Things were peaceful in the capital, and they were peaceful in the Fourth Prince's backyard as well.
Fourth Master's illness lasted until the fifth day of the first lunar month. Li Chenjiao saw Fourth Master a few times during this period, but she did not stay in the front yard for long and did not stay overnight.
The Fourth Prince's health had improved considerably during the New Year holidays, but the Empress in the palace was still worried, and His Majesty would send him tonics from time to time, so the Fourth Prince's illness had to be treated for quite some time.
Therefore, the mansion did not hold a grand celebration for the New Year. However, everyone in the front courtyard received a lot of rewards from the Fourth Master, including the children and the women in the back courtyard.
On New Year's Eve, Li Chenjiao watched as the maids busied themselves for most of the day.
During the New Year holidays, the maids always had happy faces, and the whole courtyard was decorated in festive red. While watching the maids busy themselves, Li Chenjiao would leisurely touch the tassels of the lanterns that had been hung under the eaves at some point.
However, since the Fourth Master was ill, Li Chenjiao only had a hot pot meal behind closed doors, and the maids also got to enjoy it, all of them eating until their mouths were greasy.
Especially that girl, Green Bamboo, not only was her mouth greasy, but she also secretly drank a sip of the plum wine that Qiu Hu had brewed in spring. Now her face was flushed and she looked like she was drunk.
Everyone in the yard was overjoyed when they saw it.
Li Chenjiao also burst into laughter.
When it was time to rest at night, Li Chenjiao was teasing the energetic Second Princess, who was still very lively.
Li Chenjiao was teasing the little girl with the box, while Qiu Ci couldn't help but sigh, "The master really loves the second princess. She's so young and already worrying about her."
Li Chenjiao smiled faintly and handed the box to Qiu Hu, who was standing to the side: "This is all I can give Aman. In the future, we will have to see what the Second Princess likes. It is always good to prepare more money for now."
Li Chenjiao sat cross-legged, her slender white fingers tracing the sieve beside the bed: "Quick, quick, take Aman down from the bed." Otherwise, this girl might stuff the dice into her mouth.
Qiu Hu responded with an "Ah!" and quickly went out to call Chen Shi in.
On the thirtieth day of the twelfth lunar month, Li Chenjiao planned to spend the whole night having fun with the maids.
The dice rolled loudly, and Li Chenjiao, unusually, didn't fall asleep until the wee hours of the morning. The next day, she was woken up by the noise outside before dawn.
Qiu Ci was the first to rush in, but upon seeing her master's expression, she immediately slowed her pace: "Master, you're awake? The master has sent many things over."
Although the mansion was somewhat deserted during the holidays, it was still quite nice in all places.
On the fifth day of the month, the Fourth Master had just recovered from a serious illness. However, Li Chenjiao was a little slow to get the news, and by the time she found out, the Fourth Master had already arrived at the East Courtyard.
The weather was even colder in the first month of the lunar calendar. Li Chenjiao was in the house with her maid, wondering what to have for lunch, when she suddenly heard Green Bamboo's voice.
"Greetings to Fourth Master."
Li Chenjiao was dressed neither too thin nor too thick, but she almost thought she had misheard, after all, why would Fourth Master be here at this time?
She stood up a beat late, but the Fourth Master had already lifted the curtain and come in at that moment.
Seeing Li Chenjiao stand up as if to bow, Fourth Master waved his hand and said, "You sit down."
Li Chenjiao smiled as soon as she saw the Fourth Prince's expression. She obediently said, "I'm relieved to see that Your Highness looks well."
The Fourth Prince removed his cloak and sat down, casually asking, "What are you doing?"
As he spoke, he glanced at the small table, which was covered with a number of items, but it was not cluttered.
The celadon Ru kiln teacup was placed on the inner side, next to an embroidery basket containing an embroidery hoop. The embroidery pattern of koi fish in spring water was only half-finished, but the embroidery skills seemed to have improved.
There was also an open book next to it. If Fourth Master remembered correctly, it was the book that Li Shi took when she went to visit him in the front yard last time.
There was also a small tin of tea, half-open, with a faint aroma of tea wafting out.
The Fourth Master unconsciously relaxed his brows and eyes.
Li Chenjiao smiled and said, "I was just thinking about what to have for lunch when look, Master is here."
Fourth Master wasn't too surprised by this answer. He was surprised when Li first entered the manor, and even thought she was just talking nonsense. But now he understood that what Li said was mostly the truth.
Qiu Hu then came forward to serve tea.
The Fourth Prince then asked, "How is the Second Princess?"
It was rare to see Fourth Master take the initiative to ask about it repeatedly, so Li Chenjiao paused for half a second: "Aman hasn't seen you these days. Everything else is fine, but I'm afraid I'll forget about you."
Fourth Master glanced at her, and Li Chenjiao blinked innocently, smiling sweetly.
Fourth Master stood up: "I'll go take a look."
The Second Princess was still awake at this moment. She didn't react much when she saw the Fourth Prince; she neither cried nor got angry.
In the blink of an eye, the Second Princess saw Li Chenjiao and her eyes immediately crinkled with laughter, looking incredibly adorable.
Fourth Master paused, then turned to look at Li Chenjiao.
Li Chenjiao's smile became even more innocent.
Children tend to remember those they see more often and spend more time with.
Judging by the days, it's been almost half a month since the Fourth Prince last entered the backyard, let alone saw the Second Princess. It's already a good thing that he didn't cry shyly at this moment.
Fourth Master touched his nose and tentatively raised his hand to pat Second Princess's head.
The Second Princess was truly unafraid of strangers. When the Fourth Prince reached out his hand, she merely blinked, probably sensing that he meant no harm. The little girl neither cried nor got angry.
The Fourth Prince was inexplicably pleased. He didn't laugh, but silently twitched the corner of his lips as he put his hands behind his back.
Li Chenjiao knew Aman's personality, so she gently touched the little girl's face.
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