When Fourth Master came to the East Courtyard today, he originally planned to do something, whether it was reading, practicing calligraphy, or playing chess, something not like the one in his arms right now—
However, on this rare day off, no one required anyone to do anything. It was quite nice for Li Chenjiao to sleep for half a day.
Fourth Master does remember times like this in the past.
While he was in the East Courtyard, he seemed to rarely have to worry about doing anything. However—
However, at this moment, Fourth Master suddenly remembered something. He used to think that Li Chenjiao liked to hold his hand when he was in a bad mood because she was afraid of upsetting him. But now it was clear that Li Chenjiao in his arms wanted to sleep.
If Li Chenjiao could hear what the Fourth Master was thinking right now, she would definitely cry out that she was wronged.
Although Li Chenjiao loved to lie on the couch and fall asleep, the Fourth Prince would usually come after she had already woken up, so Li Chenjiao spent most of her time sleeping with the Fourth Prince.
However, Li Chenjiao was genuinely sleepy today.
However, Fourth Master wouldn't ask Li Chenjiao. At this moment, he leaned down and pinched Li Chenjiao's face, not using much force. When Li Chenjiao mumbled softly, he let go.
Alright, then I'll go to sleep.
Once I set off north tomorrow, I reckon it will be hard to find a chance to close my eyes even if I want to.
Fourth Master slept on the outer side of the bed, and couldn't help but think about it even when he closed his eyes.
It's better that Li didn't go north with them. With her delicate frame, the wind and sand along the way would probably have worn her down to who knows what kind of state she would have been in.
However, a trip north is not feasible this year, but it would be appropriate for Father Emperor to make a southern tour next spring.
Although it was supposed to be a rest, the Fourth Prince was still thinking about many things when he closed his eyes. No one knows when he finally fell asleep.
Two maids were cracking melon seeds in the outer room, while Green Plum and Granny Chen were coaxing the Second Princess in the side room, and Green Bamboo was also joining in the fun.
Inside the side room, Xiao Luzi and Su Peisheng were eating pea flour cakes and chatting, while Fulu waited at the door, ready to serve his master without delay if he needed anything from inside.
Green Plum was checking the account books in the storeroom with Granny Lin. Yesterday, the Empress bestowed gifts on the Golden Festival, but they didn't have time to count them. Now was the perfect time.
Dongsheng was in the backyard coaxing that frozen pear, while Shizi had gone off to doze off somewhere.
Everyone in the East Courtyard was doing their own thing, except for Green Orchid.
Qiu Ci cracked melon seeds, her eyes sharp: "I saw that girl watering the flowers a little while ago, but she's vanished now."
Qiu Hu clapped his hands: "Let her be. Go ask her tomorrow and prepare charcoal in advance, because the master is afraid of the cold."
Qiu Ci naturally understood her meaning: "With Master gone, who knows what those monsters and demons in the back courtyard will do? There's no need to worry about the kitchen; Chef Guo and Qi Xi received so much money from Master, they certainly wouldn't dare to mistreat them. As for the sewing room, Granny Lin has recently become acquainted with Granny Zhong, who is in charge, so Master doesn't lack winter clothes, so there's no need to worry either. It's just—"
Qiu Hu continued, "I'm just worried about the lack of charcoal and other miscellaneous items for winter. The stewards naturally wouldn't dare offend the concubine and cause trouble, but there's no guarantee that someone won't use inferior goods or send the allowance a few days late."
The servants below naturally wouldn't dare, but there was a primary wife above the secondary wife, and making people disgusted by these trivial matters was exactly what she always loved to do.
Qiu Ci also stopped eating melon seeds: "Don't say tomorrow. While Fourth Master is still here, I'll go and make a trip now to prepare some things. It's fine for us to be a little cold, but Master and Second Princess can't stand it."
After saying that, the girl left in a hurry.
Qiu Ci is so small, Qiu Hu was worried about her, so he went to the backyard to find Dong Sheng and asked him to make a trip.
As I passed by the side room, I heard Su Peisheng and Xiao Luzi calling each other brothers, but I just lowered my eyes.
The master was meticulous. Although he didn't avoid it openly, he naturally had to be extremely careful when talking to an old fox like Eunuch Su. So most of the time, he would send Xiao Luzi to exchange veiled words with Su Peisheng.
Eunuch Su was a cunning old fox, but his apprentice Fulu was honest and simple, though he was tight-lipped and knew exactly what to say and what not to say.
When the masters inside woke up, Qiu Ci and Dong Sheng also returned with charcoal. Qiu Ci said, "It's good silver wire charcoal, but I'm afraid it will get damp if it rains and ruin everything. I'm thinking of putting it in the woodshed in the small kitchen first, since it's close to the stove and we can see it when we come and go."
The two discussed it and decided to report to their master when they had some free time later.
When Fourth Master and Li Chenjiao woke up, it was already past lunchtime. Li Chenjiao woke up a little earlier and was still a bit dazed looking at the canopy above her head.
But I slept really well that night.
Li Chenjiao squinted her eyes contentedly, her mood improving even more as she thought about having hot pot for dinner.
After Fourth Master woke up, he didn't say anything, but left a message saying he would come back for dinner and then quickly returned to the front yard.
Fourth Master has been in the East Courtyard for most of the day. If he stays there for the whole day, and tomorrow is the day he sets off again, it's inevitable that the people in the back courtyard will feel resentful.
When the Fourth Master leaves, all the troubles in the backyard will fall on Li Chenjiao's shoulders.
Right now, in Fourth Master's heart, Li Chenjiao is like a little lamb. When he is around, Li Chenjiao is a little lamb protected and pampered by someone. When he is not around, she is a lamb being targeted by a pack of wolves, and she could be swallowed whole if she is not careful.
After Li Chenjiao saw the Fourth Master off, it wasn't hard to guess what he was thinking.
She put on her cloak and sat back down in front of the couch. The calligraphy by the Fourth Master on the table was covered by an inkstone, and she casually flipped through two pages.
"I'm really curious to know what the master was thinking when he left."
Qiu Hu quickly came in: "Eunuch Su said that while the master is away from the mansion, he should practice his calligraphy properly. Otherwise, when the second princess is old enough to remember things, the master might be laughed at by her. This is what the master said."
Li Chenjiao gave a soft hum.
Qiu Hu then reported that he had gone to collect the charcoal.
Li Chenjiao hummed in agreement: "Although the weather is a bit cold now, it's not time to use charcoal yet. Let's do as Qiu Ci said and store it in the small kitchen. By the way, did you leave a pair of knee pads when you made them for my brother last time? Find them and give them to Su Peisheng when Fourth Master comes for dinner. I reckon Master has been riding a horse the whole way, so he'll have a tough time."
Qiu Hu noted it down and then asked, "Should we keep the matter of the charcoal fire a secret?"
This "concealment" naturally refers to whether or not to keep it from that girl, Lülan.
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