress she had sewn herself for Jiayin, with large crabapple blossoms embroidered on the shoulders and hem, vibrant and beautiful beyond compare.
"Princess, thank you for lending a helping hand when I was in dire straits and showing me a way out. This is a dress I sewed for you myself as a token of my gratitude. From now on, you are my sister. I will do anything you ask of me, even risk my life!"
Jiayin took her hand, her eyes filled with surprise, and asked, "Sister Gu, has your wish come true?"
Gu Qingqing nodded, her face slightly flushed, and replied, "It should be right, but the pregnancy is still in its early stages."
Jiayin offered her congratulations repeatedly and instructed, "Sister Gu must come over in a few days so I can ask my master to examine your pulse properly."
"Thank you, Princess." Gu Qingqing touched her still flat belly and said with deep emotion, "This is the bloodline I have conceived for myself. I will love him and cherish him, and I hope that he will be my support for the rest of my life."
"Don't worry, Sister Gu, this will definitely be a good child, smart, healthy, sensible and filial."
"Thank you for your kind words, sister!"
The two of them were talking animatedly, but it took Mei Lan and Xu Xi a while to understand what was going on, and they couldn't help but smile and congratulate them.
Because of this little incident, the lunch barbecue was cancelled and replaced with stir-fried dishes.
Shuiyun also stewed a nourishing soup for Gu Qingqing, which Gu Qingqing drank every last drop.
After dinner, the girls went to play in the glass greenhouse.
The glass roof that used to let in light in winter is now covered with a thick layer of straw curtains, and the sides have been opened up, allowing the draft to carry away the stuffiness and making it very cool.
Xu Xi was extremely familiar with several people, but this was the first time the two illegitimate daughters of the Mei family had come.
Baozhu volunteered to introduce them to the novel things such as mango trees, banana trees, and lychee trees.
Of course, picking a few fruits to satisfy one's cravings is also inevitable.
Jiayin didn't stop them. She had Shuiling take out the lychees that were buried in the ice bucket. The Third Princess kept gasping for breath and shouting "Ice teeth!" as she ate them, but she still kept eating.
As the sun began to set, the Third Princess was the first to take her leave.
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