"It seems that my fifth sister-in-law's birthday is in the same month as my mother's." Meng Qi changed the subject.
Princess Cheng was also very dissatisfied with Princess Duan's unprovoked provocation. After hearing what Meng Qi said, she said, "Yes, I only heard about it later, and so did you. Why didn't you tell us to go and get some longevity noodles?"
Princess Jing interjected, "Oh? What a coincidence? It's true. I went to ask for longevity noodles as soon as I knew about it."
Princess Duan smiled coldly, "Fourth sister-in-law, you're probably overthinking it. You want to go and ask for birthday noodles, but I'm afraid they won't want you to go."
Princess Jing ignored her and turned to ask Princess Cheng, "How did Fifth Brother's wife know about the Crown Prince's wife's birthday?"
"Yes, how did you know that? You didn't even tell us, and instead caused Sixth Brother's wife to misunderstand us, as if we weren't going." Princess Duan said with a smile.
"I heard it from Ayang. He came to the mansion that day, and after he finished talking to the prince, he came to pay his respects to me and told me about it. He also said that he would tell Mr. Zhou Er not to lose his manners."
"Mr. Gao is really a thoughtful person." Princess Jing said with a smile.
"Who says he isn't? No wonder Master Zhou Er is so close to him. He even thinks of his friends in matters like this." Princess Duan smiled and looked at Meng Qi again. "I'm sure Master Zhou Er is usually such a thoughtful person. Sixth Sister-in-law would know something about this, right?"
Meng Qi waved her round fan and ignored her. She turned to Princess Cheng and said, "I don't know who told Master Gao this to take it so seriously. I'll have to tell my second sister and thank him for reminding my second brother-in-law."
"Don't praise him. He is someone who cannot help but be praised. Besides, he just found out about it that day. Who knows who he heard it from? You also know that he has many friends. I am afraid he heard it and remembered it." Princess Cheng said with a smile.
Meng Qi knew for sure that Li Mancang was most likely Prince Cheng's man. It seemed he had brought the news to Prince Cheng's mansion that day, and Gao Yang had just arrived. Prince Cheng had simply told Gao Yang, hoping to use Gao Yang to have Zhou Yu arrange a birthday gift for Wang Shi, thus making fun of him or embarrassing Song Chengze, his legitimate son-in-law.
But Princess Cheng probably didn't know all this, or Prince Cheng never let Princess Cheng participate in his plans at all.
As they were talking, a maid came in to report that the Crown Prince, the Crown Princess and Princess Yong'an had arrived.
Several princes followed the crown prince, and everyone greeted each other at once. Prince Cheng invited the men to his study in the inner house, while Princess Cheng took the female relatives to the pavilion in the back garden, where today's birthday banquet was held.
Meng Qi stood up and followed everyone to the back garden. She heard Princess Jing ask Yong'an with concern why Fanghua didn't come. Yong'an's face was filled with worry. He said Fanghua had an upset stomach from something she ate and couldn't come today.
The Crown Princess turned around and asked, "Have you taken the medicine?"
"I've eaten it, but you all know Fanghua's personality. She won't eat anything bitter. If she drinks it, she'll spit it out if you're not careful."
Princess Cheng shook her head. "You're so old, but you still act like a child. Taking that medicine is better than suffering."
The Crown Princess said, "Mrs. Zhuang will be coming to the palace tomorrow. She'll come back to see how Fanghua is doing. Why don't you ask her to prepare two doses for her to try?"
Meng Qi heard this and said, "I heard that Madam Zhuang is very capable. Madam Lian's old illness has been much better after taking the medicine she prescribed."
"Exactly. The medicine she prescribed doesn't have a strange smell like the ones prescribed by the Imperial Hospital. Moreover, the herbs used are the same and the effect is just as good."
Yongan nodded and said, "I'll go check on Fanghua when I get home today. If Fanghua is still not feeling well, I'll send someone to the East Palace tomorrow."
The Crown Princess nodded.
Prince Cheng's Palace was much larger than Prince Rui's, with a larger garden and even a lake with a winding corridor. Lotus flowers bloomed on one side of the lake, their pink hues quite beautiful.
Ms. Li, who was standing in the team of female historians, saw Meng Qi walking quickly towards her.
"Princess, everything has been unloaded. I watched them prepare the list."
Meng Qi nodded. "Have you asked them to look at each one?"
"Yes, as you instructed, they opened the gift list and read each item. They didn't want to go through the trouble, but I told them it was the princess's wish, so they had no choice but to open and note each item."
"Are our people settled?" Meng Qi shook his head and fanned himself.
"Yes, the people from Prince Cheng's Mansion have taken them downstairs to rest." Ms. Li followed Meng Qi forward, "Don't worry, Princess. Although someone else has been assigned to accompany them, I think they are sensible and will not cause any trouble."
Meng Qi stopped and said, "Well, it's the respect of Prince Rui's Mansion to go out." But he sneered in his heart. Yuan Dong brought back a message this morning saying that the person who was originally supposed to send the birthday gift was one of Hu Changsheng's men, but unfortunately he twisted his ankle early in the morning, and no one was available from the outer courtyard, so he simply found Li Mancang, and Li Mancang sent his apprentice.
From this point of view, her suspicion of Li Mancang was not unfair. She was afraid that Li Mancang deliberately arranged for his people to take this opportunity to convey some information to Prince Cheng.
There is a rack under the willow tree by the lake in front, blocking the sun with a sky blue cloth. There is a table underneath, covered with a sky blue tablecloth, which looks fresh and clean.
"Oh, the colors match so well." Princess Jing praised.
Princess Cheng helped her mother sit down and said with a smile, "It was our concubine Meng who arranged this. She has always had good taste."
"Meng?" asked Princess Duan.
"Yes, she put a lot of effort into my birthday party this time. She is very caring towards me." After saying that, he looked around and waved to the front.
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