pregnant
In the spring of the seventeenth year of Xianshun, Li Qingjing, the daughter of Li Yuanxiu, the Minister of Works, married the third prince Xuan as his principal wife.
The Li family appointed the princess's younger sister Li Qingyan and cousin Li Qingping as her dowry concubines. On the second day of the wedding, Prince Xuan appointed them as concubines and wives respectively.
That day, Li Qingping had just gotten up when he heard good news from the main courtyard: Princess Xuan was pregnant!
Yun Su, the maidservant beside Li Qingping, helped her change clothes and wash up, saying, "The princess felt unwell this morning, so she asked a doctor to take her pulse. Didn't he find out good news? The master was so happy that he rewarded the servants in the main courtyard and they are now going to the palace to announce the good news."
Li Qingping smiled and said that the master should be happy.
It had been over two years since Prince Xuan and his wife had been married. While the other two wives who had come into the palace from behind had given birth to children, there had been no news from the main courtyard, which inevitably made people a little anxious. But now, Prince Xuan was about to have legitimate children, and naturally, they were far superior to the children born to his concubines.
After breakfast, Li Qingping personally selected a gift and took Yunsu to the main courtyard.
Before entering the palace, Prince Xuan said that no one should disturb the princess's pregnancy, but since Li Qingping was not someone else, it didn't matter.
Before entering the room, he heard laughter and joyful chatter from inside the house, and Li Qingping knew that Concubine Li had arrived a long time ago.
"Sister is here, come and sit down."
Concubine Li knew that no other blind people would come to the main courtyard at this time, and it must be her own sister. When she saw that it was indeed Li Qingping, she immediately greeted her with a smile.
Li Qingping first paid her respects to Princess Xuan, who then pulled her to sit beside her. The three sisters exchanged a few affectionate words, and then Li Qingping said to Concubine Li, "You arrived early today."
"I went to bed early last night, so I got up early too."
Li Qingping asked Yunsu to come forward and handed Princess Xuan two large pillows, saying, "Your Majesty knows that my sister likes to relax when she has nothing to do. I made these a few days ago, and when I heard that you were expecting this morning, I brought them here."
Princess Xuan laughed and said, "You lazy monkey, how can I have the nerve to ask for your newly made food."
Li Qingping said nonchalantly, "I can do it myself later, but Your Majesty is a double now, so comfort is most important." He then said coquettishly, "I hope Your Majesty won't find my gift unpresentable."
Princess Xuan had seen it. She knew the handwork of the three sisters very well, so she knew that it was made by Li Qingping herself. She said happily, "My sister made it herself, how can it be not good enough?" She used it right away and found it very comfortable to lean on. Even if she was pregnant later, it would only be more comfortable. She was happier at the moment.
"As long as the queen likes it."
Concubine Li, who was standing by, shook her head and said, "Sure enough, my sister is the one who can please the Empress. I'm far behind."
Princess Xuan tapped her nose and said angrily, "You're already an adult."
After the joke, Li Qingping asked Princess Xuan, "I heard that you asked for the doctor because you were feeling unwell. Are you feeling well now?"
"I had some morning sickness this morning, but I'm fine now. However, the doctor said it might take a while for it to subside," Princess Xuan said lazily, then smiled and said, "It seems she's a very naughty child."
Concubine Li frowned: "Don't make a fuss, be good, and your Majesty will feel better."
Li Qingping nodded beside them. Clearly, the two were more concerned about Princess Xuan's health than the small fetus.
Princess Xuanqin shook her head, knowing that they were thinking only of her own good. "How can you say for sure? It depends on the individual. Anyway, the prince and I are extremely looking forward to this child."
The three sisters chatted for a while before Prince Xuan returned from the palace, bringing with him a mountain of gifts from the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, the Empress, and even Prince Xuan's mother, Concubine Xian. Dozens of young eunuchs had also arrived, filling the main courtyard with gifts.
Prince Xuan was not surprised to see Li Qingping and the other two in the main courtyard. He said, "That's fine. You two can come and keep the princess company on weekdays."
Li Qingping and the other two responded. Seeing that the prince seemed to have something to say to the princess, they did not stay any longer. They stood up and said goodbye to Prince Xuan and the princess.
After leaving the main courtyard, Concubine Li said to Li Qingping, "I'll go sit with my sister."
The two sisters went to Li Qingping's yard together affectionately.
