Li Chenjiao in the East Courtyard didn't find it strange that she got lychees; good things become commonplace after a while.
She still asked the Fourth Master as usual if he had eaten there. When she learned that he had sent everything over, she smiled knowingly.
As in previous years, they had the kitchen helpers make lychee syrup and then sent a portion to the Fourth Master in the front yard.
Just then, Niohuru ordered Huiyun, who was by her side, to bring over mung bean pancakes, which went perfectly with the mung bean soup that Li Chenjiao served every day.
Lady Niohuru also sent a small basket of mulberries. Li Chenjiao hadn't eaten mulberries in a long time, and the ones Lady Niohuru sent were all purplish-black, glossy in the black, clearly ripe.
They were probably washed before being delivered; the mulberries looked even more delicious with water droplets on them.
Li Chenjiao ate two, and they tasted very sweet.
She naturally didn't accept Niohuru's gifts for nothing. She had Qiuhu pick out some lychees and some summer melons that had just passed through the well, and sent them to Niohuru as well.
However, before leaving, Huiyun reminded her again: "Gege said that mulberries are cooling in nature. If they are eaten with bitter melon or lily, they will cause stomach upset. If they are eaten with grapes or hawthorn, they will also cause abdominal pain."
Lin Mama, who was originally waiting for Huiyun to leave before giving her a reminder, stopped in her tracks upon hearing these words.
Green Bamboo saw Huiyun off as she left.
Then Granny Lin stepped forward again: "It seems that this Princess Niohuru is quite knowledgeable about medicine."
They even thought of what mulberries would clash with, especially since it's hot in the summer and there are always plenty of grapes in the east courtyard. This reminder is just right.
Li Chenjiao knew that mulberries were cooling in nature, but she really didn't know what they clashed with.
The maids nearby had already taken note of it, and Qiu Ci had already removed the grapes from the table.
Li Chenjiao ate two more mulberries, her eyes crinkling with satisfaction: "When it comes to food, I really do get along with her."
Granny Lin stopped there, understanding her mistress's meaning: her interactions with Princess Niohuru were only about food and nothing else.
In the evening, Fourth Master came to the East Courtyard when he had some free time.
Li Chenjiao casually mentioned the mulberries on the table, but there weren't many left.
It was rare for the Fourth Prince to hear Li Chenjiao mention someone else in the East Courtyard. He glanced at her slightly, somewhat surprised, and subconsciously frowned: "Has the imperial physician seen him?"
He had just heard Li Chenjiao mention "Niohuru Clan" and he couldn't quite remember what Niohuru Clan looked like.
I only vaguely remember that she was well-behaved, much more so than the other woman who came to the mansion at the same time... Lady Liu.
Upon hearing Fourth Master's words, Li Chenjiao frowned: "If something had really gone wrong, would you still be able to see me by now?"
Fourth Master saw that Li Chenjiao liked the small basket, so he didn't take it. While Li Chenjiao was talking, he just stared at the small basket.
A few flowers, which looked like magnolias, were tied around the small bamboo basket. The scattered flowers, green and white, were quite interesting and would make it a fine decorative piece on a table.
Upon hearing Li Chenjiao's voice, Fourth Master's slightly furrowed brows relaxed: "Anything that goes into your mouth must be handled with care. Even if it's something I send you."
Having grown up in the palace, the Fourth Prince had seen too much filth and was naturally wary of anything sent from elsewhere.
This is one of the reasons why the Fourth Master's front courtyard does not allow food to be sent to other places. However, in the past two years, the Fourth Master has accepted everything sent from the East Courtyard to the front courtyard.
There was not a single doubt.
Li Chenjiao saw through it but didn't say anything. She still praised Niohuru: "Princess Niohuru is clever and has some insights into food... I get along well with her."
She wasn't worried that the Fourth Prince would treat Niohuru differently because of this; perhaps a little, but only a very slight one.
At this moment, Li Chenjiao was just chatting casually with the Fourth Prince about Niohuru, just like when she used to talk to her mother and father about close friends she had met outside when they were still in their boudoirs.
The Fourth Master didn't seem to react much. He seemed to just repeat the words "compatible" once, and then gave a faint "oh".
That sounded somewhat bittersweet.
Li Chenjiao felt something was off about what she heard, and just as she was about to say something, Qiu Hu came in and said that dinner was ready.
Aman followed her in, calling out to her mother and father that it was time to eat. Li Chenjiao immediately forgot about the strangeness.
The mother and daughter held hands as they wiped their hands. Even before Fourth Master got off the bed, he could hear them talking back and forth about what they would have for dinner that night.
After getting off the bed, Fourth Master suddenly turned around and took a basket of mulberries to taste.
It looked like a translucent, purplish-black fruit, but it was so sour it could make your teeth ache. There was no one in the room at the moment, and Fourth Master's face was all scrunched up, his expression somewhat resembling Li Chenjiao's.
Fourth Master forced himself to swallow, but after slightly moving his lips, he still managed to utter a rather unpleasant word.
In a short while, the little girl started calling out "Ama, Ama" again. Fourth Master glanced at the basket again, and finally stepped out into the outer room.
This stuff is probably only something Li Chenjiao would find delicious.
Fourth Master withdrew his gaze in disgust.
After dinner, Li Chenjiao was dragged to the swings by the two children. It was already late, and the wind was refreshing in the yard as the sun was no longer blazing.
Li Chenjiao was playing with the two children, while the Fourth Prince was pushing the swing on the side.
She was thinking that she should ask Xiao Luzi to build another swing in the yard after a while.
Fourth Master didn't participate in any of this. He simply sat in the rocking chair that Li Chenjiao usually liked to sit in under the eaves, leaning back leisurely for once, with the voices of Li Chenjiao and the two children in his ears.
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
