When the Emperor arrived in Yangzhou, the weather was excellent, with bright spring sunshine. Li Chenjiao felt particularly comfortable as she disembarked from the boat.
Li Chenjiao had already prepared the little trinkets for the Second Princess to send back to the mansion, and Su Peisheng quickly came to take them away after they disembarked.
He also told Li Chenjiao that the Emperor would stay in Yangzhou for several days, and that his master also said that if Li Chenjiao felt bored, she could take the guards out for a stroll.
Because she stayed in Yangzhou for a longer period of time, Li Chenjiao chose a courtyard again when she returned to the residence where the Fourth Master was staying. In the end, she chose a courtyard next to a pond, with a ditch connecting the pond outside the courtyard, which was a true winding stream.
The mansion in Yangzhou already had the charm of small bridges and flowing water in the south. You could hear the babbling water outside from inside the courtyard, which was not bothersome to Li Chenjiao.
The house is cleverly designed, with winding paths and interconnected flowers and trees at every turn, and unique scenery visible through the flower-patterned windows.
Especially at sunset, the shadows of flowers and trees can be seen through the latticed windows, swaying gently in the wind, creating a truly breathtaking scene.
Li Chenjiao found it interesting, so she used her fan to compare the patterns projected onto the stained-glass window, which was quite a unique experience.
The weather was getting warmer in mid-May. After Li Chenjiao got tired of playing, she suddenly had another idea.
The courtyard connects to the pond outside. The maids picked lotus flowers and leaves and placed them in the winding stream. Under the setting sun, the water surface seemed to shimmer with golden light.
Li Chenjiao had someone bring over a small round stool, and sent Xiao Luzi outside to guard the gate. She then took off her embroidered shoes and started playing in the water.
The girls were startled.
Even the usually cautious Qiu Hu almost couldn't suppress his exclamation, fearing that his master might accidentally fall.
She couldn't help feeling helpless. Her master already had a second princess, so why was he still so playful?
However, Qiu Hu couldn't help but stare for a couple of seconds. After all, her master was already a beauty, and now, with her eyes crinkling as she played in the water, she looked even more beautiful.
However, the Fourth Prince was not fortunate enough to see it that night. It was said that something happened outside, and he did not return to the mansion that night.
Knowing that the Fourth Master was not returning, Li Chenjiao became even more unrestrained in her play. That night, she and the maids played until the second watch of the night before finally going to sleep.
Compared to Li Chenjiao's comfort, Fourth Master also didn't fall asleep until the second watch of the night, but he fell asleep exhausted.
On the first day the Emperor arrived in Yangzhou, he took the princes and ministers to inspect the river floods. Later, he discovered several corrupt officials and, in a fit of rage, ordered the Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince to conduct a thorough investigation.
The first day was so busy that he was practically running around, and the next day His Majesty decided to go to Pingshan Hall and Daming Temple. In any case, Fourth Prince was also unable to return to his residence to rest.
He was with the Crown Prince the whole time.
The Fourth Prince was very polite. He was so busy investigating corrupt officials yesterday that he didn't have time to say anything to the Crown Prince. But now that he was accompanying his father, the Emperor, on a sightseeing trip, he finally found a moment to talk.
"Is the Crown Prince feeling any better?" Fourth Master asked in a flat tone, his usual attitude.
The Crown Prince, who was a little ahead, smiled gently upon hearing the voice: "I'm much better now. How about you, Fourth Prince?"
The Fourth Prince nodded slightly: "He's fully recovered."
The Crown Prince smiled meaningfully: "Last time, I was very grateful to you, Fourth Brother. Otherwise, I might not be able to stand in front of you unharmed like this. When we return to the capital, I will visit your residence."
Originally, it should have been the Crown Prince who invited the Fourth Prince to Yuqing Palace. However, it was inconvenient for most princes to visit Yuqing Palace. A casual visit was fine, but if they stayed for a meal, it would inevitably reach the ears of the Emperor.
However, if the Fourth Prince were to find a pretext to invite the Crown Prince, it wouldn't be as conspicuous.
The Fourth Prince glanced at the Crown Prince, then silently bowed and accepted the greeting without saying anything more.
The Crown Prince could easily see the distance in the Fourth Prince's attitude; the Fourth Prince had never acted this way before.
Clearly, the incident of falling off the horse last time had aroused the fourth prince's suspicion, and the crown prince turned around and continued walking forward.
Not far ahead of him was the back of his father, the Emperor, towering like a mountain, unyielding and unyielding.
The Crown Prince twitched the corners of his mouth, his heart unusually calm.
The current estrangement from the fourth brother was within his expectations; once things settle down, it won't matter anymore.
The Crown Prince rarely had the opportunity to leave the palace, or rather, to leave the capital.
Last time I rushed down to Jiangnan, I was met with a severe scolding from my father, and I didn't have a chance to see the scenery of Jiangnan.
Not to mention my past life.
With this opportunity right in front of him, the Crown Prince was unwilling to bother with anything unnecessary. He stretched out his arms and focused on sightseeing.
The Fourth Master, who was left behind, pondered in silence.
For three consecutive days at the end of May, the Fourth Master rushed back to the mansion late at night and didn't have time to visit anyone. However, he asked Su Peisheng to inquire about Li Shi's situation. Knowing that Li Shi was doing well these past few days, he was relieved.
Although Li Chenjiao didn't see the Fourth Master, she received gifts from him.
There were three or four sets of Han Chinese clothing.
After all, this is in Jiangnan. Although there is nothing wrong with wearing a qipao, it is indeed more appropriate to wear Han Chinese clothing if you are going out for leisure.
The reason why the Fourth Prince was able to think of these things was because His Majesty changed into Han Chinese clothes before arriving at Daming Temple.
Since entering the capital after the grand election, Li Chenjiao had not worn Han women's clothing. Seeing it now, she felt a sense of both familiarity and strangeness.
As for Li Chenjiao, she always wears a veil when she goes out for a stroll, so she is not afraid of being bumped into or offended.
Li Chenjiao hadn't worn Han women's clothing for a long time. After Qiu Hu helped her change, her eyes lit up instinctively: "The size of this clothing is right, but—"
But why does Master look a bit chubby?
There was nothing noticeable on her face; in fact, because Li Chenjiao was seasick during her time on the ship, her face looked even smaller, but she seemed to have gained some weight elsewhere.
However, it wasn't very obvious; overall, Li Chenjiao did look a bit thinner.
Li Chenjiao noticed it herself. She touched her abdomen and suddenly froze.
She ate a lot of snacks in Yangzhou these past two days, and her stomach was always round and full. She had to walk around the courtyard three or four times to digest her food.
This wasn't the first time Li Chenjiao had touched her belly in the past two days, but today—
She calculated the days and realized that her period should be due in the next few days.
This is really—it couldn't have come at the most inopportune time.
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