Because the Fourth Prince sent Princess Wenke, who was to be married off to Khorchin in Mongolia, the inner court, which had been restless because of Princess Wu giving birth to the eldest prince, finally calmed down a bit.
In addition, before the Fourth Prince left the mansion, he instructed that Princess Wu should rest and recuperate, so after the third-day celebration, there were far fewer people coming to visit.
Moreover, the Fourth Master had stayed in Li Chenjiao's courtyard for three consecutive days before leaving the mansion, which made everyone in the backyard even more confused about his intentions.
After all, whether Wu Gege will be invited to be a secondary consort is still uncertain, so it's better to stay put for now.
Because the Fourth Prince was not at home, the First Prince's full moon celebration was not held in a grand manner. The Princess Consort simply arranged for each household to have dinner at the Qing Courtyard.
However, the Fujin (wife) has been experiencing morning sickness these days, and all the arrangements for the full moon banquet were made by Qian Mama, who had just joined her side.
However, Granny Qian was shrewd and experienced. After making the arrangements, she personally took the list to consult Granny Xu, and she spoke very kindly.
She said that since she was new to the area, she was being arrogant because she had nursed the wife when she was young. However, she would still need to trouble Granny Xu to take care of all the affairs in the future.
A single phrase, "let's be a little more arrogant," definitively determined who was superior and who was inferior.
Xu Mama didn't mind at all. In her heart, she wished that the Fujin had a smart and experienced nanny to guide her. At her age, wouldn't it be more comfortable for her to live out her days by the side of Consort De?
However, she still needed to figure out Qian Shi's temperament. In addition, given the Fourth Master's instructions before leaving the capital, Xu Mama still had to put on an act for the time being.
In October, by the time the eldest prince turned one month old, Li Chenjiao's pregnancy had reached three months. Although she wasn't showing much, she was definitely several months along.
However, Li Chenjiao did not show any signs of morning sickness like the main wife. She did not experience any discomfort during her pregnancy, and Li Chenjiao had some guesses in her mind.
There was still some lingering heat in October, so Li Chenjiao took a round fan with her before leaving the East Courtyard. As she walked, she held the fan handle up to her body.
"This dress is a bit short; I haven't worn it more than a few times yet," Li Chenjiao said, glancing at the cuffs.
Qiu Hu laughed and said, "Princess insisted on choosing this plum-colored Suzhou embroidered cheongsam with the image of the Eighteen Scholars. This one was made in the sewing room on the estate in the spring. Princess wore it twice on the estate, and now it does look a bit short."
Qiu Ci didn't speak, her eyes fixed on the front: "Master, it's Princess Xie."
It's really tough on Xie Gege, having to take such a long detour every time.
When Li Chenjiao looked up, Xie Shi was already walking towards her. She was stunned for a moment when she saw Xie Shi approaching, but she quickly covered it up with a light laugh.
Xie Shi—pregnant?
Since Li Chenjiao could conjure up the image of a little prince in her mind, Xie Shi's pregnancy must have lasted at least a month.
Fourth Master only visited Madam Xie once, on the fifteenth of August.
It was already October 16th, and Li Chenjiao lowered her brows.
It's been two months.
The young prince in her mind looked just like the eldest princess that popped into her mind when Song Gege was pregnant before; neither of them seemed to be in good health.
These days, Xie Shi hasn't been seen going to the backyard, and everyone in the backyard thought she had gone to learn manners.
Xie Hengyi walked up to Li Chenjiao, gave her a polite bow with a smile, and then went straight to Taiqing Courtyard.
Unlike last time, they didn't seem to want to cause any trouble.
Li Chenjiao blinked, thinking to herself that Xie knew she was pregnant and was waiting to use the child to turn her life around.
Li Chenjiao lowered her eyes, knowing that the backyard was becoming more and more lively.
When Li Chenjiao arrived at the Qingyuan, it was the same people who came, but Bai Jiashi was also there.
