The second princess was still young, and even when Consort De called her in Chen's arms, she didn't react at all, as if she didn't understand at all.
After all, in the East Courtyard, Li Chenjiao mostly called the Second Princess Aman, and now the little girl only reacts more strongly when Li Chenjiao calls her Aman.
However, the eldest princess could already understand some of the people around her and could also sense the coldness of Consort De. She lowered her head, somewhat at a loss, but still stood obediently beside Consort De until Consort De told them to sit down.
Li Chenjiao naturally saw it too, and she sighed inwardly, not knowing what to say.
The eldest princess is precocious. Perhaps she is still a little confused and cannot fully understand things yet, but seeing her helpless appearance, it is hard not to feel sorry for her.
Perhaps because His Majesty was not in the capital, this year's Laba Festival was rather quiet. After everyone had lunch with Consort De at Yonghe Palace, Consort De dismissed everyone.
The Laba porridge in the palace was also eaten at lunch.
Today's Laba porridge is hot, and tastes better than the one Li Chenjiao tasted last time, but it's still not as fragrant and sweet as the one made by the mansion's kitchen.
The Laba porridge made in the imperial kitchen was a mixed bag, with all sorts of grains and cereals put in, so the taste wasn't exactly great.
The carriage arrangements for the return journey remained the same.
Li Chenjiao took some time to talk to the Seventh Prince's wife about the First Prince and the Third Prince. She spoke calmly, without showing any sign of gloating.
This drew sidelong glances from the Seventh Prince's wife, Lady Nara, on two separate occasions.
After Li Chenjiao finished speaking, Nara clapped her hands and said, "No wonder your master likes you. I also like your quiet nature."
Li Chenjiao's tone just now was so calm, like she was reading a book.
Li Chenjiao shook her head helplessly upon hearing this: "Seventh Princess Consort."
That's a bit inappropriate. Li Chenjiao isn't embarrassed; she's never been one to be shameless in public.
The Seventh Prince's wife apologized, and then soon left with her eldest daughter.
Li Chenjiao turned around and helped the eldest princess into the carriage.
After getting into the carriage, Li Chenjiao took a handkerchief and wiped the snow off the eldest princess's small cloak: "If the eldest princess suffers any injustice, she should also learn to cry and complain."
The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
This is a principle that Li Chenjiao learned from her mother when she was young.
The eldest princess asked, bewildered, "Crying out?" The little girl's sweet, childlike voice was incredibly adorable.
Li Chenjiao patted her: "Your eldest princess is your father's eldest princess, so you must follow the rules. But your father loves you, and you can show it to him. You are your father's princess. Do you understand what Mother Li means?"
Li Chenjiao might not tell the Second Princess what she says to the Eldest Princess; that's different.
She mostly taught the Second Princess through words and deeds, but she had seen the First Princess less often, so she could only offer some pointers to her.
She was saying these words to the eldest princess, but also to Lady Wang.
Wang herself heard it, and she was startled and somewhat stunned.
At first glance, Consort Li's words seemed a bit improper, but upon closer examination, they didn't seem entirely unreasonable.
Wang's expression became more complicated. After the carriage arrived at the mansion, she got off and bowed respectfully to Li Chenjiao.
Li Chenjiao's eyes flickered slightly, but she didn't say anything more.
Li Chenjiao felt relieved after returning to the East Courtyard.
Fortunately, today is not the Little New Year, so we don't need to wear the official robes; otherwise, it would be quite a hassle.
Li Chenjiao wiped her hands with hot water before teasing the second princess: "Aman, did you hear that? Your father is coming back. When your father comes back, we can eat a whole roasted lamb!"
Li Chenjiao still remembers it.
She teased the second princess and asked, "Tell me when the people from the main courtyard arrive, and see if we'll set up a table at the Qing Courtyard today."
Li Chenjiao didn't want to go; the hot water bottle in her hand had gone cold after she'd been gone for half a day.
In previous years, a table of food would be set up at the mansion on Laba Festival.
Li Chenjiao yawned; spending half a day in the palace was exhausting enough.
"I'm tired, I'm going to take a nap. I'll ask the nanny to hold the Second Princess and play with her for a while."
The second princess had slept for a while in the carriage and was still full of energy. Li Chenjiao saw that the little girl's eyes were bright, so she touched the little girl's face and went into the inner room.
When I woke up, it was already quite late.
The room was dimly lit by candlelight, and the layers of curtains on the bed provided some privacy, preventing the light from being too bright or too dark.
Li Chenjiao propped herself up: "What time is it?"
It was probably Green Plum outside who said, "Sister Qiuhu, the master has woken up."
Li Chenjiao lifted the curtain, and Lümei carefully brought in the snow pear soup.
"Green Bamboo has been cooking in the small kitchen all day, Master, please have some to soothe your throat." She first put down the small cup and helped Li Chenjiao up.
Although Li Chenjiao didn't say much to the Empress today, she did talk quite a bit with the eldest princess.
Li Chenjiao drank some; it was still warm. She glanced at the sky outside.
"What time is it?"
Qiu Hu didn't call her at all, so it's likely that there won't be a banquet at Taiqing Courtyard today. But the fact that it was canceled for no reason means that something must have happened in the manor.
Green Plum replied, "It's past 7 PM."
It is indeed getting late.
Just then, Qiu Hu came in.
Green Plum, sensing the situation, took the pear soup bowl and left.
Li Chenjiao, supporting herself with her hands, asked, "What's wrong now?"
She didn't possess any special abilities, nor could she guess what would happen in the backyard.
Qiu Hu had a complicated expression on her face again: "The backyard is in complete chaos right now, and it's probably only peaceful here with the master."
Qiu Hu recounted the story in detail.
"After the eldest prince returned from the South Courtyard, he developed a high fever. After examining him, the physician found several scratches on his body. Didn't the eldest prince and the third prince have a fight today? I don't know why, but in the end, Consort Wu sent someone to confront Miss Xu. In the end, I don't know how, but the head of the main courtyard was also alerted. Right now, the head of the main courtyard is in the South Courtyard saying that he wants to uphold justice."
Li Chenjiao had only taken a nap, but she didn't expect the backyard to be so lively. She was stunned for a couple of seconds, and her lips moved slightly: "Is Wu Shi worried and confused?"
Wu, who is usually such a steady person, actually confronted Xu. Isn't this just a case of being too concerned to think straight?
However, the Fujin (princess's wife) was well-informed.
Li Chenjiao had no intention of getting involved in this: "Just send someone to deliver some tonics. When they do, have the people around Princess Wu check them carefully to make sure they are correct."
Qiu Hu replied, "Qiu Ci went earlier, otherwise Master would have thought we could have gotten the information. We don't have such well-informed sources."
Li Chenjiao chuckled: "With you guys around, I've really become a useless person."
This whole thing does sound a bit strange.
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