Lunch was served at Consort De's Yonghe Palace.
However, while the Fujin (principal wife) was inside talking with Consort De, Li Chenjiao was outside coaxing the eldest and second princesses.
However, both girls were well-behaved and never caused any trouble.
Li Chenjiao listened attentively as Wang Shi talked about what the eldest princess could eat at the moment, while the second princess was not yet old enough to eat complementary foods.
She listened quietly, and when she moved her lips, only Lin Mama beside her could hear Li Chenjiao's voice.
"How long has the Princess Consort been inside?"
Granny Lin lowered her head and pretended to speak to the Second Princess, while simultaneously saying, "I estimate it will be about 15 minutes."
That's indeed been quite a long time.
The Princess Consort doesn't have many serious things to say in front of the Empress.
Li Chenjiao pondered that the Fujin (wife) had been holding back for so long, she should be able to hold back by now.
She wasn't in a hurry. After all, new people were going to be coming into the household. If Consort De could sway her with just a few words, then Li Chenjiao's skills were far too shallow.
Sure enough, when it was time for lunch, the Fujin helped the Defei out.
During this time, he also gave Li Chenjiao a very provocative look.
Consort De remained calm: "Is lunch already prepared? I'm not hungry right now, I'm quite sleepy. Li, come in and give me a massage to help me relax."
Li Chenjiao got up as instructed, lowered her head and said "okay" meekly, and then followed Consort De into the inner palace.
There were no servants in the inner palace, and with the ice chest there, it was quite cool inside.
Li Chenjiao lowered her eyes and waited for Consort De to half-recline on the soft couch before she turned to stand and massaged Consort De's shoulders.
Consort De kept her eyes closed and did not speak, so Li Chenjiao remained silent and simply moved about quietly.
I don't know how long it took, but it was more than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.
Li Chenjiao didn't use much force, and her wrists were supported by the cushion behind the soft couch, so her hands didn't get sore.
At this moment, Consort De spoke softly, "The force was a bit too strong. Li, be mindful of your limits."
Consort De, as expected of a lady who has been immersed in the palace for many years, speaks with a few subtle hints and a roundabout way of speaking.
Li Chenjiao paused, but her tone remained firm: "Yes."
Consort De frowned slightly, her eyes still closed: "Alright, you are considered an elder in the household. Just serve the Fourth Prince well, and you should restrain any other thoughts you shouldn't have."
Li Chenjiao replied neither servilely nor arrogantly: "Yes, this concubine will keep her duty in mind."
Consort De's words were quite polite, and Li Chenjiao naturally didn't bother to refute them. She understood the difference in manners between different social statuses.
Consort De probably really didn't want to have lunch today: "Let's go have lunch, I'll rest for a while."
Li Chenjiao bowed slightly, and after exchanging pleasantries, prepared to leave.
Consort De gazed at Li Chenjiao's retreating figure and said softly, "Please bear with the temperament of the Fujin, Li Shi."
Li Chenjiao didn't turn around, and she didn't even stop walking.
Was Consort De implying that Li Chenjiao should be more accommodating to the Fujin (the wife of the deceased)? But Li Chenjiao had no reason to offend the Fujin, so how could she possibly be expected to "accommodate" her?
Furthermore, Li Chenjiao showed no intention of being tolerant or modest. Why should she?
Consort De was thinking from the perspective of the entire household, and felt that Li Chenjiao, as a secondary consort, should defer to the primary consort.
But what gives Li Chenjiao the right to do so?
She never started anything without cause.
When Li Chenjiao came out of the inner palace, her expression didn't change at all, but Chen Shi was holding the Second Princess with great anxiety.
Li Chenjiao slowly sat down and noticed that the eldest princess was staring intently at her. She patted the eldest princess's head reassuringly.
"Her Majesty said she was tired and wanted to rest, so let's have lunch first."
The princess put down her chopsticks and chuckled softly, "In the end, it is Li who is more skillful."
That just doesn't sound right.
It's as if they're saying that Li Chenjiao is skilled at serving the Fourth Prince, and that she can use her skills to massage Consort De and make Consort De happy.
Consort De had just told Li Chenjiao to be more "tolerant".
Li Chenjiao pursed her lips, suppressing the words that were about to come out.
Never mind, let's talk about it when we get back to the manor.
At this moment, Li Chenjiao gave Consort De face and thus "took it easy" a little more.
Li Chen smiled without showing her teeth: "Yes, it is my skill to please Your Majesty."
Li Chenjiao's words were still somewhat sarcastic, but they were already quite polite.
After lunch, dinner was also served in the palace. However, both the eldest and second princesses were a little sleepy, so Li Chenjiao stayed at Yonghe Palace.
Li Chenjiao herself is not a good drinker, so she wants to avoid embarrassing herself.
The Seventh Prince's wife, Nara, who had been drunk in the middle of the night, also returned once. The eldest princess, who had just given birth to the Seventh Prince's wife, was being held by the wet nurse, but she was crying and fussing at the moment.
From a distance, Li Chenjiao looked like the eldest princess was hungry.
The eldest princess in front of Li Chenjiao gradually woke up upon hearing the crying, but she didn't cry; instead, her eyes showed some unease.
Li Chenjiao then looked at the Second Princess, who had also woken up. The Second Princess had already grinned when she heard the crying, and Li Chenjiao looked as if she might burst out laughing at any moment.
Li Chenjiao rubbed her forehead in exasperation, but first patted the eldest princess's head to comfort her.
Second Princess, let the little one laugh.
Hangover tea had already been prepared in Yonghe Palace. The Seventh Princess drank the hangover tea, and then the eldest princess was taken away by the wet nurse. The crying stopped after a while.
Li Chenjiao waited quietly, and when she heard the servant report that the Seventh Prince had come to pick up his wife, she wisely retreated to the side hall.
The servants outside Yonghe Palace are talking about how affectionate the Seventh Prince and his wife are.
Li Chenjiao listened to those words without even blinking. Words like "affectionate" could only be used to describe married couples.
As night deepened, Li Chenjiao waited for Consort De and the Fujin to return to Yonghe Palace, and then waited to leave the palace with the Fujin and the others to return home.
It was already quite dark when they left the palace. The Princess Consort was drunk and got into the carriage early to wait for the Fourth Prince to leave the mansion.
Li Chenjiao wasn't tired at all; she was enjoying the hot breeze outside the carriage.
However, both the eldest and second princesses have already been placed in the carriage.
Li Chenjiao gazed at the bright moon overhead and let out a long sigh of relief.
"This is my second year in the government."
Li Chenjiao, supported by Granny Lin, could see figures coming and going outside the Forbidden City in the distance, but one figure looked particularly familiar.
Li Chenjiao said softly, "Fourth Master is here."
Li Chenjiao was waiting for the Fourth Master to approach when he stepped forward and helped her up.
Fourth Master touched Li Chenjiao's hand: "Why are your hands so cold?"
Li Chenjiao exclaimed, "Ah! It's windy outside, and it feels really nice."
Fourth Master supported her, his tone slightly scolding: "Be careful not to catch a cold. Where's the ice chest in the carriage?"
Su Peisheng quickly apologized, "The ice chest is ready, Master, please calm down."
Li Chenjiao waved her hand: "The eldest and second princesses are inside. It's chilly at night, and the children can't stand the cold."
Fourth Master was silent for a long time before saying, "You've had a hard day."
That's quite unusual.
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