Niohuru always paid the most attention to the activities in the East Courtyard, or rather, to the daily meals in the East Courtyard.
Last night, only two dishes were ordered in the east courtyard, and the order was placed a full half hour later than usual.
Today's breakfast was almost half an hour earlier than usual.
Furthermore, the food itself wasn't quite to my liking. The few dishes served seemed to be things the kitchen could also make, but they only looked and sounded good; the taste was... well...
Niohuru became suspicious last night, and this morning before dawn she made Huiyun keep watch all morning.
However, the maids and servants in the east courtyard were coming and going, and there seemed to be nothing unusual.
Niohuru became suspicious and had her maid Huiyun keep a close eye on the movements in the east courtyard during the day.
During the day, the time for ordering meals in the east courtyard seemed no different from usual, and the evening meal also seemed to be the same as usual.
However, Niohuru still felt something was amiss, and she was still pondering it during dinner that night.
On a summer night, when Niohuru was having her dinner, it wasn't too late, and there weren't even any candles lit in the room.
Niohuru was eating absentmindedly when she suddenly thought of something.
Yes, in summer nights come late, so she only uses candlelight when she's almost ready to rest and bathe...
But last night, candles were lit early in the east courtyard, as if afraid people wouldn't know there were people in the east courtyard.
Was the concubine not in the East Courtyard last night?
Thinking of this, Niohuru subconsciously bit her lip.
If the concubine is not in the East Courtyard, then she is probably in the Fourth Prince's Front Courtyard.
If they were going to the Fourth Master's front courtyard, why not do it openly and honestly, instead of being so secretive?
Niohuru was not feeling well.
However, this discomfort did not seem to stem from jealousy of the concubine's favor, but rather from something else entirely.
Niohuru, looking somewhat lost, poked at the sweet and sour fish pieces in her bowl, quickly turning the already small pieces into crumbs.
Huiyun entered from outside at that moment.
"Princess, the concubine in front has gone to the kitchen to order... to order the meal..."
It's only dinnertime now, why are you ordering food again out of the blue?
Niohuru pressed further, "Did you ask anything more clearly?"
Huiyun shook her head upon hearing this, her face flushing red: "This servant misspoke just now. The concubine didn't order food, she ordered hot water..."
Niohuru opened her lips, subconsciously thinking of something.
Since it's called hot water now, it can only be used for bathing...
Niohuru felt an indescribable sense of unease.
She suddenly seemed to have lost her appetite, and waved her hand listlessly: "Okay, go down."
Huiyun was a little worried, thinking that her princess was sad, but unfortunately she was not good with words and could not say anything at the moment.
...
When the people in the east courtyard called for hot water, Li Chenjiao had just returned. Even though they hadn't seen each other for only a day, Qiu Ci almost burst into tears when she saw her.
The Second Princess was carried away by Madam Chen. Li Chenjiao was so sleepy that she could barely keep her eyes open, let alone ask what happened in the manor during her absence.
Qiu Hu served her during her bath, busily adding hot water. She naturally paid attention to something as she added the hot water.
"Master didn't take the pills with him when he went out this time."
Li Chenjiao had really forgotten about this matter; she opened her eyes, which she had already closed, in a daze.
"I forgot... Go get the medicine. Whether it's still effective or not, take it first."
Qiu Hu left quickly, but after returning, she couldn't help but complain after feeding her master some medicine with warm water.
"Master is being far too ungentlemanly towards women..."
Li Chenjiao wasn't embarrassed at all when she heard this; instead, she nodded in agreement.
Fourth Master truly showed no mercy to women.
She took the pills, but there was still a faint medicinal taste in her mouth. Leaning against the bathtub, she finally calmed down and asked what had happened in the mansion.
"The eldest princess was quite worried after hearing the message, but she was persuaded by Granny Wang not to come over. Everything is fine, but I heard that the eldest prince of the Wu princess caught a cold. The imperial physician was called this morning, and I heard it's just a cold."
That's strange. How can someone catch a cold in July?
I don't know if it's because too much ice was used or some other reason.
However, this reminded Li Chenjiao: "Be careful with Aman and Wanwan too. The children are afraid of the heat in the summer, but ice shouldn't be used too much. Also, don't let the Second Princess drink too much cold water."
Qiu Hu let out a soft "Eh," and slowly pressed down on his master's shoulder.
Li Chenjiao shrugged her shoulders and laughed, "It's very itchy."
Qiu Hu smiled and said, "Now you can rest assured."
Indeed, after being away for a day, Li Chenjiao was noticeably more relaxed when she returned.
After taking a bath, Li Chenjiao first wrung out her hair. Just as she was doing so, she heard a message from outside that Eunuch Su, who served Fourth Master in the front courtyard, had arrived.
Li Chenjiao had just finished bathing, so she didn't let Su Peisheng come in. Instead, she had Su Peisheng answer the questions from behind the screen.
"Consort, His Majesty knows that you have weakened your body during your postpartum period, so he specially sent me to deliver some tonics."
Li Chenjiao paused in her hair-twisting motion. How long had she been out of confinement? Why was Fourth Master sending her tonics now?
She first thanked Fourth Master for his kindness, and then had Qiu Hu go out to take the tonic and bring it in.
Qiu Hu had already brought in the tonic, but Su Peisheng, standing outside the screen, didn't move an inch.
This means watching Li Chenjiao drink the medicine with your own eyes.
Su Peisheng lowered his head: "Afraid that the concubine would find it too bitter, the master ordered candied fruit to be prepared..."
Li Chenjiao had already guessed what was going on. She raised her hand, and Qiu Hu brought the bowl of tonic to her.
Li Chenjiao breathed a sigh of relief, picked up the tonic, and drank it down in a few gulps.
Qiu Hu quickly handed over the candied fruit.
Li Chenjiao waved her hand, her expression still relatively gentle: "Send Eunuch Su out, the master can't be without someone to serve him."
Upon hearing this, Su Peisheng quickly bowed and said, "Thank you for your understanding, Consort. I will come to pay my respects to you another day when I have time. This servant will take his leave now."
After Su Peisheng left, Li Chenjiao hissed in distress: "Go get some loquat syrup and water. Are there any lychees left? They're so bitter they make my heart race."
Qiu Hu was sent to Su Peisheng, and the green chrysanthemums and green plums outside quickly did as Li Chenjiao had told them.
After Li Chenjiao ate a few lychees and drank some sugar water, the bitterness in her mouth finally dissipated.
After Qiu Hu returned and dismissed the maids, he waited until everyone else was in the room before speaking.
“My lord, this doesn’t look like a tonic to me… it looks more like…”
Li Chenjiao spoke first: "You mean...contraceptives?"
She herself spoke quite frankly about it.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
