Su Peisheng, who was following closely behind, naturally noticed Liu's arrival. Liu gave him a wry smile, without putting on airs. She excused Su Peisheng from the formalities before he could even bow, and deliberately paused to let Su Peisheng walk ahead.
Liu was being very polite, so Su Peisheng naturally did his best to maintain appearances. He nodded once and clearly understood why Liu Gege had followed him.
But he didn't have time to care about others right now; his master was probably unhappy.
The words spoken by the Fujin earlier were so obvious that everyone in the hall understood them.
Su Peisheng knew that his master had originally gone to the East Courtyard today. At noon, after receiving the birthday gift from Master Li of the East Courtyard, his master instructed him to open the storeroom to find something.
However, the master did not immediately send the gifts to the East Courtyard. It was only when the master went to the East Courtyard in person that he would bring along the gifts intended for Master Li.
Now look what's happened! Was the Fujin referring to Miss Lu? Was she saying that the Fourth Prince had neglected and forgotten Miss Lu? Or was she saying that the Concubine had monopolized the Master's favor?
However, upon closer reflection, the Princess Consort's words were not entirely wrong. After all, since the Master returned from the Imperial Palace, the few times he had stayed in the backyard, he had invariably stayed in the east courtyard.
The only time he stayed in the main courtyard was when the Fujin (princess's wife) sent someone to invite the Fourth Prince.
In that case, it's not entirely the wife's fault, but the Fourth Prince probably can't stand hearing her say things like that now...
Liu followed quietly behind Su Peisheng and the other servants, trying her best to minimize her presence. She was smart enough to know that if the Fourth Master knew of her existence, she would be walking into the line of fire.
The Fujin was only thinking about how to promote someone to take away Li Ce Fujin's favor, but she didn't care at all whether the master was willing. Although Liu was eager to compete for the emperor's favor, she was not completely clueless. At least at this critical juncture, it was extremely inappropriate.
To put it simply, who would like someone forced into their life? Even Liu herself was constantly annoyed by the spies sent by the main courtyard, let alone her master.
Liu followed the people in the front yard quietly all the way to the front yard. She stopped when she saw the Fourth Master enter the front yard from a distance.
"Go and tell the Princess Consort that the Master is in a bad mood and I was unable to see him."
She didn't go to see the Fujin herself anymore. Even if she did, she would only be reprimanded. It was a rare occasion for the whole household to receive rewards on the master's birthday, and Liu herself didn't want to go looking for trouble.
After giving the reward, the Fourth Master returned to the front courtyard and went straight to his study. Under the eaves, there were still things piled up that were to be sent to Master Li in the East Courtyard.
Fourth Master suddenly stopped in his tracks.
Su Peisheng asked, "Master, shall I deliver the things to Master Li?"
The Fourth Prince felt frustrated and turned around, shaking his sleeves: "After paying my respects tomorrow, I'll send it to your Master Li."
The Fujin's indirect hints did indeed displease the Fourth Prince, but what bothered him even more was his belated realization that she had indeed been spoiling Li Chenjiao too much lately.
However, every time Fourth Master entered the backyard, he would go straight to the east courtyard without any hesitation.
Every time he went back, he always thought that Li Chenjiao was always more tired than others in taking care of the two children. In addition, Li Chenjiao had injured her body after giving birth to the Fourth Prince. When the weather was hot, the Fourth Prince was afraid that Li Chenjiao would not be able to stand it. Now that the weather was cool, the Fourth Prince was worried that Li Chenjiao would catch a cold and eat too much.
The Fourth Master glanced at the items piled up under the eaves, then went straight to his study.
Fourth Master always felt that Li Chenjiao was being wronged, and he felt the same way now.
As for the others in the backyard? Don't they have anyone to serve them?
Fourth Master is so preoccupied with how Li Chenjiao is doing that he has no time to think about other people.
Tomorrow is the first day of the lunar month, so let's rest in the front yard for now and go see Li Chenjiao on the second day.
As winter approaches, it's getting cold in the capital.
Su Peisheng was completely unaware of the Fourth Master's true feelings and served him with trepidation all night.
To put it bluntly, it's the master's business who he wants to favor. I'm afraid that apart from Consort De in the palace, few people can persuade him otherwise. The more others try to persuade him, the more annoyed they will become.
...
Li Chenjiao returned to the East Courtyard after the banquet. The Fourth Prince was so sleepy that he could barely keep his eyes open. He was currently sleeping with his eyes closed in his wet nurse's arms. The Second Princess was more energetic, but she was too energetic. She didn't need her mother, Li Chenjiao, to lead her to the East Courtyard.
Green Chrysanthemum followed closely behind, as did the two wet nurses. Dong Sheng, now much more astute, picked up his lantern and followed after them.
At a distance that was neither too close nor too far, the Second Princess's figure did not escape Li Chenjiao's sight, so she was not afraid of anything happening to her.
Granny Lin and Qiu Hu stood on either side of Li Chenjiao, while Xiao Luzi led the way, illuminating the way.
Granny Lin spoke up, but very softly: "The Second Prince looks much thinner today."
Indeed, it wasn't obvious at first, but after the Third Prince sat next to the Second Prince, the two children were only two months apart. Now, the Third Prince is not only a size bigger than the Second Prince, but he is also significantly taller.
Li Chenjiao's eyes followed the little figure of the Second Princess. She understood what Lin Mama meant, but she acted very casually: "Everyone has their own destiny."
The second prince was weak, the third prince was raised by Xu Shi and was of low status, and then came the fourth prince, the youngest son born to Li Chenjiao.
Li Chenjiao never thought about those things. The children's good life doesn't necessarily mean they have to inherit the title. Once people start thinking about those things, they have many unfounded desires in their hearts, and it's really hard to say which path they will end up on.
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