In the backyard, the wives of the princes naturally sat at one table. The eldest prince was not present due to her joy, but the third, fifth, seventh, eighth, and ninth princes were all there. The ninth prince was a new bride, but she was very quick-witted.
Perhaps because the Eighth Prince and the Ninth Prince had a good relationship, the Ninth Prince's wife and the Eighth Prince's wife also had a better relationship. As a result, the Ninth Prince's wife was also indifferent to the Fourth Prince's wife.
The reason why the Eighth Prince's wife disliked the Fourth Prince's wife was because the latter had given birth to a legitimate son. She was constantly being compared to the Fourth Prince's wife, with people saying that she was unlucky while the Fourth Prince's wife was lucky. Naturally, the Eighth Prince's wife did not think much of the Fourth Prince's wife.
The Third Prince's wife was always one to watch the show; she was fiery and just as fierce as the Eighth Prince's wife, Lady Guoluo.
The main table was practically in chaos, with the Fifth and Seventh Prince's wives acting as peacemakers, while Fourth Sister-in-law's face was growing increasingly pale.
Everyone knows that the Fourth Sister-in-law's Second Prince is not in good health. When the Fourth Prince was brought here, the Eighth and Ninth Sisters-in-law praised him repeatedly. It's fortunate that the Fourth Sister-in-law has a good temper, otherwise they would have started arguing long ago.
The table with the concubines was much more peaceful. Everyone there had children. Oh, Cao was an exception, but she only talked to Zhaojia. Guarjia and the others laughed and chatted about their children, having another round of free-flowing conversation.
After what happened today, the Fujin (Prince Consort) was even more wary of Lady Li of the East Courtyard. However, after hearing that the Second Prince had been brought out from the front courtyard, she praised him a few times, and her expression improved somewhat.
However, what the Princess Consort didn't know was that when the Second Prince was carried out of the front courtyard by the wet nurse, the Fourteenth Prince's attitude seemed somewhat indifferent.
I wonder if it's because the Second Prince has grown up and no longer needs to be held in someone's arms.
Only the thirteenth prince, who was beside the fourteenth prince, heard his fourteenth brother utter a few unpleasant words when the second prince was carried out.
The Thirteenth Prince was stunned for a moment, but in the end he couldn't help but suppress his laughter.
Fourteenth Brother's description is truly inappropriate and vulgar.
The banquet was even more lively than the luncheon. Li Chenjiao could hear the sounds of a variety show being performed in the front garden from the east courtyard. Although she had finished her postpartum confinement, the imperial physician and the Fourth Prince had both instructed her to have a double confinement period, so the maid only allowed Li Chenjiao to listen to the sounds outside from the corridor doorway.
The second princess was obviously very curious, and Li Chenjiao didn't restrain her at all, only telling Chen to dress her warmly, since the night wind was still a bit chilly in March.
However, Li Chenjiao wasn't particularly interested in zaju opera. For her, enjoying a proper dinner in her own courtyard was the most satisfying thing.
She was actually quite happy, because in addition to several concubines visiting her today, her aunt, who had stayed at her uncle's house when she first came to the capital, also came to visit her.
My eldest aunt, Qi, was also from the Han Banner Army and came from a scholarly family. She was even more gentle and cautious than my mother. We had less contact when she first entered the mansion as a princess, and we didn't have much contact even after Li Chenjiao became a Fujin.
This is certainly not about seeking advantage and avoiding harm, but simply about avoiding suspicion.
Li Chenjiao was somewhat surprised to see Qi Shi today, and she could guess what her mother had said during her visit. Li Chenjiao actually liked talking to people like Qi Shi, who was gentle and cautious. Even as an elder, Qi Shi didn't put on airs and gave people a very comfortable feeling.
Madam Qi was very thoughtful, preparing not only a full-month celebration gift for the Fourth Prince but also for the Second Princess. She explained that the gifts from the previous two years might not be ready by the Second Princess's first birthday, so she sent them ahead of time. Li Chenjiao, unaware that her family would be visiting, prepared her return gift at the last minute. Her eldest uncle's family was more numerous, but they only had one legitimate daughter, Madam Qi's late-life daughter, who was only two years older than Li Chenjiao's Second Princess.
Li Chenjiao liked Qi Shi's personality and was genuinely happy for her.
When she was young, Qi Shi doted on her very much, and she knew how much Qi Shi longed to have a child of her own.
Li Chenjiao then asked Qiu Hu to prepare a box of silk flowers and small beaded flowers that a young girl of her age would like, as a return gift.
Li Chenjiao had already prepared return gifts for everyone, and Song Shi had also prepared one for the eldest princess. However, Li Chenjiao hadn't seen the eldest princess for some time.
Today is the Fourth Prince's full moon celebration. On the surface, Li Chenjiao from the East Courtyard has just finished her confinement period, so everyone naturally assumes that the Fourth Prince will go to the East Courtyard today.
When the excitement subsided and things calmed down, the Fourth Prince was already fast asleep when he was sent back to the East Courtyard. The Second Princess had watched a variety show and was extremely happy. She came back covered in sweat and was disapprovingly sent to take a bath by her mother, Li Chenjiao.
Fourth Master did come to the East Courtyard, but he arrived drunk.
Li Chenjiao didn't show much dislike, but she knew Fourth Master's habits. With Su Peisheng by his side to serve him, Li Chenjiao quietly helped out, handing out handkerchiefs, hangover tea, and the like.
After a lively day, Li Chenjiao was quite tired.
Who says dealing with people isn't tiring?
After Su Peisheng left, Li Chenjiao looked at the Fourth Prince lying on the soft couch with his eyes closed and silently concluded: It's still a bit awkward and aggrieved for the Fourth Prince to lie on this soft couch.
But how could Li Chenjiao, a frail woman, help the Fourth Master to his bed?
Li Chenjiao stood there for two seconds, hesitating, but in the end she could only help the Fourth Master to the bed without complaint.
However, she really couldn't stand the smell of alcohol on Fourth Master, and as she helped him to the bed, she kept repeating to herself, "Don't offend him, bear with it, don't offend him, bear with it."
After settling Fourth Master onto the bed, Li Chenjiao still had a few beads of sweat on her forehead. She took a few breaths, then leaned closer to Fourth Master and couldn't resist touching his face.
She didn't dare to use excessive force; it was just a way to vent her exhaustion.
Before she could withdraw her hand, she noticed that Fourth Master's eyelids trembled slightly. Li Chenjiao withdrew her hand without panic, sat down on the side of the bed, and her expression softened in the blink of an eye.
However, the Fourth Prince did not open his eyes; his eyelids twitched slightly, but he did not react otherwise.
Li Chenjiao frowned and went out to wash up.
The room fell silent, except for a change in the sound of breathing.
When Li Chenjiao returned after washing up, she felt refreshed. She had visited both the little girl and the little guy, and came back with a smile on her face.
Tomorrow is the 29th, time for bed.
Li Chenjiao smacked her lips, thinking before going to sleep that Qingming Festival was just a few days away, and she wondered if she would still have to go to the palace.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
