With that face, how could anyone not be favored?
Indeed, even the most upright and virtuous man cannot escape the vulgarity of food and sex.
Thinking this way, Liu felt a little more at ease. The concubine was indeed beautiful, but she herself was not without beauty.
As long as the Fourth Prince is attracted to beautiful women, she will never have to worry about not having a chance to rise in the world.
Seeing that the concubine above her was not a warm-hearted person, Liu hesitated for a moment, but still slowly stood up.
The light pink cheongsam stretched out over the embroidered shoes, revealing a full, rounded smile.
"I heard people in the manor praising her while I was there, but I can only know how beautiful the concubine is when I see her. Just now, when the concubine came out, this room seemed to become brighter and more spacious."
She tilted her head back obediently as she spoke, her round, large almond-shaped eyes sparkling brightly, making her look like a little girl.
Li Chenjiao gently fanned herself with a crepe-like fan. After becoming pregnant, she not only slept more but also became extremely sensitive to heat. Although there was an ice basin in the room, she still felt stuffy.
Two maids, Green Bamboo and Green Chrysanthemum, came in from outside, followed by another maid from the house.
Three maids carried a tray with fresh fruit, neatly cut and arranged, on a porcelain bowl. Liu, with her sharp eyes, spotted a splash of crimson.
It seemed that each jade bowl was filled with translucent, deep purple grapes, a rare treat at this time of year.
Several silver sticks were stuck in the jade bowl.
Liu watched closely, and it seemed that there was less fruit served at the end.
She peeked at the maid, and after she put down the tray, the concubine's eyes flickered, seemingly both angry and amused. She even raised her jade wrist and pretended to pat the maid with her fan.
Although he couldn't hear what the concubine was saying, her every move was pleasing to the eye.
Liu looked away, but her gaze met Bai Jia's directly opposite her.
With a smile in her eyes, Bai Jia met Liu's gaze, then lowered her head to take a silver skewer, picked up a slice of pear, and offered it to Liu.
She wasn't stupid; since the concubine hadn't mentioned the pregnancy, she naturally kept quiet about it as well.
But after she finished eating that piece of fragrant pear, she quickly turned her head to look at Consort Li at the head of the table.
"It tastes like it's been chilled. It's refreshing and delicious in the summer, but you can't eat too much of it."
This is especially true for someone like Li Chenjiao who is pregnant.
Li Chenjiao picked out a small piece of peach, which Bai Jia was chewing as she spoke, her mouth full of sweet juice, cool and refreshing.
She swallowed before slowly saying, "You're right."
I mentioned it when Green Chrysanthemum brought it up earlier: Is she such a greedy person?
However—she was now craving rock sugar custard, with goat milk poured over crushed ice and garnished with almonds, raisins, and the like.
A bite like that on a hot summer day is just the best thing ever.
Back when she was in the manor, Li Chenjiao never lacked ice in the east courtyard, but she still couldn't eat too many of these snacks.
Now that she had finally managed to leave the manor, she was unfortunately pregnant again. With several maids watching her closely, it was even more difficult for Li Chenjiao to eat anything cold.
She pursed her lips quietly, wondering when she could find an opportunity to have this treat.
Liu, sitting below, felt as if Bai Jia's words contained some hidden meaning that she was unaware of.
Her gaze lingered suspiciously on Bai Jia and Consort Li, before she tentatively spoke up.
"Yes. We certainly shouldn't eat too much ice, as it can harm our health."
Bai Jia lowered her head and ate fruit, ignoring his words.
It's not that she can't get grapes, it's just that she can't get them so soon.
Moreover, she always ate leftovers from various places, so the quality and presentation were naturally inferior to those of the concubine's food.
She was too lazy to talk to Liu across from her, so she might as well have some fun talking to her.
It would be good if someone like Liu came along; she couldn't be happier if Liu were eager to show off.
Li Chenjiao, sitting at the head of the table, was lost in thought, wondering what other snacks she could try besides rock sugar custard.
After Liu finished speaking, the whole room fell silent.
Qiu Hu's lips twitched once, but he didn't say anything.
When masters are speaking, servants have no right to interrupt.
Bai Jia ate a third of the food, and seeing that Liu across from her was no longer putting on her usual social graces, she clapped her hands and stood up.
"It's getting late, time for lunch. I ordered a dish of fish in vinegar sauce when I came out, and I'm really craving it now. Sister Liu, you've just arrived, you must still have a lot to pack. Let's go back together."
Bai Jia was perceptive; seeing that Li Chenjiao's expression wasn't too good, she prepared to get up and take her leave.
She was leaving, but she wasn't the only one leaving.
Liu forced a smile and reluctantly stood up.
She did want to stay, but since the concubine above hadn't spoken up, she couldn't bring herself to ask.
As a newcomer, she really couldn't afford to offend the concubine too much.
She hadn't yet figured out the concubine's temperament, so it wasn't good to draw too much attention; she should just play it by ear.
After Liu stood up and Bai Jia bowed respectfully, they left together.
As soon as Liu came out, she let go of Bai Jia's hand, her beautiful eyes sparkling: "Sister Bai Jia, be careful not to overeat and lose your figure."
Bai Jia was unmoved at the moment; no matter how harsh or sarcastic someone said to her, it was like the wind passing by her ear.
She smiled good-naturedly and said, "Your sister is beautiful, so there's no need to worry. I'm nothing special, so I can only indulge in idle talk."
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