"Master, this thing is the mythical bird from mythology. Does the phoenix really exist in this world?" Si Hua asked.
"Perhaps there really are things in this world that we don't know. But I don't know who to ask. Should I go to the mountains around the capital and ask the hunters?" Lanqin was also a little confused. Since the Dragon's Nest is a lizard's tongue, then the Phoenix Blood must also be a creature from this world, one that she just didn't know about.
"Master, why don't we wait for the master to return and then discuss it with him? There are so many mountains around Beijing, where are we supposed to find one?" Si Hua said.
"Yes, that's the only way. The Liu family's matter hasn't been confirmed yet, so we can only wait," Lanqin said.
"Master, why don't we go and see Cui Niang?" Si Hua suggested to Lan Qin.
"Okay. Let's go see her. I haven't seen Cui Niang in a long time, I've been missing her a bit," Lanqin said.
After discussing it, the master and servant immediately packed some nourishing tonics, some cloth, and some small items and clothes for the children to play with. They then asked the steward to prepare the carriage and set off.
Meanwhile, Cui Niang, heavily pregnant, was doing embroidery in her room, naturally preparing for her unborn child. Not knowing whether it was a boy or a girl, she selected some fabric for both genders to make undergarments for the baby.
"Madam, please stop making these, or you'll hurt your eyes!" Ah Ping came in carrying a bowl of sweet water and saw that Cui Niang was still making children's clothes, so she quickly said.
"We can't just not do it, the baby's almost here," Cui Niang said with a smile. Her belly was already as big as two or three large watermelons stuffed under her clothes.
"That old lady is really something. Her own grandson is almost born, and she won't even make him clothes. All she thinks about is the Second Master." A-Ping walked up to Cui Niang, took the clothes from her hands, and said, "Madam, this is what the Master instructed. Please drink it. I made it secretly, otherwise if the old lady saw it, she would ask if there was any for the Second Master."
"Don't talk nonsense. You can only say these things in my room. You're not allowed to say them outside. Second Master is off to take the autumn imperial examination." Cui Niang took the bowl from A Ping's hand. It was a tonic that Li Wei had bought for her.
“I know, of course I wouldn’t say these things in front of the old lady. Madam, please drink it.” Aping said. She was a pitiful maid that Cui Niang had bought from a slave trader. In addition, Cui Niang had no temper whatsoever as a mistress and treated her very well, almost like a younger sister. So when Aping saw the old lady making things difficult for Cui Niang from time to time, she felt indignant for her. In Aping’s eyes, Cui Niang was already very good. She worked for the concubine of Prince Yong’s mansion and brought back silver every month that was no less than that of Master Li Wei. Moreover, she also managed the household chores, took care of her mother-in-law and second uncle, and treated her very well. Such a good daughter-in-law, but Li Da Niang seemed not to be very satisfied.
"Alright, you silly girl. Did the old lady upset you again?" Cui Niang said, noticing a hint of displeasure on A Ping's face.
“How could I dare to argue with the old lady? It’s just that Madam is about to give birth, and the old lady still gives her attitude from time to time. I’ve never seen a mother-in-law like that,” said A-Ping. She was straightforward and got along very well with Cui Niang, so Cui Niang liked her too.
“Mother just sees that I haven’t spoken to the concubine on behalf of my second uncle. Sigh, old people always protect their youngest children. She doesn’t know that our concubine has quite a few half-brothers, and she never says a word about them to the master. How could I possibly cause trouble for the concubine?” Cui Niang said.
“Yes, the old lady is too unreasonable. Second Master has already gone to participate in the autumn examination. If he is really capable, he should pass the exam with flying colors. Then it will be easier for the madam to say a few words to him.” A-Ping said.
“That’s exactly right. Master serves the Prince, so he’s quite at ease. Now, Master is so busy with the Prince preparing for the autumn examinations that he can’t even go home. Ah Ping, we need to be prepared. If this little one in your belly is about to be born, we can’t afford to panic,” said Cui Niang.
"Don't worry, we've already found a midwife, and she's not far from here. I'll go and fetch her when the time comes," A-Ping said.
Just then, a young boy who was doing odd jobs at the gate rushed out and said, "Madam, Sister Ping, a pair of maids have come to see our Madam."
It turned out that the young gatekeeper was a famine victim that Li Wei had found on one of his trips with Fourth Master. He said his parents had both starved to death, leaving him all alone. Li Wei felt sorry for him and, thinking that his family did need someone to do odd jobs, he took the boy in.
"Madam's maid?" Cui Niang repeated, quickly helping A Ping to her feet, saying, "Could it be the concubine? Quick, help me to see her!"
After much thought, Cui Niang could only think of Lan Qin. So, she excitedly took A Ping's hand and walked towards the gate.
"Madam, please watch your step." A-Ping helped Cui Niang walk; she was heavily pregnant and walking was already difficult for her.
Before even reaching the main gate, I could see Lanqin and Sihua standing there in the distance.
"Mao Li, quickly let the concubine into the room! What are you still standing there for!" Cui Niang exclaimed with delight. Lan Qin also saw her, and Si Hua quickly helped Lan Qin step over the threshold and walk towards Cui Niang.
"Master!" Cui Niang exclaimed excitedly.
"Your belly is so big, are you about to give birth?" Lanqin exclaimed emotionally.
"It's been these past few days. Why has Master come?" Cui Niang asked, supporting Lan Qin's arms.
"Of course I came to see you. Hey, you, and you, go outside and help that thing." Lanqin called to Maoli and Aping, who was beside Cui Niang.
This was the first time Ah Ping had met Lan Qin. Seeing that the concubine was so approachable and seemed to treat her wife very well, Ah Ping was overjoyed and went with Mao Li to the carriage outside to get their things.
"Master, come, come to my room!" Cui Niang said, pulling Lan Qin along.
"Slow down, your belly is so big, let me feel it!" Lanqin said with a smile. It took several people outside quite a while to carry the three large boxes from the carriage into the house.
"Master, why are you bringing so much stuff?" asked Cui Niang.
"Of course they're for you. That box is full of ginseng, snow frog, and bird's nest. After you give birth, you have to eat them every day to get your body in good shape before you go back to serve me. That box is full of fabric, don't be shy, make some clothes for the baby and for both of you. And that little box is full of Ushihabechuk's clothes, and some of Hongli's old clothes. You don't mind, do you? I'll give them all to you. Whether it's a boy or a girl, everyone will have clothes to wear."
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