However, when Li Chenjiao arrived at the West Annex Hall with her entourage and began preparing, she realized that she and Granny Zhong seemed to have overlooked someone.
The female relatives who accompanied the group to Changchun Garden this time have indeed all had their accommodations arranged.
But there are still women who haven't been provided with accommodation.
Second Prince Honghui.
Li Chenjiao had really forgotten about the Second Prince. She hadn't forgotten that he was accompanying the group this time, but when arranging accommodations, she subconsciously arranged them according to the female relatives who were accompanying the group.
When she came to her senses, she quickly instructed Xiao Luzi: "Xiao Luzi, take some people and clean up the side hall near the main hall first, then ask Granny Zhong to invite the Second Prince."
Upon arriving at Changchun Garden, Qiu Hu and the others were busy giving instructions and relaying messages to various places, while also keeping an eye on their master's and the two young masters' luggage. Only now did they finally get around to unpacking, and they had completely forgotten about it.
This time when Li Chenjiao came to Changchun Garden, she left Lin Mama in the east courtyard, as well as the two cooks. However, she only left Lin Mama to guard the house, because Li Chenjiao simply didn't have enough people around her.
Currently, Lüju and Dongsheng are serving the Second Princess and the Fourth Prince. Li Chenjiao is served by the two head maids Qiuhu and Qiuci, as well as Lümei and Lüzhu, and a little girl named Xiaolu who is in charge of things outside.
It seems that there aren't enough people available these days.
The weather was really nice today. The imperial procession set off early, so Li Chenjiao got up even earlier. She didn't have time to eat much for breakfast. Although Qiu Hu and the others brought extra food, the carriage was bumpy, and even though Li Chenjiao was using a futon and bamboo mat as a cushion, she still felt stuffy.
Li Chenjiao vomited before they even reached Changchun Garden.
She thought it over again and made sure she hadn't forgotten anything else before she felt at ease and went to deal with the matters outside.
"Have Xiao Lu go to the kitchen when he gets back. We won't order any food today. When he comes back, have him find out who's staying in the rooms before and after us."
Li Chenjiao lay back on the soft couch, and Qiu Ci quickly rummaged through the trunk and found the large pillow that her mistress often leaned against.
The large, ginger-yellow pillow was embroidered with auspicious cloud patterns and five bat designs. Inside were some calming herbs that Granny Zhong had brought over before. The maids would often take them out to air in the sun when the weather was fine, as it was the scent that Li Chenjiao liked.
Li Chenjiao leaned the large pillow against her body, her eyes already closed: "Aman and Wanwan, have Chen and Zhen keep an eye on them. Don't let them go out today. We'll talk about it after the Mid-Autumn Festival tomorrow. Qiuhu, go and ask Su Peisheng in the main hall if he has ordered anyone to tidy up in advance. If not, you take people and tidy it up yourself."
She hummed in agreement, and then confirmed again: "The maids and servants who are already here can use what they need. As for the things of the two children in the left and right rooms, don't let them handle them for now. Keep an eye out for any capable ones."
"Have Green Plum count and put away the trunks and baskets, and let Green Bamboo go outside to deal with people. You two can go too, I don't need anyone to wait on me here."
Upon arriving at Changchun Garden, Li Chenjiao realized that although the Emperor and the Empress Dowager used different chefs, the East Kitchen was responsible for the meals of the noble ladies in the harem. She figured her lunch would be a little late today.
She wasn't worried about the two children; the small kitchen had prepared everything in advance before she left today.
She's taking a nap right now.
She hadn't arranged these things in a long time, and luckily there weren't many people coming this time. If there had been more, it would have been a real headache.
But since Fourth Master has assigned her this task, she can't just make arrangements haphazardly; she still has to fulfill her responsibilities.
She's not really incapable, is she?
Wasn't that just being lazy before?
After traveling for half the morning, Li Chenjiao was really tired, and she soon fell into a deep sleep.
...
The west wing was quiet. Green Plum was outside checking the trunks and boxes, holding a charcoal pencil and a booklet. The booklet listed all the items that the master and the two young masters had brought with them on this trip.
Green Bamboo was talking to the maids outside. After she carelessly mentioned that their mistress preferred quiet, the maids spoke much softer.
The two children were playing under the shade of the trees outside the west side hall. The stone table and benches were very cool, and the two children did not run around. They just sat on the stone table to cool off.
The two children watched people come and go, occasionally catching glimpses of interesting news.
When the two children got hungry, Dongsheng went inside and brought out some cakes and snacks.
Later that evening, Xiao Luzi returned from the kitchen. Not long after he returned, Su Peisheng arrived at the West Side Hall with two eunuchs, each carrying a food box.
Xiao Luzi came out to greet them, and the siblings overheard a bit of it.
"Considering that the concubine has just arrived, I was afraid that something might have been overlooked. This was specially ordered by the master to be made and sent from the estate. It's still steaming hot," Su Peisheng said, pointing to the food boxes carried by the two eunuchs.
The siblings exchanged a glance and both smiled.
Xiao Luzi naturally thanked him with a smile, and Dongsheng, who was waiting in front of the Fourth Prince, stepped forward and took the two food boxes.
Xiao Luzi and Su Peisheng exchanged pleasantries again, then walked outside as if they were brothers.
Before the Second Princess could even finish her sentence, "Open it and take a look," the Fourth Prince had already reached out and opened the food box.
The food was mostly bland, and the Fourth Prince only glanced at it before turning away; he wasn't very interested.
The second princess looked on curiously, but it wasn't something she liked to eat either, so the little girl sniffed.
"Take it in. If Mother hasn't woken up yet, just leave it there for now." The little girl waved her hand.
Dongsheng agreed, glanced at the Fourth Prince again, and then carefully carried the food box inside.
The Cangzhuo Hall was bustling with activity for most of the day. When the Fourth Prince returned in the evening, he did not go back to the main hall, but went directly to the west side hall.
Li Chenjiao had only been asleep for a short while. There was no small kitchen in the west wing, and Pingniang and Qiaoniang hadn't come with her. Knowing that the Fourth Master had sent someone to deliver food, Li Chenjiao didn't ask the maids to heat it up and just ate whatever was available.
When Fourth Master arrived, he took a closer look and saw what Li Chenjiao was eating. He frowned and asked, "Has the kitchen neglected you?"
Li Chenjiao chuckled upon hearing this, then shook her head and said, "It's hot right now, so it doesn't taste that bad. Master, come and try it, is it spoiled?"
As she spoke, she glanced at Qiu Hu beside her.
Qiu Hu understood and withdrew; it was time to prepare dinner.
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