The Fujin (principal wife) had clearly made careful preparations today. After all, for the past half month, she had been neglecting her management of the inner quarters because of her father's funeral, and the servants below were bound to have some unpleasant comments.
However, the Fujin was very clever. She did not carry out any drastic reforms, nor did she offer any leniency or rewards. Instead, she took advantage of the fact that everyone was celebrating the Fourth Prince's birthday to solidify her reputation as a virtuous woman.
This is where the Fujin's brilliance lies. The Fujin and Gege in the inner courtyard no longer dared to say anything, and there was no disrespect in their words. Who gave the servants below the courage to act arrogantly and unruly?
When the Fourth Prince arrived, everyone praised the Princess Consort.
After the Fourth Prince sat down, the Princess Consort did not bring up the gift she had just given him, but instead mentioned it indirectly.
"Once you, Madam Li, have a safe delivery, I will prepare a gift for you regardless of whether it is a prince or a princess. I also hope that the child in your belly will be born safely, and it would be even better if it is a healthy prince. Please don't let him be like my second prince."
Listen to that, what virtuous words!
She not only highlighted her own virtue, but also used the Second Prince's body to gain the Fourth Prince's attention.
Sure enough, as soon as the Princess Consort finished speaking, the Fourth Prince frowned and asked, "Is the Second Prince unwell again? Have we consulted the imperial physician?"
Li Chenjiao moved her lips, but did not rush to get up and speak.
The importance that the Fourth Prince placed on his legitimate son was never something anyone else needed to say. Li Chenjiao knew this in her heart; who wouldn't love and cherish a child who was born of the rightful heir?
Just like the current emperor, who has nearly twenty princes under his knees, there are bound to be some who are closer to him than others. The one he is closest to is naturally the crown prince in Yuqing Palace.
Just like no one wants to be a concubine, being a concubine is not as legitimate as being a wife.
Just because God made you a concubine doesn't mean you have to live.
The sons of concubines and legitimate sons are simply born from different wombs. Li Chenjiao will not teach the child in her womb to compete for power and profit with anyone after birth. She will only teach the child in her womb to protect himself and those close to him.
However, some things are quite ironic. Li Chenjiao knew she had misunderstood, so she pursed her lips slightly, not wanting to think about it any further and hurt herself.
While Li Chenjiao was lost in thought, the Fujin had already spoken gently about how the Second Prince's health had been lately.
The Fourth Prince had visited the Second Prince a few days ago, and after hearing what the Princess Consort said, his tightly furrowed brows slowly relaxed.
"The princes' health is of utmost importance, thank you for your concern, Madam." The Fourth Prince did not inquire about Li Chenjiao's health.
Aside from the imperial physicians, he was one of the few people who knew very well about Li Chenjiao's health.
Li Chenjiao's three meals a day were also reported by the kitchen staff, and the Fourth Prince also knew that Li Chenjiao had not been feeling well these days.
Originally, Fourth Master said he had found two cooks for Li Chenjiao so she could choose the one she liked, but some things went wrong, and in the end, Fourth Master punished the cooks and started looking again.
Now things are starting to look promising again.
The Fourth Master was indeed interested in Li Chenjiao, not entirely because she was pregnant, but more so because he was concerned about her health.
However, this expression took on a completely different meaning in the eyes of the Fujin.
Could it be that Li's pregnancy is really not going to work? That's why the Fourth Prince didn't react at all after hearing the first part of her words.
This would be a great joy for the Fujin (wife of the emperor).
The smile on the princess's face became more genuine, and coupled with what the imperial physician had told her last time, she felt more at ease.
Whether Li will give birth to a prince or a princess is one thing, but whether she can give birth safely is another, and it's also hard to say whether the child will be healthy.
Then the Fujin (principal wife) got up and led everyone in saying auspicious words of blessing to the Fourth Prince on his birthday. Each person got up and said a few different auspicious words.
Later, the eldest princess and the eldest prince also spoke about it. The second princess still spoke somewhat haltingly, and in the end, she only said "Chang Le Chang Le" twice in a childish voice.
After the little girl sat down, Li Chenjiao touched the little girl's face.
If they weren't in the Qing Courtyard right now, Li Chenjiao would probably have just hugged the little girl and kissed her twice.
These words were taught to the little girl by Granny Chen and Granny Zhong, one on each side, over the past two days.
Hearing the little girl say it now, Li Chenjiao felt happy.
Your own child, whatever they do, makes you happy.
The little girl was also happy, clinging to Li Chenjiao's arm with her little hands and burying her face in it to keep from laughing out loud.
When the little girl looked up again, her face was flushed.
As for the birthday gifts that everyone gave to the Fourth Master, they were all sent to the front yard early in the morning, so there was no need to give them to him in person.
Fourth Master didn't like going through all that trouble.
When the Fourth Prince went to the palace to express his gratitude to his father, the Emperor, he still had a blank expression.
It was clearly my birthday, but since my father had bestowed gifts upon me, I couldn't help but express my gratitude.
Today, the Fourth Master's birthday celebration at the Qing Courtyard was handled very well. After dinner, everyone moved outside the courtyard to watch a play.
The girl above was babbling away, and Li Chenjiao and her second daughter below were also babbling away, but it was Li Chenjiao, the mother, who was mischievously imitating the little girl's babbling.
Overall, everyone was fairly satisfied today, though not entirely satisfied either. But since it was Fourth Master's birthday, they had to suppress their dissatisfaction.
Even those like Liu, who hadn't been able to say much today, still had to force a smile on their faces.
The fact that Lady Niohuru is not here today is a good thing for her.
I wonder whose courtyard Fourth Master will be staying in today.
Lost in thought, Liu didn't realize what was happening until another act of opera ended.
After the Fourth Prince, his wife, and Consort Li had all given him silver, the Fourth Prince stood up, and her maid nudged her with her elbow.
She barely came to her senses when the Fourth Prince and his wife were already saying that it was getting late.
Liu's heart skipped a beat. She tilted her neck slightly, revealing her beautiful profile, and straightened her back, secretly hoping for something.
But fate was not on his side; the Fourth Master did not say he would go to her place, nor did he even glance at her.
Fourth Master glanced at the sky outside and said, "It's getting dark early today. Li Shi, I'm going to your place today."
There was no other reason; the Fourth Prince simply said he was going to see Consort Li.
This is—the Fourth Prince's favor.
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