Princess Huyang moved out of the palace full of hope.
Prince Ning kept his promise and indeed spent several thousand taels to host a joining banquet for Huyang County.
Not to mention how those princesses and princesses ridiculed Princess Huyang at the banquet, and how Princess Huyang fought back, turning a good banquet into a mess.
Pei was truly satisfied.
Finally, we got rid of this troublemaker Princess Huyang, thank God.
Good things come in pairs. Xiao Qin'er was indeed pregnant, just over a month ago.
Pei was overjoyed. She first told Xiao Qin'er to take good care of the pregnancy and she would arrange for someone else to take care of the sewing room.
Then he sent someone to deliver a letter to Liu Yi, asking him to be happy as well.
After finding out she was pregnant, Xiao Qin'er started to suffer from morning sickness every day, vomiting until she was dizzy.
Gu Jiu was kind enough to give Xiao Qin'er a prescription for morning sickness.
In front of everyone, Xiao Qin'er thanked Gu Jiu for his kindness.
Behind everyone's back, she decisively threw the prescription away.
She also made up a story: "Who knows if she's really kind or just pretending to be kind? I'm pregnant, and she gave me a prescription. If I really took her prescription and something went wrong, would she be responsible? I think she's clearly harboring evil intentions."
The maid advised, "Madam, calm down. You're pregnant now. If it's a boy, he'll be the eldest grandson of the royal family. From what I've seen, the Madam must be worried and deliberately sent a prescription."
Xiao Qin'er agreed, "Gu Jiu always wants to suppress me in everything. This time I'm pregnant first. When I give birth to the eldest grandson of the palace, I want to see how she will suppress me."
The maid laughed and said, "Young Master Zhao is still imprisoned in Zongzheng Temple. The eldest lady wants to get pregnant, but I don't know when it will happen."
Xiao Qin'er was in high spirits when she heard this. "I'm hoping that Gongzi Zhao will be imprisoned in Zongzheng Temple for years and years, preferably ten or eight years. When Gu Jiu is old and fades, Gongzi Zhao is released. When he sees her, he will definitely be disgusted. By then, I want to see what kind of arrogance Gu Jiu still has."
"Madam is right."
Xiao Qin'er gently stroked her belly, "Do you think this baby of mine is really a boy?"
The maid said with certainty: "I can guarantee that it is definitely my brother."
Xiao Qin'er said with lingering fear: "I hope this birth goes smoothly."
She was frightened by Ouyang Fu. Ouyang Fu had been married to the prince for two or three years and had been pregnant before. However, due to the unstable fetus, she ended up having a miscarriage and the child did not survive, and it was also a boy.
Since then, Ouyang Fu's stomach has remained stable. I heard she has been taking medicine to recuperate.
"Madam, don't worry. This birth will be safe and smooth."
Xiao Qin'er nodded secretly.
…
Princess Huyang left the palace, and the palace seemed to become deserted.
The whole month of April passed peacefully, without any major incidents.
As May came, the weather suddenly became hot.
The sky in the capital was like a big steamer, and everyone was shouting that they couldn't stand it anymore.
The emperor is old and can't stand the heat.
As soon as the weather got hot, he wanted to move, so he decided to go to Changle Palace in Beimang Mountain to escape the summer heat.
Civil and military officials and royal family members accompanied him.
Several days before leaving for the summer palace to escape the heat, Gu Mei's stomach started to feel bloated.
After two days and one night of difficult labor, a six-pound girl was born in the evening.
On the third day of the baby's birth, Gu Jiu brought the three pieces of gold he had prepared long ago and went to Dai Hou Mansion to visit Gu Mei.
Everyone in Dai Hou's mansion was filled with joy.
Gu Jiu first went to pay his respects to the old lady of Dai Hou Mansion, and then went to the backyard to visit Gu Mei.
The eldest lady, Xiao Wei, was also there, and she was talking to Gu Mei.
When Gu Jiu entered, the expressions of both mother and daughter looked a little unnatural.
"The aunt in the lobby is here too. You've worked hard these past few days."
When Gu Mei gave birth, the eldest wife, Xiao Wei, was waiting outside the delivery room.
