However, there were still some unexpected and unforeseen events that caught the Xie family off guard.
As May approached, Madam Xie was waiting for the Dragon Boat Festival to let everyone know that she was pregnant and about to give birth.
Since Xie had never given birth before, she had no wet nurses to help or guide her, let alone midwives or anything like that.
She never imagined that the Fujin and the Li family of the East Courtyard would have premature births.
Upon hearing the news that Consort Li in the East Courtyard had given birth to the Second Princess, Lady Xie lay on the soft couch, still somewhat troubled.
This makes things a bit difficult.
We can only wait and see if the Fourth Prince will hold a baby shower for the Second Prince, who was born to his first wife.
Although the Second Prince was born sickly, he was, after all, the legitimate son of the Fourth Prince's household.
Didn't you see that soon after the Princess Consort gave birth to the Second Prince, Consort De from the palace sent gifts to the residence?
——
Speaking of Consort De's reward, Li Chenjiao also received it early the next morning, delivered personally by Zhao Mama, who was by Consort De's side.
However, Li Chenjiao was still asleep at that time. When Zhao Mama heard this, she quickly told people not to disturb her, so Li Chenjiao did not see Zhao Mama.
The gifts sent by Consort De were naturally longevity locks, various precious medicinal herbs, and she also sent expensive fabrics such as soft gauze.
As usual, Li Chenjiao had her two maids register and keep the list.
Qiu Hu also said that although Granny Zhao did not see Li Chenjiao, she did mention that she wanted to see the Second Princess, and even praised her after meeting her.
Li Chenjiao nodded, leaning against the large pillow, and listened to the two maids finish their report before excitedly asking them if the Second Princess had gone to sleep.
Qiu Ci is young and adores the Second Princess. Last night, even though it wasn't her turn to keep watch, she stayed by the wet nurse's side and was overjoyed to see the sleeping Second Princess.
The little maid was a bit confused: "He woke up earlier than his master in the morning, and the wet nurse went back to sleep right after feeding him. He seems to be very sleepy."
Qiu Ci was almost convinced that He Shi had done it.
Li Chenjiao knew that some children were sleepy, and she was indeed worried: "What did the wet nurse say? Let the physician come and check on the Second Princess when she wakes up. She's very hungry, is there anything to eat? What's for breakfast today?"
Qiu Hu then reported on the breakfast prepared by the kitchen staff and the food that He Shi had prepared in the small kitchen that morning.
Upon hearing this, Li Chenjiao couldn't help but rub her face.
It's one thing to have dietary restrictions when celebrating a happy occasion, but now there are even more things to avoid.
Not being able to bathe was bad enough for Li Chenjiao, but now the food situation was making things even more difficult for her.
Fortunately, the porridge for breakfast tasted pretty good. Although it didn't include the few dishes that Li Chenjiao liked, she still ate quite contentedly.
After having breakfast, Li Chenjiao remembered that Fourth Master had come by, and belatedly asked, "When did you leave, Master?"
Qiu Hu gave an hour, which was about the same as usual.
She also said that before the Fourth Master left, he said he would come to see Li Chenjiao after returning to the manor at night, and that if there was anything, she should just go to the front yard to find Fulu.
Li Chenjiao listened slowly and asked again if the Second Princess had woken up.
Before lunch, the Second Princess woke up once, and the wet nurse brought her to Li Chenjiao for her to see. She also said that it was normal for the Second Princess to be sleepy.
The second princess is very well-behaved; she doesn't cry or fuss when she goes from the wet nurse's arms to Li Chenjiao's arms.
Li Chenjiao held the little girl for a while, and then she got hungry.
She snuggled closer to Li Chenjiao.
Li Chenjiao laughed and laughed, and carried the little girl back to the wet nurse's arms, but the second princess still wouldn't let go.
But how much strength could the Second Princess's little hands have? When she finally returned to her wet nurse's arms, the little girl even let out a wail.
The two girls were truly melted; their eyes followed the little girl even as the wet nurse carried her away.
"Second Princess is so close to her master," Qiu Ci said with a smile.
Li Chenjiao smiled too.
Inside the room, the master and servants were chatting and laughing when they heard from outside that Granny Qian from the main courtyard had arrived.
The smiles on the faces of the three people outside, who had been laughing, faded somewhat.
After the Fujin gave birth in the main courtyard, her mother, Lady Aisin Gioro, soon left the mansion.
Before leaving, she didn't know that Li Chenjiao had given birth to a princess, and she gave Qian Mama a lot of instructions before leaving.
The princess consort appeared to have given birth to the family's legitimate son, a truly glorious moment.
However, the servants in the main courtyard who attended to the Princess Consort all knew that the Second Prince was frail, and that the Princess Consort's health had been further damaged after giving birth to him.
According to the imperial physician, it will be difficult for her to conceive in the future.
That is why, although Consort Li has only given birth to the second princess of the mansion, she is the only one who has not been harmed. With the current favor she enjoys, it would be easy for her to give birth to a prince in the future.
That's why the Fujin didn't send Yu Ru to make the trip today, but instead chose to send Granny Qian herself, wanting Granny Qian to give Li a hard time.
Because she couldn't be exposed to drafts during her postpartum period, Li Chenjiao still leaned against the soft couch in the inner room. Her dark headband gave her a solemn look, and the gemstones adorning it added a touch of brightness.
However, when Madam Qian entered, she behaved herself and did not look up.
Granny Qian spoke slowly and deliberately, only speaking after offering her greetings.
"Upon learning that Consort Consort had given birth to the Second Princess, the First Princess Consort was very eager to come and celebrate. However, since the Second Princess Consort had just given birth to the Second Prince, she needed to recuperate. Although she was busy, she still repeatedly instructed me to make this trip and deliver the congratulatory gifts to Consort Consort."
Li Chenjiao wasn't really interested in looking at it, and just gave Qian Mama a perfunctory reply, "Thank you for your trouble, Qian Mama."
She barely lifted her eyelids.
It's obvious without much thought that the Fujin (princess's wife) sent someone to the East Courtyard to flex her muscles, but Li Chenjiao just couldn't understand it—
If the Princess Consort has the mind to think about these things, why doesn't she put more effort into helping the Second Prince recover?
Li Chenjiao lowered her eyes and played with her black hair. In her ears was the sound of Granny Qian reporting the things sent from the main courtyard. With each sentence, a maid carrying a tray would step forward and bow.
For example, a jade carving base shaped like a pomegranate flower, or a jewelry box shaped like a lotus seed or lotus flower.
Both sides are disgusting Li Chenjiao.
Li Chenjiao counted in her mind, calculating that it was almost over before she looked up. But as soon as she glanced at her, she heard Qian Mama's next sentence.
"You insolent fool! How did you manage to sneak the tiger-head shoes that Consort De sent for the Second Prince into the fold! How dare you be so foolish in front of the Consort? Do you even know how many heads you have?"
Qian cursed fiercely but inwardly.
Li Chenjiao raised her hand to cover her mouth and yawned, glancing at the girl who was kneeling down and kowtowing in apology for holding the tiger-head shoes.
My good mood was completely ruined by Granny Qian's few words.
Li Chenjiao suddenly spoke up.
"I heard that Granny Qian is currently in charge of the main courtyard?"
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