The dipping sauce for the dumplings was personally prepared by Li Chenjiao, and she also prepared the sauce for Fourth Master.
Li Chenjiao was somewhat aware of the Fourth Prince's likes and dislikes.
The Fourth Master took a rather long bath today. When he came out, Li Chenjiao glanced at him and immediately understood: the Fourth Master had washed his hair today, and the scent of soap was even stronger.
As Fourth Master entered, he gestured to Li Chenjiao that she didn't need to bow, and then asked, "What did you order?"
Fourth Master really understands her too well.
Li Chenjiao smiled and said, "How did you know, Master? I had some for dinner, but I was still a little hungry when I came back, so I asked the kitchen to cook some dumplings. Would you like some too? The hangover tea is on the table outside. Qiu Ci just brought it up. Would you like some?"
Fourth Master's gaze naturally fell on Li Chenjiao's abdomen. He didn't think there was anything wrong with it, and it wasn't a big deal.
Fourth Master glanced at how much Li Chenjiao ate at dinner, and said only, "Don't be greedy."
The Fourth Prince consulted the imperial physician, who said that women should indeed nourish their bodies when they are pregnant, but they should not overdo it, otherwise it will make childbirth more difficult.
Similarly, one should not eat too much each day. Now that Li Chenjiao is further along in her pregnancy, she needs to be even more careful.
Li Chenjiao smiled broadly upon hearing this, not at all intimidated by the Fourth Master's indifferent expression: "Thank you for your concern, Master."
Fourth Master took a handkerchief to dry his hair and went straight into the inner room.
Before stepping into the inner room, he raised his hand to indicate that Li Chenjiao didn't need to follow him in to help him wring his hair.
In the past, Li Chenjiao would help Fourth Master wring out his hair after he washed it.
Bathing in winter is such a hassle, and it's even more difficult for Li Chenjiao now that she's heavily pregnant. To make matters worse, she's a clean person and can't be left alone in the bathing room without someone serving her.
Li Chenjiao obediently didn't go into the inner room, actually because Lümei and Qiuci brought in the cooked dumplings.
The dumplings in the small kitchen were freshly made by the maids, and they looked quite cute, while the ones sent from the main kitchen were much more neat and square.
While Fourth Master was away, Li Chenjiao tried two dumplings: one with cabbage and pork filling, and the other with corn and pork filling. She added her own dipping sauce and squinted her eyes in satisfaction.
My stomach, which hadn't been satisfied for several days, was finally satisfied.
"The kitchen said there's a lot of mutton and beef filling inside. Would you like to try some, Master? The kitchen sent them separately, and the green bamboo was also cooked separately."
Dumplings with different fillings are kept separate. Putting them together has its advantages, but if you don't like them, it will spoil your appetite.
Separating the fillings like this means you can choose whichever filling you want, and it's also quite inexpensive.
"Hey, Green Bamboo has also wrapped shrimp meat in egg white, fried it, and put it in dumplings. Master, would you like to try some? There are also fish dumplings, and all the bones have been removed."
Li Chenjiao tried two and then stopped: "Wait until Master comes out before using them."
She said that, but secretly took another bite of the Fourth Master's bowl of milk cheese, which was now lukewarm.
The two maids silently suppressed their laughter, and after the Fourth Master came out from the inner room, they tactfully withdrew and stayed behind the screen.
Su Peisheng was on the other side, so that if the masters had any instructions, they would not be delayed in serving them.
Li Chenjiao eagerly awaited Fourth Master's seat, and after he did, she considerately handed him jade chopsticks.
Fourth Master glanced at her, perhaps finding it somewhat puzzling, or perhaps seeing right through her: "Weren't you hungry?"
Li Chenjiao nodded slightly, and picked up her chopsticks as she did so.
At the same time, he told Fourth Master what kind of dumplings were placed in the different celadon square jade bowls with intertwined branches.
"That's filled with cabbage and pork, over there is filled with beef and lamb, and that's filled with shrimp..."
As she spoke, she picked up a shrimp-filled pastry.
The shrimp meat was fried, but it was still tender and smooth. With Li Chenjiao's dipping sauce, the perfect amount of vinegar was just right.
Li Chenjiao ate one in two bites.
Fourth Master glanced at her, but this time he didn't say anything and quickly started eating.
The fish filling didn't taste very good, probably because of the dipping sauce. So Li Chenjiao instructed Qiu Hu to come in and prepare two more bowls of dipping sauce with plenty of scallions, garlic, and ginger.
Aside from the beef filling, which didn't quite suit Li Chenjiao's taste, she ate quite a lot of the other dishes.
However, she was very sensible. Before the Fourth Master could speak, she stopped eating after taking a sip of cheese.
This dynasty was originally established by conquering the grasslands, and people ate more beef and mutton than pork.
However, Li Chenjiao was from the Han Banner Army and ate even less when she was at home.
Not only did Li Chenjiao enjoy the late-night snack, but Fourth Master also ate to his heart's content.
After all, the Fourth Master had drunk quite a bit of wine at dinner, and after drinking the hangover tea, he could sense a bit of malice.
These dumplings are just right.
Li Chenjiao ate and drank her fill, and this time she didn't vomit.
Just then, the little girl in the east wing woke up. Li Chenjiao slipped on her shoes and followed the sound, vaguely hearing the little girl crying.
And so, Fourth Master was left in the west wing.
Su Peisheng found it somewhat commonplace. He waited a few seconds before going in: "Second Princess just woke up and is looking for Master Li. Master Li is very anxious—"
As he spoke, Fourth Master had already stood up: "Aren't you coming along?"
When Fourth Master arrived at the east wing, Li Chenjiao was wiping the little girl's face with a handkerchief.
The little girl didn't flinch or dodge; she tilted her head back, though she had just woken up and was rubbing her eyes.
Li Chenjiao held the little girl's hand, and with her other hand she took the half-dry handkerchief from the nanny and wiped the little girl's face.
She was whispering something to herself, and the little girl kept laughing and throwing herself into Li Chenjiao's arms.
Li Chenjiao held the little girl's head and face, and the two of them laughed together.
The Second Princess was truly unafraid of strangers. After wiping her face, she still smiled when she saw the Fourth Prince at the door, but she couldn't say a word.
Chen Mama was the one who taught the Second Princess from her father, mother, and stepmother. However, probably because she was close to Li Chenjiao, the word "mother" was the first thing she learned.
So much so that now, no matter what happens, the first thing the little girl calls for is her mother.
She's getting more and more comfortable calling out "both mothers" to each other.
When the Fourth Master approached, the little girl was still calling out "Mother, Mother." Li Chenjiao called out "Master" and then lowered her head to touch the little girl's hair.
The second princess and the fourth prince exchanged glances. The little girl moved her lips and smiled sweetly, calling out, "Mother..."
Li Chenjiao couldn't help but laugh.
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