Meanwhile, after entering the palace early in the morning, the Fujin parted ways with the Fourth Prince. One went to the palace banquet in front, while the other naturally went to Consort De's Yonghe Palace.
In Yonghe Palace, Consort De was talking to Consort Cheng, while the Seventh Prince's Consort, Lady Nara, sat upright beside them, her face beaming with joy.
The Fujin secretly thought that even newlyweds should have lost their initial excitement, but why did she think that Nara's complexion looked better than when she saw her at the Eighth Prince's wedding?
When Nara saw her come in, she stood up with a smile and called out, "Fourth Sister-in-law."
The Fujin replied and the two sat down. While Consort De and Consort Cheng were talking, the Fujin asked in a soft voice, "You look so happy, is there some good news?"
The princess was just asking casually, making conversation out of nothing.
Nara's expression became somewhat unnatural. She glanced at the Fujin's face, and although she was smiling, she did not say anything.
Consort Cheng and Consort De, who had heard the Fujin's words, exchanged a glance. Consort Cheng was genuinely quite satisfied with this daughter-in-law, and now she would inevitably have to be the one to offend people on behalf of Lady Nara.
“You don’t know her. The other day, the imperial physician examined her pulse and said she’s been pregnant for almost two months, and this girl still doesn’t know.” Consort Cheng beckoned to Nara to come to her side, naturally not wanting to offend the Fujin.
The smile on the princess's face froze instantly.
Nara's silence just now was naturally because she knew that the Fujin had not been happy for a long time and was afraid of hurting the Fujin's feelings.
The Fujin paused for a moment, her fingernails digging deep into her flesh inside her sleeve, but she quickly regained her smile: "This is a good thing, congratulations to Seventh Sister-in-law."
Consort De originally wanted to ask about Lady Wu's pregnancy, but in the end she simply kept quiet.
When the Fujin was leaving, Consort De specially had someone pick out some jewelry from her storeroom for the Fujin to take back.
It naturally carries the meaning of appeasement.
Consort De naturally hoped that the fourth prince and his wife could have a harmonious relationship.
However, after the Fujin left the palace and got into the carriage, she saw the jewelry and couldn't help but feel that Consort De was mocking her for not being good-looking enough to satisfy the Fourth Prince, which was why she was given the jewelry.
In reality, it was only because Consort De noticed that the Fujin's jewelry was plain today that she had someone choose some jewelry for her. Those pieces of jewelry and headdress were all gifts from the Empress Dowager when Consort De was promoted to Consort De after giving birth to Princess Wenxian.
No matter how much the Fujin disliked it, she still had Yu Ru pick out one or two pieces of jewelry to wear when she did her makeup at night. Since Consort De had bestowed these items, there was no guarantee that Xu Mama would be watching her secretly. Even if she didn't like them, she had to wear them.
However, the Fujin (principal wife) never gave the Qingyuan (Imperial Courtyard) a pleasant look.
Today, the princess was too lazy to even exchange pleasantries. Seeing that everyone had arrived, she set off from the main courtyard.
Upon arriving at the Qing Courtyard, he naturally received the greetings from everyone. He paused for several seconds before allowing everyone to stand up, and after everyone was seated, he scanned each person's face with his eyes.
Except for Bai Jia Gege, who is still under house arrest, everyone else is here today.
Including Wu Gege, who is almost nine months pregnant, her belly is getting bigger every day.
The Princess Consort's gaze lingered on her the longest, or rather, on the protruding belly of Princess Wu.
Even Wu Gege quickly noticed that gaze and protected her abdomen with her hand.
It wasn't that she was afraid of the Fujin (principal wife), but she always felt that the Fujin's gaze was strange and unsettling.
Li Chenjiao's attire today was not particularly eye-catching, as she always has been. Besides, today is the fifteenth, so there's really no need to upset the Fujin (wife of the deceased).
The other people in the backyard probably thought the same thing.
Even Lady Song dressed very plainly today, because if she were too eye-catching, she might incur the wrath of the Fujin (the wife of the emperor).
When the Fourth Prince arrived, the Princess Consort finally smiled.
The princess consort naturally said some polite words about reunion and good fortune, and then pretended to be very virtuous to greet everyone present. Only then did the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet finally begin.
As the Fujin sat down, Li Chenjiao subtly glanced at her abdomen. When the image of a little prince flashed into her mind, Li Chenjiao silently breathed a sigh of relief.
Li Chenjiao silently picked up the mooncake in front of her. It was still soft and warm, and its sweet taste warmed her heart.
This is indeed a time for Li Chenjiao to relax a bit.
The banquet proceeded relatively peacefully, mainly because the Fujin (principal wife) wasn't in the mood to talk, and Li Chenjiao wasn't one to speak up, nor was Wu Gege.
In the past, Madam Song might have said something, but the reprimand she received from the Fourth Master a few days ago has made her behave herself.
Although she disliked that the eldest princess wasn't a prince, she was also well aware of the difference between having children and not having children.
When the eldest princess is truly arranged to have her own courtyard by the Fourth Prince, then her time will be over.
Now he's finally starting to pay more attention to the eldest princess.
But now she still remembered what the imperial physician had said about her ability to give birth, and she had other hopes in her heart.
Everyone had different thoughts during the dinner, but Xie's excuse to change her clothes was completely ignored.
Changing clothes means going to the toilet.
Xu, who was sitting at the very bottom, frowned as she noticed that Xie had not returned for a long time.
In summer, it always gets dark later, and after dinner, when everyone moves to the stage, they can still see the golden sun in the sky.
The Fourth Prince and his wife each ordered two plays. Last year, Song Shi, relying on her privilege of serving the Fourth Prince, also ordered one play. However, things are different now. At this moment, Song Shi simply lowered her head and drank her tea, pretending that it had nothing to do with her.
Li Chenjiao had never seriously listened to many operas, nor had she accepted the opera order. Wu Gege simply smiled and said that the opera chosen by the Fourth Prince was excellent, implying that she didn't need to choose it.
As for Xie Gege, oh, Xie Gege went to change her clothes.
Li Chenjiao also noticed that Xie Gege had been gone for quite some time.
However, the performance on stage had already begun, so it was inappropriate to look around. Li Chenjiao then turned her gaze back to the stage, resting her chin on her hand and pretending to be watching very attentively.
After the first act ended, Li Chenjiao looked back but still couldn't see Xie Shi.
She would be a fool if she didn't realize what was going on right now.
Wu Gege sat beside Li Chenjiao. Amidst the sounds of the Fujin (principal wife) saying "Look at the rewards," Wu Gege whispered, "Gege Xie, are you really going to change your clothes?"
In the twilight light, Li Chenjiao glanced at Wu Gege, her smile not reaching her eyes: "Who knows?"
She had to admire Xie's audacity to cause trouble on the fifteenth of the month.
Could this be the result of Xie's long-term forbearance after entering the mansion?
To be honest, Li Chenjiao was really curious about the Fourth Master's reaction at that time.
As the second act was drawing to a close, the golden sun was finally setting in the west, and the clouds on the horizon were tinged with a beautiful golden light.
This actually fits the scene from the opera "Jinshan Drunken Moon".
And it was at the end of this performance of "Jinshan Drunken Moon" that a graceful figure suddenly walked out from the stage.
With the flowing sleeves and the hazy light and shadow, the woman's face was obscured.
Just those few steps she took to step onto the stage were enough to make people unable to look away.
Everyone had to admit that the woman's figure was extremely beautiful.
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