In the main courtyard, Prince Xuan discussed with the princess, "Now that you have a child and your health isn't good, you need to take good care of her. I'm thinking of leaving Yu Jin with someone else for a while, and bringing her back when everything is ready." Even so, it certainly wouldn't be a short time. Between pregnancy, childbirth, and confinement, and then waiting for the child to grow up, it would take at least two years.
The eldest daughter in the palace, Yu Jin, was born to a concubine of Prince Xuan before the princess married into the family. The concubine had a low status and could not raise the child by herself, so after the wedding, she was raised by Princess Xuan.
The child is actually not small anymore, but she still needs care. It is inevitable that Princess Xuan will neglect her while she is pregnant.
Thinking of this, the princess nodded and said, "Your Highness is very thoughtful, and I am very grateful for your compassion. Yu Jin has been raised by my knees for so many days, and I have feelings for him. It is a bit hard to see him go away all of a sudden."
"That's nothing." Prince Xuan slapped his thigh and said, "Let Concubine Li take care of her. When she comes to talk to you, bring Yu Jin with her."
Princess Xuan shook her head: "She is still a child, and has been spoiled by her family. How can she take care of a child? It is better to let Qingping take care of the child. I can feel more at ease."
Prince Xuan doesn’t care. They are all the princess’ sisters, so anyone can take care of them.
So the matter was decided. At the master's command, everyone below started to move. Li Qingping and Concubine Li had just sat down when they received the news and immediately stood up again.
"Hurry up and have someone clean up the room next to mine and let the eldest girl move in. Yunsu, you go and keep an eye on it and tell them to hurry up and don't dilly-dally." Li Qingping gave the order and Yunsu went outside.
Concubine Li said, "Yes, the queen is pregnant and sometimes can't take care of the eldest girl. No wonder she asked you to help take care of her."
Li Qingping was a little nervous: "I have only met the eldest girl two or three times, and I don't know how to take care of a child."
Concubine Li comforted her and said, "How can I ask you to take care of me personally? There are so many servants around. You just need to ask and show some concern, and that's all."
"That's not how you raise a child." Li Qingping shook his head and smiled helplessly at her, but said nothing more.
The eldest girl and her group arrived quickly. The eldest girl was over four years old and had no wet nurse by her side. She only had a nanny and a maid.
Huixin, who was standing by the princess's side, also came over. After bowing to Li Qingping and the others, she said, "The master said that the eldest lady's allowance will still be paid by the main courtyard. Madam, you only need to take care of her. If there are not enough people, the main courtyard will arrange for a few more maids to come over. I'm sorry, Madam, for the trouble."
Li Qingping said hurriedly, "I have enough people here. It's not hard at all. Your Majesty is pregnant, so it's my duty to share your worries."
Huixin smiled at her, said that she still had to serve the princess, and then left.
Seeing that Li Qingping was busy, Concubine Li also went back.
Li Qingping asked the eldest lady what the two servants were called, and she said they were Nanny Lin and Caideng, both of whom had followed the eldest lady since they were young.
The older girl sat on one side, looking at Li Qingping with her pair of dark eyes. She wasn't afraid of anyone. Li Qingping smiled at her and asked her to come over to him. She went over obediently and called out, "Auntie."
Li Qingping looked at her in surprise at this address. The older girl said in a coquettish voice, "Before I came here, my mother told me that you were her sister. My mother treats me like her own daughter, so I can call you aunt."
"Good girl." Li Qingping hugged her and said gently, "My place is definitely quieter and more secluded than the main courtyard. If you have any bad things, you must tell me, understand?"
"I know."
Li Qingping raised his eyes and asked Yun Lian, another older maid: "Is the eldest lady's room tidy?"
Yun Lian went out to ask, and came back saying, "My lord, everything has been almost cleaned up."
Although no one lives in the house next door, it is still cleaned on weekdays, so it is not difficult to tidy up.
Li Qingping took the older girl by the hand and asked her to take a look. He asked her, "Do you like the layout of the room? Is there anything you would like to add?"
The older girl looked around and said, "This is already very good."
"What do you like to do on weekdays?"
"read."
The older girl noticed that there was a small bookshelf in the room and was immediately delighted.
Prince Xuan had chosen a female teacher for the eldest daughter half a year ago. She had been reading for an hour every day and had been teaching her a few characters. But today, because the eldest daughter was moving, the tutoring had been put on hold.
