The news only came from the main courtyard when Lady Zhu had finished receiving her twenty strokes of the cane.
It wasn't until the Fujin (princess) wanted to find Yu Ru that she learned the servants had all gone to the back garden.
Because it was said that Su Peisheng personally gave the order, all the servants of the masters in the backyard arrived.
The princess's pregnancy was very difficult. Although she had passed the first three months, her morning sickness was getting worse.
Furthermore, due to the pregnancy, the Fujin's appetite was also poor, and she lost a lot of weight. She also often had trouble sleeping at night. Every time the imperial physician came to examine her pulse, he was always worried, but he dared not show it in front of the Fujin.
After hearing the imperial physician's report on the pulse diagnosis, the Fourth Prince found a skilled nanny from the Imperial Household Department who excelled at both medicinal cuisine and regular food and sent her to the main courtyard.
When Consort De in the palace learned of this, she even sent Granny Zhao to the mansion to visit the Princess Consort.
The Fujin (principal wife) has really had no interest in other matters in the backyard lately. When the maid from the East Courtyard, Le, came to report yesterday, the Fujin was still somewhat energetic, but after listening to Yu Ru's report, she impatiently told Yu Ru to leave.
Upon hearing Granny Qian's words, the Fujin's face turned pale, but she couldn't hide her disdain: "She's become quite arrogant these days. She thinks she can make her own decisions now. Just because she's pregnant and has become a concubine, she thinks she can disregard me, the Fujin?"
The princess was naturally somewhat unhappy.
The Princess Consort herself could have some free time and let the servants in the main courtyard take care of some things, but she couldn't stand anyone overstepping her authority to arrange affairs in the mansion.
The Fujin covered her mouth to suppress the nausea in her heart, her contempt growing even stronger: "She's still from a humble family after all. Even as a concubine, she's still so shallow."
After complaining, the wife realized that the Fourth Prince had given his approval, and if she really wanted to give any orders, it would be a slap in the face to the Fourth Prince.
The Fujin could only make a note of this incident, while also pretending to be the wise and magnanimous primary wife and sending someone to the East Courtyard to comfort Li.
However, the Fujin still felt unhappy, always feeling that Li had become arrogant now that she had achieved success.
In fact, after the incident yesterday, Li Chenjiao first sent Qiu Hu to the main courtyard to inform the Fujin, and at the same time asked the Fujin if she wanted to get involved in the matter.
It was clearly the Fujin who refused to get involved back then, but now that the Fourth Prince is backing her up, Li Chenjiao has handled the matter properly. Yet the Fujin is now complaining that Li Chenjiao shouldn't have interfered in the matter beyond her control.
This is really—completely illogical.
But the Fujin (principal wife) seemed to think that wasn't enough after complaining: "What is He Shi doing in the East Courtyard? There's already some activity from Wu Shi in the South. Didn't the nanny tell her what she was doing?"
Granny Qian had naturally given He Shi instructions, but she originally intended for He Shi to go to Wu Gege's courtyard, while the more clever Zhu Shi would go to Li Cefujin's place.
That day, Consort Li chose He Shi because He Shi was more skilled and her actions were less likely to be noticed. That's why Granny Qian chose her. But this matter couldn't be rushed.
So, Granny Qian had no choice but to appease the Fujin. Lately, the Fujin's temper hadn't been very good, and Granny Qian and all the servants in the main courtyard were trying to coax her.
However, after this incident, Li Chenjiao truly established her authority in the backyard.
On the first day of the twelfth lunar month, when Li Chenjiao came out of the East Courtyard, the servants sweeping the garden on the way were all very respectful.
Of course, the servants used to be very respectful when they saw Li Chenjiao, but now their respect was tinged with fear.
After walking a distance, Li Chenjiao touched her face with amusement and asked, "Do I look that scary?"
The two girls exchanged a glance and smiled without saying a word.
My princess is usually not scary, but when something really happens, her expressionless face is quite frightening.
Li Chenjiao was dressed quite expensively today, mainly because of the tiger-sable cloak she was wearing.
The Fourth Master said he would send a tiger-sable that day, and sure enough, Su Peisheng personally delivered it the next day.
Li Chenjiao is indeed afraid of the heat in summer and the cold in winter.
After receiving the tiger-patterned sable coat, Qiu Ci sent it to the sewing room. Two days ago, after the sewing room finished making the tiger-patterned sable coat, the head maid personally delivered it to us.
Li Chenjiao really liked them. This morning, after Qiu Hu did Li Chenjiao's makeup, Li Chenjiao was holding several winter clothes from Qiu Ci, all of which were recently delivered from the sewing shop.
Li Chenjiao never picks out bright and luxurious clothes.
However, Li Chenjiao surprisingly chose the tiger-sable cloak.
Li Chenjiao wore bright and expensive clothes, but she didn't look gaudy at all. Instead, she looked exceptionally noble.
Today marks Li Chenjiao's first formal audience with the emperor as a concubine, hence her unusually extravagant attire.
Li Chenjiao arrived at a moderate time, just like usual. The Wu, Song, Bai, and Xie families were also there.
Li Chenjiao glanced at Xie Shi again.
Madam Xie has been ill these past few days, and her complexion has indeed become quite pale.
Li Chenjiao's gaze lingered for two more seconds.
This pregnancy of Ms. Xie seems to be even more difficult than before.
The last time I saw Xie, the image that popped into my mind was just the sickly little prince. But now, what immediately came to mind was a face as thin as paper, so thin that you could hardly see any flesh on it.
Li Chenjiao said "No need for formalities" and slowly took her seat.
She had just sat down when she heard Song's voice.
"I heard that Princess Xie was ill some time ago. Has the imperial physician seen her? Why is she still not getting better?"
In all honesty, Madam Song said this because she hadn't seen Madam Xie for some time.
However, Xie wished she could shut Song up after saying those words.
After pondering for a while, Xie smiled gently at Song, her pearly teeth touching her lower lip: "Thank you for your concern, Song Gege. I've been feeling lazy since winter started, and I just look a little pale, but I'm actually much better now."
When Xie spoke, she deliberately avoided mentioning the imperial physician to Song.
Song asked casually, trying to project an image of herself as gentle, virtuous, and considerate.
Hearing Xie's words, he could only reply perfunctorily, "It's good that you're feeling better."
But Li Chenjiao suddenly responded to this.
"I should also take a good look at my own body."
Counting the days, Ms. Xie is already three months pregnant.
If we can still keep it a secret for now, how will we keep it a secret in the future?
After Li Chenjiao became pregnant, she naturally felt more sorry for the child.
She spoke casually, as if it were just a casual remark, and didn't seem to intend to continue the conversation.
No one thought about it further.
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