Gu Mei gave birth for two days and one night, and the eldest wife, Xiao Wei, stayed with her for two days and one night.
I haven’t rested enough yet, but I came here today to hold my child’s third day bath.
"Xiaojiu is here, sit down quickly."
"Sister Xiaojiu, please take a seat."
"Auntie, Sister Mei, you don't have to be polite to me. Where's the child?"
Gu Mei smiled and said, "The wet nurse will take her out to feed her and bring her back in later."
Gu Jiu held Gu Mei's wrist and took her pulse. "Sister Mei, you look fine. You must rest well after giving birth. Don't overwork yourself, and don't get angry. You still need to pay attention to the things you should pay attention to during the confinement period."
There is nothing wrong with Gu Mei's health, she is just weak after giving birth and needs recuperation.
Gu Mei had dark circles under her eyes, obviously she hadn't had enough rest in the past few days.
She said, "Thank you, Sister Xiaojiu. I also want to have a good rest and recuperate, but the tree wants to be still but the wind does not stop."
Gu Jiu hesitated for a moment and looked at the eldest lady, Xiao Wei.
Madam Xiao Wei tucked the quilt in for Gu Mei and said, "You, I've told you a long time ago, don't think too much during the confinement period. It's important to take good care of your body and get well soon.
You just gave birth and are so weak. You're always thinking about this and that. How can you expect to get better? If you get worse, wouldn't that just be an advantage for those villains? "
Gu Mei said aggrievedly, "I understand what my mother said. But I just can't help but think about it, over and over again."
Gu Jiu tried to ask, "Sister Mei, what are you worried about?"
Gu Mei said nothing.
The eldest lady, Xiao Wei, sighed, "Your sister Mei gave birth to a daughter, and someone in the Daihou Mansion gossiped about it, and it reached your sister Mei's ears.
Look, she was thinking about all sorts of things all day long and causing trouble for herself.
I advised her that the Dai Hou Mansion is not a short-sighted family and will not do anything just because you gave birth to a girl.
On the contrary, if you don't take good care of your health and can't have a second child within three to five years, then the Daihou Mansion might really allow the prince to take in a good concubine."
Gu Mei's eyes immediately turned red. "Don't say anymore, mother. I know it's all my fault."
"You child, why are you crying again? You can't cry during the confinement period. You can't cry. I have told you so many times. Be careful not to hurt your eyes by crying." The eldest lady, Xiao Wei, was very anxious.
Gu Jiu also advised, "Sister Mei, you really think too much. When I came here, I saw that the Daihou Mansion was full of joy and everyone was very happy. No one said anything bad about you having a daughter.
Sister Mei, I know that after having a child, your mood can fluctuate greatly and you can get stuck in a rut. But I still hope that Sister Mei can try to be more open-minded, think more about happy things, and manage your mood.
If you have any grievances or difficulties, tell the prince. Let him share your burden. Don't bear it alone, it will be too hard. "
"Xiao Jiu is right. Think about happy things more. Having a daughter is a good thing. As the saying goes, flowers bloom before fruits. The second baby will definitely be a boy."
Gu Mei wiped her tears and nodded, "I know everything. I will try to be more open-minded. Sister Xiaojiu, do you think I have recovered well?"
Gu Jiu held her wrist and said with a smile: "Listen to the doctor's advice, take good care of yourself, and you will recover soon."
Gu Mei nodded.
At this time, the wet nurse came in holding the child.
Gu Mei suddenly became happy, "Sister Xiaojiu, please take a look at my daughter. She looks more and more beautiful the more you look at her."
Gu Jiu tried to hold the child, but he was trembling with fear, his hands and feet were cramping, and he was sweating profusely.
Gu Mei laughed out loud, pointed at Gu Jiu, and said, "It turns out there are things that little sister Jiu can't do."
After saying that, she skillfully took the child from Gu Jiu's arms and coaxed him to sleep gently.
Looking at the maternal love emanating from Gu Mei, Gu Jiu was stunned for a moment.
I thought, women will definitely change after giving birth.
She will have her own children in the future, and I wonder what she will become.
…
A few days after the third day of the baby's birth, Gu Jiu sent Prince Ning, Lady Pei, Concubine Shen, and Concubine Luo away.
