In the end, Li Chenjiao only copied six volumes.
Then on June 21st, she was sent back to the manor along with the other concubines from the estate, including Concubine Wu, Concubine Song, and Madam Xu.
On June 23, the Fourth Prince and his wife went to the palace together to present gifts to Consort De on her birthday.
Because of the incident involving the Sixteenth Prince, although the entire palace was not shrouded in tragedy, there was a somber atmosphere throughout the Forbidden City.
When Consort De saw that the Fourth Prince and his wife had entered the palace early in the morning, she couldn't stop smiling. Although she was a little disappointed that the Fourteenth Prince was not here this year, she didn't say anything.
However, when the Fourth Prince heard his wife present the gift, he only said that it was a jade Guanyin statue that she had specially commissioned a master craftsman to make.
However, he didn't mention at all the matter of having others in the backyard copy Buddhist scriptures.
The Fourth Master didn't show it on his face, but a hint of displeasure still lingered in his eyes when he lowered them.
The Fourth Prince and his wife had lunch with Consort De in Yonghe Palace. When they were leaving, the Fourth Prince said that he had something to say to Consort De, so he asked his wife to leave first.
When the Fourth Prince turned and entered Yonghe Palace, Consort De was still sitting upright, seemingly lost in thought staring at the jade Guanyin statue given to her by the Fujin not far away.
"The fourth prince is back?" Consort De snapped out of her reverie, as if she had known all along that the fourth prince would return.
"The ladies in the manor all miss their mother. I've also heard that they've been copying Buddhist scriptures lately," the Fourth Prince said casually as he sat down.
Consort De was indeed taken aback. It was rare to hear her son mention the inner palace. Her smile deepened, as if she were testing him: "Wu is indeed a good child. It's admirable that she still thought of me even during her pregnancy."
The Fourth Prince coughed lightly, as if to correct someone: "It's not just Princess Wu."
Consort De slowly uttered an "Oh," quite surprised that her blockhead son had suddenly become so perceptive. She then changed the subject.
"Isn't Wu's pregnancy reaching a critical stage? Why is she still living on the estate?"
Fourth Master replied, "It was Wu herself who asked for it, saying she wanted to give birth on the estate."
Consort De frowned, quickly understanding Wu's concerns, but she disagreed: "At this time, Fourth Prince, you are also about to arrange for her to return to the manor? What if something goes wrong when Wu gives birth without your supervision? Your mother thinks it is more appropriate for her to stay in the manor."
At this moment, everything seems calm and peaceful, but everyone's eyes are fixed on the south of the Yangtze River. They're worried that once the Emperor returns to the capital, chaos and turmoil will ensue.
Consort De was clearly thinking further ahead.
When Wu Gege asked the Fourth Prince about having a child on the estate, the Sixteenth Prince hadn't yet had his accident. Now, there are indeed more things to consider.
"Because of what happened at the Sixteenth, your father has already set off for the southern tour to Beijing. It seems that he was punished in front of you. Fourth Prince, you should avoid the sharp edge of Prince Zhi and the others these days."
The person in question was clearly referring to the Crown Prince.
Fourth Prince hasn't received the letter from Thirteenth Prince yet, and it's unclear whether it's because he's in a hurry to return or the letter is still on its way.
However, Consort De was well-informed, and the Fourth Prince was aware of it.
He lowered his eyes, realizing for the first time that his father, the Emperor, was confused.
However, these words could not be spoken, and the Fourth Prince was well aware that these thoughts were treasonous.
However, His Majesty's attitude towards the Crown Prince has been extremely unpredictable in the past two years.
It's truly chilling to watch.
Consort De sighed deeply: "Let's go back to the estate and rest as soon as possible. It looks like it's going to rain outside. Be careful not to get caught in the rain and catch a cold."
Fourth Master raised his eyes and gave a very soft "hmm".
That evening, Fourth Master did get caught in the rain on his way back to the estate, and his clothes got a little wet. Then he "caught a cold".
The imperial physicians from the Imperial Medical Academy were still summoned to the estate by Su Peisheng at great speed.
Thunder rumbled outside at night. Li Chenjiao nestled silently into Fourth Master's arms, thinking to herself that Fourth Master was getting more and more skilled at faking illness.
Fourth Master patted Li Chenjiao's shoulder gently: "Start preparing these days, and return to the manor in July."
Li Chenjiao was prepared, but she still felt a little regretful. The past few months at the manor had indeed been quite comfortable.
The next day, Li Chenjiao heard Fourth Master instruct Su Peisheng to make a trip to the East Wind Courtyard at the back.
I don't know what they said, but around 3 p.m., I heard the sound of packing up trunks coming from the East Wind Courtyard.
Li Chenjiao guessed that it was the Fourth Prince who arranged for Wu Gege to return to the mansion.
Now that's settled, none of them will be able to stay on the estate. Li Chenjiao can already imagine the excitement when they return to the manor.
It was only in early July that Fourth Master "gradually recovered his health," and on the seventh day of July, he arranged for everyone on the estate to return to the manor.
After a bumpy half-day journey, and with the Fourth Master keeping her up too late the night before, Li Chenjiao was still a little dizzy when the carriage arrived at the manor.
My eyelids almost wouldn't open.
Upon returning to the East Courtyard, he didn't even see Dongsheng's greeting. He rushed through the covered corridor and into the room, lying down without even taking off his shoes and socks.
His lower legs were still outside the bed.
"Your Highness must be tired from your long journey. How is the manor?" Qiu Hu asked Dong Sheng to stand up and then looked at the frozen pears in the courtyard.
Dongsheng then picked out the important points to mention. For example, a few days ago, after Wu Gege returned to the mansion, Xie Gege went to pay her a visit, and then Yuru from the main courtyard also went to the front to see Wu Gege.
In the east courtyard, Dongsheng had been informed in advance that his princess was coming back, and he had already tidied up the place. However, he did not go in and out of the side room at will; the maids from the front courtyard arranged by the Fourth Master had cleaned it.
At first glance, she looks no different from when Li Chenjiao left in March.
Qiu Hu then methodically instructed: "First, take stock of the things the princess brought in the courtyard. Register and record the gifts the Fourth Master has given her these days according to the rules. See if there is anything extra or missing."
The princess in the main courtyard didn't find the noise from the back courtyard at all; on the contrary, she smiled, which was quite rare.
"Bring out the pre-rain Longjing tea that the Empress bestowed upon us this year. The weather is fine today, perfect for savoring the taste of this fine tea."
Knowing that her mistress was in a good mood, Yu Ru smiled and went there herself.
While drinking tea, the Princess Consort casually asked, "I heard from the kitchen staff that Lady Wu has been craving spicy food lately? Is that true?"
There's an old saying among the people: "Sour for a boy, spicy for a girl."
Yu Ru smiled and said, "Yes, Madam. I've been having a lot of trouble with that person in the kitchen these past few days. Consort Wu is from Fujian, where people don't eat spicy food. I'm sure it's true. Don't worry, Madam."
"We should be more careful. What if the Wu family is deliberately trying to confuse us? But I can't take action without consulting them."
I only hope that Wu is really a princess.
The princess touched her flat belly awkwardly and said again in a leisurely tone, "Even being a princess is better than nothing."
Yu Ru sighed, "These days, the Fourth Prince hasn't been at home at all, so there's really no use in the Princess Consort being anxious."
"The fifteenth will be here in a few days, let's prepare in advance," the Princess Consort quickly composed herself and gave the order.
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