Consort De's worries did not come true. The disaster victims in the capital were settled in two or three days, and the Crown Prince did not show up again.
The Fourth Prince still spends half a day there in person each day, but he doesn't want to be too conspicuous. Although he leaves his guards behind, he doesn't stay outside the city all day.
The Fourth Prince spent half a day at the city gate, and for the rest of the day he did not return to the Ministry of Revenue in the inner city or his residence, but went directly to his estate in the suburbs of Beijing.
In the hot August weather, when Fourth Master arrived at the estate, he instructed the steward to pick lotus seeds and lotus flowers, as well as cool summer melons.
Naturally, several children were brought back to the manor, but naturally, Li Chenjiao's family still took the lion's share.
With the disaster relief efforts concluded, Fourth Master returned to his residence that very night and went straight to the East Courtyard.
Oh, that's when Fourth Prince finally had a chance to tell Li Chenjiao about Consort De's invitation to the palace.
Li Chenjiao was somewhat surprised but still agreed. When they were settling in that night, she quietly asked the Fourth Master, "Did something happen?" Her voice sounded quite cautious.
The Fourth Prince found the voice amusing and patted Li Chenjiao's shoulder reassuringly: "Mother just wanted to chat with someone when she was free."
Li Chenjiao believed this statement, but not entirely. After all, if Consort De really wanted to talk to someone, wouldn't the Fujin (Consort Fu) be suitable? Wouldn't Princess Wenxian be suitable? Wouldn't Consort Cheng be suitable?
Why would you specifically choose her, a mere concubine?
However, Fourth Master would never lie to Li Chenjiao. Li Chenjiao was half-believing and half-doubting, but she still smiled obediently when she looked at Fourth Master.
Just kidding. Consort De is naturally very satisfied with her son, the Fourth Prince, but Li Chenjiao is well aware of Consort De's formidable nature.
Since the Fourth Prince had spoken, Li Chenjiao handed over her nameplate. Oh, and waited for Zhao Mama, who was by the Empress's side, to reply before sending Qiu Hu to the main courtyard to tell her that the Consort De wanted her to go to the palace.
Qiu Hu's expression was perfectly nuanced, conveying a hint of timidity, a touch of panic, and a barely concealed unease. The officials in the left and right courtyards didn't ask any further questions, only inquiring about the exact date before nodding in agreement.
Consort De was not free every day, and Li Chenjiao had to wait for two or three days.
The weather was exceptionally good the day I entered the palace; it was unbelievably good.
When the carriage arrived outside the Forbidden City, Li Chenjiao waited for a while before getting off. Once she stepped out of the carriage, she was immediately met with a stark contrast between ice and fire.
It's hot, but you can't use an umbrella inside the Forbidden City. It's okay in winter, but not in summer.
Li Chenjiao kept wondering why this was happening as she walked. However, for nobles, they had ceremonial entourages to sit on in both winter and summer, so they didn't have to worry about being exposed to the sun or getting cold.
Li Chenjiao walked from Yongxiang to Yonghe Palace. She wasn't usually one to sweat a lot, but she still managed to break a sweat along the way.
As usual, Zhao Mama was waiting outside Yonghe Palace at the palace gate. As she approached, Li Chenjiao excused herself from the formalities and gave her a slight nod.
"It's hot. Her Majesty said that since the concubine has arrived, let's go to the side hall and have a bowl of iced custard."
Li Chenjiao was very careful: "I'd better go and pay my respects to Her Highness first. I'll trouble you to wait for me in the sun, Granny."
His tone was extremely polite.
Hearing this, Granny Zhao smiled even more broadly: "This is all a servant should do. Her Highness has just finished breakfast and is digesting in the corridor. This is Her Highness's instruction. When you arrive, please rest in the side hall."
When Li Chenjiao entered the palace, it was still early, but as she walked through the Yongxiang Palace, the sun gradually rose. Fortunately, it was not yet the hottest time; although it was humid, it was not too scorching.
Seeing that Granny Zhao had emphasized it again, Li Chenjiao did not stand on ceremony and let Granny Zhao lead the way to the side hall.
As she led the way, Granny Zhao chatted idly: "A few more young ladies are coming today, and the concubine will have to take a look at them."
Li Chenjiao was startled by these words.
Appraiser? Her?
Consort De, aren't you giving her too much credit?
Whom could she possibly advise? The Fourth Prince? That's something the Princess Consort should worry about, isn't it? Besides, it's already August, past the general election.
Li Chenjiao denied the answer in her heart, but she spoke modestly: "I'm afraid I'm mistaken, and I hope I won't make things worse."
Zhao Mama smiled again: "Her Majesty often says that Consort Consort has discerning eyes, you don't need to be so modest."
In the side hall, there was an ice basin, and in addition to the ice cream that Granny Zhao had mentioned, there were also various kinds of fresh fruit that had already been cut. The incense in the side hall also smelled very nice. Looking around, it was somewhat different from when Li Chenjiao came last time.
Li Chenjiao only ate one bowl of ice cream cheese. The skills of the Imperial Kitchen in the palace were undoubtedly superb. She did want to have a second bowl, but she knew that she was in the palace, so she gave up.
If she comes in from outside, she's afraid she won't be able to handle eating something so cold.
After finishing a bowl of iced custard, Granny Zhao came in from outside a little while later.
"Her Majesty requests the Consort's presence." Granny Zhao maintained a constant smile.
Li Chenjiao straightened her sleeves, stood up, and followed Zhao Mama outside.
From beginning to end, she never asked a single question about who she was advising.
Upon entering the main hall, Consort De was dressed very dignifiedly today. Her crimson cheongsam made her appear even more reserved, and her cloisonné nail guards added to her solemnity. Her hair was relatively simple, but the kingfisher feather hairpins were tiring. Her every move was enough to make people intimidated.
Li Chenjiao bowed silently. Just like the Consort De in her memory, she wasn't frightened.
Consort De raised her fan slightly and said, "It's been a while since I've seen you. Have you had breakfast? Come and keep me company."
Consort De seemed to be in a good mood.
Before Li Chenjiao could speak, Granny Zhao came in from outside again: "Your Highness, Miss Zhaojia and the others have arrived."
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