Besides the fact that Li Chenjiao was too lazy to befriend everyone in the backyard, there was another very simple reason.
With the Fujin ill, she knows everything that happens in the backyard – who goes to whom, who they meet, and every little thing that goes on there.
Those inside wouldn't say it's about forming cliques or anything like that, but what about those who don't know?
Li Chenjiao is currently a concubine, so she has to think carefully before doing anything.
She herself has always been very clear about this, and she has always lived a comfortable life within the rules. She does like the eldest princess. Who doesn't like a pretty young girl?
Liking someone is one thing, but whether you can see them often is another matter entirely.
The eldest princess is connected to the Song family, even though the Song family and the eldest princess are not particularly close.
However, Li Chenjiao and the people in the backyard never intended to be on good terms.
In this backyard, Fourth Master is the master, and everyone ultimately ends up serving him.
Outside, Li Chenjiao and the others in the backyard could be considered colleagues, but only those who competed for survival. The Fourth Master was their superior.
Li Chenjiao had thought it through when she entered the manor: she didn't need to be too close to the people in the back courtyard. As colleagues, nodding acquaintances were enough; any other entanglements would only cause trouble.
After hearing what Qiu Ci said, Li Chenjiao nodded in satisfaction: "I'll save two for your mistress, the ones with the winter plum fragrance."
As February approached, most of the plum blossoms in the garden had withered. Li Chenjiao admired them from afar at the gate, but did not venture into the garden, which was a pity.
These winter plum blossoms were obtained by the maids during the first month of the lunar calendar. They were dried on a few rare sunny days, and then baked and moistened according to the imperial physician's instructions. In the end, there weren't many petals left.
Qiu Ci laughed, "Does Master want to compete with the eldest princess for things?"
Li Chenjiao laughed along, glancing inside as she spoke: "To tell you the truth, your master not only wants to snatch things from the eldest princess, but also from Aman. Is Green Bamboo cooking porridge in the small kitchen? It smells delicious."
By February, the Second Princess was nine months old. Following the imperial physician's instructions, the East Courtyard was already preparing complementary foods for her, which were mostly soft, well-cooked rice porridge and vegetable soup.
However, the East Courtyard had already started preparing complementary foods for the Second Princess before the New Year. At that time, the little girl started teething, and Li Chenjiao was quite surprised. However, at that time, she only fed the Second Princess some rice water to taste.
It was probably when the Second Princess was still young that Li Chenjiao would often tease her during meals. The little girl didn't show any resistance when she was fed rice porridge for the first time.
On the contrary, because Li Chenjiao used to tease the Second Princess, the little girl was able to open her mouth when Li Chenjiao fed her rice porridge for the first time. However, when Li Chenjiao actually fed the little girl a small spoonful of rice porridge, the little girl's eyes widened.
That little face was just too adorable.
The second princess has a pair of very beautiful eyes, much like Li Chenjiao's, bright and sparkling.
Speaking of this, Qiu Ci felt even more helpless.
Fortunately, after a few times, Green Bamboo learned her lesson and started cooking an extra portion of porridge for the Second Princess every time.
After craving something sweet, Li Chenjiao rarely mentioned Fourth Master, saying, "Judging by the days, it must have been about a month since he left, right?"
Qiu Hu lifted the curtain and came in from outside: "Master has a good memory. In a few more days, it will be a full month."
Li Chenjiao did some more calculations: "Then I reckon Fourth Master should be back by now."
Li Chenjiao naturally couldn't calculate the time it would take for the Fourth Prince to come and go. What she was calculating was the timing of this year's imperial selection. At the end of February, the young ladies would arrive in the capital, the preliminary selection would be held in early March, the nobles would be invited to meet them in the middle of the month, and by early April, His Majesty would issue an edict: those who should keep their nameplates would keep them, those who should be granted marriage would be granted marriage, and those who should be granted flowers would be granted flowers.
Li Chenjiao stood up and took a breath.
Spring is coming.
These leisurely days are about to be lost for a while.
On the ninth day of the second month, the Princess Consort went to the palace and returned to the mansion around noon. The gatekeeper said that she did not look very well.
On the thirteenth day of the second month, the Fujin went to the palace again early in the morning, and it is said that she still looked unwell when she returned.
Everyone in the inner courtyard understood that the Princess Consort's repeated submissions of her nameplates to the palace were all for the purpose of selecting new concubines for this year's imperial concubine selection.
Although everyone had been looking forward to the arrival of new talent for a long time, they still felt a little uneasy when the time actually came.
Who knows what kind of monsters those two beautiful princesses who have entered the mansion this time are?
In addition, the Fujin (princess) returned from the palace twice with unpleasant expressions, which caused even more discussion in the inner courtyard, with everyone seemingly on high alert.
February 15th is the day, according to custom, to go to the main courtyard to pay respects.
This time, the Princess Consort did not excuse everyone from paying their respects, and everyone was present, which was rare. Obviously, everyone wanted to hear what the Princess Consort would say, especially whether she would talk about anything related to the new bride entering the household.
February is the most difficult month to dress for. The weather is unpredictable, with alternating periods of warmth and cold. If you wear too little, a gust of wind can make you shiver. However, if you wear too much, you don't look as good.
However, Li Chenjiao didn't care about such things. Since the Fourth Master wasn't at home right now, she just wanted to avoid getting sick.
She chose a dark green qipao embroidered with golden deer, jade rabbit, and auspicious clouds, which was made last autumn. The cuffs also had a unique embroidery of a reclining rabbit. It was probably delivered around the Mid-Autumn Festival, and it fit her perfectly this time.
She then draped a matching cloak over her shoulders. This cloak was slightly thinner, but its embroidery was exquisite, and the pattern of dew-covered lotus leaves on it complemented her perfectly.
Three years after entering the manor, Li Chenjiao had grown taller; at least the sleeves of the clothes she brought with her were now too short.
Li Chenjiao spun around in front of the bronze mirror.
What woman doesn't love to look pretty? She lowered her head and touched the pattern on her cuff again: "This color is nice, it makes me look radiant."
Qiu Hu nodded in agreement: "There are still some furs that Fourth Master brought back last time in the storeroom, but with spring approaching, they won't be needed for a while. There's also that white fox fur cloak, which Master finds too thick and has never worn. I'll have Green Plum and Green Bamboo find it and air it out in the sun while the weather is nice today."
Li Chenjiao then looked outside and indeed, the morning light was clear; it was truly a rare and beautiful day.
Li Chenjiao stretched and said, "Find out those clothes in the storeroom that I can't wear anymore, and see if we can cut them into sleeves or wristbands. That way, we can make the most of them. Oh, and I want to eat sesame seed cakes for breakfast. Have Xiao Luzi go to the kitchen and ask if they have any."
The master and his servants chatted idly all the way to the main courtyard.
Li Chenjiao got up a little earlier today, but unexpectedly, she was still the last one to arrive.
However, it's not the right time yet, so it's not too late.
When the maid in the main courtyard respectfully lifted the curtain, Li Chenjiao also heard some noises coming from inside.
It wasn't quiet inside at the moment; Song's voice was the clearest.
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