Upon learning that the Emperor was setting off on his return journey, the Fourth Prince's residence had already begun preparations to welcome him back.
Besides preparing a welcoming feast, the Princess Consort was also preparing for another matter.
She had already met Xianxin during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Putting aside everything else, her appearance was definitely comparable to that of the girl in the East Courtyard of the mansion.
Although she was also a girl from the Ulanara clan, Xianxin was as timid as a dodder vine, and every move she made was pitiful and endearing.
Such a timid person trembled like a leaf when he saw his cousin, the Fujin (wife of the emperor), which was the only thing the Fujin was not entirely satisfied with.
However, the Fujin's mother said that no man dislikes such a woman, and after some hesitation, the Fujin finally nodded in agreement.
She nodded in agreement, but the ladies in the palace were not so easily persuaded.
The Empress's response was very simple.
"This year, new concubines entered the Fourth Prince's household during the general election. I know you are the most understanding person, but it's not suitable right now. I don't need to elaborate on the Fourth Prince's temperament. I also know about your health issues, Fourth Prince's wife. But the Fourth Prince is not the kind of person who would favor a concubine over his wife. You understand this better than I do over the past few years. Have you asked the Fourth Prince for his opinion on this matter?"
That last sentence alone was enough to shut the Fujin down completely.
However, the princess was the kind of person who, once she set her mind on something, would definitely make it happen.
Now that she's decided to send Xianxin into the Fourth Prince's harem, she's determined to make it happen.
After that, the princess would go to the palace every few days to pay her respects to the empress. Finally, on the Double Ninth Festival on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, she managed to persuade the empress to give in.
He promised to discuss bringing Xianxin into the household next spring.
There are only about six months left. The Princess Consort is not an impatient person. As long as Her Majesty relents, everything will be easy to handle.
It's the Double Ninth Festival, and although the Fourth Master hasn't returned to the mansion yet, it's already bustling with activity again.
After all, September is the birthday month for the eldest princess and the eldest prince.
The eldest princess will turn three years old before the Double Ninth Festival, and the second prince will turn two years old.
The children in the manor are getting older year by year.
When the princess returned to her residence after leaving the palace, she felt quite weak. The weather in early September was still hot and humid, and an ice chest was still placed in the main courtyard.
The princess sat in front of the dressing table and let Yu Ru remove her hairpins and jewelry, then closed her eyes.
"What's the latest we'll arrive at Fourth Master's place?"
"His Majesty is rushing to celebrate the Empress Dowager's sixtieth birthday, so I expect that the imperial procession will be able to return to the capital by early October at the latest."
The princess consort raised her hand and pressed her temples: "Then it will be soon. I wonder if Lady Liu is of any use—"
Yu Ru dared not respond to this, and could only silently quicken her movements to remove the hairpins and ornaments from the Fujin's hair.
The princess smiled, the corners of her lips curving upwards as if she were thinking of something.
After a long pause, the Fujin's eyelids trembled slightly, and she instructed, "When the Fourth Prince returns, let Xianxin come to visit me more often. If the Fourth Prince happens to see her, it will be an opportunity for her. I hope she is capable of accomplishing something."
Upon hearing this, Yu Ru hesitated for a long time, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped.
In fact, since the Princess Consort already has a legitimate son by her side, there is no need for her to rush into these matters and risk creating discord with the Fourth Prince.
But seeing that the eldest prince in the backyard was getting older, and the third prince, who was younger than the second prince, was also very lively and active, it was no wonder that the princess had been unable to eat or sleep these days.
Yu Ru lowered her eyes. Besides, who knows when the Fourth Prince, Fifth Prince, and Sixth Prince will appear. It's not really wrong for the Princess Consort to make such early plans in advance.
"Since the Fourth Prince isn't here, the excitement will pass. After lunch, take the Empress's rewards and distribute them to various places. Remember to give Wu Gege a few pointers."
The princess emphasized the word "remind".
Yu Ru had already removed the hairpins and ornaments from the Fujin's hair, and now she respectfully said yes.
The princess waved her hand, signaling that she could leave. Yu Ru lowered her head and left without making a sound. However, as she walked around the screen, her heart suddenly skipped a beat, and Yu Ru instinctively turned around.
The princess sat in front of her dressing table, and at this moment she raised her hand to touch the mirror, whether she wanted to touch her reflection or to peek at something, it was unclear.
Yu Ru hurriedly averted her gaze. She bit her lip, a thousand thoughts flashing through her mind. But after leaving the inner room, her expression returned to normal. Seeing the servants playing in the courtyard, she immediately scolded them coldly: "What are you all standing there for? Have you finished everything perfectly today?"
In the main courtyard, not a single person can fall.
——
The return journey on the boat was much more lively, even though it was also the Double Ninth Festival.
The large ship carrying the emperor was at the very front. The bright candlelight made the river surface appear crystal clear. Li Chenjiao took advantage of the night to open a window and look out for a while, but soon she was bitten by mosquitoes. In the end, she had her maid quickly close the window and hang up the mosquito-repelling sachet given to her by Granny Zhong.
Granny Zhong was very thoughtful; in addition to the sachet, she also wrote down all the medicinal ingredients used inside, so that Li Chenjiao wouldn't have to search for them again after she finished using them.
Furthermore, having the recipe out in the future will give you something to talk about if anything happens.
Li Chenjiao had several mosquito bites on the back of her hand and forearm. When Fourth Master arrived, Li Chenjiao looked at the small bumps on Fourth Master's chin caused by mosquito bites, and her lips twitched again and again, but she still couldn't suppress her laughter.
Fourth Master could certainly see it, but he chose to pretend he didn't.
Li Chenjiao and Fourth Master are both mosquito magnets. It was alright when they were in the manor, but now that they're outside, on the river, it's really going to be tough.
Finally, Li Chenjiao and Qiu Hu rushed to get two sachets for Fourth Master to take, containing mosquito-repelling herbal packets prepared by Granny Zhong.
As the faint fragrance from the herbal sachet gradually dissipated, the outline of the capital city could be seen.
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