The way Fourth Master wiped Li Chenjiao's face wasn't exactly gentle; it could even be described as rough. However, Li Chenjiao could sense that Fourth Master had tried his best to soften his movements.
Since it was Fourth Master wiping her face, she couldn't complain. After all, this was Fourth Master serving her, and since it was a rare opportunity, she decided to continue pretending to be asleep.
Li Chenjiao's breathing calmed down. After Fourth Master wiped Li Chenjiao's face, Qiu Hu came in with a copper basin. Fourth Master placed the handkerchief on the side of the copper basin and glanced at Qiu Hu.
Qiu Hu, sensing the situation, withdrew.
Fourth Master got up and trimmed the wick of the outer lamp, plunging the inner room into darkness. He climbed onto the bed, looking up at the ceiling, his ears filled with the sound of soft breathing.
Today, he did have a dispute with his wife in the front courtyard. He really didn't understand why his wife couldn't see things clearly. If the person chosen by Ulanara was clear-headed and capable, the Fourth Prince wouldn't have said he wouldn't keep her. But since the person was useless, the Fourth Prince naturally wouldn't keep her by the Second Prince's side.
The Fourth Prince understood that his wife had a motherly heart for the Second Prince, but she always seemed confused about matters concerning the Ulanara clan.
Fourth Master remained silent. What else could he be thinking of besides these things? He had been furious when he came out of the front yard, but now he couldn't think of anything else besides this.
He and his wife never really got along, and besides, the two little girls had already gone home, and his wife couldn't come back either. So what was he unhappy about...?
In the middle of the night, without Li Chenjiao having to say anything to persuade him, Fourth Master quickly figured it out himself.
Li Chenjiao, fast asleep, didn't care about any of that; she let Fourth Master figure it out himself.
However, the Fourth Prince still maintained the dignity that his wife had shown him to the outside world. None of the unpleasantness in the front courtyard was mentioned, and even the replacement of two maids by the Second Prince's side was done quietly.
However, those who are observant will naturally be able to notice it, but at least on the first day of the third month, when everyone comes to the main courtyard to pay their respects, they cannot discern anything from the Fujin's face.
However, it seems that not many people care about the mistress's petty affairs.
Li Chenjiao left early from the main courtyard. The small kitchen had made tofu pudding for breakfast, and she tasted two bites before leaving, which made her crave it.
Niohuru, who usually followed closely behind Li Chenjiao, was much slower today and ended up walking with Bai Jia.
Bai Jia laughed when she saw this, amused that Niohuru was not walking with the concubine today.
Niohuru glanced at Baijia indifferently upon hearing this: "Who said we must stay together? I respect the Consort in my heart, not just superficially like some people do."
After a few days, Niohuru's mouth was still as unpleasant as ever.
Bai Jia twitched her lips and couldn't help but snort, "I wonder who it is that always eagerly follows behind the concubine every time she comes out to pay her respects."
She tried to catch up but was glared at by someone; now, however, she's spouting these high-sounding platitudes.
Niohuru's expression stiffened slightly upon hearing Baijia's words.
She remained silent, simply quickening her pace, too lazy to walk alongside Bai Jia.
Bai Jia was not going the same way as Niu Hulu, and they parted ways halfway there.
Niohuru was a very eccentric person, though her mouth could sometimes be quite pleasing.
...
One of the most important events in March is His Majesty's birthday. However, this year the women do not need to go to the palace. Instead, the Fourth Prince will bring the children to the palace to celebrate His Majesty's birthday, so that His Majesty can experience the joy of being surrounded by his children and grandchildren.
However, both the eldest and second princesses of the Fourth Prince's household claimed to be ill and did not go to the palace on March 18th.
However, for His Majesty, he probably just wanted to see his grandsons.
The Fourth Prince was saddened to learn that neither his mother nor his sister would be going to the palace with him. He chased after his mother, asking why his sister couldn't go to the palace with him.
Li Chenjiao thought for a moment, racking her brains to come up with a half-true, half-false explanation: "If you and my sister go to the palace together, then there will be no one to keep Mother company."
"Your son also wants to stay with you, Mother." This child was so sweet-talking, and when he spoke, his eyes blinked and stared at people, making it impossible to tell that he was lying.
Li Chenjiao pinched Wanwan's little face: "Wanwan, will you bring back something delicious for your mother? Your imperial grandfather in the palace also wants to see you. Wanwan can see your mother every day, but your imperial grandfather can only see Wanwan a few times a year."
Li Chenjiao used the Emperor as a shield.
The Fourth Prince exclaimed "Ah!" and his small mouth slightly opened: "That Grandfather is so pitiful..."
Li Chenjiao quickly raised her hand to cover Wanwan's little mouth: "Ah!"
How innocent... children say the darndest things! What she just said was just to coax Wanwan.
How many princes and grandsons does His Majesty have? Li Chenjiao couldn't even count the princes on two hands. Just thinking about all those princes and grandsons, she realized that even she herself would have trouble remembering them all.
However, if it's their own child, they should still remember.
After a moment of wild speculation, Li Chenjiao smiled and pinched the Fourth Prince's cheek: "Your mother and your son are waiting for you to come back for a midnight snack. Your father and your imperial grandfather are just a little fierce-looking, so our Wanwan doesn't need to think about it so much."
Li Chenjiao didn't want her child to stand out too much in front of the Emperor; as long as the child didn't make any mistakes, that was fine.
Of course, Li Chenjiao was still happy that Wanwan was promising.
On the 18th of March, the three princes of the mansion were sent to the front yard early in the morning. The fourth prince was accompanied by Dongsheng and Bayanbu.
The Fujin (Prince Consort) did not enter the palace today. Li Chenjiao personally escorted the Fourth Prince to the front courtyard, while the Second Prince was escorted by Qian Mama, who was close to the Fujin.
Li Chenjiao glanced at the Second Prince a couple more times. The Second Prince greeted Li Chenjiao with a cupped-hand salute, and the two brothers exchanged greetings.
Li Chenjiao did not accept the Second Prince's greeting, but only patted the Fourth Prince's head. The Second Princess went inside first, as she still had to go to school today.
Fourth Master had no idea that Li Chenjiao had come. He did not show himself, but he still sent Su Peisheng out to personally escort Li Chenjiao.
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