The Fujin was naturally very happy to have gained such a good reputation, so when the birthdays of the first to third princes came in June, she generously bestowed many gifts upon Xu Shi's courtyard.
However, the Fourth Prince's injury had not fully healed by the time of the Third Prince's birthday. Li Chenjiao heard from Xiao Luzi that the Fourth Prince was still unable to get out of bed, and the injury to his waist might leave a hidden ailment.
However, it's impossible to know how much of that statement is true and how much is false.
After the Second Princess's birthday, Li Chenjiao rarely inquired about the Fourth Master's health in the front courtyard. However, the servants, who served Li Chenjiao every day, did not notice anything unusual about their mistress.
Before the Third Prince's birthday arrived, the servants could comfort themselves by saying that the Fourth Prince hadn't sent a birthday gift for the Second Princess because he was sick and forgot.
However, this explanation is somewhat far-fetched, after all, Su Peisheng, who is by the Fourth Prince's side, is no pushover.
Those who serve in the household always remember the birthdays of the wives, princesses, princes, and young princesses more clearly than their own; none of them would easily forget them.
Just like this time for the Third Prince's birthday, various places sent gifts. Li Chenjiao knew that the Third Prince's birthday was in June, but she didn't know the exact date.
The birthday gifts were all prepared in advance by the servants; Li Chenjiao only needed to check if they were appropriate.
Not only were things sent to Li Chenjiao, but also to various other places. Fourth Master had something sent to Madam Xu at noon.
This couldn't be kept secret, and Li Chenjiao soon found out as well.
The Fourth Prince didn't even forget the Third Prince's birthday, so how could he have so coincidentally forgotten the Second Princess's birthday?
Li Chenjiao naturally didn't believe it. She didn't quite believe that the Fourth Master was that kind of person, but it was also understandable that important people had bad memories.
Li Chenjiao didn't dwell on this matter too much, after all, it was all in the past.
However, this does not mean that Li Chenjiao has forgotten about this matter.
The saying "The imperial family is ruthless" was something Li Chenjiao's mother had repeatedly told her since she learned that she was of marriageable age and would be going to the capital for the imperial concubine selection.
Li Chenjiao will always remember this.
...
There was another event in June, which was the birthday of Consort De.
Li Chenjiao remembered this matter. Before June, Granny Lin had mentioned it twice, and Li Chenjiao had made preparations at that time. She did not prepare anything special, but simply copied some Buddhist scriptures herself and embroidered half of a Buddhist scripture embroidery. However, as June came and the weather got hot, she became a little bored, so the other half was done by several maids.
Her embroidery skills were poor, so the remaining half was also done by Qiu Ci and Lü Zhu, who were also not good at embroidery.
During this time, the Imperial Household Department also sent people to take Li Chenjiao's measurements and prepare her auspicious attire as a secondary consort of the Prince.
The auspicious robes that Fourth Prince wore when he was a prince can only be stored away now. Li Chenjiao took some time to have the robes taken out and aired.
The gold thread on the auspicious robe was somewhat dazzling under the golden light. The little girl clearly didn't like the auspicious robe, which had a somewhat dark color. However, she was very curious about the crown.
In the end, it was Li Chenjiao who personally supervised the maids as they packed the auspicious clothes into the trunks and cages.
Consort De's birthday was in mid-June. The weather in June was already quite warm. Fortunately, it wasn't a big day like the New Year, when the whole palace would celebrate. So, she didn't need to wear auspicious clothes to enter the palace.
It was said to be Consort De's birthday, but since the Fourth Prince couldn't get up yet, there was no chance of any celebration.
Moreover, Consort De was a very low-key person.
Li Chenjiao secretly thought that the Fourth Prince's low-key demeanor was probably due to the influence of Consort De.
Not all the children went to the palace. For example, the second prince was weak and did not go to the palace, and the fourth prince was too young to go to the palace either.
The second princess didn't have much of a liking or dislike for entering the palace. For a young girl, entering the palace probably meant a time when she could wear pretty clothes and small silk flowers and play with the eldest princess.
Li Chenjiao got up early. The qipao she wore was a light green color that she had chosen yesterday. It was a very refreshing color. The cuffs of the qipao were densely embroidered with dark silk thread, and light-colored begonia patterns were embroidered inside as embellishments.
The dark color of the cuffs complements the color of the cheongsam collar, adding a touch of solemnity.
It's not too overpowering, nor too plain; it's just right.
This time, the eldest princess did not ride in the same carriage as Li Chenjiao and the others. It is said that the princess consort had the stables arrange a separate carriage for her.
After the little girl got into the carriage, she didn't see the eldest princess and felt a little disappointed. She lay listlessly in Li Chenjiao's arms.
However, upon hearing that she would be able to see the eldest princess later, the little girl quickly became excited again.
The two little velvet flowers the little girl is wearing in her hair today were personally given to her by the eldest princess on the second princess's birthday.
The two girls exchanged gifts. Because the second princess was young, Li Chenjiao prepared birthday gifts for the eldest princess for the first two years, which were usually things like velvet flowers.
At this age, the eldest and second princesses already look very pretty wearing some beaded flowers and velvet flowers.
The little girl was listless for half the journey, but she perked up a bit when she arrived at Yonghe Palace and saw the eldest princess.
The children were looked after outside by Granny Zhao and the wet nurses, while Li Chenjiao and the Fujin went into the inner palace one after the other.
Even on her birthday, Consort De dressed very simply. Consort Cheng was also there today, and the Seventh Prince's wife had already arrived.
After Li Chenjiao and the Fujin exchanged greetings, she consciously stood aside like a wooden stake.
The Fujin (Prince Consort) sat on an embroidered stool that had been placed there by a maid, right below the Consort De.
"We were just talking when you arrived... Don't stand there, you've hurt yourself during childbirth, please sit down."
The second half of the sentence was spoken by Consort De to Li Chenjiao, and her eyes were also looking at her.
Li Chenjiao curtsied and said she dared not, and after a few polite exchanges, she sat down two or three steps behind the Fujin.
Consort De first inquired about the Fourth Prince's health, and the Fujin answered in a formal and measured manner.
After hearing this, Consort De sighed: "The fourth prince is also an innocent victim this time... You all need to be more careful in the manor..."
Li Chenjiao responded in agreement, just like the Fujin.
Consort De nodded with satisfaction, her gaze drifting lightly towards the Princess Consort: "You handled things very well the other day... Even though I'm in the palace, just hearing about all the commotion outside gives me a headache..."
The princess said yes, and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Actually, some things are just a matter of time, and there's nothing to be too happy about... People should think twice before they act in order to go far."
Consort De was giving a warning to the Fujin and Li Chenjiao, worried that they might become arrogant and conceited after becoming the Fujin or the secondary Fujin of the Prince.
Li Chenjiao always responded with her head bowed and eyes lowered.
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