"That's great. It's quiet here, perfect for studying. Would you like to clear out a small study room in the back?"
"No need, auntie, this place is already spacious enough."
The older girl smiled and shook her head.
She refused, and Li Qingping couldn't force it on her, so he gave up. He then asked her what she liked to eat. The girl said she wasn't picky about food and preferred salty food. Without Li Qingping's instructions, Yunsu took note and asked the kitchen to prepare a few salty dishes for lunch.
After lunch, the eldest girl went to rest, and Li Qingping also leaned on the chaise longue, with Yun Suyun waiting beside her.
"Yunsu, go get the fabric booklet."
After Yun Su left, Li Qingping instructed Yun Lian again, "Do you still have some cotton left from making the pillows last time? Take it out to the yard to dry it in the sun."
When Li Qingping was choosing the material, the two older maids thought she had given the pillow to Princess Xuan and had no use for it herself so she had to make two more, so they didn't take it seriously.
It was not until more than half a month later, when the eldest girl finished her studies with her teacher, that Li Qingping gave her a cloth tiger the size of two palms.
"Aunt...is this for me?" The older girl hesitated.
Li Qingping touched her head and said with a smile, "Do you like it? I had nothing to do, so I thought of making you a small gift."
The older girl looked at the adorable cloth tiger and unconsciously hugged it tighter, whispering, "Auntie, I like it. Thank you, Auntie."
The older girl liked the cloth tiger very much. She hugged it for the whole morning, and would silently move its body and pinch its ears. She only put it in her room reluctantly when it was time for lunch, and she would hug it even when taking a nap.
Nanny Lin and Caideng were fanning the eldest girl and said, "Madam Li treats the girl very well."
"Aunt is fine." The older girl buried in the quilt smiled sweetly.
"Yes, Madam Li is naturally fine, go to sleep soon, young lady."
After the eldest daughter fell asleep, Nanny Lin and Caideng quietly went out to the small room next door and whispered, "I think the mistress noticed that the daughter didn't have many toys on the day she moved in, so she made these specially."
The eldest daughter was Prince Xuan's eldest daughter, but unfortunately, she was born to a concubine. Before the princess married, she and her mother lived a tight life. Money was scarce, and a large sum was set aside for the child's food and daily necessities, leaving little for toys. The only items she had were small things she made herself. By the time the princess married, the eldest daughter had grown sensible and wouldn't easily ask her stepmother for toys. After starting to read, she felt even more embarrassed about being the eldest child.
But how old is she, anyway, and how could she not like to play? She could read during the day to relieve her boredom, but not at night, as it would hurt her eyes. The only thing she could do was sit there and stare blankly before falling asleep early.
With this cloth tiger, Caideng and the others can at least play some small games with the older girl, and it won't be so boring.
Once or twice would be fine, but Li Qingping was taking the child seriously. The eldest daughter had only lived in her courtyard for a few months, and anyone with a discerning eye could see how well she was being raised. It wasn't that the princess hadn't raised her well before, but there always felt a distance between them, while Li Qingping was raising her as if she were her own child.
One day, Caideng whispered to Nanny Lin, "The princess already has her own child. Even if the young lady goes back...it's better for her to let Madam raise the child."
In fact, everyone in the palace knew that among the three sisters of the Li family, the Princess of Xuan was the principal wife, and Prince Xuan respected her; Concubine Li was beautiful and innocent, and was loved by Prince Xuan; only Li Qingping followed behind the two sisters without competing or competing, and Prince Xuan did not stay in her yard many times, but with the care of the sisters, she lived better than the ordinary unfavored concubines.
At this rate, Concubine Li was young and would eventually have her own children, but Li Qingping wasn't sure. If she didn't have children, then the young lady who had been with her for a while would definitely be different for her. Caideng was the young lady's servant, and as long as she didn't make any mistakes, she would follow her. Naturally, she wanted the best for her, so that she could live well too. Furthermore, Caideng and Nanny Lin had seen that this lady treated her servants with great kindness, and the two older maids, Yun Su and Yun Lian, were also quite capable. This courtyard had a kind and united atmosphere that was not seen in other ladies' courtyards.
Thinking of this, Nanny Lin shook her head: "When the time comes, we will obey our masters. What can we servants do to interfere?"
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