They will go to the palace to escape the summer heat.
Gu Jiu will stay in the palace to look after it.
Xiao Qin'er is now in the early stages of pregnancy and her taste is very strange. Sometimes she wants to eat this, sometimes she wants to eat that.
The kitchen worked hard to prepare the food and sent it to her, but she said she didn't want to eat it.
This caused the maids in the kitchen to gossip a lot in private.
When Gu Jiu heard about this, she instructed Nanny Fang, "Go to the kitchen for me and tell everyone to be patient. The Fourth Madam is pregnant with twins and in the early stages of pregnancy, so it's normal for her taste to be a little strange. Tell them to be patient. In a month or two, the situation will get better."
Nanny Fang's face was extremely serious. "As soon as the princess left, they started making a fuss. They really don't take the lady seriously. I will go and give them a good scolding."
Nanny Fang gave the kitchen maid a beating, and those people indeed quieted down a lot.
When Xiao Qin'er learned about this, she looked dissatisfied.
"I just asked the kitchen to make something to eat, and they all got impatient. Servants like that deserve a beating and expelled. My sister-in-law just sent someone to beat me. It seems she doesn't care about my health at all. If anything happens to my pregnancy, she will be the culprit."
The maid asked, "Madam, would you like me to take people to the kitchen to make a scene and beat up those gossipy old women?"
Xiao Qin'er hesitated.
Although she talks tough, she knows everything in her heart and knows that Gu Jiu is not someone to be trifled with.
Now that the prince and princess are not around, if she is bullied by Gu Jiu, she has no place to complain.
She thought for a moment and said to the maid, "I am not a petty person. It's just a small matter, not worth mentioning. But it must not happen again. If I hear the kitchen maids gossiping and slandering me again, I will not forgive them."
"Madam is so generous." The maid took the opportunity to flatter her.
The weather is getting hotter.
Xiao Qin'er was pregnant and couldn't stand the heat, so she had to use a lot of ice every day.
Fortunately, the palace has stored enough ice, so there is no need to worry about not having enough ice.
The afternoon is the hottest time of the day.
She fanned herself and chatted with the maids.
"If I had known the weather was so hot, I would have followed my mother to the temporary palace to escape the heat. I heard that Beimang Mountain is particularly cool, and you need to cover yourself with blankets when you sleep at night."
The maid suggested, "Why not write a letter to the princess? The princess feels sorry for the lady and might send someone to take her to the palace to escape the summer heat."
Xiao Qin'er pondered for a moment, then immediately ordered, "Prepare the writing brush and ink."
The maid was delighted.
Xiao Qin'er went to the palace to escape the summer heat, and as her personal maids, they naturally had to follow her.
Xiao Qin'er wrote a letter and gave it to the chief secretary of the palace, asking him to send it to the palace.
After that, she waited for news from the palace.
The royal palace and the palace communicated with each other every three days.
Three days later, the reply from the palace arrived.
In the letter, Pei first expressed concern for Xiao Qin'er's health, and told her to take good care of the baby and not to have any extra thoughts.
Then he said that the palace had strict rules and that she couldn't move around freely, which was not suitable for Xiao Qin'er. He also said that the road was bumpy, so he told Xiao Qin'er to stay in the palace and not to think about anything else or to go to the palace to escape the summer heat.
After reading the letter, Xiao Qin'er was so angry that she almost tore the letter into pieces.
Seeing that she looked unhappy, the maids didn't dare to speak.
After sulking for a while, Xiao Qin'er asked, "Did the Madam receive any letters?"
The maid whispered, "Yes. The eldest lady is now in charge of the inner courtyard. Every three days, the princess will communicate with the eldest lady."
"Do you know what the princess said in the letter to the eldest lady?"
The maids all shook their heads. How would they know this?
Xiao Qin'er sat up and said, "Follow me to see the eldest lady."
…
Gu Jiu suffered from summer pain.
It is extremely hot today in summer.
Every day she was reluctant to move. Once she moved, she felt sweat gurgling out of her pores and her clothes were soaked.
Because of the hot weather, she did not go to Zongzheng Temple to visit Liu Zhao this month.