It had been almost a year since they last met, and Bai Jia looked much more haggard. Her clothes were still new, but her hair was only decorated with a few plain silver hairpins and a few silk flowers.
The Fourth Prince has placed Bai Jia under house arrest until the Banjin Festival this year, which is a major festival for the Manchus, similar to the New Year for the Han Chinese.
It is on the 13th day of the tenth lunar month every year.
Today is her sixteenth birthday, so Bai Jia's confinement should be lifted by now.
The long period of confinement must have taught Bai Jia a lesson. When Li Chenjiao sat down in the Qing Courtyard, the arrogance of a Manchu lady was finally gone from her face.
After Li Chenjiao sat down, she glanced a few more times at the eldest princess sitting opposite her, being held by Madam Wang. This was the first time the eldest princess had appeared at these banquets.
This also shows that the Song family was truly anxious.
After Lady Wu gave birth to the eldest prince, the status of the only eldest princess in the household seemed to change somewhat.
Madam Song was indeed quite anxious, which is why she had the wet nurse bring the eldest princess out today, so that everyone in the mansion would know that the eldest princess was no longer sickly.
The fact that the sickly eldest princess was raised to be so healthy is naturally thanks to her, her birth mother.
Song Shi hadn't had a good night's sleep in days. Ever since she learned that Wu Shi had given birth to the eldest prince, Song Shi had been holding a grudge.
She was filled with hatred. She hated that she wasn't the one who gave birth to the eldest prince, and she hated even more that Wu, who gave birth to the eldest prince, would be asked to be granted a title because of it.
This was the fantasy that Song Shi had from the moment she entered the Fourth Prince's backyard until her first joyful encounter.
Especially when Wu, with her rosy complexion and seemingly well-preserved postpartum condition, entered the Qingyuan Courtyard.
"I'm late. When I came out, the eldest prince suddenly started crying and making a fuss, which is why I was delayed."
Today, Wu was wearing a rare lilac-colored brocade qipao with gold thread and a moon palace laurel pattern, and her hair was adorned with a full set of jeweled stones.
Her entire outfit was expensive, not to mention the pair of exquisitely crafted bracelets on her wrists.
Madam Song teased the eldest princess with a necklace, and when she saw Madam Wu come in, she did not get up to greet her: "It's only been a month since she was born. It's normal for a baby to cry. Sister Wu, you're making a fuss too much. In the past, the eldest princess was as weak as a kitten, but she was still easy to take care of. No wonder Fourth Master has always doted on the eldest princess."
Bai Jia sat to the left of Li Chenjiao today, so Wu had to sit to the left of Song across from her.
This ranking is naturally based on the order in which they entered the mansion.
As soon as Wu entered, she was subtly mocked by Song. Naturally, she was not happy at the moment. In addition, the Fourth Prince had not yet mentioned the matter of bestowing a concubine title, and Wu had been thinking about it these days.
Knowing that things were not yet settled, she held back her anger: "What Consort Song said is true. After all, I just gave birth, and I am happy to see the First Prince every day. The child is also very clingy. I am just making a fuss over nothing."
That's an interesting statement.
Didn't you see that Song Gege was trying to tease the eldest princess with a necklace, but the eldest princess didn't even glance at it?
Everyone in the mansion knew that Madam Song had almost been punished because of the eldest princess.
Wu Gege's words really hit Song Shi right where it hurts.
Song Shi nearly dropped the necklace in her hand, almost hitting the eldest princess's face. Fortunately, Wang Shi reacted quickly and sidestepped, preventing the necklace from falling to the ground. However, the eldest princess was still frightened and cried out.
Seeing that the two of them were still making a fuss, Li Chenjiao raised her eyelids and slowly said, "It seems that we should start the banquet sooner, otherwise everyone will be too busy talking to have an empty mouth."
"Is the eldest princess hungry? Granny, take her downstairs and comfort her." Li Chenjiao glanced at Wang Shi again and offered a way out.
Wang smiled gratefully at Li Chenjiao.
The eldest princess's crying quickly stopped, and the princess's wife arrived at that moment.
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