Li Chenjiao was somewhat surprised, but not entirely, by what Fourth Master said.
Fourth Master is not a cold-hearted person; he would never completely abandon Li Chenjiao just because a new lady has entered the manor.
The last time the Fourth Prince returned to the mansion, after the banquet at the Qing Courtyard, he still chose to go to Li Chenjiao's courtyard. Li Chenjiao could be said to have figured this out perfectly.
In addition, this pregnancy was indeed difficult for her. Ever since the Fourth Master came last time, and for the past half month without fail, he would send Su Peisheng, who was by her side, to inquire about her condition every other day. Li Chenjiao understood this.
The Fourth Prince still dotes on her, and quite a lot at that.
When this realization came to Li Chenjiao's mind, she subconsciously felt a little dizzy. After all, Li Chenjiao still remembered the cold and serious look on the Fourth Prince's face when she first entered the manor.
The phrase "Fourth Prince's Favor" sounds rather unfamiliar to many.
Although Li Chenjiao had always been favored, this was the first time she had truly felt that she was favored.
Furthermore, Li Chenjiao was unwilling to fix her daily obsession on the words "Fourth Prince's favor." Whether the Fourth Prince came or not, people still had to live their lives one day at a time.
Just like now, after showing a hint of surprise, Li Chenjiao quickly stood up and bowed to the Fujin before slowly following the Fourth Prince out of the Taiqing Courtyard.
This time, the Princess Consort didn't let Wang Jinzhong, who was by her side, accompany her. If she always had someone by her side, then her intentions would seem obvious.
The princess consort rarely allowed herself to engage in unprofitable transactions.
Today, Su Peisheng and Xiao Luzi are leading the way with lanterns, while Fulu and the servants from the front yard are following behind.
Fourth Master and Li Chenjiao left the Qing Courtyard together. As soon as they stepped out of the courtyard, Li Chenjiao felt the cold wind outside go straight into her neck.
Qiu Hu had put on a cloak early on, and when she heard her mistress's soft hissing, she knew that she was cold. She quickly tucked the cloak from her arms into Li Chenjiao's arms, and Li Chenjiao touched her hand, which was still warm.
Fourth Master probably heard Li Chenjiao's voice. He turned around but didn't say anything. However, when he turned back, he gave instructions to Su Peisheng.
"Find a fast-moving servant to go back to the east courtyard and start the charcoal fire. Do you have enough charcoal in your courtyard?"
The second half of the sentence was addressed to Li Chenjiao, but Li Chenjiao was stunned for two seconds before she reacted, after all, Fourth Master had already turned around.
Li Chenjiao only realized what was happening when Fourth Master gave a warning "hmm" and his gaze fell on Su Peisheng in front of her, making Su Peisheng feel like he was being pricked by thorns.
There was never a shortage of charcoal in the east courtyard, whether it was from her or the Second Princess's place.
In addition, Li Chenjiao has been sleeping with the Second Princess these days, which saves on charcoal fires.
It's only the end of October, so Li Chenjiao didn't use much charcoal. After all, Li Chenjiao is pregnant and naturally has a hot body, so she lit the charcoal brazier out of concern that the young girl might catch a cold.
Only then did Li Chenjiao remember Aman, who was being led around by two nannies. In just a short while, when Li Chenjiao turned around, she saw that the little girl was already being held in Chen's arms.
Judging from his appearance, he was either tired or asleep.
Indeed, it's quite late now.
Li Chenjiao answered the Fourth Prince's question first: "Don't worry, Your Highness, my courtyard has everything I need."
Only after the Fourth Master turned around with some doubt did Li Chenjiao raise her hand to touch her abdomen.
She didn't eat much at the Qingyuan Courtyard before, partly because it didn't suit her taste, and partly because if Li Chenjiao couldn't eat, it would ruin the day. So she only drank a small half bowl of soup.
While inside the Qingyuan courtyard, she didn't feel anything amiss, but now that she was outside, Li Chenjiao felt rather hungry.
She moved her lips and whispered to Qiu Hu beside her.
Qiu Hu responded with a "yes" and nodded to his master.
Li Chenjiao smiled with satisfaction.
After returning to the East Courtyard, Li Chenjiao took off her cloak and went into the Second Princess's room. The little girl was indeed fast asleep. Li Chenjiao signaled to the two nannies that there was no need to rush to wake the little girl.
“Aman ate quite a lot for dinner. You should prepare all the necessary toiletries first, and then give Aman a quick wash when she wakes up.”
Li Chenjiao herself didn't like being woken up when she was sleeping soundly, so naturally she didn't want the little girl to be woken up when she was sound asleep either.
The two old women were always very respectful to Li Chenjiao and never refused her orders. This time, they also responded with utmost deference.
When Li Chenjiao returned to the west wing, Fourth Master had already gone to the bathroom to take a bath, and was nowhere to be seen.
Today is Fourth Master's birthday, and everyone toasted him two or three times. When he returned, Li Chenjiao could smell the alcohol on Fourth Master from a distance.
I reckon even the Fourth Prince himself wouldn't be used to the smell.
As instructed by the Fourth Master, charcoal had been lit in the inner room, making it warm and cozy.
Li Chenjiao was a little afraid of the heat, so she nestled in the soft couch and asked Green Plum, who was serving outside, to move the charcoal brazier out a bit.
Green Bamboo came out of the small kitchen, still smelling of oil, so she didn't go back in. Green Plum moved the charcoal brazier and brought in the bowl of milk cheese as well.
The milk didn't have a fishy smell because Li Chenjiao hadn't been liking anything too sweet lately. She didn't add anything extra to the milk, just some dried plums as a garnish, and it tasted good.
It was still warm, and Li Chenjiao's hands warmed as she held the small bowl: "Did you prepare it for Fourth Master?"
Green Plum nodded and said that it was already prepared. She added, "The master sent word earlier that he wanted to eat dumplings. Green Bamboo has already wrapped some, and there are also some ready-made in the kitchen. Dongsheng has already brought them back, and they are already in the pot."
Yes, Li Chenjiao had been thinking about eating dumplings on the way.
"As per Master's instructions, all kinds of fillings are available, but the kitchen is out of fresh chives today. However, all the other fillings that Master usually likes are available."
With Fourth Master around, Li Chenjiao hadn't originally planned to eat chive dumplings.
Hearing Green Plum's words, he took another sip of milk cheese: "Tell Green Bamboo in the small kitchen to cook more, so you can eat some in the side room. It'll be cold at night, so you can warm your stomachs. Also, have your brother Little Lu send some to Steward Su."
Li Chenjiao's voice was gentle, and Green Plum felt a lump in her throat as she listened: "Oh, thank you for your concern, Your Highness. We servants are not cold. Green Bamboo just asked if Your Highness wanted anything else to eat."
Since their mistress had a good appetite, the maids naturally tried their best to get her to eat more, not only for the sake of the baby in her belly but also for her health.
Li Chenjiao waved her hand, smiled and said it wasn't necessary, then lowered her head to drink the milk cheese. Before Fourth Master came out of the clean room, the bowl of milk cheese in front of Li Chenjiao was almost finished.
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