Only two eunuchs, Bai Zhong and Rong Xin, were sent to go to the Zongzheng Temple on her behalf.
As a result, the two men came back and told her that they had not seen Liu Zhao.
She asked, "What's going on? Did the Zongzheng Temple people not let you in?"
Bai Zhong said, "I went to the Zongzheng Temple and offered some gifts, saying they were bringing some food to cool you down. But the people there refused to accept the gifts and chased us out. When we argued with them, they sent people to beat us up."
Gu Jiu was puzzled. "Why is that? Didn't you look for Master Chen Chongwei?"
"I went to look for Master Chen. But Master Chen is not at the Zongzheng Temple. He said he is on business and will not be back for several months."
Gu Jiu frowned, "What else did the people from Zongzheng Temple say?"
"He just told us to leave, nothing else."
This was a bad sign. Could it be that the Emperor had issued an order prohibiting visits?
That doesn't make sense!
It has been several months since the incident happened, and there is no need for the emperor to dwell on what happened a few months ago.
She said to Bai Zhong and the other two, "You two go down and rest first. Come with me to Zongzheng Temple tomorrow."
At this time, the little maid came in and reported, "Madam, the fourth lady is outside asking to see you."
Gu Jiu glanced out the window and saw the bright sun hanging high in the sky.
"It's so hot, why is the Fourth Madam here? Isn't she afraid of the heat? Go and invite the Fourth Madam in."
"As you command."
Xiao Qin'er was invited into the small flower hall.
With a smile on her face, she said, "Sister-in-law, we haven't seen each other for a while. I miss you so much."
Gu Jiu greeted with a smile, "Sister-in-law, please sit down and talk. What's the wind that brought you here today?"
"Oh, it's all God's fault. The weather is getting hotter day by day, and I'm pregnant. Life is really miserable."
Gu Jiu was inexplicably surprised, "Could it be that someone withheld the ice from Fourth Brother's wife?"
Xiao Qin'er waved her hand. "No, there's plenty of ice. Sister-in-law misunderstood."
Gu Jiu felt relieved. "It's good that no one has deducted money. If anyone doesn't know what's good for them and dares to make Fourth Sister-in-law angry, please tell me and I will stand up for you."
"I appreciate your kindness, sister-in-law. I have something to ask you."
Gu Jiu raised her eyebrows and smiled. She knew that Xiao Qin'er would not come to her house without a reason.
"Please tell me, sister-in-law. I will definitely not refuse any help I can offer."
Xiao Qin'er laughed, "I've been waiting for you to say that, sister-in-law. You see, the weather is getting hotter and hotter, and I can't sleep well all night.
I heard that it was particularly cool there, so I wondered if I could go there to escape the summer heat.
But my mother felt sorry for me and was worried about the bumpy road, so she told me to overcome the difficulties and not go to the palace, just in case something happened.
What Mother worries about is exactly what I worry about. But I'm also worried that the hot weather will make me sick and harm the child.
Sister-in-law, you and Mother correspond every few days. Could you please ask for my help and tell Mother the truth about my situation so that she can send someone to take me to the palace to escape the summer heat?"
So this was the idea.
Gu Jiu smiled knowingly.
She took out Pei's letter and said, "Today, Mother also wrote to me, telling me to take good care of you and not to act recklessly. Fourth sister-in-law, I'm sorry, I can't do anything about your request."
Xiao Qin'er snatched the letter and started reading it.
As expected, Pei asked Gu Jiu to keep an eye on her and not let her go out.
Xiao Qin'er's face fell, and she was obviously very unhappy.
She returned the letter to Gu Jiu, "Sister-in-law, can't you plead for me? The weather is so hot, don't you want to go to the palace to escape the heat?"
Gu Jiu put away the letter and said, "Fourth sister-in-law, you are pregnant with twins now, and it's not even three months yet, so the fetus is unstable. Going out at this time, the road will be bumpy, aren't you afraid of something happening?"
If something unexpected happens, will Mother be happy? Will Fourth Young Master be happy? The weather won't stay this hot forever. It will definitely rain soon. When it rains, the weather will be cooler. Just be patient."
Xiao Qin'er cried out of grievance, which scared Gu Jiu.
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